Confusing
are the ways of administrators and their Policies. Sure, everyone wants peace and wants to
maintain good relations with neighbours – more so, for countries which share
not only boundaries but also their history.
Good relations with Pakistan, Bangaldesh, Nepal, Burma, Srilanka – will do
India good. But……………. – one gets more confused when one reads today’s paper
on Govt allowing Pak FDI in India, Somalians staying in Hyderabad,
many Pakistanis and Bangladeshis crossing over the border never to go back but
to live in India, getting all the benefits !!!!!! Does that not sound threat to the Nation, its integrity, sovereignty
and harmony. Why no action !?!
Sure
, have heard of Coyote – American Jackal or the prairie wolf found in USA and
Canada. "Coyotes" are also the
name for smugglers who facilitate the migration of people across the U.S.
border. No Indian can ever forget the dreaded
26/11/2008 – India’s period of crisis, shame and turbulence. The commercial capital of the country was under
siege and was subjected to coordinated
shooting and bombing attacks by Islamist
terrorists who came from Pakistan. The
attacks, which drew widespread global condemnation, began on Wednesday, 26
November and lasted until Saturday, 29 November 2008, killing 164 people and
wounding at least 308. Indian rulers
were quick to point out hand at the Pakistan and the relations became more
strained.
As
part of regular prattle and rhetoric, diplomatic relations were stalled and
even games between two countries did not happen. India Pakistan cricket was stopped – more to
follow – no Pakistani players in IPL – but …. Er.. but,,, only players – there can
be Paki Coach (Wasim Akram), Pak Umpire (Asad Rauf) and Pak commentators…..
Today,
it is reported that the horizon in the
neighbourhood appears to be brightening as for the first time ever, India on
Friday (13/4/12) decided to allow
foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan a step that signals growing
warmth in the relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Until now, Pakistan was the only country from
where FDI was not allowed. So you can
have great trade relations with thy neighbor who is accused of harbouring
terrorists and always encouraging acts against the Nation. But anyway, commerce, trade, tourism and
hospitality should thrive. Soon,
business visa norms would be eased. That is liberalization of trade policy !
Elsewhere
on the International border between United States and Mexico traversing variety
of terrains things are tougher. For a period in the 1990s, United States Army
personnel were stationed along the U.S.-Mexico border to help stem the flow of
illegal immigrants and drug smugglers. These military units brought their
specialized equipment such as FLIR (forward looking infrared) devices and
helicopters.
There
was another matter of fact reporting that ‘Somali women find refuge in Old
Hyderabad. It spaks oof many Somali
mothers and women living on their own in Hyderabad currently. TOI reports that nearly 400 Somalian
refugees are living in Hyderabad who account for 90 per cent of the total
Somalian refugees living in India. Sad these women had to undergo heinous
atrocities but why Hyderabad – it is reported that they are concentrated in
Mehdipatnam and Toli Chowki areas in the city, mingling with the locals, doing
menial jobs, some relying on donations from friends and relatives abroad. The report states that when asked why they
chose Hyderabad,they say that the broker who helped them flee their country
recommended the city, considering its large Muslim population.
The
issue of illegal immigration has been plaguing the country for too long. There were reports that Central Home Ministry
was alarmed over the continuous reports
of overstaying and disappearance of Bangladeshis after their arrival in the
country with more than 70,000 people travelling on valid documents still
missing since 2006 in addition to illegal immigrants. Most of these Bangladeshi
over stayed and the illegal infiltrators are trying to make their own mini bangle home land and there reportedly are
places where they can influence the result of an election. Home Ministry officials said on an average
about 21,000 Bangladeshi nationals, who come with regular visas, either go
missing or have been overstaying every year in the country. This is in addition to the scores of illegal
immigrants who regularly cross the porous Indo-Bangla border. Months ago, a
Right to Information (RTI) reply revealed that as many as 7,691 Pakistanis and
32,644 Bangladeshis were found to be overstaying in India even after their
visas expired. And on Tuesday, the Lok
Sabha was informed that more than 700 Pakistanis have acquired Indian
citizenship in the last three years. In
a written answer, Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said
while 321 Pakistanis got the citizenship in 2009, the figure dropped to 150 in
2010 but rose to 300 in 2011.
But
we are so concerned about Cricket and IPL - Tanmay Mishra is a Kenyan
cricketer, made his debut in 2006 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo. Tanmay Mishra has been bought by the Deccan Chargers ahead of
IPL 5, he has been signed as an 'Indian' as he has dual-citizenship. And there are headline reporting of Azhar
Mahmood getting Indian visa. Azhar
Mahmood Sagar, now 37, is former
Pakistan allrounder bought to play for Kings XI Punjab. Mahmood, who is now a British citizen and
plays for Kent, was bought by the franchise at the auction last February for
$200,000. The visa reportedly is valid
for Chandigarh and Delhi and it remains to be seen, whether he plays or travels
with the team, when they play elsewhere !
With
regards – S. Sampathkumar.
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