PUBLISHED LETTERS TO EDITORS
PLEASE BE WISE
Sacking country’s renowned cardiac surgeon Dr P Venugopal from AIIMS reveals how politicians interfere the autonomy of an Institute. Venugopal is the pioneer of heart transplants surgery in India. He and his team carried out the first successful heart transplant in our country. The agitation of students and doctors of various medical institutes and universities indicates his popularity among the medical fraternity.Such incidents not only prevent expert doctors and professors joining such institutes, but will also adversely affect the confidence of students and patients in the body.The appointment Committee of the Cabinet should take a decision keeping in mind the larger interest of public and medical community without succumbing to political pressures.
Nujum H
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Published in Business Standard - Friday, 7 July, 2006
Follow the Norms
This refers to “She has a point” (April 11). There is no doubt that on completion, the Sardar Sarovar Dam Project will bring enormous economic benefits to the peop
le of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. But where million sare benefited, lakhs of people lost their property and livelihood. Displacement of people from their lands and their communities leads to tremendous upheaval in their lives. The Narmada Bachao Andolan has been claiming that 35,000 families have not been rehabilitated properly, while the government maintains th
at the number is much less. Whatever be the figure, we needed a Medha Patkar to remind the government about the facts and force it to send a high level team to the Narmada Valley. The government must try to follow the norms laid down by the World Bank that rehabilitation must result in a situation in which those outsed live in a better state than they did before displacement, not just economically but socially, too.
le of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. But where million sare benefited, lakhs of people lost their property and livelihood. Displacement of people from their lands and their communities leads to tremendous upheaval in their lives. The Narmada Bachao Andolan has been claiming that 35,000 families have not been rehabilitated properly, while the government maintains that the number is much less. Whatever be the figure, we needed a Medha Patkar to remind the government about the facts and force it to send a high level team to the Narmada Valley. The government must try to follow the norms laid down by the World Bank that rehabilitation must result in a situation in which those outsed live in a better state than they did before displacement, not just economically but socially, too.Nujum H
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Business Standard - Wednesday 12 April, 2006
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Business Standard - Wednesday 12 April, 2006
A NON-STARTER
We have been discussing the Kashmir issue with Pakistan for more than 50 years. Despite discussions, no effective solution has so far been found. In this connection, I would like to reflect on A K Bhattacharya’s article “issues beyond Kashmir” (July4).The issue of purchasing power from Pakistan does not seem to be practical. Nawaz Sharif, during his meeting with Mr Vajpayee in September, 19998, had agreed on the supply of surplus power generated by Pakistan to India and initiated high level negotiations on the issue.Only 34 per cent of the population of Pakistan have access to electricity whereas power plants established by a number of independent power producers (IPPs) generate power in excess by about 3,000 MW. It is paying Rs.3.60 per unit to these IPPs whereas power from Indian grids costs less than Rs.2.00. India is paying Nepal at a rate of 7.1 cents per KWH, and had offered Pakistan the same rate in 1998, which was not acceptable to them.Another problem that cropped up during the discussions was the terms of agreement. India preferred to have the agreement based on “take and pay” whereas Pakistan insisted on “take or pay” basis.The disadvantage of the “take and pay” policy is that it induces an element of uncertainty in the deal, as the buying party is not bound to purchase any fixed amount of power.In the “take or pay” deal, the purchasing party will have to pay, irrespective of whether it has drawn the stipulated amount of power or less. India was not ready to purchase power on this basis because of its fluctuating demand. But subsequently, serious differences cropped up over the issues of tariff and agreement terms and the proposal had to be abandoned inconclusively.Now, though the political scene has changed, India may not be able to buy the costliest power produced by Pakistan.
Nujum H
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Published in Business Standard on Friday, 20 July, 2001
In search of a right solution
IT is surprising that Air India is increasingly unable to operate 40 per cent of its permitted quota, under its bilateral agreements with its foreign counterparts. As has correctly been pointed out in the article "Absentee landlord of the air" (BS,August 19), if the merger of AI and IA takes place, nearly 75 serviceable aircrafts of AI and IA can be deployed 
profitably and without undercutting on the best routes.Though discipline and management autonomy are essential to improve service and punctuality, without the required increase in the capital it will be difficult for any organisation to survive.Leasing out its unutilised routes in a revenue sharing arrangement will not solve the problems of the national carrier. When the traffic into and out of India has registered an increase of about 15 per cent, why has AI's westbound traffic fallen from 33 per cent to 20 per cent in last four years? When Russi Mody was appointed as the chairman of AI and IA, everybody thought that he could transform these airlines into profit making organisations. Unfortunately, his wings were clipped and he remained only as a part-time chairman.In these circumstances, private air taxi operators should be allowed to operate in the international sectors as well (atleast in the unutilised sectors). It is not reasonable for the government or Air India to ask these air taxi operators to pay a major portion of their revenue as lease rent for routes. If the government decides to lease out the unutilised routes, as suggested by the writer, no one would invest on aircrafts but would focus solely on acquiring routes. This will not be a healthy competition for the airline industry.
