Don't drag Ratan Tata into 2G Scam; he defines Integrity.

Manu Joseph of Open Magazine and Vinod Mehta of Outlook know too well: Ratan Tata defines terms like Integrity, Trust, Respect and, of course, Courage besides all superlatives used to describe character of somebody as extraordinary as Ratan Tata! Therefore, dragging Ratan Tata into the ongoing 2G Scam by publishing his conversations with Niira Radia is a deliberate attempt to deflect the focus from the main culprits i.e. the hordes of politicians without forgetting A. Raja and a bunch of bureaucrats involved in looting country coffers of more than 176,000,000 crores.

Ratan Tata’s taped talks with Niira Radia, his colleague, suggest nothing which could be of any harm to the nation or its citizens or a plot to subvert laws and policies in his favour. The conversations are between two citizens and private – absolutely nobody else’s business to intrude upon it.

I solidly support Ratan Tata’s standpoint that if the government agencies wanted to record Niira Radia’s phone conversations for “a particular” purpose, then they should have ensured that they remained – and used – for “that particular” purpose only, and nothing else. Yet the government agencies failed to protect them against theft. By letting it get “leaked” – along with Niira’s talks with other personalities including some media heavyweights – and get published online and in a magazine is a clear intrusion of his privacy.

Ratan Tata is a man of incorruptible character and doubting him is like “pot & kettle calling Gold black”! If there is one – and only - Indian who commands respect and admiration beyond Indian borders like Mahatma Gandhi that is Ratan Tata. He has built his persona on fundamentals which an ideal human personality is made of. His stature in public minds and hearts is beyond reach. Ratan Tata is the only living Indian worthy of being a real Bharat Ratan. Maligning his reputation is a huge injustice to him - and the country as well.

I am sure the apex court will do justice to Ratan Tata and order punishment for all involved in purposefully planning and plotting to assassinate his character. Supreme Court will not disappoint him - and India as well.

I have a Question for Editors of both Open Magazine and Outlook: Have the guts to expose the “real” culprits. Do not try a deliberate diversionary tactic to divert nation’s attention from the core issue. Do not use Rata Tata to titillate public and get eyeballs and readership. Be a man; do not act like a comprehensively challenged human.

(I wonder if somebody taped both Manu Joseph’s and Vinod Mehta’stelephone conversations, will they come out squeaky clean and politically correct persons? It is anybody’s guess! … Now, will both of you publicly apologize to Rata Tata?)

Nitish Kumar is Bihar's Barack Obama

Never before in my living memory I have witnessed such transformations: of people, of a state and of a country, therefore. In India, I mean. A similar scenario had presented itself in America exactly a year ago when a predominantly white nation had elected a black man – an African-American – to the White House; United States of America had got bewitched by the charm of Barack Obama’s “Change We Can Believe In” theme!

I am sure you must have guessed that today I am talking about Bihar’s Barack Obama i.e. Nitish Kumar.

Like Barack Obama, Nitish Kumar is a God sent Blessing for the people and the state of Bihar. Bihar which had got labeled as a “failed” state is now progressing towards becoming a “developing” state. “Developed” is still not the appropriate word to describe the state-of-affairs there. And bringing Bihar to its current level of existence must have been extremely difficult for Nitish Kumar. Because the world knows the depth to which its erstwhile politicians – Lalu Prasad Yadav & family and many before him – had pulled Bihar to. Bihar, from being the center of the Indian civilization and power, had become a pariah state.

Bihar was the capital of India and had the renowned ancient Indian dynasties Mauryas and Guptas ruling the country from Patliputra – now Patna. How can we not remember Ashoka The Great – the greatest of the Indian emperors - and the great contributions he made to the Indian culture and the world as well from the soil of Bihar! The spread of Buddhism beyond the Indian borders is his credit solely.

