CEMENT IMPORTS

This refers to ‘Pak looks to make India top cement export destination’ (25.10.2007)
India has an installed capacity of 165 million tonnes per annum and faces a shortfall of around 10 million tonne. In 2006-07, the domestic consumption stood at 155 million tones while 9 million tones were exported. This marks over 11 percent growth over the consumption in 2005-06. While demand is growing 12 per cent annually corresponding production increase is only 8 per cent.

Contrast this with Pakistan that has surplus production of 12 – 14 millions tonnes. Even after taking additional expenses involved in transportation, Pakistani cement is cheaper in India.

Buoyed by the opportunity thrown open by shortage of cement in the country and scrapping of 16 per cent countervailing duty on cement imports, many cement manufacturers from China, Hong Kong and Bangladesh are waiting in the wings to enter into Indian market.

As the imports from Pakistan is mainly being used by the bulk users, they are, at the moment not affecting the Indian producers and consumers at large . But when all our neighbouring countries begin dumping their excess cement in India at cheaper rates, it will definitely have adverse impact on our cement industry . Cement import should be restricted to bridge the demand supply gap and not at the cost of the country’s cement sector

NUJUM H
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Published in Business Standard on 30th October, 2007

MENTAL ATTITUDE

As I understand, a person’s happiness and effectiveness truly depends upon his quality of thinking. They have an aura of confidence and success. It is nearly impossible to be truly happy if a person is continuously entertaining unhappy thoughts. Life throws on each of us a lot of curves and corners. No one goes through life without problems or without running into obstacles.
When things go wrong, our natural tendency is to become upset, angry and to lash out at the people and situations around us. We tend to blame others and make excuses. We allow external circumstances to dictate the internal attitudes of our mind.
Negative thinking, is part of everyone’s life, however there are ways that everyone can get rid of negative thinking and turn it into positive action points. There are many situations that come up in everyone’s life when one is encouraged into indulge in negative thinking, but the actual decision to take part in that negative thinking is totally up to the person who is tempted by the negatives.
It has been observed that in life we will fail more often than we succeed. But I believe failures and obstacles are better friends than success as they teach us a lot more and give us an enduring long-term benefit.
Marcus Aurelius was one of the wisest men ever lived. He once made a statement that was very true when it comes to a person’s thoughts. He said ‘A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it’.
A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever mind expects, it finds.

Nujum H

25.09.2007

INDIA IN SLOW MOTION

In this book ‘India in Slow Motion’ the author (Mark Tully co-authored with Gillian Wright) tells that the fundamental problems of India are Indian form of bad governance. The stories in this book tell not just of bad governance, but of the reason for it and also of those who are battling against it. Bad governance is the root of all India’s problems but, unlike so many of the more exotic diagnoses, there can be no doubt that it’s a brake slowing down a country with enormous but unrealized potential.
"The British administrative system was exploitative as it was designed for a colonial government. It was not suited for a democracy. Unfortunately, when India got independence it started with British style of colonial administration where bureaucrats and other public officials treat people as if they are governing them rather then serving them." Says Tully.
The exposure of corruption at the highest level of Indian Politics by the Delhi based Tehelka – a dot com company was one of the major journalistic coup in India in the recent history.

The Chapter ‘Corruption from Top to Tail’ is based on the interview of Mathew Samuel by Mark Tully, a young journalist engaged by the Tehelka for an investigation of corrupt defence deals. By using a hidden camera and claiming to be a representative of a fictious company called West End International, he filmed ‘hi-fi’ people of Indian politics accepting bribes. This exposure created a ‘Tehelka’ – sensation. Defence Minister George Fernandance had to resign. Bangaru Laxman was thrown out from the Presidentship of BJP (he was the first Dalit President of the party).

The second portion of the chapter tells the story of Aruna Roy and her forum Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS). Aruna Roy was an IAS officer. After seven years of service she resigned and joined her husband to help villagers to help themselves. Her fight against corruption with the support of villagers lead to legislation of Right to Information Act in her State.

In 1950 the people of India gave themselves a constitution which resolved to secure for all citizens, among other things, ‘justice social, economic, and political’ and equality of status and opportunity. But in reality it is a different story.

In India in Slow Motion Mark Tully undertakes a journey that has no true beginning or end, seeking to unravel the mysteries lying at the heart of the country of his birth. Exploring Hindu extremism, child labour, Sufi mysticism, the crisis in agriculture, political corruption and Kashmir, he challenges our preconceptions of India – as well as those India has about itself – to create a thoughtful, humorous and deeply profound portrait of a country at odds with itself. Like no other writer, Mark Tully brings modern India and its people vibrantly to life.


