India is, no longer the Guru, only a military state

India is, no longer the Guru, only a military state

Dr Sandeep Pandey



A lot of people didn't understand the hurry that Manmohan Singh was in in taking the safeguards agreement to International Atomic Energy Agency and requesting the United States President to pursue the matter with Nuclear Suppliers' Group. Even those who support the Indo-US nuclear deal are perplexed by the urgency demonstrated by the government. Manmohan Singh was willing to put at stake his prime ministership, his government and the party as well as the country for the sake of the deal. He annoyed his left supporters and forced a motion of confidence which he won not in a very dignified manner.



The Indian government has got the approval of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the safeguards agreement expectedly quite smoothly. If Manmohan Singh is able to drive this deal through Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) and the US Congress the second time, it'll be a virtual coup for him. He would have achieved what no other country on earth has been able to do so far.



He would have obtained the rights for India to engage in nuclear commerce with the 45 member NSG countries without signing on the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It doesn't matter that the US and the rest of the world doesn't recognize India formally as a Nuclear Weapons State under the NPT. He would walk away without having committed India to nuclear disarmament.



It is to be noted that the big five, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, officially described as Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) under NPT are committed to nuclear disarmament, at least formally. The remaining countries which are signatories of NPT are anyway prohibited from making nuclear weapons. Pakistan and Israel , the only other non-signatories besides India , are also not officially committed to nuclear disarmament but then they are denied the benefit of nuclear commerce. Hence India will enjoy the unique status of a respectable member of the group of countries engaged in nuclear commerce with each other but without committing itself to nuclear disarmament. This is the diplomatic success of Manmohan Singh and a lot of countries are amazed that he has had his way violating the non-proliferation regime in place. He would like to consider this as his achievement and wants the due credit for it. This is why he wants to seal the deal during his present tenure.



It may be a personal achievement for Manmohan Singh. But what does it mean for the people and the country? Having obtained the status, even if informally, of a nuclear weapons state, India will seek to further stockpile. The nuclear power plants outside the IAEA safeguards will be used to add to India 's nuclear arsenal. This will fuel another round of arms race with Pakistan and possibly with China as well. Precious resources of the country will be dedicated to arms build up.



India has traditionally been seen as a harbinger of peace. As recently as in 1995, India's representative at the International Court of Justice described nuclear deterrence as 'abhorrent to human sentiment since it implies that a state if required to defend its own existence will act with pitiless disregard for the consequences to its own and adversary's people.'



Jawahar Lal Nehru had spurned an American offer to conduct nuclear test on India soil with American devices to preempt the Chinese nuclear test. Even though Indira Gandhi conducted the nuclear tests in 1974, Rajiv Gandhi was still seriously pursuing the cause of nuclear disarmament in the United Nations in 1988. India had taken a principled position against the discriminatory Non Proliferation Treaty and was hoping that the big five - the US , UK , Russia , France and China - would give a time bound commitment towards global nuclear disarmament.



However, the US , has now stopped surreptitiously talking about disarmament. The new phraseology is 'non-proliferation.' It is a euphemism for the continuing hegemony of the US called the 'new global order.' And slowly the world leaders have started trumpeting the idea of non-proliferation, abandoning the ideal of nuclear disarmament. The countries have either voluntarily or under coercion joined the non-proliferation order. India had resisted this design valiantly as the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement not until long back. However, with the Indo-US nuclear deal, the US thinks that India had been brought into the non-proliferation regime through the back door.



Even our political parties, like the Congress, the Communists and the Socialists, who have been traditional supporters of the idea of global nuclear disarmament have been forced by the US and its right wing allies in India, the Hindutva forces, in this debate, to take right wing position of maintaining the option to carry out nuclear tests in future and thereby increase India's nuclear and other arsenals in the name of national security. They are either now paying only lip service to the ideal of nuclear disarmament or have subscribed to the new paradigm of non-proliferation.



So, India , from a position of the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) , advocating nuclear disarmament and global peace, fighting the US dominance, has now climbed down to be merely an ally of the only remaining super power. She was earlier a spiritual guru to the world and champion of peace. Now she is just a military power, that too a very mediocre one. She has an ambition to be in the league of security council members, but her vast majority of poor population, living on the verge of starvation and possible suicide deaths pull her down to be face to face with the reality.



