The raging price war

Panic has gripped the Government over the sudden spurt of prices in the country. It has resulted into a series of decisions including banning export of some goods, allowing easier import of some others, reducing or eliminating Customs duties, invoking restrictive storage laws and delisting a couple of essential commodities from the bourses. Unfortunately, these steps have come as too little too late. This is so because financial analysts were already citing apprehensions from a few months now regarding the continued swelling of inflation. And the reactions when they have come are being seen as knee-jerk and topical rather than a well-planned effort to counter the problem.
As it is, it was being said that the fruits of much-touted economic growth have not reached large sections, especially in the rural areas. In fact, the fallout of rapid growth was that the pockets of multinationals and big Indian companies continued to swell, even with additional money generated from the rural areas. Galloping inflation is sure to rob the poor further and hurt the lower middle class as well, though a little less grievously. Under present conditions, the benefit of high prices paid by consumers does not flow back to primary producers, but is siphoned away by middlemen and speculators who enjoy a free run in an economy of shortages. Government has done little to better the plight of agriculture sector as well as the physical market while the manufacturing sector has been reeling under the burden of excess demand, leading to shortages of essential commodities. This demand cannot be countered with increased imports as the high global market prices have not allowed it to remain conducive for our economy.
Measures taken by the Government are not sufficient. In fact, it failed to act on time and the present inflation is courtesy our deviated policies. Otherwise, inflation is not an overnight phenomenon.
Even announcing the cut in fuel product prices is being seen more as a political ploy to dampen the BJP’s stirrings against the general price rise, rather than a sincere attempt to go to the root of the problem. Crude oil prices have as it is fallen recently, though they have started looking upwards post Bush’s fresh tirades against Iran. Once the prices will rise again, the Government can easily reverse the cut.
Clearly, the country is paying a heavy price for the omissions and commissions, primarily in neglecting the farm sector which has not allowed us to take proper remedial steps towards augmenting supplies and controlling prices. And finally when we did take some decision, it was primarily a negative one, which is not going to have any worthwhile impact in the future. Banning export of wheat and wheat products and putting an embargo on milk powder export is the buzz world whereas till only sometime back the companies from abroad were coming to India, purchasing the wheat in bulk, taking it back and then reselling it to India in times of need. That was one extreme, what we are doing now is another extreme, which is going to have only short-term impact. We are so paranoid that we are bent upon closing even the smallest window of export.
The Government has to consider a range of fiscal and speedy delivery mechanisms to tackle the current price rise that shows little signs of abating. Long-term solutions will have to be incorporated in the forthcoming Budget if we wish the situation to remain in control.
All this show that our revered saints of market economy were either not vigilant or were differentially focused when it comes to reading the signals and acting in time. Consequently, it has gone on defensive, and without any effective ammunition to fight the rise in prices all of a sudden, it is appearing to be an impotent force trying to show it is still virile.

Lead poisoning leads to impairment

Lead is a crucial component of human anatomy. But a bit more of it and there’s trouble in store. Anaemia, impairment of intelligence and several other impairments are direct offshoots of increased lead content, which is generally called lead poisoning. This was revealed by Dr. Abbas Ali Mehdi of KGMU in an exclusive discussion with HTE.
Dr. Mehdi has been involved with research related to lead poisoning for several years now. His studies on lead content level among painters have revealed that the lead content is several times higher, which could have adverse impact on the health of these painters and could even lead to renal failure in some cases.
Blood samples of 18 such painters were sent to Kolkata’s Vivekanand Institute of Medical Sciences as there is no lead analyzer presently available in Lucknow. Results have revealed lead content was 6 to 7 times more on average. “Normally 2 micrograms per dl of lead is present in blood but samples of these painters contained up to 20 micrograms of lead presence. In one case, this was as high as 27 micrograms as well,” Dr. Mehdi informed.
Consequently, Dr. Mehdi is spearheading a campaign to formulate a society that will exclusively conduct research in this area. In this regard, he has already tied up with NGO Prithvi Innovations, whose caretaker Anuradha Gupta has been involved in few researches in this field. Era Hospital, a prominent hospital in Lucknow, has been persuaded to install a lead analyzer machine in its premises.
Dr. Mehdi is hoping that once the society comes into shape, they would be able to conduct lead related research among other groups as well. These include the tannery workers, battery, lock, bangle, pottery and bulb industries and the toys that are coloured with bright colours. He fears that lead content could be as high as that among painters in several of these industries but not much can be said at the moment as there is no proper study to supplement the view.
Elaborating on the urgent need in this regard, Anuradha Gupta says that lead has a peculiar characteristic of following the calcium in the human body. Wherever there is calcium, lead goes and deposits itself. Hence high levels of lead could result in difficulty in walking and movement of limbs as well. Even lactating mothers, with high lead content in their bodies, can pass on this poison to their children. Children are particularly at risk as there have been reports of high lead content in herbal medicines, including Chawanprash.

The project is being promoted by George Foundation and St. John’s Academy of Health Sciences in Bangalore who are funded by international agencies like WHO, UNICEF and World Bank and wants a UP Referral Centre to further augment their work in this regard.

