Silky new route

The Indian industry, after years of terming Chinese imports as the evil reincarnation of the dragon, is rubbing its hands in anticipation of grabbing a share of the gargantuan Chinese middle-class market. The geographical proximity is merely an enabler; it is upon the businessmen to discover mutual synergies. The Chinese Premier has said it, and the time is indeed ripe for Indian software to become the heart and soul of Chinese hardware. We may let our MP3 players come from China, in return we can also teach them English and Sciences, and how to code computers.

Passing the tiger

The disappearance of tigers in Rajasthan sanctuaries like Sariska and Ranthambore has raised a fair bit of dust recently, but it is the complete exoneration of state government by the media and others that is appalling. The state government has paid only lip service by constituting an enquiry, but what can we expect from the enquiry team other than a cover up and connivance with forest department officials. The alarming situation demands a higher-level enquiry by the Central government. That the sanctuary at Sariska is part of Project Tiger is rubbing salt into the grave injury, after the incidence of tiger poaching at Sariska was confirmed by the Central government. Even then, the state government stands more or less shielded from an issue which would have turned into an all-engulfing inferno in any other country. I reckon it is high time the Rajasthan Chief Minister takes responsibility for the felony. The BJP ought to pull up Vasundhara Raje for gross negligence. As it is, a CBI report states that the number of tigers at Sariska was always inflated to garner more funds from the Central government. The actual number of tigers is not just lower, they simply don’t exist. In fact, the CBI report says the last tiger sighting at Sariska was in July last year.

Other tiger sanctuaries in Rajasthan are also in the dock for losing tigers. If a state government earning most of its revenues through tourism cannot preserve and protect its world-famous sanctuaries, the rationale for charging huge entry fees from foreign tourists is lost.

Perfectly matched

The Ahmedabad tie has been a revealing experience for the Pakistani cricket team and its management. The affection and warmth shown by people in and out of the stadium have been so overwhelming for them that their team manager Salim Altaf promptly declared it the best venue of the entire tour so far! Even the stadium and the facilities didn’t fail to impress them. Adding more sweetness to the experience was a special serving of mangoes delivered straight to the Pakistani dressing room. Team manager Altaf had cordial exchanges with Gujarat CM Narendra Modi when sat together in the special enclosure. Save for the heat, there was absolutely no problem for the Pakistani team playing at Ahmedabad—not even after they won a closely-fought tie. Now I recall how apprehensive both the Pakistani government and its board were, with playing in Pakistan.

The writer is Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Congress. He can be reached at shuklarajeev@gmail.com