Tuesday, May 31, 2011

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs



From Right to Left are Senior Sub-Editor and Current Acting Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath, Marketing Executive of Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar Rampreet Roy, Editor of Newsband K R Bhat, bride Lily and bridegroom George Mendonca who is the Former Reporter of Newsband and Current Reporter of Times of Navi Mumbai (Times of India Group) and other two guests. The occasion is Wedding Reception of George Mendonca held at Navi Mumbai High School at Vashi in New Bombay.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Dinesh Kamath talks about Sonny Corleone who is his favorite hero


The first picture is of Dinesh Kamath, the writer of this piece
The second picture is of Sonny Corleone - A Powerful Lover and Warrior
Today, I'll talk about Sonny Corleone who was one of the most important characters in the movie Godfather. This character impresses me for several reasons. I loved his military mind, his love for women and his love for his family. I loved his body language, his style of delivering dialogues, his temperament, his legendary love and his legendary temper. If I had to get a chance to act in films I would love to play Sonny Corleone. That much I love this character.
In the movie his father's role was played by great Marlon Brando. Brando had played the role of Godfather Vito Corleone. Vito Corleone was not happy with Sonny's lifestyle. But he could not help but admit that it was Sonny who made him the number one Godfather. He had to admit that it was Sonny who made his family the number one family among the five mafia families which existed in New York. Sonny, for your information, never got a chance to play the role of Godfather. But he did play the role of Acting Godfather twice. First time he became Acting Godfather, it was when Vito Corleone was shot by someone and he had to be hospitalized. Sonny then became the Acting Godfather and he used this opportunity to take full revenge against the other mafia families. He got the opportunity to display his powerful and legendary military mind. It was he and his henchman Luca Brassi who together created havoc among all the mafia families in New York. It was at this time that he managed to make his father Vito Corleone the number one Godfather in New York. He had also made his family the number one family among all the mafia families in New York. When Vito Corleone was discharged from hospital he took over again as Godfather. But this time, he was number one Godfather, thanks to Sonny and his powerful military mind which helped him to humble all the other mafia families who now feared him, dreaded him and respected him.
Sonny Corleone once again got the opportunity to play the role of Acting Godfather when Vito Corleone was once again shot owing to which he had to be hospitalized. Sonny Corleone once again waged a war of vendetta and he lived up to the reputation of one with a powerful military brain. But unfortunately his legendary temper proved to be his downfall. His enemies banked on this weak point of Sonny and got him trapped and killed in the most brutal manner. Thus Sonny Corleone could not survive to become a Godfather after his father Vito Corleone. It was his younger brother Michael Corleone who became the Godfather and his style of functioning was different from that of Sonny Corleone but he proved to be the most successful Godfather. For your information, the role of Michael Corleone was played by another great actor of Hollywood who was none other than Al Pacino.
The role of Sonny Corleone was played by James Caan. I got all this above information from the novel Godfahter. It is unfortunate that the movie Godfather didn't depict Sonny in a proper light. The movie 'Godfather' didn't depict Sonny's military mind to the extent the novel had depicted. If the movie had shown Sonny's military exploits, the movie would have been much more appreciated by the audiences and also Sonny would have been much more loved and adored by the world audiences. Bye!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Dinesh Kamath's Editorials ('Forgivenss can create magic' and other editorials) that appeared in Newsband


