Indian dream meets 'curry bashing' in Australia
Parjanya Bhatt
The recent spat of bashing of Indian students in Australia has created a lot of hue and cry here in India and the action is being termed as racist. Concern over safety and security of Indian students continue as reports of 'fear and fury' keeps pouring in. It is an important social, educational and more importantly economic issue that no one is talking about.

The belief that Australia is an multicultural society has proved to be wrong. The clear disparity between white and non-whites in this country has come out in the open yet again. Australian, as is evident from its history and the recent violence against Indian students goes to prove that white men of Australia dislike the coloured races on their land. Despite tall claims of being multi-cultural and reputation for being safer the country has earned it self the title of a 'racist' country. The government there may have a broader outlook wanting to materialise the Indian dream of foreign education and foreign citizenship, but the common man still has antipathy towards the non-whites.

To be a white Australian is a qualification to not get attacked and secure good job. Purvi Gajjar, journalist and Dalit human rights activist from Gujarat and now permanent resident of Australia says, “Racist behaviour can not be seen out in the open, but is a thing to be experienced while on a train or at the work place or in the shopping mall.” “Australians are still under the impression that India is a third world country suffering from poverty, starvation, and superstition. The progress made by India in various fields is not known to them”, adds Purvi Gajjar. When she decided to have her first child to be born in India, she was asked by her Australian friends about India having proper medical facilities.

Australian people seem to have forgotten that once Australia was a country of offenders shipped out of Great Britain. Today it is a respected country in the world. One of the major factors behind this transformation was the revised immigration policy. Australia now has the largest immigrant population in the world. The unfortunate ‘curry bashing’ (attack on Indian students) that is going on Down Under reminds once again of the ‘convict stain’ of the 18th and 19th century when large number of criminals were transported to various penal colonies by the British government.

Anger and frustration is mounting among Indian students following a series of racial assaults in Australia. The attack against Indian students and their property have brought the issue of violent form of racism into the mainstream media news. Indian students are protesting on the Australian streets, Indian government has registered protest with its Australian counterpart.

Last year about 1,500 assaults and robberies were committed against people of Indian origin in the state of Victoria, up by nearly one third from the year before. But what has gained attention this time is the attacks against innocent students. Attacks against Indians are going on for while now, but most of them go unnoticed. “There is no improvement because this has been happening all the time," Sreenadh Brahmapuram, committee officer of the Australia-based United Indian Associations has told the TIME magazine. But one of the major reason for such attacks going unnoticed is fear of Indians of getting their names in the police record and losing points, which are more important for the attainment of permanent residency.

In the recent past Australia has become the hot spot for the Indians seeking to further their higher education. Political stability and high educational standards offered by Australia have made it something of a Mecca for students from the sub-continent. With the help from these factors Australia has done well to attract over 4,15,000 students from the Asian subcontinent of which over 90,000 are from India alone. More importantly, gaining permanent residency here is easier as compared to UK and the US.

An educational consultant based in Mumbai on a condition of anonymity says, “Indian students are attracted to Australia due to cheaper education in comparison to UK and the US, vibrant democracy and facility of easy access to permanent residency.” “But after the recent violent attacks inquiries from prospective students wanting to go to Australia has dropped drastically and at the same time more and more students now want to go to UK and the US”, adds the consultant. He warns against the foreign universities offering 'on the spot' admissions. He says, “about 90% of the students wanting to go to foreign countries become victim of such offers and there are such universities in Australia as well.” But the moot point is, then why Indian students go to such universities? The answer remains the same – low tuition fees and in particular the work permit and facility of permanent residency. Another important reason for students selecting Australia is their own below average educational credentials, which is no hindrance in giving them entry into Australia and the greed to earn in dollars.

Paresh Shah (name changed) a student from Queensland university says, “After these attacks my university has ensured 24 hour security on the campus, but such facility is not available with low grade universities. Most of the students coming to Australia are admitted to such low grade universities where security is just for the name sake.”

