The Year 2000 August 2 - The bill to create a separate state of Jharkhand to be carved out of Bihar was passed in Lok Sabha by voice with two key allies of ruling NDA strongly opposing the measure and the opposition Rashtriya Janta Dal and the CPI - M demanding it to be referred to a parliamentary committee. The long cherished demand of people of the region was fulfilled, the celebration is on through out the Jharkhand region.
August 11 - Parliament today approved the formation of Jharkhand when the Rajya Sabha passed by voice - vote the Bihar reorganisation bill 2000 to carve out the new state out of Bihar's northern region.
August - 25 - President Mr. K.R. Narayanan approved the Bihar reorganisation bill 2000.
October - 12 - The center has issued the gazette notification starting November 15 to be the appointed date for the formation of new Jharkhand Government.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Jharkhand : A Profile
State Overview
The 28th state of the Indian Union was brought into existence by the Bihar reorganization Act on November 15, 2000 - the birth anniversary of the legendary Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Its area is 2.43% of the country and population is 2.62% of country. The state is very rich in natural resources like forest, animals (domestic),
and minerals etc. Total tribal population is 60.90 lacs. 111 blocks out of total 211 blocks are in the 5 th schedule of Indian constitution.
Population:
38.1 % of the population belongs to SC and ST. Total population of the Schedule caste is 3189320 (11.8%) and Schedule Tribe population is 26.3%.
Overall sex ratio is 941.Urban sex ratio is 870 and rural is 962.
Population density in the state is 338 persons / square kilometres
Overall Literacy rate is 53.6.
Male literacy rate is 67.3 % whereas female literacy rate is 38.9 %.
There is gender gap in literacy is 28.4%.
Infrastructure:
Road density (per 1000 kms) in the state is less then national average of 16.12 kms. 8184 villages have linked through roads 3935 (approximately 13 %) villages are linked through fair weather roads.
Total power generation capacity is 1390 megawatt. Per capita power consumption in the state and per capita generation are approx half of the national average. Only 15. 5 % villages are electrified so far.
Total investment in small-scale units (SSI) is 441.43 Cr. SSI are providing employment to 2003344 persons. There is investment of 11578.62 cr. in medium & large-scale industrial unite which is providing 73845 persons.
Natural resource:
State has 29.61% area under forest. Out of which 4387.2 sq kms is reserved, 19184.78sq kms protected and 33.49 unclassified.
State contributes to substantially in the mineral production of the country. The coal production is 32.09%, Iron ore 31.84%,Copper ore 25.94%, Pyrite 90.98%, Graphite 57.47 and kainite 8.33%.
Jharkhand at a Glance
Number of districts - 22
Number of divisions - 4
Number of Sub-divisions - 33
Number of community development Blocks - 211
Number of town - 152
Number of Revenue villages - 32,651
Villages as per census - Area (Sq. Kms) - 79,714
% of urban population - 22%
Population - Total - 2, 69,09,428
Population – Male - 1, 38,61,277
Population – Female - 1, 30,48,151
Decadal population growth rate (1991-01) - 23.2%
Population density - 338
Sex ratio - 941
Literacy rate -54.1%
The 28th state of the Indian Union was brought into existence by the Bihar reorganization Act on November 15, 2000 - the birth anniversary of the legendary Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Its area is 2.43% of the country and population is 2.62% of country. The state is very rich in natural resources like forest, animals (domestic),
and minerals etc. Total tribal population is 60.90 lacs. 111 blocks out of total 211 blocks are in the 5 th schedule of Indian constitution.
Population:
38.1 % of the population belongs to SC and ST. Total population of the Schedule caste is 3189320 (11.8%) and Schedule Tribe population is 26.3%.
Overall sex ratio is 941.Urban sex ratio is 870 and rural is 962.
Population density in the state is 338 persons / square kilometres
Overall Literacy rate is 53.6.
Male literacy rate is 67.3 % whereas female literacy rate is 38.9 %.
There is gender gap in literacy is 28.4%.
Infrastructure:
Road density (per 1000 kms) in the state is less then national average of 16.12 kms. 8184 villages have linked through roads 3935 (approximately 13 %) villages are linked through fair weather roads.
