Pathetic Journalism - India playing dangerous games

Found this interesting on the web, worth a read here - http://ad-noentry.blogspot.com/2011/01/pathetic-journalism-india-playing.html
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India playing dangerous games, pathetic journalism, gulf news, india pakistan relations, irresponsible journalism, UAE, UAE India relations, Journalistic freedom,

India Wants to Join the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a Weapon State

Read this on the Global Arab Network, and thought was really insightful and must be shared.

Sid

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By David P. Fidler, Sumit Ganguly

Continued disturbing revelations about Iran's nuclear programs escalate the dangers the world faces from nuclear proliferation. The mounting peril threatens to overwhelm President Obama’s quest for a world free of nuclear weapons, a quest he will pursue at a summit on nuclear security in April and at a meeting in May to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). While NPT membership is nearly universal, the refusal of India, Pakistan, and Israel to join, North Korea’s proliferation and withdrawal from, and Iran’s violations of, the treaty have placed severe stress on the non-proliferation regime. Can the NPT, which is the centerpiece of the global non-proliferation effort, be righted such that the world can take steps towards Obama’s vision of a nuclear-free world?

Into this environment comes an unexpected development. On November 29, 2009, Manmohan Singh, India’s Prime Minister, stated on Fareed Zakaria’s GPS show that India wants to join the NPT as a nuclear-weapons state (NWS) and become the sixth NPT-recognized nuclear power. Although Indian diplomats have raised this idea in private in years past, Singh’s statement represents the first public announcement by a high-ranking official that India wants to be a NWS within the NPT. Indian press reports indicate that Singh is serious about this proposal, despite opposition within India.

Not only does this statement depart from India’s historic NPT opposition, but it also could agitate nuclear diplomacy in 2010. India’s willingness to join the NPT contains the potential to strengthen the NPT, which places a premium on how existing NPT members respond to India’s policy shift. Bringing India within the NPT as a NWS would be controversial, but to exclude a nuclear-armed but non-proliferating India when it is now willing to join would not strengthen efforts against nuclear proliferation.

India has long criticized the treaty and maintained it would not join because the NPT discriminated against states not possessing nuclear weapons on January 1, 1967; it increased the difficulties for states wishing to develop nuclear energy; and it did not contain serious disarmament obligations for existing nuclear powers. India presented its position as one of principle, but it had security interests in having nuclear weapons to deter perceived threats from China. India again caused consternation in 2008 when it concluded an accord with the US under which India could access nuclear technologies and materials in return for placing its civilian nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Critics complained that the accord rewarded India’s NPT defiance and weakened efforts to strengthen non-proliferation.

By switching course, India forces the non-proliferation community to confront India’s criticisms of the treaty, which overlap with worries about the NPT’s weaknesses. By all accounts, India has been a responsible nuclear power. Its exclusion from the NPT would be a function of an arbitrary date rather than its behavior. India has not fostered proliferation, unlike China and Pakistan. It has a small nuclear arsenal for deterrence, unlike some recognized NWS that have massive stockpiles despite NPT obligations to engage in disarmament. Through the US-Indian nuclear accord, India has accepted IAEA oversight of its civilian nuclear facilities, and India has performed better in this regard than Libya, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and Syria, which joined the treaty as non-nuclear weapon states but violated, or are suspected of violating, the NPT.

In short, India is not undermining the non-proliferation system, rather, the NPT system has been undermined by its own flaws and the countries that agreed to abide by, but flouted, its rules. India is now willing to join the NPT and bring its legitimacy as a democratic nuclear power and its growing influence to bear on shoring up the NPT’s objectives. All that is required is an amendment to the treaty’s cutoff date for recognition as a NWS. Existing NPT members can accept India’s desire to help strengthen the NPT, or they can reject India’s interest, which does not improve the NPT’s prospects. Which way will NPT members go?

