Mumbaikars want CEO for governance

Mumbai is down, but not out. As the city recovers from its worst ever terror attack, Mumbaikars grapple to come to terms with what has struck them yet again. The nation along with the terror-struck city is looking for answers. The questions are, why did it happen again? Why Mumbai again? Will this vibrant city ever be safe again? And, who is responsible?
The people are angry and are concerned about the ever increasing insecurity. News papers are filled with the criticism of the government institutions who once again has failed to prevent terror strike on country's financial hub. Remember, Mumbai is not just the money making machine for the country. It is the 'city of dreams'.
Dhaval Dalal, a software engineer feels frustrating about the failure of the entire government machinery that once again missed to protect the city. He says, "Despite repeated assurances from the government of catching and bringing the culprits before the law the central and state governments have failed miserably." He feels like not using his voting right in the next general election. "People from government should come forward and take the responsibility for what has happened," he adds.
While victims are battling in the hospital, the heads from the state and central government have already started rolling. Home Minister Shivraj Patil was the first political casualty. Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil has resigned; Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh has offered to resign. But the moot point is resignation the solution? Is that the last thing that politicians can offer? Ranjit Yekale, Political Science Student says, "Resignation is not the solution, but need stricter laws and effective implementation of them. In order to have productive results and provide security and government agencies the effective tool to prevent attacks in advance." "It is time to change the leadership both at the centre and state level and remove Congress," adds Ranjit.
Sachin Pandey, lawyer, Mumbai High Court says, "we need a strong leadership vote for a right candidate who can serve your constituency with concrete results. And politicians who do not deliver should be brought before the court of law." In short people need a CEO who is accountable to his shareholders.
‘Enough is enough’ is the headline that on one of the news channels is carrying and in reality it depicts country’s anger. But fighting terror would require collective efforts. Do not get angry. Use it tactfully as it can deliver great results. Do not play blame game. And do not get carried away with the jugglery of emotional words that our political parties will start soon.

On a train to the terror-struck city

As the terror plot was unfolding at the Taj, Oberoi and Nariman House, I was on my way to Mumbai from Gujarat. I first heard about the 'hostage like' situation and indiscriminate firing on the streets of Mumbai at around 11.00 pm from my sister here in Andheri.

Few people in the compartment had information about the crisis situation, but did not revel as they were not sure. I confirmed the reports after talking to my colleague in Mumbai. People started judging the situation and some decided to discontinue their journey at Surat station. Many did not board the train.

There was an uneasy calm in the compartment. People had questions. Questions about the train reaching home safely, about the situation at Borivali and Dadar stations. I along with other passenger was searching the ticket checker to know whether the train would reach Mumbai or not? Tension rose further as one of the passengers came up with information saying that there is firing at Borivali station, suddenly there was silence.

After few minutes passengers again started discussing another failure of the government machinery to prevent terror attacks. Everyone was praying for the safety of their family members and that the terrorists are killed at the earliest. No passenger was heard blaming any particular community or religion. But felt the need for a stricter anti-terror law. Suddenly discussion turned to how the political drama and mud slinging by the political parties would make headlines once the operation is over.

Now it was 2.30 am and I was trying to sleep, but few passengers standing at the doors were still discussing Mumbai being attacked once again. Finally, I fell asleep and at 3.30 am woke up as Borivali was approaching. Many passengers got down at Borivali station instead of going to Dadar terminus and preferred to travel by rickshaw and local trains but continued with their discussion.

Read this article on DNA at: http://10.40.3.8/dnaepaper/epapermain.aspx?queryed=7&eddate=11%2f29%2f2008

With change come the challenges

America's unilateral approach in past 8 years has cost the world heavily. For better geopolitical environment Obama will have to listen to the international voices.

The CHANGE is here. And now the cleaning/tough job – interesting times for president-elect Barack Obama starts.

The historic victory marks the end of the Bush legacy/Republican era. But with this comes a bundle of challenges of unfinished business of the Bush administration. Change has been the motto of Obama campaign that raised millions of hopes across the United States but now has translated into global expectation.

Perhaps the opportunity to reintroduce the United States to the world is here. President George Bush after two full terms in the White House leaves a mountain of trouble for his Democrat successor. America's image has tainted. The worst ever financial crisis, unfinished wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, fragile Pakistan, nuclear programmes of North Korea and Iran and global warming awaits fresh approach.

There are huge expectations across the globe particularly in Asia. In Afghanistan the cost in blood and money is escalating. It demands a winning strategy. Obama wants American forces quickly out of Iraq and deploy them in Afghanistan to fight Al-Qaeda and Taliban. Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari has said that, "There won't be quick disengagement, here a great deal is at stake." If done, this could have a direct impact on Pakistan. The country is already in a critical condition and US surely do not want Pakistan to fail. Another major task is to revive latter's economy, which could be a potential hindrance in its efforts against terror.

On nuclear issue much depends on what Iran and North Korea does. Obama has not ruled out military option against Iran. Tehran's efforts to produce nuclear bomb could lead to Israel move its armed forces into the Mediterranean resulting into unilateral strike, jeopardising Obama's intention of engaging Iranian leadership in a dialogue. Managing US-China relation is the most challenging task. The six-party process on North remains a strategic front with China a key player.