Total power generation capacity is 1390 megawatt. Per capita power consumption in the state and per capita generation are approx half of the national average. Only 15. 5 % villages are electrified so far.
Total investment in small-scale units (SSI) is 441.43 Cr. SSI are providing employment to 2003344 persons. There is investment of 11578.62 cr. in medium & large-scale industrial unite which is providing 73845 persons.
Natural resource:
State has 29.61% area under forest. Out of which 4387.2 sq kms is reserved, 19184.78sq kms protected and 33.49 unclassified.
State contributes to substantially in the mineral production of the country. The coal production is 32.09%, Iron ore 31.84%,Copper ore 25.94%, Pyrite 90.98%, Graphite 57.47 and kainite 8.33%.
Jharkhand at a Glance
Number of districts - 22
Number of divisions - 4
Number of Sub-divisions - 33
Number of community development Blocks - 211
Number of town - 152
Number of Revenue villages - 32,651
Villages as per census - Area (Sq. Kms) - 79,714
% of urban population - 22%
Population - Total - 2, 69,09,428
Population – Male - 1, 38,61,277
Population – Female - 1, 30,48,151
Decadal population growth rate (1991-01) - 23.2%
Population density - 338
Sex ratio - 941
Literacy rate -54.1%
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Freedom Fighters Of Jharkhand
TILKA MANJHI:
Tilka Manjhi was born in a Santhal family in 1750.He was perhaps the first leader who tried to rally the Santhals behind him and organize an upsurge against the British. He began to organize the people at Bancharijor near Bhagalpur against the taxation and local administration of the British. Cleveland arranged a major military campaign against him but he could not succed.Tilka killed Cleveland on 13th January 1784 and in retaliation the British government launched an offensive campaign against him. He carried on guerilla warfare but was soon caught and executed by the British.Tilka emerged as the first capable tribal leader who fought against the British rule.
BUDDHU BHAGAT:
Buddhu Bhagat was born in Silagai village of Chanho Block on 17th Feb 1792.He belonged to the Oraon tribe. The villagers believed that Buddhu had divine qualities and he was capable of ousting the British. He carried on guerilla warfare against the British with the aid of his followers. He was killed on 14th Feb. 1832 along with hundreds of his followers.
GANGA NARAIN SINGH:
He was the first tribal leader who exploited the frustration and anger of the Bhumij tribes against the British. Ganga Narain Singh belonged to the Zamindar family of Barabhum. He and his followers gave a strong resistance to the British rule in Midnapore and adjoining areas. He was killed on 7th Feb 1833 .
SIDDHU AND KANHU:
Siddhu and Kanhu were great warriors of Santhal Pargana. They carried forward the tribal struggle against the British. They were four brothers-Siddhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairon. The four brother waged struggle against the British oppression, exploitation, corruption and ignorance. The santhals were affected from the introduction of permanent settlement in their areas. Both the brothers adopted peaceful and constitutional means before commencing the revolt. The revolt started on the 7th July 1855 and it spread from Bhagnadih to Pyalpur, Maheshpur, Madhupur and Khudipur. On 10th July 1855, Siddhu and Kanhu defeated a British contingent of forces, which was sent to crush their revolt. Later Chand and Bhairon died fighting with the British. Siddhu and Kanhu are arrested due to treachery of their supporters. On 26th July 1856, the British government executed them.
THAKUR VISHWANATH SAHDEO:
Thakur Vishwanath Sahdeo was born at Satranji on 12th August 1817.In 1840, his father died and he took over the Jagirdari of Barkagargh. In 1855, he revolted against the British rule and declared himself independent. The Doranda contingent of forces of the Ramgarh battalion was asked to take retaliatory action against Thakur Sahdeo but the latter defeated the British forces. The freedom movements of 1857 become very aggressive in Chotanagpur. Meanwhile Thakur Sahdeo allied with Ganpat Rai who was the former Diwan of Chotanagpur and continues the struggle. At last the British government applied the Policy of “Divide and Rule” and succeeded in winning over many supporters of Thakur Sahdeo.He was caught on 30th March 1858 due to some of his treacherous friends. He was hanged on the gate of Zila School ,Ranchi.