If NPT members follow the UN Security Council, they will reject India’s overture. As part of President Obama’s effort to advance the cause of a nuclear-free world, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1887 on September 24, 2009, which “[c]alls upon all States that are not Parties to the NPT to accede...as non-nuclear-weapon States....” NPT members could hide behind this resolution and avoid addressing India’s new position. However, such a response simply avoids a policy question that deserves attention on its merits.

The key states will be the NPT’s existing NWS, especially China, Russia, and the US because all NWS must approve the amendment needed to permit India to join as a NWS. Neither China nor Russia faces additional strategic risks from allowing India to join the NPT because India is already a nuclear-armed power, and supporting Indian accession could be a way to improve relations with the country as its regional and global influence grows.

The US is caught between recognizing India as a democratic, responsible nuclear power (e.g., the US-India nuclear accord) and the policy of the Obama administration that non-parties to the NPT should join only as non-nuclear-weapons states (e.g., Resolution 1887). Given India’s NPT shift, the US cannot reconcile these positions, meaning it must make a choice that contains no room for dissembling. The US choice will likely determine how European nations and Japan respond, as happened with the US-India nuclear accord.

Importantly, opposing India’s desire to join the NPT as a NWS on the basis of Resolution 1887 or narrow national interests will do nothing to strengthen the NPT. If a more robust NPT is vital for making progress towards a nuclear-free world, then bringing India into the treaty, especially when it is emerging as a great power, makes more sense than believing that India will disarm unilaterally simply to join the NPT. Indian participation in the NPT will not, by itself, eliminate the problems the NPT now confronts, especially those caused by North Korea, Iran, and the potential of nuclear terrorism. But, with India supporting the regime, the world would finally have all nuclear-armed great powers committed to the same rules – an unprecedented convergence that could reinvigorate non-proliferation politics in a manner more meaningful than the distant vision of a world without nuclear weapons.

India’s NPT move adds complexity to the nuclear diplomacy that will unfold in 2010, and, shrewdly, it elevates Indian interests, influence, and ideas. Whether India succeeds or fails, its maneuver highlights problems with the NPT, creates challenges for India’s allies and rivals, and forces non-proliferation advocates to re-think how to strengthen their efforts.

Global Arab Network

David P. Fidler is the James Louis Calamaras Professor of Law and Director of the Center on American and Global Security (CAGS), and Sumit Ganguly is the Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations, Professor of Political Science, Director of the India Studies Program, and Director of Research for CAGS at Indiana University, Bloomington. Reprinted with permission from YaleGlobal Online (www.yaleglobal.yale.edu). Copyright © 2010, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, Yale University

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Key Tags : Incredible India, The Great Indian Dream, Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, Nuclear Weapons State, India Nuclear Power, India and Nuclear Weapons, India- A responsible nuclear power, NPT - India, David P. Fidler, Sumit Ganguly,Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, Yale University, YaleGlobal Online (www.yaleglobal.yale.edu)

Blog Tags - Full Start., Identity Crysys, Sidharth Mehta, Sid Mehta

Political Crap - Mumbai - Taxi No. 9211

Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with the John Abraham & Nana Patekar starrer movie Taxi No. 9211. If that makes you feel good, continue reading below. If it does not, still continue reading, might just help you increase your current affairs knowledge!

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It is so amazing, how our political leaders come out with such fantastic rules and policies which makes you feel as if you are not living in/a part of the biggest functioning democracy in the world, but rather part of a country which has the most ridiculous form of governance.

Ruling government of the state of Maharashtra, the Congress-NCP led government has come up with an insane ruling, that new taxi licenses in Mumbai, would be given to individuals who are well versed in Marathi (read, write, and speak) and who have also resided in the city for atleast 15 years. This decision was taken under the leadership of CM Ashok Chavan in a meeting, which did not have a single representative, from the Bombay Taximen Association, the oldest in the city, looking at the interests of the taxi drivers. Imagine, you take an important decision about cricketers, and having not a single cricketer in that meeting, to give his point of view. Strange enough, but true.

