It hurts

How can one set of martyrs be different from the other? They make supreme sacrifice for the defence of the country. Yet, a distinction is sought to be made among them. A report in this newspaper that their kith and kin have been singled out for a gesture on the basis of not only their regions but also districts is very disturbing. It involves a nominal benefit. That is not important. In any case it is doubtful whether the families of deceased soldiers would care about what they get after the loss of their dearest ones. They do receive a certain amount in accordance with a prescribed procedure which is based on a uniform pattern. Every addition to it should also be equal. Any discrepancy in it --- whatever the reason --- can be hurting. Viewed in this context it is indeed distressing the way the martyrdom of policemen in the State has been viewed. Our report quotes a Government order singed by the Inspector-General Police (Headquarters) the relevant portions of which are: "100 colour television sets have been arranged for distribution among the Kashmir-based police martyrs", "197 blankets out of 200 available with the Armed Police Headquarters (APGQ) shall be provided for distribution among the next of kin of police martyrs of Jammu zone" and of "21 pressure cookers available with Police Control Room (PCR), Srinagar, 20 will be made available for distribution among the next of kin of police martyrs of Kathua district." Does this need any elaboration? Anyone will know the disparity between TVs, blankets and pressure cookers in terms of cost in particular. All the items must have already been given away on the scheduled date of October 21 which is the Police Martyrs Day. The disclosure about such discrimination leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
How can an authority be so insensitive? There has been no application of mind with regard to the grim reality that it can fan an already prevailing feeling of regional favouritism. It has been claimed that the Jammu police has already given "five" colour TV sets from its own funds to the families of martyrs apart from water filters and blankets. How can any such mention reduce the gravity of all that has happened now? The State police does have a welfare fund to which every cop right from a constable to the chief contributes. It has sizable kitty. Surely, there is merit in the argument that it can be properly harnessed to ensure that there is standardisation. Even if assuming that there is discretion involved in such matters it has to be exercised in a manner that is not only fair but also seen to be so. This is necessary for the sake of confidence of the men in uniform. It will also nip in the bud the least desirable debate about lopsided treatment.
Publilius Syrus, a Latin writer of maxims, has made a profound observation: "As men, we are all equal in the presence of death." He perhaps would have amended his view had he come across the present instance. There are elements among us who can cast a prejudiced glance on the post-death situation. This approach is best avoided especially in the case of martyrs who transcend all barriers to figure in the annals of history and because of whom we live.

Audible and visible

There are a number of experts in the State who will tell you that they have put on tape and video the interviews of quite a few pioneers in their respective fields who are no more. Their purpose is two-fold. They want to keep their record for posterity. At the same time they don't rule out the possibility of commercial exploitation of their resources at some stage to bring them money for their perseverance. They know that they are in possession of research material of immense value. It is an awareness which has come with the passage of time. The radio and television footages are now considered as, if not more, important as the print media. There is a way of preserving them. Those who are in the business know how to go about it. The developed world has moved faster in this direction. There can't be any reason to doubt this. Nevertheless a matter of satisfaction is that an effort is on to create global understanding so far as this task is concerned. Every year October 27 marks the World Day for Audio-Visual Heritage proclaimed by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). The underlying idea is to "help raise global awareness of the importance of audio-visual documents as an integral part of our national identity and to draw attention to the urgent need to protect them." The theme for this year is "save and saviour your audio-visual heritage." There are some people who feel that nostalgia is like grammar --- the past is tense and the present perfect. Yet, it is always a pleasure to see an old film or hear an old song especially. There are many people who don't like the current dare-all-bare-all stuff or loud music based on what they at times find is rabidly offensive multi-lingual lyrics. A person is doubly delighted when he happens to watch or listen to a deceased member of the family who has been successful in one way or the other. It is generally believed that audio-visual documents such as films, radios and television programmes as well as audio and video recordings contain the primary records of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Such documentation transcends language and cultural boundaries as it appeals immediately to the eye and the ear and to all regardless of whether or not they are literate. If kept safely it is a permanent complement to the traditional written record. It is UNESCO's reading that much of the world's audio-visual heritage has already been irrevocably lost through neglect, destruction, decay and the lack of resources, skills and structures "thus impoverishing the memory of mankind." It also concludes that "much more will be lost if stronger and concerted international action is not taken." At least once we have come across a disaster striking us in this country. There was a fire in the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India in Pune in 2003 in which valuable pictures were destroyed. The contemporary reports reveal that the losses included historic speeches of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru in the 1942 Congress session, apart from a few full-length movies. We should have a strong safety mechanism. There is no point in being wiser after the event.