SHEIKH BHIKHARI:
He became the Diwan of Tikait Umraon Singh who was the ruler of Khatana. The freedom movement of Chotanagpur broke out on 31st July 1857 in Chutupalu hills, which formed a part of the Zamindari of Tikait Umraon Singh. The sepoy mutiny of Ramgarh was led by Madho Singh and Nadir Ali Khan.Tikait Umraon and Sheikh Bhikhari supported them. Sheikh Bhikhari got in touch with some of the Santhal rebels in Hazaribagh and motivatred them to fight against the British. Sheikh Bhikhari was captured on 6th Jan 1858 and later hanged on 8th Jan 1858.
NILAMBER-PITAMBER BROTHERS:
Nilamber and Pitamber were freedom fighter of Palamu. Both prepared a strong organization of the Bhogtas and the Kharwars.They secured the support of the Jagirdar of Chero. Col. Dolton succeeded in arresting them and they were hanged.
JATRA BHAGAT:
Jatra Bhagat, of Gumla, brought agrarian issues to the fore and launched a no rent campaign. He was arrested in 1916.
BIRSA MUNDA:
Birsa Munda was born on 15th Nov 1875 in Ulihatu Village of Arki Block under Khunti Subdivision. During his stay at Chaibasa from 1886 to 1890, he studied at a Christian school for three years. He claimed to be “the father of the Earth” (Dharti Aba) and a messenger of God. Later Birsha claimed himself to be god and declared that God had threatened with death all those who did not believe him. His followers started looking upon him as the “Incarnation of God”. He also laid down a strict code of conduct prohibiting theft, lying, begging and murder. The people regarded him as their “Sing Bonga” or Sun God, the good sprit that watches over them. He was looked upon as incarnation of “Khasra Kora” who had destroyed the Ashurs.The followers under Birsa’s umbrella decided that in order to establish the Munda Raj under Birsa, they should drive out or slay all the foreigners. They also resolved that no rent was paid and all land was to be held rent-free. Birsa was arrested in Chalkhed.he faced trial in Khunti court but was convicted to two years rigorous imprisonment. Later Birsa was released from jail on 30th Nov 1897. The movement entered into next phase in Oct-Nov 1899.He now advocated violent and turbulent method to achieve the ouster of the British. A large majority of Christan Mundas joined the movement. The growing incidents of arson and violence alarmed the British. They started preparations to retaliate and arrest him. At last Birsa was arrested on 3rd Feb 1900. Later he died of cholera in the prison of Ranchi.
Tilka Manjhi was born in a Santhal family in 1750.He was perhaps the first leader who tried to rally the Santhals behind him and organize an upsurge against the British. He began to organize the people at Bancharijor near Bhagalpur against the taxation and local administration of the British. Cleveland arranged a major military campaign against him but he could not succed.Tilka killed Cleveland on 13th January 1784 and in retaliation the British government launched an offensive campaign against him. He carried on guerilla warfare but was soon caught and executed by the British.Tilka emerged as the first capable tribal leader who fought against the British rule.
BUDDHU BHAGAT:
Buddhu Bhagat was born in Silagai village of Chanho Block on 17th Feb 1792.He belonged to the Oraon tribe. The villagers believed that Buddhu had divine qualities and he was capable of ousting the British. He carried on guerilla warfare against the British with the aid of his followers. He was killed on 14th Feb. 1832 along with hundreds of his followers.
GANGA NARAIN SINGH:
He was the first tribal leader who exploited the frustration and anger of the Bhumij tribes against the British. Ganga Narain Singh belonged to the Zamindar family of Barabhum. He and his followers gave a strong resistance to the British rule in Midnapore and adjoining areas. He was killed on 7th Feb 1833 .