Obviously, this ruling would almost put an end to the migration of individuals from the rest of the country whom used to come Mumbai to become a taxi driver, especially from the states of UP and Bihar. This dirty politics just to garner votes of the Marathi people was earlier brought to light by the self proclaimed youth icon, and sole benefactor of the Marathi population, Raj Thackeray. The Congress-NCP, has done nothing, but just followed the steps of Raj, just in a non-violent way.

One will not be surprised, if in the near future, professionals from all around the country would also be stopped to work in private organisations in the city of dreams, Mumbai. However impossible that may sound, but this ideology of these shallow thinking political leaders could make that true as well. And why just private companies, students from the rest of the country and world shall be stopped to get admission into Mumbai University, and so on...

It is annoying to see that the same tactics which were earlier used by the Britishers to rule over India, Divide and Rule, is being used by our modern day political leaders to only garner votes, and to further divide the civil society of the already divided junta of our motherland.

Shiv Sena, recently made statement against Australian Cricketers, that they would not be allowed to play in India, since Australians were ill-treating Indians living down under. The irony is, the same party and their likes such as Raj Thackeray, would forget their preachings to the Australians when they beat and kill non-marathi Indians for living in Mumbai, and taking up jobs in Mumbai.

Sadly, the message from the leadership of the City Of Dreams is loud and clear,either be Marathi, otherwise Nau Dou Gyaara (9211) Hojaaao. (Be Marathi, or simply go away)

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Sidharth Mehta,

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags - Mumbai, Mumbai Taxi Permit, Mumbai Taxi Drivers Controversy, Marathi Manoos, CM Ashok Chavan, Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena, Moral Policing, Divide & Rule, Political Crap, Maharashtra Crisis, The Great Indian Nightmare, Incredible India, Incredible Maharashtra, Identity Crysys, Full Start., Sidharth Mehta

Overheard in Dubai - Oldest Animal on Earth

Another addition to my series "Overheard in Dubai" which consist of some funny instances which happen/I come across in this city .... Read on and enjoy...

A young boy asking his father...

Dad, do you know which is the oldest animal on this planet?

Father - Son, it should be some specie of Dinosaur ....

Son - Not at all... It is the Zebra.....

Father - Hmmm, Is it? Never came across that fact... Why do you say so?

Son - Well, because it is Black & White ......!!!!

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Like it? or not? Feel free to put across your comments below on the blog!

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags - Overheard in Dubai, Just Like That, Identity Crysys, Full Start., Sidharth Mehta

The Mockery of Indian Hockey

It is no less than a tragedy that the National Sport of India - Hockey is yet again in shambles, this time thanks to the governing body - Hockey India. After not been able to qualify for the Beijing Olympics 2008, no one thought of an even worse scenario for Indian Hockey. But, the last few days seriously was a mockery of the way hockey is governed in India.

Hockey India officials, were swift in blaming the players, that Money is more important for them than playing for the country. Not even once, did they realize that most of these players hail from very poor backgrounds, and really hockey is the only option they have for earning their own bread and for their families. The players have full rights to not play if they are not paid their dues. Someone somewhere has to take a stand, and the players chose the perfect time 6 weeks before the biggest tournament for Hockey, the World Cup. The governing body needs to realize that it is not cake walk, that you could just send any Tom, Dick and Harry to a world championship, just because your national team is not willing to play/practice. Worse enough for Hockey India, Tom Dick and Harry also refused to play, and instead gave support to the national players.

Surprising was, that the higher authorities sitting in the ministries and government were silent onlookers to the entire tamasha. I think someone needs to remind them, that we are talking of our national sport here, which is only spiraling downwards each passing day.

It is time that people start raising their eyebrows, otherwise we shall continue to have turmoils like this for not just Hockey, but many other sports only because of the way they are governed in our country.

Someone posted on twitter the day before - "If you want to help Indian Hockey, start watching it!". ...

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai , UAE

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Key Tags - Hockey India, Hockey India Crisis, Hockey World Cup 2010, Players Payment Hockey India, Indian Hockey Federation, Mockery of Hockey, The Great Indian Tamasha, The Great Indian Nightmare, Incredible India, Sidharth Mehta, Identity Crysys, Full Start.

