In a fortnight's time, the world will witness the biggest sporting spectacle in the planet, the World Cup. When the world will be busy discussing about the Ronaldinhos, Henrys and Rooneys, Paris will be party to the toughest tennis tournament in the world. It is no secret that every two years the two biggest grandslams in the world (The French Open and the Wimbledon) are overshadowed by the Football worldcup and Euro. But this years French Open deserves significance for several reasons.
All the questions about French Open are revolved around the Swiss Express, Roger Federer and his rival Rafael 'the beast' Nadal. Nadal has dominated Federer recently and has become an hindrance to his path of becoming the greatest player of all time. If Roger manages to win the title then there is every chance that he can go on to win the Wimbledon and go on to be the first man since Bjorn Borg (1980) to win French Open and the Wimbledon on the same year. That would be some achievement as clay is the slowest surface to play tennis and grass is the fastest one. Federer,by winning the title would also get the chance to win the complete Grand Slam.
So it is going to be a very interesting fortnight in Paris and we will have to look out for whether the beauty of the Swiss Express can overpower the beast called Nadal.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Maoism and India
Lets accept it, India's foreign policy on Nepal was a big disaster. I am not sure even today whom were we supporting. Where we with the King or with the political parties? What are the implications of the Maoists coming into the mainstram? These are extremely sensitive issues which should be dealt with delicately.
The Maoists attacking jails and freeing their comrades are occurring very frequently in India and in the state of Jharkhand in particular and has lost its news value. This Indian version of the Bastille seige is so common that it has ceased to appear in the front page of the leading dailies. How should GOI react to this crisis? One should recognise the fact that these maoists are not mercenaries, but our own countrymen and a main reason for them becomming naxalites are the feudal system that continue to prevail in the states of Jharkhand and Bihar. How are we to bring them back to the mainstream of the Indian society? Suppressing them is not a solution. But through constant interaction and counselling the crisis should be brought to an end and the Maoists should be forced to lay down their arms.
The Maoist problem in India should be the only issue that should make India shape its foreign policy in Nepal. The GOI should be very adament in preventing the Maoists coming into the Nepali mainstream politics. With Nepal sharing borders with Bihar, there is every chance that the Maoist problem in India will intensify with the maoists entering mainstream politics. Nepal embracing a constitutional monarchy or becoming a republic should not worry us. Our main headache is eliminating the Maoists in Nepal, so that we can solve our own naxalite trouble.
The Maoists attacking jails and freeing their comrades are occurring very frequently in India and in the state of Jharkhand in particular and has lost its news value. This Indian version of the Bastille seige is so common that it has ceased to appear in the front page of the leading dailies. How should GOI react to this crisis? One should recognise the fact that these maoists are not mercenaries, but our own countrymen and a main reason for them becomming naxalites are the feudal system that continue to prevail in the states of Jharkhand and Bihar. How are we to bring them back to the mainstream of the Indian society? Suppressing them is not a solution. But through constant interaction and counselling the crisis should be brought to an end and the Maoists should be forced to lay down their arms.
The Maoist problem in India should be the only issue that should make India shape its foreign policy in Nepal. The GOI should be very adament in preventing the Maoists coming into the Nepali mainstream politics. With Nepal sharing borders with Bihar, there is every chance that the Maoist problem in India will intensify with the maoists entering mainstream politics. Nepal embracing a constitutional monarchy or becoming a republic should not worry us. Our main headache is eliminating the Maoists in Nepal, so that we can solve our own naxalite trouble.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Will peace return to The Holy Land?
Kadima party under Ehud Olmert has emerged as the single largest party in the Israeli elections held recently and there is every chance that the 2000 year old problem will finally be settled.
Sharon's vision
Ariel Sharon had rightly judged the mood of the nation and had decided rightly in favour of withdrawing from the West Bank province. The formation of Kadima Party was the result of Sharon's dream of finally settling the Palestine Issue. But unfortunately Sharon has suffered from a stroke and it has been clear that even if he survives the stroke, he can't play any role in the Israeli politics any more. After Sharon's exit from the political scenario, his successor Ehud Olmert faces a harduous task of leading the Kadima Party and settling the Palestine issue.
Likud Party's Defeat
Likud Party under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, who had opposed Sharon's attempt to peace was trounced heavily in the elections winning only 11 of the 120 seats. This reveals that the Israelis have forsaken the dream of the Greater (Historic) Israel for peace.
The Hamas threat
The greatest thraet to peace right now is The Hamas who has won the Palestine elections. Hamas, not prepared to accept the groung realities are still refusing to accept the state of Israel. Unless Hamas refuses to lay down arms and accept the state of Israel any decision regarding the future of Jerusalem will be taken by Israel unilaterally. Such a step would be unfortunate. So it is for Hamas to decide what should be their role in the entire peace process.
If Ehud Olmert and his Palestinian counterparts succeed in negotiations, the holy land will not only find a solution to the 2000 year old problem but also both Ehud Olmert and Ariel Sharon will join the ranks of Saladdin, Richard, the Lionheart, Balban, the defender of Jerusalem etc in the legend of Jerusalem.
Sharon's vision
Ariel Sharon had rightly judged the mood of the nation and had decided rightly in favour of withdrawing from the West Bank province. The formation of Kadima Party was the result of Sharon's dream of finally settling the Palestine Issue. But unfortunately Sharon has suffered from a stroke and it has been clear that even if he survives the stroke, he can't play any role in the Israeli politics any more. After Sharon's exit from the political scenario, his successor Ehud Olmert faces a harduous task of leading the Kadima Party and settling the Palestine issue.
Likud Party's Defeat
Likud Party under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, who had opposed Sharon's attempt to peace was trounced heavily in the elections winning only 11 of the 120 seats. This reveals that the Israelis have forsaken the dream of the Greater (Historic) Israel for peace.
The Hamas threat
The greatest thraet to peace right now is The Hamas who has won the Palestine elections. Hamas, not prepared to accept the groung realities are still refusing to accept the state of Israel. Unless Hamas refuses to lay down arms and accept the state of Israel any decision regarding the future of Jerusalem will be taken by Israel unilaterally. Such a step would be unfortunate. So it is for Hamas to decide what should be their role in the entire peace process.
If Ehud Olmert and his Palestinian counterparts succeed in negotiations, the holy land will not only find a solution to the 2000 year old problem but also both Ehud Olmert and Ariel Sharon will join the ranks of Saladdin, Richard, the Lionheart, Balban, the defender of Jerusalem etc in the legend of Jerusalem.
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