Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Pakistan shoudl control their terrorists first) that was published in Newsband

Pakistan should control their terrorists first
Ties between the US and Pakistan have hit an all-time low. This is because the US had called on Pakistan to move against militant groups such as the Haqqani network which for Islamabad are strategic assets.
America had differences with Islamabad many times in the past. Pakistan did try its best not to lose support of the US. At one stage Pakistan even provided support to the American military effort across the Durand Line to evade serious indictment.
But now the things are different. America had enough of Islamabad's two faces. And also after America spotted Osama bin Laden in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad earlier this year, Washington doesn't fully trust Islamabad. America now wishes to freeze most aid to Pakistan. Even if Washington and Islamabad are able to get over this rough patch, it is unlikely that things will be back to business as usual.
Now Pakistan is trying to counter American pressure in its own way. It is trying to woo China and is also trying to improve its relations with India. The Indian and Pakistani foreign minister exchanged pleasantries just recently on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. India too responded equally positively by hosting Pakistan's commerce minister at Mumbai's Taj Palace hotel which was a prime target of the 26/11 terror attack. This is a golden opportunity for India to give boost to the trade between the two neighbours. Once the trade and business ties are normal, the two countries will be on a friendly track.
India should also somehow get the Pakistan government to crack down on their terror groups which are dangerous for our country. In the past terror attacks coming from Pakistan had damaged Indo-Pak relations. Hence tackling of these terrorists should be the first and foremost demand that India should make to Pakistan if the latter is interested in normalizing relations with our country. Also this is a golden opportunity for India to try and be in the good books of America.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Congress errs, BJP gains) that was published in Newsband

Congress errs, BJP gainsThe 2G spectrum allocation controversy is become a big issue. UPA government is put in an embarrassing situation. The ruling Congress is unable to control its coalition partners since it has its own internal differences. Its members are washing their dirty linen in public. The accusing finger is being pointed to Pranab Mukherjee's predecessor P Chidambaram who could have revoked the first-come, first-served 2G licensing policy and introduced auctioning.
BJP has taken full advantage of this situation. It was just waiting for UPA to make one mistake. It is now condemning the UPA's top brass, the finance minister and even the prime minister. The UPA is trying to undo the damage that is already done. The prime minister has expressed full faith in Chidambaram, while Mukherjee has described him as a 'valued colleague'. But it is too late. The situation is gone out of control and BJP is trying to gain as much as possible by this one flaw that Congress has made.
As far as UPA is concerned there is a difference of opinion within the cabinet. This could be detrimental to government functioning. It is become clear to BJP that UPA just can't manage its own house and this is a golden opportunity for BJP to dominate over UPA. BJP naturally has its eyes focused on the next poll. UPA is trying its best to project a united, cohesive face and get rid of their embattled and defensive appearance before the polls. The Congress party particularly has realized that this is not the right time for its members to take potshots at each other. Its members have realized that it is very necessary to place the interest of the government above their personal interests. Indian voters are looking at UPA suspiciously since it is accused of not taking any step in controlling the corruption that is prevailing within all ranks of government functionaries.
Mukherjee's letter has only added more fuel to the fire. Now they have to decide fast whether to go the auction or the first-come, first-served route. The debate is going on. It is left to be seen as to what will be the outcome of this debate. But Congress has learnt a lesson that it should never wash its dirty linens in public since it can not only weaken them but strengthen the opposition which is always on the look out for such opportunity which can enable them to score over their adversary.

Dinesh Kamath's columns on 'Movie and TV World' that were published in Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Sachin and ICC) that was published in Newsband

Sachin and ICC
Sachin Tendulkar had written a letter to ICC CEO Lorgat asking for changes in ODI format. The Indian batting icon had also spoken about this new concept in television interviews in the past.
The ICC World Cup held in the subcontinent earlier this year had reportedly breathed new life into the 'tired' format of 50-over cricket. However, Sachin Tendulkar has issues with it. Tendulkar is the most prolific run-scorer in ODIs and so his words have weight. He wrote a letter to the ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, seeking a radical switch from two 50-over innings to four digs of 25 overs each.
Tendulkar was one of the first cricketers to suggest that One-Dayers needed a bit of a revamp and should be split into two innings in order to compete with T20. Sachin feels once the players have tried out this format they will be in a better position to judge if the format works or not. He argued that four alternate innings of 25 overs for each side in an international would be a fair way to balance the advantages gained by the team which won the toss, especially in conditions (pitch, weather, floodlights) which ensure that a match can virtually be decided by the spin of a coin. Sachin had made many more interesting suggestions. When the master speaks, the world generally listens. But the ICC has decided to bury its head in the sand with the argument that the 2011 World Cup proved the health of the ODI format. Yes, the tournament was a success - but one swallow does not a spring make.
What the ICC has kept in mind is that cricket lovers want a genuine contest between bat and ball. And that can best be observed in the ODI format. According to them, the T20 format is a crude caricature of the game, as it simply requires the batsman to throw his bat at the ball. There's no place for the bowler to demonstrate his guile, nor any requirement for the batsman to preserve his wicket. They believe that ODI is a multidimensional test of skills and preserves the grace of cricket. It could be the game's future, outliving the other formats.
However, Tendulkar has cult status in Indian cricket and so his attempt to impose a market-driven agenda that promotes a slam-bang version of cricket should be appreciated.

