A NANO TOUGHT
ONE FAILS TO UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC BEHIND HAVING A SMALL CAR PROJECT SUCH AS NANO, WHICH IS GOING TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNRY.THE ONGOING SCUFFLE BETWEEN THE WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT AND THE TRINAMOOL CONGRESS LEADER MAMTA BANERJEE IS A SURE SIGN OF UNIDIRECTIONAL THINKING AMONG A SECTION OF POLITICIANS AND THAT TOO THOSE FORMING THE HARD- CORE COMMUNIST LEADERSHIP IN WEST BENGAL.
HAVENS’ WILL NOT FALL IF THE PROJECT IS GIVEN UP BY THE TATAS IN TO TO. THEY WANT TO TAKE A BIG CHUNK OF THE LAND OF THE POOR AND MARGINAL FARMERS LIKE THEY HAVE DONE IN SEVERAL OTHER STATES IN THE PAST. IT
SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING MUST GO IN FAVOUR OF THE CORPORATE CLASS . SUCH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED WHEN THE STAKES ARE REALLY SO HIGH. WHAT WEST BENGAL GOVENRENT IS DOING NOW IS CLEARLY IN FAVOUR OF THE TATAS. IN A WAY ,THE GOVERNMENT IS ONLY VOICING THE CONCERN OF A MEMBER OF THE BIG CORPORATE LEAGUES IN THE NAME OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE .
SOMEHOW, ONE COULD ACCEPT AND UNDERST THE LOGIC BEHIND THE WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT’S PRESENT STANCE, IF THE PROPOSED BIG LAND TAKE OVER WAS FOR THE OVER LONG- TERM BENIFIT OF ALL SECTIONS OF PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE .
THINK OF IT, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET BENIFITTED BY THE PRODUCTION OF A SMALL CAR AS A SO- CALLED “CHEAP” CONSUMER PRODUCT ?
THRE ARE STILL MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO WILLNEVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS CAR.PERHAP, ONLY A SEGMENT OF THE GROWING MIDDLE CLASS WILL BR ABLE TO PURCHASE THIS CAR . BUT WHY,AT THIS JUNCTURE ,WHEN THE LOTS
OF MAJORS FISCAL ISSUES ARE NEEDING THE THE URGENT ATTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR RESOLUTION, ENCOURAGE THE MIDDLE CLASS TO GO
IN FOR A LOAN OR PART WITH THE DISPOSAL INCOME WHICH CURRENTLY FORMS PART OF SAVINGS. COLLECTING EVEN RUPEES ONE LAKH COULD POSE A PROBLEM FOR MANY FAMILIES.BUT DESPERATION TO OWN A CAR WILL EVENTUALLY
SURPASS ALL CONSIDERATIONS.
SMALLCAR LIKE NANO, IF SOLD IN BIG NUMBERS,IS DEFINITELY GOING TO ADD TO THE PARKING PROBLEMS AND CONGESTION IN THE CITIES OF THIS COUNTRY.
THAT APART, CARS ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO ADD TO THE POLLUTION
PROBLEMS IN THE CITIES WHERE INCREASING TRAFFIC IS CONSTANLTY CHALLENGING THE BASIC INFRASTRCTURE . BESIDES THIS,WHAT ABOUT THE OIL IMPORT BILLS? THIS CAR ALONE IS GOING TO ENHANCE THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE PAYMENT BILLS TOWARDS THE INCREASING OIL IMPORTS SIGNIFICANTLY.
THE TRANSPORT SECTOR NEED FOR THE OIL WILL RISE CONSIDERABLEY IN
FUTURE AS LAKHS OF NEW CARS WILL ROAM THE ROADS.
R P NAILWAL, SEPTEMBER 25,2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Rishikesh Thinking
Kashmir’s problem is deeply rooted in the hoary past. This wouldn’t have been
there had the then leaders taken a decisive action either way.The then Prime
Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru was dithering and fell into trap and idealism of his own.
There was no scope for the advise of the then Home Minister Sardar Ballabh Bahi
Patel. Today,even the supposedly most liberal of Kashmiri leaders are talking
in the same language as the most hard core Kashmiri militants. Daughter of
former Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Said and son of Farooq Abdullah,
Omar Abdullah are almost toeing the line of the separatists.
Why cant not they see the truth lying in not distant history.Kashimiris need a balm.
A petty matter of land transfer is forcing the devided states rivals to harden their respective stance on a trivial subject. Violence must end now inthe interest of of nation and state.
