Australia took sweet revenge against South Africa by winning both the Tests in the three match series by whopping margins of 162 and 175 runs so far. It was called ‘revenge’ as South Africa became a threat to Australia’s number one tag by defeating Australia in the Aussie’s home soil in December, 2008 with a margin of 2-1. After winning the first two Tests by 6 and 9 wickets respectively, South Africa lost the last one, only five minutes from time, despite a courageous and painful batting effort by their injured captain, Graeme Smith, who was bowled by Mitchell Johnson to mark Australia’s solitary win in that series.
After that, when Australia came to the African continent, nobody gave a chance to them. They had a new, inexperienced side and their bowling attack was led by a player who had only 18 Test match experience in his kitty. Other main bowlers like PM Siddle, BW Hilfenhaus and DE Bollinger did not have a total experience of ten Tests also. Their premier spinner was yet to make his debut at 36 and to make the matter worse, was also injured. They had to contend with the spin of debutant MJ North, MJ Clarke and Simon Katich who all are part timers. Coming to the batting, opener Phil Hughes was young and would make his debut in this high profile series. There was also a difference in opinion regarding his selection in the team as many believed that more experienced Phil Jacques should have been selected instead of Hughes. Another debutant, MJ North had to perform in the crucial no.6 slot which saw many great innings by Andrew Symonds. Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was also inexperienced in Test arena and there was enough doubt about the capabilities of all-rounder AB McDonald, who would only be playing his second Test. In brief, it was a fresh side missing the services of some of its legends’ [like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilcrist, Mathew Hayden, Stuart McGill, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Stuart Clark and Shane Watson] due to either retirement or injury.
So, what really changed the direction of the wheel to 360 degree in just about two months time as now South Africa found themselves in the same place where Australia was in January, 2009? They are trailing the series by 0-2 and facing a whitewash! The main change was in the mentality of the new Australian players like Phil Hughes, MJ North, AB McDonald, PM Siddle, BW Hilfenhaus and above all, the dynamic Mitchell Johnson. In Australia, the top ranked team lacked the determination whereas it was most in South Africa this time and above all, it was seen the most in the new players itself. They fear none, leave alone staying in awe Apart from MJ Clarke [393 runs from 6 innings], Simon Katich [297 runs from 6 innings], Rickey Ponting [285 runs from 6 innings] and Mitchell Johnson [17 wickets and 97 runs from 3 innings], this strength of mind was missing in other players in 2008 series. Not many Aussies were featuring in the top5 of most run scorer and most wicket taker list at that time.
However, this time around, the whole scenario has revolutionized dramatically as the Australian debutants and relatively newcomers rise to the challenges. Till the second test, Phil Hughes claimed the top run getter spot with 350 runs from 4 innings with an average of 87.50 and another debutant MJ North captured the number five slot with 160 runs from 4 innings. Rickey Ponting continued to lead from the front, coming next to only Hughes through his blistering performance of 198 runs from 4 innings with an average of 49.50. Simon Katich [Avg. 37.75] and Brad Haddin [Avg. 35.00] completed the five Australian names in the Top8 list of most run scorers till now. Among the bowlers, Mitchell Johnson with 12 wickets and PM Siddle with 11 wickets emulated 2008 series’ highest wicket taker DW Steyn who came to third with barely 9 wickets from 2 Tests. Last year’s scenario of only two Aussie names in Top8 bowlers list in terms of wicket taking capability was totally changed this time as AB McDonald and BW Hilfenhaus reduced South Africans participation in the Top8 to four only till the second Test.
Last series performers like MJ Clarke and MEK Hussey are disappointments till now as a certain Mitchell Johnson also scored more runs and that too with a better average. Australian number one bowler Brett Lee was overshadowed by the pace of Johnson this time and certain BW Hilfenhaus carried the good work used to done by Stuart Clark. PM Siddle came as a surprise package though with an 18.45 bowling average which was better than even Johnson’s 21.00. The grit and attitude of new Australian players brought a fresh air and gave a new direction to the team. Proper team selection also contributed as Australia knew that they have to bat long in order to negate the mounting scare poised by three pronged fiery South African pace attack of Steyn, Ntini and Morne Morkel, excluding the accurate Jack Kallis. Therefore, they played all-rounder AB McDonald at number eight and the number nine was Johnson, who hit a devastating 96 not out, only to change the complexion of the game. The players did whatever was assigned to them efficiently and effectively enough to leave South Africa wondering.
