FEDERAL AGENCY FOR METRO TERRORISM
As the dastardly fangs of terrorism, rock the by lanes of yet another Metro city Ahmedabad, it is high that we sit and ponder over the dangerous fault line.
It needs no iteration that those who believe in killing the innocent lot to prove their prowess so as to terrorize the state apparatus have a very shaky level of conviction in humanity. The threat of terrorism cuts across all borders and the enemy is faceless. The issue of compensation and rehabilitation of affected victims need attention but the larger issue is how long can we let ourselves at the receiving end?
To suggest to implement draconian laws like Prevention of Terrorism Act would be insane looking at the delicate nature of the problem at hand. Further laws remain passive unless implemented with a genuine thought to improve the society.
India is a federal parliamentary democracy, with a bicameral Parliament, which bears striking resemblance to Canadian Constitution, which can be attributed to the presence of British Rule in both countries. The unfortunate terror strikes are limited to realm of metro cities so as to create maximum damage to the ‘Aristotelian mean’- the metros where Middle class are prominent, which are integral to sustenance of Democracy. Earlier it was Mumbai, now Ahmedabad, so as terror strikes at a stroke, what can be done from this federal paradigm.
It was during the National Democratic Alliance the idea of federal agency was mooted, which would cater to looking after the onslaught of non-traditional security dimensions, of which this metro terrorism is namely one. This aspect has been recently endorsed by the present Congress regime. It is high time that we ponder over the modalities of operation of federal agency to deal with terror situation
It needs to be emphasized that to deal with anarchists like the terrorists who believe in phantom like destruction, on what levels of efficiency will this federal agency work? The administration and police at the Centre and State level needs to work in tandem to attack the problem at hand. There needs to be constant dialogue between them and search for consensus. Undoubtedly there will be synchronization of aims as both the levels of government would consent to regime of law and order, avoiding the blasts.
The issue of funding comes to fore as to which level of government will bear the cost to exchequer. It is not everyday that blasts are happening and then in wake of sudden blast, to get into fast action, would be an unwise proposition for the federal agency. We need to define the ambit of patrolling terror in wider regular terms without involving any cumbersome hindrance for the common lot.
The issue of systematization level of terrorism comes up, as not all States face the same vengeance, like West Bengal, Kerala are less prone to attack unlike Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat. So how to deal with terrorism at Pan India level. The Naxal violence is another of its kinds where Salwa Judum has faced backlash with the people not ready to give up arms. So how to juxtapose the various forms of violence being inflicted in the nation needs to be clearly defined for the agaency to work well.
The issue of special task forces like Para military forces have been resented by the States in the past as it makes their subject in the State list – Law and Order vulnerable to mercy of the centre. Thus the new agency needs to carefully gauge the sensitivities of each state before any action.
The issue of monitoring of terror is mandatory. Thus the agency should involve experts from strategic field, who would work in tandem with the administration to eliminate terror. We need to broad base the efforts by raising the awareness amongst the common man about the need to maintain unity in diversity amidst the chaos unleashed by such attacks. The idea of National Interest needs to perceived in true Secular, plural ethos of the country.
Email: amnamirza2002@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
NOSTALGIA
NOSTALGIA
A powerful storm goes in her mind. Happy, calm, content with a sense of satisfaction as she looks back. A pleasant chill in the spine during the journey to the bylanes of past.
Archaic, insane, unworthy , below average were synonymns for the labor she put it. By sheer stoke of good fortune, the seeds sowed reaped good dividends. The taunts from peers& friends for which she used to look down upon herself, are a joke now. She remembers with profound admiration for all the petty things she did, which helped her materialize her instincts.
A powerful storm goes in her mind. Happy, calm, content with a sense of satisfaction as she looks back. A pleasant chill in the spine during the journey to the bylanes of past.
Archaic, insane, unworthy , below average were synonymns for the labor she put it. By sheer stoke of good fortune, the seeds sowed reaped good dividends. The taunts from peers& friends for which she used to look down upon herself, are a joke now. She remembers with profound admiration for all the petty things she did, which helped her materialize her instincts.
Monday, July 7, 2008
18 JULY: THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF INDO- US NUCLEAR DEAL
18 JULY: THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF INDO- US NUCLEAR DEAL
As the third anniversary of the Indo United States (US) Nuclear Deal approaches near on 18 July, and the determined leaders – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush , want it in ‘haste’ to prove their legacy before they depart from the throne, a larger issue of feasibility of nuclear deal and the National Interest comes up.
