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08 THE TRIBUNE
CHANDIGARH | THURSDAY | 7 JUNE 2018

Shangri-La takeaway
Can Modi’s ambition alone pull off the new template of neo-nonalignment?
target was clearly China. Two, “when

The Karnataka effect they embrace diversity at home, they

P
RIME Minister Narendra seek an inclusive world outside”.
Modi’s recent eastern foray While the target again could have
Mending fences with Advani & allies was shrewdly constructed been China or Myanmar, or even

B
around his keynote address at Thailand, run now by a military junta,
JP president Amit Shah is busy making pilgrimages to places the Shangri-la Dialogue, held jointly by even India could benefit by his
he had rarely bothered to visit while his party logged a steady the Singapore government and the advice. To start with, he needs to
record of victories in state elections. His first port of call was British think-tank, IISS, since 2002. It is unfollow on Twitter those bhakts who
Matoshree, home to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to be followed now a premier forum for defence minis- routinely deride Indian secularism
by a closed-door meeting with the Badals in Chandigarh. His boss, ters to cogitate on geo-strategic develop- and diversity. He needs to speak up
PM Modi is on a pacifying and reconciliation mission too: an olive ments in East Asia, the Pacific, etc. Per- against bigotry and jingoism or when
branch to party veteran LK Advani after studiously ignoring him all haps not coincidently, the US renamed a group thrashes someone who can-
these years and there is talk of rapprochement with other estranged its Pacific Command — one of the 10 not name India’s Prime Minister.
party elders as well. global unified commands — the Indo- Since when was ignorance a crime?
A walk-back in politics, as in war, is an accepted tactic to cut the Pacific Command. The phrase had This gap between what Modi preach-
already crept into US and Indian diplo- es and practices was brought to the fore
losses and recoup energy. The message from the high-value losses
matic parlance. at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological
in UP and Karnataka seems to be that the BJP’s brand of ethno-
The speech, significantly, articulates University where he was apparently in
religious political activism and the Modi charisma may not be ade- India’s Asia vision, as the simultane- a freewheeling question and answer
quate in a bipolar competition in 2019. It is also a realisation that ous rise of China and India and the session. Rendering an answer into
the NDA needs to again summon the spirit of 2014 but with a slight creeping US withdrawal are spelling English, the interpreter apparently
twist in the arrangement: it is no longer the rising tide of Modi’s uncertainty. But equally important kept reading material about a question
populism and antipathy to the Congress that unconditionally was to engage a democratic and most nese will scowl. But he immediately that, it must move up the supply chain not yet asked. If the aim was to show
brought allies to the BJP’s fold. populous Muslim country, Indonesia, added that India was also nursing assid- of software business. China is way PM as a scholar-statesman, the result
The Congress’ readiness to take the backseat in Karnataka and and Malaysia, where veteran leader uously a global strategic partnership ahead as a cyber power, going by its net- was the opposite. The moral is that
play the understudy to the BSP and SP in UP have also brought a Mahathir is the surprise winner and is with the US. This is the new template of work size and broadband penetration, Modi is most effective when he is him-
matching pressure on the BJP to be accommodative to its allies as restoring democratic norms. Singa- what is being called “multi-alignment” enhanced capabilities in operating sys- self. As his popularity flags, as would of
well. However, power brings in its own complications. The BJP has pore meeting took place as the US and or neo-nonalignment. tems and central processing units, any leader in the fifth year in power,
a much harder task on hand in trying to separately renegotiate the the Democratic People’s Republic of A large part of the address emphasis- e-commerce and online markets, etc. theatre becomes counterproductive.
terms of alliance with its partners. For its allies of UP and Bihar, the Korea (DPRK) prepare to meet in Sin- es maritime linkages and India as This has happened because personal India wants questions answered hon-
gapore on June 12. The future of the bridging the Indian and Pacific liberty issues do not constrain the estly. Kairana electoral loss and the
BJP needs to allay their fears of abandonment and emasculation;
Korean peninsula hung in balance as oceans, from the US to Africa. This is development of algorithm-based solu- farmers’ boycott of cities signals rural
with Akali Dal and Shiv Sena, conciliation is easier on the back of
Modi completed his tour. ambitious, but then, visions cannot be tions and data mining in China. Thus, distress no longer ignorable as mere
decades of association but the ball game in the South is different: Modi’s speech was reasoned and non- self-constrained. They will get shaped even where artificial-intelligence capa- road-kill to economic growth. Karnata-
the BJP may have invested in the wrong AIADMK faction in Tamil rhetorical. India seeks, he said, a multi- by national endeavour interacting bility is concerned, China is the main ka cannot be drowned in tears like a
Nadu, is without a partner in Karnataka and divorced but not sep- polar global order resting on a new with geopolitics; at the core of that has competitor to the US. The Economist kindergarten child whose toffee was
arated with the TDP in Andhra. J&K also requires a greater flexi- Asian security order that is open, rules- snatched. Tuticorin cannot be absolved
bility of alignment. A helping hand from the sidelined elders could
make this arduous task easier.
based and fair. He allayed the concern
of the 10 ASEAN members that their
The US taking a back seat and the rise of both China and India have by shutting down belatedly Vedanta’s
plant. Even The Economist, votary of
centrality to the evolving structure triggered uncertainty in the region. What India wants is for all free enterprise, bemoans the compa-
would be displaced. For instance, the ny’s stand that “fake activists” are tar-
premier security dialogue — Asean
countries to work toward an open, rules-based multi-polar global geting it. It sharply concludes that the
order, resting on a new Asian security structure.
PSPCL’s dim corners Regional Forum (ARF) — has 10 mem-
bers of the organisation plus China,
Republic of Korea and Japan, besides
owner “having refined and reprocessed
metals for so long, he will now have to
do a similar job on his company’s rep-
Need to shine light on corruption, opaque accounting Australia, India and New Zealand, US, to be a blue-water navy. The US’ rise bemoans that even in the West with utation”.
Russia, etc. He captured in one speech as a predominant global power was plentiful data “privacy rules designed PM Modi’s outreach to Indonesia

