Bhaskar Sarkar
Alwar, Rajasthan 301001
India
bhaskar
This site expresses the views of Col Bhaskar Sarkar on a wide ranging list of topical subjects. To access the blogs please go to www.bhaskarsarkar.com/blog1
The topics covered in the site are listed below:
Blog 1: God Bless America
A satire on American arrogance under President Bush, which persists but in a much more refined form under President Barak Obama.
Blog 2: Ram Temple at Ayodhya
The blog tries to expose the double standard of the secular domestic and international media against Hindus and their religious faith. It reasons why a Ram Temple should be built at Ayodhya
Blog 3: Please Save India
This blog is an appeal to the voters of India to vote for either Congress (UPA) or Bharatiya Janta Party (NDA) in parliamentary elections and not to vote for criminals and corrupt candidates so that India can have a strong and effective government.
Blog 4: Stop Globalization & Free Market Policies
Col Bhaskar Sarkar believes that Globalization does not benefit the ordinary people of the world. It only helps neo-liberal investers, multinational corporations and industrialists. The environment and economic condition of every country is different. Every country has its domestic industries and agriculture to protect from multinational predators. They cannot surrender their economic sovreignty to the WTO or US and Europe. It is an appeal our leaders and the media.
Blog 5: Stop Using GDP for Measuring State of Economy
Col Bhaskar Sarkar believes that GDP or its growth rate does not reflect the true state of the economy particularly the conditions of the bottom 80% of the society. The blog pleads for stopping use of GDP for measuring state of economy.
Blog 6: Should the Army be Used to Tackle Maoists
With the police and paramilitary forces failing to defeat the Maoists, there is a clamour to deploy the Army to fight the Maoists. Col Sarkar feels that deploying Army will be an unwise move as it will severely downgrade the Army's capability to fight a conventional war against Pakistan or China.
Blog 7: Can the Maoists be Defeated in 2-3 Years
Can the Maoist problem be tackled in 2-3 years as the Home Minister and his team hope to do. Col Bhaskar Sarkar Does not believe that is possible. It will take at least 20 years.
Blog 8: Can US be a Reliable Friend of India
India and the US are cozying up to each other. We have just completed a Strategic Dialogue at foreign ministers level. Unfortunately,self interest rules supreme in US foreign policy. It has ditched many allies. Do our leaders know their history of betrayal
Blog 9: A New Solution to the Kashmir Problem
Geographically and Demographically Kashmir can be divided into three parts, the Valley, Jammu and Ladakh. The Valley, which has almost 100% Muslim population is the most disturbed. Whereas Jammu and Ladakh with substantial non Muslim population are quite happy to be with India. A plebiscite should be held in November 2010 in the Valley and Jammu and Ladakh should be absorbed into India. If the people of the valley so desire, the Valley should be declared independent or part of Pakistan as per the result if the plebiscite on 1st January 2016.
Blog 10: When Pakistan is in no Hurry for a Dialogue, Why are We?
Pakistan's Foreign Minister has said that Pakistan is in no hurry to have a dialogue with India. When India is ready to stop its focus on terrorism and ready to discuss all issues including Kashmir, the dialogue can be resumed. Pakistan has been exporting terrorism to India since 1990. It violates ceasefire on LOC and helps infiltrators. Yet we are always pushing for a dialogue. Why? Because of American Pressure?
Blog 11: Future of Afghanistan
The US strategy in Afghanistan is in tatters. It also has a history of letting down its non European Allies except Israel and Pakistan. It was not Pakistan but the Northern Alliance which helped President Bush to drive Al Qaeda and Taliban out of Afghanistan. Now as the US gets ready to pull out of Afghanistan, it must give the Northern Alliance the wherewithal to protect itself.
Blog 26: Who is Afraid of the Chinese Dragon?
China has been making belligerent military moves along its border with India. The latest reported by Washington is induction of about one division of its army into Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and construction of permanent defenses. However, I feel that our political system, our timid political leaders, senior military leadership and its pacifist intellectuals are a greater threat to India's National Security than China.
Blog 28: Investing in Stock Markets
Investing in stock markets is a dangerous game. I lost half my retirement benefits in the stock market crash of 1992. There have been 10 more crashes between 1992 and 2013. Look before you leap.
Blog 30: We cannot be Equal in Life: Can we be Equal in Death?
We are not equal in life. But can we be equal in death. Can there be a policy on compensation of the dead. Or will it continue to depend on the whims and mood of our politicians and bureaucrats?