India to overtake Japanese economy

By Nitya Chakraborty

The demographic profile of the emerging economies is playing a big role in boosting the productivity in the developing world, especially in India, China and Brazil and this factor is responsible for the economic decline of the developed world, the worst example being Japan.
According to the latest international demographic studies, the average age of the population in India in 2010 will be 28 as against 37 in China, 38 in USA, 45 in West Europe and 49 in Japan. Japan will be worst hit in terms of productivity due to its ageing population. The annual budget of the Japanese Government will be burdened so much by pressure of social security for the retired who are non-productive that not enough funds will be left for developmental programmes. That way India is also advantageously placed vis a vis China and with the passing of years, India will be getting more benefits to its productivity due to its strength of the younger population who will be increasingly technically qualified due to the revamp of the education system.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is presently in Japan on a state visit and he is expected to talk to his Japanese counterpart with confidence since India is now recognised as a high growth economy in a period of global financial crisis and internationally, Dr. Singh is playing a major role in finding out solutions for the economic crisis which has been accentuated by the wrong policies of the capitalist west. That way, Japan this time will be more in an accommodative mood and the Japanese Government may even seek India's help in persuading China to be more helpful to solving the currency crisis. Japan earlier wanted India to be a part of anti-China axis but India has refused to fall in line and India is taking an independent position. India has its own problems with China but it wants to deal with that bilaterally and India believes that in the coming years, India, China and Russia have to cooperate to ensure a strong and stable international economic order.
According to a study on economic balance of powers after the present global crisis carried out by Samsung Research Institute, on a long term, India has better prospects of growth at the rate of 6 to 7 per cent while China will be having 4 to 5 per cent growth from 2020 due to declining economically active population and slowing productivity growth. However, Chinese economy is so big that its limited growth will also enable it to replace USA in 2026 as the largest economy of the world.
The study makes it clear that the US hegemony over the global economy is declining and the data shows that the US's economic weight has fallen steadily since 2000. It was 32 per cent in 2000 and in 2007, it came down to 25 per cent. But during this period, the emerging economies have gained in strength. These economies, including BRICs, had a weight of 5.3 per cent in 1992 but it went up to 12.8 per cent in 2007. China showed especially fast growth and the average growth was 10 per cent since entering WTO in 2001. China has already overtaken Japan in 2010 to become the number two economy in the world.
As experts see it, global economy is expected to slow down due to ageing population and shrinkage in economically active population while the emerging economies will lead the global economic growth. Both the US and EU will have very low growth ranging from 2 to 3 per cent in the initial years and then later even 1 to 2 per cent as a result of the shrinking labour population. As against this, the economic weight of the BRIC countries will continue to rise 16.1 per cent in 2010, 25.1 per cent in 2020 and 31.7 per cent in 2030.
As regards the financial power, the study mentions that the financial power of Europe and the emerging economies will strengthen in the next decade and after as against the USA, and significant advancement is expected in sovereign wealth funds and emerging economies. However, the study points out that while absolute financial power the US enjoyed now will weaken, it will still have superior status. In fact, financial power will be divided in the post-crisis period between the USA and Europe while the impact of China's rapidly growing financial power will be limited to Asia.
Analysing the international monetary system, the study says that US dollar will remain the leading currency due to its abundant liquidity in financial market and network effect but euro will become a powerful competing currency resulting in a bipolar currency system in the world. After the present global financial crisis, restructuring in the international financial order will alter the US led global currency system. However, Chinese yuan will become a regional currency in Asia.
According to the study, the global weight of the commercial banks are migrating to EU and the emerging economies and there will be increasing influence of oil money in the middle east and sovereign funds mainly consisting of Asian capital. There has been a contraction of the US investment banking industry due to the financial crisis and therefore the US seeks a breakthrough by cooperating with European and Middle Eastern capitals. The US and UK will cooperate to maintain their vested interests in the international financial system
As regards the knowledge capital, the study projects that the US will maintain its hegemony in the scientific and technology sectors until 2030 and its main rival will be China which could jump to second position globally by 2030 in terms of technology development. Research and development investment of China will amount to US$ 300 billion in 2020 surpassing those of Germany and Japan. China will rise as an Asian technology powerhouse in terms of the number of papers, number of citations and competitiveness of universities. In some areas, China and India could surpass the US in terms of scientific knowledge.
The study underlines that the latest global financial crisis paved the way for China to shorten by more than two years the time necessary to catch up with industrialised countries including the USA. While the US and Europe lost two years for the global crisis, Japan lost four to five years. The status of the US as a world superpower is weakened while the emerging countries leap forward. Regional integration spreads from trade and investment issues to finance and currency, and China strengthens its position, through its economic power, in Central Asia, Africa and ASEAN. (IPA)

