Pranab: No. 2 To Numero Uno

Always number two, eternal challenger to the prime ministerial candidate of the grand old party, but never got the coveted and well-deserved post. But, now, Congress's Man Friday Pranab Mukherjee is all set to become the primus among (non-) equals. Mukherjee has quit as the finance minister of the country to contest the presidential poll scheduled for July 19. He is only the second serving union cabinet minister to have been nominated as a candidate for the presidential poll. 

His candidature has not been free from controversies, with many saying that the government and the party are not on the same page. And, perhaps to clear the cloud Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has decided to be one of the two proposers for Mukherjee for filing his nomination on Thursday for the election to President's office.

The Prime Minister's decision is a marked departure from the normal practice, which itself indicates that there were some differences of opinion on doing away with UPA's go-to man in past 8 years. But, then Mamata Banerjee and Mulayam Singh Yadav had left Congress with no other option.

On Pranab Mukherjee's part, he is someone, who has always been in the thick of things for over four decades, his nomination for the presidential polls indicate that his retirement from active electoral/ministerial politics is not really a retirement from politics. The office of the President is very much political. But, what remains to be seen and what would be a litmus test for Pranab, the person-politician is whether he adheres to Congress's philosophy or follows an independent political philosophy.

Pranab Mukherjee has vacated the finance ministry at a time, when the country is passing through a very rough economic phase. Industrial production is down, services hit badly, agriculture is partly good and mood is gloomy on the back of Eurozone crisis. But, given the policy paralysis that has afflicted this government especially the finance ministry for three years now, many view Pranab's timely elevation as relief rather than a problem.

Pranab's apparent attempt to seek solution of capitalist economy's problem through socialist approach was not going down well with the India Inc, which had started feeling that under his supervision, the economy was again drifting into the hands of bureaucrats. So, the reformists are happy that Pranab Mukherjee will now behold an office that does not interfere with Indian economy. 

Earlier in the day, Pranab's much anticipated bold measures had given a hope to the markets. But, his promised investors' confidence booster turned out to be a thud as he held out just a few small tweaks on his last day as the finance minister. However, a rational analysis would suggest that the economic slump was not his fault. Though, he must share his part of blame as the finance minister. Notwithstanding, Mukherjee remains a stalwart of Indian politics and the most loved and trusted politician of the time.

Still, he may rue that he was widely acknowledged as the superb all rounder, who could never wear a captain's hat. But, becoming the first citizent of the country must make up more than the loss incurred by him during his political career.

National Interest: Justice For Aarushi, Hemraj

A chirpy girl, presumably innocent (that is, she perhaps did not do anything to be 'punished' by death), was killed after someone slit her throat with 'clinical precision' around mid-night; the next day 'prime suspect' was found dead on the terrace of the same flat. The second murder took place the same night and around the same time. Police's inquiry rejected the possibility of forced entry into the house. Aggrieved parents became prime suspects, at least, in the eyes of sensation crazy TV watching public and now, they have been formally charged with murder, destruction of evidence and one of the two with misleading the police under various sections of the IPC. This has been the tell-a-tale of Aarushi-Hemraj murder case of 2008.

Now, in 2012, I firmly believe that the logical course of judicial process to search for justice for the deceased girl and a domestic servant has set rolling. This could have started much earlier save the efforts by, now accused, parents to delay the entire process by moving various court at various levels of the judicial process. The case has become multi-layered with some of the processes going on in the trial court and some others in the higher courts. While the Ghaziabad trial court has framed charges against Nupur and Rajesh Talwar, the dentist couple has again given hint of further delaying the process by deciding to challenge framing of charges in the High Court.

Though, it is extremely painful for parents to be tried for the murder of their daughter, but then, the world is brutal so, the judicial process should not be mild. If they are the accused and if they feel that they are innocent, they should assist the court in finishing the trial fast so that their guilt or absence of it can be proved in the court of law faster. There is no point delaying it. Again, it's tough on parents to prove that they are innocent given the circumstantial evidence that rule out presence of a fifth person at the time of the commission of twin murders. If Talwars are innocent and if police probe is accurate then, there is just one possibility that Hemraj killed Aarushi and then slit his throat with the same clinical precision and while dying tried to escape towards the terrace. And, that either Nupur or Rajesh Talwar bolted and locked the door leading to the terrace. You can believe this theory and buy this argument, I can't. 