The biggest irony is that Nalanda which was amongst the greatest centers of learning in the world was based in Bihar, the same state which today has the highest illiteracy rate in India. Nothing could be more contrasting!

Even in the contemporary India, Bihar has been an important center for politics and has greatly shaped the national polity. Its political trends have set precedents. (India gets its maximum entrants in the public service – IAS – from Bihar.)

How did this magnificent state manage this extraordinary downward spiral?

Bihar’s politicians and its people are to be blamed in equal proportions for its sorry-state-of-affairs. Because Bihar’s people went along with their rotten politicians and aided them in their loot with their continued votes and, in the process, became a partner in bringing the state to its shameful level of despair and dejection. Lalu Prasad Yadav’s 15 long years of tenure as its chief minister – in person and with “proxy” - robbed the state completely and Bihar hit its nadir.

Nitish Kumar’s chief ministership has enormously arrested the decline of Bihar. Not only has he demonstrated his abilities to govern an ungovernable state like Bihar but has also shown to his detractors that he in fact has the capabilities to make the turnaround which has started to show. The recent election has proved that Bihar has indeed moved on: from its caste based myopic politics to development based governance and Nitish Kumar has beautifully orchestrated this transformation.

Nitish Kumar has done very well in Bihar – for Bihar. But it is simply scratching the surface in that immensely potential state. He has the people’s mandate; now he has enormous responsibilities as well. He has to continue with his objectives for a “developed” Bihar. I am sure with Nitish Kumar at the helm of affairs the day is not far when Bihar will get back to its glorious days! And once again it will serve as the “Vihar” (abode) for “Brahma” (the God) – in line with the origin of its name J

Great work, Mr. Nitish Kumar! Keep it up! Bihar is with you and so is India! You can “metamorphose” Bihar.

Nevertheless, one point I would like to make here is that the first thing you must take up immediately is the “education” of your people; “empower” them with knowledge and skills to compete with the rest of the country, and the world. Then only “Bihari Pride” will make sense – as articulated by you eloquently during your election rally…Then only the “Change” will come to Bihar. Then only Bihar will eventually graduate from being a “failed” state to become a “flourishing” state.

………………

P.S.: Wonder what “tip” Barack Obama would have given to Nitish Kumar if they had met during his recent trip to India. Certainly something on “Change We Can Believe In” as both have to continue their remarkable endeavors in their respective “States”!

Mr. President Obama, Aung San Suu Kyi is a Hero of mine, too!

It is rare that you experience someone becoming a part of your consciousness. Mahatma Gandhi is one such idol. Then there are a few others from the contemporary times who have followed Gandhiji’s path and have attained the status of having a halo around them while being alive. They are (have been): Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Watching Aung San Suu Kyi emerge out of her lake side dilapidated home in Rangoon (now Yangon) after suffering 15 long years (actually 21 years since her first arrest in 1989) of house arrest was liberating! She was herself: a picture of poise and dignity, and beauty! And when she accepted flowers from one of her thousands admirers gathered to greet her and put them in her hair – her trademark style – I felt a sense of Freedom and Joy! Finally, the Hero of Freedom Struggle in Burma (now Myanmar) was free!

Seeing Aung San Suu Kyi standing gracefully and addressing her ardent supporters and speaking about peace and unity and not of compromise was simply stimulating! She has the stuff what a world leader is made of!When President Barack Obama pulled India in his parliamentary address for failing to support Burma’s democratic quest, I felt he was echoing my sentiments.

India is not only the world’s largest democracy but has strong global aspirations too. Therefore, India has a moral responsibility towards supporting other nations in their pursuit for restoring democracy. Then only it can rightfully stake a claim to global leadership position. Being the strongest regional power in South Asia and an emerging economic giant, India cannot continue to hide behind diplomatic and “national interest”curtains. If India needs to seriously get counted amongst the powerful and mighty, it has to demonstrate its leadership skills. And no leadership can be devoid of moral responsibilities.

