India Against Terror: A Strong Prime Minister Makes The Difference!

It was just another attack on the Indian security forces in the terror ridden North Eastern region of the country. Only that it was one of the worst attacks in decades. On 4^th of June, 2015 terrorists ambushed an army convoy in Manipur and butchered 18 soldiers and injured 11 more. The heinous terror attack seemed, as usual, to figure only in the book of records with some observations made about the folly of a supposedly vulnerable army movement on that fateful day. However, things took a dramatic turn this time.

Within five days of the terror attack the Indian Army embarked upon a surgical strike on the India-Myanmar border, reportedly going into the Myanmar territory, and hunted down and killed the perpetrators of the Manipur ambush. Equipped with accurate intelligence feeds the Army successfully launched a clinically precise and ruthless assault on the terrorists in an operation lasting only 40 minutes not having time even to count the number of terrorists gunned down. So far we have been used to hearing stories of the US Commandos, Marshall or Military or Navy Seals carrying out such strikes inside enemy territories and eliminating dreaded terrorists and their hideouts. Refreshingly this time this happens in our own country India and what an effective message it sends out to the enemies of humanity.

Normally a country with adorable levels of tolerance and goodwill, always waiting for others to respond positively to all such tragedies, suddenly transforms its ‘soft response’ into ‘hot pursuit’ and for the first time conducts a joint operation with a neighbouring country on a Mission Counter-Terrorism. How did it come about? Well, precisely because post May-2014 India have had a strong government installed at the centre with a strong Prime Minister whose sterling qualities and innovative approach have already established him a visionary cum leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had just returned from a visit to Bangladesh—a strategic neighbouring country whose cooperation in crucial areas can always be game changing. Immediately thereafter into the late night hours he okayed the ‘hot pursuit’ and allowed the Indian Army to strike back. Zero Tolerance against terrorism was announced with a lot of meaningfulness and effectiveness now. The earlier government too pursued a policy of zero tolerance against so many evils, but that was mere policy with the so-called ‘coalition politics’ dominating and making the government bite the dust so often. To be precise, India did not have a strong Prime Minister or a strong government that time.

Since taking over the helms on 26^th May, 2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been leading from the front with innovative schemes-projects and a fresh interactive approach taking even the common people into confidence. ‘Policy Paralysis’ of the earlier government is long past and gone. His people-oriented economic-financial-social schemes have been welcomed all over and are benefiting millions. He has been cheered as hero whatever foreign country he has visited in the past one year—from America-Europe to China-Japan-Mongolia-Myanmar-Bangladesh. His fan following all over the globe is getting bigger and bigger threatening that of the mega film stars. What is important, Narendra Modi has been doing the right things in the right places—understanding perfectly what is required to be done in what areas as far as a particular foreign nation is concerned. The Indian Prime Minister is ushering in a unique kind of diplomacy be it with President Obama or Sheikh Hasina. If the fringe elements of his political party and associated organizations finally see reason and understand the Indian realities the Narendra Modi government would be the best option for India in the years to come.

The Indian Army operation has been hailed all over the nation with even rival political parties unable to politicize the development. The Indian Government has made it loud and clear that this operation is intended to convey a message to all aggressors or terrorists and the countries supposedly assisting and abetting them. The era of ‘tolerance and softness’ is over and from now onwards any act of aggression or any terror attack or sponsored terror attack on Indian territory or on Indian civilians would not be tolerated and would be retaliated with dire consequences inside or outside India. Although the Government did not specifically point out the crucial neighbour for this message is indeed Pakistan—a nation ravaged by terror and forced to comply with terror. Pakistan must understand better now and must make an effort to put an end to its state of eternal denial. The final target is lasting peace only.

Cricket: India Vs Bangladesh One-Off Test Begins Tomorrow!

Mushfiqur Rahim 

The one-off Test match between India and Bangladesh begins tomorrow at Fatullah near Dhaka. Two points would make this match quite interesting. First, as we have mentioned earlier the host team cannot be taken lightly any more, at least in One-Day Internationals, after its strong performances in the World Cup-2015 and the recent series against Pakistan. Second, the bitter aftermath of the World Cup quarter final in March this year between the two teams sort of makes this a ‘revenge’ match for Bangladesh players and fans.