SIDDHU AND KANHU:
Siddhu and Kanhu were great warriors of Santhal Pargana. They carried forward the tribal struggle against the British. They were four brothers-Siddhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairon. The four brother waged struggle against the British oppression, exploitation, corruption and ignorance. The santhals were affected from the introduction of permanent settlement in their areas. Both the brothers adopted peaceful and constitutional means before commencing the revolt. The revolt started on the 7th July 1855 and it spread from Bhagnadih to Pyalpur, Maheshpur, Madhupur and Khudipur. On 10th July 1855, Siddhu and Kanhu defeated a British contingent of forces, which was sent to crush their revolt. Later Chand and Bhairon died fighting with the British. Siddhu and Kanhu are arrested due to treachery of their supporters. On 26th July 1856, the British government executed them.
THAKUR VISHWANATH SAHDEO:
Thakur Vishwanath Sahdeo was born at Satranji on 12th August 1817.In 1840, his father died and he took over the Jagirdari of Barkagargh. In 1855, he revolted against the British rule and declared himself independent. The Doranda contingent of forces of the Ramgarh battalion was asked to take retaliatory action against Thakur Sahdeo but the latter defeated the British forces. The freedom movements of 1857 become very aggressive in Chotanagpur. Meanwhile Thakur Sahdeo allied with Ganpat Rai who was the former Diwan of Chotanagpur and continues the struggle. At last the British government applied the Policy of “Divide and Rule” and succeeded in winning over many supporters of Thakur Sahdeo.He was caught on 30th March 1858 due to some of his treacherous friends. He was hanged on the gate of Zila School ,Ranchi.
SHEIKH BHIKHARI:
He became the Diwan of Tikait Umraon Singh who was the ruler of Khatana. The freedom movement of Chotanagpur broke out on 31st July 1857 in Chutupalu hills, which formed a part of the Zamindari of Tikait Umraon Singh. The sepoy mutiny of Ramgarh was led by Madho Singh and Nadir Ali Khan.Tikait Umraon and Sheikh Bhikhari supported them. Sheikh Bhikhari got in touch with some of the Santhal rebels in Hazaribagh and motivatred them to fight against the British. Sheikh Bhikhari was captured on 6th Jan 1858 and later hanged on 8th Jan 1858.
NILAMBER-PITAMBER BROTHERS:
Nilamber and Pitamber were freedom fighter of Palamu. Both prepared a strong organization of the Bhogtas and the Kharwars.They secured the support of the Jagirdar of Chero. Col. Dolton succeeded in arresting them and they were hanged.
JATRA BHAGAT:
Jatra Bhagat, of Gumla, brought agrarian issues to the fore and launched a no rent campaign. He was arrested in 1916.
BIRSA MUNDA:
Birsa Munda was born on 15th Nov 1875 in Ulihatu Village of Arki Block under Khunti Subdivision. During his stay at Chaibasa from 1886 to 1890, he studied at a Christian school for three years. He claimed to be “the father of the Earth” (Dharti Aba) and a messenger of God. Later Birsha claimed himself to be god and declared that God had threatened with death all those who did not believe him. His followers started looking upon him as the “Incarnation of God”. He also laid down a strict code of conduct prohibiting theft, lying, begging and murder. The people regarded him as their “Sing Bonga” or Sun God, the good sprit that watches over them. He was looked upon as incarnation of “Khasra Kora” who had destroyed the Ashurs.The followers under Birsa’s umbrella decided that in order to establish the Munda Raj under Birsa, they should drive out or slay all the foreigners. They also resolved that no rent was paid and all land was to be held rent-free. Birsa was arrested in Chalkhed.he faced trial in Khunti court but was convicted to two years rigorous imprisonment. Later Birsa was released from jail on 30th Nov 1897. The movement entered into next phase in Oct-Nov 1899.He now advocated violent and turbulent method to achieve the ouster of the British. A large majority of Christan Mundas joined the movement. The growing incidents of arson and violence alarmed the British. They started preparations to retaliate and arrest him. At last Birsa was arrested on 3rd Feb 1900. Later he died of cholera in the prison of Ranchi.
Monday, February 26, 2007
e-Choupal
‘e-Choupal’ has unshackles the potential of Indian farmer who has been trapped in a vicious cycle of low risk taking ability > low investment > low productivity > weak market orientation > low value addition > low margin > low risk taking ability. This made him and Indian agribusiness sector globally uncompetitive, despite rich & abundant natural resources.
