India Vs Pakistan: More Than Just Cricket!

Article first published as India Vs Pakistan: The Most Favored Notion! on Technorati.

Yesterday Pakistan  announced a breakthrough decision relating to its neighbor India. The country’s cabinet granted the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to India. The unanimous decision had the Pakistan army’s approval too.

The normal trade relations had always been tied to political complexities between the two hostile neighbors since India’s independence in 1947.

Obsessed with possible threats from its neighbor the Pakistan army had always vetoed normal trade relations. Apart from derailing the peace process with India again and again the Pakistan army had also managed to antagonize the US.

With the grant of MFN status the volume of trade between the two countries is set to triple to over 8 billion US dollars.

The news had been welcomed by all in political, commerce and industry circles in India. The sense of relief was also tremendously felt. India granted MFN status to Pakistan long back in 1996, but Pakistan, devastated by terror, suspicion and mistrust, could never really brace itself up for the return favor up till now.

Recently on October 23, 2011 an Indian army helicopter strayed into Pakistan airspace and was detained. But within hours Pakistan released it being convinced that it was only an accident and not an intrusion. Pakistan seems to be learning the art of reciprocation fast which is a good omen for improving the strained bilateral relations between the two neighbors.

The peace dialogue, in virtual suspension since the Mumbai Terror attack of 26/11, is likely to get a boost with these developments. Reciprocation is poised to become the Most Favored Notion now for India and Pakistan!

 

 Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket has suffered the biggest setback with its three ace cricketers, under trial for spot fixing since last year, given jail terms ranging from six months to nearly three years today. These cricketers have become the first to have been sentenced for fixing crimes. This is a huge lesson for all the players of the gentleman's game of cricket to put an end to their greed and concentrate full on their field skills. All cricket playing countries must come down heavily on any possibility of match fixing in future. It is crucial for the Pakistan Board to act now and allow no one to shame cricket and the country any more.

Cricket between India and Pakistan has always been the most favored pastime for the millions in both the countries. Clean cricket too can be another most powerful reciprocating force paving the way for a lasting friendship between the two neighbors.

Stop the Killers! Fight Eve Teasing and Crimes Against Women!

The killers are prowling in every street. They kill for ‘their’ crimes! And, they do not need even the slightest pretext to kill. They are the oppressors of women, they don’t think before they kill! They are the dreaded animals dressed up and existing like human beings. We must stop them before they eliminate humankind from this planet.

Mumbai has been known as a city safe for women. But facts belie the perceptions. Recently in a prime locality of the city of dreams few drunken hoodlums passed lewd remarks at three girls in a group coming out of a restaurant after supper. The two boys in the group protested and a scuffle ensued. The hoodlums knifed the two youths. One of them, Keenan, died on way to hospital. The other, Reuben, died in hospital today. Two young lives lost just for the lustful whims of the perverted drunks.

We, the proud successors of the human race, must fight and eradicate these animals before they obliterate mankind from its only place in the universe. The fairer folks must learn both self-defense and attacking tactics and they must be ready to face the animals anywhere everywhere anytime—even within the four walls of their homes. The men must inculcate the spirit of chivalry and self respect.

A huge campaign has been started in social networking sites and in the media ‘JUSTICE FOR KEENAN AND REUBEN’. We must all join together and fight for our rights.

Fast, Session and Suspense!

Team Anna is just not keeping quiet! This is despite the fact that Anna Hazare is yet to break his vow of silence. So the crusader against corruption writes a letter to the Prime Minister of India saying that he will begin his third fast unto death if a strong anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed in the coming winter session of Indian Parliament.

Today the date of the winter session of Parliament has been declared. It’s going to start on November 22.

The Government has officially wondered today why Team Anna is not waiting for the session to happen and see how things proceed. The Government had promised to pass a strong Bill on many occasions recently and Team Anna had been demanding the same repeatedly.

Are these just pressure tactics or blackmail or an effort to hide the internal conflict within Team Anna?  

Whatever! The only result is suspense building up day by day. Racing to a climax which may or may not actually deal with the evil that everything seems to be centered on now. The people of India who are against corruption must keep an informed watch.

Could it be a case of Now or Never? Hardly!