Yesterday, when the world leaders congratulated Ms. Suu Kyi on her long due independence, the Indian prime minister decided to keep quiet. Instead we saw the minister of external affairs issuing statements of support from India. Couldn’t our PM summon courage to freely exhibit India’s endorsement to Aung San Suu Kyi’s mission? Are we too afraid of Burma’s military Junta reactions? Do we feel that by showing solidarity to Ms. Suu Kyi the dictatorial regime in Burma would get provoked? Are the so called national interests so overwhelming that we fear the now so-called democratically elected military regime to retaliate and block oil supplies to India and also fuel insurgencies in the north-east? Are these geopolitical compulsions merely excuses?

For a moment even if I acquiesce to the possibilities of all the above mentioned likely scenarios, I still believe that there are ways – diplomatic essentially - to overcome them by working – smartly and tactfully - with other powerful countries including the dictatorial military regime in Burma.The assignment is tough but possible to achieve, nevertheless.

I may sound extremely naïve in international diplomacy while championing India’s enhanced engagements in global affairs and persisting with the idea of India’s active involvement in areas – countries - which come in direct conflict with the core of our country’s existence that is democracy. But I strongly believe in my ideals of a true leadership on the global stage. India has to show to the world that it is indeed capable of delivering on leadership promises. Frankly speaking, just by dreaming of a permanent seat at the UNSC will not suffice; India has to be seen to be worthy of it.

And, honestly, Aung San Suu Kyi is much beyond a permanent seat in theUnited Nations Security Council.

I sign off by saying: “Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, it is indeed great to see you back as a free citizen! The world is with you in your democratic pursuit! Your strength & sacrifices are an inspiration to the global population and will continue to guide the humanity for eons!”

And, yes, Mr. President Barack Obama, She is a Hero of mine, too :)

An Answer for Barack Obama

President Barack Obama asked students to ponder on his Three Questions during his interaction at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai on 7^th November 2010:

1. Where do you want to see India 20 years from now?
2. What kind of India-US partnership do you want to see 20 years from now?
3. How each do you want to make this world a better place?

If I had the privilege of being there and asking him a question, I would have taken his second question and redirected it to him: “Mr. President, what kind of India-US partnership do you want to see, not 20 but, say, 2 years from now?”

(In 2 years his first term would be near its end and he would have embarked on his campaign trail for ensuring his 2^nd term in the White House. And in his victory in 2012, a flourishing US relation with India could prove to be an important issue to stake his claim to the presidency.)

Ever since his confirmation as the president-in-waiting in November 2008, views started doing rounds in diplomatic circles in India that under Obama administration, India-US relationship may see a significant shift from the path charted by George W. Bush because he was never seen actively pursuing India during his presidential campaign. And this perception got confirmed when India was kept out of US’ crucial Af-Pak policy in spite of India been actively engaged in Afghanistan and is an important regional power in South Asia.

Also, in spite of accepting the fact that Pakistan is the center for export of terror to India and rest of the world including America, the US continues to pursue this subject pretty softly with our unruly neighbor. Huge military aids are being given to Pakistan with an excuse of making it stable economically and politically. Even if one has to believe that Pakistan government has no control over the so-called non-state actors working as perpetrators of terror from its soil, still America could hold the Pakistani government responsible and force them to act for eradicating extremism. It could be done by linking aid with results expected on proliferation of terror.

Moreover, even when the US realizes that India has indeed “risen” as an economic power and in a globalized world movement of jobs across borders is inevitable, still the US loses no opportunity to bash companies having bases outside America – especially in India. Barack Obama has been seen towing this “protectionist” line in order to suit his political purposes for appeasing people affected due to continuing economic recession.

In mutual benefits of the US and India, Barack Obama has to take India together in its economic and political endeavors. Barack Obama will not succeed in wooing Indian business establishments with his anti-outsourcing stance.