Such a market-led business model can enhance the competitiveness of Indian agriculture and trigger a virtuous cycle of higher productivity, higher incomes, and enlarged capacity for farmer risk management, larger investments and higher quality and productivity.
e-Choupal’ makes use of the physical transmission capabilities of current intermediaries – aggregation, logistics, counter-party risk and bridge financing –while disintermediating them from the chain of information flow and market signals.
With a judicious blend of click & mortar capabilities, village internet kiosks managed by farmers – called sanchalaks – themselves, enable the agricultural community access ready information in their local language on the weather & market prices, disseminate knowledge on scientific farm practices & risk management, facilitate the sale of farm inputs (now with embedded knowledge) and purchase farm produce from the farmers’ doorsteps (decision making is now information-based).
Real-time information and customized knowledge provided by ‘e-Choupal’ enhance the ability of farmers to take decisions and align their farm output with market demand and secure quality & productivity. The aggregation of the demand for farm inputs from individual farmers gives them access to high quality inputs from established and reputed manufacturers at fair prices. As a direct marketing channel, virtually linked to the ‘mandi’ system for price discovery, ‘e-Choupal’ eliminates wasteful intermediation and multiple handling. Thereby it significantly reduces transaction costs.
Launched in June 2000, 'e-Choupal', has already become the largest initiative among all Internet-based interventions in rural India.'e-Choupal' services today reach out to more than 3.5 million farmers growing a range of crops - soyabean, coffee, wheat, rice, pulses, shrimp - in over 38,000 villages through nearly 6500 kiosks across nine states (Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Kerela
This enthusiastic response from farmers has encouraged ITC to plan for the extension of the ‘e-Choupal’ initiative to altogether 15 states across India over the next few years. On the anvil are plans to channelise other services related to micro-credit, health and education through the same 'e-Choupal' infrastructure
ITC's e-Choupal has won numerous awards:
The Stockholm Challenge 2006. This award is for using information technology for the economic development of rural communities.
Innovation for India Award 2006 for ITC e-Choupal in the Social Innovations category for business organizations. The first of its kind in India, based on parameters of number of lives impacted, degree of impact on organization and environment, uniqueness, leverage of resources and whether it was scalable and sustainable, e-Choupal was declared as one of ‘India’s Best Innovations’.
The Development Gateway Award 2005 (previously known as the Petersberg Prize) for the trailblazing e-Choupal initiative. ITC is the first Indian company and the second in the world to win this prestigious award.
The 'Golden Peacock Global Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Emerging Economies for 2005'. The Company received this award for its e-Choupal and social and farm forestry initiatives that are impactfully transforming lives and landscapes in rural India.
The Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2004 from The Energy and Resources Institute(TERI) for its e-Choupal initiative. The Award provides impetus to sustainable development and encourages ongoing social responsibility processes within the corporate sector.
The inaugural 'World Business Award', instituted jointly by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the HRH Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This award recognises companies who have made significant efforts to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and enduring wealth in developing countries.
The ‘Enterprise Business Transformation Award’ for Asia Pacific (Apac), instituted by Infosys Technologies and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
PC Quest’s IT Implementation Award in the ‘Best Project’ category.
The Golden Peacock Innovation Award 2004.
The NASSCOM award for 'Best IT User in FMCG' in 2003. The Award is a recognition of ITC's successful integration of its IT usage with its business processes.
The Seagate Intelligent Enterprise of the Year 2003 Award, for the most innovative usage of Information Technology.
Such a market-led business model can enhance the competitiveness of Indian agriculture and trigger a virtuous cycle of higher productivity, higher incomes, and enlarged capacity for farmer risk management, larger investments and higher quality and productivity.
e-Choupal’ makes use of the physical transmission capabilities of current intermediaries – aggregation, logistics, counter-party risk and bridge financing –while disintermediating them from the chain of information flow and market signals.
