Narcissistic EU rebuked by Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who quelled conservatism, infused liberal doses of enthusiasm and modernity in the Vatican, chided European Union for being haggard and elderly. Europe, reeling under the double whammy of debt and stagnation was up for a rude shock as the Pope on his maiden address to European Parliament lashed out heavily for treating humans as programmable objects. European apathy towards immigrants has been a cause of severe concern among the human rights groups too.

World is gripped by the greatest refugee crisis post second world war due to the unabated reign of terror and instability in the Middle East and parts of Africa. As a result millions of people are undertaking dangerous journeys to the Europe for its touted reputation as a haven for human rights and freedom. With crumbling of Libyan government smuggling gangs are organising more notorious journeys to Europe in decrepit boats. Already civil war in Syria has forced millions of people to live overcrowded refugee camps of Turkey, Jordan and Libya. With no hope of revival of the situation in near future, people are eagerly looking for newer pastures. While 60,000 people illegally entered Europe in 2013, so far 130,000 arrived in 2014. The International Organisation on Migration says that route to Europe from North Africa is the most dangerous in the World for migrants. Reports indicate that nearly 75% of migrants who tried to cross Mediterranean died in past 9 months. According to UNHCR, more than 2200 lives were lost since June this year.

Following the tragedy off Lampedusa Island on coasts of Italy when 500 migrants lost lives in October 2013 following which the government initiated rescue operation, Mare Nostrum. Italy is the one of the major ports of entry for the refugees from Africa and its repeated appeals for financial assistance from EU has been turned down. Italians now expressed their inability to sustain Mare Nostrum that rescued 150,000 people so far and winded it up after 24 months. Last month UK axed its support for migrant rescue across Mediterranean on pretext that saving people would encourage others to risk the voyage. From November 1^st Mare Nostrum is replaced by a limited joint EU border protection operation Triton, managed by Frontex European Border Agency search. The new mission will have a third of resources of phased out Italian operation. It is endowed with task of patrolling the 30 mile area of Italian coast and will not indulge in rescue and search operations across Mediterranean. Meaning, if any overcrowded capsizes outside the 30 mile zone, the vessels are left to drown.

The British opined that instead of focussing on the rescue operations, it should curtail the migrants at the place of origin of the transit and target the operators of such dangerous voyage. Britain and other European countries are busy justifying their cynical attitude of abdication of rescue operations to the people fleeing war, persecution and poverty as a means of discouraging immigration. Amnesty International severely criticised the woeful response of European countries towards the unacceptable scale of loss of lives at the door steps of Europe. They opined that EU should strive to provide safe and legal channels for people to access protection.

EU with population of 500 million can accommodate for few more thousands of refugees without having much impact on its economy. There are numerous entry level jobs on construction sites, restaurants, elderly care facilities centres which can be taken up by the refugees. Since most of the economies in EU are stagnating, politicians refrain from consolidating any strong stance on immigration. Instead they adopt a negative tack of not supporting the rescue operations. Though it’s disgraceful to let thousands of refugees die, Europe hasn’t shied away from its anti-immigration stance and their reluctance to facilitate thousands of refugees thronging its doors. The prevailing anti-immigration sentiment among the 27 nations of the EU is proving to be biggest shame.

With EU betraying the organizational values, Pontiff reminded its politicians of the vibrancy of the continent and belittled its penchant for anti-immigration. He advised them to recreate a resourceful and creative Europe. With bulkier technicalities taking upper hand, there is a gross misunderstanding about human rights. He warned them of possible conflict, social unrest if human rights are misused and human dignity is demeaned. While condemning EU for pursuing policies of self-interest, he apprised them of top priorities of creation of employment, allowing market flexibility and immediate need for immigration reforms. Critiqued them as how Mediterranean was becoming a vast cemetery with people reaching their coasts in rickety boats and warned that world viewed Europe with aloofness, mistrust and suspicion.

 

 

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Obama’s Visit to India: Major Diplomatic Triumph

Termed as a major diplomatic victory, Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to the US president Barack Obama as the chief guest for Republic Day will be a major game-changer. With this triumphant diplomatic move, Modi prudently downplayed political rivals who grossly underestimated his diplomatic acumen. In sharp contrast to these nay-Sayers, experts opined that Modi’s US visit was a tremendous success in many ways though tangible outcomes weren’t immediately imminent.