Think of Jammu now?

Prof. Javed Mughal

"Closed mouth catches no flies" has practically been proved by Kashmir down the decades. They have felt the pulse of the Central Govt. and have understood that the Delhi does not understand the language of peace and security and has developed a habit of returning love in exchange for anti-India slogans, damaging Govt. property and carrying out processions in the streets. But the Valley has a wonderful flair of getting their demands fulfilled. Once their nest is feathered, they remain voiceless for a specific period of time and as soon as the requirement of some more packages is perceived, another strategy is planned afresh by them to stuff their pockets and grease their palms. Jammu never raised anti-Govt hue and cry despite being subjected to the unremitting sufferings due to routine negligence of the Delhi Sarkar and our own Govt. playing the role of a silent spectator of the whole show or getting into the state of deep slumber whenever the question related to the progress of Jammu cropped up. If a comparison is drawn between the two regions i.e. Jammu and Kashmir keeping in view the arenas of multi-farious upliftment-may it be education, health, transportation, tourism and many more, one gets shocked to note that Jammu region, in spite of being of great significance to India-being geographically well connected with the entire country round the year surmounting all weather vagaries, fruitfully accessible to the entire Indian market, climatically acceptable to every corner of the country, and a mushrooming abode of diverse cultures, languages and literatures quite richer than that of Kashmir, still stands ignored as well as under-developed. Govt has never been so serious about this calm, collected, rational-minded and long ailing province perhaps for the reason that we do not rush out on the roads to indulge into stone pelting, set the Govt property ablaze and raise anti-national slogans etc.
On the contrary we the Jammuites have always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Central and State Governments at all crucial moments and moved our lips never to complain of the sufferings and brunts of developmental handicaps inflicted on us. If tourism of Jammu region is properly brought to the lime light and improved with due consideration, it will stand one with the tourism-portion of Kashmir. But the reason behind it is the dominance of Kashmir-based politics on the State-craft with ultimate policy-making powers. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad had of-course, made an attempt to bring an end to this political-hijacking culture but could succeed no longer being unable to diagnose the camelionic designs of the Valley politics. He was a politician with the bureaucratic bent of mind and point-blank approach but was accepted no more. Since day one of Kashmir's emergence as a state taken from the Lordship of Maharaja Hari Singh, a sustained and well-contemplated scheme of policies and programmes was chalked out as far as the allocation of Assembly segments/ constituencies was concerned. More number of Assembly Seats was allotted to the Valley with less number of the same to Jammu Province with the intention to keep this biggest division (population and area-wise) deprived of the power to speak aloud on the floor of the House. Before the eruption of insurgency and even now-a-days more often the high quality products and the greater number of Packages travel across the Tunnel leaving behind Jammuites rubbing hands and beating heads. This attitude of the Central Government is actually making us realize that our deep-delved innocence and spotless allegiance to our leadership is being misused and we are being underestimated as unable to speak out for justice. I am proud of the better competence, caliber and moral character of the leaders of Jammu Division in contrast to those operating in Kashmir. Of course there was also a chunk of healthy brains (the Kashmiri Pandits) till 1992 but they are the part of our being now. We can not afford to stab someone at the back; quite impossible for us is to dishonor our motherland; we have a deep sense of gratitude which we have shown to Kashmiri hegemony down the decades since 1947. How unfortunate the