Let the Cauvery flow, quietly
13 April 2007, Friday


Karnataka did get a low share in comparison to Tamilnadu after the Cauvery water Tribunal apportioned water between the two states besides Kerala and Pondicherry. The need of the hour right now is to act with discretion.


POLITICIANS WRINGING their hands over the Cauvery Tribunal’s award and the impetuous reactions from various sections of the society in Karnataka have only left the state in the grip of a fear of riots.

The state cabinet decided to appeal against the award it considers unfair, in comparison to what Tamilnadu has been awarded. Kerala and Pondicherry, the other two states that are also downstream beneficiaries of the water from Cauvery may well follow suit.

What will anyone gain from all this posturing except to prolong the agony and stall the progress in finding ways is to optimize the use of this diminishing resource that nature alone can allocate, no matter what mortals decree or wish? The only way to disregard this tribunal is by damning for having done injustice to farmers of the Cauvery River basin.

The Tribunal apportioned 270 tmcft of Cauvery water to Karnataka, while Tamil Nadu got the lion’s share of 470 tmcft. Earlier the Karnataka Government had pressed for its original demand for 465 tmcft of water to meet its irrigation and drinking water needs.

Karnataka needs 408 tmcft for irrigating 2.7 million acres of land, and 46 tmcft for drinking water purposes. What was promised was not delivered. However, the final award has clearly stated that the proportion of water shared between the states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka should be the same, as in a normal year.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi, who welcomed the Tribunal’s award, has asked the Cauvery Management Board to seek clear guidelines on the award. It is a direct slap on the face of Karnataka by the Karunanidhi Government, which clearly wants to show that it means business. When Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was busy reshuffling his ministry, Karunanidhi was in the national capital, two days prior to the Cauvery verdict.

This is the time for Kumaraswamy to actually learn some real politics from Karunanidhi and maintain silence on this issue. What couldn’t be done for so long cannot be done now?

Attempting to undo what’s done, can only mean hurting the farmers for whom crocodile tears are no substitute to irrigate their field. People do accept the reality and get on with life, instead of destroying public property and wasting productive man-hours on futile ego trips of politics. Discretion is the better for this state and all the states as such.

Musharraf’s 4-point proposal: A durable solution?
11 April 2007, Wednesday

We have witnessed many ups and downs in the efforts of India and Pakistan to settle the issue of Kashmir. A new development in this direction comes from Gen. Musharraf in form of a four-point proposal, but this will only ruin the relations further.
THERE IS something quite revealing about General Musharraf’s four-point proposal for Kashmir. In his interview to a private news channel, General said if India is willing to remove its troops from the highly militarized Himalayan region, Pakistan will give up its claim for Kashmir.

But, this will only ruin and contaminate the relations between both the nations. By making such comments, General Musharraf is inviting trouble for Pakistan on the global arena. And, by relocating the troops from the Himalayan region to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh would offer more room for the Jehadis. It will provide them with easy access not only to Kashmir, but to other parts of India too. It will move the terror bracket close to the much-guarded political capital of India.

Musharraf’s new plan can be described as “unilateral concessions” to India by Pakistan. But, Kashmir has been a much-disputed issue between both the nations for 58 years, and now it is time to show flexibility over this vexed problem. Musharraf’s proposal can be discussed between the two neighbours only if they work together and fight divisive forces. Musharraf seems to be under tremendous pressure from the US, and by offering such peace-making concessions to India, he hopes to settle with a quick judgment on the Kashmir issue.

India and Pakistan have progressed in several areas of the composite dialogue, including the launch of a bus service between the divided parts of Kashmir, the Khokrapar-Munabao rail link, the reopening of consulates, easy visa process and confidence-building measures on nuclear issues. But, this has still not helped in resolving the Kashmir issue.

What could be a better solution? Is the Indian Prime Minister going to bat an eyelid on Musharraf’s proposal? Can’t say so.

The issue is complicated and it demands a strong peace dialogue between Foreign Ministries of both the countries. General’s proposal for Kashmir is just food for thought, and is only aimed at testing the public reaction. There is nothing concrete, new or substantial in his proposal. It is only to malign the Indian power.

Musharraf’s new proposal is only the repetition of the Katwari Plan that has been in the process of implementation for the last 10 years. The Katwari Plan only aims at “extricating” Kashmir Valley from India. Musharraf was sufficiently ambiguous in his proposal, and wants his domestic audience, especially the restive people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir to react. He wants to show the international community that he has kept his side of the bargain. However, there has to be a negotiation for settlement between both the nations, and the issue should be resolved in a sincere and purposeful manner. And, one can only hope that this time, both India and Pakistan will work together to find a solution.

Media in question?

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN EDUCATING THE UNEDUCATED?

Eunuch in a Delhi home - dancing on the tune of Tabla and Harmonium.

PHOTO BY: Anika Sharma

What role can Media play in educating the families of eunuchs, especially young eunuchs and also how can it educate the society about transgender, transsexuals, eunuchs, kothis and hijras? How many of us know who eunuchs are, and who hijras are?

How much space is given in the newspapers or on Television how many minutes/seconds are allotted to talk or discuss about such sensitive issues. The eunuchs are a part of society, and they too have a life…. then why are they considered different from the mainstream?

They are stereotyped by the society and are figures of rejection. Many of them have been the brunt of crude jokes. What is it that Media is doing in order to educate and inform the parents of such eunuchs? What is it that the Society is doing in accepting eunuchs and helping them in expressing their sexuality or sharing their sexual identity in the normal society?

Let's have a discussion and get this kickin' as future journalists. What are we going to do if someday we have to write on such sensitive issues? How are we going to deal with this section of society?

Anika Sharma

Check the link:

http://wearethebest.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/how-should-media-deal-with-eunuchs-hijras/