The statement of Baljinder Singh, a victim of the recent racial attack on Indian students in Australia suggesting students back home is quite justified when he says “My advice to every Indian student now, who wants to come to Australia, is please do not come and there is no life here.” But the situation is very precarious for students who have taken hefty loan amount by mortgaging their parents property or have gone on the basis of their parent's savings. Amit Menghani, President, Federation of Indian Students of Australia says, “some of the students are leaving their studies half way and are returning to India, some have already left, and people who went to India for couple of days are asked by their parents not to pursue their studies further in Australia.”

One of the important factor behind the unfortunate 'curry bashing' of the Indian students has an economic angle to it as well. Indian students are ever ready to work with less pay in order to make up for their tuition fees and enjoy staying in a decent localities might have invited wrath of the locals. The common Australian is thus losing his job as against the cheap Indian labour force, which has come up in the form of students studying there. The worst form of opposition against Indians have come from Australia's Lebanese community, who had settled in the country around 300 years ago and probably faced with the similar behaviour before entering into the mainstream. Amit menghani says, “The 100% attackers are not the Lebanese community.” Adding to this Purvi Gajjar says, “There are three different angles to the given situation – Australians versus Indians, Lebanese versus Indians and Australians versus Lebanese.” “We must read them together in order to get a bigger picture and attacks on Indians can not only be termed as racist. There is an element of racism in it but it is more of a violent act”, adds Purvi Gajjar.

But the violence has taken a bigger shape. Violence against Indian students is damaging the reputation of Australia's growing education industry. Education is a big business in Australia generating, $12.54 billion in 2008. Indian students represent about one fifth of the 4,15,000 foreigners studying in Australia, second only to China. And the number of Indian students has doubled in the past three years, with two-thirds studying at private colleges.

The relationship between Australia and India has been good except of course on the cricket field, and when the former refused to sell uranium to the later in the wake of the Indo-US Nuclear Pact. While the attacks are unlikely to damage diplomatic relations between the two, parents of Indian students may prevent their children from studying in Australia. Indians are known for exploring new countries for education and business. If stern action is not taken, Australian universities might lose Indian students. More importantly, news headlines painting Australia as a 'racist country' run the risk of questioning Australia's reputation for tolerance.

The state of Victoria, where most of the violent attacks took place is planning to enact a stricter statute to deal with the situation, but that would be time consuming. The government of India has clear responsibility to protect its citizens abroad. Diplomatic measures are fine, but for long term planning Indian government needs to work on two fronts. One, send a clear signal to the governments where Indians are the soft target of such racial abuse. And second, establish more world class educational institutions and create more jobs here in India.