Movie Review - 3 Idiots - Five Point Something

Movie Review - 3 idiots

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Genre: Comedy

Cast: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Omi Vaidya

Producer: Vidu Vinod Chopra

Rating - 5 point something....

When was the last time you died of laughing? and when was the last time you literally cried of laughing?

3 idiots does that to you.

Film-making is an art, and this film is surely one of the greatest art works to come out from Bollywood, and shall be crowned one of the best ever movies in a lifetime. The film is just not a laugh riot, but has it's parts of key learnings for the society, a stamp of the genius director - Rajkumar Hirani.

Aamir Khan surely has a magic wand, whichever project he takes, does record breaking business and usually leaves a big impact on the minds of the people. More than the film's own marketing, the word of mouth publicity of the film works wonders for his films.

The film is not just for the youth, but is equally for all parents and elders in our society, who throw their children in the race for coming first in their entire education life, and also expect them to win all the time. Never ever do they realize the pressure being put, which multiplies with each exam they give, and which eventually bursts in the form of suicides and deep depressions. I think, it is the most important social topic ever been taken and made a film on, as the consequences of this kind of pressure only brakes a human being.

Thankfully, the film has done full justice to the topic, in a very subtle manner, with great moments and laughs, which will stay in our minds and hearts for a very long time, and maybe also forever by actually transforming the way people think.

If we talk about performances, each and everyone has excelled in their respective roles. The casting is done to perfection.

You would actually believe that Aamir Khan is a 21 year old engineering student. He looks as fresh as he did in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. The 100% he gives to all his projects is evident by the amount of weight he has lost for this film after Ghajini. He totally looks his character, and plays it exceptionally well. 'Rancho' touches every heart.

Madhavan has never been so totally in sync with his character in any of his films. Even he looks fitter, and the wildlife photographer look of his in the film really suits him.

Sharman Joshi, by far is the most underrated actor in the Hindi film industry today. His comic timing is extra-ordinary, and transforms himself from a light mood to a very serious mood with great panache.. I would not be surprised to see him in serious roles as well in future. Surely, a big star in making, and one to watch out for.

Kareena, even though had not much to do in the film, but really looks good, and feels nice to see her do a role which is not about flaunting her size zero figure. Rather, she was told to gain some weight for this film, and it is evident as well.

Boman Irani, as Virus - the college dean, once again will get applauded for his fault free acting, and for bringing to life every individual's school/college principal.

Omi Vaidya as Chatur - the silencer is a great find for the film industry. A theatre artist in the US, hope he does a lot more films in India. Watch out for him in the speech he delivers.

In the end, would just like to say, All Is Well.

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P.S - As a reader and a great fan of Chetan Bhagat, he surely deserves to be given much more credit for this movie. 70% of the movie is based on the plot of the bestseller book 'Five Point Someone'. Rather, few scenes are exactly picked from the book. The characters are defined in the book just as they are shown in the film, only difference is the main character on which the book is based is not the main character in the film. Ryan from the book is Rancho (Aamir) in the film.. There are few changes done to the story, but you can't call it an original. The screenplay might be different and Abhijat Joshi should be given credit for that, but 70% of the story is surely adapted from Five Point Someone. The theme of the film is the same as the theme of the book.

A word for Aamir - You would add a lot more fans to your already huge fan base all over the world with this movie. Read the book, and then make statements, otherwise an equal number of your fans would be upset with you, including myself. Just giving some credit to an original writer even if just by words being spoken, would not make your or the film-makers stature go down. Hope this controversy ends soon.

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Sidharth Mehta,

Dubai, UAE

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Keywords - 3 idiots, Five Point Someone, Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Omi Vaidya, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Chetan Bhagat, Controversy, Rancho, Movie Review- 3 Idiots, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Sidharth Mehta, Identity Crysys, Sidharth Mehta's Blog, Full Start