Modi during his bilateral visits to different countries established propitious relationships. Be it a warm friendly handshake with President Abe and genuflections at ancient Buddhist temples in Japan or be it a walk with president Obama at the National Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington. These friendly gestures eventually re-energised relationships between nations. President Obama’s brief dinner interaction with Modi at Nay Pyi Taw calling him a “Man of Action” also signalled US genuine interest in consolidating friendship with India. The formal acceptance of India’s invitation by Obama might be a huge let down for Pakistan.

Meanwhile relations between India and Pakistan turned acrimonious with Prime Minister Nawaz Shah under domestic duress issuing a strongly worded statement terming India as being inflexible. He reiterated Pakistan’s intentions of meeting Pakistani separatists first as a precondition for a dialogue with India. Pakistan has been vicious tricks portray India as a belligerent neighbour. Pakistan’s contentious strategies received a shot in arm with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani after assuming power visited Pakistan on his first bilateral relationship to recast strained relationship. With the withdrawal of 34,000 strong NATO troops from Afghanistan, Pakistan’s brazenness stands unimpeded. Pakistan seems to be on prowl and listless as recent reports indicate Pakistan’s soldiers being trained by China. Though China quickly admonished the reports, it is universally known that China and Pakistan are hand in glove with each other. Emboldened by Afghan’s friendly initiative Pakistan intends to whiplash India with its dubious and malignant strategies. While there have been repeated incursions and growing aggressions across the Indo-China and Indo-Pakistan border, government has displayed its strong commitment to contain the aggression. In order to mitigate the burgeoning border crisis, India had to lean either to its close pal Japan and US, to checkmate the aggression of the Dragon.

Pakistan and the US became allies in the war on terrorism. But the relations have strained frequently. American officials believed that Pakistan has been sheltering Taliban and sending double agents to Pakistan to collect classified information. These suspicions gathered much support with Secret surveillance of FB reporting of an intercepted conversation of Ex- Diplomat of US Robin Raphel, currently senior adviser on civilian aid with a Pakistani official. Reports indicate that she was divulging classified information to a Pakistani official. Ms. Raphel has been under scanner for assiduously favouring Pakistan and for her long standing relations with Pakistan. India was cornered on several occasions by the US because of her pathological dislike towards India.

US-Pak relationship suffered a major blow after US raided Abbottabad to kill Osama Bin Laden after which Pakistan made attempts to rebuild ties with the US. Pentagon’s report recently accused Pakistan of harbouring militants who wage terrorist attacks on Afghanistan and India. With troops withdrawing from Afghanistan, the US may no longer need to use the ports and roads of Pakistan. Earlier this year, US had to release top five Taliban fighters to free its army personnel from the captivity of Haqqani network. This deal left Pentagon officials high and dry. US Congress has expressed its frustration over Pakistani failure to scuttle the Haqqani network that posed direct threat to US interests. Pakistan is now planning to renew its military engagement with US post-2014 by its intensive combing operation against the militants in North Waziristan to convey that Pakistan is no longer discriminatory towards terrorists. Meanwhile as one of the splinter group of Al-Qaeda expressed its allegiance to ISIS, US is now seriously rethinking about its strategic relationships with Pakistan. The US is in a much better position to mount pressure on Pakistan. With US deeply contemplating on disbursing the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) which has been largely funding the military and non-military operation in US, Pakistan will be in deep trouble. So far Pakistan received $11 billion under CSF post 9/11 besides the $ 300 million worth military aid per year. Pakistan has been unabashedly promoting its anti-India scheme with these gracious aids. In short, US support to Pakistan has ebbed. US intelligence reports indict Pakistan for promoting militant savagery. Pakistan so far has been milking US playing the victim card of sponsored terrorism of India. During the same time, India became closer to the US under the Bush and Obama administrations

To date the new government’s major diplomatic high’s was obtaining pardon from the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for five Indian fishermen who were to be executed on drug charges. India had propitious beginning with Japan too. But as Japan is going through the arduous phase of recession, President Abe declared snap polls and dissolved the lower house. India has played the right diplomatic card by developing cordial relationship with US. RSS which has been dubbed as the Chanakya behind the BJP’s rajneeti has played the appropriate diplomatic card at the crucial hour.  US is embroiled and betrayed by the misdemeanours of Pakistan and with new evidence suggesting Pakistan as the hub of the terrorist activity in the South Asia.

