Frustrated United States.

“If you want to be able to protect yourself and your family, you’d better get the hell out now," 
These were the words of Leon Panetta, the frustrated U.S. Defence Secretary of a frustrated nation to Syrian President. Yes, US is very frustrated. Its seems with nearing of US presidential elections and no result of US's efforts in Syria the Obama administration is all set to hunt for Syrian Presiden

t. What is more frustrating for US is the spill over of Syrain US issue to US - Iran with Iran with Russia and China blocking all US and NATO efforts to bring regime change in Syria.

And as of now The Kofi Annan's peace plan, which was the best way forward, seems to have reached a deadlock. Both sides continue to fight each other. The Friends of Syria group and rebels have to understand that the first and foremost step to peace is detaching themselves from the vested interest of US and Britain and taking forward the genuine aspiration of people. The Syrian regime also have to change its perception of governing and carter for the genuine aspiration of Syrian Masses.

No Aadhar (foundation) for AADHAR?

“In the Indira years, the slogan was ‘ garibi hatao'…. In the 1970s and 1980s, people's aspirations had focussed on basic essentials – roti, kapda, aur makaan…. Since the reforms in the 1990s, the emphasis moved to… bijli, sadak and paani. In recent years, as growth has accelerated and access to basic infrastructure has improved further, aspirations among the poor have shifted again…. Today, it's all virtual things – it's about UID number, mobile phone and bank account…. With that, they can access services, benefits and their rights…. We are looking at a post-Aadhaar world.”

– Nandan Nilekani

This was the Nanadan Nilekani’s big idea behind the AADHAR Scheme. AADHAR as per Mr. Nilekani, is going to change the India and push it into a modern era with services at doorstep. But it seems Mr. Nilekani and his boss Mr. Manmohan Singh, the PM, planned things on a virtual base rather than real. After spending more than 2000 crore and boosting the benefits of the scheme, still a main question remain unanswered in the mind of public- What the hell I will do with the AADHAR card?

Since its inception in February 2009 the AADHAR has been severely criticized by many for pushing the scheme too fast without proper assessment of the use/benefit and technological feasibility. No feasibility study was done until 2010. The project was not questioned because it was the pet project of our Prime Minister. The recent studies by independent sources and government itself show, the much hyped AADHAR scheme itself lack an Aadhar (foundation).

What is AADHAR?

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique number which the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will issue for all residents in India. The number will be stored in a centralized database and linked to the basic demographics and biometric information – photograph, ten fingerprints and iris – of each individual. It is easily verifiable in an online, cost-effective way. The official estimates for the project is whooping 18,000 crore (US$3.59 billion).

AADHAR- False promises.

The first and foremost myth in AADHAR is about the efficiency of its biometric system. The UIDAI uses two biometric verification system- Iris scan and Fingerprint scan. Both these look perfect in James Bond movies but not in real world scenario. The error rate in both the biometric system is very high especially in Iris scan. Nandan Nilekani’s men moved forward without looking into the technical viability of the systems. UIDAI’s Biometric Standards Committee itself severely criticized the UIDAI for not looking into the reliability of biometric systems. The maximum expenditure in whole of AADHAR scheme is on biometric systems and its operation which has been outsourced. According to Proof-of-Concept Study (PoC) the error in biometric verification for single best finger verification is around 6-7%, this may look small but considering the 120 million people its around 7-8 crore people. The PoC is silent on the reliability of Iris scan verification. The report also cites that the exclusion rate will be high among people above 60 years.

The scheme is mainly intended to provide genuine verification for people especially who are availing many government schemes. But most of the beneficiaries who come under this are either agricultural labourers or construction labourers and these people have faded finger prints or almost no finger print due to harsh working conditions. This means rejection of these people (exclusion) at the time of verification and the rejection rate will be high upto 15%. Considering the 60% of population who come under this group the 155 percent rejection rate will be disastrous.  

AADHAR- Lessons unlearnt.

AADHAR is not the first of its kind in the world. United Kingdom and United State have schemes similar to this. UKs National Biometric identity card which was also started with much fan fare meets its end in 2009 after severe criticism about the effectiveness and reliability. The UK’s Border Agency, who had scrapped the biometric system in busy airports, informed the stunned Home Affairs committee about the massive errors in the biometric fingerprint system.

AADHAR- Identity theft and Fraud.