‘Slow Motion India’ by Mark Tully & Gillian Wright (pages 302 – Price Rs.450 – Published by Penguin India

SEX, SCOTCH & SCHOLARSHIP

In this anthology, which comprises some of Khushwant Singh's best writing, you can look forward to some talk of sex, a little of Scotch and much Scholarship. The collection attempts to mirror the author's concerns and passions-his love of nature, his anguish over the situation in Punjab, his interest in religions of the world and his scholarly research on the one into which he was born, Sikhism. The highlight of this book, however, is the expansive, autobiographical opening piece written in Khushwant's characteristically candid style and perhaps the most complete self-portrait he has yet painted.

A very interesting book to read

INSIDE AN ELUSIVE MIND - A Review

Inside an Elusive Mind written by M.R. Narayanaswamy (Published by Konark Publishers, Delhi – Price Rs.400, pages 290) is the story of one of the world’s most dangerous outfits and their undisputed leader, Prabhakaran.

Inside an Elusive Mind is in three parts, each consisting of 10 chapters. The first part begins with the LTTE ambush and massacre of 13 Sinhalese soldiers in Jaffna in July 1983 that triggered off the deadly confrontation between the group and the Government for nearly two decades.

Sri Lanka remained fractured country for the major portion of its existence (British left Sri Lanka in February 1948). In 1955 when the Prime Minister John Kotelawala pledged to give equal status to Sinhala and Tamil languages, the wily Bandaranaike seized the occasion and presented himself to the Sinhalese as their savior and promised he would make Sinhala the sole official language, if voted to power. In 1956 elections Bandaranaike elected to power. He kept his word. He brought about legislation to make Sinhala the country’s official language. It was a monumental decision that served to sow the seeds of Tamil separatism. As Sri Lankan Parliament enacted the laws, by force of majority against the Tamil members, anti-Tamil violence erupted in the country for the first time. By the time the violence was brought under control, about 150 people were dead. Most were innocent Tamils, including women and children. The Tamils felt let won and left out. This was to lead to social upheaval when sections of the Tamils would feel that the only way out was to secede from Sri Lanka and have an independent homeland.

Many small groups were formed by the Tamils to safeguard their interests. One of such groups was LTTE.

The LTTE was formed on May 5, 1976 by Prabhakaran with the avowed aim of fighting for an independent homeland in the island’s north and east for the Tamil minority. Even earlier, he and three of his associates had allegedly taken part in the assassination of Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duriappah on July 27, 1975, after which he escaped to the southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

Prabhakaran is the undisputed leader of LTTE. Those who had dared to question him could not survive or continue in LTTE.

It is interesting to know that Prabhakaran once left LTTE and joined TELO (Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation), another outfit of Tamils.

At the beginning of 1980s, there were differences of opinion inside the LTTE. Some even demanded that LTTE be disbanded. For once it seemed, the tide was up against Prabhakaran. “I have done so much for the movement, but no one recognizes it” he complained publicly. He announced he was calling it quits. The announcement was greeted by shock and silence. He walked away.

After joining TELO, he was given the change of a TELO military training programme in Tamil Nadu. Prabhakaran accepted. LTTE’s official history would later describe Prabhakaran’s association with TELO as a ‘working alliance’ between the two groups. Prabhakaran’s association with TELO was short. Prabhakaran was back in LTTE to take its reins.

The ethnic violence in Sri Lanka intensified. Thousands dead. Nearly 80,000 Tamils fled to refugee camps. For the first time, hundreds of Tamils huddled together in boats and started sailing to Tamil Nadu.

The reaction in India to the slaughter of Tamils was unprecedented. In Tamil Nadu, thousands of people took to the streets, denouncing Sri lanka and calling upon Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to stop genocide. Daily protests erupted on the street leading to Sri Lankan High Commission in Madras. Indira Gandhi decided to act. Gandhi took a momentous decision, one that was to have far reaching consequences. She decided to train and arm Tamil militants.

Prabhakaran and his fellow members enjoyed patronage of Tamil Nadu and Indian Governments. All Tamil outfit groups of Sri Lanka had been permitted to operate their full fledged offices in India.

Prabhakaran was arrested twice by the Indian police. First in 1982 after a street shoot out with his foe Uma belongs to TELO in a crowded part of Madas known as Pondy Bazar. Second in 1984 - a devasting bombing at Madras airport was seen as a disturbing aberration. Tamil Nadu police craked down all Tamil militant groups, seizing their weapons and ammunitions and detailing their leaders. No one was spared, not even Prabhakaran. Prabhakaran was kept under house arrest.

