My Governance Wishlist..

Democracy is the worst form of governance but better than all other known to us- Winston Churchill

Some chaps dreading maths opt economics, supposedly art, and are soon baffled by the complexity of regression analysis into a regretful life. Intelligently I escaped that and choose electronics engineering to garner my regrets. But last night experience made me realize that its not an art-science conflict but rather lack of enthusiasm. I mean what sort of genius is a requisite to be an autorickshaw puller but if next to Adam Smith anyone else has understood the exploitative dynamics behind demand-supply driven free market economy then they are the one. More so on Bangalore streets at night. The mofo charged me 400 bucks for what in broad daylight was 25 Rs affair in an AC bus.

How I wish we had a socialist transportation system!!

All you IT guys don't be ridiculous in complaining your job futility, after all its really not that unproductive. As much globally recognized an asset social networking is, equally unpraised is the online payment stuff run by you fellas. Circa 2003, standing in a 50 odd headed queue to pay landline bill outside an office having shadowing provisions for only those triumphant 3 or 4 who had patiently survived the heat. Being a weekday most fellas were rural folks for whom landline still was a recent invention and so bills lesser than there cost of commutation. And there I was, with my dues being a substantial share for the entire days collection, at the far end. Forget I-pods even a Nokia 3330 was a luxury back then, so no music to appease my impatience.. and carrying umbrella was way too unmanly. I the bourgeois class of the queue representing real India thought of suggesting collection of fattest bills first. Just thought.

How I wish we had a capitalist payment-queue system!!

Back in school was an arrangement that when teachers left the class in the middle for short durations, citing rational urgency (which now I think were excuses to attend nature's call), monitors (M & F one sex each) were responsible to maintain silence. Any noisy soul was chalked on blackboard for the returning teacher to attend with vaccinations (that's what we termed for ears being manhandled). My co-monitor oblivious of power politics listed my friends name. The bro-code was swore and my manliness was put to question to save that fella. I under pressure illicitly added on redemption rolls 3 of her friends and signaled expected trade-offs. Innocently diligent that she was, so naturally failed to comprehend. We had an argument; she giving logics me replying with fervors.. the matter got loud and at the loudest moment the teacher re-entered.. In vicinity of the bigger crime names on board were ignored.. Brocode was lived upto but I ended up getting the vaccination. Who watches the watchman??

How I wish administration be single party dictatorship!!

Its a tragedy for nation's sports culture that media highlights only cricketing icons. I personally felt that during the cricket team selection for standard 6th, when for 12 vacancies there were 30+ applicants. Had meritocracy been a strict criteria it was hard to get a place as the 12th man of even a back up squad...but I had my connections. Each batsman was given 3 shots and fate sealed.. Last to be tried I had to score minimum 7 runs to quantitatively tie with three others for the single place left.. I managed 6 only..but as said I had my connections. Captain and vice captain, both my best friends, vigorously pitched to selectors the qualitative aspects of my defensive shots... A day Later I played 2nd down.

How I wish my love for democratic elections remains eternal!!

Democracy is the worst form of governance but better than all other known to us- Winston Churchill

Audacious hopes amid bleak time

Barrack Obama offered his worried countrymen a change from troubled times. He hoped audaciously to change the itinerary of things towards a prospective future, to recuperate the lost repute, to stabilize the ‘New world’. He allayed and overcame there colored apprehension with the heartening and inspiring phrase ‘YES WE CAN’. Americans demonstrated an awe-inspiring response and vindicated why they are titled the New World. This has been a great achievement for ‘US of A’ in general and Obama in particular. But with great victory comes great expectations. People have bestowed their faith in Obama’s words by empowering him. With great power comes great responsibility. Few of the daunting tasks beforehand are rescue world economy, tackle climate change and revive the United States. An elaborated view of these tasks could be as follows-

GUANTANAMO

The World will applaud if Mr. Obama keeps his promise of closing the Guantanamo detention camp but that will not fade away the Islamic extremist.

IRAQ

After training a decent Iraqi army, which has boosted the confidence of Iraq government, the assurance to withdraw combat forces seems attainable. But still Iraq is far from stability. Given the lack of space being provided to the pre-dominating Sunnis by present Shia dominated Iraqi government the possibility of a civil war can not be discarded.

IRAN

It will be easier said than done for next president to restrain Iran from developing nuke power, which in spite of all US coercion and economic sanctions is yet busy enriching its uranium store. Mr. Obama is willing to initiate talks with Iran. Given Iran’s interest in energy exports from Gulf nation, hostility with Taliban and security of Iran itself the chances of fruitful talks are fair enough. An Iran in peace with US implies abating of Iran’s nuclear pursuit and lessening its voice for dissolution of Israel and it might end it support for Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yet given Iran’s unsurpassed record US must be vigilant.

AFGHANISTAN

Winning the war in Afghan would prove even harder. Given discontent of Afghani people with its inefficient and corrupt government chances of restoring peace there looks dim. Mr. Obama may hope that US policy of counter insurgency which worked in Iraq may work in Afghanistan.

PAKISTAN

One of the most worrying fronts is Pakistan which is being used by afghan insurgents as a sanctuary. The US-Pak relations have gone scratchy under Musharaffs time and are further deteriorated under Asif Ali Zardari. Pak is at the verge of democratic collapse because of political crisis, an economic crisis, a jihadist insurgency, a coup prone army having links with Taliban. Only time will tell whether or not, Obama will take a tough stance against it as promised.

To be continued.......

Audacious hopes amid bleak time contd.

MIDDLE EAST

Engagement in Palestine-Israel which galvanizes the whole Muslim world can not be overlooked by the incumbent of oval office. Obama has supported the Jewish state and seeks it security sacrosanct. But at the same time he had shown more empathy for Palestine than former US presidents. Whether he can transform this support for Israel and empathy for Palestine into a peace initiative is another matter.

EUROPE

Shifting to Europe, to many in Europe Obama offers a chance to restore relationships with US. The Two Lakhs Germans who gathered at Berlin to welcome him vindicate this belief. Yet Europeans are tired of supporting US in Iraq and Afghanistan. They would like to preserve NATO but they are now more apprehensive of their own security with Russia invading Georgia.

RUSSIA

America can no longer overlook Russia’s grudging compliance. But with a nuke powered Russia controlling gas supplies of Europe and its arms sales to likes of Iran and Venezuela and its ability to veto any move of Security Council Russia has plenty of ways to cushion its troubles. It would be interesting to watch whether Mr. Obama stations a missile defense in Poland or not.

CHINA

Rise of developing nations in general and China in particular is going to be a matter of deep concern. Predictions are that china may overtake US in terms of economy and military supremacy. US had been using China’s saving to buy what China makes. Now they need a quick reversal of policy. Also it will be hard for US to persuade the developing nation for carbon control, given the fact that average American propels four times more pollutants than an average Chinese.

In the nineteenth century Britain ruled the globe. The two world wars led to a power transition and US emerged as the leading force of 20th century. Sometime in this century the balance of power will change again. Mr. Obama now has to prepare for the day when America will no longer be the superpower. To maintain the transition peacefully and still being able to propagate the ideals of liberal democracy and free market will be the mark of a truly great President.