India-South Korea Civil Nuclear Cooperation Pact

India and South Korea signed a “historic” civil nuclear cooperation agreement on 25 July, paving the way for the possibility of Seoul exporting its atomic power plants. South Korea has now become the ninth country which had signed nuclear agreement with India after it got the waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) in 2008. The other countries are the United States, France, Russia, Canada, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina and Namibia.
The agreement, signed after summit talks between President Pratibha Patil and her South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak, provides legal ground for South Korea’s participation in atomic power plant construction projects in India. It is like other civil nuclear agreements signed between India and other countries.
Historic Agreement
Lee termed the nuclear cooperation agreement as “historic” and will act as “a milestone, demonstrating that our two countries have now truly become strategic partners.”
During the talks, Lee called for support for South Korea's efforts to make inroads into India's atomic power plant market, the statement said.
India is currently building six nuclear power plants and plans to construct around 40 more by 2032, while South Korea seeks to become a major exporter of its home-built nuclear power plants.
The state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
South Korea has now become the ninth country which had signed nuclear agreement with India after it got the waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) in 2008. The other countries are the US, France, Russia, Canada, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina and Namibia. The two countries have just concluded and signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Both India and South Korea decided to start talks on civil nuclear cooperation during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lee on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in October 2010.

The nuclear agreement was signed by Dr Srikumar Banerjee, Secretary Department of Atomic Energy and Kim Sung Hwan, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.

Earlier, Patil and her South Korean counterpart Lee held a 20-minute restrictive meeting followed by delegation-level talks for over an hour at the ‘Blue House’, official residence of the Korean President. Patil is on a week-long tour of Korea and Mongolia.

Opportunities Emerging From New Economic Avenues
In addition to the agreement on nuclear cooperation, the two sides also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on media exchanges and another agreement on administrative arrangements to provide social security to people working in India and Korea.
Speaking at a banquet hosted by Lee in her honor, Patil said India would work with South Korea to enhance trade relations and tap investments opportunities emerging from new economic avenues.
She also called for greater people-to-people contacts between the two countries and cooperation in the UN.
Korean President Lee expressed hope that Patil’s visit will give a fillip to bilateral ties. “I firmly believe that Your Excellency’s visit will generate further momentum for the deepening of our cooperation,” he said.
Both presidents agreed to encourage greater people-to-people exchanges and stressed to start more direct flights between India and South Korea.
Forging Bilateral Ties
The pact provides legal ground for South Korea’s participation in atomic power plant construction projects in India
The two sides also signed MoUs on media exchanges and on administrative arrangements to provide social security to people working in India and Korea

India Wins ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Chasing, the victory target set by the Lankan team, 274 runs to win, the host India lost its two opening batsman, Master and Blaster, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early on but Gautam Gambhir and Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni rebuilt the innings and sealed the victory in India's favour by six wickets with 10 balls to spare. With the victory India crowned itself with the prestigious 'World Cup Trophy' at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2 April, business capital of India. Pre-tournament favorites India spectacularly broke the jinx of the nation hosting the final of the World Cup not clinching cricket's most treasured prize in earlier editions.

India rewrote history -- a piece of which they had first scripted 28 years ago -- capping a run that got better and better as the 2011 World Cup progressed.

Clash of Asian Giants

Two Asian teams faced each other in ODI World Cup Cricket final for the first time ever. Since 1992, every final of the World Cup tournament has had one Asian team but never had both finalists been from South Asia. Moreover, this is first time in the ICC Cricket World Cup history that the host country has won the title of 'Championship.' This was the second consecutive final for Sri Lanka, who lost out to Australia in 2007. The country has won the title by defeating Australia in 1996. While India also entered third time in the final of the tournament. After winning the silverware in 1983, India on second time had entered in the final in 2003, but lost to Australia that time. As the victory shot was hit by the Indian captain, frenzied celebrations erupted across the country with people bursting firecrackers, distributing sweets and dancing in the streets waving the tricolour. Ecstatic fans, who had been glued to TV sets since afternoon, spilled into the roads, greeting each other, honking cars and dancing to the beats of drums, choking key street intersections and main thoroughfares. A festive atmosphere prevailed across the country. India's President, Pratibha Patil watched the pulsating final with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mahinda Rajapaksa. With this, the six weeks journey of the tournament of the 10th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup-2011 came to an end.

Yuvraj Singh, who strode in to strike some imperious blows, was declared Man of the Series for his stupendous all-round effort for the triumphant Indian team. His two wickets in the final made his total tally of wickets soar up to 15, making him the sixth highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He also has scored 362 runs in the World Cup. Indian captain Dhoni was Man of the Match.