While the Indian Parliament builds a nuclear bunker for itself, majority of the villagers live without electricity. From a strong believer in the concept of self-reliance we now seek dependence on others which is described as ending India 's technological isolation. Subjugation to the world power is being portrayed as India achieving its long overdue place in the comity of nations. India 's leaders think that they will be able to retain country's sovereignty and not let it degenerate into a banana republic. In reality, our position will be nothing more than a second rate UK or Israel .

Dr Sandeep Pandey

(The author is a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) for emergent leadership, heads the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) and did his PhD from University of California, Berkeley in control theory which is applicable in missile technology. He taught at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur before devoting his life to strengthening people's movements.

He can be contacted at: ashaashram@yahoo.com)

Published in

Bihar Times, Patna, Bihar

The Kashmir Times, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)

Central Chronicle, Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh

Manipur Comments, Imphal, Manipur

News Track India, Delhi

Bihar and Jharkhand News Service

Assam Times, Guwahati, Assam

India is, no longer the Guru, only a military state

India is, no longer the Guru, only a military state

Dr Sandeep Pandey



A lot of people didn't understand the hurry that Manmohan Singh was in in taking the safeguards agreement to International Atomic Energy Agency and requesting the United States President to pursue the matter with Nuclear Suppliers' Group. Even those who support the Indo-US nuclear deal are perplexed by the urgency demonstrated by the government. Manmohan Singh was willing to put at stake his prime ministership, his government and the party as well as the country for the sake of the deal. He annoyed his left supporters and forced a motion of confidence which he won not in a very dignified manner.



The Indian government has got the approval of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the safeguards agreement expectedly quite smoothly. If Manmohan Singh is able to drive this deal through Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) and the US Congress the second time, it'll be a virtual coup for him. He would have achieved what no other country on earth has been able to do so far.



He would have obtained the rights for India to engage in nuclear commerce with the 45 member NSG countries without signing on the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It doesn't matter that the US and the rest of the world doesn't recognize India formally as a Nuclear Weapons State under the NPT. He would walk away without having committed India to nuclear disarmament.



It is to be noted that the big five, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, officially described as Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) under NPT are committed to nuclear disarmament, at least formally. The remaining countries which are signatories of NPT are anyway prohibited from making nuclear weapons. Pakistan and Israel , the only other non-signatories besides India , are also not officially committed to nuclear disarmament but then they are denied the benefit of nuclear commerce. Hence India will enjoy the unique status of a respectable member of the group of countries engaged in nuclear commerce with each other but without committing itself to nuclear disarmament. This is the diplomatic success of Manmohan Singh and a lot of countries are amazed that he has had his way violating the non-proliferation regime in place. He would like to consider this as his achievement and wants the due credit for it. This is why he wants to seal the deal during his present tenure.



It may be a personal achievement for Manmohan Singh. But what does it mean for the people and the country? Having obtained the status, even if informally, of a nuclear weapons state, India will seek to further stockpile. The nuclear power plants outside the IAEA safeguards will be used to add to India 's nuclear arsenal. This will fuel another round of arms race with Pakistan and possibly with China as well. Precious resources of the country will be dedicated to arms build up.



India has traditionally been seen as a harbinger of peace. As recently as in 1995, India's representative at the International Court of Justice described nuclear deterrence as 'abhorrent to human sentiment since it implies that a state if required to defend its own existence will act with pitiless disregard for the consequences to its own and adversary's people.'



Jawahar Lal Nehru had spurned an American offer to conduct nuclear test on India soil with American devices to preempt the Chinese nuclear test. Even though Indira Gandhi conducted the nuclear tests in 1974, Rajiv Gandhi was still seriously pursuing the cause of nuclear disarmament in the United Nations in 1988. India had taken a principled position against the discriminatory Non Proliferation Treaty and was hoping that the big five - the US , UK , Russia , France and China - would give a time bound commitment towards global nuclear disarmament.