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

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Make farmers feel secure) that was published in Newsband

Make farmers feel secureJust after the independence a big portion of what the consumer spent on food reached the farmer. Now, only a small part reaches him while major part goes to middlemen. This is because as per the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act (APMC Act), a farmer must take his produce to a `market yard` and sell it through middlemen. No wonder, then, that a farmer gets only a meager share of what the consumer pays.
The APMC Act, passed in 1954, needs to be scrapped or substantially amended. The central government prepared a Model APMC Act in 2003. which provides for direct selling by farmers, contract farming and aims to remove interstate barriers for movement of food products - or implement it faithfully due to vested interests.
There are exceptions. Andhra Pradesh has started `Raythu Bazar` (farmer`s market) where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers at select locations in the city. ITC, meanwhile, has started an `e-chaupal` scheme to provide internet connectivity to farmers so that they can decide to sell their produce directly to supermarkets or through market yards. The scheme covers four million farmers in nine states.
However, neither these exceptions nor modifying the APMC Act will be enough. To prevent a big part of food products from perishing during sto-rage and transportation we need to develop cold chains for storage and transportation all over the country on a massive scale.
BARC scientists have proved that gamma rays increase the storage life of food pro-ducts like onions. And scientists at CSIO in Chandigarh have developed a high voltage process to disinfect milk in seconds. This will replace the current method of pasteurisation and save a huge amount of energy. But farmers just cannot afford cold storage or gamma ray equipment. Nationalised banks should step in and create a network of food banks to make storage facilities available to farmers on a rental basis. Farmers can then safely store their produce in these food banks and sell only when the market rate is remunerative. They can also get loans for buying seeds, fertilisers and pesticides from the banks.
Unseasonal rains, famine or pests can hit farmers anytime and so in order to prevent such calamities from devastating them, insurance companies should come forward with different schemes to give insurance cover to farmers so that they can protect their incomes.
Contract farming is another idea where some companies have already made forays, sourcing produce from farmers under contract and selling them under their own brand names. Thus more such initiatives are required to make our farmers feel secure.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (How to be non-corrupt?) that was published in Newsband

How to be non-corrupt?
Corruption cannot be stopped only by making better and harsher laws. Laws need to be implemented efficiently and this can happen with good governance. A better way to reduce corruption is for each of us to reduce our greed. With reduced greed and better implementation of existing laws, corruption can be effectively capped.
If we follow the maxim of "simple living and high thinking" we can control our urge to be corrupt.
The basis of greed is desire. Desire manifests itself in different forms like lust, aim, ambition, control and goal. However, the driving force is the same - power, fame, money and control.
If our desires are fulfilled we don't want to possess more. It is unfulfilled desires that lead to frustration and this makes us want more. This leads eventually to more control and greed, the major causes of corruption. Hence control over our desires is necessary.
We must become sensitive and humble. This will help us to focus on getting personal happiness through mental peace rather than satisfaction of material needs. Besides, it reduces our insecurities and hence gives us a feeling of calmness, well-being and happiness.
A powerful and sensitive mind creates a desire to give back something to society and help less fortunate fellow beings.
The brain develops right from birth and fast. Creation of a powerful mind should start from childhood when brainpower is at its peak. When we focus on reading, thinking and contemplation, we can grow to be better human beings and form a gentler and more sustainable society. A small individual step towards a corruption-free society should therefore start being taken in school.
Only when all of us become internally secure and reduce our greed would we be able to give something back to society and lay the foundation for a sustainable and corruption-free India.

