Daily Excelsior... Editorial

EDITORIAL

Electric shocks in
corridor of power

Oz cheated Team India

By Arun Nehru

Sino Indian relation

By V.N. Paranjape

Pravasi Diwas
means global connect

By Umashankar Joshi

Cynics might write off the Sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) celebration in the national Capital inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, as little more than an annual jamboree, an opportunity for non-resident Indians to network with each other than an economic conclave that translates into any material benefits for the country. And in a sense they would be right. There is little to indicate increased..more

EDITORIAL

Electric shocks in
corridor of power

Should it surprise anyone that the opposition and treasury benches have exchanged hot words over power situation during the ongoing session of the legislature? There are several factors that agitate the minds of concerned people. For one thing there is a big gap between the installed capacity and the actual generation. A promise made to consumers that those opting for electronic meters would get uninterrupted supply has gone haywire. There are scheduled and unscheduled cuts. The opposition has also alleged inadequate utilisation of Central funds meant for up-gradation of power distribution system. Transmission and distribution (T&D) losses have gone up. According to the opposition these account for 47 per cent in the State against the national average of 33 per cent. It has revealed certain amazing figures. The Central Government gave Rs 200 crores during 2005-06 to improve the T&D network. Of this amount only Rs 82 crores were utilised. The corresponding figures for the next two years are even more disappointing. In 2006-07 the Central aid was to the tune of Rs 277 crores but in reality only Rs 36 crores were spent. In the current financial year just Rs 58 crores have been spent so far of the total allocation of Rs 318 crores. Since these figures have been mentioned by Mr A.R. Rather, National Conference Leader of the Opposition and a former finance minister, one tends to take them at face value. He has described it as a "glaring example of non-performance of the Government." From the available reports it is evident that the Government has not rebutted them. Instead, it has conceded that there is a problem in upgrading the power infrastructure because a national-level company was not willing to work in the Valley and local contractors did not have requisite expertise. For the sake of record the Government has said the total hydel power potential of the State is estimated at 20000 Megawatt. Of this more than 16000 MW have been identified on the Jhelum (3560 MW), Chinab (10360 MW), Indus (2060 MW) and Ravi (500 MW). The State has an installed capacity of 1869 MW --- 1560 MW in the Central sector and 309 in the State sector. The official version is that "the gap between installed capacity and actual generation is mostly because of high fluctuations in the discharge of the sources."

There is nothing new in these statistics or the conclusion based on them. A Planning Commission document has made identical assessment almost a decade ago: "The State has a huge hydel potential estimated at 20000 MW of which less than 10 per cent has been exploited so far. Among the primary sources of commercial energy, Jammu and Kashmir has proven reserves of coal and lignite. The production of non-coking coal in 1999-2000 was 28 thousand tonne and lignite reserves in the State were 128 million tonne. Hydel energy is the cheapest source of energy available to the State, though thermal energy is also consumed in large proportions. The installed capacity in thermal plants as on March 31, 2000 was 184 MW. Thermal plants are basically used as standbys to back the hydel plants whose generation capabilities fall during winter season due to low river discharge. On the other hand, coal and lignite provide a high-cost option because of difficult mining conditions in the case of low fuel value coal and lignite of high ash content. Renewable energy especially solar energy also has a vast potential in meeting the increasing demand for energy in the State. Solar energy can be an important source for Ladakh due to its sunny and dry climatic conditions." There is a terse observation: "The power sector in Jammu and Kashmir, however, is one of the most underdeveloped sectors in the state. It has not only been unable to keep pace with the growing demand but its supply to ultimate consumers has also been poor. In addition to large unexplored potential, inadequate transmission and distribution network, huge transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, low power tariff, power thefts as well as long gestation period of the power projects have contributed to the dismal situation of the sector." Have we not heard the same numbers and same sentiments being echoed in the legislature now? There is an important difference, however. No more do we talk of coal and lignite projects. Solar energy available in abundance in Ladakh is not being harnessed for the benefit of one and all. About T&D losses, the Planning Commission had then noted that these remained as high as "46.5 per cent. These losses include transformation losses as well as unaccountable consumption, of which latter accounts for more than half of the losses. The absence of metering of consumption due to non-installation or the non-functioning of the meters accentuates the problem. Power theft and pilferage exert additional pressure, forcing the State to purchase more from outside sources."