Memorable Moments

The tournament has helped create some of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport, including one of the most dramatic games of all time, when Australia and South Africa tied the Cricket World Cup 1999 semifinal, and one of the greatest shocks, when India defeated West Indies in the final of the 1983 event. India's star batsman, Sachin Tendulkar was the official event ambassador for the International Cricket Council World Cup 2011. In his role as ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 ambassador he was called upon to promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives for the tournament. Tendulkar’s sixth World Cup campaign finally turned out to be the one he will remember for the rest of his life — 19 long years since the day he played his first Cup match back in 1992.

Semifinals

Chasing, the target set by India, 261 to win, Pakistan fell short by 29 runs in a high-voltage second semi-final match, played at Mohali in Chandigarh. With this win, India not only qualified for the final, but its World Cup record remain intact (India have won all five encounters against Pakistan in World Cup).

The enabled India to maintain its unbeaten record against the arch rivals in 36 years of World Cup history, was the result of some brilliant bowling and fielding show by the home side after its much-vaunted batting line-up had posted a modest 260 for nine to which Man of the Match Sachin Tendulkar made a lucky 85-run contribution.

Sri Lankan team entered for the title clash, outclassing New Zealand by 10 wickets at the Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 29 March. New Zealand were dismissed for 217 in 48.5 overs. After the way Sri Lanka demolished England in the last match, New Zealand needed to post a score in excess of at least 250 to have a realistic chance of stopping the home team from storming into their second straight World Cup final.

After winning the silverware in 1983, India on second time had entered in the final in 2003, but lost to Australia that time. Two Asian teams will face each other in ODI World Cup Cricket final for the first time ever. Since 1992, every final of the World Cup tournament has had one Asian team but never have both finalists been from South Asia.

End of Murali's Magic

One of the finest and at the same time controversial spinners of all time, Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan bowed out of international cricket as highest wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs though he failed to make any impact in his swansong match -- the World Cup summit clash against India. The 38-year-old off-spinner walked into sunset after an illustrious 19-year career as Sri Lanka lost to India in the World Cup final by six wickets. Muralitharan has already quit Test cricket with a record 800 wickets.

Muralitharan's swansong appearance on home soil could not have been better as he scalped a wicket of his last ball in international cricket, a similar feat that happened in his final Test, in the World Cup semifinal.

Other Highlights

The opening match of the ongoing tournament was played between India and Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla national stadium in Mirpur in Bangladesh on 19th February, while the Final match of the world cup was held on 2 April, 2011 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai city, business capital of India. The tenth edition of cricket's quadrennial showpiece, featured 14 teams, played in India, a dozen in Sri Lanka and eight in Bangladesh. Nine editions of the tournament have taken place to date, with the event being won by Australia on four occasions (1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007), West Indies twice (1975 and 1979), and India (1983), Pakistan (1992) and Sri Lanka (1996) on one occasion. The 2011 Cricket World Cup winning team took home a prize money of US$ 3 million and US$ 1.5 million for runner-up. The 43 days (19 February to 2 April 2011) event returned to the subcontinent after 15 years, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are jointly hosting this world cup. Pakistan was also to host the world cup but lost the opportunity because of security reasons. India hosted cricket world cup in 1987 along with Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1996. The Current world cup is the third world cup for India. India is the second country to host cricket world cup for more times after England, which hosted world cup for four times.

Sri Lankan opener was just three runs ahead of Sachin Tendulkar on the list of the highest run-scorers in the current World Cup, but he took his tally to 500 runs with what was not exactly his most fluent innings in the tournament.

Indian seam bowler Zaheer Khan is the joint highest wicket taker in the World Cup along with Shahid Afridi of Pakistan. Zaheer ended up with a tally of 21 wickets.

Gary Kirsten ended his term as the Indian cricket team coach on a euphoric note, guiding the country to an historic World Cup triumph.

Popular Mind-Set on Corruption

After the complete washout of the winter session of Parliament, its budget session commenced on Monday. During the last session, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other opposition parties had created a ruckus on their demand for a probe in the 2G Spectrum scandal by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The opposition did not let the two Houses of Parliament function. The entire session fell victim to chaotic din and uproar.

2G Spectrum Case
The government was endeavoring to ensure smooth functioning of the current session. It appeared almost certain that the government might concede the demand of a JPC to probe the 2G Spectrum case. With this in mind, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha convened an all-party meeting two days before the commencement of the session where, the prime minister, reportedly, accepted the demand of the opposition in principle. It is expected that on the very first day of the motion of thanks to the address by the president, the formation of the JPC may be announced and the budget session would be saved. If this takes place, it would certainly be a huge jolt to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), because the opposition may take it as its victory.