Dinesh Kamath is the new Editor of 'Newsband'

The above photos are of Dinesh Kamath, the Editor of Newsband. Reporter of Newsband Amit Kumar Srivastav clicked the photographs.
Hi,
Publisher of Newsband Kailash Gindodia has at last declared that I am the new Editor of Newsband. I've thus occupied the post that was left vacant by former Editor of Newsband K R Bhat. I'm thankful to publisher Kailash Gindodia for considering me worthy of occupying the post of Editor of Newsband. I will try my best to live up to his expectations. I feel honoured and privileged for having been officially declared as the Editor of Newsband. I thank those many readers of Newsband who greatly appreciated my contributions to this newspaper when I was a Sub-Editor. It is also owing to them that I've been promoted to the post of Editor. I thank them too! Bye!

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

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Our perceiving power is limited) that was published in Newsband

Our perceiving power is limited
Our vision of the world and the universe can be narrow. We see the world from our limited perceptual framework. Despite an overwhelming evolution of the human race, the human mind is severely restricted by what it can perceive through the senses.
What we hear is limited by the frequencies our ears can process - dogs can hear many higher frequencies and hence have a very different perception of the same sounds. Our sight is limited by the light frequencies our eyes can relate to; With scientific knowledge, we know that many things are not what they appear to be - the sky isn`t blue, the moon doesn`t rise in the night; and the house we live in is not stationary, but rotates along with the earth. Essentially, we see, hear and process what we can and not what reality is.
Truth realisation is not easy. Our perceptions are further clouded by our personal thoughts and emotions. For a lover, a beautiful woman is an object of desire; for the hermit, a distraction; for the wolf, a good meal.
Our minds create a three-dimensional world. We are limited to noticing the individual parts of the creation. As a result, the trees, animals, humans and all other objects seem disjointed from us. `I` as an individual does not exist, never existed, never will - the sense of `I` is merely a perception of our limited mind.
A vital spiritual force breathes life into every living being and sustains every cell and organism. God is in each one of us, and we are part of the same whole. This knowledge can set us free.

Dinesh Kamath's column on 'Movie and TV World' that were published in 'Newsband' and 'In New Bombay' respectively

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Our perceiving power is limited) that was published in Newsband

Our perceiving power is limited
Our vision of the world and the universe can be narrow. We see the world from our limited perceptual framework. Despite an overwhelming evolution of the human race, the human mind is severely restricted by what it can perceive through the senses.
What we hear is limited by the frequencies our ears can process - dogs can hear many higher frequencies and hence have a very different perception of the same sounds. Our sight is limited by the light frequencies our eyes can relate to; With scientific knowledge, we know that many things are not what they appear to be - the sky isn`t blue, the moon doesn`t rise in the night; and the house we live in is not stationary, but rotates along with the earth. Essentially, we see, hear and process what we can and not what reality is.
Truth realisation is not easy. Our perceptions are further clouded by our personal thoughts and emotions. For a lover, a beautiful woman is an object of desire; for the hermit, a distraction; for the wolf, a good meal.
Our minds create a three-dimensional world. We are limited to noticing the individual parts of the creation. As a result, the trees, animals, humans and all other objects seem disjointed from us. `I` as an individual does not exist, never existed, never will - the sense of `I` is merely a perception of our limited mind.
A vital spiritual force breathes life into every living being and sustains every cell and organism. God is in each one of us, and we are part of the same whole. This knowledge can set us free.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Advani and rath yatra) that was published in Newsband

Advani and rath yatraBJP is the main opposition party. L K Advani has proposed nationwide rath yatra against corruption. This has stunned even some within his own party. His behaviour indicates that he has no intentions of retreating backstage. Also he has no plans to pass on the mantle to the younger generation.
Advani's intention is not only to resurrect his party by campaigning against corruption but also to acquire for himself the top post for which he had been longing for since last many years. In the 2009 elections BJP had projected him as a prime ministerial candidate. Advani has taken this fact very seriously and he is bent on attaining the post of PM.
What he is doing now is he is trying to repeat his 1990 coup - when he travelled through the country in a chariot' triggering the highly divisive Ram temple movement' and catapulting the BJP at the centre stage of national politics.
The thing is BJP is no more a disciplined organization with squabbles and rivalries prevailing within it. But even Congress has its own woes which are not less than that of BJP and that is the reason why Advani is trying to project his party as a trustworthy modern alternative to the ruling UPA.
BJP should first try to get rid of its old-fashioned mindset and take proactive steps against corruption and transform itself into a 21st century political entity before trying to become the ruling party.
BJP is making a laughing stock of itself by raising its voice against corruption when their own party men were recently involved in big scams. Yeddyurappa was recently removed as Karnataka chief minister over corruption charges while Nishank was dislodged as Uttarakhand CM over similar reports of corruption in his regime. Ananth Kumar, an Advani confidant, was mired in controversies during his stint as Union minister like HUDCO allotment and patronage to lobbyist Niira Radia and his alleged political nexus with the Reddy brothers of Bellary. Congress is just highlighting corruption cases from the saffron stable and in the process is blunting the rival offensive.
Hence BJP and Advani should think thousand times before taking a rath yatra to oppose corruption since more they resorted to such gimmickry, the more it will stand exposed. Advani should think of other ways to convert himself from PM-in-waiting to PM.

