Bhopal Gas tragedy

Amnesty International was all right when it said the verdict on the Bhopal gas tragedy is “too little, too late“.

“These are historic convictions, but it is too little, too late. Twenty-five years is an unacceptable length of time for the survivors of the disaster and the families of the dead to have waited for a criminal trial to reach a conclusion,” was the first reactions.

Twenty-five years after the worst industrial disaster in world history which claimed over 15,000 lives, a Bhopal court convicted eight people including former Union Carbide India chairman Keshub Mahindra in the Bhopal Gas tragedy case.

The Indian and U.S. governments should take the next step by bringing the U.S.-based Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) to justice. UCC and its former chairman Warren Anderson, who is absconding since the tragedy, were charged in 1987 but both refused to face trial.

People who feel that the victims (of Bhopal gas tragedy) should have got justice earlier are right. It is a serious question. The system should be such that there is no delay in providing justice in such tragedies.

While the Indian employees have now been tried and convicted, the foreign accused has been able to evade justice simply by remaining abroad. This is totally unacceptable.

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Kasab & Mumbai verdict

Kasab should not be awarded the death sentence. It is not an adequate punishment for him. It is, in fact, a relief. He should be awarded life sentence — not for 12 years — but till his natural death. While a dead Kasab will be a martyr for other terrorists, a Kasab-in-jail will be a deterrent to would-be terrorists.

It is distressing to note that either the police or the prosecution messed up on two other accused. There are key questions that need to be asked here.

Did they apprehend the wrong persons? Did they know they had a weak case? If so, why was it pursued so vigorously? If not, what was the motive in keeping them in jail for so long? Did the prosecution warn the police of this weak case?

While the acquittal of the two Indians — Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed — may offer solace to those troubled by suggestions of a “home-grown” factor in the 26/11 attacks, the prosecution and Mumbai police stand shamed in the court. The judge has ruled that 20 of the 25 accused, including Pakistan's Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza, were involved in the conspiracy. The ends of justice will be met only if all of them are brought to justice.

The swiftness with which the sessions judge M.L. Tahaliyani completed the terror trial in 17 months is admirable. It is important that the tempo is kept up till the lone captured terrorist is given the punishment. The key conspirators, who are exporting terror to wage a war on India, should also be brought to justice.

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Currency garland

It was indeed shocking to read that BSP workers, who presented currency garlands to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and their party chief Mayawati on Monday and Wednesday, have decided to do so at all future programmes. Is it not an act of dishonour inflicted on our national currency? Ms Mayawati as well as her followers should realise that such activities will not, in any way, enhance the prominence of the leader. In fact, it will lead to a decline in the fame gained hitherto.

It is indeed shameful that in a country where thousands are starving, a political leader should embarrass us with such uncalled-for display of money. It is time our leaders grew up.

Uttar Pradesh, which could have progressed well, is among the most backward states, thanks to the lack of political will and indifferent leadership. Even a fraction of money used in the garlands presented to Ms Mayawati by BSP workers could have been used for better purposes. And the time utilised in planning and organising meaningless political rallies can be devoted to drawing up plans for better governance.

The BSP's act of offering a currency garland to its leader not once but twice is surprising. It reflects the current trend in politics. Is not a simple garland of flowers enough to show respect to a leader? What is the need for such vulgar display of wealth? The sight of a leader wearing a garland full of currency notes is an insult to the poor struggling for a square meal a day.

The RBI's clean note policy prohibits stitching of packets of currency notes by banks, disregarding the risks of pilferages, because the notes get mutilated and soiled before their intended lifetime. Political parties can escape from Income Tax rules on one pretext or the other. But how can they flout the RBI's direction?

Mumbai for Marathis??

The Shiv Sena’s ‘Mumbai for Marathis’ slogan is unacceptable and opposed to the spirit of nationhood. Mumbai has emerged the financial capital of India due to the combined efforts of Mumbaikars hailing from different parts of the country.

The BJP and the RSS have rightly called the Shiv Sena’s bluff. The Sena has, time and again, tried to incite tensions among different communities.

Whether it was by attacking north Indian workers, slapping Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, digging cricket pitches, passing diktats saying all taxi-drivers in Mumbai should speak Marathi, or saying Mumbai is for Marathis, it has reinforced its divisive agenda

Such elements are present in almost all countries but what is disturbing is that the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena are mainstream political parties and form part of the largest democracy. Completing 60 years of becoming a republic has been a vital achievement for our country. Any attempt to deal a blow to this by forces of regionalism should be dealt with firmly.

At the same time the people from Bihar and U.P. should also think of developing their own state, working hard at their own lands and using their much praised talent for their own benefits same as South Indians did for Bangaluru and Hydrabad after Bal Thakre's hate speeches. then the day is not far away when Lakhnow, Patna, Banaras and Kanpur will also give them all happiness in search of which they go to Mumbai.

