The 'Red' Corridor

Who are the Naxalites and the recurrence of Naxalism?

The face of Naxalism that we see today is nothing similar to what once started as a people’s revolution against atrocities. What we see today is an ugly ferocious face of a hybrid of Naxalism and Terrorism, probably a Frankenstein’s monster born in the 1960s in Naxalbari (hence the name), a remote village in West Bengal. What we saw then was a splintering out of a radical Communist faction, who took up arms for their rights.

Nowadays Naxalism in India has been synonymous to terror. When the first Marxist-Leninist movement in Telangana was called off on Soviet Union’s suggestion in 1951, no one would have thought that a Mao-inspired revolution would erupt in a remote place in West Bengal a decade and half later. This revolution came at a time when advocates of the Left-wing decided to enter the parliamentary democracy. After the famed Naxalbari movement of 1972 was crushed no one imagined a People’s War emerging in less than a decade.

The ‘Red Corridor’ has gradually spread its tentacles to 13 states and 155 districts in two decades. With a more than 55,000 well-trained cadres, well equipped with high-tech weapons and a well honed guerilla strategy in its compact ‘remote’ territory the power of the Naxals can be easily estimated.

Why is the phenomenal growth happening?

If the Naxals are tagged as terrorists, the question of their phenomenal growth still remains. The liberalization of the economy, total disappearance of the land reforms and the constant focus on the rural development programmes via industrialization have kept the Naxal agenda relevant for the rural poor. Food-for-work programmes, the NREGS and other such schemes have never addressed the question of land reforms in rural India.

Further commercialization of the forest resources has alienated the Adivasis/Girijans from the forest produce. Mining and construction have caused major displacement of the tribals without proper resettlement policies.

What has the government done to tackle Naxalites?

The states have been struggling with various security options with innovations like ‘Salwa Judum’ in Chattisgarh to ‘Girijan Greyhound’ in Andhra Pradesh. However these options have been failing in the face of growing might of Naxalites.

India has long been called as ‘soft-state’ when it comes to tackling of its internal conflicts for nation’s interest. After years of the central government pretending the Naxalism to be a state-level issue it has accepted Naxalism a national problem. The government finally formulated a grand plan to solve this problem which would hugely increase boots on the ground and gun-fires in the air. But is this the solution we are looking for quite often being oblivious of human rights violations.

Finding the solution.

Although a necessary evil hitting back with firepower sadly will not be enough. The origins of Naxalism might lie in the socio-economic injustices, but the movement has long since gone past the stage of fighting for social justice and development. Also problem couldn’t be solved the way it was done in Punjab before terrorism was wiped off from there. The alternative, as used in other militant movements- in the North East for instance- can be a resolute military action along with discussions could help bring them into the mainstream. Meanwhile states should continue working on the public grievance redressal system and organizing self-help groups in these areas. That is where we could hope to make a difference.

SARAH PALIN: Travelling a ‘bridge to nowhere’

Apparently not a well known personality before, Sarah Heath Palin came to the political limelight when 2008 Presidential candidate John McCain announced her as the vice-presidential running mate. Soon after McCain made his surprise pick public, the campaign received US$7 million in contributions in a single day.

Born in Idaho to an Alaskan family, Sarah Palin went to pursue journalism after which she worked as a sportscaster in a local news channel. Apart from all the achievements there is another feather to her cap, she won Miss Wasilla beauty contest and was runner-up in Miss Alaska contest. She is also known as ‘Sarah Barracuda’ the name earned because of her aggressive basketball game.

Now how is it that a beauty contest winner, basketball player, sportscaster landed up in political arena. Maybe due to her obsessive compulsive disorder of being in the limelight or maybe it was her honest dedication to her country or it is just the media creating hype. Looking at the series of events related to Palin one might think that it is all just because of fame.

Sarah Palin was elected as the Governor of Alaska in November 2006 and took responsibility to wipe away the corruption breeding in the local governance system. She became the first female and the youngest governor of Alaska. The confident, articulate Palin was seen on a YouTube video by McCain’s campaign manager. Their search for a young female with conservative ideologies was over and Palin just sky-rocketed from there and landed as vice presidential candidate.