profitably and without undercutting on the best routes.Though discipline and management autonomy are essential to improve service and punctuality, without the required increase in the capital it will be difficult for any organisation to survive.Leasing out its unutilised routes in a revenue sharing arrangement will not solve the problems of the national carrier. When the traffic into and out of India has registered an increase of about 15 per cent, why has AI's westbound traffic fallen from 33 per cent to 20 per cent in last four years? When Russi Mody was appointed as the chairman of AI and IA, everybody thought that he could transform these airlines into profit making organisations. Unfortunately, his wings were clipped and he remained only as a part-time chairman.In these circumstances, private air taxi operators should be allowed to operate in the international sectors as well (atleast in the unutilised sectors). It is not reasonable for the government or Air India to ask these air taxi operators to pay a major portion of their revenue as lease rent for routes. If the government decides to lease out the unutilised routes, as suggested by the writer, no one would invest on aircrafts but would focus solely on acquiring routes. This will not be a healthy competition for the airline industry.Nujum H
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Business Standard - Monday, August 26, 1996
The making of a new state
THE demand for a separate statehood had started long before India's independence. The Government of Uttar Pradesh had twice passed resolutions approving a separate state, comprising of nine hill districts of UP. From time to time various committees constituted by the government had examined this issue. The last committee headed by Ramashanker Kaushik, the then UP mini
ster had also recommended for a separate state, namely 'Uttaranchal'. The UF government's decision to separate Uttarakhand from UP should not be considered a political strategy to influence the people of the region in view of the forthcoming assembly elections.The people of these nine hill districts are ethically and culturally different from the people living in other parts of UP. Considering the vast area and population of UP, people belong to this hilly region get very less representation in the state assembly.The main problem faced by the central government to grant statehood for Uttarakhand is the demand from various regions for separate states, such as Jharkhand, Bodoland and Gorkhaland. West Bengal government is strongly pressurising the UF government to stall the move of Uttarakhand because of the fear that once Uttarakhand is bifurcated from UP they will not have any answer for the Gorkha National Liberation Front's demand for Gorkhaland.Uttarakhand region has a very high potential for tourism. In the past many schemes recommended for promoting tourism had been lost in the files. Hill stations like Mussoorie. Dehradun, Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet and pilgrim centres like Gangotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath of this region will bring in a large portion of government revenue if properly developed.As you said in your editorial (BS, August 17) in the past every decision to create a new state has worked in favour of the new state - Andhra from Madras, Gujarat from Bombay, Haryana from Punjab, Meghalaya from Assam and whatever the reasons, the die is cast and even if the new UP assembly rejects the bill or take its time over it, sooner or later Uttarakhand will come into existence.
ster had also recommended for a separate state, namely 'Uttaranchal'. The UF government's decision to separate Uttarakhand from UP should not be considered a political strategy to influence the people of the region in view of the forthcoming assembly elections.The people of these nine hill districts are ethically and culturally different from the people living in other parts of UP. Considering the vast area and population of UP, people belong to this hilly region get very less representation in the state assembly.The main problem faced by the central government to grant statehood for Uttarakhand is the demand from various regions for separate states, such as Jharkhand, Bodoland and Gorkhaland. West Bengal government is strongly pressurising the UF government to stall the move of Uttarakhand because of the fear that once Uttarakhand is bifurcated from UP they will not have any answer for the Gorkha National Liberation Front's demand for Gorkhaland.Uttarakhand region has a very high potential for tourism. In the past many schemes recommended for promoting tourism had been lost in the files. Hill stations like Mussoorie. Dehradun, Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet and pilgrim centres like Gangotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath of this region will bring in a large portion of government revenue if properly developed.As you said in your editorial (BS, August 17) in the past every decision to create a new state has worked in favour of the new state - Andhra from Madras, Gujarat from Bombay, Haryana from Punjab, Meghalaya from Assam and whatever the reasons, the die is cast and even if the new UP assembly rejects the bill or take its time over it, sooner or later Uttarakhand will come into existence.Nujum H
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Published in Business Standard - Monday, September 12, 1996
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Published in Business Standard - Monday, September 12, 1996
Laid back