Pakistan had outplayed India on several occasions over the K-issue. India was forced to accept the terms and conditions set by Pakistan for dialogue. Indian governments till now have been acceding to Pakistan’s whims and fancies. But Modi’s diplomatic bouncer has taken Pakistan for a ride. Besides the imbued strategic advantages, business opportunities and liberal exchange of skilled personnel both India and the US can gain hugely by renewing ties.  US can strategically position itself in South Asia by pledging ties with India. In the 21^st century, Resurgent Asia is tipped to play a major role in reshaping World economy. India is poised to emerge as counter weight to the Asian giant China. India’s move of inviting Barack Obama couldn’t have been more historical and empirical....

 

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Modi’s Diaspora Connect

The adulation and ovations lavished on Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to Australia has been an issue of political rhetoric also. Leaders of major political parties have brandished the euphoria of Indian Diaspora in Australia and earlier in USA with outlandish remarks. In reality the Prime Minister represents the country hence his personality and out- reach reflects the mood of the nation as such.  The outburst and flak of the political rivals of Prime Minister, who was once loathed, is understandable, but the enthusiasm and cheer displayed by Indian Diaspora in foreign lands is unprecedented. A decade long subservience and meekness had pushed India into an arena of debilitation. India has been reeking under the burden of conflicting relationships with all its immediate neighbours. Our economy and even citizens withered under the diffident leadership of UPA regime.

Post-Independence India with its vast resources and huge demographic dividend grossly underperformed relative to its potential due to ludicrous socialist policies. As a result large number of Indians migrated abroad to greener pastures for economic reasons, predominantly in 1960s to the West and Gulf Nations. People who dragged their feet against distressing economic conditions were treated disdainfully at home. However, by wooing NRIs Modi has successfully annihilated the guilt-tripping the Diaspora. He strategically utilised the platform, both at Madison Square Garden and the Allphones Arena in Syndey to convince Indian Diaspora to invest in India. Till now Indian leadership had failed to garner the interest evinced by Diaspora to give back to their roots. Modi aroused their interest in development of motherland and commended the hard-work and determination in rebuilding their lives abroad.

If Indian Diaspora spread across nearly 183 countries, intends to generously invest wealth and expertise for the progress of India, it growth run can gain real momentum. China’s transformation too was heralded by its Diaspora abroad. In the 21^st century the process of nation building is no longer the predicament of government, people have to spear head it. Modi through his exemplary oratory won the hearts of the Diaspora yearning for a developed nation tag to India. But the exuberant oratory has to be followed up with actions to substantially root Diaspora’s inclination to invest in India.

Astounding welcome extended in the US and Australia indicates that Diaspora takes special pride in welcoming their leaders in foreign lands to showcase their belongingness and affinity towards their roots in India. Modi has been successful in presenting himself as a dynamic and endearing personality whom NRIs began idolising. The final leg of Modi’s ten- day tour which included a visit to Fiji, an island in Pacific Ocean was of special importance.  Almost 37% of the population of the island is constituted by Indians who migrated 109 years back. Their unflinching belongingness towards their roots received a major fillip with his visit.  Romancing with PIOs and NRIs cannot be dismissed as publicity stunt for it helped in amassing Diaspora’s spirit of connectivity to motherland. The burgeoning popularity of Modi can be attributed to his ebullient personality and astute leadership which enthralled the Diaspora.

In a bid to facilitate the investments of Diasporas Modi promised visa upon arrival, and also pushed for a reduction in the remittances costs of non-residents at the G-20 summit.  Subsequently G-20 has pledged to slash the cost of transferring remittances to 5%. Remittance flows help India to drive strong with sustainable and balanced growth. Besides, the investment climate in India must improve and economic reforms which render domestic policy liberal and transparent must be in place. According to a World Bank estimate more than 215 million people live outside their country of birth and most of them send back money back home. In 2013, India received whopping $70 billion remittances from its Diasporas. Meanwhile, curious Modi supporters are eagerly waiting for another bash at Wembley Stadium next year.  For BJP vaulting high on Modi’s oratory may no longer drive crowds in foreign land until Diaspora are really convinced of his commitment  until substantial change is reflected in his economic reforms.