‘Strict action is taken against corrupt at Jal Nigam’: MD

Corruption is a bane that is devouring the administrative set-up of the country. Krishan Kumar Aggarwal, managing director, Jal Nigam claims to have put a brake on it, at least in his organization. “Since hon’ble Urban Development Minister has taken over as President – Jal Nigam, we have made a great deal of progress in this direction. Whenever any incident of corruption comes to our knowledge, we take strict action. I do not say that we have been able to stop it altogether, but it has been curbed extensively,” says the MD.
KK Aggarwal has several decades of experience working in this field. A civil engineer from Roorkee University, who later did ME in Hydraulics, he joined what was then LSGD on 15th February, 1971, which was later converted into Jal Nigam in 1975. He is at helm of affairs as MD, Jal Nigam since 30th June, 2005 and has been instrumental in Jal Nigam’s recent focus on improving work load and quality. Other than the usual chore of handling water supply, sever and drainage, Jal Nigam also builds and hand over sever treatment plants to local bodies like Nagar Nigam, but there are several cities like Allahabad, Lucknow and Varanasi where sever treatment plants, built as part of Ganga Action Plan, are also being operated by Jal Nigam due to paucity of technical resources with the local bodies. “Cities like Muzzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Mathura and Vrindavan have been taken over but the rest are still being handled by us,” informs Mr. Aggarwal while describing the nature of Jal Nigam’s work.
Mr. Aggarwal is a busy man today. “Present posting is routinely hectic,” says he adding that other than the routine work, there is enough work pressure owing to the huge size of area that he has to handle. Due to this, he is unable to pursue his hobbies. Says Mr. Aggarwal: “I have been a sportsman all my life. Other than studies my time was spent in playing table tennis, badminton and volleyball. When the club was close, I used to go to watch movies, another of my favourite past-time. Now it’s not possible to play. I do see a movie occasionally on TV but it has been a long time since I went to a picture hall.”
Hailing from a small town of Hasanpur in district Moradabad, KK Aggarwal has come a long way. Today, both his children are settled. While his son Prashnu Aggarwal is a practicing lawyer in High Court, with Arun Sinha, his daughter is doing MSc in Computers.
When asked where he finds the society heading, KK Aggarwal candidly refutes though he adds: “I won’t talk much as values have changed with generation. People are becoming more materialistic. What will be the end, I cannot tell.”
Whatever, one thing is certain. This man has spent lifetime doing a great service – serving the society through providing one of the most basic needs – water. May the devata of rain and water shower on him a just reward!

LESA’s revenue collection hampered

An extensive revenue generation drive from defaulters is currently on at LESA. But while meters are being disconnected and FIRs being made with an eye on generating more funds, the monthly revenue collection received by LESA has suffered tremendously due to certain inadvertent changes.
There are close to 10 lakh electric connections in Lucknow. LESA has to undergo a monumental task of getting meter reading done for all the subscribers every month. Owing to the fact that LESA does not have the resources and staff to carry forth this exercise on its own, the task of taking meter-readings is outsourced to private parties.
Until now, four companies were doing the job with circles allotted to each one of them in Lucknow. Problem arose in Circle I (covering most of Old Lucknow including Chowk) and Circle III (covering two divisions, viz. Aishbagh and Alambagh divisions) when Signals and Systems India Ltd wound up its work from Circle I and Alambagh Division of Circle III and Sai Computers, another company handling Aishbagh division of Circle III was asked to take care of meter-readings in the areas handled by Signals and Systems India Ltd.
The problem arose when Signals and Systems, whose services were being given extensions of one month each, for reasons best known to LESA. Signals and Systems wanted an extension of at least six months to be able to do the job better. But this was not admissible to LESA, who have already opened fresh tenders and short-listed four companies, all of whom will commence work from beginning of March. Owing to its demand not met, Signals and Systems gave notice to LESA on 20th of last month that it was winding up its work and consequently Sai Systems was asked to take care of meter reading in Circle I as well as Alambagh division of Circle III till the end of February after which the newly short-listed companies will take over.
Severe problems emanated as consequence of this, as Sai Computers was not prepared – neither strength-wise nor aware of the geographical location of Circle I – informs Mohammad Firoz, Executive Engineer, Circle I, LESA. Consequently, the regular payers of bill could not come to pay as out of about 8000 readings that should have been made till when this correspondent made enquiries, Sai was able to complete taking only 1000 readings. More than 7 lakh rupee worth of payments are received from the consumers through cheques, who pay at time when men from these companies visit their houses, that revenue too has been severally hit.
Owing to this, revenue collection in Circle I has been severally hit, rues Mohammad Firoz, though he could have done little to change the situation.
The problem is as severe in Alambagh division of Circle III as well where BK Singh, Executive Engineer responsible for this area, is resorting to frantic efforts like print advertisements and loudspeaker announcements to make the consumers aware of the situation and ask them to deposit the bills after taking the reading themselves.
This also hit revenue collection at Aishbagh division of Circle III when Sai shifted some of its work force to Circle I and Alambagh division of Circle III. However, VK Kaushik, Executive Engineer at Circle III feels there is no cause for dissatisfaction from Sai Computers as they are only doing their job though he agrees that there is always scope for improvement.
This problem is likely to continue till the end of February as Sai Computers is not likely to recruit much in this area, as it is uncertain whether it will continue to work in the same area after fresh tenders. Until March, Old Lucknow as well as Alambagh division is to remain severally hit both in terms of customer satisfaction and revenue collection. Till then Mohammad Firoz and BK Singh are left with no choice but to advertise in newspapers and use loudspeakers, asking consumers to take their own readings and deposit the amount on the basis of that, efforts that they are already making.
However, till new companies take over in March, the revenue generation drive from defaulters has become a frantic revenue collection drive from the regular payers and particularly Mohammad Firoz and BK Singh, the two Executive Engineers whose area got most affected, were left with no choice but to shift focus, in this exigency.

