2015

by R.G. GIDADHUBLI
In the first half of August 2015, the Russian Government declared its policy of embargo on imports of food products such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, poultry items etc from the Western countries. In early summer Russia initiated a campaign against foreign foods and subsequently enforced a ban on imports. This was a reaction to the policy of economic sanctions imposed by the West on Russia for its alleged involvement in the east Ukrainian conflict and for its annexation (…)

EDITORIAL
The India-Pakistan talks at the level of the two countries’ National Security Advisors—that were scheduled to take place in New Delhi on August 23—were called off late on August 22 night. The decision was taken by the Pakistan side in Islamabad no doubt, but it was in response to what External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said in New Delhi a few hours before. At her press conference that day, Swaraj had publicly stated that the NSA-level talks, as agreed upon at the Nawaz (…)

The following article was written just before the NSA-level Indo-Pak talks were put off. However, its contents are highly illuminating; hence it is being published here for the benefit of our readers.
The whole story of the two-hour detention of the Hurriyat leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday (August 20) may never be known, but what seems plausible is that New Delhi and Srinagar were probably not on the same page.
Very sad, indeed, if South Block didn’t anticipate the inevitability (…)

by Sanjal Shastri
The results of the recently concluded general elections in Sri Lanka are likely to have a significant impact on the post-conflict peace- building process. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, has indicated on several occasions that he will go ahead and devolve power to the Northern Province and implement the 13th Amendment. The 13th Amendment aims at devolving powers to the Provinces.
Meaningful devolution of power to the Northern Province has the potential to have a (…)

On August 17, Sri Lanka’s former dictatorial President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s gamble failed decisively and the country wisely stayed on its course to correct the misdeeds of the past by electing a government committed to democracy and the rule of law. The mood of the moment was memorably described by the outgoing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe (also tipped to be the new Prime Minister) in these words: “Let us build a decent society. Let us work with consensus.” Elaborating, he said on (…)

MUSINGS
The following lines were written just before Yaqub Memon’s execution. It is being published now as its contents have not lost their validity.
Why am I writing for the second consecutive week on Yaqub Memon? Perhaps, because the more I’m hearing television debates and those fiercely charged discussions out there in the open on his proposed hanging, I feel its relevant to focus on those thoughts hitting ever so persistently.
Foremost, why is it that in the midst of our supposed (…)

by M.R. Biju
The word “Naga” denotes a conglomeration of ethnic tribes living on the Himalayan range in North-East India. Angami, Ao, Chakesang, Konyak, Tangshang (formerly known as Heimi, Pangmi, Tangsa, Wancho, Nocte), Lotha, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Maram Mao, Tangkhul Thangal, Sangtam, Poumai, Zeliangrong, Phom, Nocte, Maring, etc. are some important sub-tribes of Naga. They are not to be confused with the Hindu Nagas (Sadhus). It is the British who brought the several tribes on these (…)

This is a story of a Sikh girl who, like the hundreds of women on both sides of the border, bore the brunt of partition. Woman suffered most and underwent all type of atrocities. Rawalpindi, even before the partition, was a Muslim town. But it had then a smattering of Sikh population. Both communities had lived amicably for decades until the demand for Pakistan, a separate homeland for Muslims, soured relations between the two. Overnight, they developed an unbridgeable gulf as if their (…)

The Veterans’ peaceful and dignified agitation, including relay fast, for OROP at Jantar Mantar has crossed the two-month mark. The ill-conceived police action against demonstrating Veterans on August 14 raised nationwide condemnation and media attention, and caused two Veterans to start an indefinite fast. The Veterans hold PM Narendra Modi along with his Cabinet of Defence, Home and Finance Ministers accountable, while on the opposite side, some persons are stating obstacles to OROP.
One (…)

From N.C.’s Writings
Three landmarks to cover in a single day—that was how some of us spent our fiftieth Independence Day.
The first of the pilgrimage was to the Indo-Pak border post at Wagah to celebrate the anniversary of the freedom at midnight.
Reaching Amritsar by the Shatabdi Express in the late evening of August 14, about a dozen of us led by the President of the Citizens for Democracy, Kuldip Nayar, we were received by a huge crowd at the Amritsar station itself—which included (…)