However, the US , has now stopped surreptitiously talking about disarmament. The new phraseology is 'non-proliferation.' It is a euphemism for the continuing hegemony of the US called the 'new global order.' And slowly the world leaders have started trumpeting the idea of non-proliferation, abandoning the ideal of nuclear disarmament. The countries have either voluntarily or under coercion joined the non-proliferation order. India had resisted this design valiantly as the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement not until long back. However, with the Indo-US nuclear deal, the US thinks that India had been brought into the non-proliferation regime through the back door.



Even our political parties, like the Congress, the Communists and the Socialists, who have been traditional supporters of the idea of global nuclear disarmament have been forced by the US and its right wing allies in India, the Hindutva forces, in this debate, to take right wing position of maintaining the option to carry out nuclear tests in future and thereby increase India's nuclear and other arsenals in the name of national security. They are either now paying only lip service to the ideal of nuclear disarmament or have subscribed to the new paradigm of non-proliferation.



So, India , from a position of the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) , advocating nuclear disarmament and global peace, fighting the US dominance, has now climbed down to be merely an ally of the only remaining super power. She was earlier a spiritual guru to the world and champion of peace. Now she is just a military power, that too a very mediocre one. She has an ambition to be in the league of security council members, but her vast majority of poor population, living on the verge of starvation and possible suicide deaths pull her down to be face to face with the reality.



While the Indian Parliament builds a nuclear bunker for itself, majority of the villagers live without electricity. From a strong believer in the concept of self-reliance we now seek dependence on others which is described as ending India 's technological isolation. Subjugation to the world power is being portrayed as India achieving its long overdue place in the comity of nations. India 's leaders think that they will be able to retain country's sovereignty and not let it degenerate into a banana republic. In reality, our position will be nothing more than a second rate UK or Israel .

Dr Sandeep Pandey

(The author is a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) for emergent leadership, heads the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) and did his PhD from University of California, Berkeley in control theory which is applicable in missile technology. He taught at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur before devoting his life to strengthening people's movements.

He can be contacted at: ashaashram@yahoo.com)

Published in

Bihar Times, Patna, Bihar

The Kashmir Times, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)

Central Chronicle, Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh

Manipur Comments, Imphal, Manipur

News Track India, Delhi

Bihar and Jharkhand News Service

Assam Times, Guwahati, Assam

'We reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' campaign begins

'We reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' campaign begins

The 'We reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' signature petition campaign was launched today at Rao's IAS Coaching, Faizabad road, Lucknow by Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and convener of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

"The dream to provide electricity across the country by signing the Indo US Nuclear Deal is not true" said Dr Pandey. "Nuclear power is not a safe, affordable or better option for producing electricity. Rather nuclear power is a very dangerous and expensive option. The Indo US Nuclear Deal is actually a political and military deal" said Dr Pandey.

There is a deliberate misinformation being created that nuclear plants will be a quick fix to our huge shortages and power cuts. Nuclear plants have to have detailed studies regarding where and how to put them up and take a long time to build. The import of reactors have to be negotiated commercially and their fuel has to be guaranteed. Typically, the entire process takes 8-10 years. So even if we finish all the steps required to complete the India US Nuclear Deal, it will take not less than 8-10 years before any electricity is produced. And this is an optimistic figure; the last plant that the US commissioned -- the Watts Bar 2 Reactor -- took 23 years to complete. So the belief that nuclear energy will provide an immediate solution to our power crisis is a deliberate fraud on the people, said Dr Pandey.

The India US Nuclear Deal is not about India's energy security. Energy security lies in using indigenous energy resources such as coal, gas, hydro, etc., and ensuring our future energy supplies from Iran and other countries in West and Central Asia. Obviously, augmenting indigenous coal production, building hydro plants, investing in oil exploration, securing gas supplies through Iran Gas Pipeline are much more important for India's energy security than buying imported reactors and importing uranium for such nuclear plants, asserted Dr Pandey.

The Nuclear Deal is a part of a larger vision which seeks to subordinate India to the US's strategic vision. It is known that the US strategic thinking calls for dominance in all possible theatres. In Asia, the US has been handicapped that it has only one major base -- Okinawa, Japan -- in East, South-east and South Asia. The only other base it has in this region is in the Indian Ocean in Diego Garcia. That is why the US's interest in making India as a junior partner in Asia, said Dr Pandey.