Either police are going wrong in their investigation or the Talwars are lying. Both can't be true. This is also why, I, like many others want to see judicial process complete at a faster pace. It should not have Tareekh Pe Tareekh and this is what Talwars are exactly trying to do or at least this is what it seems like. 

I don't consider the case of Aarushi-Hemraj murder case as one of the thousands of murders that take place across the length and breadth of the country. It is case, which has posed the greatest challenge to our investigation system and tools and techniques used by it. It is also about murder of faith and relationship. It is also about faith of people in our police and judiciary. The basic question that torments people even in far flung areas, where Aarushi should not have been a topic of discussion by any stretch of imagination, is that can an influential couple be let off the hook without testing by fire when they seem to be the prime and only suspects in the case? This question has far reaching ramifications. If this case goes unsettled and justice is not delivered in the case, people's belief in our institutions will only dwindle.

For the sake of India, this case needs to be given the top priority by all agencies concerned. And, for Talwars? They will be doing a great service to the nation if they assist dutifully and wholeheartedly the court in unraveling the double murder mystery, as they call it, irrespective of whether they emerge as guilty or innocent.

News From India

Plane crashes in Nepal, 12 Indians among 21 onboard

A plane carrying 21 people has crashed in the mountains of North Nepal. 21 people including 12 Indians were onboard. The plane crashed while attempting to land at the Jomsom Airport, a gateway to a popular tourist and trekking area. The aircraft belonged to a local airline company Agri Air. 

Tax evasion at par with money laundering

Tax evader may have to face a stricter administration as the centre is mulling to place tax crimes at a par with money laundering. The offence will now have severe criminal and financial implications. The changes in the laws would make way for easier prosecution, rigorous imprisonment, fines and shifting onus on the accused to prove he is not guilty. 

Maharaja grounded, passengers $ govt stranded

 The Air India pilots’ strike has entered its seventh day. The pilots’ agitation has forced the national carrier to cancel as many as fourteen of its international flights on Monday causing great inconvenience to hundreds of passengers. The pilots are on strike since last Tuesday and are not ready to relent. They are dead against the pilots of erstwhile Indian Airlines being imparted similar training as imparted to Air India pilots. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has admitted that merger of Air India and Indian Airlines five years ago has not worked out well. Interestingly, AI and IA were making cash profits till 2006-07, when they were merged. But, both are running in loss thereafter.

News From India

 More trouble for Narendra Modi

Amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran has nailed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his controversial role in 2002 communal riots. Raju Ramachandran has said in his report on the 2002 Gujarat riots that the role of Narendra Modi needs to be investigated under various sections of IPC. He has found "circumstantial evidence available requiring further probe" against Modi.

 CBI names Congress baiter Jaganmohan as prime accused in assets case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has named Congress baiter and Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy as the prime accused in the assets case. The central probe agency, which has been accused by the YSR president to be acting at the behest of Congress masters, filed its third chargesheet in the case in the special CBI court on Monday. The CBI chargesheet focuses on the favours doled out to Ramky Group of Industries by Jaganmohan's father and once Congress' illustrious leader and former Andhra chief minister, Y S Rajashekhar Reddy as a quid pro quo to the investments made by the group in Jagan's business empire.

Antony clears Rahul Gandhi of UP debacle

No nepotism in distributing tickets, declaring candidates almost a year before polls, easy accessibility of the CM, PCC chief and CLP leaders to party workers and strict enforcement of discipline are some of the recommendations of the Congress committee that went into party's debacle in Uttar Pradesh.
The report of the three-member committee, headed by AK Antony, was submitted to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. It carries five pages of recommendations to revive Congress citing lack of connect with the voters.

Resume work or face action: Minister to Air India Pilots


The Air India management has warned the striking pilots to return to work by 6pm or face action. Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has termed the strike by Air India pilots as illegal. He said the management of the national carrier would take appropriate action against the agitating pilots.


Supreme Court strikes down Haj Subsidy, slams Centre


In a major setback to the Centre, the Supreme Court has turned down its policy of giving government subsidy to Muslims going on annual Haj pilgrimage. The apex court slammed the Centre for politicising the issue of annual Haj pilgrimage. It maintained that the proposal of giving subsidy on pilgrimages to religious shrines is inappropriate and aimed at wooing minorities. The apex court also directed the Centre to eliminate the policy of Haj subsidies over a period of ten years.