Forgiveness can create magic
Here are the words of a Messiah uttered in writer's own words:
“The call to forgiveness and reconciliation is vital for the survival of the human race. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness. The cause of many a suffering is the feeling of vengeance, jealousy and greed, yet we have a choice before us, to not succumb to these negative aspects. By forgiving those who wrong us, not only do we create the right environment for harmony and peace, we also promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Miracles happen when two alienated people start all over again. An estranged father holds out his hand to his daughter; those on the brink of divorce suddenly undergo a change of heart; bitter enemies become friends as suspicions get lifted - transforming relationships happen through the melting away of bitterness and animosity.
Forgiveness is an act of love. It has the power to heal. At the heart of love is forgiveness and compassion. Forgiveness creates the possibilities of release from an unfair or unpleasant past. It takes us off the escalator of revenge providing an escape from gradual and total ruin. To forgive is to put down heavy baggage from one's back. It is setting oneself free from bonds of hatred.
Today when terrorism and hatred, suspicion and greed seek to create chaos and uncertainty all over the globe, understanding, atonement and forgiveness need to be propagated and practised more effectively if we are to improve the quality of our lives and evolve on the spiritual path. Forgiveness holds the key. Its give and take will open doors to greater brotherhood and understanding. Forgiving is the sign of civilization.”

Need for electoral reformsThe corruption in government in a big scale proves that there is a need for electoral reforms. This is exactly what social activist Anna Hazare was trying to emphasise and hence he demanded for a tougher Lokpal Bill. The committee which has been formed to draft a better Lokpal Bill should focus on electoral reforms as well.
We need to debate in great length on the drawbacks that lie in present system of election if we want to bring about electoral reforms. An educated poor person who is fit to lead the nation just cannot even dream of winning elections in India. It is the corrupt rich who buy votes with their muscle power and money who stand a chance to get elected. Many a times, due to lack of choice, the electorate is forced to compromise on the quality of election candidates.
In order to ensure integrity and increase choice for voters, it is imperative to enhance the provisions of the 'no vote' option in election rules. The present law gives voters the right to exercise their franchise and yet not vote for any of the candidates on the ballot list. However, not only is awareness regarding the provision low, no-votes do not impact the overall outcome of the election. The law which states that the voters have to declare their intention to the presiding officer of the polling station goes against the very spirit of a secret ballot.
To strengthen the provision the rules could stipulate that in the event the number of no-votes amounted to 50% or more of the total votes cast, election to that particular constituency would be cancelled and fresh elections held with the earlier slate of candidates debarred from contesting. This could make political parties accountable and force them to field candidates with clean records. Another thing is measures should be taken to curb the flow of black money into election campaigns.
Criminal cases against sitting legislators should be expedited through fast-track courts. Empowering the electorate through an option to recall elected representatives is a good idea. The electoral process is the foundation of a democracy. Strengthening it is the key to enhancing the quality of governance.

Replace rote learning by scientific methodOne of the main reasons why our agricultural sector is dwindling is the lack of emphasis or adequate knowledge into the subject. We can bring in innovation in this field and at the same time work towards self-sufficiency. A village boy may understand better about plants and animals, and hence avenues must be provided for him to explore and improve in areas that he can excel in. Converting a whole nation into engineers and doctors won't solve our basic needs, but will only compound the problem.
We have to change our learning system. It is something like developing inquisitiveness.
The progress in our children's comprehensive ability and the subtle and variegated creativity they show in their everyday lives go unappreciated and even under valued. Our children, from very young age, are encouraged by parents and secondarily by teachers, to achieve 'high marks' and to get 'first rank' in their class. No other achievement is valued with higher regard by their elders. Thus getting higher marks than their peers becomes the only valued goal in our kids' lives. Unfortunately the various 'competitive' entrance tests which determine the future of children are also based on achieving higher marks over others. Numerous schools and tutorials help kids achieve this goal, by tutoring them in tricks to achieve higher marks. Thus the whole system is geared to do this. Experimentation, as a method to learn truth, has become outright secondary in this system. Higher value (read marks again) is given to just repeating the facts detected through experiment originally done by some one else (usually outside the country). The general impression is that it is a waste of time and money to realize a known fact through an experiment. Thus rote learning of facts has substituted the role of experimentation. It is our own making that the process of experimentation has failed to become a habit in our children's lives.
Responsibility lies with parents, teachers and the education ministry in changing the basic incentives in education. The education ministry may exploit the bait of high marks to promote original thinking and learning through experimentation.
The text books should encourage the Scientific Method rather than the rote learning. Each student should be expected to carry out an investigation using the scientific processes. The teachers should be not only adept in the content but also be an inspiration for the students for the scientific inquiry. India needs a lot more colleges of Science Education and Mathematics.



