Hacker Wanted

Wanted a smart hacker, skilful at banking transaction, allowance 2.5 million euros. Contact Pranab Mukherjee, the Finance Minister of India, North Block, New Delhi.

It is presumed that an amount of rupees 70 lakh crores or US $ 1400 billion of black money of India are stashed in Swiss banks. It’s a huge sum of money, and the matter was intently taken up by the main opposition party as their important election issue during the General Election in 2009. Looking at the current recession and job cuts, the governments of United States and Germany had raised the curtain to recover the illegal money flown into foreign banks.

After the election was over, the issue took a backbencher, and now it seems that there is no way we can get back our own money from the Swiss Bank. The amount of money stored in foreign banks by Indians is the largest amount by any country. Summarily, the amount is so large that even if it is distributed amongst the one billion populations, each person would receive an amount of Rs. 70,000 cash. If we presume that each family in India consists of only four members (which is not, it is much more), each family could make its own house for decent living from its share of Rs.2,80,000. This is really a matter of sheer joy, and must receive an accolade.

But nothing went on in the right direction, as is the case, due to unwillingness of our elected government because this money belongs to the most influential people of India. Recently, an informant has offered to sell the German government the data of 1,500 possible tax evaders with bank account in Switzerland. The informant is seeking 2.5 million euros for the detailed confidential data, which might rake in 100 million euros for German state coffers.

We therefore, earnestly request our Hon"ble FM to either contact the above informant for making a deal to procure a detailed report of people having unlawful transactions in Swiss Bank, or seek the services of a hacker, as per above advertisement, to get to the bottom of the case.

It will surely not be a bad deal for a whopping amount of 1400 billions of US dollars.

Hacker Wanted

Wanted a smart hacker, skilful at banking transaction, allowance 2.5 million euros. Contact Pranab Mukherjee, the Finance Minister of India, North Block, New Delhi.

It is presumed that an amount of rupees 70 lakh crores or US $ 1400 billion of black money of India are stashed in Swiss banks. It’s a huge sum of money, and the matter was intently taken up by the main opposition party as their important election issue during the General Election in 2009. Looking at the current recession and job cuts, the governments of United States and Germany had raised the curtain to recover the illegal money flown into foreign banks.

After the election was over, the issue took a backbencher, and now it seems that there is no way we can get back our own money from the Swiss Bank. The amount of money stored in foreign banks by Indians is the largest amount by any country. Summarily, the amount is so large that even if it is distributed amongst the one billion populations, each person would receive an amount of Rs. 70,000 cash. If we presume that each family in India consists of only four members (which is not, it is much more), each family could make its own house for decent living from its share of Rs.2,80,000. This is really a matter of sheer joy, and must receive an accolade.

But nothing went on in the right direction, as is the case, due to unwillingness of our elected government because this money belongs to the most influential people of India. Recently, an informant has offered to sell the German government the data of 1,500 possible tax evaders with bank account in Switzerland. The informant is seeking 2.5 million euros for the detailed confidential data, which might rake in 100 million euros for German state coffers.

We therefore, earnestly request our Hon"ble FM to either contact the above informant for making a deal to procure a detailed report of people having unlawful transactions in Swiss Bank, or seek the services of a hacker, as per above advertisement, to get to the bottom of the case.

It will surely not be a bad deal for a whopping amount of 1400 billions of US dollars.

Hitting Below The Belt

Perhaps this is the second time in history when Pakistan, a near rogue country has been hit below the belt by India. The hit has hurt them where they are feeble. The first time India gave them a brutal punch was in 1971 when India brought them down to knee and dismembered the East Pakistan from their map. The recognition for that deed is still remembered by the Indians with pride, and the credit owes to the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Though the pain to Pakistan was very severe and shameful, yet they did not take the lesson. Over the years they keep shaking the patience of the Indian people by provoking with terrorism in different parts of India, cross-border infiltration and slandering against us in international forums. India, by virtue of their tranquility and tolerance, kept their evil neighbour at bay.

Last week when the Indian Premier League (IPL), a monumental cricket forum, has called up their franchise clubs to restrain from inducting Pakistani players into their clubs, all hell broke lose in Pakistan. The perfect punch was hit at the right place, below the abdomen. The whole of Pakistan has cried together, as if all is lost. The Ministers, the Board officials, the former players and the present players in form of Pakistan have created hue and cry, blaming Indian Government and the IPL, as if India has usurped their wealth. It is the height of shamelessness.

Pakistani government and the Pakistani players-in-form had been dreaming of pocketing around hundred million US dollars by playing for the Indian clubs. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is bankrupt, and so is the Pakistani exchequer. So by snatching away their dreams when they felt they were the most sought after, the IPL has hit in the right place. The bad boys in Pakistan are fuming. This time the honour goes to Lalit Modi. The people of India will surely remember him for his deed, for he knows where to hit at the enemy

Crushing Defeat of the Left - What Went Wrong?