B
IDING time is often a successful strategy to overcome India’s rebalancing over the past few anticipated by Theodore Roosevelt for the landline phone, post-box and fil- and Malaysia signals that democracies
unpleasant situations. But more than that, it is used with months with “informal summits” with (President from 1901-1909), who creat- ing cabinet urgently need to be of Asia are converging to defend
great effect by the bent in corruption cases to avoid prosecu- leaders of Russia and China. Russian ed a strong navy and the Panama strengthened for the age of smart- against China’s predatory territorial
tion. A report in this paper on Wednesday underscored how at least President Vladimir Putin too seeks a Canal, allowing US ships manoeuvra- phone, e-mail and cloud computing”. aggression. Without abandoning an
70 officials — retired and serving — of Punjab State Power Corpora- multi-polar world, Modi said, adding bility between the Atlantic and the In India, the Supreme Court has yet embrace with the US, Modi has rebal-
tion have faced no action despite an internal inquiry indicting them that talks with President Xi Jinping Pacific, well before the two great wars. to lay the redlines in the Aadhaar case. anced relations with Russia, and to
for embezzlement in civil works carried out in various parts of the were cementing an understanding that Globalisation was argued as a positive The inadvertent confession by a senior some extent China. There were no
stable Sino-Indian relations were force. However, that axiom is no longer executive of Paytm that data was hugs and none were required. Geopoli-
state between 2010 and 2013. The inquiry report then had noted that
essential for global peace and progress. universally accepted in the West, where shared at the behest of the Prime Min- tics and diplomacy is best conducted
the findings were “just the tip of the iceberg”. It is unconscionable
In reality, while on free and fair global it has led to de-industrialisation as Chi- ister’s Office shows lax data protection. by calibrated public acts and intensive
that the authorities in the corporation as well as the government trade as well as climate change, India na created cheaper supply lines for the Two interesting points stand out in private preparation.
may have let the matter just lie without taking cognizance. That is and China are on the same page, but on broadest range of consumer products Modi’s lecture. One, that when
as good as giving a wink to let the rot continue. India’s demand for a rules-based at competitive rates. India needs access nations “stand on the side of princi- The writer is a former Secretary,
The massive enterprise called PSPCL is the backbone of the approach to global commons the Chi- to the services sector, but more than ples” they earn global respect. The Ministry of External Affairs
state’s economy, both industrial and agricultural. Its services touch
the life of every individual in the state. The need to maintain it in
robust health, thus, cannot be overstated. A new CMD, Baldev Singh

Who is the bumpkin now!