In addition, there are other difficulties as well. We can't build dams --- big or small --- because of the limitations imposed by the Indus Water Treaty. Varied suggestions have been made to wriggle out of the situation. These vary from scrapping the Treaty itself to seeking compensation from the Centre for losses on this count. Any of these measures is easier said than implemented. We have to per force settle for run-of-water schemes. It is only recently that the country has started focussing on organising the power sector on professional lines. Private entrepreneurs are being involved everywhere. Tariff is also being rationalised. At the same time the need of far-flung and hilly hamlets is also being kept in mind. Slowly but surely we in the country are proceeding in the direction of generating surplus electricity. Renewable sources of energy are being exploited. Why should we in this State lag behind? The least we can do at the present juncture is to properly manage the supply on hand. Stern steps must be taken to stop the theft of electricity. Those indulging in corruption should be dealt with firmly. It is a pity that the Government is not able to realise tariff from its own departments. This should change. Any laxity will generate electric shocks in the corridors of power as it has done now.

Oz cheated Team India

By Arun Nehru

The political agenda for the New Year is quickly forgotten as our Cricket team does us proud in Australia. Dignity and restraint under extreme pressure and provocation by the Australian cricket team aided by the umpires were the qualities displayed by Team India and I think that all of us must also not allow our emotions to prevail over the reality of the situation. The match was 'fixed' in favor of Australia and 8 wrong decisions against us and the circumstances of each one of these lapses need a thorough investigation. We had defeated Australia in the 20/20 competition and came near to demolishing them on the first day as they lost 6 wickets but then Andrew Symonds was given 'not out' on four occasions [once by the Third Umpire who disregarded the facts on the screen seen by the entire crowd] and predictably made 160 plus! The BCCI reflect the public mood and refer the matter to the ICC and in this situation if they act with a Colonial mindset then the tour will be cancelled and it is time countries in Asia reacted to biased behavior against them by vested interests within the structure. Technology and the electronic media reflect poorly on aspects of integrity and fair play of the Australian Captain and his key players and the charge of racism concocted against Harbhajan Singh was a deliberate diversion from the umpiring decisions taken in the game in favor of Australia. India was cheated a certain victory and if action is not taken then the team must return and we need not worry about the threats and intimidation that will follow from interested quarters.

The media in Australia [vast majority] have commented fairly and are very critical of the umpires as also the Australian Captain and other players. We have excellent relations with Australia and both governments should watch the situation closely to ensure that things do not go out of control. The charge against Harbhajan Singh on a 'racial' slur is a insult to India. We have seen the false charges and the fabrication of terrorist charges against Dr Haneef in the recent past and clearly a racist mind set exists in certain quarters but we should also reflect positively on the legal system in Australia which investigated the case and ruled in favor of Dr Haneef and restored his visa. The reason I am mentioning this is because we should not condemn or form a wrong opinion about a country or its people by acts committed by a few and the arrogant attitude and threats of Ricky Ponting or other Australian players should be ignored. Things however can go out of hand as public anger based on hard facts [TV replays] make a mockery of fair play and provocative statements by those involved will make decision making difficult and it would be unfortunate if this were to spill into the political arena.

