Tags:
Journalism of Courage
8226; In a grovelling genuflection to China8217;s wishes or orders, the Indian government converted the 2.3 km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate into a fortress 8212; all for the Olympic torch to pass through in so smooth a manner that communist dictators could for ever use it as a model of pliant behaviour. Our patsy government made a Faustian promise to them to provide 8220;safe passage8221; and pressed into service a security that ensured a complete shut-down of the offices of the president, prime minister, defence minister, external affairs minister and finance minister. The half-hour of the tightly controlled relay encapsulated everything that is a standing negation of the 8220;journey of harmony8221; that the relay symbolises. No self-respecting government anywhere in the world would dance to foreign puppeteers so shamelessly.
Bhubaneswar
Fuel for thought
8226; On a rough estimate, 50000 cars/buses and an equal number of two/three-wheelers were caught in the traffic gridlock on Thursday on account of the torch relay on the Rajpath. They must have idled their engines for varying spells, and if one computes just the fuel costs, at a rough estimate of a half litre of fuel spent on 8220;idling8221;, it adds up to several lakhs. That doesn8217;t include the cost to commuters nerves and patience. And all this due to China8217;s arrogance of power, unfortunately endorsed by India! Some fuel for thought, isn8217;t it, with oil being quoted on Thursday at 115 per barrel?
New Delhi
In good faith
8226; Mohan Dharia8217;s well-meaning advice to M.S. Gill, former chief election commissioner and now Union minister for sports, to 8220;submit his resignation8230; and uphold the prestige of the EC8221;, needs support from all right-thinking sections of our society for the sake of strengthening India8217;s infant democracy.
Delhi
Justice for all
8226; The Supreme Court8217;s verdict on OBC reservations in higher education deserves applause, especially its observation on the exclusion of the creamy layer. This landmark judgment should also form the basis for reservation in government jobs. Nobody will contend that people deprived for centuries need reservations for their uplift, although such provisions should not last for an indefinite period. However, reservations should, certainly, be out of reach for the economically strong among the backward classes.
Besides, it is time seats were reserved for the economically backward of the upper castes too.
