Postcards from Canada

Live Free or Die?

So, in context with the recent serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad where scores of inncocent people got killed and many hundreds more who had a lucky escape in Surat, its time for some introspection. Is it just a dangerous time to live or the place we live is turning into a clone of Iraq. So what we have is as the following order:
1) Terrorists striking and killing innocent Indians AT WILL, at home and abroad (Indian embassy in Kabul).
2) This is leading to a belief that the Indian intelligence structure has collapsed or was never prepared to handle 21st century terrorism.
3) Complete military inaction by India against the terrorist outfits, most of them are now operating out of camps in Bangladesh as POK and Pakistan is under increased international scrutiny radar.
4) Government's main agenda is to press on with the civil nuclear deal, prioritizing it over serial blasts in major Indian cities which can cripple the economy already burdened with double digit inflation.
So,what next? Where are they gonna strike next? Who amongst us will survive? Is my family safe? The State of India is almost failing to provide the most basic & important aspect of an independent nation, safety of her citizen from external and internal threats. Do we really want ( read need) a corrupted parliamentary democracy which is failing to save our lives or we need something else in this hour of crisis.

Deal Gone Bad

Some excerpts from the Hyde Act and use your IQ to understand why the Nuke deal is against India's interest!Hyde Act clearly stipulates that this cooperation will come to an end if India detonates any nuclear explosive device. "Section 110 deems “any determination under section 105 and any waiver under section 104 of this Act (which enable this cooperation) ineffective if the President determines that India has detonated a nuclear explosive device after the date of the enactment of the Act.” Language could not be more explicit and direct. Some excerpts from the Indo-US agreement! Point 2.1 provides: “Each Party shall implement this agreement in accordance with its respective applicable treaties, national laws, regulations, and license requirements concerning the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.” And the Hyde Act is that precise US law which allows the United States to enter the agreement with India. An US law thereby becomes binding on India.

In order to thrust this agreement onto the Indian people, the Govt. is weaving the yarn of energy security through this agreement. They are propagating that to sustain the high ‘economic growth’ India needs to accelerate its power generation and that could be done only through nuclear power generation and that is not possible without this agreement. But the facts make it clear that it is just an excuse. India produces only 2.5% of its power needs producing only 3,300 MW though nuclear power generation. Even with the cooperation Agreement with US and all material and equipment supplies coming as envisaged, only 6-7% of the power needs (Approx. 10,000 MW) would be supplied through nuclear power generation. 93-94% of the power needs would continue to be satisfied through other methods of power generation. India has a vast potential for hydro-electric power generation which lies untapped, particularly small projects which can go a long way without causing adverse effects on the people. But small projects mean small money in which the Indian corporates and the Govt. is not interested.

More on IAEA Safeguards and the possible impact if the IAEA fails to implement the safeguards. Clause 10.4 of the Agreement provides: “If the IAEA decides that the application of the IAEA safeguards is no longer possible, the supplier and recipient should consult and agree on appropriate verification measures.” Hyde Act makes the matter even clearer. Section 107 (3) the Act direct the President to ensure “alternate safeguards that conform the IAEA standards and practices in the event the IAEA is unable to implement safeguards required by a U.S.-India agreement.” Is it not abundantly clear that both Agreement and Hyde Act envisage deploying American inspectors? Or, will the U.S. leave the task to Indian inspectors. Indian Govt. has knowingly signed it and then pretends that it is not there!

Wah Taj Boliye!

Finally, I saw it! I dont really care who built it, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful man made wonders of the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, Archeriostichaos presents you Taj Mahal.

The Non-Bong Connections

Its either something with me or the Bengalis are a bunch of recently turned reclusives ( which they are not). I mean, since 2001 I am have been living in Delhi NCR and the number of times I have actually stayed with fellow Bengalis is ridiculously out numbered by my time spent with Non-Bengali people. Below is the list of my room/flat mates along with their ethnicity.

Rajeev Kumar Singh - Bihari - 2 years
Nitin Raina - Kashmiri from Bihar - 1 year 6 months
Abhishek Banerjee - Bengali - 1 year
Sanjay Ghosh - Bengali - 1 year
Saumitra Swarnkar - Madhya Pradeshi - 10 months