The disabilities and diseases attributed to radioactive nuclear radiation have upped in the neighbouring areas where nuclear reactors, nuclear mining or nuclear waste dumping is done in India. Places like Jadugoda, where uranium mining and nuclear waste dumping is carried out, is an example where virtually every household is a living testimony of nuclear radiation hazards, said Dr Pandey.

The 'we reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' campaign will raise public consciousness on the issue and mobilize public opinion to protect the sovereignty of India.

Published in
Assam Times, Guwahati, Assam
Bihar and Jharkhand News Service
News Track India, Delhi
American Chronicle, USA
California Chronicle, California state, USA
Orissa News, Bhubhneshwar, Orissa
Thai Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
My News, Delhi
Media for Freedom, Kathmandu, Nepal
Khabar Express, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Asian Tribune, Thailand/ Sri Lanka
Bihar Times, Patna, Bihar
The Seoul Times, Seoul, South Korea
The Bangladesh Today, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Howrah News Service, West Bengal

'We reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' campaign begins

'We reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' campaign begins

The 'We reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' signature petition campaign was launched today at Rao's IAS Coaching, Faizabad road, Lucknow by Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and convener of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

"The dream to provide electricity across the country by signing the Indo US Nuclear Deal is not true" said Dr Pandey. "Nuclear power is not a safe, affordable or better option for producing electricity. Rather nuclear power is a very dangerous and expensive option. The Indo US Nuclear Deal is actually a political and military deal" said Dr Pandey.

There is a deliberate misinformation being created that nuclear plants will be a quick fix to our huge shortages and power cuts. Nuclear plants have to have detailed studies regarding where and how to put them up and take a long time to build. The import of reactors have to be negotiated commercially and their fuel has to be guaranteed. Typically, the entire process takes 8-10 years. So even if we finish all the steps required to complete the India US Nuclear Deal, it will take not less than 8-10 years before any electricity is produced. And this is an optimistic figure; the last plant that the US commissioned -- the Watts Bar 2 Reactor -- took 23 years to complete. So the belief that nuclear energy will provide an immediate solution to our power crisis is a deliberate fraud on the people, said Dr Pandey.

The India US Nuclear Deal is not about India's energy security. Energy security lies in using indigenous energy resources such as coal, gas, hydro, etc., and ensuring our future energy supplies from Iran and other countries in West and Central Asia. Obviously, augmenting indigenous coal production, building hydro plants, investing in oil exploration, securing gas supplies through Iran Gas Pipeline are much more important for India's energy security than buying imported reactors and importing uranium for such nuclear plants, asserted Dr Pandey.

The Nuclear Deal is a part of a larger vision which seeks to subordinate India to the US's strategic vision. It is known that the US strategic thinking calls for dominance in all possible theatres. In Asia, the US has been handicapped that it has only one major base -- Okinawa, Japan -- in East, South-east and South Asia. The only other base it has in this region is in the Indian Ocean in Diego Garcia. That is why the US's interest in making India as a junior partner in Asia, said Dr Pandey.

The disabilities and diseases attributed to radioactive nuclear radiation have upped in the neighbouring areas where nuclear reactors, nuclear mining or nuclear waste dumping is done in India. Places like Jadugoda, where uranium mining and nuclear waste dumping is carried out, is an example where virtually every household is a living testimony of nuclear radiation hazards, said Dr Pandey.

The 'we reject Indo US Nuclear Deal' campaign will raise public consciousness on the issue and mobilize public opinion to protect the sovereignty of India.

Published in
Assam Times, Guwahati, Assam
Bihar and Jharkhand News Service
News Track India, Delhi
American Chronicle, USA
California Chronicle, California state, USA
Orissa News, Bhubhneshwar, Orissa
Thai Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
My News, Delhi
Media for Freedom, Kathmandu, Nepal
Khabar Express, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Asian Tribune, Thailand/ Sri Lanka
Bihar Times, Patna, Bihar
The Seoul Times, Seoul, South Korea
The Bangladesh Today, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Howrah News Service, West Bengal

Hardoi villagers to get land possession after 32 years wait

Hardoi villagers to get land possession after 32 years wait

The five-days long fast concludes upon government assurance


The fast by dalit residents of Chamartola, Village Panchayat Jajupur, Tehsil Sandila, District Hardoi, was called off today (Friday, 1 August 2008), at 11 am, upon insistence by the retired IPS officer Shri SR Darapuri, who is also the Vice President of Dr Ambedkar Mahasabha.