Though America remains the predominant power, the relative influence has declined with the rising economies and military powers from Asia. The shifting financial base from the Atlantic to Pacific requires immediate attention. Asian economies produce 30% of the global export and two-way commerce with the US of more than $1 trillion. Asia is home to some of America's strong alliances like Japan and South Korea. The recent civil nuclear agreement with India is a keystone of improved Indo-US ties.George Bush and his policies stand rejected but his deeds are carried forward. This could shape Obama's presidency and next fours might be too less to rectify the wrongs of past eight years. The campaign slogan 'change we can believe in' generated hopes is now expectation, challenge and an opportunity. To deliver and meet expectations, Obama will have to listen to the international voices and work in tandem with the world and not unilaterally.

The Pakistan challenge

Pakistan may be the single most important challenge for the next White House administration. The challenges are multifarious. Pakistan is suffering from severe internal crisis including the deteriorating national security, resurgent Taliban and Al-Qaeda, plummeting economic graph and fragile democracy.With the 'Asia policy change' on the cards, next American president is sure to bring new approach in his administration's Pakistan policy. Pakistan, a front-line US ally in its war against terror, has been under tremendous pressure to root out Taliban and Al Qaeda militants responsible for rising violence in Afghanistan as well as in Pakistan. Also, the key to Afghanistan's security and the American interest across the border lies in tribal areas of NWFP and FATA. A scholarly report released last month emphasised that the US can not afford to see Pakistan fail, nor it can ignore the extremists operating in later's near lawless tribal areas. The country is at the centre of America's security concern and challenge. The American resolve to fight terror in the tribal land is evident from the increased attacks on the Pak-Afghan border. Thursday's missile strike underlines that resolve. But Pakistan has rejected the war against extremism. The Pakistani parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling an end to the military action and replace dialogue with it. The resolution backed by all parties said that the country is paying unacceptable price for fighting 'America's war'. There have been over a dozen attacks on the Pakistani soil since last month.Developments in past few weeks both on the security and economic front have push world's only nucleared armed islamic nation on the brink. The country is hit by the global economic slump and is cash strapped. The foreign exchange is dwindling and value of the rupee has fallen sharply. Key allies, America, China and Saudi Arabia all have rejected president Asif Zardari's demand for extra cash. The IMF is likely to agree to lend money but Pakistan will have to cut its defence spending by 30% over the next four years.Pakistan is at the crossroads. Any major terror attack or further economic vows would further push the fragile democracy against the wall. The country needs to take strong steps against the terror groups in order to get out of the current crisis. Senator barack Obama has made his intension clear about fighting America's war on terror inside Paksitan. While senator John McCain is not so vocal. However in any case, Pakistan would play a vital role in deciding American strategy in fighting terror in the region.Political developments in both the countries should provide a fresh opportunity to the respective heads of state and policy makers in fighting terror outfits and rescuing Pakistan's economy. However, Pakistan will have to exhibit strong commitment in uprooting Taliban and Al-Qaeda. And America, on the other hand will have to show restrain. It will have to halt its cross border attack and not jeopardise Pakistan's security and put Afghanistan at risk. A weak Pakistan would prove to be a disaster.

My view of post Pakistan election.

WITH MUSHARRAF REJECTED, BUSY TIMES AHEAD

Since independence Pakistan has never had smooth transformation of power. And this time it brought the judiciary on the streets and physically eliminated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. From nearly nine years of Army rule to democracy, Pakistan is going through one it's most crucial phase of political transformation.

With all the post election euphoria over, PPP and PML-N are discussing government formation, restoration of democracy and restoration of judiciary. It would be foolish of them to discuss Musharraf's impeachment. It is going to be very busy schedule ahead for these two parties but will be wasting their time and energy if not focused on important issues mentioned and impeachment instead. Impeachment might just prove to be a wrong move at this stage by the future government resulting into messing up of the opportunity so provided against President Pervez Musharraf, religious political allies and America's Pakistan policy.

Pakistan has one important battle of its own to fight i.e. the radical Taliban and Al- Qaeda operatives who have created safe sanctuaries on country's western front. With Musharraf shown the door questions have started rising over Pakistan's internal security and its engagement in the ongoing war on terror across the border frontiers in Afghanistan. This is because Pakistan in last one year has dangerously tilted towards radicalization and the new political arrangement in Islamabad rejecting Musharraf, America's most trusted ally in their war on terror has surprised Bush forcing his administration to think new policy for their efforts in Afghanistan.

Since 9/11 America has invested heavily in Pakistan and Musharraf with little returns. The later has already stepped down from the army, George Bush is ending his term next year and still Osama Bin Laden is out of reach. The current scenario seems to be neither favouring Musharraf nor America. Musharraf's defeat and Bush's last year in the office would no doubt make America take a last chance to hunt down Bin Laden. America's urgency is evident from Bush administration's praising of the vote and pledge to continue working with both Musharraf and any new government that emerges from ongoing negotiations between the two main opposition parties.

But still the Pakistani army holds the key to Pakistan's internal security and American efforts in Afghanistan and on the Pak-Afghan border frontiers. The army has ruled Pakistan for most of its independent years. Pakistan's future without any doubt depends upon harmonious relationship between the army and the future civil establishment. It would be difficult for the civilian government to undo so easily what Musharraf has done during his past nine years as army chief and then as president.

Pakistan is at a crucial juncture, having the task of fighting and containing the radical forces on one hand and its engagement in America's war on terror on the other. It would be quite difficult for America without Pakistan in the region but should allow Pakistan to concentrate on its journey towards civilian rule of law.