With a judicious blend of click & mortar capabilities, village internet kiosks managed by farmers – called sanchalaks – themselves, enable the agricultural community access ready information in their local language on the weather & market prices, disseminate knowledge on scientific farm practices & risk management, facilitate the sale of farm inputs (now with embedded knowledge) and purchase farm produce from the farmers’ doorsteps (decision making is now information-based).
Real-time information and customized knowledge provided by ‘e-Choupal’ enhance the ability of farmers to take decisions and align their farm output with market demand and secure quality & productivity. The aggregation of the demand for farm inputs from individual farmers gives them access to high quality inputs from established and reputed manufacturers at fair prices. As a direct marketing channel, virtually linked to the ‘mandi’ system for price discovery, ‘e-Choupal’ eliminates wasteful intermediation and multiple handling. Thereby it significantly reduces transaction costs.
Launched in June 2000, 'e-Choupal', has already become the largest initiative among all Internet-based interventions in rural India.'e-Choupal' services today reach out to more than 3.5 million farmers growing a range of crops - soyabean, coffee, wheat, rice, pulses, shrimp - in over 38,000 villages through nearly 6500 kiosks across nine states (Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Kerela
This enthusiastic response from farmers has encouraged ITC to plan for the extension of the ‘e-Choupal’ initiative to altogether 15 states across India over the next few years. On the anvil are plans to channelise other services related to micro-credit, health and education through the same 'e-Choupal' infrastructure
ITC's e-Choupal has won numerous awards:
The Stockholm Challenge 2006. This award is for using information technology for the economic development of rural communities.
Innovation for India Award 2006 for ITC e-Choupal in the Social Innovations category for business organizations. The first of its kind in India, based on parameters of number of lives impacted, degree of impact on organization and environment, uniqueness, leverage of resources and whether it was scalable and sustainable, e-Choupal was declared as one of ‘India’s Best Innovations’.
The Development Gateway Award 2005 (previously known as the Petersberg Prize) for the trailblazing e-Choupal initiative. ITC is the first Indian company and the second in the world to win this prestigious award.
The 'Golden Peacock Global Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Emerging Economies for 2005'. The Company received this award for its e-Choupal and social and farm forestry initiatives that are impactfully transforming lives and landscapes in rural India.
The Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2004 from The Energy and Resources Institute(TERI) for its e-Choupal initiative. The Award provides impetus to sustainable development and encourages ongoing social responsibility processes within the corporate sector.
The inaugural 'World Business Award', instituted jointly by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the HRH Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This award recognises companies who have made significant efforts to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and enduring wealth in developing countries.
The ‘Enterprise Business Transformation Award’ for Asia Pacific (Apac), instituted by Infosys Technologies and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
PC Quest’s IT Implementation Award in the ‘Best Project’ category.
The Golden Peacock Innovation Award 2004.
The NASSCOM award for 'Best IT User in FMCG' in 2003. The Award is a recognition of ITC's successful integration of its IT usage with its business processes.
The Seagate Intelligent Enterprise of the Year 2003 Award, for the most innovative usage of Information Technology.
Nehru And Kashmir Issue
Although Sardar Patel was the Home minister and responsible for the integration of the Indian states, it was Pandit Nehru who took over the Kashmir issue as Minister for External Affairs. The handling of the Kashmir issue by Nehru rather than by Patel was one of the factors that created the impression that India herself regarded the Kashmir dispute as an international issue.
Nehru’s attempt to combine idealism and realism was apparent from the beginning in his handling of the Kashmir issue.
When the Maharaja of Kashmir, backed by Sheikh Abdullah, who was the President of the Kashmir National Conference and the undisputed leader of the Kashmir Muslims at the time, offered the unconditional accession of the State to India, it was mainly due to Nehru’s idealism the accession was made conditional by India unilaterally.
It was Nehru and not Mountbatten who insisted that the Governor-General’s letter to the Maharaja must state categorically that the accession was contingent on the wishes of the people of Kashmir. It is this conditional character of the accession that Pakistan has always emphasized with telling effect at the United Nations and elsewhere, and which has been the main weakness in India’s claim on Kashmir.