Kashmir is that it does not have clean-minded and clear hearted political patronage like that of Jammuites nor could their leaders learn from our political representatives, a sense of faithfulness to their people. But the time has come for Jammuites to bring an end to this long-standing submission to Kashmir supremacy and establish an independent and self sufficient image at the national level otherwise the day is not away when our fate is decided by 14000 Sqkmtrs area in such a way that our forthcoming generation will land into the same state of affairs to face the same abject predicament as we have been facing for the last over 60 years. We are educationally backward because our educational sector in Jammu Division is always in an ailing state; our tourism stands relegated to the backdrop of negligence; our transportation is always at the mercy of weather. We don't matter anywhere at all. One slogan is raised from the Valley, the entire country gets shaken at its foundation but Jammu has ever shown the best example of its loyalty even then it does not matter to both the Governments. Chaos and panic seem to be favorite activator and vitalizer of our political machinery.
Our Governments have got used to the air filled with the cries and thumping sounds of the guns. Punjab started it and got a lot to their progress. Kashmir does it and gets a lot in exchange but Jammu is silently gulping down the bitter draughts of identity crises sitting on the bare rock with nothing in the hands excepting unfulfilled dreams in the eyes and pulsating hopes in the heart. Unfortunately the Govt is openly lopsided towards the Valley and is least bothered about this biggest region, population-wise. May it be KAS exams or some other domain of recruitment, the bigger tendency of our Govt is towards Kashmir to keep it in good humour but at every tick of clock our Central as well as State Governments has bitterly failed in their experiment. Let it be manifest upon India that today's sentiment of exploited chunk of Kashmir is being governed by some other preferences than getting mere funds from the centre. These funds and packages become instrumental in furthering their struggle for the attainment of their main motives that we know. Jammu has never been jealous of Kashmir's prosperity because Kashmir's progress is in fact the prosperity of our country; after all Kashmir is the integral part of our nation-hood but our plea is that all the three regions should proportionately be benefited. This step-motherly treatment can lead to the emergence of another Trouble-torn Valley on the peaceful soil of Jammu also. Jammu's track record should be studied and reciprocated equally lest it should also transcend the barriers of peace and harmony creating a more issues for the political set up.
It is good that all party delegation went to Kashmir to calm down the common ire but the matter of great anguish is that it did not bother to know the grievances of Jammu Division. Even in Kashmir the delegation did not go to the real sufferers. It enjoyed the beautiful strolls on the breezy brinks of Dal Lake, relished the aromatic dishes of Kashmiri Wazwan and flew back to the Pavilion. And while being on the way back to Delhi, they simply touched Jammu and shook hands with their like-minds and slipped away. This delegation was merely an eye-wash. Hence to iron out all differences and regional discriminations, the immediate demand of the circumstances is to reorganize the Assembly Seats in the state as per the population and geographical status of the state so that the due representation to all the three regions can be administered. The Dehli Darbar should plan out a cut and dried policy to allocate proportionate funds to render equal distribution of developmental steps and initiatives to all the three division-Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Rajouri, There should be a specific rotation for the installation of the CM from Jammu and the Valley on the basis of particular time scheme which the PDP-Congress Coalition has proved practically possible and advisable too during their regime. The Central Government will have to come forward (stopping all politics of tricks and gimmicks) to resolve this issue of discrimination once for all.

