Arindam Chaudhuri

No measures to stop speculation in food. No recommendation of strict punishment to the hoarders and no announcement of using the country’s huge forex reserves to import basic food necessities to increase supply and reduce prices. In other words, totally shocking. The reference to the aam aadmi went missing. It was clearly a budget for the mango people who live in India and not the aam aadmi who lives in Bharat.

The long-run steps to increase agriculture growth through a new green revolution got a token Rs 400crore. Nothing could have been more hilarious. Now, NBFCs (non banking financial institutions) can open banks and Rahul Bajaj must be very happy with his part of lobbying. But the real requirement of financial inclusion, which reaches a rotting low of less than 200 million people compared to the required 900 million people, still remains unsolved. At a time when so much had to be done for the poor who are the direct sufferers of the high inflation, the government gave away Rs 26,000 crore to the middle class and rich through its new tax structure favouring the two per cent top class of people who pay taxes in this country! I have been always for lesser taxes to increase tax base, but in a year like this, such a move was a bit too much to accept, especially when compared to the lack of commitment of resources for the bottom 70 per cent people.

The allocation of Rs 22,300 crore is marginally up for national rural health but still is too less when you look at the fact that 85 per cent of Indians do not have access to health insurance; and every year, an estimated 30 million people slip below the poverty line because they have to meet healthcare expenses though out-of-pocket expenses.
So is all bad? No! We are now going to have a new symbol for currency; similar to the dollar and the euro. And some agency, which will design it, will make a lot of money! It’s assumed that the developed world is so full of donkeys that despite the pathetic conditions that we have bestowed upon a majority of our people, the developed world will respect India due to a new symbol of our currency. Oh yes, how can I forget that in times of such internal security crisis and naxalite movement, a hilarious number of 2000 new paramilitary forces will be employed!

All in all, there have been some welcome extra investment in infrastructure and highways, good non-pollution initiatives, and some great tax structure changes if you are a tax-payer. For the rest, it has been an objectiveless exercise. Bringing me back to the question, ‘why have such a budget at all?’ When throughout the year, the government in any case keeps announcing various policies, then why should we not let the budget be a mere statement of results? Why this sham? There is no accountability… the poor hardly get anything; and to top it all, during the last year, a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore of allocated funds remained unused! It will only grow this year. I repeat, to me it was an objectiveless budget. A mere timepass.

(Arindam Chaudhuri is Editor-in-Chief of Planman Media)
Concluded

They cite example of farmers, like Papamma, who have already started a second green revolution. Her house is full of vegetation. Not an inch of waste land around Papamma’s house or farm can be spotted. “Do you see the black sprinkles on the leaves and the beans? That is cow dung water I sprinkled to avoid pests,” says the 60-year-old Papamma who lives in D. Kurubarahalli, a remote village in Kolar, nearly 90 KM from Bangalore.
Keeping farm green isn’t an easy task in hot weather. But Papamma has been managing it for almost 20 years now. She produces crops through organic way. Besides, the family is content with the yield they get from two acres and one acre of paddy field. In two acres, she grows almost 20 varieties of crops. “If we have sufficient water we can grow more than 50 varieties of crops in the farm,” says Papamma.

Kolar district which is better known for its extreme weather depends on rain for the crops. Moreover, the district doesn’t have any rivers. “We dug a well in our farm and we use this for the paddy field because it needs much water compared to other crops. So, even if it does not rain in the season we normally do not worry,” adds Papamma.

The family, which is known across the state as ’seed bank Papamma,’ has more than 50 varieties of pure indigenous seeds. Displaying her rare collections, she says: “See this is the paddy that I stored four years back. Still it is good; you can either use it for sowing or husk rice out of it. Did you see the leaves on the paddy? They are custard apple’s leaves. They keep the seeds afresh.”