India’s reference of the Kashmir issue to the UN under Chapter VI of the Charter, which deals with the pacific settlement of the internal disputes through negotiation, mediation, conciliation, etc. rather the under Chapter VII which deals with the enforcement action, and her subsequent criticism of the UN, verging on denunciation, for the latter’s inability to compel Pakistan to withdraw from so-called Azad Kashmir, were self-contradictory.
If India regarded Kashmir as incontestably Indian Territory after the accession and the Pakistani action in Kashmir as aggression on India, She should have either defended herself without going to the UN or made a reference to the UN under Chapter VII of the Charter. Alternatively, if India thought that Kashmir was Indian Territory, but what Pakistan had done in Kashmir constituted a violation of international law short of aggression on India, a reference should have been made to the International Court of Justice rather then the Security Council. Only if India believed that Kashmir was an international dispute of a political nature which had to be resolved peacefully through international mediation over an indefinitely long period on time ,was there any case for going to the UN under Article 35 of the Charter. It is obvious that India’s case was based on the first contention, and yet the reference was made to the UN under Article 35; and when the UN predictably failed to put an end to the “aggression on Indian territory” by Pakistan, Nehru was apparently shocked.
Immediately after the US-Pakistan military agreement of 1954, Nehru declared that there had taken place a material change in situation and that India’s commitment regarding a plebiscite was no longer valid. By this sudden and controversial stroke of realism Nehru created serious misgivings in world public opinion regarding his earlier idealism. Paradoxically, it was Pakistan that afterwards brought the Kashmir issue periodically before the Security Council and it was India that was on the defensive mode.
Nehru’s attempt to combine idealism and realism was apparent from the beginning in his handling of the Kashmir issue.
When the Maharaja of Kashmir, backed by Sheikh Abdullah, who was the President of the Kashmir National Conference and the undisputed leader of the Kashmir Muslims at the time, offered the unconditional accession of the State to India, it was mainly due to Nehru’s idealism the accession was made conditional by India unilaterally.
It was Nehru and not Mountbatten who insisted that the Governor-General’s letter to the Maharaja must state categorically that the accession was contingent on the wishes of the people of Kashmir. It is this conditional character of the accession that Pakistan has always emphasized with telling effect at the United Nations and elsewhere, and which has been the main weakness in India’s claim on Kashmir.
India’s reference of the Kashmir issue to the UN under Chapter VI of the Charter, which deals with the pacific settlement of the internal disputes through negotiation, mediation, conciliation, etc. rather the under Chapter VII which deals with the enforcement action, and her subsequent criticism of the UN, verging on denunciation, for the latter’s inability to compel Pakistan to withdraw from so-called Azad Kashmir, were self-contradictory.
If India regarded Kashmir as incontestably Indian Territory after the accession and the Pakistani action in Kashmir as aggression on India, She should have either defended herself without going to the UN or made a reference to the UN under Chapter VII of the Charter. Alternatively, if India thought that Kashmir was Indian Territory, but what Pakistan had done in Kashmir constituted a violation of international law short of aggression on India, a reference should have been made to the International Court of Justice rather then the Security Council. Only if India believed that Kashmir was an international dispute of a political nature which had to be resolved peacefully through international mediation over an indefinitely long period on time ,was there any case for going to the UN under Article 35 of the Charter. It is obvious that India’s case was based on the first contention, and yet the reference was made to the UN under Article 35; and when the UN predictably failed to put an end to the “aggression on Indian territory” by Pakistan, Nehru was apparently shocked.
Immediately after the US-Pakistan military agreement of 1954, Nehru declared that there had taken place a material change in situation and that India’s commitment regarding a plebiscite was no longer valid. By this sudden and controversial stroke of realism Nehru created serious misgivings in world public opinion regarding his earlier idealism. Paradoxically, it was Pakistan that afterwards brought the Kashmir issue periodically before the Security Council and it was India that was on the defensive mode.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Indian railways:Turnaround
“….Indian Railways has staged a dramatic turnaround with the same employees and assets. The turnaround strategy has been based on simple principles. Have higher freight volumes. Improve occupancy in passenger trains. Control costs. And most importantly reduce tarrifs.Through this, railways have improved their market share and operating margins…. Our government has been praised for improving customer services and reducing passenger’s fares, particularly for poorer sections of society. Railways reforms have been introduced without losing sight of our social obligation. this is what we call ‘inclusive growth’.”
