It had been suspected by the Indian intelligence agencies for a long time. And now their suspicion has been corroborated by the US government.
Pakistan has been preparing to use those weapons against India that she has received from the USA for fighting against Taliban activists on her own soil. This has come into light with Pakistan's alleged modification of Harpoon missile - received from the USA - on 23rd April this year. Harpoon is an anti-ship missile that the USA has given to Pakistan to help the latter in her fight against Taliban. However, through the alleged modification (that violates US Arms Control Exports Act) Pakistan has prepared the missile for use against land targets, for potential use against India.
The US government must have been upset that Pakistan has taken it for a ride. The Islamic Republic has taken so many high-powered weapons from the USA in the pretext of fighting against Taliban, and in reality she has used the same to strengthen her military potential vis-a-vis that of India. The Obama administration should seriously think that whether it would continue supplying the Pakistan government with high-powered weapons for fighting against Taliban, when there is no guarantee that those weapons will be used for the right purpose.
However, what I feel is that if the Pakistani government is actually cheating somebody, then it is her own people. The cultured and decent people of Pakistan (who must not be confused with their government) are terribly irritated with Taliban and other radical Islamic groups, and they want their beautiful country to get rid off those nuisance. The Pakistan government is trying to convince them that it is taking strong steps to wipe out those elements, but in reality it is doing pretty nothing to that effect.
Pakistan is probably the only country in the world that cheats her own people even in matters related to internal security. Really, what a country it is!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Change of Guard in Japan – After 50 Years
A historic political change took place in the Asian neighbourhood, when Japan’s main opposition party Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) overthrew the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the recent general election, after an almost unbroken rule by LDP for half a century.
For quite some time the Japanese voters had been highly displeased with the ruling party for the strong economic crisis that Japan has been going through for around 20 years, witnessing high level of unemployment and other unpleasant factors that accompany a struggling economy. Moreover, there was no sign of any improvement in the near future, which could encourage the common people to retain faith on LDP. Therefore there is nothing surprising that the Japanese voters got LDP ousted. Rather what may be surprising is how they could tolerate LDP for such a long time.
However, DPJ has no time to cherish the elusive victory that they have at last managed to grab. They are now responsible for bringing back the country’s failing economy back on its feet. They must realize that actually it was not their victory, but the loss of LDP. The actual objective of common people was not to bring DPJ to power, but to get LDP out of power. So, instead of patting their own back for the electoral results, they should swing into action immediately. At the same time they must remember that there should not be any over-enthusiasm, no desperation to bring a sudden improvement in the economy. Any hasty act can result in further worsening of the situation. Rather, they should first make a proper, all-round study of the scenario, identify the loopholes and draw backs, and chalk out a roadmap, and then proceed.
We all know about the resilience of our Japanese friends. The way they bounced back after being demolished by US atom bombs is almost like folklore. And we all believe that the Sun of economic prosperity will again rise in this “Land of the Rising Sun”.
Photo Courtesy - www.newsweek.com
Friday, August 28, 2009
Goodbye Ted
So Edward Kennedy is no more? When I got the news, it was not that I was depressed (after all, he was not exactly a great leader, and certainly not a world leader). But yes, I of course felt a sort of vacuum. After all, who can deny this fact that the phrase "Kennedy Family" rings a music in our ears (though Kennedys, including J.F.K., did have their share of draw backs)? And therefore it was certainly sad to know that an old guard of the family - a legacy - was gone.
Edward Kennedy may have failed to hold the highest political office of his country (except in the Jeffrey Archer novel Shall We Tell The President?, where he was portrayed as the US President). But it must be acknowledged that he proved himself to be a worthy successor of the legacy left behind by J.F. Kennedy (and Robert Kennedy, to some extent), and established himself as one of the most successful Senators that the US Congress has ever had. And that was not a low achievement.
May his soul rest in peace.
Photo Courtesy - www.topnews.in
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dalai Lama's Proposed Visit To Taiwan - Who Is China To Oppose It?
The Chinese government is upset with His Holiness Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Taiwan. The spokesperson of the Chinese government has openly conveyed his government's displeasure to the global media, saying that his government "resolutely opposes" Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Taiwan (the country which China considers to be a part of its own).