In addition, in spite of Barack Obama acknowledging that the global order has changed indeed, he doesn’t seem to be ready to support India’s eligibility for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council which would rightly reflect today’s geopolitical realities and would balance power equations in the colossal body.

Barack Obama has endorsed India’s importance as a strategic “partner” – graduating from oft stated ‘ally’ status for India – because of both being democracies – oldest and the largest – but somehow we are yet to see him come closer to India in real terms; the relationship feels to be cold in spite of President Obama sharing a warm personal rapport with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

To be honest I had great expectations from him for India when he became the 44^th President of the United States of America. Because, I always felt – and still do strongly – that he was not a mere politician; he was a genuine leader and had the potential to get into the league of great leaders and impact the world history like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. And, therefore, he had mental capabilities of taking tough and honest decisions and bringing about “the Change we can believe in”.

I am disappointed – that is not the case. I have hopes and that is not to term it as “audacity of hope”!

I completely understand President Barack Obama’s predicament. His country is not the strongest in the world anymore. There is a swift transition towards a ‘Post American World’. America is losing its might - mostly on economic front. On top of that, the US has to bear huge burdens of two unnecessary wars, Iraq and Afghanistan. And none of these critical states are of his making. He is the unfortunate inheritor of the unprecedented mess and a volatile economic environment left behind by his predecessor. And he has been at the helm of affairs for less than two years only. The time available with him so far has been grossly inadequate to bring about the desired turnaround. He has delivered on most of his presidential campaign promises except for being able to reverse huge jobs loss which in a capitalist and a free market is not under government’s control. He could arrest the slide and stabilize the economy but jobs creation will take some more time. His “shellacking” in the recent mid-term elections was primarily in response to his administration’s failure to stop continued job losses in US.

I also understand that India of today knows its place in the world and also knows too well that its fast emergence on economic front has made it vulnerable to escalating harm by external evil forces mostly motivated by religious fundamentalism. India of today could be immensely confident about its future but its concerns cannot – and should not – be ignored. A country like US has to support India in its fight against terror even if that means displeasing its so-called ally that is Pakistan which is proclaimed to be ‘strategically important’ partner for America. Then only India and the US can become ‘partners’ in real terms.

Today, President Barack Obama is on his maiden trip to India during which he primarily seeks to engage businessmen and entrepreneurs and Indian political establishment for opening trade barriers for increased economic cooperation between the two nations. The fact that he did not mention the “P” word while addressing the 26/11 victims at the Taj Hotel and then did not again bite the bait at St. Xavier’s College today, has put the Indian establishment including the Indian Media spewing venom against him. To be honest I too felt a bit disappointed but then I understood President Barack Obama’s geopolitical compulsions.

Talking about Pakistan, India has to tackle this errant neighbor itself. And we are capable of doing so. We only need a strong political will to execute this wish. We should stop taking shoulder of America to put our guns. India has to adopt a tough posture and secure its future against possible terror attacks. Why blame America for not spelling Pakistan in public on an Indian platform? Haven’t we often hidden behind diplomatic curtains? Haven’t we failed comprehensively in punishing Kasab in spite of having telling evidences against him in name of a democratic judiciary? Haven’t we too changed our track often and have returned to the talking tables repeatedly all for diplomacy and keeping the so-called enemy engaged? Haven’t we kept our diplomatic relations and support tacit even with dictatorial regimes like Iran just because it felt to be suiting our interests? Then why are we so critical of President Barack Obama’s diplomatic stance for Pakistan?

We all know America’s strategic relationship and its need for a stable Pakistan. (A stable Pakistan is in India’s interest too. Otherwise, we could see an ambitious China move in the vacated space. And we know who is a lesser evil.)