-Hon’ble Prime Minister in his speech delivered at Ludhiana on 27-09-06
The Indian railways constitute a critical component of India’s transport network, both for passenger as well as freight services. Railways are cost effective and also environment friendly.Yet, capacity and efficiency constraints in freight segment have, over the years, led to significant shift from railways to road transport. A renewed focus of the railways ministry on efficency, customer care and commercial principles is aimed at reversing this trend. The recent turnaround in Railways operations suggests that Indian Railways are poised for rapid growth in capacity expansion.
The carefully crafted strategy of reform has been built around generation of capacity through optimization of the existing infrastructure and assets and differentiated approach to the social and commercial segments of the traffic. On the supply side, increase in axle load from 20.3 to 22.9 tonnes, reduction in turnaround time from 7 days to 5 days has generated the necessary incremental freight-loading capacity. Similarly, augmentation of popular passenger trains by using the spare stocks of coaches and mopping up of the slack available has led to increase carrying capacity per train. These operational innovations have also led to lowering of unit cost of operation in the face of rising cost of inputs. This advantage has been capitalized on the demand side by a dynamic and market-driven tariff policy linked to seasonality and price elasticity of demand. The strategy of across-the-board increase in freight rates has been replaced by selective changes in the tariff in response to market forces. The railways have earned a record surplus of Rs. 13612 crores in year 2005-06 and are headed for a surplus of Rs. 20000 crores in the year 2006-07.
By 2012, the railways are likely to handle double the traffic volumes currently handled. Indian railways have chalked out a well-planned strategy to remove bottlenecks and augment capacity to match the requirement. The key elements of the strategy would entail investment in infrastructure as well as modernization of wagons technology, advanced signaling and telecommunication, induction of high horsepower locomotives, grade separation and use of information technology specifically tailored to improve transit times and lower unit cost operation. It would also include building world –class passenger and freight terminals bench-marked to the best global standards.
-Hon’ble Prime Minister in his speech delivered at Ludhiana on 27-09-06
The Indian railways constitute a critical component of India’s transport network, both for passenger as well as freight services. Railways are cost effective and also environment friendly.Yet, capacity and efficiency constraints in freight segment have, over the years, led to significant shift from railways to road transport. A renewed focus of the railways ministry on efficency, customer care and commercial principles is aimed at reversing this trend. The recent turnaround in Railways operations suggests that Indian Railways are poised for rapid growth in capacity expansion.
The carefully crafted strategy of reform has been built around generation of capacity through optimization of the existing infrastructure and assets and differentiated approach to the social and commercial segments of the traffic. On the supply side, increase in axle load from 20.3 to 22.9 tonnes, reduction in turnaround time from 7 days to 5 days has generated the necessary incremental freight-loading capacity. Similarly, augmentation of popular passenger trains by using the spare stocks of coaches and mopping up of the slack available has led to increase carrying capacity per train. These operational innovations have also led to lowering of unit cost of operation in the face of rising cost of inputs. This advantage has been capitalized on the demand side by a dynamic and market-driven tariff policy linked to seasonality and price elasticity of demand. The strategy of across-the-board increase in freight rates has been replaced by selective changes in the tariff in response to market forces. The railways have earned a record surplus of Rs. 13612 crores in year 2005-06 and are headed for a surplus of Rs. 20000 crores in the year 2006-07.
By 2012, the railways are likely to handle double the traffic volumes currently handled. Indian railways have chalked out a well-planned strategy to remove bottlenecks and augment capacity to match the requirement. The key elements of the strategy would entail investment in infrastructure as well as modernization of wagons technology, advanced signaling and telecommunication, induction of high horsepower locomotives, grade separation and use of information technology specifically tailored to improve transit times and lower unit cost operation. It would also include building world –class passenger and freight terminals bench-marked to the best global standards.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