CORRUPTION has become a way of our life in India. Scams and scandals are part of our daily newspaper headlines. When CBl seized its largest ever cash recovery from one of our ex-minister’s house no one was shocked. No one was surprised. We do not have time to bother how the son of a cook, who used to help his father in washing the utensils in his childhood days, has become a multi-millionaire today.Our political leaders spend crores of rupees to get elected to Parliament and assemblies. Is it solely because of their patriotism? Or lust for power? No, not at all. The story of Sukh Ram reveals the benefits of being in power. Sukh Ram was born as one of the nine children of a Brahmin cook in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh in 1927. He became a member of Himachal Pradesh state assembly in 1962 as an independent. In 1966 he became a minister in the Congress ministry. He continued in Congress and held different portfolios in the ministry till 1985, when he shifted his base from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi. In the Centre he held many important portfolios including civil supplies, defence and telecommunications. As his bio-data reveals, he remained a public servant all his life. He had never been into any profit making business so far. Nevertheless, he accumulated crores and crores of rupees. This proves a public servant can also become a 'crorepati' in our democratic India.We have Prevention of Corruption Act to prevent corruption. This Act states that if money other than legal remuneration is paid to a public servant it is presumed to be bribe, unless proved otherwise.This Act provides an imprisonment of six months to seven years for corruption. But how many of our corrupt politicians and public servants are jailed under this Act? .We are surrounded by scams, scandals but we do not respond. We accept this as part of life. This is our India. Mera Bharat Mahan.
Nujum H
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Published in Business Standard – Saturday, September 14, 1996
Karunanidhi's arrest
The manner of arrest of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, needs to be strongly condemned. It is deplorable for a Chief Minister to use State administrative machinery to settle personal scores. If this could happen to a four-time Chief Minister and two Union Cabinet Ministers in the world's largest democracy, what will be the fate of the common man in a similar situation? If news reports are to be believed, Tamil Nadu is facing one of its biggest administrative collapses. Neighbouring States have cancelled bus services to Tamil Nadu apprehending violence. The city police commissioner has issued shoot-on-sight orders if protesters become unruly. Even Ms Jayalalithaa's political allies have found it difficult to defend the action and the method employed by the State police. Will the Central Government be able to take any tough action against Ms Jayalalithaa? Using Article 356 is highly unlikely because it needs parliamentary approval, which the Central Government is not confident of obtaining.
The manner of arrest of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, needs to be strongly condemned. It is deplorable for a Chief Minister to use State administrative machinery to settle personal scores. If this could happen to a four-time Chief Minister and two Union Cabinet Ministers in the world's largest democracy, what will be the fate of the common man in a similar situation? If news reports are to be believed, Tamil Nadu is facing one of its biggest administrative collapses. Neighbouring States have cancelled bus services to Tamil Nadu apprehending violence. The city police commissioner has issued shoot-on-sight orders if protesters become unruly. Even Ms Jayalalithaa's political allies have found it difficult to defend the action and the method employed by the State police. Will the Central Government be able to take any tough action against Ms Jayalalithaa? Using Article 356 is highly unlikely because it needs parliamentary approval, which the Central Government is not confident of obtaining.
Nujum H ___________________________________________________
THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE - July 4, 2001
Questionable
THE Deve Gowda-Thackeray meeting has generated furor among the coalition partners of UF government and curiosity in the minds of public. The venue - Bachchans residence - selected for the controversial meeting creates more suspicion. It cannot be forgotten that Deve Gowda is heading a coalition government comprising of 13 parties and all these parties had come together with a single aim - to keep the communal force out of power.Deve Gowda might not have expected such a controversy over the meeting. Gowda loyalists had given several explanations for the meeting. It is believed that besides' CM Ibrahim, Bachchans had also worked as a middleman for arranging the meeting. The prime ministers claim that no politics was discussed is different from that of Mr Thackerys disclosure in a Shiv Sena state level convention, where he said that they had discussed an issue relating to national security.Mr Deve Gowda may be a first time parliamentarian but he has got a life long experience and he knows well how to play in the troubled politics. As you said in your editorial politicians cannot be trusted – is the real message.
THE Deve Gowda-Thackeray meeting has generated furor among the coalition partners of UF government and curiosity in the minds of public. The venue - Bachchans residence - selected for the controversial meeting creates more suspicion. It cannot be forgotten that Deve Gowda is heading a coalition government comprising of 13 parties and all these parties had come together with a single aim - to keep the communal force out of power.Deve Gowda might not have expected such a controversy over the meeting. Gowda loyalists had given several explanations for the meeting. It is believed that besides' CM Ibrahim, Bachchans had also worked as a middleman for arranging the meeting. The prime ministers claim that no politics was discussed is different from that of Mr Thackerys disclosure in a Shiv Sena state level convention, where he said that they had discussed an issue relating to national security.Mr Deve Gowda may be a first time parliamentarian but he has got a life long experience and he knows well how to play in the troubled politics. As you said in your editorial politicians cannot be trusted – is the real message.