Improve the education systemThe perception of the subject called 'Science' should be changed among Indian students. Science should be made “cool and fun.” A fresh approach should be adopted. The best methods of teaching science should be worked out. The rote learning system adopted by most schools in India, even classroom study combined with some laboratory work with pre-defined outcomes, does very little to stimulate curiosity and interest in science.
Scientists from India's space and atomic energy departments and in some other places where serious science is done can lead the way in engaging with school pupils and getting them to do real science. India needs to establish more science and research centers besides good teachers to take the lead. Even after six decades of education Science and Technology education has not reached the students properly. This speaks volumes of our standard of education. It has come down considerably. But for one University, none of the Indian universities have found place in the list of top 200 universities in the world. Standard of science education needs to be made more innovative and practical oriented.
Novel scientific questions should be raised and answered in a scientific way. India should also create creativity among school children. Our education should send some meaning in the minds of the students. In the present education system, marks alone have become a criterion for a job. This trend should change. Education must be made to tap the real talent of the students. Education must be made to create more inventions among the students. The entire education should be changed completely so that education becomes a torch bearer of Science and Technology to the lives of the students.
Teaching community should find ways of imparting the contents in a simpler way. The kind of pressure exerted on the students at the +2 level by school teachers is mind boggling. Students are made to believe that the only way to lead a successful life is through scoring high marks.
The current academic curriculum is job-centric. This style is counter productive to creativity and development in all fields scientifically. Unless an effort is taken to completely overhaul the current education system, in a phased manner, development will be more concentrated in getting white collar jobs.

US attack has embarrassed PakistanOsama bin Laden's killing is an important event in the global struggle against violent extremism propagated by al-Qaida and its ilk. Pakistan warned of catastrophic consequences if any country - read India - were to try to carry out a US-style operation. New Delhi's done well not to respond. Abbottabad indicates that at least a segment of Pakistan's military-ISI combine has been supporting extremists. Abbottabad might be an embarrassment, but it's also an opportunity for course correction. The world is now convinced that the terrorists have found shelter in Pakistan.
Army chief General V K Singh's made a statement that Indian forces can carry out Abbottabad-type operations. Pakistan pounced upon this remark about India's capability to undertake surgical covert operations like the one Americans pulled off in Abbottabad.
Islamabad warned a similar move by India will trigger military retaliation. The generals took serious note of assertions made by the Indian military leadership about conducting similar operations.
"Any misadventure of this kind will be responded to very strongly. There should be no doubt about it," Pakistan warned.
"Any other country that would ever act (similarly) on the assumption that it has the might ... will find it has made a basic miscalculation," Pakistan further warned
"Any such misadventure will result in a major catastrophe. We see a lot of bravado in our region... from the military, air force, which state that this can be repeated," added Pakistan
Abbottabad is leveraged to both persuade Pakistan behind the scenes to clean house as well as to support it in any efforts to do so. That the Americans could enter Abbottabad, home to the Pakistan Military Academy and two regiments, has come as a huge embarrassment to the military-ISI complex which prides itself as the mainstay of Pakistan.
The pressure that Pakistan's military and political leadership has come under, to clarify why it hadn't explained the US action, is too much. Not only has the raid embarrassed the military establishment, it has triggered street protests by Muslim groups that the government fears could further sour the public mood against it.
The best thing is New Delhi had the guts to threaten to hit terrorists holed up in Pakistan cities.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


From Left to Right are Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Shailesh Jadhav, Krishna Naik of Aaple Nave Shahar, Marketing Executives of Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar Rampreet Roy and Vijay Kamble, Manohar Dasade and Krishna Parule of KD Constructions Pvt Ltd, Akash Gindodia of KD Construction Pvt Ltd and in-charge of Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar, Vendor of newspapers Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar Salauddin Khan and Editor of Newsband K R Bhat.
The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. Photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the photo-journalist of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs




