[Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.

One more terrorist attack & we are all forced to either think for the cause or the solution.The Attack on Delhi high court has set in the state of panic in the air once again.

In India we have the naxalites, the communist group which believes they are causing a revolution but we call them terrorists. Then there are the Tamil Tigers in Srilanka and the IRA group all of whom believe they are freedom fighters. And there are the religious terrorists who believe they are fighting for their religion.

I feel any man who is willing to die for what he believes in is a wonderful man. The problem is that there is a huge volume of anger and hatred behind it and so the end result is ugly. Otherwise a man who is willing to die for what he believes in has a wonderful quality. Isn’t it so? How many of us are really courageous to die for what we believe?

It’s just that this is happening with enormous anger and hatred against some body and that is the problem.

Experts take on the high risk perception in public about nuclear power plants

• There are two reasons for this high risk peception. One is that while the probability of a catastrophic nuclear plant accident is very small, the damage due to a meltdown could be very high. The general fear is that it could be as high as what happened in Hiroshima or Nagasaki. However, this is misleading. When Hiroshima was bombed, people had no advance warning. At Fukushima, the population in a 20-km radius is already evacuated. So, even if there is a meltdown, the loss of life would be limited. Of course, these will be a high loss of property.

• The second reason why people are wary of the risk of a nuclear power plant is that it is a risk not knowingly and willingly taken by people. People who may be affected by a nuclear power plant accident feel that it is a risk imposed on them.

• One serious accident in a nuclear plant can lead to large-scale and long-lasting impacts — impacts that do not differentiate between the rich and the poor or the young and the old. But it is also true that our inability to provide clean energy sources to the masses is resulting in around 4,00,000 premature deaths annually from indoor air pollution — largely impacting children under 6. It has also been estimated that air pollution in urban areas leads to approximately 50,000 premature deaths. The key difference between these casualties and those arising from a nuclear accident is that these are widely dispersed geographically and spread through the year, although repeated annually.

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL REFORMS

Oct 24th was marked as UN Day. US President paid a State visit to India and gave us a hope of permanent membership in UNSC and now US has cautioned against expecting any breakthrough “anytime soon” on the UN Security Council reforms, dampening India‘s hopes for a permanent seat.

Earth Hour – Lets Make the Difference

Global Warming is a ‘global’ issue. We all know about it and its consequences. We all want to do something about the issue but don’t know where to start. So, here is an opportunity for all of us to be a part of a movement to spread awareness about Global Warming and to mitigate the growing risks due to it. Though the step is a small step, but it is only the first step towards sensibility towards our Environment that is deteriorating with time.

United Nations Security Council – Reforms

At present UN Security Council comprises of 5 permanent members and 10 elected members. Of these former 5 have power to ‘Veto’ while latter don’t enjoy such power. The latter states are mere dumb spectators and decisioning power remains with the Big 5s. So, the UNSC is not balanced and needs to be reformed.

Donkey Kicks an Elephant!!

Can a donkey kick an elephant and that too hard enough for elephant to counter? If I say yes, then you will say I have gone mad. But wait, a donkey certainly can!! So you ask how? Read today’s TOI. Yes, you are right election results for the US Congress have been declared and Democrats have come out with flying colors. This win has put the Democrats in-charge of the House after 1994. Also, this has put forward a threat to Republicans especially our Dubyaman, President Bush.

If I look from India’s perspective then I see a big question mark on India’s gains that included free trade and outsourcing issues as Democrats are little more, in the words of Times Of India, protectionist. However, as far as nuclear deals are concerned, there is no threat as Democrats backed this deal. Also, there should be no fear as policy towards India is backed by Democrats. But the only threat is snatching away of major concessions from India.

The major thing that will get affected is Washington’s policy on Iraq. With majority and the governance of States, Bush will have to re-think on his policies that are presently being implemented on Iraq.

Apart from this, this victory of Democrats puts Nancy Pelosi, California lawmaker, in the House Leadership, making her the first woman in American History to be the speaker. This post is considered to be next only to Vice-President.

If the same trend continues in Presidential elections then, we will certainly see Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama as next President. I would like to see this happen and wait for their stand and policies towards India.