Further won’t it be more prudent if netas and media persons refrain from scanning every issue through a political angle? On the other hand the iconic trip to Myanmar, Australia and Fiji can be reckoned as an attempt by affirmative Indian leadership to reclaim its status on the World Platform. Against the looming dragon influence over the trans-Pacific and South East Asian Region, India should indeed aggressively pursue its strategic interests by warming up to its neighbours and rejuvenating old ties with other nations. 

 

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Formidable Rise of China

With succession of summits in the Eastern part of the globe international politics is abuzz with China occupying the centre stage. The country received a shot in arm with IMF’s report ranking China as the largest economy in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parity eclipsing the 142 year long hegemony of US. Economists predict that China might emerge as the biggest economy in terms of GDP by 2021. In the Post Cold war era US assumed role of a big daddy wielding its strength and advocating its ideological supremacy. Resurgent China under the authoritative leadership of Xi Xiaoping is itching for a bigger role and recognition.

Beijing, the venue for the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit witnessed the meeting of ascendant Xi and disappointed Barack Obama, along with 20 other World leaders. China exercised its authoritarian muscle and ordered closure of factories and cars are warded off the road to guarantee clear blue skies in the notoriously smoggy capital. Apart from hosting a flawless event, China used this opportunity to establish a new financial order. APEC was closely watched as Chinese were bullying over disputed maritime claims that raised tensions in this entire region. China had upset Philippines by grabbing a disputed reef; picked up a tiff with Vietnam by moving an oil rig into contested waters. It is challenging Japan’s control over the uninhabited 7 Senkaku islets and renamed them as Diaoyu islands. Even South Korea which had good relations with China is embittered when it declared an “Air Defence Identification Zone” over the East China Sea, demanding countries to inform it when entering.

China strategically carved out an alluring economic outreach plan for the South East Asian Nations to take heat off the maritime disputes. Being the single largest partner of the South East Asian nations it launched three initiatives to strengthen its economic and strategic foothold. During the neighbourhood summit with countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and other countries held alongside APEC Xi announced $40billion for the Silk Road Fund. Under this project, China intends to link South East Asian countries and Russia through energy pipelines. Second, was unveiling of the $50 billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), through which it roped in 21 countries as founding members including India to challenge the primacy of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headed by US and Japan. Third, using APEC platform, China sent a message that it is prepared to challenge the US in the Asia-Pacific. While US is pushing for free trade agreements with countries in this region excluding China under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Chinese diplomats were busy wooing South Asian Countries through its Free Trade Agreement with Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). China managed to get confirmation for the roadmap of FTAAP under the APEC Summit Declaration. Besides, Beijing played an active role in the inauguration of the New Development with BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). It has been relentlessly pursuing every opportunity to challenge the predominance of the West and its multilateral institutions.

China has been skilfully crafting its foreign policy to consolidate its power. Xi during his first bilateral visit to Russia in 2013 after assuming power sealed a long stalled gas deal. It backed Russia by taking a pro-Syrian stand in UN Security Council and deliberately refused to condemn the annexation of Crimea. Meanwhile, in the tussle for the top notch role, some countries in the region are caught between the big two. Indonesia, which joined the AIIB initially buckled down under pressure from US and refrained from signing as founding member like South Korea and Australia.

During his 10 day long visit to Myanmar, Australia and Fiji Prime Minister should reinforce to countries in this region that India has a capability to be a major player. India should take a pragmatic view of issues and assert its stand as a major counter weight to China in Asia.

In an attempt to engage better in bigger issues of Climate Change, it has signed a historic climate change treaty with US. Accordingly it would allow carbon emissions to peak by 2030 and aims to generate 20% of energy from the Zero-Carbon emission sources by the same year. It has also pledged $120 million as global health initiative towards fighting Ebola making it the second most generous country. Xi, the strongest Chinese leader after Deng Xiaoping is propelling China along the road of rejuvenation to the top of the world order.