Mohammed Ali, one of the many data entry supervisors, was shown to have enrolled 30,000 people in just three month. At first it may have been seen as a great feat but truth is otherwise. Many of the 30,000 people enrolled never existed, like numbers were issued to people with false names such Mango, Coriander. And the funniest part of this whole episode is the reliability of biometric. The operator who is enrolling people have to log into the computer using only his fingerprint. Mohammad Ali left the job in the middle of this three month span and his account was being used by some one else who was easily able to log in with no rejection from fingerprint verification system. This itself shows how reliable are the biometrics and breaks the myth about fraud proof AADHAR.

Another major issue left unanswered is the question of data protection. India don’t have any legislation to prevent data tampering and data protection. With most of the AADHAR system run by private companies who in turn employee on contract basis or do outsourcing, the safety of data is severely compromised. With data of millions of people available in just one click and no data safety mechanism, massive identity theft is inevitable.

AADHAR- Why so hurry?

It is still a mystery why PM Manmohan Singh and Nandan Nilekani hurried the project without creating any Aadhar for the AADHAR scheme and without any parliamentary debate. As of now with whooping thousand crore budget the only one benefiting is the Indian corporate sector involved in the project. With live evidence from UK and US regarding the failure of such biometric identity scheme, should the Nation go ahead with it?  

INDIA CHINA 1962 War: What really happened?

In modern Indian history no war has created more illusions and mysteries in public domain as that of India China 1962 War. Even after four decades Indian Government is not ready to divulge details of what really happened in 1962 that led to the war. Nor the government is ready to make Henderson-Brooks-P.S. Bhagat report on the war public. The government wants the public to believe that China was at fault for the War and it was China who started the War. But is that really the truth? The facts on ground points otherwise. No doubt that China was not on any angel side during the conflict but the facts points that it was Indian side which provoked the Chinese dragon. 

The first incident which created differences in India China relation was India's asylum to Dalai Lama. Though this was act was totally in good faith but Nehru overlooked the Panchsheel agreement which aimed at 'Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty' & 'Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs'. No doubt it has been a bone of contention between two countries but never a cause to be ended in war. 

Border Issue: Considering the fact that the difference in McMahon Line in Chinese and Indian Map was the problem created by British Regime, India should have acknowledged the existence of the problem rather than ignoring it. Nehru bowing down to false pressure of patriotic lobby decided to unilaterally move in the issue of McMahon Line and opted for Forward post policy. The idea was to round up the Chinese post overlooking the McMahon Line from behind and cut supply route, forcing them north of the disputed line.According to the Indian official history, implementation of the Forward Policy was intended to provide evidence of Indian occupation in the previously unoccupied region through which Chinese troops had been patrolling.This only increased assertion on Chinese side that Indian is planning to launch military offensive. Except few skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops there was no actual threat perspective or intrusion into disputed territory.

But India's action in Thag La changed the whole episode. In June 1962, Indian forces established an outpost at Dhola, on the southern slopes of the Thag La Ridge. Dhola lay north of the McMahon Line but south of the ridges along which India interpreted the McMahon Line to run. In August, China issued diplomatic protests and began occupying positions at the top of Thag La. On 8 September, a 60-strong PLA unit descended to the south side of the ridge and occupied positions that dominated one of the Indian posts at Dhola. Fire was not exchanged, but Nehru said to the media that the Indian Army had instructions to "free our territory" and the troops had been given discretion to use force. On 11 September, it was decided that "all forward posts and patrols were given permission to fire on any armed Chinese who entered Indian territory". But the matter of fact was that even Indian troops doubted the actual claim on this disputed territory. From here on, many skirmish happened from both sides which eventually led to full blown war.

Many of these blunders Indian government is still not ready to accept and it has tried to twists many facts in public domain. Regarding the Henderson-Brooks-P.S. Bhagat government has clearly said it will no release the report as  “it would not be in the public interest to lay the report on the table of the House  due to sensitive information which will jeopardize the relation between India and China and also threaten the security of the country”. This argument by government is quite hard to buy. Considering that fact the the report is 4 decades old and any details regarding troop and battle formations and deployment of that time is totally of no use to the other side. There is something which government is trying to hide. 

Is PM planning to turn the tables at Finance Ministry?

With Pranab Mukharjee safely moved out of Finance Ministry, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is all set the move forward with his neo-liberal ideas. Congress’s nomination of Pranab da is not simply a honour call but also a tactical move by PM to outset him. Pranab da is a veteran congressman who has some of the original congress’s sociology mindset. Though he has been walking on Manmohan Singh’s line, he differed in the Manmohan policies which were of neo liberal stance.

With the Pranab da’s budget focusing on retrospective taxing of overseas account (Vodafone Tax case), Finance Act, 2012 and General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) the corporate India is very much unhappy with him. The only person in UPA who can dance on corporate India’s tune is our Honorable PM.