India the most allied ally of the US and Israel

One of the world’s largest economies in aggregate terms and once a leader of the Non-aligned Movement, India is now on way to become the most allied ally of the US and Israel. This has largely been due to the policies adopted by various governments during the last decade or so, each of whom has vied with the previous government to give a little more of space to the US and Israel than their predecessors. The fact that there has been no stable government in India ever since the assassination of Rajeev Gandhi coupled with the Pakistan factor prompted the succeeding governments to work to strengthen this relationship even if it meant bending forward or backward.
Manmohan Singh government too has followed the same path perhaps because it was quick to realize that a mere leak of some classified information at the US’s behest, like in the case of Natwar Singh, could threaten the foundations of the government at the Centre. The Congress was left with not many choices but to distance itself with Natwar Singh to save its government.
Manmohan Singh government has followed the same path of its predecessors and has been able to win over US faith to such an extent that the US Government under George Bush, went out of the way to get the Henry J. Hyde, United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006, named after the outgoing Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate in the US. Normally, for any agreement that exempts a recipient non-nuclear weapons state (NNWS) such as India from full-scope safeguards (FSS), as required by section 123 a (2) of he Atomic Energy Act (AEA) to come into force, a specific congressional vote of approval is required. But the substantial changes already incorporated into the legislation by the House and the Senate ensured the passage of bill.
If there was no pressure from top, why would have the House and the Senate gone out of the way to pass the legislation by 330 votes to 79, if India has not given enough guarantees to follow the US policies, particularly putting on stake its freedom in independent foreign policy by ensuring that it would “fully and actively participate in US and international efforts to dissuade, sanction and contain Iran for its nuclear programme,” a point that was very much part of the conditions right from beginning though India did not say so officially. That India was moving on the same lines was evident by its stance and consequent voting against Iran during the UN meeting.
This is a well-known fact that after Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran is the biggest eyesore for the US. India was one of the countries which could have rallied support to Iran owing to the cordial relations between the two countries, the potential of trade between them and the fact that Iran was merely talking of making peaceful use of its nuclear resources while India had already gone ahead with making the nuclear bomb. Owing to the US actively pursuing India and offering the bait, India got into an awkward position in front of the international community, which saw dual policy of the US that was on one hand going out of the way to provide civil nuclear cooperation to India and was on the other hand going out of the way to build pressure against Iran, which was claiming to put its nuclear technology to civil use, and even tried to extract a promise India to support it on this issue, something that the Indian government readily complied with.
India’s lukewarm stance on several international issues, including the attack on Lebanon and Palestine (there was a time when Yasser Arafat was acclaimed as best of our friends) and subsequent killing of thousands of civilians in these two countries and now the execution of Saddam Hussain too has confirmed that India has now become the most allied ally of the US and Israel.
This is good news for those Indians who keep personal gains foremost, whatever the cost to the rest of the world. To those who still wish to value the principles of justice and truth foremost, which has remained the hallmark of Indian history since ancient times, it is definitely not good news as this means India will have to look the other way on many an occasions, just as the US did so when Saddam was slaughtering his own countrymen or used chemical weapons against Iranians. Choice is not there as our government already appears to have opted for the former.

‘Lucknow is at take-off stage’

Lucknow’s infrastructure is rapidly changing. Major real estate players with deep pockets have come to the city and development is taking place at all places. Hi Time Express talked to Sheikh Mohammad Arif, Chairman and Managing Director of Arif Industries Limited, who is constructing the single largest group housing project of Northern India, as reported by CNBC, with 630 apartments, commercial centre, community centre and allied infrastructure. Excerpts from an interview:
Hi Time: Where do you place the real estate infrastructure of Lucknow?
Sheikh Mohammad Arif (SMA): Lucknow is growing with no stoppage. Demand too is rising due to large scale resettlement of people. Recent attempts to give it a metropolitan status and its selection as Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Progam will further give boost to its development. In entire North India, maximum development is taking place here after the cities surrounding Delhi, viz. Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida and Greater Noida. Cost of living is cheaper and cost of real estate is very modest, even half of neighbouring Kanpur
Hi Time: What do you have to say of entrance of Delhi-based players with deep pockets?
SMA: Most of them who have come are merely five-year old. True that they have a strategy of mass construction in lot many destinations but are actually promoters and not builders. In our case, whatever we do we are sure what we are doing.
Hi Time: How are conditions different from Delhi?
SMA: In Lucknow, there are several things that count which are not that important in Delhi. For instance, surface transport is of paramount importance here. That is why development on outskirts takes 20 years for appreciation to show its effect. If Eldeco Udyaan could become successful in 15 years, that was because of SGPGI. Even those who had taken plots with UNITECH found difficulty in selling them.
Hi Time: What about malls and multiplexes that are coming up in good number?
SMA: All these are failures of tomorrow because they have not thought of a long-term plan. Government should drastically change the parking norms, which are very weak at present. Out of 100 footfalls, 5 are not customers. An entry fee should be put in order to make malls successful and one who purchases inside should be able to encash this amount. This is how unwanted crowd could be controlled.
As soon as some mall comes in Lucknow which has good parking facilities, all the existing malls including the Sahara mall, Zee mall and Rave, will become deserted.
Hi Time: What about areas that need to be taken care of?
SMA: Slow-moving traffic, encroachments and rapid commercialization without adequate planning are a major roadblock to fast development. All these should be removed. One thing that Lucknow lacks is industrialization. If government succeeds in making LIDA, it would be equated with any city of the country.

Sad End, Saddam?

Executed on the day when goats and sheep are sacrificed

Eid was celebrated two days later in India. Hence not many Indians know that Saddam was executed on the dawn of the most auspicious day of Muslims in the region, at a time when millions of people, both Shias and Sunnis, had gathered at Makkah to perform the sacred rites of Haj. This was also the day when the Muslim world sacrifices goats and sheep to please the God. That Saddam was hanged on that day itself cannot be without a purpose.
Millions of Muslims come to Haj from all corners of the globe. A small spark of sectarian divide there would have clearly divided the Muslim world into two distinct blocks, already being propagated as Sunni and Shia triangle by the Western media. This apparent division is a new coinage to divide and was never heard of till now, as all the countries of the region have mixed population of Shias and Sunnis. The fact that this term was conceptualized and propagated by the West talks of a clear-cut plan to ignite bloodshed and hatred in the Muslim world.
A riot on Haj between Shias and Sunnis could have resulted in unimaginable consequences and would have further isolated Iran, Syria and Hizbollah, US’s biggest enemies of the day. That it didn’t happen shows that the Muslim world has started seeing into the game-plan. How long?