Now, what locus standi does the Chinese government have in opposing Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan? Taiwan is a sovereign country (no matter what China thinks about it), and it has full right to invite any person on its soil. And Dalai Lama is also by no means answerable to the Chinese government for his actions. Then from where does China get the right to express displeasure over the issue, in the first place?
Now, what locus standi does the Chinese government have in opposing Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan? Taiwan is a sovereign country (no matter what China thinks about it), and it has full right to invite any person on its soil. And Dalai Lama is also by no means answerable to the Chinese government for his actions. Then from where does China get the right to express displeasure over the issue, in the first place?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
“Interested Is Interesting” – The Fabulous Message From The Film “Loser”
The other day I was watching “Loser”, a nice Hollywood movie starring Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari and Greg Kinnear.
It is about an innocent small town boy named Paul Tannek (Jason Biggs) who comes to New York for college studies, and tries to cope up with the big city life while countering huge cultural shocks at every step. A both entertaining as well as thought provoking movie armed with high quality acting.
However, what I enjoyed most in the movie was actually a particular dialogue. There was a scene which showed Paul packing his bags before leaving for New York, when he asks his father that how he could make friends in an unknown city where he knows nobody. And then his father says – “Always remember, interested is interesting.” Puzzled, Paul asks – “What do you mean?” And his father says – “Remember, every man has a story. And he looks for somebody to listen to his story. Listen to peoples’ stories, and they will like you.”
How true! Indeed, lending an eager and sympathetic ear is the key to becoming popular with people. You take interest in people, and people will take interest in you. Simple!
Hats off to the dialogue writer of “Loser”, who has presented this basic truth in such a simple manner. It is not that I did not know this fact. In fact, we all are aware about this basic fact of life. But what I liked was the novel way it was presented. I basically liked the short and simple dialogue that said it all – “Interested is interesting.”
It is about an innocent small town boy named Paul Tannek (Jason Biggs) who comes to New York for college studies, and tries to cope up with the big city life while countering huge cultural shocks at every step. A both entertaining as well as thought provoking movie armed with high quality acting.
However, what I enjoyed most in the movie was actually a particular dialogue. There was a scene which showed Paul packing his bags before leaving for New York, when he asks his father that how he could make friends in an unknown city where he knows nobody. And then his father says – “Always remember, interested is interesting.” Puzzled, Paul asks – “What do you mean?” And his father says – “Remember, every man has a story. And he looks for somebody to listen to his story. Listen to peoples’ stories, and they will like you.”
How true! Indeed, lending an eager and sympathetic ear is the key to becoming popular with people. You take interest in people, and people will take interest in you. Simple!
Hats off to the dialogue writer of “Loser”, who has presented this basic truth in such a simple manner. It is not that I did not know this fact. In fact, we all are aware about this basic fact of life. But what I liked was the novel way it was presented. I basically liked the short and simple dialogue that said it all – “Interested is interesting.”
Citizen Journalism - The "Media Periphery"
I appreciate and relish the fact that the concept of Citizen Journalism is fast catching up with the modern society. Lots of interesting incidents are taking place around us, which unfortunately do not make to the mainstream media. And we cannot blame the mainstream media for not highlighting those stories, as the former must adhere to certain guidelines while carrying stories. If a story is interesting but not at par with those guidelines, then it is obvious that the mainstream media will not carry that story.
This is the gap that Citizen Journalism fills up. It is sort of a "media periphery", which accommodates those stories which do not make to the mainstream media, but are interesting all the same. The end result is a huge widening of media reach, thus facilitating our reach and accessibility to a wider range of news. And the benefit? Greater enrichment of knowledge (More information = More knowledge).
The emergence of New/Social Media has provided Citizen Journalism enthusiasts with a plethora of tools, such as Blogs, Twitters, You Tube, etc. And it is really heartening to see how a number of enterprising youths are making a great use of these tools. Our heartiest wishes to all of them.
Undoubtedly, the birth of the concept of Citizen Journalism is one of the best things to have happened in the recent times. It has really enriched the modern human society, and has revolutionized the world of media and information dissemination. I sincerely hope that technology will come up with more tools that will further enhance the reach and strength of Citizen Journalists.