The issue of transparency, accountability, rises up in our democratic polity as information for common people is grossly lacking pointing to uniformed debate prevailing via media management.
Firstly the political-strategic aspect of this deal needs to be seen to be understood in terms of its embedded context. It is part of a strategic framework which would be used to bring ‘Pax Americana’. This goes back to the readings of National Security Document 2002 which spells out Russia and China as enemies but mentions India as possible ally.
In terms of technology and energy, it is not that ‘big deal’ too. If the Prime Minister laments that the nation has inadequate uranium funding, then the blame for this morass goes to him, when he as the finance minister slashed the expenditure on uranium in prodigal terms. Both thermal and hydro electricity are much cheaper and safe alternative sources have been hitherto left unexplored. Further, the question of Nuclear Weapons free South Asia, which India enshrines, by its foreign policy ethos, cannot be dictated by United States.
In terms what the deal has to offer, the picture is not rosy. The reprocessing and enrichment technology is not being given. The nation’s stands that the deal would make India as a responsible nuclear power displays political irresponsibility as the very nuclear proliferation would have knock-on effects with neighbors and other nations.
The other issue of strengthening Indo-US ties via the deal seems superficial. With the rise of multilateralism as a force in World Politics, Indo-US ties have been marked by ‘closer engagement’. This growing warmth will not be reversed even if the deal is not enforced. Thus to base the entire paraphernalia of relations with United States seems to put bilateral ties on hollow terms.
The very process involved in executing the deal is complex. It seems irksome to comprehend that then why the government is ready to put government future at stake just for the deal. What the leaders in both nations fail to perceive that they cannot fashion legacy by such symbolism.
The very issue of National Interest is grossly misunderstood and understated. To dub it in sole military or nuclear arsenal terms is flawed. National Security has a much wider dimension with rise of terrorism, narcotics, natural disasters where the threats are cutting across borders. Then there are issues which seek the merit of government like Women Reservation, plight of unorganized sector in globalization, foreign investment in retail. It is high time that the present gives up its blinkered vision with sole attention on the Nuclear Deal for the integrity and sustainability of the nation.
As the third anniversary of the Indo United States (US) Nuclear Deal approaches near on 18 July, and the determined leaders – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush , want it in ‘haste’ to prove their legacy before they depart from the throne, a larger issue of feasibility of nuclear deal and the National Interest comes up.
The issue of transparency, accountability, rises up in our democratic polity as information for common people is grossly lacking pointing to uniformed debate prevailing via media management.
Firstly the political-strategic aspect of this deal needs to be seen to be understood in terms of its embedded context. It is part of a strategic framework which would be used to bring ‘Pax Americana’. This goes back to the readings of National Security Document 2002 which spells out Russia and China as enemies but mentions India as possible ally.
In terms of technology and energy, it is not that ‘big deal’ too. If the Prime Minister laments that the nation has inadequate uranium funding, then the blame for this morass goes to him, when he as the finance minister slashed the expenditure on uranium in prodigal terms. Both thermal and hydro electricity are much cheaper and safe alternative sources have been hitherto left unexplored. Further, the question of Nuclear Weapons free South Asia, which India enshrines, by its foreign policy ethos, cannot be dictated by United States.
In terms what the deal has to offer, the picture is not rosy. The reprocessing and enrichment technology is not being given. The nation’s stands that the deal would make India as a responsible nuclear power displays political irresponsibility as the very nuclear proliferation would have knock-on effects with neighbors and other nations.
The other issue of strengthening Indo-US ties via the deal seems superficial. With the rise of multilateralism as a force in World Politics, Indo-US ties have been marked by ‘closer engagement’. This growing warmth will not be reversed even if the deal is not enforced. Thus to base the entire paraphernalia of relations with United States seems to put bilateral ties on hollow terms.
The very process involved in executing the deal is complex. It seems irksome to comprehend that then why the government is ready to put government future at stake just for the deal. What the leaders in both nations fail to perceive that they cannot fashion legacy by such symbolism.
The very issue of National Interest is grossly misunderstood and understated. To dub it in sole military or nuclear arsenal terms is flawed. National Security has a much wider dimension with rise of terrorism, narcotics, natural disasters where the threats are cutting across borders. Then there are issues which seek the merit of government like Women Reservation, plight of unorganized sector in globalization, foreign investment in retail. It is high time that the present gives up its blinkered vision with sole attention on the Nuclear Deal for the integrity and sustainability of the nation.
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