Sad End, Saddam?

Politics of Video Release

It was a video filmed inside the confines of high security Abu Ghraib prison that ignited the entire Arab world. The photos were seen by the Arabs as an attack to subdue the spirit of freedom and independence that the Arab people are known for. It was more of an attack on the Arab psyche as the men, who had refused to subdue their minds even after they were physically subdued, were seen behaving like dogs, their sexuality compromised and lying in a mound of naked men. On another occasion, news of the Holy Quran being flushed got leaked out and spread like forest fire.
The proud and defiant Saddam, who decided to embrace death boldly and refused to get his face covered, too, was seen as epitome of the same spirit of Arab pride. Earlier examples, which caused much embarrassment due to release of photographs, must have necessitated that special care should have been taken this time keeping the sensitivity of the issue involved and particularly when the executioners too were aware of this and took special care to hide their faces behind masks. Saddam’s execution had the potential to ignite the entire country. The mobile video footage of the execution of Saddam Hussain and voices of those around him that clearly identify the executioners as Shias, reveal that certain people with vested interests are hell-bent on creating the divide between Sunnis and Shias of Iraq. No Sunni would have agreed to execute Saddam. Even if he had done so, it was better advisable to have Shias doing the job, considering the strict security that was required. But the fact that not one but two mobile videos were present inside the execution chamber is a clear indicator of sinister designs. Naturally, the government officials of Iraq, to whatever sect they belong, would not want the community to get divided on sectarian lines. Who is it who wants the wedge to deepen?
Zia Haider Rizvi, a prominent lawyer of Lucknow who visited Iraq twice in the past says: “The difference between Sunnis and Shias was not there in Iraq at all. Inter-marriages between the two sects and the people lived amicably.”
The country has been taken from that amity to chaos where car bombs nearly every day threaten to torn the fabric of unity. No eyebrows were raised when a British citizen was caught by Iraqi police with RDS stacked in his car. As the police interrogated, the police station was surrounded by the British forces, with tanks and guns, and the prisoner released by force. Iraq’s rapidly disintegrating social fabric appears to be a well-calculated game plan with roots in Abu Ghraib, car bombs, Saddam’s execution and now the politics of video releases.

I do not speak a lie, Allah is witness. Imaan se!

Another New Year is about to begin. One more year added to your life or one cut short – depends on how you look at it. There are some who do not wish to look at all; celebrate life as it comes, they say.
But how do we celebrate? In UP it is not possible to show your wealth or else the kidnappers would be strolling past your door. Unless you have too much of it, the police won’t react. If you have more, and the CM promises that the child would be returned, he returns. ‘Kitna kuch jhatpat badal gaya,’ says Amitabh Bachchan in his new advertisement to promote UP. How true is this!
A lot has clearly changed! As I write this, IBN-7-Cobra Post is doing its breaking ‘khulasa’ (hope you are not too tired of this word – khulasa). ‘Khulasa’ is about the members of Haj Committee taking bribes to send Hajis to Makkah. Not knowing that they are being shown on TV, the bearded representatives of Muslim community continue to say: “Main jhoot nahin bolta, Allah gawah hai. (I don’t speak a lie, Allah is witness to it)”. Some are even talking of going to mosque and confessing the truth in front of Allah. How much of duality has encroached human nature. A maulana, when asked to give reaction is saying smilingly: “Khoon jal raha hai is waqt. (My blood is burning)” This maulana smiles even when his blood burns.
Change is happening on another front. Inability of the male libido to remain faithful is leading to unchecked rise in AIDS cases. Hence the ‘Bindas bol’ campaign! Day is not far when 2-3 year olds will be shouting at top of their voices ‘Condom, condom’, just as they can be seen shouting ‘mohar lagegi haath par’ whenever elections draw near. But with reports coming that AIDS could even spread through mosquito-bites, the subject of being faithful would not remain attached with AIDS in future as people, in 2007, would proudly boast: “I was bitten by a mosquito, a big one… who carried AIDS virus.”
UP is not just the breeding ground for mosquitoes. It is breeding ground for corruption as well. Here I give arguably the most unthinkable way of how people earn illicit money. You are surely not aware of this, unless you are a politician’s kin or have political genes in your DNA. This man is posted at a railway crossing and charges 10 rupees daily from each of the vendors present to close down the crossing several minutes before the train is to arrive. Vendors sell more as traffic comes to a halt. Inspiration from seniors, you may say!
Whatever, 2007 is here to stay… for next 365 days. On the eve of this highly cherished moment of lives, I do not wish to discuss politics and business anymore, even if Ratan Tata is now talking on TV of why he decided to invest in West Bengal and landed in a quagmire, courtesy the politicians. All I wish to do now is to make wishes for 2007. I wish that Sonia Gandhi goes public with her intention to make Rahul the Prime Minister. I wish that AB Vajpayee gets married, finally. I wish that Karunanidhi calls for peace with Jayalalitha. I wish that Laloo Prasad either takes up dairy farming or goes teaching at Harward, post retirement. I wish Kalyan and Rajnath come to realize that they have ‘Singh’ in common. I wish Bret Lee learns Hindi as he has shown willingness to do so in song ‘Han main tumhara hoon’, so that he gets a chance to act and sing in Bollywood. I wish Salman, Pal, Tiwari, Akhilesh and Sri, all come together to work as one family… for one family. And I wish that ‘ho agar agla janam mera to ho Ganga ke tat par’, so that I could aspire to win the Yash Bharati Samman. After all, I am no Abhishek.
You know, being a beardless Muslim, I do not speak a lie. I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. Imaan se!