It is common knowledge that the opposition merely wanted to manifest its political strength and it succeeded in blackmailing the UPA in the name of the budget session. Further, it is clear that even if the JPC probes the 2G Spectrum case, it may not be able to give any major direction or make any startling revelation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already arrested former Communication Minister A. Raja in this case. Beside him, there are several other persons of high stature behind the bar. The Supreme Court, too, is rather active on the case. In this scenario, should a JPC be formed and commenced its probe, it would have an adverse impact on the corrupt and dishonest section in the country. Nor it would be able to prevent corruption in the future.

Preventing Malpractices
In a country where the society does not look down upon thieves and dishonest persons, such kind of malpractices cannot be prevented. In our society, people do not take a theft as a theft. One can see everywhere that power is being stolen as if the theft of water and power supply is no crime. Likewise, if traveling in buses and trains were considered, if there is no checking on a day, seventy percent people would travel without ticket. If there were a one Rupee coin lying on the road, dozens of persons would bend to pick that coin up. None would even think that the coin does not belong to him. In this country, things have come to such a pass that encroachment on public land is considered no crime; instead it shows one's muscle power. What one can expect then from public servants and officers? Even those considered to be honest use official phone for making personal calls free. They do not consider it a sin to take up private work during office hours and taking official stationery home for children. Coming late to office and sitting idle through the day, bureaucrats and the public servants take it as their birth right. In such a scenario, even if A. Raja were put behind bars for a few years, would it change the country?

The very same BJP, which is crying hoarse over corruption, is not clean itself either. One of its presidents was caught on camera while taking bribe. When the BJP was in power, taking commission in the purchase of arms and equipment had attracted limelight. The BJP appeared in its true color when it imprisoned journalists who had blown the lid off scandals. Recently, the Karnataka chief minister indulged in several malpractices. Yet, the BJP could not muster the least courage to take any action against him.

Only the future would decide whether the opposition members who stood up on their chairs during the last session of Parliament to raise slogans, were sincerely pained by corruption or they had demanded the JPC only to corner the government. There are no hopes that the country would be saved and no such scandal s would take place.

President's Address to Joint Session of Parliament
Addressing a joint session of the two Houses on the opening day of the budget session, President Pratibha Patil pointed out that a Group of Ministers (GOM) was considering the issue of tackling corruption, increasing transparency and using legal, administrative and other measures for the purpose. The GOM would submit its report soon. Referring to the black money stashed in foreign banks, the president stressed that the government would leave no stone unturned to bring that money back and to punish the guilty. She added that the government was fully aware of the bad effect the black money has on the economy. Such money relates to either avoidance of tax on money earned honestly or earned through illegal means. She said that to combat the menace, state governments and its agencies and the other agencies responsible for implementation of laws, would have to strive seriously and concertedly.

The president said that steps have been taken to facilitate exchange of information for tax purposes with countries where Indian nationals may have stashed their ill-gotten wealth. Yet, we all know it well that unless the deep-rooted dishonesty in the country is brought to an end, the government may not be able to combat such irregularities. There is the need to launch a concerted campaign against dishonesty in the country. There is need to inculcate a sense of honesty among the people. Unless this is done, we cannot get rid of corruption.

Afghan President Pays Official Visit to India

Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan paid an official visit to India on 26 April at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. During his stay, President Karzai met President Pratibha Patil, and held discussions with the prime minister.

This was President Karzai's first visit to India after his reelection as the Afghan President in 2009. The visit marked the continuation of high level exchanges between the two countries, and was a manifestation of the tradition of regular consultations between India and Afghanistan.

Joint Statement
During the discussions between President Karzai and Prime Minister Singh issued a joint statement. According to it, the two sides reiterated their commitment to the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction at the progress in their relations. They noted that these relations were rooted in historical and civilization links, and served not only the interests and welfare of the two countries, but also contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Prime Minister Singh stated that India desired to see a strong, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace. India remained committed to assisting Afghanistan in its development efforts in accordance with the wishes and priorities of the people of Afghanistan. India's development partnership is focused on areas of infrastructure development, human resource development and capacity building, food assistance and small development projects that bring immediate benefit to the people at the grass-roots level. The two leaders, in particular, took note of the Zaranj-Delaram road project, the Pul-e-Kumri to Kabul transmission line project and scholarship programs, which had brought direct benefit to the Afghan people. They welcomed the progress being made in the construction of the building for the Afghan Parliament. President Karzai expressed appreciation for India's assistance to the reconstruction and development efforts of the government and people of Afghanistan.