Though Sri Lankan Govt. pressurized India to extradicate their most wanted man, he was let off on conditional bail due to political pressure and sympathy towards Tamils of Lanka.

The India-Sri Lanka accord was destined for failure. The IPKF was in direct conflict with the job it was forced to do. For Sri Lankan political and military establishment the turn of event could not have been better. The wily Jayewardene had accomplished something close to being Machiavellian. He had managed to pit India, a country that for years had supported the Tamil cause, against its most aggressive champion. While the Sri Lankan army remained safe in the barracks, the Indians had to fight it with the LTTE guerrillas.

It was one of the worst ever period of history of the Indian army. Instead of peace keeping it was in direct war LTTE. The Indian army chief boasted that LTTE would be crippled in 72 hours if it engaged in any misadventure with the Indian troops. It was a gross misjudgment. Indian army planned to capture Prabhakaran. It was a herculian task. India had about 5,000 troops when fighting began in 1987 but it had to increase the strength to 1,00,000 to fight against 4000 odd LTTEs.

Despite a year of fighting, the LTTE’s dominance over the Tamil people remained undisputed. As long as Jayewardene remained the President, it looked unlikely Colombo would ask the Indians go home.

Prabhakaran had to protect himself against Indian army into his secret base, a well fortified, sprawling LTTE camp in the dense of forest some distance away from Kilinochhi town. When the Indians were closing in, Prabhakaran had to shift to the impregnable forests of Mullaitivu district in the border of the north and east of Sri Lanka.

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and President Premadasa shows LTTE’s meticulously devious planning, its miraculous ability to plant itself in the heart of enemy domain and its monumental patience to wait for the right moment to strike.

LTTE runs a parallel administration in Sri Lanka. The newly recruited young guerrillas do not know for what they are fighting. They simply obey the instructions of its dictator leader.

NUJUM H
October 12, 2006

MALAYALANADU

When I shifted to Vaishali, in 1995, it was a lonely place for me. There were very few known faces, the law and order situation in the area was notorious. This forced us to form an association. Initially there were very few members. Now it has become one of the most active Associations the area.

Every since its inception I had been actively taking interest in the working of the MALAYALANADU. I had opportunity to serve the association on various capacities including President & General Secretary.

A brief about MALAYALANADU.

Malayalanadu is a registered socio-cultural Association of Keralites residing in Vaishali, Vasundhara, Kaushambi and Indirapuram in the outskirts of Delhi. Malayalanadu is in the forefront in promoting cultural heritage of Kerala alongwith socially beneficial schemes for the betterment of its members in particular and the society as a whole in general.

Malayalanadu has been established in 1996 and all the committees took charge of the Association every year has done their best to achieve its goals. It is to the credit of Malayalanadu that it was the first, and hitherto the only one Malayali Association in Delhi or its surroundings to maintain a permanent ‘Welfare Fund’ for the welfare and relief activities of its members.

Malayalanadu has also joined hands with other Socio-Cultural and Residents Welfare Associations working in Vaishali to establish a common forum to discuss the problems being faced by the residents from local authorities. Malayalanadu is also actively involved involved in the activities of Confederation of Malayali Associations, Delhi (CMA).

Ever since its formation, MALAYALANDU is actively involved in organising various events of socio-cultural relevance, sports & arts competitions, blood donation camps, independent day celebrations, annual day celebrations etc., besides taking up various issues of common interest with the concerned authorities.

CONFEDERATION OF MALAYALI ASSOCIATIONS, DELHI

Confederation of Malayali Association, Delhi ( CMA) is a confederation of more than 40 Malayalee Associations working in and around Delhi. These Associations represent over one million Keralites in Delhi. The confederation was formed to provide a common platform for the Delhi Malayalees to discuss and find solutions for their common problems.

I had opportunity to serve CMA on various capacities including General Secretary, Jt.Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Body Member during its most active period.

A brief of the CMA is given below:

"Challenges before Non-resident Malayalis (NRMs) in the new millennium"

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Confederation of Malayali Associations, Delhi (CMA) in association with Federation of All India Marunadan Malayalee Associations (FAIMA), had organised a National Convention on "Challenges before Non-resident Malayalis (NRMs) in the new millennium" at New Delhi.

The seminar was inaugurated by Shri K Karunakaran (former Chief Minister of Kerala) and presided over by Shri P M Sayeed, Hon’ble Dy. Speaker, Lok Sabha. Eminent political leaders including Shri O Rajagopal, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Railways, Shri T K Ramakrishnan, Hon’ble Minister for Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Kerala and many other leading personalities from Cultural and literary world attended the Seminar.