Cheating in any form in sports is a serious matter and in recent months we have seen action initiated against Marion Jones [asked to return her medals] and Martina Hingis

[asked to return prize money] on testing positive for drugs and many inquiries are being initiated in the USA/UK on basketball, football and baseball and many players are being investigated and I think that it is no secret that huge betting takes place on cricket matches [India betting is illegal but huge sums are transacted] in Australia, India and the rest of the World and there is something very wrong with the 2nd Test match. Match fixing charges were taken seriously by South Africa and India but were glossed over by Australia and if I remember correctly key players got away by giving the excuse of weather and pitch reports! The 2nd Test match was not a 'normal' game and I cannot understand how a group of elite umpires [all three] can make such 'elementary' errors at crucial stages of the game and the attitude of the South African Mike Proctor is even more baffling in indicting Harbhajan Singh without any evidence and based on the report of Ricky Ponting [Sachin Tendulkar's evidence was ignored] and I think it would be necessary to initiate a criminal probe into the entire proceeding's of the 2nd Test match.

Cricket is now big money and the maximum revenue is being generated by India and no surprise that the Indian super stars make enormous sum's of money and this is resented by many who consider the game their monopoly. Strange coincidence that top Indian batsmen are targeted for dubious decisions [Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurab Ganguly] and this was evident both in the UK and now in Australia.

Events in Pakistan cause concern as new evidence and video's surface on the tragic killing of Benazir Bhutto. The PPP and Asif Zardari are on the defensive and ask for a UN probe as Scotland Yard detectives arrive to conduct the investigation. The video clearly show's Benazir Bhutto's security officer [ducking and swaying] signalling and acting in a very strange manner and his disappearance reinforces the belief that the former PM was liquidated by someone close to her and the party. The missing security officer may well be silenced to protect the identity of the real killers and the situation is further complicated by the internal war within the Bhutto family. Very difficult to forecast the future and I don't really know if elections will be possible in this political confusion. Stability in Pakistan is a priority for the global community and for us and with the fluid situation in Iraq and Afghanistan all concerned will have little option to support General Musharraf and the Army if the democratic forces are unable to consolidate and fight a election. The PPP is in crisis and Asif Zardari has little credibility and much will depend on Nawaz Sharif and his party and this may not suit President Musharraf and the Army. The situation is fluid and uncertain.

Sino Indian relation

By V.N. Paranjape

Centuries ago, Chinese general and military strategist Sun Tzu proclaimed, "all warfare is based on deception", and to this day, China actively pursues this strategy. Amid growing unease about the hardening Chinese stance in the long-festering border talks, coupled with stepped up incursions by People's Liberation Army across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be visiting China on his maiden visit from January 13 to 15. This particular visit is unlikely to yield much in terms of the vexed boundary issue, which has bedevilled bilateral relations for decades.

Dr. Singh will hold talks with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, president Hu Jintao and chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, Wu Bangguo. But the all-important issue of the still unresolved 4,057-km LAC will continue to be a source of irritation between the two countries unless they come up with "one big idea" to propel the almost three-decade-old protracted negotiations to the next level. During Hu Jintao's visit to India last November, Singh had declared that the two had "agreed that an early boundary settlement will advance the basic interests of the two countries and must therefore be pursued as a strategic objective". But there has been little evidence of it till now. India and China did hold their first-ever joint Army exercise, somewhat ambitiously dubbed the "hand-in-hand" military drill, at Kunming last month.

But that does not detract from the fact that the Indian security establishment continues to be worried about China's massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the LAC. Even Defence Minister, A.K. Antony, was taken aback by the development carried across the border during his recent visit to Nathu La. The strategic implications of the upgradation of the road network by China and Pakistan along the Karakoram highway, which is expected to be completed by 2016, for instance, will be huge for Indian forces.

Moreover, over the last two years, there have been around 300 cases of intrusions by Chinese troops across the LAC, right from east Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh to Joshimath in Uttarakhand and Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh. Chinese forces, in fact, have even introduced into Bhutanese territory at the tri-junction with India a couple of times in recent months.

Though the UPA government publicly dismisses these intrusions as "nothing serious", experts view these "aggressive" Chinese moves as a deliberate strategy to put pressure on India and strengthen China's claims on disputed areas along the LAC.