Quite surprisingly, even the most liberal of the Kashmir thinkers are now showing
their real face at this juncture . In the mnatter of Kashmir,Nehru had been proved wrong several times in the past. Time has come to resolve this issue once for all not only for the benefit of the people Kashmir but also for the entire nation
Ends nailwal 28.8.2008
there had the then leaders taken a decisive action either way.The then Prime
Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru was dithering and fell into trap and idealism of his own.
There was no scope for the advise of the then Home Minister Sardar Ballabh Bahi
Patel. Today,even the supposedly most liberal of Kashmiri leaders are talking
in the same language as the most hard core Kashmiri militants. Daughter of
former Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Said and son of Farooq Abdullah,
Omar Abdullah are almost toeing the line of the separatists.
Why cant not they see the truth lying in not distant history.Kashimiris need a balm.
A petty matter of land transfer is forcing the devided states rivals to harden their respective stance on a trivial subject. Violence must end now inthe interest of of nation and state.
Quite surprisingly, even the most liberal of the Kashmir thinkers are now showing
their real face at this juncture . In the mnatter of Kashmir,Nehru had been proved wrong several times in the past. Time has come to resolve this issue once for all not only for the benefit of the people Kashmir but also for the entire nation
Ends nailwal 28.8.2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
DROPS OF THOUGHT
How many times shall I tell myself that what I see and read in the newspaper columns
about goings on in this country is all true and fraught with danger for this poor country. The last ten years economic liberalization has often tended to present a rosy picture
for this country of 125 crores, ninety per cent of who are country side people.
Official mouthpieces often talk about achievements in different walks of life:
growing foreign exchange reserves, affluent middle class, fast expanding roads, universities, posh malls, swanky cars, latest electronic gadgets, pubs, universities et al.
Republic day parades fill us with pride when we are shown sidelights of our military might.
But think of it ! compare our selves with our neighbor China. Where
it was some decades ago. Where it is today. Think of rampant corruption, fast diluting
social and family values, cultural degradation, increasing pollution, poaching, crime
extremism. Education is for sale and morals are down and cheap. Twenty four hours
news reports openly and shamelessly announce any thing and every thing which were alien to us a decade ago. You can say and discuss any thing and ever thing get away with it. Youth is rudderless and lost. Believe me,it is not a cliché
Maoists have spread their tentacles in some 175 districts in thirteen states while parochial and religious extremities are waging a war in several states in North and
North-East Farmers are committing suicides at regular intervals. But politicians and
their middlemen don’t seem to be interested in any thing but advancing their own public and private agenda at all costs. Muscle power and caste- based politicians and are often calling the shots in many states. What message this situation is passing on to the young generation? What is the hope for those who want to tread the often- quoted Gandhi an path?
Will the yawning gap between the rich and the poor ever shrink ? Never it seems.
so long the present situation continues. But one thing is sure, unaware of all this, big and expanding corporate houses will continue to sell dreams to millions and millions for
brighter tomorrow .Where do we go from here ?
about goings on in this country is all true and fraught with danger for this poor country. The last ten years economic liberalization has often tended to present a rosy picture
for this country of 125 crores, ninety per cent of who are country side people.
Official mouthpieces often talk about achievements in different walks of life:
growing foreign exchange reserves, affluent middle class, fast expanding roads, universities, posh malls, swanky cars, latest electronic gadgets, pubs, universities et al.
Republic day parades fill us with pride when we are shown sidelights of our military might.
But think of it ! compare our selves with our neighbor China. Where
it was some decades ago. Where it is today. Think of rampant corruption, fast diluting
social and family values, cultural degradation, increasing pollution, poaching, crime
extremism. Education is for sale and morals are down and cheap. Twenty four hours
news reports openly and shamelessly announce any thing and every thing which were alien to us a decade ago. You can say and discuss any thing and ever thing get away with it. Youth is rudderless and lost. Believe me,it is not a cliché
Maoists have spread their tentacles in some 175 districts in thirteen states while parochial and religious extremities are waging a war in several states in North and
North-East Farmers are committing suicides at regular intervals. But politicians and
their middlemen don’t seem to be interested in any thing but advancing their own public and private agenda at all costs. Muscle power and caste- based politicians and are often calling the shots in many states. What message this situation is passing on to the young generation? What is the hope for those who want to tread the often- quoted Gandhi an path?
Will the yawning gap between the rich and the poor ever shrink ? Never it seems.
so long the present situation continues. But one thing is sure, unaware of all this, big and expanding corporate houses will continue to sell dreams to millions and millions for
brighter tomorrow .Where do we go from here ?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
rishieksh bend
As pristine waters of Ganga move quietly into the foot-hill holy town Rishikesh
moment after moment amid chanting of mantras and noisy aarti , I watch the din and throb of white and saffron -clad spiritualists from across the globe on the fore-lawns and front of the Swarga Ashram and ponder over the indiscernible movement of each drop of water which persistently kisses the weather-beaten stand stones and moves over
to its onward journey to Ganga Sagar.