Seated on the dais from Right to Left are Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath, Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia, Chief Guest and Editor of Lokmat Sukrut Khandekar and Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Shailesh Jadhav. Occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in Navi Mumbai.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs



To the right is Senior Sub Editor of Newband Dinesh Kamath. To the left is Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia. The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in Navi Mumbai.
These are two men who changed the face of media of New Bombay (Navi Mumbai) and made it equal to media of Mumbai (Bombay). One financed while the other master-planned.
Photographer is Apurba Biswas, the former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of City Plus.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs



Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath and Viraag Wankhede, the winner of Nave Shahar Best Artist Award, shake hands. The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in New Bombay.
For your information, Viraag Wankhede is the holder of Guinness Book of World Records.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs




Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath and Scribe Vasant Thakur, the winner of Nave Shahar Best Journalist Award, shake hands.
In the above photograp, Vasant Thakur is receiving the award from Chief Guest and Editor of Lokmat Sukrut Khandekar. Also present in the pictures are Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia and Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Shailesh Jadhav. The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in Navi Mumbai.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs




(From Right to Left) Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath, Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia, Chief Guest and Editor of Lokmat Sukrut Khandekar and Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Shailesh Jadhav with differently-abled Parikshit Shah who received Nave Shahar Best Student Award on the occasion of Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in New Bombay. Photographer is Apurba Biswas, the former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of City Plus.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Kamlesh Chavan on behalf of 'Alert India' receives Nave Shahar Best Social Institution Award. In the picture he is shaking hands with Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia while Chief Guest and Editor of Lokmat Sukrut Khandekar and Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Shailesh Jadhav look on. The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. Photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the Photo-journalist of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


(From Right to Left) Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath, Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia and Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Shailesh Jadhav look on as Chief Guest and Editor of Lokmat Sukrut Khandekar hands Nave Shahar Best Sports Person Award to athlete Snehal Shinde on the occasion of 4th Anniversary of Newsband celebrated at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in New Bombay. Photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the photo-journalist of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs



Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath is to the extreme right. From left to right are former Reporter of City Plus and current Reporter of Hindustan Times Rucha Kamat, former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of Hindustan Times Indira Thakur, Reporter of Newsband Pratibha Yadav, former Reporters of Newsband and current Reporters of City Plus Apurba Biswas and Jaspal Singh Naol, Deepa, wife of Ajimon, DTP Operator of Newsband Ajimon with his son Aaditya and last is Dinesh Kamath. The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in New Bombay. Photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the photo-journalist of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


From Left to Right are former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of City Plus Aurba Biswas, Reporter of Newsband Pratibha Yadav, former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of Times of Navi Mumbai (Times of India Group) George Mendonca, former Reporter of City Plus and current Reporter of Hindustan Times Rucha Kamat, former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of Hindustan Times Indira Thakur and Pallavi. The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in New Bombay. Photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the photo-journalist of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath is to the extreme right. From Left to Right are Navi Mumbai Congress Party Chief Namdev Bhagat, former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of City Plus Jaspal Singh Naol, Deepa, wife of Ajimon, DTP Operator of Newsband Ajimon with his son Aaditya and last is Dinesh Kamath. The occasion is Celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. Photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the photo-journalist of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


From Left to Right are Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath, former Reporter of City Plus and current Reporter of Hindustan Times Rucha Kamat, standing behind is former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of City Plust Apurba Biswas, next is former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of Hindustan Times Indira Thakur with Aaditya, son of DTP Operator of Newsband Ajimon, former Reporter of Newsband and current Reporter of City Plus Jaspal Singh Naol and Reporter of Newsband Pratibha Yadav. The occasion is celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in New Bombay. Photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the photo-journalist of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath looks on as Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia delivers a welcome speech at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in Navi Mumbai on the occasion of 4th Anniversary of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath looks on as Mahendra Konde does the compering for Prize Distribution Ceremony at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi in New Bombay on the occasion of 4th Anniversary of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs





Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath is to the right. Sub-Editor of Newsband Prakash Koshy is to the left. Behind is Reporter of Newsband Amit Srivastav. Above two photographs are those of Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath. The occasion is celebration of 4th Anniversary of Newsband and venue is Tunga Hotel at Vashi, New Bombay.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Cutting cakes on the occasion of anniversary of Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar at Tunga Hotel at Vashi, New Bombay. From Left to Right are Sub-Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Nandkumar Thakur, Marketing Manager of Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar Divakar Gore, Editor of Aaple Nave Shahar Shailesh Jadhav, Marketing Executive of Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar Vijay Kamble, Editor of Newsband K R Bhat and Publisher of Newsband and Aaple Nave Shahar Kailash Gindodia. The photograph was clicked by Amit Srivastav, the Reporter of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Guardian Minister of Thane District Ganesh Naik and Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, New Bombay, on the occasion of 4th Anniversary of Newsband. The photographer is Ashok Dhamija, the photo-journalist of Newsband.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Dinesh Kamath's editorials ('Law triumphs over terror', 'India should learn from Obama' and 'Only America can solve Indo-Pak problem') that appeared in Newsband


Law triumphs over Terror
Osama bin Laden, the face of global terrorism and architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was killed in a firefight with elite American forces
``Justice has been done,'' US President Barack Obama said in a dramatic announcement at the White House while a crowd cheered outside and hundreds more gathered at ground zero in Manhattan to celebrate the news.
The military operation took mere minutes. US helicopters ferrying elite counter-terrorism troops into the compound identified by the CIA as bin Laden's hideout _ and back out again in less than 40 minutes. Bin Laden was shot in the head after he and his bodyguards resisted the assault.
The 54-year-old bin Laden's death marks a psychological triumph in a long struggle that began with the Sept. 11 attacks, and seems certain to give Obama a political lift. But its ultimate impact on al-Qaida is less clear.Justify FullThe greatest terrorist threat to the U.S. is now considered to be the al-Qaida franchise in Yemen, far from al-Qaida's core in Pakistan. The Yemen branch almost took down a US-bound airliner on Christmas 2009 and nearly detonated explosives aboard two U.S. cargo planes last fall.
Four years ago, the United States learned the man's identity, which officials did not disclose, and then about two years later, they identified areas of Pakistan where he operated. Last August, the man's residence was found, officials said.
This compound was custom built in 2005 to hide someone of significance, with walls as high as 18 feet (5 1/2 meters) and topped by barbed wire. Despite the compound's estimated $1 million cost and two security gates, it had no phone or Internet running into the house.
By mid-February, intelligence from multiple sources was clear enough that Obama wanted to pursue an aggressive course of action. Over the next two and a half months, Obama led five meetings of the National Security Council focused solely on whether bin Laden was in that compound and, if so, how to get him.
Two hours later, Obama was told that bin Laden had been tentatively identified. CIA director Leon Panetta was directly in charge of the military team during the operation, according to one official, and when he and his aides received word at agency headquarters that bin Laden had been killed, cheers broke out around the conference room table.
Thus World Law has triumphed over World Terror. This is the beginning of victory for International Law against the World Terrorists.