Blog 32: Can We Fight Chinese Agression Without Fighting a War?
The Chinese Army in Tibet has been very beligerent lately. It has made repeated incursions, some 19 to 20 km deep and destroyed Indian bunkers and survilance equipment. Can we stop them without fighting a war.
Believe me it is easy. China has a trade surplus of US$ 40 billion per year. Declare war, stop all imports from China and freeze all payments to China. China will be forced to settle the border demarkations once for all and quickly.
Blog 34: Twenty Two Years of Economic Liberalization: What has India Gained?
Dr. Manmohan Singh started economic liberalization in 1991. The policy has been followed till date. The result is that the Rupee is worth a quarter of its 1991 value; the trade deficit has grown 120 times; diesel prices have risen from Rs 6.11 to Rs 65 per liter; the current account deficit as risen from 3% of GDP to 6.7 % of GDP.
There are two types of doctors. The first diagnose a problem, prescribe a medicine and repat the dose till the patient dies. The other changes the medicine if it does not work. Unfortunately we have the first kind in charge of the Indian economy.
May God save the Indian economy!
Blog 36: Is Obama Starting World War III
President Obama is obsessed with his desire to carrying out a military to teach President assad a lesson for violating international norms by attacking his own people with chemical weapons. This he proposes to do in spite of strong opposition to it at both home and abroad.
Obama is risking world peace. If Russians defend Syria, it will definitely lead to a world war.
May God give President Obama the wisdom to step back from the brink.
Blog 38: Will the Secular Members of BJP please split and form a New Party
The RSS has openly taken over the BJP and insists on Narendra Modi being nominated as its prime ministerial candidate. RSS feels that now is their best chance to seize political power and push their agenda of Hindu Raj and Hindutva.
The move has alarmed secularist BJP supperters like me. We request secular minded members of BJP to split BJP and form a new party, BJP (Secular) and provide a secular national alternative to Congress to the Indian voters.
Blog 40: US "War on Terror": How many non Americans have to die to Save Americans?
The US launched its War on Terror after 9/11 attacks. It is being fought by the US, NATO and non NATO allies like Pakistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Keneya on one side and Al Qaeda, Taliban and other Muslim militants on the other. Over 300,000 non Americans have died in 12 years of war. Over 5 millions have lost their homes. In contrast only about 4000 Americans and Europeans have died.
America does not act against sponsors of terrorism like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan at the behest of its arms lobby. Why can't US allow nations to resolve their internal conflicts without intervention?
Blog 42: Congress Policy of Muslim Appeasement; Is it Working?
Congress has been following a policy of vote bank politics through Muslim appeasement almost from the time of independence. As the elections became more competitive with rise of BJP and regional parties, Congress desperation is increasing and so is Muslim Appeasement. The Communal Violence Bill is the latest in a long list of attempted appeasement. However, the policy is not working. In recent elections the Congress fielded 18 candidates in Rajasthan. Not one won.
Blog 44: Why this sudden fuss about homosexuality? There are other more important issues.
The media and the Congress Party seem to have gone beserk over the Supreme Court refusing to decrimilize gay behavior. It is not for the Supreme Court to pass or ammend laws. Devious sexual behavior has alway been acceptable to the elite. Most of the world, particulary the middle class has never accepted it.
Blog 44: No Tears for You Mr. Manmohan Singh; Only Contempt.
Manmohan Singh tried to praise his own performance as PM. It was pathetic. The man who presided over the demolishion of Indian economy and provided patronage to corrupt and criminal politicians deserves only contempt.
Blog 47: AAP vs Police Corruption
AAP is the only political party since independence who have seriously tried to reign in corruption in the Indian police. They are our only hope and deserve all the support that we can give them.
Blog 48: Somnath Bharti is an Exuberant Anti Corruption Crusader
Somnath Bharti, the Law Minister of Delhi, is on the frontline of the battle between AAP and Delhi Police. Naturally everyone is gunning for him.
Blog 50: Tale of Two Struggles
The first struggle was for independence from British Rule. It was led by the Congress Party. The second is for freedom from corruption, nepotism and crony capitalism. It is led by the Aam Admi Party. Let us make it successful.
Blog 51: Can Kejriwal be PM
Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajeev Gandhi had experience as PM. Neither has Rahul Gandhi. Obama became US President without experience. Narendra Modi has experience as CM but that is different from PM. So why can't Kejriwal be PM.