Now with PM taking Finance Ministry in his hand, he is ensuring all steps to make the corporate India happy. PM has virtually ensured the corporate that he will amend the policies.

TURKEY DOES A 'VERTICAL CHARLIE'

Today Turkey has moved its battle troops and Anti Aircraft Guns towards Turkey-Syrian Border. As per the reports Turkey has given clear Rules of Engagement with Syrian Forces termed them as ‘Enemy’. But until the NATO-Turkey meeting things were quite different. Did Turkey made an unprecedented U-turn from its earlier stand on Syria shooting down its fight jet? Yes, it seems so it had done a complete Vertical Charlie after meeting with NATO representatives. And now, as the things are turning up its clear that NATO is using Turkey and the issue of intercepting the fighter jet to ensure a regime change in Syria.

The details of the shooting down of Turkish F-4 Phantom fighter jet on June 22 by Syrian forces still lays in ambiguity. Syria says it followed the rules of engagement in case of hostile/unidentified aircraft, which was inside the Syrian territory. The Turkish side changed its versions many a times ranging from apology from Syrian side, Joint Search & Rescue Operation by Syria and Turkey and also acceptance of Turkish Jet entering Syrian airspace. But on June 26 after meeting with NATO representatives Turkey changed all its previous versions and said Syria has intentionally attacked the jet and called for strict measures.

What really happened in Brussels on June 26 during NATO Turkey meeting? Why Turkey did suddenly changed its stance? Is NATO Planning to use this incident to bring regime change through force and using Turkey as a key Player?

Also a main question still left unanswered; what really happened over Mediterranean Sea/Syrian airspace on June 22^nd? Was the plane on any recognition mission or it was just an ill-fated lost plane? Many of the mysteries will be uncovered as the things turn in future.
 

EGYPT: Democracy mummified?

In more than 3000 year old history of Egypt, first time the nation is going to embrace ' Democracy'. But it does not mean the modern Egypt never saw great period of prosperity. Gamal Abdel Nasser commanded the nation in the height of its prosperity (1952-70), but subsequent governments were merely semi puppets of the West. The Arab spring again opened the door towards peoples power and and hoped it on Muslim Brotherhood.

But it seems hopes are shattering. United States is trying all possible tactics to ensure that Muslim Brotherhood don't come to power and the strings are beings controlled not at Pentagon but at Tel Aviv (by Israel). After Gamal Abdel Nasser's period, all leaders including Honsi Mubarak were enjoying US and Israeli support in lieu of support to Israel's Palestine expansions (which they got, though half-heartedly) and US investments.

On one hand US is campaigning for democracy in Egypt and showing that it is keeping pressure on Military Council to give power top people, on the other hand the recent delay in election results clearly shows that US is trying all possible measures to ensure Muslim brotherhood don't come to power. If Muslim brotherhood comes to power (which is widely anticipated) US will loose a major puppet in Arab League. And if that happens, the US plans on Syria and Iran will be in turmoil. 

Today is the D-day, military council has said it will today declare the result of recent elections. Will the people's power win? or vested interest? 

KILLING 'Public distribution system'?

Public distribution system (PDS) is one of the largest and oldest welfare scheme by Indian government. Though corruption and siphoning of ration is major issue regarding PDS but the immense benefit to millions of poor people cover the former. In fact this scheme is a hope, an hope for living to millions of poor people.

Since 1991 Liberalization, corporate lobbies and Bretten wood systems (IMF & WB) are pressurizing government to end the subsidization system and move towards cash transfer system. And its seem the present government is also not interested to follow the Welfare State idea of constitution.

Shunning its responsibility in the name of reduring corruption, government is moving towards destroying PDS and replacing it with Cash Transfer. No, doubt Latin America has seen a quite a success in cash transfer scheme, but then India is not Latin America.

The Main hurdle in India for cash transfer scheme is unreliable data and details about the intended beneficiaries, which will lead to massive social exclusion. Secondly Rs 1000/- which government intends to give instead of food, in hands of beneficiary will be practically get diverted to repaying debt or to alcohol consumption. Thirdly, with day by day increasing inflation the Rs 1000/- will merely be a token amount but in case PDS it is protected by inflation. And then the problem of shortage of food, what poor people will do with cash when they don't have food to buy or at least affordable food to buy.

Cash transfer will help in cases like pension and student fee reimbursement and other schemes where end requirement is cash. But replacing food with cash will only lead to more social exclusion and social problem instead of solving the question of providing food. The cash transfer scheme instead of PDS clearly shows the social responsibility shunning attitude of the present government.