Pakistan's mortal combat
Pakistan is fighting its battle for survival. If we go by the figures of Taliban militants killed (over 1,000) in the armed operation carried out by the army, Pakistan's civilian and defence establishment seem to be passing a tough message to the jihadi leadership. Pakistan is fighting back for real, sending troops to dislodge the jihadies who had spread out of the Swat valley.
Also, as Pakistan struggles to contain an ever growing Taliban and Al- Qaeda militancy, it has aroused concern that it is a failing or fracturing state. There is a real threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and integrity emanating from within. The current situation in Pakistan is dim and dismal.
The alarming advance of the Taliban forces close to the capital Islamabad and a declaration by Sufi Muhammad, the 78-year-old religious cleric that democracy was an 'infidel' concept came as a real wake up call for the Pakistani establishment. But remember the same establishment under Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Army chief General Pervez Ashfaq Kiyani was silent when the same Sufi Mohammad and his son in law Maulana Fazlullah with their Taiban men razed close to 200 girls schools, banned music, closed down barber shops, and delivered justice in Sharia courts through their version Koran in Swat.
The military operation in Swat 130 kilometers northwest of capital Islamabad is seen as a test of Pakistan government's commitment to confront a growing extremism in the country. A successful army operation would go a long way in proving Pakistan's commitment as a strong American ally in its war on terror. Also, Pakistan is running out of options and excuses for not taking action against extremist forces on its soil. Whether America gains something out of this operation or not, Pakistan has lot to lose. Specifically due to the likeliness of heavy collateral damage in terms of civilian deaths. This could turn public opinion against the army and the government. May be Pakistan army can learn something from the humanitarian approach adopted my the Indian army in kashmir about winning hearts and minds of people of the warn torn area.
A successful armed operation against Taliban would help Pakistan regain control of Swat, but a bigger challenge begins from there of establishing civilian rule, bring back social life to normalcy, and more importantly to keep Taliban under check and restrict its movement in the northwest of the country on Pak-Afghan border. This would require Pakistan to have strong and perpetual presence of its armed forces in the vally. Not only this, the government will have to employ a hugh 'civilian army' to deal with the mass exodus of civilians in the valley. One mistake and Taliban would be tempted to get back at government and gain ground in the area. Restricting their movement on Pak-Afghan border region would help in suffocating the Taliban forces and hunt them down.
Pakistan's heavy-handed armed operation in the northwest risks further distabilisation of the country. The military campaign against Taliban in response to growing militant threat has led hundreds and thousands civilians to flee their homes in Swat, Buner, and Lower Dir districts of the North West Frontier Province. According to estimates about one million people have already fled the valley. Media reports suggest that among the charities that have set up relief camps is Jamat-ud-Dawa whose named appeared after Mumbai terror attacks last November. It is certainly Pakistan's worst internal displacement crisis since partition. International humanitarian community in calling this mass exodus from the valley the largest migration of civilians in the region since 1947. It is difficult to conceptualise the sheer scale of the refugee and internally displaced population (IDP) burden that Pakistan has borne. This displaced populations themselves can be a source of tension and unrest for the establishment. Taliban who is on the run could turn its gun this displaced population.
At the same time the humanitarian crisis could well generate public opinion against the government and create sympathy and political opportunity for militants. For example, after 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, militant groups launched humanitarian operation to provide aid in the areas where government could not reach and that helped create positive opinion for the extremist forces. Similar circumstance in Swat helped Taliban gain ground and establish parallel judicial system with the help of Sharia and deliver justice by flogging. The fact is that Pakistan would never have got to this position had it provided stable government and economy, and not shuffled between military coups and democracy.

Safety of nuclear arsenal:
Major concern for the international community is the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Members of the American Congress have been told that Pakistan is rapidly adding to its nuclear arsenal even while racked by insurgency, raising questions about whether billions of dollars in proposed military aid by the White House might be diverted to Pakistan’s nuclear program. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a classified briefing to the US Congress has confirmed the assessment of the expanded arsenal, the New York Times has reported.
Pakistan’s drive to spend heavily on new nuclear arms is a source of growing concern, because the country is producing more nuclear material at a time when Washington is increasingly focused on trying to assure the security of an arsenal of 80 to 100 weapons so that they do not fall into the hands of Islamic insurgents. Remember Pakistan has more terror groups operating on its soil than anywhere else on the earth. As this article is being written satellite images are being released in Washington showing two nuclear sites in order to bolster Pakistan's nuclear programme. The satellite pictures follow confirmation from Admiral Mike Mullen. Given turmoil in Pakistan with the army waging war against Taliban militants in the northwest, security of its nuclear assets remain in question.
America continues to pour money into Pakistan in order to ensure safety and security of its nuclear technology and not to put its own interest in Afghanistan in jeopardy. In a way American monetary aid is proving to be ransom money, which the former is paying willingly or unwillingly. In fact, Pakistan is being pampered with no assurance in return that such money will deliver any positive results. In order to succeed in its AfPak policy, America will have to pursue Pakistan to take stern military action against militant outfits on the Pak-Afghan border frontier as its 5,50,000 strong army is capable enough to crush domestic terror on its own.
Current security and economic situation poses mortal threat to Pakistan. It will have to do away with its obsession India centric policies and give priority to rule of law, economy, and internal security.
First, establishment of independent judiciary. It is one critical step. But it would go a long way in regaining and restoring confidence of people of Pakistan in its civil set up and deny welcome of Swat like Sharia courts in other parts of the country.
Second, the Swat offensive has worried investors in Pakistan. Net foreign investment in Pakistan fell 42.7 per cent to $2.21 billion in the first 10 months of the 2008/09 fiscal year compared with $3.86 billion in the same period last year. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 19th May unveiled $110 million in emergency aid to show US support for the Pakistani people. But the amount should be used for the said purpose and not directed to country's military objectives and purchasing of arms.
And finally, as Pakistan's major security threat comes from within it threatens very survival of the Pakistani state. To deal with the security crisis, Pakistani armed forces will have to acquire multi-role capability to fight guerilla war with Taliban and Al-Qaeda in the mountainous region on Pak-Afghan border. And not remain static on border with India.
Considering the present situation in Pakistan without losing the context of its history since 1947, the prime necessity for it is to shed away its approach, which is always governed by three factors: role of religion, India centric policies, and democratic set up of government. This is a hard dose for Pakistan to digest. More importantly it is civil society that has to erode and then eliminate the ideological threat that has been allowed to grow.