Race for Raisina Hill, Sinha bats for Pranab

With race for Rashtrapati Bhawan hotting up day-by-day, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has got support from former finance minister Yashwant Sinha. Mukherjee’s popularity is gaining momentum with Sinha terming him a suitable candidate for next President of India. 

Top Headlines, News From India

Hard decisions need to be taken for NCTC, says P Chidambaram

Feud in Rajasthan BJP intensifies further. At least, 43 MLAs loyal to sulking leader Vasundhara Raje have offered to quit.


RJD chief Lalu Prasad has questioned the secular credentials of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Lalu was reacting to Nitish's exchange of pleasantries and handshake with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during a meet on NCTC in New Delhi.


Human rights abuse taint on Army again. As many as 129 Army personnel have been found guilty of human rights violations mostly in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast in the last two decades.


Train derails in Haryana, several injured. At least 26 passengers were injured as eight bogies of the Delhi-bound Firozpur-Mumbai Punjab Mail derailed in Rohtak district of Haryana today.

National Shame: Hunger Floors India

National Shame! This phrase seems to have turned into a fad with every
intellectual debate in the country. To some, humiliating defeat of
Team India is matter of national shame, to some others, corruption
(backed by 2G, CWG, NRHM, Adarsh and other scams) is the real national
shame and if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is be believed, hunger or
malnutrition of children is the national shame. But then, there is a
general feeling that the prime minister's view on hunger is not taken
seriously in the government. Some even suggest that given his current
focus on bookish economics, the prime minister does not seem to be
attaching much significance to his own observation himself.

While the defeat of Indian cricket team in Australia rankles in the
eyes of cricket's nationalistic fans, but that debacle is a debacle of
opulence and does not fit to be called a national shame. The 2G and
other scams are like hills in the island of corruption that emanates
from the rich and powerful. And, at a certain level it lacks 'national
appeal'. But, as per Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's own admission 42
percent of children are malnourished and hence, hunger affected. It
means that almost every second child in the country is a victim of
hunger. Obviously, the cloud of hunger and malnutrition looms large
over the entire nation.

This is a mind-boggling figure even to think of especially in the
backdrop of the fact that India has a population in excess of 121
crore and that we are adding more than a crore to the core population
every year. This means that the nation is adding more than 42 lakh to
the existing bunch of hunger affected children every year. And,
according to yet to be finalised data of 2011 Census, there are 16
crore children aged 6 or below. If we add to this figure the
population aged upto 14, the entire figure comes upto more than 35 %
of 121 crore Indians. So here, we have the third most populous
‘nation’ in India that is dominated by hunger and hence, underweight.
This is the story, when we think of Indians below 14 years of age,
leaving aside their elderly cousins, who are also in millions. This
contradicts the very growth theory of an emerging India. May be, India
is progressing in regression.

The Prime Minister was quoting the first ever report on hunger and
malnutrition (HUNGaMA) in the country. The report is based on a survey
conducted by the Naadi Foundation in 112 districts, predominantly
rural across nine states. It should also be borne in mind that the
survey studied approximately 73, 000 households (only). A bigger
survey may throw bigger shock. It goes without saying that we are
producing a feeble generation in a nearby future.

It has been observed the world over all through the period of recorded
social history that weak breeds more in his effort to become strong
(unity is strength). For poor, more children are like life insurance
policies. India has thrown, perhaps, the best example of this
demographic trend, outside Africa. Despite being the first nation in
the world to introduce a family planning scheme under (educated, rich
and aware) Prime Minister JL Nehru in 1951, the nation registered the
most voluminous rise in its population decade after decade. The family
planning centres got converted into a family expansion centres as
saving life of people is always to preferred to prevent a life taking
form. Poor people have been the largest contributor to population,
ignorance, poverty and resultant hunger.