 

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25th Anniversary of Fall of Berlin Wall

 As a high school student I used to admire superb athletic performances of two countries German Democratic Republic (GDR) or East Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) or West Germany at the Summer Olympics of 1988, Seoul. Both of them snugly occupied the second and fifth positions respectively in the medal tally. I fervently hoped that these sister countries would have given a tough challenge to the highest medal holders URS (Soviet Union) had they sent their athletes contesting under a single banner. Eventually, United Germany contested as a single team in 1992 Barcelona Olympics and secured third position. This achievement was just tip of iceberg when compared to larger gains both the countries accomplished over a period of time. Though I couldn’t comprehend much and understand the implications of fall of Berlin Wall in 1989 at that time, I was happy that both countries marched ahead to seek reunification.

November 9^th marks the 25^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The initial simmering and large scale protests surfaced in Leipzig, a town in East Germany on Oct 9^th a month ahead of the historic event. Fresh with fiasco of the Tiananmen Square protests, the regime had pressed in military to suppress the dissent. The massive event was triggered off by a news telecast on Nov 9^th wherein a Politburo member accidentally announced new plans for opening of the Berlin wall. Inadvertently, thousands of enthusiastic people thronged the wall to check the validity of the news. Dismayed by presence of scores of people, guards at Berlin wall had first opened the border crossing at Bornholmer Street. Soon people began to cross the wall enmasse. Motivated and clueless about the flurry of activity at a single gate, guards at various crossings began to open them. Thus by midnight of Nov 10^th nearly all the gates were opened in an uncoordinated fashion paving way for new realm for a united Germany.

Towards the end of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt of U.S, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premiere Joseph Stalin at Yalta Conference decided to divide the demilitarised Germany into four Zones to be occupied by England, France, US and Soviet Union. Soviet in the meanwhile populated the capital located in the East which was divided into four parts as well. The US, England and France zones in the west became Federal Republic of Germany while the Eastern region that has close ties with Moscow was christened as German Democratic Republic. Both German nations were conferred UN membership in 1973. From 1949 to 1961 over two million people migrated from East Germany to West as refugees. Owing to large scale migrations, the economy began to crumble in East Germany. To curtail the movement of people, Soviet Union came up with a drastic idea of erecting a wall in Berlin and referred to it as Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart with a promise of unrestricted movement.  They argued that the purpose of the wall is to defend its citizens from the predations of the capitalist West.

The wall sealed West Berlin from East Germany and East Berlin thereby controlling the migration to West Germany. The original wall 96.3 miles long was composed of barbed wires was erected on Aug 13^th 1961. Later on the wall was intensely fortified with 12 ft long concrete slabs topped with a concrete pipe to make it more difficult to climb. It was erected to prevent tens and thousands of East Germans from fleeing to West Germany. The wall was under thick surveillance of military personnel armed with machine guns. For 28 long years thousands of families were separated by this wall.

On his visit to Berlin in 1989, Ronald Regan challenged Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall to fulfil his promise of increasing freedom in Communist States.  Following the collapse of economy of Soviet Union in 1989, East Germany too suffered the brunt. By mid 1989 Hungary, a satellite communist country facilitated the migration through it territory to East Germans who wanted to cross over to West Germany thereby rendering the wall ineffective. Marred by continuous protests GDR regime had resigned on November 7^th 1989. With official announcement of government on Nov 9^th to allow the citizens of East Berlin to cross into West Berlin, people on either side of the wall assembled and pulled it down. Brandenburg Gate the most prominent landmark and crossing point between the two regions was officially opened by Dec 22^nd 1989.  On 3^rd October 1990, a new Germany with the flag of Federal Republic of Germany was unveiled at Reichstag to commemorate the emergence of unified Germany.

Erstwhile West Germany symbolised capitalism and democracy whereas East Germany signified dictatorship and communism. East Germany under the communist regime was sealed off through restrictive laws, armies, ideologies and severe sanctions imposed on press. The fall of the Berlin wall thus symbolised the triumph of democracy over communism. People felt suffocated under the restrictive regime and even economy began to stagnate in East Germany. Aspiring for greater economic opportunism and freedom, millions of East Germans risked their lives to migrate to West Germany.