Sran, has just taken hold of the reins at the Patiala headquarters.
Being an old PSPCL hand, he needs no time getting acquainted and
can hit the ground running. He would have been conscious of the
challenges when he decided to take on the responsibility, but it may
be worth reminding that the key to a healthy future for the power util-
LR Sharma was petrified with the scenario he pre- friends and asked one of them to tied the glass in the pot on the window
ity would lie in taking the legacy issues head on.
sented before me on the first day of my serve us all. ‘Please, not for me!” I and silently heaved a sigh of relief,

O
Apart from looking into the embezzlement case, as he has
N the very first day of my post- joining! Yet, I was impressed with his pleaded. An enraged Mr Varma ges- continuing the act of sipping for the
already promised, he has to go into the seemingly insurmountable ing in a government depart- demeanour, his impeccable dress tured to his other friend, ‘Prashar, next half an hour. ‘I am feeling dizzy, ’
financial mess that the corporation is in owing to subsidy accounts ment, I got introduced to Mr sense, the way he puffed the cigarette, hold his hands, Parmar will drain the I moaned, clamping my head with
as well as inefficiencies and corruption within. The massive agri- Varma, the only senior colleague in like actor Dev Anand. ‘Come for din- stuff in his throat. He is not to remain both hands. They exchanged glances
cultural subsidy is often pointed at for being exploited to cover up my branch. He readily took charge of ner with me at 7 pm. You need a brief.’ a meek dud in the department!’ and smiled. ‘The stuff is working fine
for several kinds of power losses and theft. The state would be me like an elder. I too acquiesced to I swallowed the jibe, but was happy at As they got up, I shrieked, ‘Please with the kid.’ They all laughed.
greatly benefited if Mr Sran could have PSPCL come clean on its his tutelage because I was ignorant the dinner invitation. stop, I will do as told! But I will take After a long wait, dinner finally
state of finances. There would be discomfort both in the corpora- about everything, including the little When I arrived, there were three of only one small.’ They clapped and arrived. I was so hungry that I literal-
tion and the government, but to know the disease is the first step town where I was posted. In a sense, I them sitting across a table in a small agreed. ‘Okay, the elixir will work in ly pounced on the food, caring little
to finding a remedy. was an uncouth village lad, straight cubicle of a hotel. I was asked to its own way.’ I lifted the glass, clinked for the scant table manners that I had
out of college. I abhorred smoking occupy the fourth seat. Behind me with theirs and then touched the rim learnt. ‘Look, the hungry wolf is
and drinking. was an open bay window, on which a to my lips, pretending to take a sip. I devouring greedily,’ Parmar quipped.
‘What kind of a field officer will you vase adorned a fern plant that had been a ragging-hardened college They laughed again.
make? This is a tough job. You should swayed in the soft breeze. A bottle of student. Assured of my obedience, But I had the last laugh. The
Thought for the Day be acquainted with these stress- liquor, four glasses and a jug of water the trio got busy in drinking and dis- dumb bumpkin had taken them
Chaos was the the law of nature; order was the dream of man. busters, otherwise you will have to fold sat on the table. cussing mundane topics. In a flash, I for a ride. My forced initiation to
— Henry Adams your tent and go home,’ he warned. I Mr Varma introduced me to his got an idea. Stealing a glance, I emp- Bacchus had failed.