‘Jan Morcha and allies to oust Mulayam’: NCP President

Nationalist Congress Party may not be a strong entity in Uttar Pradesh. But the presence of several top leaders from Jan Morcha and left parties in the recently concluded State level political conference reveal that through standing united, this front is readying its salvos to give a major jolt to main contending parties, BJP, SP and BSP. In an exclusive interview here, Prof. Ramesh Dixit, President of Nationalist Congress Party, UP spoke to Aziz Haider regarding the game plan that is being readied for implementation.

HTE: Other than your alliance, which is a coming together of small entities, you will be fighting against all three major parties, SP, BSP and BJP. How do you hope to perform well?
Prof. Ramesh Dixit (PRD): BJP is the party which, when it was in power, did the most unique thing in the annals of world history. On their instigation, religious structure of a religion was razed to the ground. The role of the Government is to protect and not to destruct. When this party is in power in Gujarat, thousands of the civilians of the State are slaughtered. We have to stop BJP from coming to power, at all cost.
Our experience is that after ’92, BJP was never in position to form the government on its own. The voters of UP have rejected the BJP. Thereafter, it tried to enter power through backdoor, by riding on the elephant of BSP. Our view is that BJP leadership has lost its reputation in UP.
In the recent elections, BSP did not field his candidates. Resultantly, BJP seemed to have gained. BSP is once again eyeing to make a coalition government with BJP, as it has done on three occasions in the past. People will not bring BJP but it would seek power through holding the tail of BSP.
HTE: You have reservations against SP as well?
PRD: When SP came to power, we were very happy. All the secular parties of India were responsible for bringing SP to power. Three years have passed. All those promises that they had done while coming to power, none of them has been fulfilled. All ministers are talking a different language. Moreover, it is the first time that a parallel organization named UP Vikas Parishad has been made. Development is the work of ministers and Chief Ministers. My experience is that the moneyed class has never worked for the betterment of the society. The Vikas Parishad comprises the dhanna seth (moneyed people) of the country and their stooges and dalals. I do not know what Amitabh Bachchan is doing in that. This Parishad is being paid from the State’s exchequer. The filthy rich of the country are being made richer. This is the agenda of the SP. If that is not so why is it that there is nobody from minorities, dalits or women community in this Parishad.
There is a big piece of non-cultivable land from Lucknow to Shahjahanpur but that has not been given. Rich and cultivable land is being given to them at pittance. This Parishad is aimed at developing these moneyed people further.
HTE: But what about the good deeds done by Mulayam Singh Yadav?
PRD: Mulayam’s role in attempting to safeguard Babri Masjid was commendable. But since then he has done nothing for the Muslims. He gave the State in the hands of those who consider the State as their personal fiefdom. People are angry over this.
The language that is used during his rallies is the language of the underworld. We want law and order to return to the State. We want people to live in piece. We do not want arms to be given to goondas. And we want people to move on streets without fear. All this is not possible under his rule.

“Congress is not working unitedly”: Jagdambika Pal

Jagdambika Pal, one time Chief Minister (though only for a brief period) has had the good and bad of politics. A Congressman, he left the party to form Loktantrik Congress Party, became a minister in Kalyan Singh’s BJP Government, was sacked from there only to be sworn in as Chief Minister of the State, but was duped by long-time aide and friend Naresh Aggarwal who joined hands with the SP while Pal returned to the folds of the Congress once again along with his supporters.
Within Congress too, Jagdambika Pal has savoured bouquets and brickbats. He launched a scathing attack on the BJP leadership for raking up the foreign origin issue of Sonia Gandhi and on another occasion he was dismissed from the Presidentship of UPCC by none else but Sonia Gandhi herself and replaced with Salman Khurshid. In a one-on-one interview here, Jagdambika Pal opens his heart to Aziz Haider of Hi Time Express.