India's 100 richest worth 25% of the GDP

The Billionaires Club of India almost doubled from last year to 54 members up from 27, aided by a rebounding stock market that gained two-thirds in the past year and an economy growing at six percent. According to Forbes Asia magazine, the country's 100 richest people have a combined net worth of USD 276 billion, which was almost a quarter of the country's GDP.

Last year, there were only 27 billionaires on the India Rich List. This year, the number has almost doubled to 52-two short of what India had at the peak of the stock market boom in 2007.

The top 10 richest in India are:

1. Mukesh Ambani $32 billion
2. Lakshmi Mittal $30 billion
3. Anil Ambani $17.5 billion
4. Azim Premji $14.9 billion
5. Shashi & Ravi Ruia $13.6 billion
6. K.P. Singh $13.5 billion
7. Savitri Jindal $12 billion
8. Sunil Mittal $8.2 billion
9. Kumar Birla $7.8 billion
10. Gautam Adani $6.4 billion

It would be interesting to know what these people have done, or plan to do for the society, which has given them this wealth. India is a nation where still about 300 million (30 Cr.) people are below poverty line. unless we try to bridge this gap it will be hard to even think of a developed India by even 2050 leave alone the vision of 2020.

The World Bank's definition of the poverty line, for under developed countries, like India, is US$ 1/day/person or US $365 per year. As per this definition, more than 75% of all Indians are, probably, below the poverty line!

As per the Government of India, poverty line for the urban areas is Rs. 296 per month and for rural areas Rs. 276 per month, i.e. people in India who earn less than Rs. 10 per day. As per GOI, this amount will buy food equivalent to 2200 calories per day, medically enough, to prevent death. At this level of earning, even in a poor country like India, survival on Rs. 10 per day is a nightmare! This actually translates to Rs. 3650 per year or US $ 75 per year.

And at the end what about Swiss Bank A/c, Politicians, Gangsters, Smugglers of fake currency network? Do they also a/c for another 25% of GDP? When we say India is 86th corrupt nation, does raise the eye brow of some people. What were the bench mark tools used to calculate the corruption index. We think India and Pakistan should be in the top 10 list of corrupt nations.

Sachin and Thackeray

Sixty two years of freedom, liberty and enfranchisement have not done any good for our country, with disintegrating forces out to ruin it. The nation showers its praise on cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar who expressed pride in being an Indian and claimed that Mumbai belongs to every one of us. The words used by the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray, against him in Saamna — asking Sachin to stick to cricket and dare not tread into the realm of politics — exposes his skewed mindset. It is time the state marginalised such voices, thereby preserving the fabric of unity in diversity.

The Shiv Sena and the MNS seem to stop at nothing to woo the Marathi-speaking voters. They do not hesitate to speak or do anything that is against the unity and integrity of the nation. To meet their ends, they exploit people’s sentiments. Maharashtra, however, is not the only State where the politics of language or religion is played. It is the same in Uttar Pradesh, where caste is a major electoral issue, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and other States. It is futile to expect our leaders to change their ways. We must make a beginning by casting our votes for the right persons.

When Sachin plays, he plays for India. All his records bear the name of India. He is proud of being an Indian. And by saying so, he has made all Indians proud.

Mr. Thackeray has the habit of hogging the limelight by making controversial statements. He has done it many times in the past. But what Sachin said is really encouraging and worth emulating. His assertion that he is an Indian first sends a fitting reply to secessionist forces across the country.

Youth icon: Sachin Tendulker

I am 24. I havent even followed the whole of the Great man's career. But I am sometimes proud to say that I started following cricket only because of Sachin Tendulkar. And also most of the things I have learned about the game is by watching him on the field. Around 96-97, All of us were so excited to watch him score centuries one after another. I dont agree that India loses when he makes a 100. Statistics support me. What he has done is, he has held the belief and expectations of a whole country on his shoulders before some match-winners stood up. And he has delivered most of the times. I also agree there are players who can be compared with him. But he has achieved more than anybody under more pressure. I am not sure of the tests, but I can surely say his oneday records will remain for many years to come. I am happy that I could watch this man play all those gem of innings'.

It is blissful to watch the little colossus firm up and drive through a packed off-side field, often reducing it to an audience. No other person is perhaps such a household favourite — urban or rural — as is the master blaster. He is the favourite of children and the elderly, men and women. No wonder all our casual and earned leaves were consumed by cricket matches in which Sachin played. The nation has been entertained to its ecstatic best by the near-perfect cricketing hero of our times.

What has kept Tendulkar going for two decades is his amazing passion for the game. He is the ultimate role model.

To remain unfazed and focus on the game, undeterred by the odd wrong umpiring decision, keep out of controversy and fulfil the hopes and aspirations of millions of countrymen is a task lesser mortals are incapable of. When Sachin bids goodbye, it will be the saddest day in Indian cricket.

I pray he goes on and on. And lastly I want Sachin to win the world cup for India.