A line from the high school poem ”MEN MAY GO AND MEN MAY COME BUT I WILL GO ON FOR EVER” invariably strikes my mind . This line of a poem
I can see written on the white waters as I look intently into the flow. ..How many times, how many times, have I sat on the bank watching the crossing currents of whitewater fading away moment after moment .Tomorrow again I shall peep into the river with a thought that infinite drops have already kissed the sandstone ashramn embankment crossed over to next phase of onward journey ever since I sat there last. What disturbs me most often is the sure merger of the pure drop in to dirt and squalor on its long arduous journey. R P NAILWAL ,JUNE92008
moment after moment amid chanting of mantras and noisy aarti , I watch the din and throb of white and saffron -clad spiritualists from across the globe on the fore-lawns and front of the Swarga Ashram and ponder over the indiscernible movement of each drop of water which persistently kisses the weather-beaten stand stones and moves over
to its onward journey to Ganga Sagar.
A line from the high school poem ”MEN MAY GO AND MEN MAY COME BUT I WILL GO ON FOR EVER” invariably strikes my mind . This line of a poem
I can see written on the white waters as I look intently into the flow. ..How many times, how many times, have I sat on the bank watching the crossing currents of whitewater fading away moment after moment .Tomorrow again I shall peep into the river with a thought that infinite drops have already kissed the sandstone ashramn embankment crossed over to next phase of onward journey ever since I sat there last. What disturbs me most often is the sure merger of the pure drop in to dirt and squalor on its long arduous journey. R P NAILWAL ,JUNE92008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The Shivpuri bend on river Ganga
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is definitely a soft spoken economist and understands
the country's economy more than most of the well-known economists and that is why
he understandably scrapped the outstanding loans against the poor farmers in one stroke.But
one fails to understand why this time he accepted the proposal to raise petrol,disesel and LPG costs severely affecting the household economy of the poor and the middle class.Was this done to bail out the bleeding oil companies as was being stated tiem and again in the light of the ever- increasing oil prices globally or because of a secret party plan to ensure a better deal from the oil companies for the party in coming parliamentry elections next year .As of now,the general public is obvioulsy agitated and is sheething in anger .But, it seems, in due course the short public memory will fade away and party will be able to muster its resources for coming poll battle
next year. And that's that. RP NAILWAL,JUNE 5,2008
the country's economy more than most of the well-known economists and that is why
he understandably scrapped the outstanding loans against the poor farmers in one stroke.But
one fails to understand why this time he accepted the proposal to raise petrol,disesel and LPG costs severely affecting the household economy of the poor and the middle class.Was this done to bail out the bleeding oil companies as was being stated tiem and again in the light of the ever- increasing oil prices globally or because of a secret party plan to ensure a better deal from the oil companies for the party in coming parliamentry elections next year .As of now,the general public is obvioulsy agitated and is sheething in anger .But, it seems, in due course the short public memory will fade away and party will be able to muster its resources for coming poll battle
next year. And that's that. RP NAILWAL,JUNE 5,2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
DEOPRAYAG BEND ON RIVER GANGA
Are you listening ? The industrialized nations. You must ponder over and respond to this echo reverberating across the undulating Himalayan ranges and its olive green valleys.
The lungs of the world may fail you if you did not bother for those who inhabit the rugged terrains and protect the eco system at all costs. The poor and downtrodden Himalayan Highlanders have lived for ages secluded ,unsung and unwept defending the rich bounty of nature for the rest of the world. What have you done for them to appreciate their silent service to protect world environment ? You talk of carbon credits being worked by the world bank for the Himalayan nations ,but are you sure the compensatory benefits are percolating down to poor highlanders. you are not doing enough. Meet the requirements of Kyoto round and cut down your carbon emissions while raising the compensation for the Himalayan states under the carbon credit regime. This subtle hypocrisy will not do. Highlander ,May 24,2008
The lungs of the world may fail you if you did not bother for those who inhabit the rugged terrains and protect the eco system at all costs. The poor and downtrodden Himalayan Highlanders have lived for ages secluded ,unsung and unwept defending the rich bounty of nature for the rest of the world. What have you done for them to appreciate their silent service to protect world environment ? You talk of carbon credits being worked by the world bank for the Himalayan nations ,but are you sure the compensatory benefits are percolating down to poor highlanders. you are not doing enough. Meet the requirements of Kyoto round and cut down your carbon emissions while raising the compensation for the Himalayan states under the carbon credit regime. This subtle hypocrisy will not do. Highlander ,May 24,2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Rudraprayag bend
Hey,this is the time for the restof the world to witness the great change inthe attitude of avergae American voter to spell out his or her stand on the new face of Amercan Presidency.