The first question that was put to Pal was why, despite several successful rallies by Congress in Kanpur, Lucknow and Rai Bareilly, this was not reflected in the votes the party secured during the recently concluded civic elections. In response Pal said that none of the central leaders including Rahul Gandhi came to campaign during these elections. Though leaders belonging to UP, like Sri Prakash Jaiswal, Dr. Akhilesh Das and he himself did canvass, not even one of the 14 CMs that Congress has at present came to UP. In contradiction, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other senior leaders of various parties were out there in open.
Secondly Pal states categorically that the position of Congress has improved tremendously during these elections. “Results show this,” says he, “the fact that we lost only by 4500 votes in Lucknow when 34000 votes were declared invalid shows that we had won but were made to lose. We have gone to court, the writ petition has been approved, if the court allows recount, we will win.”
However, Pal rues the fact that Congress is not working as a unit, as it should. The will have to work more cohesively at State level if they are to give better results. He also cited Sonia Gandhi’s endeavours in this regard by appointing Zonal Incharges, which helped increase the Congress’s graph. “The manner in which SP misused the bureaucracy and made them work like party workers is out there in open,” he said. “Next day after the results were announced, 37 bureaucrats were transferred and this practice continues till this day. All those SPs, COs and others who worked for fair elections were punished. The bureaucracy is being politicized by the SP.”
Regarding the celebrations of SP government on completion of 3 years in power, Pal says that BJP spent over 600 crores on feel good and India Shining campaigns but the people of this country showed them the way out and Congress came to power when none had least expected it. The civic elections in UP were the semi-finals. Results show that SP has lost this semi-final. “They are boasting that they have got good support in the elections. If that is so, there were at least 600 seats on stake in the nagar nigams, nagar panchayats and town areas. Why are they not giving the number of seats they have won? I can count 25 districts where they were routed; these include Devaria, Gorakhpur, Siddharthnagar, Basti, Faizabad, Ghonda, Barabanki. They have not won in Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Mainpuri as well. Neither have they performed in Western UP. If out of 70, they have won 10-20 regions like Unnao, Etawah, this cannot be called a win.”
Pal is of view that Muslims are extremely angry with the SP for doing nothing for them and hobnobbing with the BJP. They started looking at BSP but Mayawati too has antagonized them by calling them fundamentalists. “This statement reveals her mentality. She is hoping to form a Government once again with the help of BJP, as she has done on three past occasions. More and more Muslims are coming toward the Congress,” he said.
Regarding bickering within his own party, Pal says that the PCC President should take everybody along. When I was the PCC President, voices were raised against me from within the PCC. On the other hand, I have always tried to give support to the PCC.”
Regarding the statement of Sonia Gandhi, a day prior to his ouster as PCC President, when she had said, “I find it dismal. I have been disappointed by the condition of the Congress party?” Pal is of opinion that Congress has moved from that dismal state to the mainframe. He expresses confidence that in the next election, UP Congress will be one of the potential parties, fighting to form a government in the State.
To a question, whether it was time for Rahul Gandhi to lead the party, so as to minimize the internal differences, Pal feels that the time has not come for that. “Now that the elections are near, they should be fought under the present PCC leadership only,” he said adding further: “I am a man of organization. Rahul ji will definitely campaign. But now when it is time to finalize the names of candidates for each constituency, a change at top leadership will mean that the incumbent will require at least six months to gear up.”

One area where you erred, Hon’ble Mr. VC

In an interview with Hi Time Express, Atul Kumar Anjaan, former president of the Lucknow University and now a senior leader said: “In a democracy everybody must be given rights. Student unions are a nursery of democratic process. Let’s not depoliticize them! But at the same time, democratic process must also give responsibility to behave in a democratic and responsible manner. Hooliganism, goondaism and rowdiness are not desired in a democratic society and especially among the student community. Bombs and pistols have no place in the university. Instead of bombs and revolvers, student leaders should go with ideas to their colleagues. That would take the political process further.”
He further said, “In a democracy we may not agree with our superiors, our teachers. But paying respect to teachers is akin to paying respect to parents.”
If there is one student leader who stands up to the ideals described by Atul Kumar Anjaan, he is Shantanu Sharma. In a university where corruption, rowdiness and criminal cases appear to be prerequisite to qualify you as a student leader, Shantanu Sharma appears to be a genuine leader who is serving politics for the welfare of the society. Naturally, he has ideas and he differs with his seniors, including the VC, on some issues, but he has always voiced his views in a peaceful manner.
Shantanu Sharma, a candidate for President’s post, is a Science Graduate and has done his PG in Geology. He jumped into politics after completion of law degree and fought the election for the first time in 2003. Despite facing a negative atmosphere and abysmal scenario in student politics he is doing his job of public service and student welfare.
To a question that he may have opted other platform for public service and channelise his energy, he answered that, “Politics also need some genuine workers who can work without selfishness. I hope that my honesty will bring remarkable changes in society.” Sharma said that he is a follower of Gandhian principles and want to bring changes in the society. He joined politics accidentally, but is now taking it seriously.
That teachers as well as local police station and certain journalists covering education beat too have only good words to describe him is our justification for coming up in his defense. Says Dr. VD Mishra, Head of Sociology Department, LU, under whose guidance Shantanu Sharma is doing his research in Sociology: “Despite all illicit activities that student politicians resort to, this student has kept himself away from all the bad activities. I appreciate his honest efforts in active politics. When asked why instead of his honesty, he does not get that kind of support, Dr. Mishra said that every effort is not noticed by the public; it takes long time to get noticed and make significant changes. He expressed his optimistic view that his student will be successful in his venture.
Dr. Anshumali Sharma, Reader of Geology, K.K.C. too spoke in favour of Shantanu Sharma. He said, “He is doing endeavor for the welfare of masses. His efforts will evoke a decision-making and thinking process in public.” He revealed that Shantanu was also involved in social welfare activities like organising Medical Camps, Polio camps and is a member of Human Unity Welfare Society. When questioned about the allegation he is facing Dr. Sharma said that charges which he is facing are not serious allegations; administration found student leaders involved in creating ruckus and booked him also. So, his personal view is that these allegations could not lower down his potential.
Several other sources that we spoke to too acclaimed in chorus that he is an honest leader who has not involved himself in the awful politics of campus.
In this contest, the views of VC Prof R.P. Singh, who has expelled Sharma alongwith 82 other student leaders, is that he too is involved in politics. However, the V-C agreed that he was not aggressively involved in negative political activities until now though he has been booked for creating ruckus in the campus after the Lyngdoh proposals. Singh said if he is guilty, he should be punished.
However, if we go by Atul Anjaan’s view, as per which student union is a nursery of democratic process, it means that depoliticizing the campus can never be a solution. Students cannot be separated from issues around them. Their voices cannot be forced into silence. They have right to express their views in public. Only thing is that they should do so peacefully. And Shantanu Sharma is one who adheres to this principal.
As Atul Anjaan said, “Certain students may have had a negative track record. That does not mean that all student politicians are criminals. Some teachers have committed wrongs in the past. In Meerut University, teachers asked primary students to evaluate the copies. That does not mean all teachers should be thrown out.”