polls’ (June 6), after bringing in rule ther galvanise the party. in East Punjab. Sikhs would assemble No change in 50 years efficiency principle. In situations
Apropos the editorial ‘Power subsidy that all above 75 years will not be PRAVEEN KHANNA, PATIALA in village gurdwaras, do morning Reference to ‘On this day... 50 years where an individual damages a natu-
reforms’ (June 6), the commission has made ministers in his Cabinet, just ardas and then leave for the killing ago’ (June 6); the news report talks of ral resource, he/she should repair it
rightly suggested that landholding size to keep senior leaders like Advani spree. This pattern went on for many the inter-state boundary dispute or take measures to regenerate it.
should be considered for giving free pow- and Joshi away, it is hypocritical that Grain scam months. Were the Sikhs not fighting between Punjab and Haryana regard- KARAN DHAMMI SHARMA, BY MAIL
er to the agriculture sector. The sugges- PM Modi has rushed to meet Advani Every year we buy millions of bags for in the “defence of religion”? ing the claim to Chandigarh. The
tion to charge a flat rate of Rs 100/hp/per to request him to contest in the 2019 the storage of grains after harvesting. RANDHIR SINGH BAINS, UK then Union Minister of State for
month from farmers owning 4 hectares general election. The party has Since there is shortage of space, most Home Affairs, VC Shukla, had Don’t lose heart
or more should be considered as the first realised that it is now on a sticky bags are stored in the open, which are assured that the formula which Refer to ‘Farmhand’s daughter ends
step. One of the reasons the power sector wicket and the involvement of veter- susceptible to misappropriation and Scrapping courses would be applied to solve all such dis- life after failing to clear NEET’ (June
is in a mess is that the PSPCL is com- an leaders may help the BJP. If also rodents. We need hundreds of secu- The report ‘Courses suspended in 60 putes would hold good in the case of 6); with the declaration of the JEE
pletely dependent upon subsidy from Advani and Joshi have any self- rity guards for these grains. No one in colleges for want of students’ (June 6) Chandigarh as well as other areas. and NEET results, a fact that is nev-
the state government which is increas- respect, they should turn down his the government is interested in chang- is disheartening. It takes long to intro- And due importance would be given er going to change is that every par-
ing every year. As per the PSERC tariff appeal. They should not fall into the ing the system. FCI officials sometimes duce a new course in a government to the views of residents of the area ent expects his child to perform well.
order for the current financial year, the trap of opportunism dug by the resort to wetting of wheat to render it college. It is beneficial for students of while deciding the issue. But even The ones who do not excel need not
subsidy amount is Rs 8,949 crore, with an Modi-Shah duo. unfit for consumption and then they that region as well as unemployed today, after 50 years, the problem has feel dejected. He has different plans
arrear of Rs 4,768 crore. Thus the total THARCIUS S FERNANDO, CHENNAI sell it to breweries at a throwaway price. youth. But in the present scenario, not been resolved. No political party, for you. Feel blessed to be surround-
subsidy to be paid by the Punjab Govern- We should create silos which are a one- most people believe that only big uni- neither at the state nor Central level, ed by your loved ones; they are the
ment is Rs 13,718 crore. Under the pres- time investment. The grains can be versities and private colleges can made any genuine attempt to solve it. ones who will matter in your life.
ent scenario, it will not be possible for the Could benefit BJP stored for a longer duration. impart quality education. In rural It is like the Kashmir agenda. Your parents love you beyond your
government to pay full subsidy this year The BJP’s decision to rehabilitate COL JASPAL SINGH (RETD), LUDHIANA areas there is lack of students in cer- SHADI LAL, BY MAIL academic performance. Your welfare
also. To avoid transmission losses the senior leaders who were margin- tain courses and even the faculty is of utmost importance to them.
PSPCL should go for automation. Power alised is a welcome step. This could advises students to pursue studies in Dread not what the neighbours or
subsidy is a major drain on Punjab’s undo the charge of the Opposition of In defence of religion cities. We expect instant results Toward sustainable growth relatives will say; you have put in
budget. Subsidies should be need based sidelining its own founding fathers The article ‘Bluestar as a tragedy and instead of long-term benefits. In some Environmental protection and sus- your best and knowledge is yours for
and not a vote-garnering tool. who rejuvenated the party from a a reminder’ (June 6) claims that colleges and universities it is very tainable development is of great keeps. You have learnt to work hard
VK GUPTA, CHANDIGARH paltry two MPs to one that is ruling although “a much larger number of hard to get admission whereas in importance as it is development that and this quality is now ingrained in
in 21 states. This step would also Sikh died during Partition, the 1947 some colleges the department of high- meets the needs of the present with- you. Think out of the box. Step out-
influence old supporters who might deaths are not seen in terms of attacks er education suspends some courses. out compromising on the ability of side the sphere of medicine and
What hypocrisy! have felt disenchanted with the par- on and in defence of religion”. This is We need to change the attitude toward future generations. The concept of engineering. Cheer up! The sun shall
Apropos ‘To fight united Opposition, ty. The BJP should identify such hardly surprising because Sikhs government institutions. development has to fit the notion of rise again, my dears.
BJP may field Advani, Joshi in LS leaders from other states also to fur- indulged in most of revenge killings SURESH NAGAL, TOHANA ‘protection capacity’ and the durable MANVEEN MANN, JALANDHAR

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com

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