HUNGaMA REPORT
. 42% children are underweight
. 93.7% mothers can’t give required nutrition to their newborns
. 51% newborns don’t get colostrum
. 66% mothers did not go to schools
. Only 11% wash hands before meals
. Only 19% use soap after using toilet
. India’s malnourished children exceed entire population of the US

The HUNGaMA report itself says, that 93.7% of some 74,000 mothers
surveyed said that they could not feed their children with more
non-cereal nutrition for they could not afford it. Incidentally, more
than 66% of the mothers did not go to schools. So, there is a definite
connection between poverty, education and hunger. The report itself
gives some notable examples. To quote just two would be enough here.
One, nearly 98.5% of the surveyed family had access to soap, but less
than 11% knew that washing their hands before meal can improve their
health; only 19% used soap for cleaning after using the toilet.
Second, 51% of newborn babies were denied mother's first milk,
colostrum as mothers did not consider it good for the newly born
children. This is nothing but lack of education (not literacy that the
government's figures flash every now and then) and awareness.

There are plethora of schemes being run by the government aimed at
improving nutrition and health of disadvantaged groups devoid of
employment, education and access to basic needs of a civic life. One
such scheme that found mention in prime minister’s ‘national shame’
speech was Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. The
ICDS was launched in 1975. If the prime minister has to declare
malnutrition and hunger among children as national shame, is it only a
failure of the ICDS and other such schemes. Isn’t it a failure of
governance, which could not provide basic health to the nation in last
almost 65 years in general and 37 years in particular? And, isn’t this
a national shame for a prime minister?

The primary cause of hunger and malnutrition is poverty caused by
various kinds of unemployment or under-employment due to lesser number
of jobs in comparison to work force, lack of opportunity to work or
lack of competence (including education and training) on part of the
workers to get access to the limited options to work. Whatever may be
the reason, the result haunts the nation collectively. Poverty breeds
hunger, and hunger keeps victim population uneducated and ignorant,
which again lead to unemployment, poverty and hunger. The cycle is
complete and remains in motion for eternity. The prime ministers come
and go, but the national shame will be there to greet every incumbent,
if a course correction is not done, right now.

Rahul Gandhi And Uttar Pradesh

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today held a very tactical press conference in Varanasi, hours ahead of the end of the election campaign for the first phase of polls in Uttar Pradesh, where stake is very high for the projected--but-disinterested future prime minister of India for Congress party. The press briefing was on expected lines with expected answers but with a renewed anger on display. This apart, today's press conference has four meanings, as I have perceived.

One, Rahul Gandhi has conceded defeat of his party in the upcoming polls just ahead of the first phase of voting. He categorically admitted that he is now focused on the 'course' and not on the result of the assembly elections. It is like accepting that his party stands no chance of forming a government in the state, as being predicted by all the poll pundits and much contrary to Congress's and his own tall claims of returning to power in Lucknow. Today's press conference may work in favour or may hamper his chances more than ever. It could be his last ditch to make an appeal to the voters that he is genuinely concerned about the progress of Uttar Pradesh, but his party can't muster majority in the present political scenario. Anyways, it's a defeat conceded by the commander of the Congress party.

Second, Rahul Gandhi seemed to be closing the doors of an alliance with either the BSP or the SP post-poll. He accused both these parties and also the BJP of providing 'criminal' governance in Uttar Pradesh in past two decades. Should his come to a pass of forging an alliance with either of the SP or BSP, he will have to eat his words, which Rahul Gandhi has not done till date. But, it also leaves Congress in a possible dilemma as to what it would do if BJP gets enough seat to tilt balance in anyone's favour. Will the Congress extend outside support to either the SP or the BSP, should it intends to keep the BJP at bay?

Third, Rahul Gandhi termed BJP a non-existing force in UP. For any political observer, it is too far fetched even to comment on the statement. But, Rahul Gandhi's soaring temper during the press conference while dealing with questions concerning the BJP was more than apparent. Was it an anger resulting due to frustration, that the BJP-led opposition handed over to the Congress in Parliament over the Lokpal Bill? He accused LK Advani of only touring in the name of corruption and not acting. He also challenged Advani and Co that he would get a constitutional Lokpal enacted by Parliament whether they like it or not. But, Rahul Gandhi is wise enough to understand that until his party gets a majority in UP, he can't have his way in the Rajya Sabha and thus the constitutional Lokpal may not be a reality. So, his renewed anger at the BJP, which is according Rahul Gandhi non-existent in UP, may have its source in the Lokpal fiasco.

And, fourth, Rahul Gandhi evaded the question on black money but focused on black flags to hit out at Baba Ramdev, who is obviously not a political force. Does Rahul's outburst at Ramdev signal a bigger trouble for the yog merchant? Only time will tell.