In fact an immensely important visit of the US’ President which could have been used for forging a much deeper mutually beneficial economic-political relationship between the two democracies of the world, it got completely hijacked by a myopic vision clouded by issue of Pakistan’s sponsorship of terror. We have been living with this menace for more than six decades now. And India has always been aware of America’s stance on this issue. Still in order to be a real economic and political power we need the United States of America. Howsoever big we might think about ourselves on the global stage, and howsoever beleaguered the US may seem currently, let us not forget the fact that India is still a miniscule economy in front of the giants like China, Germany, Japan and the US. India needs US’ markets perhaps more than they need ours. Whatever we can offer them in terms of market pie and jobs therefore, if the US pursued China a bit better they could easily garner that desired shares. All talks about India’s economic prowess needs to be taken in right perspective. Today’s atmosphere is more conducive than ever before to further strengthen our relationship with the US on equal terms. A strengthened America is in every body’s interest.

Nevertheless, I completely believe that in spite of all its so-called geopolitical-economic compulsions, the US can still hold Pakistan accountable for terror emanating from within its boundaries. Because, as we all know, Terrorism knows no boundaries – it is “problems without passports” (to use Kofi Annan’s / Shashi Tharoor’s words). And, to agree with Times Now’s point of view that America should link its aids to Pakistan to its action on containing terror in Pakistan if it wants to have a trustful long lasting relationship with India.

Frankly speaking, Indian Media’s pouncing on Barack Obama for avoiding naming Pakistan in his speeches on related subjects within hours of his landing in Bombay was uncalled for and it looked grossly unfair. Here was the President of the United States of America in India on his maiden visit but that just didn’t seem to have any positive effect on our Media. The mood was belligerent in television studios to say the least! (NDTV 24x7 sounded more balanced than CNN-IBN and Times Now though.)

But tossing the coin over and we could see that today’s India was not afraid of speaking its mind out even if it meant speaking tough – even to the US - to protect our interests. And certainly the Indian Media was at its confident – toughest - best! Not that they had not given due importance to Barack Obama’s visit. Otherwise we wouldn’t have seen them sitting throughout the day for 12 hours at a stretch – that was Arnab Goswami! – in their studios and covering the events in details and indulging into great deal of discussions on every conceivable point. I wonder from where they managed inexhaustible source of energy!

Tomorrow is President Obama’s third and the last day in India before he embarks on the second leg of his Asian tour to Indonesia. Wish I could listen to him speak to our Parliamentarians majority of whom are not even worthy of such an opportunity and privilege! But such are the fallacies of democracy …

Great to have you here in India, Mr. President! The First Lady too has made a fan base! Hope to see you both back with Malia, Sasha and Bo!

And, yes, do you feel I have been able to answer you satisfactorily? I know it is a pretty long answer but then certain questions cannot be answered in brief. Thanks for your patience, Mr. President J (Wish he reads these lines. Now, this is “audacity of hope”, for sure J)

Barack Obama and India-US relationship

Barack Obama shares an old connection with India which goes back to 1981 when he had come visiting families of his friends from India. (Not much is known though about ‘those’ friends or their families.) Those were young Obama’s Occidental College (Los Angeles) days before his shifting to Columbia University in New York.

And that is the reason why “dal” (pulses) remains one of his favorite dishes which he can cook as well!

Nevertheless, India’s influence on Barack Obama goes much beyond “dal”. India’s biggest ‘gift’ to him has been ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ who gained entry into his impressionable mind through his idol Martin Luther King Jr.; the latter had based his Civil Rights movement on MG’s philosophies of non-violence and truth. As the world knows, President Obama has Mahatma’s photograph in his office for his daily dose of motivation and guidance! Needless to say, Barack Obama has fashioned his politics on Gandhiji’s teachings.

The fact that his “inner core” of support staff comprises of many Indian-Americans is not a mere coincidence. Also, President Obama complimenting Manmohan Singh by saying “when he speaks, the world listens” reflects his genuine admiration for the prime minister of India.