The waning of popularity of the Left Front during the recent concluded bypolls amongst the masses of West Bengal is truly a matter of national debate. Their electoral defeat during the last general election was somewhat taken by surprise, and many an experts had felt that it could be one of a kind and that they could bounce back in the future, knowing very well about their consistent and upswing performance since 1977. This, a sudden decimation of the Left Front in the electoral game would invariably provide our IIMs to research on the subject, what went wrong?

It is not always true that those parties who perform well in their previous government, win the next electoral battle. It is also not true that one who cultivates dreams for the future do win the election. No policy on reservation, minority appeasement, religious ferventness and not even the development of the nation can guarantee a sweep in poll battle. However, it is the strange electoral arithmetic which perhaps paves the way for victory years after years which the ruling Left Front had exploited exquisitely long before any other parties may even think in their distant dreams. There was no such issue of consequence during the past few months which may point out the reasons behind this vicissitude. Apart, the party has been enjoying the political powers, the money and muscle of its cadres as thoroughly as ever. Then what went wrong?

It seems that the responsibility of the debacle of the party in Bengal and Kerala during the consecutive elections lies solely with the Central Committee and the Politburo of CPI(M). Looking back, the party could not digest the mandate of the people after BJP had moved ahead in the general elections of 1996, 1998 and 1999. When the CPI(M) could not prevent BJP from entering the South Block, they came closer to their arch-rival the Congress and established an unlikely-minded parties before 2004 general election to unethically inhibiting NDA to continue. As expected, the Left did not join the UPA government, but supported it from outside. It played the role of both supporter and opposition of the government. The people of India could not follow the principles of the Left Parties. The Left did not allow the government to function properly and it also did not dislodge it, fearing BJP might come to power. Sooner the people of the country realized that the party was making mockery with the nation, and after few rounds of malicious travesty, the people had perhaps decided that they would vanquish them in the next opportune time. One can make fool of someone for sometime, but it cannot make fool of everyone everytime.

By 2011, we might see the rout of the Left Front from the map of Bengal and Kerala. He who digs the grave for others, falls into it himself.

To chain the Dragon, tighten the links effectively

Somehow the People's Republic of China looks down upon India, since its inception, and keeps frightening its neighbour quite often. Surprisingly, its relations with other smaller neighbours have not been acidic, except for Taiwan and South Korea. Though India is no match with China in terms of economic and military power, yet the dragon pushes out its hot smoke often from its red eyes and jowl. In the past, Pundit Nehru could not see through the inner minds of Mao Tse Dong and Chu en Lai, neither do any of our political leaders after him. Nehru was amazed to find Chinese soldiers invading the line of control in 1962, though he had given the red carpet welcome to the Chinese Premier only a couple of weeks earlier. Ever, the Chinese leaders have never shown any relaxation to India, which they extend to others, even if it seems immoral. On receiving a part of Kashmir as a souvenir from Pakistan, China never feels reprehensible. Rather, on a few occasions, it has shamelessly wanted to broker on Indo-Pak dialogue. During the Bangladesh war, China could not stick to the principle of supporting the cause in favour of the oppressed, and ironically, stood behind Pakistan. In recent years, China's nuclear policies towards North Korea and Pakistan and its support to the military junta of Myanmar have unearthed its obnoxious state of mind. During the last few weeks, China's daring approach towards India's border in the North East signifies its unholy demand, which needs to be ploughed sooner than later.

Of late, India's approach to the higher ups in the United States in reviewing sanctions, have cut the ice in favour of Myanmar, and India's Myanmar link has bolstered its strength around. The former foreign secretary of India, Shiv Shankar Menon had been a key player in bringing Myanmar close to the South Block and this incredible incident occurred when the generals were under the clutches of Beijing. This incident has invariably preached us that there are ways one can triumph out of the darkness, if intentions are clear.

Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Korea, Vietnam are all under the good books of China. It seems China wishes to surround us by making good relations with our neighbours. Sooner or later, when it feels like invading India, it would have friends in the region supporting them. But every government has its plus and minuses and they would falter at times. We need to grab the opportunities. Right now, we may also creep into those nations which are bordering China, enhance our relations and make them realize that we too can play the game. To force China to sit on the table and not behaving hegemonic, India must introduce their militarist relations with Taiwan and South Korea, give enough aid to Mongolia, Myanmar and Nepal, and share regular informations about its neighbour with Japan, Russia and Afghanistan. For that to happen, we may appoint a Task Force consisting of able former officers of the foreign and military services, answerable to the Cabinet frequently.

To chain the Dragon, we need to tighten the links effectively.

Relishing the Real Ongoing IPL Matches

These days the real IPL matches are in full swing. Do not miss them. These matches are so vibrant in nature, that you would surely forget any other premier matches played with such panache anywhere in the world. No, it's no joke and neither these are related to cricket whatsoever. This is the Indian Price League, played upon in all the turfs of India, organized by the business association of India and co-hosted by our "aam admi sarkar", the UPA government.