The mainstream media is like our elder brother, whom we both love and respect. And Citizen Journalism is like our kid brother, who was born in front of our eyes, whom we love and adore, and whom we are watching to grow up into a strong and stout gentleman.
This is the gap that Citizen Journalism fills up. It is sort of a "media periphery", which accommodates those stories which do not make to the mainstream media, but are interesting all the same. The end result is a huge widening of media reach, thus facilitating our reach and accessibility to a wider range of news. And the benefit? Greater enrichment of knowledge (More information = More knowledge).
The emergence of New/Social Media has provided Citizen Journalism enthusiasts with a plethora of tools, such as Blogs, Twitters, You Tube, etc. And it is really heartening to see how a number of enterprising youths are making a great use of these tools. Our heartiest wishes to all of them.
Undoubtedly, the birth of the concept of Citizen Journalism is one of the best things to have happened in the recent times. It has really enriched the modern human society, and has revolutionized the world of media and information dissemination. I sincerely hope that technology will come up with more tools that will further enhance the reach and strength of Citizen Journalists.
The mainstream media is like our elder brother, whom we both love and respect. And Citizen Journalism is like our kid brother, who was born in front of our eyes, whom we love and adore, and whom we are watching to grow up into a strong and stout gentleman.
Monday, August 24, 2009
10th Anniversary Of World Blogging
23rd August 2009 was an auspicious day for all the bloggers across the world, as it marked the 10th anniversary of the launching of Blogger - world's first free weblog-authoring software. The software - launched by Evan Williams on this date precisely 10 years back - resulted in free blogging opportunities for anybody interested in the same, thus facilitating the spread of blogging across the world like a wild fire. It eventually resulted in the optimum democratization of media, by enabling common people to directly share their feelings and opinions through their own blogs, instead of completely depending on the mainstream media to represent their views, aspirations, etc.
Today blogging features among the top hobbies (read passions) of the world, enabling a wide range of people (from celebrities to nobodies like me) to express their feelings/comments/evaluations, etc. on virtually everything under the sun.
Personally speaking, having a blog of my own has been one of the most significant things to have happened in my life. Through my blog I can share with the world my feelings, views, etc. on such a diverse range of topics (ranging from global affairs to my personal experiences), which is such a thrilling and fulfilling experience. Today I am an active member of the world blogging movement, and it is an identity that I am extremely proud of. Blogging is a revolution in the human civilization, and I cherish this fact that I am a part of this revolution. It is certainly true that I am a very ordinary blogger, and my contribution in the world blogging movement is simply negligible. But I am at least a part of the blogging movement, and that is all for me.
Finally, a message for all my fellow bloggers across the world -
My dear friends, brothers and sisters, I am genuinely proud to be one of you people. I owe a lot to you, as you have helped creating and sustaining the beautiful world of Blogging, of which I am part today. I dearly love and respect all of you, irrespective of the language and the topic of your blogs. Keep blogging, and keep enriching the human society by sharing your valuable thoughts and views. Happy Blogging.
LONG LIVE BLOGGING.
Today blogging features among the top hobbies (read passions) of the world, enabling a wide range of people (from celebrities to nobodies like me) to express their feelings/comments/evaluations, etc. on virtually everything under the sun.
Personally speaking, having a blog of my own has been one of the most significant things to have happened in my life. Through my blog I can share with the world my feelings, views, etc. on such a diverse range of topics (ranging from global affairs to my personal experiences), which is such a thrilling and fulfilling experience. Today I am an active member of the world blogging movement, and it is an identity that I am extremely proud of. Blogging is a revolution in the human civilization, and I cherish this fact that I am a part of this revolution. It is certainly true that I am a very ordinary blogger, and my contribution in the world blogging movement is simply negligible. But I am at least a part of the blogging movement, and that is all for me.
Finally, a message for all my fellow bloggers across the world -
My dear friends, brothers and sisters, I am genuinely proud to be one of you people. I owe a lot to you, as you have helped creating and sustaining the beautiful world of Blogging, of which I am part today. I dearly love and respect all of you, irrespective of the language and the topic of your blogs. Keep blogging, and keep enriching the human society by sharing your valuable thoughts and views. Happy Blogging.
LONG LIVE BLOGGING.
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