Blog 13: Vote Obama and the Democrats
60 percent of the people of the US are in great economic difficulty while the rich are getting richer. This is due to the economic policies of Republican persidents like Ronal Regan and Geroge Bush. Mit Romney promises the same. To stop him vote for Obama and the Democrats.
Blog 14: Why is the Ecomomy of EU Crumbling
The primary cause of the impoverishment of the people is the neo-liberal economic policies. Free market policies and deregulation weakened the unions and left the working class at the mercy of the corporations. The greatest tragedy is that there are millions in Europe who have no jobs, no income, no social security and no insurance.
Blog 15:Limits of Freedom
Our ancestors gave more importance to the good of the community than individual freedom. Today we have reversed that. We can abuse other religions, have same sex marriage, sexual freedom. Women do not want to be mothers.
The Rational Pessimist feels we have more freedom than what we can handle.
Blog 16: Homeopathic Treatment for Mental Problems of the Aged
Homeopathic self medication or treatment is reasonably safe and simple. It is cheap and free from side effects. It also provides options to ladies and others who feel shy to discuss their intimate sexual or psychological problems. It can provide a life saving solution if you cannot afford expensive medical treatment.
Blog 17: Dealing With Un-authorized Construction
Is our political nightmare ever going to end? Are we ever going to be rid of greedy, power hungry, corrupt political leaders who are willing to rob and sell our country for personal and party interests?
Blog 18: Who will Save India??
"Whenever spirituality decays and materialism is rampant in India; O Arjuna, I reincarnate myself. To protect the righteous, to destroy the wicked and to establish the kingdom of God, I am reborn from age to age." Lord Krishna to Arjuna. Gita Chapter 4: Slokas 7 & 8. I think the time has come.
Blog 19: FDI in Retail: Where will $ come from?
FDI in retail is a recipe for disaster. 70 percent of the products sold in these stores will be imports. We already have a serious problem with trade and current account deficits. Where will the foreign exchange for the increased imports come from? Rupee slid to Rs 57 to the dollar a few months back. If we continue to liberalize and allow FDI in retail the Rupee will slide to over Rs 100 to the US dollar. Oil prices will rise to double of today's prices. It will be an economic disaster.
Blog 20: If we have a 1.2 million Strong Army, Why not use it.?
The Pakistani Army beheaded one of our slain soldiers on the LOC near Poonch. But the reaction of the Government of India is pathetic. Mr. Wadhra, the son-in-law of the Congress rightly said " We are a Mango People in a Banana Republic."
Blog 21: Agenda of Fundamentalists: both Hindu and Muslim
Fundamentalism, both Hindu and Muslim is on the rise. As the women become more assertive, the efforts of the Fundamentalists to subjugate them will become more widespread and brutal. Oh! The youth of India! The future of your country and the problem of Fundamentalism is in your hands. May you have the wisdom to do the right things.
Blog 22: Will Congress Rule India Forever
The only political alternative to Congress, the BJP is a divided house. Unless it can improve its image, the Congress will rule for ever.
Blog 23: Will we have to Sell Arunachal to China
India's trade deficit with China is alarmingly large and unsustainable. Unless we can reverse the trend, we will have to sell Arunachal to China to pay our debt.
Blog 24: Spreading Misery the Western Way
US and its Allies created Israel and intervened in many countries since 1945. But it has not brought peace and prosperity in any of the countries. Syria is burning. Will Egypt be the next.
Blog 25: An Open Letter to the BJP President
The political fortunes of BJP have been sliding since 1999. Its strength in pariament dropped from 1982 in to 114 in 2009. Unless it reinvents itself it will cease to have any political relevence.
Blog 27: Horse Meat Found in Beef Products in Europe. Buy Indian products.
If Europeans can feed white people with horse meat instead of beef, they can feed brown Indians and black Africans with food stuff made from dead animals. What is the guarantee that foreign products are better than Indian products. Buy Indian products and save Indian jobs and the Indian economy.
Blog 29: It is Time to Tax Agriculture Income
Farmers have been paying tax for milleniums. They have been exempted from paying incometax only for the last 65 years. Farmers and agro-industries use roads, electricity and other infrastructure built with tax payers money. They recieve compensation for damage to crops from tax payers money. So why should they not pay tax? The time has come to milk these holy cows.