But the Republican’s plan to project a ‘hockey mom’ as a vice-presidential candidate backfired. Her lack of political knowledge or geographical for that matter was evident in the face-off debate she had with Joe Biden. And she also proved her inability of making decisions when she pressed hard for the demand of constructing the US$223 million ‘bridge to nowhere’ to connect an island having a population of 50.

After Obama’s win of the key to the white house Sarah Palin continued her governorship and went on to write a book titled ‘Going Rogue’. Recently she announced that she would step down from governorship in July 2010, reasons for such a decision was cited as moral or ethical accusations on her. But Palin true to her nature never misses an opportunity to stay in the limelight. She signed a multi-year contract with the Fox News to give political commentary as a contributor. Some might say it is another publicity stunt but what is wrong in leaving your state to earn some money. Everyone does it, if only they had a chance.

When McCain lost the presidential race for the top job there was a rumor of Sarah Palin planning to run for the presidential candidate in 2012. She is not sure of it but she has not denied the possibility too. Republicans might play the dice again considering that Palin is already a celebrity and also they don’t have much choice.

Sarah Palin’s decision to resign might be an excuse to prepare for the next presidential elections, just like President Nixon did in the 60s. But there are many differences between Nixon’s and Palin’s break from politics. Nixon utilized the time to work on his skills, accompanying political leaders on their campaigns even going with rival party’s candidates, resolving issues with everyone and learning in the process.

Palin on the other hand goes on signing contracts, making money which could be used in her campaign fund but sadly is not enough. She also has many other drawbacks as compared to Nixon. She is far less experienced than Nixon was and her public image is not that good. Nixon didn’t have a tarnished image to work on.

Sarah Palin would have to work on her image as well as on her political knowledge to have a chance in the next presidential elections. Staying away from politics wouldn’t help. And if it is just for money or publicity then it will be right to say that Sarah Palin is travelling on her very own bridge to nowhere.

The 11th Hour Scramble

Is it really the 11^th hour or is it the easy-panic-stricken-human-nature that is making us worry about the climate change. Or is it just a hype created by some scientists looking for recognition and fame. Or is the media looking to cash in the opportunity by sensationalizing the matter.

Our good old earth has been through many gradual and abrupt changes, some much larger than any we are currently experiencing. According to the Japan Society for Energy and Resources (JSER), the rate of increase of Global Mean Temperature was 0.5 degrees Celsius per 100 years. However, since 2001, this increase has halted. Despite this, there has been an increase in CO2 level.

Global warming is mostly attributed to anthropological activities like industrialisation, automobile emission and use of un-sustainable development activities. Apart from some fraction of it, the whole issue cannot be attributed solely to human activities. Climate change is caused by many other factors, from volcanic eruptions to ocean’s activities, from solar activity to tectonic movements.

Why to criminalise only human beings, when even nature has equal contributions to environmental changes. Why to blame humankind for increase in greenhouse gases when even a belching cow has a part in it.

The anthropogenic global warming theory is still a hypothesis, then why do we believe in it. We were initially sceptical when Galileo and Copernicus proved that the earth was round, then why are we in a haste to jump to conclusion.

Humans have always found a way to survive climate changes, proving the Lamarckian adaptation theory. If it is not sensible of us to take the matter lightly, it is also wrong to blow up the issue. Even “if” it is the 11^th hour we still have 1 hour left which we should utilize in the optimum way possible without panicking. Not by playing God in one or two politically selected factors, but by adapting to the situation.

Plight of Blue-line Bus Drivers

The blue-line buses or the infamous ‘killer buses’ are being taken off the roads of New Delhi. During the last five years these buses have been associated with 700 deaths. The Delhi government came out with a phase out plan for these buses in September 2007. Since the launch of this programme, the number of blue-line buses plying on various routes has been reduced to 2,545 from 3,656 initially.

Apart from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses these blue-line buses have been involved in bearing the burden of the public transport system of Delhi. But the only difference is that these buses are owned by private corporations or contractors. Therefore drivers live on the mercy of the contractors working as daily wagers.

With the Delhi Government’s ambitious plan to replace the blue-line buses with Hi-tech low floor buses, most of these drivers are being rendered jobless. Although the government has promised to reinstate these drivers into the new bus fleet the requirements for the jobs are unacceptable to the bus drivers.

