Monday, August 13, 2012

A Samoan Sojourn

Milton Berle once said, “Laughter is an instant vacation…”, but for those who like to smile in the sweet surrender of pristine beaches, especially if surrounded by palm-fringed tropical gardens and facing the South Pacific Ocean, there is the hidden paradise called Samoa. A Samoan holiday can be as relaxing as you want it to be with each wonder unfolding at the pace you desire. From the sun-kissed beaches of Upolu to the wild experience of the Pacific life in Savai’I, Samoa has it all, and in good measure too.

The OLe Pupu-Pu'e National Park is one of the major attractions at Samoa offering the adventurous wild angle to one’s vacation along with picturesque views and exquisiteness in its own way. The OLe Pupu-Pu'e is probably the only national reserve which stretches from the highest peak of Samoa, Mt Fito, and lunges up to the volcanic tip of Mt Le Pu’e. Towards the south of the park is the rugged O Le Pupu Lava Coast and its entrance is near the Togitogiga recreation reserve, which lies just outside the park to the east.

One could head for an unparalleled hiking experience right opposite the O Le Pupu Lava Coast and also meander through the thick rainforest to the Pe'ape'a Cave. The Cave is actually a lava tube and is worth exploring for all, especially those with an inclination towards archeology. This adventure trail may seem lucrative but is equally dangerous due to mossy and rather slippery rocks.

Another archeological favourite is the island of Savai’I, probably one of the largest islands in Ploynesia remarkably nestled away from the hustle-bustle. It is known for Afu Aau falls, Pulemelei Mound and the Lava Field. Plunging into the refreshing waters under the Afu Aau falls or watching coconuts scrape the sky at Alofaaga Blowholes, in Savai’I there's no end to the fun unless you want it so.

Samoa also has promising literary roots and Upolu caters to those yearning to breathe in the literary surrounds of the charming Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. Upolu’s Palolo Deep Marine Reserve is another tourists’ favourite, where your eyes might take a while to adjust to the techno-coloured coral depths of the azure waters, but the resultant experience is rather soothing and mesmerizing... almost magical.

A holiday in Samoa is more than a roller-coaster ride going by even the most conservative account. It sure unfolds at one’s desired pace, but if one is game, it certainly offers a plethora of adventure.


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Saturday, August 11, 2012

“Better paid regulators will help ensure a safe food supply”

Elucidating the top three challenges faced by the Food Processing sector in India...

India is a nation of sharp contrasts - one of a burgeoning high tech industry but also where there is still no running water and electricity in some parts of the country. This was one of the points that was emphasized by the speakers, including the author, at an Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) sponsored short course last June entitled “Capitalizing on India’s Global Competitiveness and Robust Agri-Food Sector.” .

When it comes to food processing, the food processing industry suffers from many of the problems facing smaller and less developed nations. These issues range from poor hygiene, including water quality, food quality, safety and sanitation programs that would not meet the minimum requirements of the European Union, United States or major purchasers of foods or ingredients, regulators who do not understand these same requirements, and educational systems that teach old and out-dated systems and focus more on rote memory than actual understanding of the complex interrelationships of foods, processes and quality systems. Perhaps the greatest challenges facing developing nations, India included, are government, transportation and the lack of an integrated agri-business sector. Let’s look first at government.

The governments must do two things; ensure that their employees, especially inspectors and field people receive a living wage and must establish a code of ethics for their regulatory agencies. The latter action sets the precedence that government regulators, inspectors or high level officials understand that acceptance of graft or gifts are illegal and subject to punishment. This will be a difficult leap since the giving of gifts is normal in Asia, Africa and many of the developing nations. Better paid officials who are operating strictly as regulators will help top ensure a safe food supply. Transportation is another big issue in developing nations. India understands this and is in the process of creating a national highway system that will link the major cities especially ports.


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Friday, August 10, 2012

“We have delivered on our promises”

The setbacks in local bodies’ elections seem to indicate that people are losing faith in your governance.

I don’t buy that argument. We have scored well in municipal corporation polls. We have received setbacks in municipal councils but by and large, the rural population has remained with us. Panchayat elections have brought us encouraging results. Programmes started by the government are bearing results. We have delivered on all the promises that we had made. On the contrary, Congress has given them back-breaking price rise.

Naxalism has become synonymous with the state. Everyday at least one death is recorded. There seems to be no serious discussion on this.
This problem is not limited to Chhattisgarh. Other states too are its victims. The Centre has planned a joint operation to deal with this. We are joining adjoining states like Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand to tackle this menace. We are positive that though it will take time, we’ll be able to deal with it.

There is talk about government pulling out of the Salwa Judum movement.

This is just propaganda. Salwa Judum can''t die as it is a movement that was started by the tribals themselves and not by the government. It is self-sustaining and the government has offered its moral support to fight the Naxal menace.


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Thursday, August 09, 2012

Lessons at the museum!