Adds Papamma: “These are brinjal seeds.” When asked why she has saved brinjal seeds in four different jars, she says: “In my farm I only have four varieties of brinjals…” What about the BT brinjal? Papamma’s answer was spontaneous: “No… see in my farm, I grow four or five types of brinjals, and in our village you can easily find around 45 varieties of brinjals, so just imagine how many more varieties India can have. People say it is a ‘technical’ brinjal. When we have enough variety of brinjals then why import BT brinjal and spoil soil and health? I do not think, we will need a brinjal ‘which has been operated and injected to perform well.’ It is not good for health. What we have is more than enough and I do not see any reason to welcome it.

“As I am following organic farming method, I may get a bit less crop compared to the farms which are using chemicals. But as far as my family is concerned, health is more important than profit. My farming is not a commercial venture.”

“For almost a decade, we never purchased food items from the market, but fetch it afresh from our farm. I preserve the seed in the seed bank for the next crop. If the seeds are more, then we sell it in the market. Why should we say yes for genetically modified crops?”

Papamma and her husband Papanna do sand mulching also. She was taught organic farming by her villagers twenty years ago. But after some time, the villagers started using chemicals to increase their production.

The Home Minister said, “it is no secret that every militant organisation that is based in Pakistan, is supported by ISI. Lashkar, Hizbul Mujahideen, JuD, Al Badr – everyone of them is supported by ISI”.
Making it clear that war is not an option, the Minister said, “then we must talk, when we can, when we think there can be progress”.

He said nothing came out of the Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries here last month. “But I am told we are still open to another round of talks between the Foreign Secretaries,” he said.
Chidambaram, who chose not to make any mention of Pakistan in his opening remarks, voiced New Delhi’s concerns over Pakistan-sponsored terrorism during the question and answer session.

She told reporters the couple had no plans to marry but her comments failed to stop an Israeli politician from warning her to stay away from the actor. Baruch Marzel’’s letter, sent on behalf of the Lehava organisation, read, “It is not by chance that you were born Jewish.

Your grandmother and her grandmother did not dream that one of their descendants would one day remove the family’’s future generations from the Jewish people. Assimilation has forever been one of the enemies of the Jewish people.

” Marzel adds that he “has nothing against Mr DiCaprio, who I have no doubt is a talented actor,” before concluding, “Come to your senses, look forward and back too – and not only the present. Don”t marry Leonardo DiCaprio, don”t harm the future generations.

“Modi has no right to be the chief minister once the SIT has summoned him. He should resign on moral grounds,” Congress state in-charge P Sudhakar Reddy said here today.

Reddy, who is also AICC Secretary, was speaking to media after participating in a 10-km-walk organised by the state Congress from Gandhi Ashram to Kochrab Ashram on 80th anniversary of the Dandi March here.

Reddy said it is shameful for the people of Gujarat that their Chief Minister has been summoned by the Supreme Court appointed probe panel.

Modi would be questioned for the first time for his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots with the apex court-appointed SIT summoning him for questioning him on March 21.

The 60-year-old senior BJP leader suffered the ignominy of being the first-ever chief minister of any state to be called for questioning in a criminal complaint after he and his administration were accused of aiding and abetting riots in one area here.

“Thirty-nine people were killed and 95 wounded in the attacks,” Punjab provincial police chief Tariq Saleem Dogar told reporters on live TV.
“We have collected concrete technical evidence, which will help identify the attackers. Both the attackers were on foot,” he added.

The blasts occurred in R A Bazar area at 12.48 pm local time, when a large number of people had gathered for Friday prayers in the mosque. Many army personnel were in the gathering, local residents said.
The wounded were taken to nearby military and civilian hospitals.
There were reports that the blasts were preceded by firing but this could not immediately be independently confirmed.

Army soldiers and military police cordoned off the area and barred people and media from going to the site of the blasts.
Footage on television showed ambulances removing bodies and the injured from the area.

All roads and entry points in the cantonment are guarded by the army and it could not be immediately ascertained how the attackers managed to evade the security dragnet.

An emergency was declared in hospitals across Lahore.