Post 1990 united Germany emerged as a very strong nation with a fourth largest economy in the World. With an enviable unemployment rate of 5.1, the lowest in the entire Europe, it is major heavy weight of European Union. The fall of the Berlin wall culminated the end of Cold-war era. It proved that governments which violate the human right to freedom of movement will never be tolerated by people. Eastern bloc till 1990 tried to create an impression that East European countries preferred or supported Communism but the bubble burst out with dissolution of USSR and fall of communist regimes in other European countries in succession.

Now after nearly 25 years, international politics is at cross roads. An emboldened annexation of Crimea by President Putin signals the threat of second cold war. Amidst the concerns of economic stagnation, unemployment in Europe and the inconsequential fondness of Hungary for the Communist regimes of Singapore and China has reignited the faded cold war tensions.

 

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A Scientific Report on Climate Change

Recently UN backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the authentic scientific opinion clearly indicated that extreme change in climate is product human activity. It vouched for 95% probability of human interference for the climatic changes. While in its first assessment in 1990, it mildly hinted at increase in air temperature to be reason for natural variability, in its current fifth assessment scientists are certain that climate change is man-made.

In fact many factors influence the climate but levels of Carbon dioxide (CO2) are more detrimental as it constantly absorbs infra-red heat at a higher rate than nitrogen and oxygen other major components of atmosphere. As the levels of CO2 increases, atmosphere tends to warm up. At the start of Industrial revolution in 1880 the levels of CO2 were 280 ppm (parts per million) now the concentration has exceeded 400ppm. Apart from CO2, black and suspended particulates like aerosols have amplified the affects of CO2. If the levels of CO2 doubles from those in 1880, global temperature would increase by 1C bringing about a drastic change in climate. Revelations of the report are alarming- average surface temperature has already increased by 0.85 C over the period of 1880 to 2012; existing levels of three green house gases- CO2, methane and nitrous oxide are highest in the last 800,000 years; Global sea level rose by 19cm from 1901 to 2010. The period of 1983-2012 was the warmest 30 year period in the last 1400 years.  The acidity of ocean surface has risen by 26% since the industrial revolution. This has greatly impacted the Arctic Circle whose glaciers are shrinking by over 4% every year. Antarctica and Greenland too are experiencing a serious depletion of the ice mass. Marine life is slowly moving to poles for cooler waters. Though the impact of climate change on human health couldn’t be detected, there has been sharp decline in yields of Maize and Wheat. Rice, Soybeans and other staple grains were not affected.

To sum up, the committee recommended total phasing out of fossil fuels in power generation by 2100 and to reduce their use by 20% by 2050 to avoid calamitous consequences of climate change. Predictably, these recommendations have been rejected by the representatives of Saudi Arabia and other oil exporting countries.

Unlike other phenomenon, climate has a long response times. Actions taken now will have an impact decade later. The consequence of the present change has been the result of the accumulations of the green house gases over a period of time. The report has low confidence in stating that frequency and size of the floods are influenced by climate change for the lack of proper records of the severe weather events in the past.

India has been placed the top 20 nations at the risk of the potential climate change. India with its 7500 kilometres coastline can ill afford to bear the brunt. Nearly 58% of the population of India depend directly on agriculture, fisheries, poultry and other allied activities. A minimal disturbance in climate can topple their livelihoods. The most recent extreme weather conditions in form tropical cyclones, cloud bursts and severe down pours made severe dent on Indian economy.

India is now seriously contemplating the strategic shift in talks for the upcoming global meet at Paris and mulls on delinking India’s position from China. Since China is currently the highest carbon emitter and falls in the same league as the developed nations. It attributes the carbon emissions to production activities related to exports. The bold stance is aimed at protecting nation’s interests while pursuing a pro-active role during negotiations. India refuses to yield to predicament of developed countries that shifted the onerous task of pledging for reduction of emissions by developing countries first. India is intent on climate discussions in the upcoming G-20 summit despite serious reservations by China. Though India would take stand of BASIC group (Brazil, Australia, South Africa, India and China) of countries on broader issues it might take a different stand on specific issues which may affect country’s economic interests. It is time that India takes a clear position ahead of the Lima talks where it will insist on adaptation than on mitigation (emission cut). New government has expressed its strong desire to promote low carbon emission technologies. But intent is to be followed by actions for a real change to occur.