To enjoy these matches, one need not rush towards the stadium or settle oneself before the TV screen but needs to move around in the market every day. Here prices of the commodity are taking giant strides. The commodities that were looking so sleepy a few days back, shaking up suddenly, then drawing the attention of the buyers. Few do crash, but they too shake off to rise again. Honestly there is no respite for the consumer. They are like the spectators in the stadium. They can not do anything whether Sehwag pulls a long off six or ducks on the first ball. Let's be specific. Onion was Rs.12 a Kg last week. Suddenly, giving no one a chance, it jumped to Rs.30 in a retail store. Potatoes which were Rs.5 a Kg during last winter, it's now rolling between Rs. 25 to Rs.30 a Kg. But strangely, tomatoes took a backward leap to fall from Rs.30 to Rs.10 now within a fortnight. Who does not know about the bitterness of the present day sugar? Beware, the rice is rising. Almost all the prices of the spices have bloated enough to ridicule the common bloke. Name anything from sweets to flowers, clothings to medicines, fish or meat or eggs-everything seems to be in the spirit of high competition. This Indian Price League is one tournament, unlike any other, which is providing butterflies in the stomach along with hypertensions amongst the spectators 24x7. Enjoy the festivities.

Recalling one incident of 1953 from my grandmother when one paise fare of State Buses were increased in West Bengal. To protest the price rise, the people of the State had lit fifty buses and six trams in one day. Contrary to this, we do not see any murmur amongst the opposition parties when prices of every commodity are skyrocketing high. They are involved with more important subjects like terrorism, naxalism, statuism (Mayawati), beautification of Delhi and corruption in general. Let the prices take its course, people have so many other things to concentrate on. There are Commonwealth Games, Champions League, Border Conflicts, Big Boss Show and so many other things to worry about. This is the crust of Manmohaneconomics, where small things of life are insignificant. Think Big and Talk Big, there is no place for moaning, in this cruel world.

How to Contain the Dragon?

Not long ago when most of our fellow Indians were obsessed with the thought that India was at par with China. Even our military bosses kept the morale of our soldiers by pronouncing that they could give hard knocks to their big neighbour, if situation so arose. But of late, there is a paradigm shift in the perception. The Dragons are way ahead of us in almost every field, and so our experts feel a bit uncomfortable while exaggerating the might of the People's Republic of China. It is true that, even if not regularly, China does not miss a chance to exhibit its power to the world. Be it the Beijing Olympic's extravaganza or its military showcase during its 60^th year of commemoration.

During the past sixty years, it has been noticed that China's foreign policy seemed superior in nature in comparison to India. Though Nehru was considered as a great diplomat, who discovered the principle of Panchsheel and the slogan of Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai, yet we were thrashed hopelessly by the Chinese in the Sino-India War of 1962. What went wrong with our policy? If we go deeply into the labyrinth, we find Dalai Lama was one of the reasons behind the war. Today, his movement in and around India, is causing bitterness amongst the two giant neighbours. Are we facing another war, again due to the intricacies involving Dalai Lama? Even US President Barrack Obama passed up a meeting with the Tibetan leader in Washington this week to avoid any controversy in Beijing next month. Most nations today understand the might of China, and keep distance of from any controversy. Be it US, UK, or Russia. India too should learn from them.

As of today, India's relations to its neighbours cannot be termed as neighbour-like. Not only Pakistan, our relations are strained with China and Bangladesh. Our one time buddy Nepal has slipped away, and no one really knows as to when we would put the Himalayan Kingdom in the brackets of China and Bangladesh. We have practically no relation with Burma, once a good ally of India. The terrorism caused by LTTE and our policy have made Sri Lanka jittery towards us. Finally we are left with two tiny nations, Bhutan and Maldives, whom we may call with pride as our friends. Often we are accused of hegemony by our neighbours. Comparing to this, China may claim better relations with its neighbours. Except Taiwan, no one dares to look at China with hostility.

The time has come when we should interpret the lacunas of our foreign policies thoroughly. It seems the cream of our civil services, the IFS, are not good enough to handle the foreign relations involving neighbours. It's a highly paying job, but nothing substantial has been earned through them over the years. We need a thorough professional people at the helm who may assure us a decent relationship growing between us and our neighbours.

At present, we cannot dare take on China either militarily or economically. Both ways they are the superpower. We are left with only friendship and go along with them, to sustain in this new world order. Highly trained professionals who are blessed with extra intelligence, overly smart and outright raconteur are required, who by using their acumen, may subside our neighbours esp. the China. It is too late to over power them, but containing them to our terms, will not be a lesser work. It is for sure, that we may no longer trust our so called IFS officers to carry on with their routine file work and expect that the world is sleeping. Can we ignore what Kautilya said two thousand years ago," We can change our friends, but not the neighbours."