No group has, so far, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Lahore has witnessed several terrorist assaults since last year, with most of the attacks targeting government installations and offices of sensitive organisations like the Inter-Services Intelligence and Federal Investigation Agency.

Today’s attack was similar to another terrorist assault last year on a mosque frequented by army personnel in Rawalpindi. Several senior army officials were killed in that attack.

Other parts of the country have also been rocked by such attacks since the military launched a massive operation against the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan in October last year. Hundreds of people have died in these attacks.

The Bombay Stock Exchange’s 30-share index settled at the 7-week high level of 17,166.62 points, down 0.01 per cent or 1.34 points.
Despite the decline, the market managed to scale its highest level since January 20 as stocks rallied in early trade on expectations of good industrial production figures.

In the intra-day trade, it rose to as high as 17,244.54 a new 52-week peak, but pared some of the gains on profit booking in blue-chips like HDFC Bank, Infosys, HUL and L&T.

The National Stock Exchange’s 50-share Nifty index closed 0.07 per cent or four points higher at 5,137 points.

“The good IIP figure failed to boost market sentiment and pulled it down from intra-day high level. There is very low volume which is not supporting the gains at higher end,” Unicon Financial Intermediaries CEO G Nagpal said.

This is the third straight week of gain posted by the key index. The market traded in a narrow range but managed to move 172.13 points up this week.

India’s factory production grew 16.7 per cent in January on robust manufacturing activity, lending optimism of a faster economic recovery, which analysts said would prompt the central bank to adopt monetary tightening.

Seeing volcanos exploding, pirate ships sinking and rollercoasters zooming it was truly a great trip. One would have to spend a good 10 days to really see all Sin City has to offer.You’d also have to spend at least 24 hours in one hotel just to see everything in it! But if you’re only going to spend 2 or 3 days, try and see the most popular attractions.
I also recommend arriving at night. There’s truly something cool about a black sea below you and then boom! Vegas lights!

No matter how many times I see the Fountains at Bellagio, I am still completely captured by how relaxing and comforting it is. The Bellagio itself has so many things to see and do such as the gardens, the Chihully works throughout, and of course, for you fellow shopaholics, the shops. I’ve never seen so many top designers all on one floor.The Fine Art museum, which displays several different artists throughout the year, is fantastic.

Las Vegas is truly a mirage because not only do you completely forget your troubles but you also create your own.

The Paris hotel was really nice. All the employees spoke french! Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris is by far the best way to see the Vegas strip. The first 2 days we visited it was too windy so they shut it down, but once we were able to, it was a spectacular view.

Although the Venetian is the most beautiful, the Luxor has to be hands down the coolest. Once indoors, you’re surrounded by pharroahs and water falls and its rather peaceful. I highly recommend checking out the King Tut museum. The rooms are actually in the pyramid! You can even see the slant! Although we couldn’t see one of the rooms, going to the top floor was great!

The excalibur is really cool. Although I do believe its more designed with kids in mind. We were hoping the armored ‘men’ would actually joust or step off the horses for some pictures, but unfortunately, our dreams didn’t come true. There’s a great game room in the ‘dungeon’ too. For the adult women, “Thunder Down Under” is a marvelous show. Men stay away or you just might get jousted.

Ceasers Palace is just simply superb. No matter if it is one of the oldest casinos still left on the strip, it just gets better with age.The Forum shops aren’t only fun because of the stores, but because of the ‘living statues’ that scare ya half to death if you come close the them. Also even if there are several around the country, for some reason this one just happens to be the best Cheesecake Factory ever! Maybe its all that oxygen they pump into the casino! We also had an opportunity to see several of Ceasers guardsmen keeping watch of everything and everyone.No need to really pay the big bucks to see nice fit bodies, just hang out at Ceasers and you’ll see a great show. Rumors has it Ceaser and Cleopatra make frequent visits but we never did get to see them. Pure is a great club. We’d gotten free passes from a timeshare saleman and he wasn’t joking when he said it was one of the best clubs vegas has to offer. We danced off our little booties all night long.