Pakistan is sinking
Pakistan is tearing apart politically and socially. And the jihadi element from within is threatening to push Pakistan out of the comity of civilised nations. First the Talibanisation of Swat then the ban on Nawaz brothers from contesting election and now the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. All these are enough to prove Pakistan's sharp slide towards radicalisation.

Taliban has succeeded in imposing its agenda of fanaticism through the barrel of gun in Swat. And the audacity of the Lahore attack indicates the spread of this brut force close to the capital city of Islamabad, which is just 120km away. Deal or no deal, ceasefire or no ceasefire the situation remains dangerous with further deterioration. Thanks to the deal entered into with Taliban in Swat.

The Lahore attack has further increased the vulnerability of the civilian government. It has reinforced the assessment that Pakistan is falling prey to its own terror infrastructure. Now, Pakistan finds it self stuck between rising militant Islam and political instability. The government and the army face the test of proving to the world that Pakistan stands against extremist forces. Pakistan's army and civilian government have shown their inefficiency by surrendering to Taliban in Swat.

Appeasing extremism could set a precedent for Taliban and pave the way for many more beheadings, hangings, and implement extremist version of Sharia in other parts of the country. This could well start disintegration process for Pakistan.

The present government is suffering from inherent weakness of the state. Both political and military. The last thing the Pakistani society would want is political chaos. Discontent between president Asif Ali Zardari and PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, and civil government and army would work only to accelerate Pakistan's fall helping Taliban gain ground. Time has come for Pakistan to decide whether to fight extremism or to milk the US in the name of fighting Taliban and al- Qaeda forces.

Ties worsen, tempers flare

BOTCHED TRANSITION: Pakistan continues to remain at the centre of international terrorism
and security issues. The fragile civilian government has inherited the Musharraf legacy of a
powerful ISI and the army, ever growing mullah-ISI nexus, and a weak economy with dwindling
foreign exchange reserves

BALM OF DEMOCRACY: After the assassination of former PM Benazir Bhutto in 2007, Pakistan took a swift slide towards chaos and was on the brink of collapse. But the resignation of president Musharraf, reinstatement of the judiciary, and fresh elections, provided the much needed oxygen for the hitherto suffocating Pakistan

THREAT WITHIN AND OUTSIDE: Pakistan, with its history of week governments, multiple coups, and militancy, has always been a red spot on the international community’s foreign policy radar. First with the Afghan mujahideens against Soviets and now against them with the
Americans, along with home grown terrorists, Pakistan holds a strategic importance. Its own
creation of the ‘terror monster’ has now come to haunt Pakistan, both internally and externally

INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE: The US wants Pakistan to deliver on its promise to act against
terrorists along the Pak-Afghan border, and after the Mumbai terror attack, to also curb militants within its soil. Obama has talked about fighting the war on terror inside Pakistan, which could further roil the security scenario in the region.

Click here to view the above article appeared in the DNA Newspaper.

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.