President Karzai outlined to Prime Minister Singh recent developments with regard to Afghanistan. Prime Minister Singh lauded the progress that had been made in national reconstruction efforts under President Karzai and the sacrifices made by the people of Afghanistan in their quest for building a democratic and peaceful society.

Karzai and Singh leaders reiterated their conviction that the national rebuilding process in Afghanistan should be led by the people of Afghanistan in keeping with the principles of national sovereignty, independence and non-interference in internal affairs. They expressed their grave concern over the threat posed by terrorism to Afghanistan's national development efforts. They expressed their determination to work with the international community to combat the forces of terrorism which pose a particular threat to the region.

President Karzai conveyed his outrage and deep condolences over the terrorist attacks on Indian nationals in Afghanistan, and assured the Indian side that the Government of Afghanistan is committed to providing full security to them. The Indian side welcomed these assurances. The two leaders expressed their intention to continue to consult each other with a view to consolidating their partnership and contributing to peace and stability in the region.

Development Partnership
Extending support for a strong, peaceful and democratic Afghanistan led by the Afghan people, India has said that it was ready to 'augment' civil assistance to Kabul. Karzai and the Indian prime minister reviewed the 'development partnership' and also discussed the issue of terrorism.

Singh expressed his 'deep admiration' for Karzai's 'courageous leadership in difficult times' and conveyed that India was 'ready to augment its assistance for capacity building and for skill and human resources development to help strengthen public institutions in Afghanistan. It asserted said Singh's remark reflected New Delhi's 'reluctance' to take up any new 'mega project' in Afghanistan and indicated that its role in reconstruction of the conflict-ridden country would -- at least for the time being -- be limited to giving scholarships to Afghan students to study in India; helping in skill-development of employees of the Afghan government in addition to providing vocational training to workers in private sector.

India was 'unlikely' to take up any new infrastructure project in Afghanistan.

Taliban and Al-Qa'ida Factors
India has been recalibrating its role in Afghanistan in the wake of the 26 February terrorist attack in which seven Indians were killed in Kabul. The attack came amid an aggressive diplomatic campaign by Pakistan against Indian role in Afghanistan. Indians have been among the targets of terrorists in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009.

Interestingly, while no reference to Taliban was observed in any of the remarks made by Singh, an Indo-Asian News Service report on 26 April said that the Indian prime minister conveyed concerns to Karzai over plan to hold talks with the 'so-called moderate Taliban' in Afghanistan.
Speaking after the talks, Karzai also said the two leaders had 'discussed the upcoming Afghanistan Peace Consultations which should comprise people of Afghanistan, those from all walks of life to advise on how to move forward for reintegration and reconciliation of those elements of Taliban and others who have accepted the Constitution or not part of Al-Qa'ida or any terrorist network

Food Guarantee in India

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government is reportedly considering enacting a legislation that guarantees to provide food for all. Recently, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at the meeting of the empowered group of ministers to draft such a bill on national food security.
It is, however, not certain whether the proposed bill would be ready by the time the Parliamentary budget session commences, and what would be the provisions of the bill, who would be brought under its sphere, and whether it would be confined to people Below Poverty Line (BPL) or others would also be included?

Government's Initiatives
Whatever be it, the proposal can safely be termed a historic initiative of the UPA Government. A system that guarantees food can safely be termed an oasis in the vast expanse of a dessert at a time when the common man is groaning under the heavy yoke of sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities with food articles like wheat, pulses, and rice getting out of reach of the common man. Food security implies no one would die of hunger and starvation. It is, indeed, no easy task to give guarantee of providing food through enactment of legislation. Had it been an easy task, the UPA Government would have enacted and implemented the law even during last year, when President Pratibha Patil had referred to food security in her address to Parliament.
In fact, this is a very difficult, complex issue that also requires huge amount of money. If the report submitted by the Suresh Tendulkar Committee were accepted to be true, 38 percent of the country's populace falls in the category of living BPL. If the government drafts its budget in line with the report, it would need an estimated expenditure of Rs.450 billion. Further, the estimates of states are different than those of the committee. Various state governments maintain that the number of those living BPL is four to five times higher than the centrally projected figures. In such a scenario, the estimated expenditure may cross Rs.650 billion. Further, fixing the quantity of food grain and their price, and ensuring that no eligible person gets left out of its purview would be no less a horrendous task.