The thought of visiting a museum should be transformed very soon from a ‘yawn’ to a ‘yes!’ for the little ones…

“I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand,” said the popular Chinese thinker and social philosopher, Confucius. The sayings of Confucius have, through the years, significantly influenced and shaped the thoughts of the Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and the Vietnamese. And although an age-old adage, it is very applicable in these times too, especially in the formative years of one’s life. In this era of rapid learning, a place where children can learn and understand different subjects in interesting and fun ways, is a museum. But sadly, in India museums are considered soporific, and one realises that it is not without good reason, especially after one visits museums in the West. For example, Washington DC is dotted with museums and a visit to the museums is a usual weekend outing for parents with kids. “My son simply loves the Air and Space Museum. Here his science lessons just seem to unfold, in front of his eyes,” said an enthusiastic mom who was visiting the museum with her son. While the kid tried to understand ‘gravity’ with the paraphernalia provided for experimentation in the museum, his mother further explained, “As parents, we also learn new things along with our kids. Also, we can explain certain subjects, which are otherwise difficult to grasp, through such museums. It’s very interesting!” India, owing to her vast heritage and history, has no dearth of museums, but despite the vast knowledge they hold within, our museums fail to thrill the visitors. In such a scenario, it’s difficult to spark enthusiasm in our children towards museums. Be it the Victoria Memorial Museum in Kolkata or the museum housed within Hawa Mahal or The Nehru Memorial Museum – with its chapped walls, faded letters on information boards and lack of cleanliness – all of them are practically screaming for attention from the authorities! The caretaker of City Palace Museum in Jaipur mentioned that, “Every day the museum is thronged by a lot of tourists. But most of them are foreigners. Very few Indians come here… they are not interested.

Actually, foreigners are intrigued by our culture and heritage, that’s why they come. Indians would not come unless it offers something that interests them.” During the light chat I shared with him, he also spoke about insufficient funds available for renovating as per international standards.

It is said that museums represent a country’s past and history, and to bring these relics of our nation back into the public life, The AusHeritage Ltd (Australian Heritage Conservation Institutions) has extended its expertise to restore our museums to convert them into lively knowledge centres. So while they’re at work, we, at home and school, need to devise teaching methods that involve the children, so that they learn by not only ‘hearing’, but also by ‘seeing’ and ‘doing’.


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Wednesday, August 08, 2012

His Asian conspiracy?

Obama’s mysterious Asian policies seem more conspiratorial than what meets the eye. Is his current silence an omen? Managing Editor Sutanu Guru investigates expected future US policies towards Asia in this issue of B&E

1853: It has been a few centuries since Asia has been on the decline, most of it colonised in one way or other by European nations. British engineers have constructed the first railway tracks in Bombay. But there is one Asian nation that has not been penetrated by any European power. That is the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. Not for very long though. Commodore Mathew C. Perry of the United States Navy uses superior firepower to literally barge inside Japan. That year marks the beginning of engagement between America and Asia – a tale of hope, betrayal, destruction and renewal. One hundred and fifty one years after Perry’s ‘gunboat’ diplomacy, Barack Obama is poised to deliver hope and renewal instead of betrayal and destruction. His predecessor George Bush had brazenly followed gunboat diplomacy and wrecked American prestige & standing in Asia. But Obama has to realise that the Asia that Bush mishandled is not the Japan of 1853, Philippines of 1898, Japan of 1945, Vietnam of 1968, China of 1973 and Iran & Afghanistan of 1979. The Asian nations that the predecessors of Bush dealt with were colonies, supplicants, allies, stooges, puppets and pawns in the Great Game of Superpower rivalry.

Not any more. Sure, the Colossus still appears formidable. Sure, America has a military (open and discreet) presence in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea and Japan, to name just a few. Sure, financial convulsions in America are sending shock waves through the whole of Asia. Yet, Asia is now fundamentally different. For the next three decades or more, Obama will have to accept that Asia will clearly be the engine of economic growth of the entire world, the way Europe was in the 19th century and United States in the 20th century. Brow beating and bullying this Asia will simply not work. Preaching will not work. Double standards will definitely not work. What will work is the engagement and dialogue that Obama promises. But many former American presidents have promised a new relationship with Asia; almost none has delivered.

In recent times, John F. Kennedy promised a new era, but ended up delivering Vietnam and the post-Vietnam horrors in Cambodia where a mad man called Pol Pot butchered about one third of his countrymen. Jimmy Carter promised peace, but uncorked the genie of jihad in Afghanistan that eventually led to 9/11. Once upon a time, America was deeply popular in West Asia, particularly after it vehemently opposed the 1956 invasion of Egypt by Britain and France. Now it is so widely hated on the Arab street that it is difficult to imagine how Obama can recover lost ground. But the worst record of America has been in spreading genuine democracy. Perhaps the only successful example of the United States nurturing a democracy is in post Second World War Japan. Perhaps that’s why a majority of Japanese have a measure of goodwill for America despite the unspeakable horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In the rest of Asia, the US has repeatedly propped up dictatorships in the name of fighting Communism, as it has done in even Africa and Latin America. In Indonesia, it propped up the corrupt and brutal General Suharto. In Philippines, it propped up Ferdinand Marcos. In South Korea, it supported a series of dictators. In Pakistan, it forged a strategic alliance with the military that continues till date. In Iran, it supported and propped up the Shah of Iran till the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

All these policies have come back to haunt America... But Barack Obama could end up making a bigger mistake. The biggest geopolitical threat to both Asia and the US for the next two decades will be terror. And it is here that Obama can leave his imprint on history or remain mired in old strategies that have destroyed America’s credibility. The exhaustive arc from Egypt to Pakistan is simmering with both discontent because of stifled aspirations and a culture of jihad that attracts more and more ‘educated’ professionals. The reason: Pakistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, UAE, Yemen and Egypt are all de facto dictatorships propped up by Uncle Sam. That is why the George Bush doctrine of spreading democracy by invading Iraq sounded so bizarre.


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