“They (DTC officials) want us to be high school pass and speak a little bit of English. If our parents had the resources or means then we wouldn’t be driving buses but sitting on their seats,” said Satya Prakash, a blue-line bus driver, who would be left without a job and three kids and a wife to feed.

According to the DTC press release, the bus drivers who are not able to fulfil the job eligibility will still have their licenses and permits so that they could get jobs in private buses. Nazir Ahmed, another blueline bus driver, however disagrees. “I came to Delhi from small village near Darbhanga in 1983 and have been driving since then. Now who is going to give a job to an old driver? The government can’t turn its face away from us just like that.”

Most of the drivers have been driving buses for 15 to 20 years. Many are quite old and don’t have the courage to search for new job opportunities. But with such a situation hanging over them they would be forced to move out of the city and lose everything that they have collected over these years.

These drivers want the Delhi Government take some step to end the status quo. Some suggest that the DTC should launch some training programs for the drivers who fail the eligibility criteria. “In the end we can’t do much to avoid the situation. We can just wait and hope that the government realizes our plight,” adds Nazir Ahmed.

Market in India keeps 'tazia' tradition alive

Lucknow, India, has always been a special place for Muslims to celebrate Muharram, especially its "tazia" market in the Sultanul Madaris neighborhood.

Muharram is the sacred month that marks the beginning of the year, according to the Islamic calendar. The colorful, artistic tazias are created to remember Hazrat Imam Hussein and his 72 followers killed in the Battle of Karbala in ancient times in Karbala, Iraq.

Although the brightly colored tazias may seem at odds with the grief of the holiday, the tazia tradition for Muharram has survived for centuries. With about 450,000 Shiite Muslims as residents, Lucknow comes alive during the traditional celebration.

"Every year we come to Lucknow from Sitapur with handmade tazias to sell in this market. It is the only time in the year when we get to make some extra money,” says Khaliq Ali, a tazia seller.

Just like Ali, many craftsmen throng to Lucknow from nearby areas to make some quick cash.

It can take 10 to 15 days to complete a tazia in Riyasat Hussein's family, he says. The zardozi, or embroidery work, is a specialty of the Hussein family, making the craftsmanship a time-consuming process, he says. The family has been in the tazia business for 70 to 75 years, Hussein estimates.

“We make them on order, and prices depend on the handiwork involved," Hussein says. "We have made tazias worth ($2,149 to $3,223) on special orders from the customers."

The tall bamboo structures decorated with silver and gold danglers create a colorful scene in the market. They are meant to represent the mausoleum of Hazrat Hussein erected in the plains of Karbala after the historic battle.

Sultanul Madaris near Chowk is the largest and oldest "tazia" market in the city. Simple, handmade tazias at lower prices compete with more ornate ones for the buyer's eye. Some have minarets covered with gold dust or the entire structure is built with silver.

The market is famous regionally as well, with aficionados coming from the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar regions in India as well as from Iran and Iraq.

“It is not inflation or the economic downturn that matters but how strong the faith is," says Nur-ul Hasan, a customer from Gorakhpur, India. "[But] ultimately, it depends on how much one can afford.”

http://www.upi.com/Features/Culture_Society/2010/01/26/Market-in-India-keeps-tazia-tradition-alive/12645246518852/

Chinese imports threaten Indian embroidery artists

For university student Farha Anjum, the annual Eid festivities after Ramadan would not be the same without the traditional embroidered clothing called chikan.

"Chikan embroidered clothes are a specialty on Eid," she said. "Although it is not necessary to buy them, there is a particular traditional and cultural following."

That following usually draws huge holiday crowds to the Aminabad market in Old Lucknow for bangles, slippers, long shirt-like garments called kurtas, and especially chikan. The embroidery traces its roots to the Nawab era of Lucknow, when the labor-intensive stitching on cotton cloth was especially made for local dignitaries.

This year, however, the excitement was lacking. China has inundated Indian markets with imitations that look like the local chikan, but the embroidery is done by machines.

"People prefer to buy Chinese chikan product as it is cheap and the machine embroidery is smoother than hand-embroidered local cloth," said shopkeeper Basheer Ahmed. "Once exclusively worn by Nawabs, the chikan was brought to the common masses by us. And now it is us who are being ousted out of this profession by some cheap cross-border product."