Nevertheless, since the confirmation of him becoming the 44^th President of the United States of America, the view started doing rounds in the diplomatic circles that the US-India relationship will undergo major shift under Obama administration because he was never seen to be pursuing India in his presidential campaign, unlike his predecessor. We all know that George W. Bush has been the biggest American advocate of India in the global arena. If India today is on the verge of becoming a member of the elite nuclear club, the sole credit goes to the fruition of the Indo-US civil nuclear treaty in his tenure, for which he fought the other world powers. And it is no wonder that India’s prime minister Manmohan Singh calls him a “friend” ("India loves you," that's what our PM proclaimed!?)!

What is perplexing is that in spite of being influenced by India and Indians hugely both at personal and political fronts, President Obama has kept India at bay in geopolitical matters. Whether it was marginalizing India in the skewed Af-Pak strategy or pointing against “job-outsourcing” to India or sidelining India for a permanent UNSC seat or not giving adequate support to India against Pak-sponsored terrorism, Barack Obama has displayed a contradictory image as far as relations with India goes.

President Obama should have known that US’ win in Afghan War could be ascertained only by engaging the biggest regional power that is India which is enormously involved in economic and political developments in Afghanistan anyway as an ally. Then his constant rumbling against “job-outsourcing” - mainly to India - is also clouded as the ongoing economic crises in US have myriad factors to blame of which “out-sourcing” makes a miniscule fraction. Moreover, a democratic India’s inclusion in the select set of permanent members of the United Nations Security Council could have further boosted US’ position in that caucus. Also, America letting go its reluctance to take Pakistan head-on in its war on terror - including in India - would have ensured the US sustained its leadership position in South Asia’s politics, closing almost all doors for China in this immensely important space for political leadership.

For India, whether it is being left out of the Af-Pak policy or America’s unfounded concern on job-outsourcing or US being non-committal on the UNSC seat, these things though very important but they certainly do not threaten the country’s existence. The most disturbing – rather disappointing – aspect of the Indo-US relationship has been America’s unwillingness to contain Pakistan on terror fronts against India. In fact, many a times the US has seemed to be doing ‘double-talks’ with India.

For me, a self-proclaimed fan of Barack Obama, this “duality” is a bit difficult to digest. For me, Barack Obama is my hero, God’s blessing to the world! He is amongst those rare personalities in history who have “not been” politicians but have been “genuine” leaders. As an ardent admirer I have been following his dramatic ascent into the world of politics since 2004 when he made his remarkable keynote speech at the Democratic Convention in Los Angeles. His “Race in America” speech in March of 2008 in Philadelphia cemented my space in his universe of admirers. The never-seen-before gathering at Tiergarten, Berlin in July 2008 to hear him – a presidential candidate from a foreign state – proved his emergence as a global leader. The joy-with-tears exhibited by the world during his Grant Park, Chicago “Victory Speech” on November the 4^th in 2008 announced that indeed he had a universal appeal. His 20^th January 2009 Presidential Inauguration on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. saw the entire world glued to television sets for witnessing the historic transition of Barack Obama into the 44^th President of the United States of America; a beautiful metamorphosis of an African-American into the President of America. Life indeed had come full circle!

I am sure President Obama will treat his historical and much awaited India visit as an important occasion – an opportunity - to forge a lasting bond with India (and he will not listen anymore to his misguiding advisers; instead he will listen to his inner voice). Because, it is in mutual benefits of both the nations that the oldest and the largest democracies come together and do “not compete” but “complement” each other. Together, India and America can reshape global geopolitics and economic scene and make world a much better place to live in!

Yes, Together We Can! ...

Welcome to India, Mr. President and the First Lady! I am sure you and Michelle will cherish your stay in Bombay and Delhi! I know for sure that soon you two would be back to my country with Malia and Sasha and Bo! I wish I could meet you in person whom I place only after Mahatma Gandhi in my list of select “favorites”! … Wish we Indians too had our own Barack Obama!

Happy Diwali J