Virat Kohli

There were views about bad umpiring decisions that led to the rather untenable view that India robbed Bangladesh of a World Cup semi-final berth—the margin of defeat and the form of Team India at that time are pointers that India would not have lost the match under any circumstances. The ‘views’ were so strong that Mustafa Kamal who alleged Indian bias resigned as the President of the ICC. Anyway, cricket Tests nowadays need such ‘spices’ to make up for its diminishing appeal. Of course, players from both teams feel that this would not affect their relations as they moved ahead and past is past.

Indian Strategy With Ravi Shastri?

Virat Kohli will lead the Indian team for this Test while Mushfiqur Rahim leads Bangladesh amidst reports that the latter may not keep wickets due to an injury. Team India is full strength with the addition of the great spinner having 413 scalps, Harbhajan Singh who was recalled thanks to his spirited performances recently. India have won six of the seven Tests played so far against Bangladesh and they start as favourites. For Bangladesh batsman Mominul Haque would be eager to match South Africa’s AB de Villiers’ world record of scoring a half century in 12 consecutive Tests by getting just one more fifty. It is certain that the home team would give a tough fight and Virat’s captaincy would be really tested.

After this solitary Test there will be three ODIs on June 18, 21 and 24 during this short India tour of Bangladesh. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the team in the one-day matches. Some good cricket can be safely expected.

The Teams:

Bangladesh: (From) Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, Nasir Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Abul Hasan, Jubair Hossain, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid.

India: (From) Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma.

The Maggi Muddle!

Repeated food safety tests across India confirmed the presence of poisonous lead and a chemical monosodium glutamate, widely known as MSG in the famous 2-minute Maggi noodles. First the capital Delhi banned the noodles for 15 days and then state after state of the country started following suit. On Friday, the 5th of June, 2015 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ordered Nestle, the company producing Maggi, to recall all nine variants of the noodles from the Indian market. After that branches of FSSAI got into action in states like Maharashtra, Meghalaya and others too where the ban was not yet announced pending test reports or non-conclusive results. 

Even after all these serious developments Nestle refuses to admit that their noodles are not really fit for consumption, particularly for the innocent children who were too fond of it, or that at least some serious problems could be present. Obsessed perhaps with the need for damage control to prevent huge losses the company attributes the findings as 'confusion' and says that the noddles will return to the shelves very soon. They are trying to prove that all the tests done across India are wrong and that testing standards in the country are very poor. 

Nestle must understand that the 'confusion' is in fact created by them only and not that the 'confusion' has damaged their products. They are trying to mislead the consumers. In most parts of the country consumers do not have proper awareness about food safety and related issues, and they do not want to give up their food habits easily. The noodles have been in their homes for around thirty years making them almost accustomed to provide 2-minute meals to their children. Now with the company's so-called assurances that could have been passed on by the dealers spread across the country most ot them who are not very media-savvy are finding it difficult to decide. 

Confusing reactions are being heard all over. Most people would want to know why nothing was found wrong in the past thirty years and why now only. Well, they must understand that a wrong remains a wrong irrespective of when it is finally detected and they should appreciate the fact that it is found out before serious health problems could actually occur. Some others are stoic or indifferent, 'how does it matter, if you like eat it, if you do not want don't eat! Who has died eating Maggi?'. Or 'As long as I find it in the stores I'll continue eating it!' Some other reactions border on the ridiculous and absurd. 'You see, this whole thing is being orchestrated by a political party who could not get enough funds from Nestle in the last elections!' Well, in India everything gets politicized. But you also need to know that eating is not normally a political issue and that states of all political hues and colors across India are in fact banning the noodles. 

In the recent years most of the popular fast foods are being categorized as junk food which are harmful for health due to the numerous dubious ingredients found there. But no serious efforts have been made by any government to create awareness about fast food or junk food. Food safety is a must. Now is the time for starting campaigns similar to 'no tobacco' ones in relation to all packaged and junk food that are harmful or could be harmful. The FSSAI too must go hammer and tongs to improve its stadards and ensure food safety for all citizens of the country.