The Venetian was our next stop. Oh how romantic parts of Sin City can actually be.The gondolas are just that. We didn’t ride them, but just listening to the serenades brought a light to our step and a smile to our hearts. If this is truly what Venice looks like, then pack my bags baby, I’m on my way. With the street painters, sidewalk vendors and outdoor cafes, I was totally hooked and ready to travel to Italy to see the real thing. And the ceiling changes from morning, to mid day to dusk etc, etc. Like most of the hotels, theres also several shops to drag the non-shopaholics through too. And remember to always always look up as soon as you step inside. Or do like some of us art buffs, just lay back on the floor and stare. You’ll be amazed at what you see.

Mandalay Bay is very nice. They have a great buffett. There’s also several tropical birds on display inside the lobby. Don’t worry, though, you’ll find them just as soon as your ears hit the inside. Heck, you may even hear them in the next hotel. I also recommend checking out the Shark reef. You’ll be astonished. We also hit the Rumjungle later that night and believe me when I say, you really can have whatever kind of rum you want because there are hundreds to choose from! And for you men out there, several times at night women on trapeez and in cages with hardly any clothes on will shake their booties for ya. The dance floor is huge and theres a different DJ every weekend. Tip: because it is a restraunt, if you go in before 10pm, you will not have to pay a cover. It pays to know locals!

New York New York was a fantastic place to just hang out. I do think this was meant for the late 20’s and mid 30’s kinda crowd. ImageI recommend the irish pub and the italian cafe inside the casino. But most of all, I recommend the rollercoaster. Though not as thrilling as us fellow Cedar Point fanatics are used to, it is fun. And it gives you a different view of Vegas. Even if you are speeding by like a bat out of hell.

The Mirage and TI were nice. the dolphin exhibit is pure entertainment. I suggest you check it out. What was funny the first day we stopped by was a momma duck and her chicks swimming across the pond. Even with Sin City and all its bright lights and glamour, visitors were more interested in how cute the chicks were crossing from one side to the next. There were so many cameras going off you would’ve thought the papparazzi were there! I don’t recommend the new pirate show to any children. But as stated by several people, Vegas wasn’t meant for kids. The outdoor club Tangerine is great and make some fantastic mixed drinks.

Though we stayed on the ‘new strip’ we did catch a cab to Freemont Street tImageo ‘vintage vegas’ and I have to say, it was surprising. More young people were enjoying the outdoor music, the incredible light show and just generally, each other. We’d decided then and there we were staying on the ‘old strip’ next visit to vegas. I’d read somewhere that the Golden Gate hotel was one of the very first hotels/casinos there and has no plans of ever leaving. Apparently, like most of us, experiancing Vegas the way it used to be is kinda cool. We were waiting for Dean or Frank to stop by.

Either way you look at it, Vegas is just plain funtastic. But please, adults only.

Arindam Chaudhuri

Shortage of a hundred and fifty million rural employment jobs. Shortage of twenty five million urban employment jobs… Additional Rs 1 lakh crore required to replace urban slums… And Rs 10,000 crore required every year for five years to give justice to every Indian by ramping up the judiciary… Another Rs 20,000 crore required every year to make universal primary education a reality and have equality in education opportunities… And additional Rs 10,000 crore required annually to give some basic access to health facilities… Welcome to India. A country where the hospital beds to population ratio is 1:1422, ranked 161 alongside sub-Saharan African countries, against an ideal ratio of 1:333 prescribed by the United Nations. A country with 2.4 million temples but only 1.4 million temples of education i.e. schools… A country with 30 million cases pending in courts, making life hell for the common man who wants justice, because our courts have only 12 judges per million population compared to 120 judges per million in the developed world.