Nujum H
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Business Standard - Monday, September 23, 1996
Rao should go
IF Rao's ouster can bring back the old glory of the Congress, he should readily sacrifice the party president's post (It's a cliff-hanger', July 21). The dissident group has already pushed Rao to the edge and at any moment he can have a fatal fall.The Congress party will have a future only if the expelled leaders come back to the party fold. It is only Rao who can save the party. And he can do so by resigning from the party president's post.H.
IF Rao's ouster can bring back the old glory of the Congress, he should readily sacrifice the party president's post (It's a cliff-hanger', July 21). The dissident group has already pushed Rao to the edge and at any moment he can have a fatal fall.The Congress party will have a future only if the expelled leaders come back to the party fold. It is only Rao who can save the party. And he can do so by resigning from the party president's post.H.
NUJUM. ____________________________________________
The Week - August 11, 1996
Too Many Crooks?
PV's Nemesis (July 24), brilliantly revealed the importance of middlemen in politics. Middlemen play an important role in getting favours done. Had Chandraswami acquired the contract for the supply of newsprint for Lakhubhai Pathak for the alleged payment of $100,000, no one would have known about the Pickle King.Had Rao really asked Pathak to pay money to Chandraswami? Had the former prime minister assured him that he would get the contract for the supply of newsprint? (Rao had reportedly told Pathak-"Pathakji, Swamiji ne mujhko sab kuchh bata diya hai, aapka kaam ho jayega" The blank assurance only shows the influence Chandraswami had on him. Till recently he had direct access toRao (his Mercedes Benz never stopped for a security check at Rao's residence). Since Pathak has not named Rao in the FIR filed with the CBI in 1989, it is clear that his intention was not to fight Rao but to get his money back.
PV's Nemesis (July 24), brilliantly revealed the importance of middlemen in politics. Middlemen play an important role in getting favours done. Had Chandraswami acquired the contract for the supply of newsprint for Lakhubhai Pathak for the alleged payment of $100,000, no one would have known about the Pickle King.Had Rao really asked Pathak to pay money to Chandraswami? Had the former prime minister assured him that he would get the contract for the supply of newsprint? (Rao had reportedly told Pathak-"Pathakji, Swamiji ne mujhko sab kuchh bata diya hai, aapka kaam ho jayega" The blank assurance only shows the influence Chandraswami had on him. Till recently he had direct access toRao (his Mercedes Benz never stopped for a security check at Rao's residence). Since Pathak has not named Rao in the FIR filed with the CBI in 1989, it is clear that his intention was not to fight Rao but to get his money back.
Nujum H
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OUTLOOK - August 21, 1996
Cost cutting sortie
THE civil aviation minister's plan to close down all overseas offices of Air-India (AI) may prove to be a right decision in cutting expenses, at least for the time being, when the AI is not able to operate even 40 per cent of its permissable quota in certain sectors ('No merger now', Aug 25).Only the merger of AI and IA will keep afloat both the airlines. When AI is inoperative to a large percentage in some of the major international routes, C.M. Ibrahim's refusal to allow private airlines to operate in these routes is not fathomable. These airlines should be allowed to fly in the under-utilised sectors of Air India.
NUJUM H.
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The Week - September 15, 1996
What Mahatmaji was doing on 14th August, 1947 night?
WHEN the whole of India was waiting for the clock to strike 12 (mid night) on August 14, 1947 , what was Mahatma Gandhi doing? According to your story, he was with Sailen Chatterji in Calcutta trying to control the riots there. But in the book Freedom at Midnight written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierr "When the clocks had chimed that magic midnight and India had awakened to life and freedom, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had been sound asleep." Can anyone clarify what Mahatmaji was really doing at that historic moment?
NUJUM H
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The Week - Sept 8, 1996
Failed fuel
RAMAR PILLAI’s widely publicized claim sounded tall but he could not prove his genuiness before the scientists of the department of science and technology ('The Ramar effect', Sept. 29).Not many had taken Pillai's herbal petrol invention seriously when the local press first reported many years ago. But even after being given many chances he has failed miserably. All those scientists who supported him will be beating themselves for having been taken for a ride by this herbal hoax.
NUJUM H.
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The Week - November 10, 1996
posted by NUJUM MAYYANAD @ 11:32 AM
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