Why vote for a mayor who knows not how to keep a city clean?

All of us are voting for the Mayoral candidates with hope that the new incumbent would take measures to clean up the city, already a huge reservoir of waste, garbage and other unhygienic material. It is the Mayor who is supposed to spearhead this drive.
But what if those in fray for the mayoral candidature themselves show no regard for the cleanliness of the city?
The same is happening in the city of Lucknow. Huge hoardings have come up all over the city. This is in spite of the fact that it is common knowledge that plastic and polymeric waste is the most hazardous of all as it cannot be recycled.
What's more, the SP candidate Dr. Madhu Gupta has gone a step ahead to plaster the entire city with posters, including posters at places like the Vidhan Sabha building, where none else but with political muscle can dare put them up. Once she becomes the mayor, it will be her job to remove all these posters from the city.

Box
Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, situated at MG Marg, Lucknow is working on Plastic Waste Management for several years now. The results of its findings are here for all of you:
"Plasticizers have been used to impart flexibility to variety of plastic products. Di (2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most widely used plasticizer in PVC formulations for a wide variety of applications including medical devices, clothing etc. DEHP is also used in non-polymer materials such as lacquers, paints adhesives, fillers and printing inks. However, DEHP is not chemically bound to PVC and migrates out from plastic items with time and use. Plasticizers in general and phthalates in particular, are currently the subject of considerable media, legislative and scientific debate. Concerns regarding plasticizers have been raised on a variety of topics at regular intervals ever since the early 1980's. These have included environmental effects, oestrogen mimicking, phthalates in toys and most recently exposure via bio-medical devices. As a consequence, phthalates have been found everywhere in the environment and is universally considered to be a ubiquitous environmental contaminant leading to hepatic and reproductive toxicity. Phthalates long-term toxicity and tissue disposition have been well documented in animal models. It has also been found to produce developmental effects in males and reproductive tract effect in females. The metabolites of phthalates exhibit a genotoxic effect in human mucosal cell of the upper aerodigestive tract and in lymphocytes in vitro. According to another school of thought the environmental impact of phthalates is considered to be low due to their ready biodegradability and low toxicity.

New Finds in Earthquake Forecasting

India has seen several devastating earthquakes. Thousands of lives and assets worth thousands of crores have been lost every time an earthquake occurs. For months now, seismologists have been predicting a major earthquake in and around the Country’s Capital. However, when the earthquake does occur, it becomes evident that we were least prepared.
Despite several earthquakes that have killed in thousands, there had been limited effort in the direction of earthquake forecasting. However, things seem to be changing now. The Department of Science and Technology is setting up multi-parametric geophysical observatories at selected locations for monitoring all possible earthquake precursors. The date thus collected would enable Indian scientists to develop earthquake prognostic models for forecasts.
Our own backyard city, Agra interestingly has become a major center of research in this field. Employing a GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC monitor system, the monitoring of total electron content has been started in Bichpuri since June this year. The efforts of Dr. Birbal Singh have received wide appreciation whose novel approach to predicting disasters by analyzing data by regular monitoring of deep-rooted trees, has received international attention.
The pioneering research work done in the field of earthquake forecasting through study of electro-magnetic waves, by the Bichpuri centre of RBS College, has attracted worldwide notice. Following the success of the Bichpuri model established in 1998, the government of India has opened nine more such centres in India. Says Prof. Birbal Singh whose path breaking insights into this crucial field have led to a new understanding of the mystery surrounding earthquakes: “"Our government has recently placed orders for purchase of six more stations from Ukraine. These would be installed at different locations to enable scientists to attempt forecasting of seismological activity.” Prof Singh feels now is the time for a consensus to emerge to evolve a mechanism for continuous exchange of information and advance sharing of alarming signals to contain the devastating effects of natural calamities.
Dr. Harsh Gupta, former secretary Ocean Development and ex-director of Geo-Physical Research Institute, Hyderabad too feels that “more and more people are now accepting the fact that some of the earthquakes and volcanoes can be predicted in advance and preventive measures taken to limit their devastating effects.”
Gupta is of opinion that the science of earthquake prediction has made rapid strides recently. “As a physical phenomenon earthquake must be predictable to a certain degree. We normally analyze and study the trends and effects after a quake, we have now to focus on what can be done to predict accurately any disturbances like earthquakes and volcanoes.”
Ramesh P Singh of the Kanpur IIT is of opinion that “satellites are capable of observing changes on the land, ocean, atmosphere and ionosphere during day and night. The combined ground and satellite approach may be followed in earthquake forecast to avoid any false alarm to the public.”

National Information Centre of Earthquake (NICEE), at IIT- Kanpur, jointly with Urban Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Programme of UNDP is doing a commendable job regarding unsafe constructions not only by the public and the illiterate masons but also in case of many engineered buildings, which is a major source of problem. The 130 multistoried buildings that collapsed in Ahmedabad, located 220 km away from the epicenter of the earthquake in 2001, clearly illustrate the earthquake problem of India. Another such workshop with the builders, architects and engineers of Kanpur to develop a mutual understanding of the problems and constraints in ensuring safe constructions is scheduled for 14th December at IIT Campus, Kanpur to educate this community on taking adequate preventions.