Over 50 papers, prepared by eminent academicians, Jurists, Bureaucrats, Political Leaders, Journalists and Cultural and literary personalities and of course representatives of Malayalee Associations, were presented in the seminar. These papers dwell on the various facets of human life, focus on the problems faced by the millions of Malayalees who have migrated to various parts of the country and ways and means to work them off.

1998-99 AN EVENTFUL YEAR OF CMA

The Confederation of Malayali Associations, Delhi (CMA) has completed yet another eventful working year (1998-99) - a year in which nearly 35 Malayali Associations came together under the umbrella of CMA and started to actively associate themselves with the functioning of the Confederation. Bringing together various Malayali Associations functioning in and around Delhi under one umbrella was no mean task to achieve, still, the unstinting enthusiasm and laborious efforts put in by the Executive Committee members have fructified. The CMA intend not to be complacent and aim to undertake more activities particularly those to protect the common cause of Malayali Community in Delhi.

It is to the credit of CMA that it was the first and hitherto the only one to organise a cultural procession in Delhi. For the Malayali community this was a historic event as it depicted the traditional and yet diversified art forms of Kerala in its true colour, form and spirit. It was a procession of a couple of thousands of Malayalis - women attired in their traditional `Onnarayum Mundum’ bordered with wide golden strips, children in their `Pavadayum Blousum’, and men in their traditional white `Mundum Veshtiyum’. While the procession was led by caparisoned and colourfully decorated elephant, there were a mix of art and musical groups such as Thalappoli, Panchavadyam, Kaikotikkali, Capering Pulikkali etc. It will not be an exaggeration to mention that this procession was really a spectrum of a spectacular visual delights for the people of Delhi.

The discussion on `Delhi Malayalis - their problems’ organised on 7th June, 1998 in close association with Kerala Information Centre, New Delhi witnessed active involvement of various Member Associations. The key note address presented by Dr.George Mathew was thought provoking. S/Shri P.C.Thomas, Suresh Kurup, Varkala Radhakrishnan and T Govindan MPs also presented their valuable suggestions to solve the problems of Delhi Malayalis. Building a `Cultural Centre’ has been an uncherished dream of over one million Malayalee habitants of Delhi. Speaking in the seminar, Dr.George Mathew underscored the need to approach the State Government to earmark and allocate suitable land inside the sprawling Travancore House for the purpose.

On 3rd January, 1999 CMA organised a get together with the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit. While delivering her New Year message, she assured the Malayalis that they should not have any feeling of insecurity or any kind of apprehension in their minds about any damage being inflicted upon them with the implementation of full statehood for Delhi.
Last year, CMA had instituted an Award - CMA Puraskaram - for honouring a Keralite every year, for outstanding contribution to the Malayali Community. Shri V.K.Madhavan Kutty, the widely respected journalist was the first personality to be chosen for this year’s (1998-99) award.

Another conspicuous event organised under the aegis of CMA was a seminar on `Violence against minorities - Politicisation of religion’ which turned out to be a very informative and revealing one. Noted politicians Shri Mani Shankar Iyer, General Secretary of AICC and Shri Prakash Kaort, Politburo Member of CPI (M) talked on the subject. The function was presided over by our President Dr.George Mathew. The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation in the debate by the participants.

The preview of screening of latest Malayalam movie JANANI arranged by CMA was attended by many distinguished personalities from all walks of life. CMA felicitated the director of the movie Mr.Rajiv Nath and its camera man Mr.Suresh Nair at the function. Shri P.C.Thomas, MP and Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, MP presented mementoes to them. Shri Suresh Kurup, MP had also graced the occasion.

On the literary front, the function organised by CMA to felicitate the well-known Malayalam poet Shri Kavalam Narayanapanicker and his team members was a memorable one. The debate on `Contemporary Drama’ that followed enlivened the atmosphere by the active participation of the invitees. The recital of some of the famous `Kavalam Poems’ both by the poet and the participants was un unforgettable experience.

Another issue CMA had taken up is the lack of adequate train service to Kerala, considering the volume of passengers. Strong representations were made to the Hon’ble Union Railway Minister to take necessary action to mitigate the perennial problems being faced by the Kerala bound passengers.

The CMA has always been in the forefront when it comes to lending support to its member associations in their socio-cultural and welfare activities or directly taking up the matter, which are beyond the wherewithal of its members, with the concerned authorities.

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 people 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

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.

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 minister 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

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.

Nujum H ___________________________________________________

THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE - July 4, 2001

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2001/07/04/stories/250455lq.htm

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.

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.

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.

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