 

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Is it BJP all the way?

The India National Congress with its trademark tactics upped its ante against BJP for eclipsing the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi. News channels were buzz with Congress leaders vehemently accusing BJP of not respecting its legacy and undermining the sacrifices of its leaders. But Congress had to bite dust due to the lackadaisical approach of Indian public. Instead of making a mountain  out of molehill, Congress should have realised that with change in the guard and ideologies of the parties in power, focus would shift. Post-independence encomiums of martyrdom and sacrifice for country have been the fiefdom of a single family. All other freedom fighters and visionaries of exceptional statures were shunted out of public memory. The palpable enthusiasm and extensive patronage proffered on the Run for Unity in memory of the stalwart, Sardar Vallabhai Patel on his 139^th birth anniversary by BJP spell doom on the ideological regimentation of the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty. Significantly, the grand Old Party should venerate the valour and sacrifice of unsung heroes, of Indian history whose contributions were subjected to derision, subjugation and condescension earlier.

BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded assembly elections in both Haryana and Maharashtra forcing political parties to introspect. Bulldozed to third position in both states Congress party is damned. In spite of these debacles the congress camp seems to be unruffled. While the sycophants of the dynasty are jealously guarding the propriety of their monarchical head, the fissures are wide open, hitting a vertical split in Tamilnadu. The staid central leadership has slipped into a default slumber mode. In sharp contrast BJP is promoting new leadership and handing reins to committed and honest leaders. The cadres are enthused by honour bestowed to deserving lower rung leadership. The lateral spread of the BJP across different states of India slowly and steadily is hard to ignore. The congress which was omniscient till 1980’s has slipped into principal opposition party in most of the states in 90’s where regional parties with strong leadership staked claims for the regional satraps. From inception BJP had strong and steady hold in the north and west India but was brandished as communal and right-wing party. It was shunned by the elite for its RSS affiliations and treated as pariah for its strong nationalist ideologies by liberals. Now the growth trajectory of the party is begrudging.

Post 2014 Lok Sabha elections, India witnessed a paradigm shift in the political scenario. A sense of aplomb and enthusiasm is pervading the nation. With the NDA government reinventing novel ways to connect with people the euphoria and interest in the public is at its zenith. In sharp contrast to existing practice of leadership disappearing into havens of power and basking in glory, the new government is veered into networking with people. The strategy of social networking has stuck chord with the middle class. Discordant voices and experts too attributed the phenomenal performance of BJP in general elections to its novel campaign architecture. Truly the worn out old system of canvassing and campaigning just before elections has lost its sheen. The poll frenzy witnessed during the general elections in 2014 was unprecedented. The voters were swayed by BJP which embarked on a disruptive innovation mode. Instead of relying on the traditional formats of reaching the masses it has reformed its strategy. Employing an army of ingenious netizens, hit the social media to spread its message. Besides toiling 24X7 on social networking sites, well coordinated traditionally appealing rallies helped them to reach the poor and downtrodden. Subsequently they eroded authentic vote banks and amassed support.

Now, the predilection of Prime Minister Modi to connect with people has taken politics to a new level. The passionate tenor to establish a rapport with people is appealing. Be it the message to children on the eve of teacher’s day or the out-reach programmes or Mann Ki Baat in radio or a visit to Siachen on Diwali, all these attempts have stuck chord with public. While opposition lambasted these gestures as election strategies they are awfully short of such innovative formulae. Alternatively, BJP is making inroads into different states with a new approach not contrived by others. Stellar performance of BJP in elections spurs political parties to be proactive, aggressive and to discard political chicanery. Attitudes and expectations of people have changed. The ruse of caste, creed and religion may no longer guarantee victory in elections. People are aspiring for a vibrant India. The parties under the tutelage of a dynasty or a family are going to be hard hit.  With burgeoning perception levels of Gen X politics is no longer a cake wake. The meteoric rise of the AAP stands testimony to the fact that people no longer tolerate messy politics. BJP gained enormous ground by inviting public opinion and stupendous social networking. By breaking the traditional juggernaut of vicious campaigning it projected itself as a crusader. There are still miles to go. But Aristotle’s quote of “well begun is half done” is concomitant to BJP for time being.

 

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