Going to WTM is no wastage of money

Sub Head: Yearly event provides business platform and brings together worldwide buyers and sellers

UP Tourism Department was in news for the wrong reasons recently when a prominent newspaper accused the senior bureaucrats and politicians associated with the industry with incurring disproportionate expenditure because of their extensive traveling outside the country. The newspaper also pointed out that the three officers were about to go on another foreign trip and all this traveling was taking place when the Tourism Board was facing a deficit.
Fact is that the three people accused in the aforementioned article have actually gone ahead with their travel plan and are presently in London attending the WTM meet. Aziz Haider tried to find out whether the accusations were true and whether the three senior persons were actually wasting Government money by going to the WTM. Views of various prominent people associated with the Travel and Tourism industry revealed that the accusations were not true as WTM is truly one of the most important events in the calendar of any person who matters and who is associated with the industry. This is the place which provides a business platform for the world travel trade industry, brings together worldwide buyers and sellers, makes them abreast of the new developments where travel agents and tour operators from across the globe converge. Fact is that if you miss out on making a presence felt at WTM, then there is little chance that your company or product would be sold internationally, until the next WTM, of course.
WTM is an annual trade show hosted every year in London, aimed at helping businessmen from all over the world meet and conduct business and at the same time grow their network and negotiate while closing a deal. A record breaking 48,211 travel industry professionals participated at WTM 2006 representing 202 countries and regions, thereby signifying its importance. WTM 2006, being held from November 6 to 9 at ExCel, London is expected to witness greater participation.
Various prominent people associated with the industry agree that going to the WTM is no wastage and it is the narrow vision of the reporters not thoroughly familiar with the industry because of which such accusations are made. Says AK Misra, secretary, ministry of tourism, “WTM is one of the leading events in the world tourism industry and India will surely make its presence felt before the global audience. This is the right place where the Indian suppliers can showcase their products before clients from across the world.” Misra further tells that the Union Ministry of Tourism, under a special scheme, provides financial assistance to service providers fro attending such events. How logical is it that financial assistance is provided to service providers but the ministers and senior bureaucrats do not attend.
Arjun Sharma, MD, Le Passage to India has been to WTM 20 times till now. Arjun Sharma claims that anybody who is a serious player in the industry should have India in its focus, as India is the destination of the future. During the WTM, there would also be an ‘Incredible India’ evening, where various presentations on India as a myriad destination will be held. What if our own UP would have missed out on this event? The same people would have been criticizing the ministry then.
Renu Kapoor, VP – sales and marketing with Claridges too is focusing on meeting new buyers from CIS countries, Australia and the Middle East. Same is the case with Karan Anand, Executive Director, Cox & Kings, who is going to use this opportunity to meet up with clients and also meet new product suppliers.
Not to be left behind, State Tourism departments too are gearing up to showcase their myriad products. Says Ashwani Lohani, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation: “Travel events like WTM will help put Madhya Pradesh on the world tourism scenario and help generate awareness about the state.” Likewise, B. Suman, director, Kerala Tourism is also looking forward to reveal the splendour of Kerala to the audiences in London.
India has one of the largest delegations coming over to WTM, and, going by previous year’s feedbacks, there is a fair amount of confidence among the exhibitors that they would get good response for their products. Pity if UP had lost out on this chance, just because of the single-minded opinion of a journo who matters!

BUSINESS MOGHULS

Business Moghuls is HTE's attempt to depict views, work and life of important businessmen and senior executives of the region. In this issue, Aziz Haider talked to Mayur Garg, Managing Partner of Tex India Distributors, handling revered brands like Louis Philippe, Allen Solly, Van Heusen, and Peter England.

He is suave, young and articulate. What’s more, he has got a very calculative brain over his young shoulders. So much so that when he realized that a great deal of his money was spent on outdoor advertising campaigns for four of India’s highest selling readymade garment brands, he started an outdoor agency of his own, which is today one of the leading outdoor advertising agencies of UP.
Mayur Garg, Managing Partner of Tex India distributors, looks skywards when you ask about his future plans. Carrying forward the traditional family business as C&F agents for medicines, Garg showed his business acumen by realizing the future potential of retail at a time when few knew the significance of this word. With time, the garment retail became a passion for him so much so that it cannot be said precisely whether he takes time out of business to watch movies, another of his passion, or takes time out of seeing films to conduct business deal. Whatever, Garg’s success story has proved that innovation and hard work pays; whatever you do.
Consequently Garg ventured out into other areas as well. This included the successful venture of Origins, the advertising agency, and a not-so-successful venture of restaurant business, which he attributes to wrong timing rather than anything else.
“Retail will grow considerably in future,” says Garg. “Existing markets will have no option but to upgrade. Already, the change is visible in Hazratganj and Gomti Nagar, where space-owners have closed shops and rented out the premises to multinationals.” Garg is of the view that the entire market dynamics will change in Lucknow once the six more malls that are in varying stages of construction opens.
But Lucknow is still far away from really becoming a metro, says Garg. “Metro is not about certain number of people alone. You have to have infrastructure. You should have railway stations, roads, transportation services, airports of that standard. Lucknow has seen much development in two years but still lot needs to be done. Lights have come up on traffic intersections and more importantly Lucknowites have started stopping on red lights. UPSRTC has introduced new buses, but public transport system still continues to be bad.” In next two years, however, the Lucknow skyline is going to change tremendously, considering the amount of construction that is happening at present, adds Garg.

Hi Time Gossip ‘Mulayam’s Dubai Connection’

Several Non-Resident Indians based in Dubai are flying all the way to a village named Manitha in Jaunpur District to felicitate Mulayam Singh Yadav and express confidence in his work. Aptly called ‘Etmaad Rally’, this gathering is organized under the patronage of SP’s Maharashtra unit president, Abu Asim Azmi. This being a predominantly Muslim belt, it is expected that crowds from Janupur, Azamgarh, Akbarpur and Sultanpur district will gather at this small village.
Ironically, while Abu Asim Azmi is organizing a Etmaad Rally in Mulayam’s own UP, back in Maharashtra he is planning a rally of a different sort, where Mulayam, Amar Singh and rest of the contingent are polishing their weaponry to attack Sonia and company, tooth and nail.