Problem of J&K refugees

By Dr. Ram Chander Sharma

The Government of India has discriminated with PoK Refugees for the last 63 years and who are still considered as Displaced Persons (DPs). They are now in the fourth generation and still living in sub human conditions in 46 filthy camps. More than 2 lakh unarmed POKR were slaughtered in 1947 and according to GOI data (reply of unstarred question No. 7214 on 14-05-2002 in Lok Sabha) - in wake of Pakistani aggression in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 about 32000 families of minority Hindu and Sikh families migrated from PoK to India, no claim in lieu of the movable and immovable properties left behind by these DPs were invited till date by GOI as PoK has always been considered as integral part of India and under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. Furthermore, under an unanimous resolution of Indian Parliament of 1994 the PoK area is an integral part of India and shall be liberated soon. Out of these 26300 families are living in Jammu region of J&K and 5300 were settled outside the state in other parts of India. These families were paid only ex-gratia assistance by GOI and the cases of 9500 families were rejected on the flimsy grounds as a) Those who didn't migrate during the crucial period i.e. between Sept 1947 and Dec 1950. b) Those in whose cases the Head of the family didn't migrate with the family. C) Those who didn't' stay in camps. D) Those whose monthly income was more than Rs. 300. A meagre assistance of Rs. 47 crores were sanctioned in the year 2000 on the deficiency of land and has been rejected by the POKR community.
POKR are now 20 lakh in number living in Jammu region and about 5 lac outside Jammu and Kashmir -- all the POKR were settled in camps and different scattered areas under a well planned conspiracy to undermine them politically and those who were from the Distt Muzzeferrabad of Kashmir valley were also pushed to Jammu and those settled outside the state have no right to vote in Jammu and Kashmir assembly. Soon after the partition the refugee problem between India and Pakistan was settled once for all amicably under Displaced Persons Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 1954 and all the claims of moveable and immoveable properties were paid to West Pak and Bengal Refugees but the same Act was not used for the settlement of claims of POKR as these hapless people are always told to be repatriated. Jammu and Kashmir High Court under Mr. Justice T. S. Dobia passed a judgement in writ petition No 684/01 dated 02-08-2002 where in the Govt was directed to pay similar benefits as that of other refugees of partition to POKR within six months including ownership rights but on the contrary the Jammu and Kashmir Govt moved the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India against the judgement.
World over the refugees problem is addressed by International refugees law of Refugee Status of 1951 and its protocol of 1967 but POKR are not considered as refugees and India is not a signatory to the UN agreement on Refugees. On the contrary the Tibetan Refugees in India are being treated honourably and being given all benefits of financial aids and provided with education through special schools and preservation of their culture and language. POKR are the first stakeholders of the Kashmir conflict and are ignored and discriminated by the Indian and J&K Govt till date. They were excluded on all levels of state and central talks and not included in the round table talks of the PM and five working groups. A committee named Wadhwa Committee was framed for the redressal of their grievances and the recommendations were not made public. The fifth working group headed by Justice (Retd.) Sageer Ahmed has no mention of POKR. The recent all party delegation which visited Jammu and Kashmir declined to meet the POKR groups and State Government arrested the leaders of POKR and lathicharged the peaceful demonstrations in Jammu.
POK Refugees at this juncture demand their settlement as per international refugees laws, grant of Rs. 50 lac per family as final compensation for their HR violation, full payment of left out properties, constitution of Refugee Dev Board with corpus fund of Rs 1000 crores, opening of schools for education and preservation the their language and culture, reservations in professional colleges and govt job in state and central deptts, payment of cash and relief as given to other internally DPs till final settlements, allotment of agri land, complete ownership rights of evacuee land, development of camps on modern lines and special economic and employment package.