Shri Darapuri said that since the government has given assurance and has begun the process of land measurement as per records in order to give land possession to the 107 families.

These 107 families of Chamartola were given the land 'patta' 32 years ago, but couldn't take the possession of the land which rightfully belonged to them. 17 members of these families began an indefinite fast on 28 July 2008 in front of Vidhan Sabha in the state capital Lucknow to demand possession of land which was allotted to them by the Village Panchayat 32 years ago. This fast concluded today on 1 August.

A powerful landlord family, to which the present Gram Pradhan Advocate Nageshwar Singh also belongs, has been forcibly occupying the land allotted to 107 landless dalit families in this panchayat. After speaking to the district authorities, land plots of five families were re-measured on 31 July 2008, and handed over to them. The villagers fear that like before, after they have cultivated a crop, they will not be allowed to harvest it by the powerful people. The district authorities are assuring that it will not happen this time. On this assurance it has been decided to withdraw the fast.

The individuals who were fasting since 28 July, include: Babu, Kishan, Nekpal, Nanhakke, Moolchand, Bhole, Horilal, Bhagga, Dori, Santu, Ramlal, Prabhu, Chantu, Rajeswari, Sushila, Savitri and Chotakke.

Savitri, who lives alone, has been allotted Above the Poverty Line (APL) ration card after the recent Below the Poverty Line (BPL) surveys have been finalized. Nekpal has a National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) job card since past two years which does not show a single day of work allocated to him. These are just examples of how the situation of ordinary poor dalits has not improved a bit even under the most powerful of dalit sympathetic governments in modern India.

For more information contact Rajesh at 9793271930.

Hardoi villagers to get land possession after 32 years wait

Hardoi villagers to get land possession after 32 years wait

The five-days long fast concludes upon government assurance


The fast by dalit residents of Chamartola, Village Panchayat Jajupur, Tehsil Sandila, District Hardoi, was called off today (Friday, 1 August 2008), at 11 am, upon insistence by the retired IPS officer Shri SR Darapuri, who is also the Vice President of Dr Ambedkar Mahasabha.

Shri Darapuri said that since the government has given assurance and has begun the process of land measurement as per records in order to give land possession to the 107 families.

These 107 families of Chamartola were given the land 'patta' 32 years ago, but couldn't take the possession of the land which rightfully belonged to them. 17 members of these families began an indefinite fast on 28 July 2008 in front of Vidhan Sabha in the state capital Lucknow to demand possession of land which was allotted to them by the Village Panchayat 32 years ago. This fast concluded today on 1 August.

A powerful landlord family, to which the present Gram Pradhan Advocate Nageshwar Singh also belongs, has been forcibly occupying the land allotted to 107 landless dalit families in this panchayat. After speaking to the district authorities, land plots of five families were re-measured on 31 July 2008, and handed over to them. The villagers fear that like before, after they have cultivated a crop, they will not be allowed to harvest it by the powerful people. The district authorities are assuring that it will not happen this time. On this assurance it has been decided to withdraw the fast.

The individuals who were fasting since 28 July, include: Babu, Kishan, Nekpal, Nanhakke, Moolchand, Bhole, Horilal, Bhagga, Dori, Santu, Ramlal, Prabhu, Chantu, Rajeswari, Sushila, Savitri and Chotakke.

Savitri, who lives alone, has been allotted Above the Poverty Line (APL) ration card after the recent Below the Poverty Line (BPL) surveys have been finalized. Nekpal has a National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) job card since past two years which does not show a single day of work allocated to him. These are just examples of how the situation of ordinary poor dalits has not improved a bit even under the most powerful of dalit sympathetic governments in modern India.