Legislation on Food Security
There are a large number of people in the country who continue to be deprived of ration cards even to this day. To get ration card issued, one needs a proper address where one lives, but there are thousands of homeless people. This raises the question of taking the scheme to cover homeless people. It is a complex issue indeed, without addressing which even the proposed legislation on food security may fail in its objective. There is, therefore, the need that the central and state governments together find a solution to the issue.
It has been noticed that state governments, at times, inflate the figures of those living BPL with a view to getting higher federal aid, and these governments do not usually substantiate their claim with concrete proof. Consequently, even during this era of science and technology, figures of BPL families continue to be disputed, and the targeted population for welfare of which the scheme was formulated suffers. Similarly, state governments would desire that while implementing the Food Security Act, it should remain outside the purview of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) schemes, and no scheme under NREGA be amalgamated with the proposed Food Security Act.

Price Hike of Essential Commodities
The UPA Government's decision to enact legislation on food security needs to be welcomed. It would be the second major and historic achievement of the UPA Government, after the Right To Education Act. It can be taken as a glimmer of hope for these poverty ridden people who find it difficult to get a square meal a day at a time when spiraling price hike of essential commodities has broken the back of the common man.
It is, perhaps, because of this that various political parties have impressed the need to enact such legislation as soon as possible. Yet, it would have gone a long way to provide succor to people had the bill been drafted before the Parliamentary budget session, due soon.

President's Message Gives Clear Direction to Real Development

The Republic Day message, given by Indian President Pratibha Patil, carries a special message for the people. The message assumes significance not only for being a formal and traditional message that the president delivers on the eve of every republic day to the people of the country but is also indicative can also serve as a beacon to reach the goals of construction of a new India.

Development and Progress
Expressing grave concern at the spiraling price rise, she stressed the need of another green revolution in the country to ensure availability of food grains. In fact, the painful sky rocketing prices of essential commodities, particularly of food articles, have cast its shadow on the jubilations of the republic day. That pain is being felt by the president of the Republic of India also because she represents the country. There is no gainsaying that ensuring availability of food articles, poses a huge challenge to the country. To face it, we can no longer depend on the sweet will of nature and seasons. To meet the challenge, there indeed, is the need for another green revolution as she has suggested. Clearly, until effective initiatives are made at the official level, the thought expressed by the president cannot be translated into a reality.
Maintaining that the next ten years would be very decisive for the country, the president said that every Indian would have to show complete responsibility, discipline, and wholeheartedly work with the great spirit of cooperation and with a sense of purpose. In fact, we have set our target to become a developed nation by 2020 and have also identified some goals to achieve the target. She referred to the same.

Employment Opportunities
India has come out of the global economic meltdown courageously and creditably. The international community, too, has lauded India for its endeavor. The fact remains that in spite of the worse-ever situation, employment opportunities in the IT sector have increased in India. As against it, unemployment has become rampant in the United States and hundreds of banks there continue to go bankrupt. However, in the midst of progress, many of our weaknesses, too, have come to the fore.
We have failed to reach expected local of development despite having expertise and skills. We have failed to eradicate corruption, which is eating into the vitals of the country like a malignancy. Even more tragic is that corruption that is rampant in the government administration, is fast spreading into the corporate sector as well. A survey conducted recently revealed that 83.4 percent of the management at the lower level in the corporate sector and 90.1 percent at higher level indulge in irregularities and corruption.
There is no need to explain what role the corporate sector plays in industrial and economic progress of the country. Similarly, the responsibilities devolving on the bureaucracy for this purpose are quite clear. Also, it is well known what significance the political leadership has in taking the country along the path of progress and development. If germs of corruption get embedded into these vital sectors, it would adversely affect the graph of the progress indeed. Since we have failed to achieve the desired standards of progress as yet, we need to pay greater attention to it during the next ten years and we would have to work with the dedication and sense of responsibility that the president has called for.

Line of Action
President Pratibha Patil has rightly asserted that we would have to work hard to carry India to the peak of development and progress clearly, and that task remains unfulfilled until the common man living even in far-flung areas of the country become a partner and a receiver of that progress. The fruit of development should reach the lowly of the lowliest and the poorest of the poor. She has also stressed the need of developing the standard of research. In this connection, if we take a look at Europe and the United States, it becomes clear that those countries have achieved progress by attaching greater importance to the research sector. It is one of the reasons behind the brain drain from our country while other countries are befitting. To improve the standard of our research, we would have to utilize the skills and brains of these people, and become a developed country.On the whole, the presidential address does not only set the line of action for the government, but is also a message to all sectors of human endeavors and all fields of national development. There is need to understand the message and act upon it by every citizen.