India should learn from Obama

In the wake of the dramatic US operation at Abbottabad, which ended in Osama bin Laden's death, one wonders whether India has the 'capabilities' to carry out such strikes.
Given the experience of 26/11 in Mumbai and the quality of responses witnessed there, as well as in a host of earlier operations, and knowledge of 'capacity building' thereafter, it should be abundantly clear that India does not have the necessary capabilities to carry out such operations even on its own soil, leave alone deep inside hostile territory.
This is as a result of a systematic neglect and weakening of India's security apparatus, and the dismantling of covert capabilities by successive administrations over decades. Such capabilities can be restored. It requires a measure of strategic acuity, resilience and determination on the part of our political leaders, which at present they give no evidence of possessing.
Our leaders should learn a thing or two from President Barack Obama. Obama sat with national security advisers to evaluate intelligence and then signed, on record, an executive order authorizing an operation to execute a terrorist leader on foreign soil. This is called genuine leadership.
Billions of dollars, tremendous diplomatic arm-twisting, and a relentless commitment to their policy goals have enabled the Americans to secure this limited victory, even as Obama concedes, "His death does not mark the end of our effort."
There is, however, a residual and great danger. Osama's death creates an imminent threat worldwide and certainly in India as well. Tremendous vigilance will be needed from overstretched intelligence and security forces in the coming weeks and months to ensure that such risks are not realised.
More significantly, however, it is a long-term imperative for democracies to develop systems and capacities to protect themselves against ruthless enemies who recognize no limits to their violence and to contest the ideologies of hate that are, today, vigorously propagated even within liberal cultures.


Only America can solve Indo-Pak problem

The American Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) forces rubbed out Osama bin Laden. If only India could send its commandos to do a sequel to the Osama episode, that would be one blockbuster.
India knows the locations of Dawood and Hafiz Saeed. So why can't India finish them the way Obama ended Osama?
The Kashmir problem will not be resolved by capturing or killing some unbelievably evil people in Pakistan. Terrorists have a way of breeding rapidly if they receive political patronage. To resolve Kashmir, or terrorism in the subcontinent, there is no alternative but a state-to-state dialogue.
For years the British did to Irish Republicans what some want us to do to Pakistani jihadists. They killed, captured and maimed hundreds, but that did not bring them closer to peace. Eventually it was the resolve of the governments of Ireland and Britain that did the trick.
Even if India can pull off a forced entry into Lahore, Karachi, or wherever, this will not keep the jihadis from breeding. Terrorists will spawn like worms. Ireland teaches us that peace happens only when governments want peace.
In India we run a risk. Whenever Pakistan postures aggressively, we have to reciprocate. Where is the alternative? This has had disastrous consequences for Indo-Pak relations and there is really no end in sight. For some time, there is a deceptive peace in the Valley and then suddenly a single stone starts an avalanche. Such incidents bring out the worst in both Pakistan and India. Religious bigots, whether Hindu or Muslim, are able to raise the ante and scare the rest from calling their bluff. It is this that keeps miracles from happening.
India and Pakistan need to do something that is grand and magnanimous. For example, when a car bomb killed a rookie Catholic policeman in Northern Ireland, activists from both sides condemned the attack. Catholics and Protestants went in large numbers to the funeral. This proves that for peace to happen both sides should want peace.
The Abbottabad incident shows that Pakistan is unwavering in its support to jihadis. Now that it has been shamed in the open, Pakistan must quickly make up its mind: will it hit back or think about peace?
As far as Indo-Pak problem is concerned, perhaps a push from big brother might help. If Bill Clinton could do it for Ireland, President Obama should do it for us. Only then will the war on terror, in Kashmir and elsewhere, end.


Dinesh Kamath's column on 'Movie and TV World' that appeared in Newsband

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Dinesh Kamath, Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband, and Kailash Gindodia, Publisher of Newsband in deep conversation at Tunga Hotel at Vashi, New Bombay, during the celebration of First Anniversary of Newsband Photographer is Chandrashekhar Hendve, Reporter of Newsband.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Dinesh Kamath and his daughter (in cradle)

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath at Tunga Hotel during the celebration of First Anniversary of Newsband. Photographer is Chandrashekhar Hendve, Reporter of Newsband.

From Dinesh Kamath's stock of photographs


Senior Sub-Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath and Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia. The venue is Tunga Hotel. Occasion is First Anniversary of Newsband. Photographer is Chandrashekhar Hendve, Reporter of Newsband.