The decrease in sales is taking its toll on the chikan kaarigars (embroiderers), who work as a day laborers.

"Earlier, a hand-embroidered kurta would fetch them 100 rupees ($2), depending on the density of the embroidery," said Rashid, a chikan maker, "whereas a Chinese chikan cloth is available for as less as 40 rupees (80 cents) a meter."

The result, chikan producers said, is that many of them are losing their jobs and have nowhere to go to.

The Chinese chikan work, because of its clean finish, is often preferred by foreign tourists. Some upscale shopkeepers even sell Chinese products as local embroidery to tourists.

But shopkeeper Sandeep Singh said savvy buyers know better.

"A genuine chikankari customer can always make out between the Chinese machine-made and the Indian hand-made chikan work," he said. "And the customer will always want something genuine, not a cheap imitation of it."

Khalid Hussain, whose family has been in the business 40 years, said the variety of designs and stitches that are available in the local chikan work cannot be equaled by the Chinese products.

However, he said he is skeptical of the Chinese dominance in Indian markets. He expressed hope that the Indian government will soon take actions to check cross-border products to promote local handiwork.

http://www.upi.com/Features/Culture_Society/2009/10/29/Chinese-imports-threaten-Indian-embroidery-artists/12567457357680/

War of the Web Browsers

The war of the Web browsers has up to now featured heavyweights Microsoft and Mozilla. Now that two-way battle has become a cage fight with the arrival of new, robust competitors.

The near monopoly that Microsoft's Internet Explorer once had in the later part of the 1990s has been eroded by smart and intelligent Internet browsers, even though it still holds the biggest market share because it is pre-installed by computer makers.

According to Net Applications, a market share tracking firm, IE is used by nearly 67 percent of net surfers. And users who once abandoned IE have re-adopted it because of popular updates, while its relatively new competitors have progressed as well.

Mozilla is the phoenix that rose from the ashes of Netscape and it has begun feeding on the pie baked by Microsoft. It recently launched its new browser version, Firefox 3.5. Mozilla revolutionized web surfing with "tabbed browsing" and ad pop-up blocks.

"Firefox has the best plug-ins available that help to customize your browser for specific functions," said Moajiz Farooqui, a software engineer at the Adobe Systems, which provides flash players as add-ons for the Mozilla browser.

It’s a misconception, though, that Mozilla is the only browser that provides add-ons. They and plug-ins are a vital part of every browser. Although Firefox leads in this field, its position is under attack.

Already fierce competition has intensified with the launch of two new browsers, Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari. Apple struggles when targeting the Windows customer base. Safari 4 comes with its own Java acceleration script and polished look. But in Windows, Safari occupies twice as much space as Firefox or Chrome. To perform outside Apple's own devices, Safari has a long way to go.

Google's Chrome 3 arrived in late July. It can be downloaded, is easy to install and uses less memory than its competitors. According to Daily Tech, an online tech magazine, Chrome is by far the fastest browser, with Safari close behind (based on the results of synthetic benchmark tests performed on all the browsers).

In terms of security, Chrome provides good overall protection with tab isolation, a private browsing mode and less vulnerability.

"The thing that makes Chrome score over others is its open source program, Chromium," said Ahmad Perwez, a graduate student in computer applications at Jamia Millia Islamia. Google released the entire source code of Chrome, including its Javascript engine. An open source program allows its users to change and improve the software and to redistribute it in modified forms.

Kafil Ahmed, a bioinformatics student at JMI and a gaming enthusiast, called Adobe flash players sluggish and said it would be fascinating to see Chrome exploit this opportunity. If Chrome is able to play videos and flash games without the help of Adobe, he said, it would be an added advantage.

The recent trend shows that IE has steadily been losing its user base while Firefox and Chrome are speedily catching up. Google's Chrome, with its 4.6 percent user share, has a long way to go.

The Daily Telegraph's Matthew Moore summarizes the verdict of early reviewers, "Google Chrome is attractive, fast and has some impressive new features, but may not yet be a threat to its Microsoft rival."

http://www.upi.com/Features/Culture_Society/2009/10/22/War-of-the-Web-browsers/12562251543424/