Never before in the history of free America US voter had such a choice thrown before him or her.Well,voters seem to have, more or less, preferred pragmatic competence over the colour of skin.Obama has come a long way,leaving behind an uncertain past, both literarly and metphorically.
But certainly this time in the American history, it is not only a tug- of -war between two people of different backgrounds, sharing the nation's dreams ,it is also indeed a close call between a qually competent unprecedented individuals; Hillary Clinton,- a lady contesting for presidency - .who soever wins the and,Obama,a handsome blackman representing the hopes and aspirations of millions of blacks and whites as well .Who so ever wins the party's nomination,America may perhaps gain a lot in terms of brownie points from the critics of American hypocrisy.HIGHLANDER,MAY 22,2008,,
Never before in the history of free America US voter had such a choice thrown before him or her.Well,voters seem to have, more or less, preferred pragmatic competence over the colour of skin.Obama has come a long way,leaving behind an uncertain past, both literarly and metphorically.
But certainly this time in the American history, it is not only a tug- of -war between two people of different backgrounds, sharing the nation's dreams ,it is also indeed a close call between a qually competent unprecedented individuals; Hillary Clinton,- a lady contesting for presidency - .who soever wins the and,Obama,a handsome blackman representing the hopes and aspirations of millions of blacks and whites as well .Who so ever wins the party's nomination,America may perhaps gain a lot in terms of brownie points from the critics of American hypocrisy.HIGHLANDER,MAY 22,2008,,
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
NEXT BEND ON RIVER GANGA
The actions and reactions of the supposedly big leaders of the world on the real issues confronting the humankind have often compelled millions of anonymous human beings like me to ponder over the meaning of free world, wisdom and civilization. Even disappearance of cold war and unipolar diplomacy in our own life time has not helped to wash off the widely held belief in the Third World that might continues to be right irrespective of what ever you may profess and preach. The trouble spots, skirmishes and terror on the globe have not lessened any more. The persistent hunger and poverty specially in the Afro-Asian countries continue to beg answers even as the rich flaunt their skittish affluence both overtly covertly .Think of it ,has the world order changed a bit . Is it not stark hypocrisy ? Highlander , May 21,2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
A BEND ON RIVER GANGA
Over the years I learnt that best bet that a top news paper job offered you in terms of complete freedom of thought and action in a democratic polity was a complete misnomer.Hailing from the lower Himalayan region,I began my sojourn into this profession as a young aspiring journalist with a lot of dreams,hopes and aspirations that I shall be able to turn corner and become a crusader for social causes.But at this point of time I am disgusted. HIGHLANDER MAY 12,2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A bend on river Ganga
How to go about it! My nephew thought I needed to enter into a proper platform to
share my inneremost concerns with you all.Having spent the golden long hours of my
life on the editorial desks of a national newspaper dealing with the minute- by -minute inflow of national and international news items and, s0me times views too, and conversing with a wide
spectrum of real and unreal people of all classes, creeds and religions in this land of a thousand
of religioulsy sanctioned Gods and man-made demi Gods, I have now come to a stage of
utter confusion. I am now trying to draw a line between what is and what ought to be.
But sure, one thing which has worreid me most all the time is ever- growing grip of
institutionalisation of hypocracy world wide .One can easily dicepher this in the actions
of an individual as well as a state. Do I need tol deal with the subject but, yes, I am not going
to allow my pent up excitement to brust forth in one go. HIGHLANDER MAY 11,2008
share my inneremost concerns with you all.Having spent the golden long hours of my
life on the editorial desks of a national newspaper dealing with the minute- by -minute inflow of national and international news items and, s0me times views too, and conversing with a wide
spectrum of real and unreal people of all classes, creeds and religions in this land of a thousand
of religioulsy sanctioned Gods and man-made demi Gods, I have now come to a stage of
utter confusion. I am now trying to draw a line between what is and what ought to be.
But sure, one thing which has worreid me most all the time is ever- growing grip of
institutionalisation of hypocracy world wide .One can easily dicepher this in the actions
of an individual as well as a state. Do I need tol deal with the subject but, yes, I am not going
to allow my pent up excitement to brust forth in one go. HIGHLANDER MAY 11,2008
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