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

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Perfect anti-terrorism system needed) that was published in Newsband

Perfect anti-terrorism system neededWe need to create a multi-layered defense against terrorism. Deterrent measures have directly prevented attacks. Lives can be saved if terrorists are denied their target of choice, and delay can buy vital time for dots to be joined.
Deterrence means effective and visible security measures that sow fear and doubt in the mind of the terrorist: that he will not be able to hit his target undetected; or that he might be killed or captured. Even the suicide terrorist fears capture and imprisonment. Deterrence means technical systems like scanners and metal detectors in the right place and working. But above all deterrence means highly alert, disciplined, competent, well-trained police and security guards.
India needs a cabinet-level central government minister responsible exclusively for driving counterterrorism policy and implementation. Only by strong, top-level command terrorism can be controlled.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre should be brought quickly on line. Central and State governments should unite in the matter of countering terrorism.
India needs a comprehensive anti-terror law to deal with the challenges thrown up by terrorist groups harboured from abroad.
In addition to a strong counter-intelligence system in the country, a specific law to deal with terrorists and their deadly designs is also needed.
We need a comprehensive legislation to deal with terrorism-related crimes with sufficient powers to police without impairing civil liberties. Such measures can prevent terrorists from continuing to strike at will at places of their choice.
It is found that the police force is being used for law and order and VIP security, but there is little focus on terrorist groups.
The government must set the police house in order. It must create a separate trained and equipped police force and back it with smart inputs from a professionally managed counter-intelligence system. A special law dealing with terrorism will help especially if policemen too execute their jobs in a professional manner.
No one could possibly deny the necessity of a comprehensive anti-terror law. We need to look into the anti-terror laws enacted by the UK, the US and other countries and then come up with a comprehensive law for our country too.
Thus we should create an anti-terrorism system that would comprise a well-trained separate police force that will professionally investigate terrorism-related crimes, a team of public prosecutors well-versed with the nuances of criminal trial in such cases and specifically trained judges to conduct trial.

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

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

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Improve intelligence system to counter terror) that was published in Newsband

Improve intelligence system to counter terror

Delhi blast proves that determined terrorists can always get through. If the British armed forces, police and intelligence services and the Irish Republican Army could pull off some successful attacks, despite being heavily penetrated, why can’t India?

Terrorists don't succeed because they are necessarily not good at what they do. Some are gruesomely effective. Most are inept bunglers, often lacking adequate training or experience. The reason terrorism is the instrument of choice for those lacking an army but determined to impose their will on others through violence and inflict deniable damage is that it is so hard to counter. Even in what is the most sophisticated and intensive security environment on the planet, commercial aviation, we see time and again how terrorists with a little low-tech ingenuity can circumvent multimillion-pound high-tech detection systems.

Intelligence is the king of counterterrorism. British intelligence underwent a steep learning process from 9/11 onwards. The 2005 London bombers got through; but many other plots were foiled as their intelligence services, often working with allies, got their teeth deeper and deeper into their new home-grown Islamist target. Many people were arrested in the UK on suspicion of terrorism and some of them were charged - mostly as a result of good intelligence work.

India must consider intelligence as the highest priority counterterrorism activity. One of the greatest failings that allow the attacks to succeed is inadequate Information Technology. India needs a planned crime and criminal tracking network system to counter terrorists. These systems are extremely important in countering the complex terrorist threat that India faces.

As much background information as possible about terrorists can help cities like Mumbai and Delhi that live under the shadow of terrorism.

What we need is precise point intelligence about individuals and their intentions, capabilities and locations that allow us to arrest, kill or otherwise disrupt them before they can attack. That is achieved by electronic interception of their communications and human agents penetrating their networks.

The enemies have learned ever-more sophisticated counter-intelligence techniques: evading surveillance, establishing cut-outs between cell members and more careful use of communications and identity documents. This means we need intelligence operatives with discretion, commitment, creativity and powerful intellect. This requires substantial investment in resources. Much effort and skill goes into such activities.

Thus prime importance should be given to intelligence techniques while combating terrorists.

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

Dinesh Kamath's cartoons based on 'Alooramji' that were published in Newsband