Coupled with the rapid modernisation of the 2.5 million People's Liberation Army, which includes advanced trans-border military capabilities and a huge arsenal of long-range nuclear-tipped missiles, all this is enough to make Indian defence planners wonder about the long-term intentions of China.

In view of the impending security threats from China the government constituted a high profile study group, which included the foreign secretary, defence secretary and heads of intelligence agencies. It has been asked to come up with recommendations for the Cabinet Committee on Security to counter China's much-improved ability to amass troops along the border at short notice.

This was prompted after the Army revised its estimate on how soon China can move troops along the LAC, particularly across Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. According to this fresh estimate, China can move up to two divisions (over 10,000 troops) in 20-25 days-a huge leap forward from the earlier decade-old estimate that it would take a season or two (a season is three months) for China to amass such a large number of troops.

India had carried out a detailed exercise two decades ago on the Chinese threat and categorized threat levels into low, medium and high depending on the number of troops Beijing could move given the difficult terrain.

This assessment remained valid until 2000, after which questions were raised on a regular basis and now a fresh estimate is on the table. This has been officially conveyed to the China Study Group last month.

The revised threat assessment has three levels. One, in view of the rail and road network built in Tibet PLA can strike Indian positions on the border within a planning of 7 days. The second assessment is that China can move two brigades (10,000) soldiers within 15 days. The third study is quite alarming as PLA is already in a full preparation to launch a surprise strike on Indian position all along the border stretching from Arunachal Pradesh to Laddakh in just 30 days.

On the contrary Indian border posts are not well connected either by motorable roads, and are not well defended. Reaching a border post takes anywhere between 7 to 10 days.

Since China has resolved its border dispute with Russia, it can easily deployed 5,00,000 troops along the Sino-Indian border. Besides, PLA has built a number of airfields in Tibet for deployment of fighters against Indian positions all along the border. On the contrary India has ignored its defence preparedness in terms of air power as airfields like Chushul in Ladakh are only being used for chopper operations. The most forward Tezpur airbase has only Mig-21 for operational purposes against any Chinese air intrusion.

In view of the recent aggressive posture by China the Border Roads Organisation has been asked to build 3000 km. roads in Arunachal Pradesh as to enable the Army to transport heavy equipments to the border posts. Unless there is better connectivity and patrolling by the Army Chinese intrusions cannot be stopped.

Though India is trying to have friendly relations with China, but it has always been a one-way traffic. Chinese have their designs on Indian Territory, and sooner or later they will resort to occupy it by use of force as they did in 1962. INAV

Pravasi Diwas means global connect

By Umashankar Joshi

Unlike non-resident Chinese who have been a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into China, NRIs have so far shied away from putting their money where they claim their heart is. Even allowing for the difference-overseas Indians are largely professionals whereas overseas Chinese are mostly businessmen-NRIs account for a minuscule 3-5 per cent of total FDI into India. Sure, inward remittances have steadily increased-latest figures put India at the top of the league tables with remittances of $27 billion-but these come mostly from those who still have close family in India and are essentially to meet maintenance expenditure, not for investment.

However, it would be wrong to dismiss the PBD as no more than a cultural festival. There are now about 25 million Indians overseas, many of whom are doing very well. Recognising this, the 2008 PBD is to launch an India Development Fund to channel funds from NRIs who may not want to invest in India but may be open to contributing to philanthropic causes. The meet gives them an opportunity to connect with their roots and provides them a platform for such contributions.

The immediate benefits may be intangible rather than tangible but to the extent that greater awareness and understanding lays the foundation for longer lasting relationships, such occasions do serve a purpose. The very fact that dual citizenship, announced at the 2005 PBD, has found about two lakh takers suggests there are a large number who do wish to retain their ties with India. Moreover, as the recent troubles in Malaysia and Kenya (where ethnic Indians have been at the receiving end from the majority communities in their adopted countries) have shown, the relationship between a country and its Diaspora is symbiotic rather than one-way, and remains so regardless of the passage of time.