For more information contact Rajesh at 9793271930.

A River, A Man: The State Responds to Dr GD Agarwal's fast to save Ganga

A River, A Man: The State Responds to Dr GD Agarwal's fast to save Ganga
Dr Sanat Mohanty

In a response, the likes of which we have not seen in the last few decades, both the Government of Uttarakhand and the Government of India responded to 76 years old Dr. G. D. Agarwal's fast-unto-death. Retired professor of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Dr. Agarwal, was protesting planned projects on the Bhagirathi which threaten the perennial flow of the Bhagirathi and the Ganga.

Both central and the state governments have suspended work on the three projects and promise the maintenance of the perennial flow of the river under all circumstances. The central government has promised review by a high level committee before any further action.

Dr. Agarwal's fast prompted delegations by two independent groups (who could not be more unlike the other) to meet with state and central governments requesting action. The Alumni Association of IIT Kanpur and All India Associations of Sadhus met with the Central Government while representation was also presented to the Government of Uttarakhand.

The letter from the Ministry of Power, Government of India says:
[Begins]
"The Ministry has received the representation sent by the Alumini Association of I.I.T. Kanpur to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of 27th June 2008. This is with reference to your meeting in the Ministry with the Hon'ble Union Minister of Power, today, and on 25th June 2008, and your memorandum of the same date in respect of river Bhagirathi, and in continuation of this Ministry's D.O.No. 37/47/2008-H.II of June 26, 2008. I am directed to say that the government of India commits itself to suitably ensure perennial environmental flow in all stretches of river Bhagirathi. I have to inform you that the Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC has been directed to constitute a high level expert group, including your nominee to examine the various technical issues involved in ensuring the required flow in the river Bhagirathi to keep the river alive. The high level expert group will give its report within three months. We shall invite you for discussion as soon as the recommendations of this high-level expert group are received, in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. We would request Prof. D. D. Agarwal to give up his indefinite fast. The Government assures you of the highest consideration of your concerns." [End]

A letter written in Hindi, and signed by Shatrughn Singh, Secretary of the Uttarakhand Government points out that two of the three proposed projects on the middle section of the Bhagirathi (Bhairav Ghati of 381 MW and Pala Maneri of 480 MW) are state initiatives. The third -- a 600 MW unit at Lohari Nagpala -- is a central government effort. It says that Rs 80 Crores has already been spent on the Pala Maneri Project.

It adds that the state government has decided to stop all work on the two state project with immediate effect and that the state government is committed to ensuring that the river stays unviolated and its perennial flow is maintained and will act to do so, requesting Dr. Agarwal to end his fast.

This has been a major decision by both state and central governments. Acting on this, Dr. Agarwal and his colleagues are planning future steps to raise public awareness about the eco-sensitivity of this region and the importance of maintaining the flow of all of India's rivers. The group led by Dr. Agarwal feels that local mobilization and awareness is necessary to ensure that this is achieved.

When Dr. Agarwal announced his decision to fast-unto-death to protest projects that would end Bhagirathi and Ganga as we know them, many (including this author) wondered whether this would be in vain. The success of his protest is perhaps a sign of the strength of his belief but also the strength of the technical background that was used to critique the projects and predict their impact on the river systems.

Numerous energy projects have been started or have been proposed on the Bhagirathi, Ganga and numerous other rivers that define the Gangetic plain. While energy is a real issue and must be addressed, the human, economic and environmental costs of death of these rivers far surpasses energy benefits -- any community can attest to that. While an energy crisis looms, this is not the choice that benefits anyone.

Dr. Agarwal's effort was successful -- but this is not the end of the story. Conservation of our rivers requires community involvement. Now.

Dr Sanat Mohanty
www.TheSouthAsian.org

Published in
Assam Times, Guwahati, Assam
The Seoul Times, Seoul, South Korea
News Track India, Delhi
My News, Delhi
Thai Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Bihar and Jharkhand News Service, Bihar/ Jharkhand
Media for Freedom, Kathmandu, Nepal
News Blaze, USA
Pakistan Post, Islamabad, Pakistan
Central Chronicle, Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh
The Bangladesh Today, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bihar Times, Patna, Bihar