Why Is Congress So Prone To Dynastic Politics?

Even before just 24 hours could pass after the formal announcement of the unfortunate death of Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), the Congress party had already been caught by an ugly wave of succession war. Though the state finance minister K Rosaiah has been made the acting CM, it is clearly just a stop-gap arrangement. The party High Command is soon to decide whether Mr. Rosaiah is to retain the position or is to be replaced by a more suitable candidate.

There have been quite a number of contenders, including three Union Ministers, who have been waiting for the High Command's decision with their fingers crossed.

However, there is nothing shocking about all this. These things are very natural developments and are bound to happen after the sudden demise of the CM of a state. But what leaves me (and I suppose many) very disturbed is the emergence of YSR's son Jagan Reddy as a contender.

Sorry if I sound rude. But isn't it utterly nonsense that a person with just 100 days of political experience is being considered for the position of CM, simply because he is the son of the late CM? Isn't it a terribly naked show of dynastic and feudal mindset, smacking of a shocking level of political immaturity simply not expected from the politicos of the world's largest democracy? Is the CM's position equivalent to that of a club president, that it can be filled up by anybody whose only credential is that he or she is the son or daughter of the past president?

Jagan Reddy is a smart and energetic person, and we all know that he will prove himself to be a great administrator, and an asset for this country. But he must be given due time to prepare himself, instead of leaving him crippled with such a tough responsibility when he is just a political greenhorn. Being the son of an astute politician does not establish that you have inherited your father's political acumen, and therefore you cannot straightway inherit his position. First prove yourself, and the position will spontaneously run after you.

Let Jagan first prove his mettle (which he will certainly be able to do), before making him the CM just to carry on the "legacy" of dynastic politics. The Congress party must look at those contenders who have the established credentials, and choose one from them as YSR's successor.

Media Freedom Thrashed in Sri Lanka

The picturesque Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka witnessed a blatant attack on the freedom of media, when the Colombo High Court sentenced the country's noted journalist J.S. Tissainayagam to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.

So what is his fault? Well, there are two. Firstly, this Tamil columnist has been found guilty of threatening country's ethnic harmony, as he has written two articles which the Court has found to be detrimental for the same. Secondly, (this is highly controversial) he has reportedly confessed to (in custody, to be precise) raising funds for supporting terrorist activities.

However, what the media fraternity feels (rather, it is sanguine) that all the charges brought against Tissainayagam are pure absurd. Actually he has highlighted the harassment of innocent Tamils of Sri Lanka in the hands of the government agencies, and has criticized the government for the same. And it is this "audacity" that the Sri Lankan government has been unable to digest.

The media fraternity also feels that by getting Tissainayagam imprisoned the Sri Lankan government has also tried to intimidate the other journalists, so that they do not dare to criticize the government on any issues.

We all appreciated the Rajapakshe government's ruthless campaign against LTTE terrorists, who had become a cancer for the beautiful island nation. However, the government is well advised not to show the same ruthlessness against the freedom of expression. The government must realize that it is responsible for providing the Sri Lankan people with a civilized society, and no society can be termed civilized if it lacks freedom of expression, which is one of the pillars of the same.

We all hope that better sense will prevail, and Tissainayagam will be freed as soon as possible. Let's hope for the best.

Pakistan - The Country That Cheats Her Own People

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!

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

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

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?

“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.”