In the middle of such an environment, what’s the role of an annual budget? Is it to maintain status quo or to give the world a robust signal that we are committed to our people – the 45 crore people who earn below 1.25 dollars a day? If the objective is to maintain the status quo, then Pranabda has delivered a perfect budget, as loudly proclaimed by each and every member of the equally objectiveless and visionless industry organisations like FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM etc. They were too happy that the entire stimulus package had not been withdrawn. As it is, the spokespersons aren’t independent intellectuals. They are timid business men – however rich they might be – scared to ever speak against the government as their businesses are at stake! In most cases, they aren’t even capable of commenting on the budget, such low is their understanding. But they are the people who give the bytes and that’s what next days headlines look like in papers indirectly and directly owned by them and mostly run by sold out editors or editors intellectually incapable of analysing a budget or how it needs to be. So the verdict that they have given is thumbs up!

The man on the street, of course, has no voice. And his concerns are of no importance to politicians or media. Media has no vision to effectively and constantly focus on their cause in order to effect a change. They are more interested in rapes, murders and sex, which keep the readers confined to intellectually dumbed-down dustbins of these media houses.

The truth, however, is that if we were to look at this budget from the perspective of people – those 45 crore that I mentioned above and another 35 crore who are just marginally better off – then this budget is a hoax for them. Allocations to the best scheme of the Sonia government, or for that matter any government in ages – the NREGA scheme – wasn’t even increased enough to cover the inflation! What was done was a mere increase from Rs 39,000 crore to about Rs 41,000 crore. At a point of time when the common man is being made to pay an astoundingly scary Rs 50 per kg for sugar and Rs 100 per kg for dal, when the food inflation has touched horrific proportions and when they were looking up to the budget for some relief, forget immediate relief measures, there were no signs of any long run relief either in this budget. No lip service even to stop hoarding.

(Arindam Chaudhuri is Editor-in-Chief of Planman Media)
To be continued

But for the fishermen, the sea had no boundaries. They were going beyond Kachatheevu into the Sri Lankan waters to fish. They used to attend the annual festival on the island. Indians and Sri Lankans would come to worship at the St Antony’s Church. This small church was built by an Indian fisherman in the early 20th century who was believed to have survived a storm near the island when he prayed to St Antony.

There were no problems till 1983 when ethnic riots against Tamils in Sri Lanka first took place. The Sri Lankan government stopped the festival. The territorial waters were strictly monitored by the Sri Lankan navy. When Indian fishermen went beyond the Indian boundary towards Kachatheevu and adjacent places, they were shot at.
More than 300 Indian fishermen were shot dead in the waters near Kachatheevu in the last two decades as the Lankan Navy suspected them of supporting the LTTE rebels with supplies. As the civil war intensified, the number of deaths of Indian fishermen also rose. Tamil politicians were pressuring the Centre to take the island back from Sri Lanka. J. Jayalalithaa’s case in Supreme Court in this regard is still pending. Her contention was that New Delhi ceded the island by an executive order which violated Article 368 of the Constitution.

On last saturday morning, Fishing Boat no. 404, after getting essential clearance from the Indian Navy at the Rameswaram Jetty, was speeding past the Palk Bay waves. I was on it. The owner and driver of the boat, Sudalai Kasi, was an excited man. With over thirty years of fishing experience in the Palk Bay, he had seen the island many times but never could set his foot upon its shores in the last two decades. “Earlier, only a thatched shed was there as a chapel. Then in the 1970s, the tile-roof structure was built. Thousands of people from India and Sri Lanka would meet there every year. There will be exchange of goods and gifts,” Sudalai Kasi reminisced about the old times.

C. R. Senthil, another co-passenger of the boat actually had his relatives living in northern Sri Lanka. “We used to write letters to them saying what we would bring for them. They would also write to us stating what they needed from India,” he says. Senthil’s relatives, no longer live in Sri Lanka. The war made sure they were displaced and ended up as refugees in India.

Kittur Chennamma, an Indian Coast Guard boat, guided us past the international maritime border. After three hours of travel, we were near the shores of Kachatheevu. The Sri Lankan Navy boats were busy in transporting people to the shore as the fishing boats could not go near the land due to rocks in the water. We waited for three hours and a country boat transported us to the shores.