Blog 31: Sri Lanka Tamils did not kill Rajeev Gandhi: Prabhakaran did
Turkey invaded Cyprus to protect the ethnic Turk minority. Russia invaded Georgia to protect ethnic Russians living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Britain fought the Falkland War and sacrificed 255 soldiers to protect 2000 settlers. Pakistan fought three wars with India to liberate the Muslims of Kashmir and continues to fight a proxy war. Why cannot India protect the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Blog 33: Saving the Collapsing Indian Rupee
The Indian Rupee has fallen to all time lows in August 2013. The government is going round the world with a begging bowl to get forign investment to bridge the Current Account Deficit.
India has a chronic trade deficit. Countries with chronic trade deficit need a strong currency. The US understands that and keeps the dollar strong. We need to strengthen the Rupee through legislation. China has a fixed exchange rate regime even though it has foreign exchange reserve of over US$ 2 trillion and a trade surplus of hundreds of billions of dollars.
Blog 35: Raghuram Rajan: God of Wealthy and Speculative India
Raghuram Rajan has been appointed the new governor of Reserve Bank of India. The sensex rose 412 points on the announcement of his appointment. The Rupee also gained 107 paise.
Mr. Raghuram Rajan is a neo-liberal. He can increase the market capitalization of the Indian share market but cannot save the rupee or control price rise.
Blog 37: Thinking of Voting For BJP: Think Again
Now that RSS has openly exercized its control over BJP, time has come for secular Indians who are thinking of voting for BJP to think again.
RSS has come into the open and taken control of BJP now because it feels that now is the best time for it to gain political power and push its agenda of Hindu Raj and Hindutva.
Mixing religion and politics makes a dangerous cocktail. Think before you vote.
Blog 39: Killing Fields of Kashmir: Can We Stop it?
The Kashmir Problem is an unfortunate legacy of our Independence. We have fought four wars and 23 years of insurgency to keep it as a part of India. Till 2011, over 47,000 persons have died including over 21000 civilians and 5700 security foces. 10,000 civilians are missing.
Every year casualties are mounting. Wives are becoming widows, children are becoming orphans. How long should this go on. Can we not give independence to Kashmir Valley while retaining Jammu and Ladakh.
Blog 41: Stealing Cars & Chasing Women: Can We Stop being "Besharam" (Shameless)
Recently I saw a film "Besharam". In the film, the hero made a virtue of being a car thief, of chasing unwilling girls and of being smaeless.
It is sad that popular film actors should sendout such a message to the youth of India.
Actors should be more responsible and government should ban such films and advertising of deodorants which show women as sexually depraved nymphomaniacs.
Blog 43: Is the Wave for Modi or Against Manmohan Singh?
The Congress has been routed in the recent state elections. Modi loyalists claim that this is due to Narendra Modi being nominated as the BJP's PM candidate. Modi skeptics believe that the Congress rout is due to the unpopularity of Mr. Manmohan Singh and Congress Party's inaction in checking corruption and price rise.
Blog 45: I am Joining Aam Admi Party: Will You?
Aam Admi Party has burst into the Indian Political Sceme as a burst of fresh air. It practices corruption free value based politics as against the othe political parties who patronize self seeking, corrupt and criminal polititians. I waited for a long time to checkout its performance. I have joined it and recommend that all right thinking Indians must join it.
Blog 46: Kiran Bedi is Voting for BJP but I will not. Here is why.
BJP is the front of RSS whose agenda is Hindu Raj and Hindutya Culture. Mixing religion and culture is dangerous and could lead to sectarian conflicts in Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia. BJP has no agenda other than to remove Congress and usurp power. Both Congress and BJP patronize corrupt and criminal politicians. Aam Admi Party is the only hope.
Kiran Bedi supports BJP because the color of envy is saffron.
Blog 49: BJP's True Colours revealed: Hope the Electorate is Watching
BJP is against Socialism and wants markets to be given a chance. Marlet forces have been in control in the west since mid 70s. As a result inequalities have increased, Western economies are in shambles. Does India want that? If you don't, do not vote for BJP.
Blog 52: Indian Elections: Verdict 2014
The Modi Wave or Tsunami has proved to be a reality and has swept away a decadent, arrogant, corrupt Congress party and some caste and religion based regional parties. We must give the devil its due. I congratulate Mr. Modi and his team on a magnificient electoral performance
Blogs listed on this page are the views of Col Bhaskar Sarkar on politicsIf, national security, economics and other issues which concern India and the world. Ifyou agree with the views, let your friends know about the site so that the thoughts spread till a tipping point is reached and thoughts translate to action.
Copyright 2010 Bhaskar Sarkar. All rights reserved.
Bhaskar Sarkar
Alwar, Rajasthan 301001
India
bhaskar