The host nation and those it welcomes are both aware of the occasion's stirring symbolism: On January 9, 1915, Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India, following a two decade South African residency. From the indentured labour of the British Raj that struck roots in colonial outposts, through the post-war skilled and fortune-seeking professionals setting sail for the developed world, to migrants disembarking in the Gulf, India's diasporic dispersal and diversity have been truly astonishing, stretching across space and time. The overseas Indian is uncategorisable: He could be a diamond merchant in South Africa, a Member of the British House of Lords, a Wall Street stockbroker, a Silicon Valley geek, a world-traversing corporate honcho or a path breaking economist.

The bonds of emotional reciprocity tie India to its 25 million-strong kin in 110 countries across the globe. India viewed overseas Indians as this country's cultural and civilisational ambassadors. As Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke on the occasion of India's race towards developed nation status by 2020, he would naturally extend an invitation to PIOs to participate in an ongoing process on nation-building. That he has done so to resolve the Diaspora's problems and aspirations is commendable. As praiseworthy is the resolve to give the India-PIO interface a legal and technical framework. The quid pro quo allows PIOs unrestricted access to the opportunities this country affords in the form of a shared cultural and economic platform in exchange for ideational inputs and investment.

The Ministry of External Affairs launched the first ever-formal study of the Indian Diaspora some years ago, which both in terms of its complexity and magnitude could be said to be nearly an unparalleled effort. Perhaps the closest similarity one can recall with this is the study of the "Indian People" launched under the leadership of Kumar Suresh Singh during the Prime Ministership of Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

It is no small matter that in spite of the pathological berating we inflict upon ourselves and the "joy" that we derive in putting ash on our head, our Indian polity has achieved sufficient maturity to develop a trans-party consensus on certain issues. It verges on nearly being a national consensus. This is critical where basic Indian Diaspora can be called one such case. It is sublimation and its economic and intellectual consequences are indeed enormous.

The study of the Indian Diaspora is a major cultural effort in the exploration of Indian identity and a befitting response to the hysterical pronouncements of that class of people who, at the slightest provocation or a drop of a leaf, see Indian unity threatened. The cultural bonds, the common heritage of an entire people, the emotional loyalties of generations need no approval of a section of the political or intellectual community, which have their own bizarre fantasies to drive them. Sociologically, loyalty of the Indian to his own culture and values has stood the test of time, persecutions and many political vagaries. One can detect an ethnic Indian not only from the colour of his skin but his thought process and reactions to situations as well. After all, nearly 10,000 years of intellectual heritage, no matter how diluted, when transferred genetically, cannot be so lightly written off.

Be that as it may; Indianness is in fact, a powerful work with its own definition and place in the dictionary of the highest, the noblest and the best of human sentiments. The amazing contribution of the ethnic Indian to any country to which he has geographically migrated is a telling testimony to his basic catholicity of approach. Belonging to the place where he lives while still not denying the vitality of his roots, the Indian mindset belies pigeonholing in the lexicon of the post-industrial era.

The one-time institute of Commonwealth Studies of London, in pursuit of its mandate, had done considerable work on the Indian populace of the Commonwealth countries. I recall a conversation with the then director of this institute, Mr. Hugh Tinker, in 1972, at the School of Oriental & African Studies when in the course of his elaboration of the fortunes of one migrant family to Fiji, he commented on the uniqueness of the remarkably universal but unmistakably Indian psyche of the people of Indian origin.

It is a matter of regret in terms of scholastic research and pursuit that this line of thought was allowed to get lost. Indeed it was overtaken by various controversies ranging from Kenya to Malaysia on the role that Indians actually played. It is indeed time we went back to pick up the threads from where it broke to explore, explain and enumerate the characteristics of the Indian psyche, enterprise and achievement.

The Indian genius is unique not because it normatively claims to be superior to others but because it believes in a positivist approach and a constructive outlook towards life. It transcends parochial boundaries to proclaim the attributes of universal brotherhood and the right of everyone to pursue his own truth. INAV