Complacency on the part of South Africans can be another reason in the rise of Aussies and the downfall of Africans in the series so far. Neither their main bowlers like Steyn, Ntini or Morkel were effective enough nor the supporting bowlers like Jack Kallis, Paul Harris and JP Duminy in comparison with Hilfenhaus, McDonald, North or a certain Katich. Coming to batting, excluding AB de Villiers [Avg. 64.66], Kallis [46.75] and to certain extent JP Duminy [45.33], nobody came near to the Top8 list of highest run getters. GC Smith, ND McKenzie, HM Amla and MV Boucher had a disastrous series till now with average of 35.50, 33.88, 25.25 and 12.50 respectively. Smith was number two run scorer in Australia with 65.72 and Amla scored his 259 runs at 51.80. Even JP Duminy’s score of 246 runs at 61.50 was way above his relatively poor performance in home. McKenzie and Boucher were failures in the previous Australian series also which denotes selection failure on part of South Africans as a more deserving Ashwell Prince was ignored.
Therefore, one can say that complacency and failure in team selection on part of South Africa combined with new Aussie players’ grit, attitude, fearlessness and team selection led to an implausible Aussie victory over the Proteas.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Repercussion of Prematurely Solved Mystery of Roadies: Publicity Stunt or Leakage?
A few days earlier a website reported that Sufi Malhotra had won MTV Roadies 6.0 – Hell Down Under that is completed in India and Australia. The website also stated that Sufi, after voted out in first vote out, came back in Australia and won the coveted TV show, which is also India’s first reality show. However, till today i.e. March 12th 2009, only Sufi’s comeback episode was shown in the small screen. Till date, there are seven more contestants waiting to lay their hands on the winner title. Therefore, how can one claim that Sufi is the winner?
One argument is that many of the shows, like Roadies, are shoot way in advance as in these programs, public do not have to vote like other reality shows like Indian Idol or Nach Balliye. Contenders are eradicated by the participators’ votes itself. Thus, the Roadies schedule allows loopholes that can be used by miscreants, who in order to garner some quick money, can reveal some crucial detail of the show. However, such kind of misdeeds can be a strong reason for the evaporation of certain followers’ interest in the program as they will now know that their favorite contestant will not win it and someone they hate from the first day may well be the king of their beloved show. These sorts of news also seem to eradicate the whole mystery content of the program as you now know what will happen. At least you can now guess. However before that, although one could guess, but one always had a slim doubt in his/her mind about one factor – the famous entries of Raghu, the producer of Roadies and his ‘game reversing’ strategies and tactics. That is the charm of Roadies which will be missing now if those reports are true that Sufi already won the sixth version of Roadies – Hell Down Under.
However, on the other hand, this can be a publicity stunt also as the news has the potential to generate more interest in the show and create a controversy. If you craft a hullabaloo, it keeps in publics’ mind for few days, but in those few days also, one can generate leaps and bound curiosity and fame about oneself that can change many fortunes. It is a well known fact now in India that ‘whatever shows more does sell’. Many of the entertainment celebrities, now days, fashion controversy in order to stay in the minds of their audiences. Thus by this revelation, Roadies can generate more popularity. At the same time, you throw some confusion with the news and that will be a perfect recipe for the success of the show as then public will be perplexed, puzzled and more importantly, will be more than ever attracted to the show. As the audience will be more concerned with the appropriateness of the news, they themselves will want to find it out by themselves only – by watching the show. That can also lead to soaring of the TRP ratings.
This may well be a result of leakage also. However, if leakage happened and if some miscreants are responsible for it, it can be of a serious concern as the news have enough material to destroy the certain quarters’ public interest of the show and that should not happen. Thus, there should be standard law to deal with such kind of incidents or crimes, if one can name it so. More and more concern should be given to the copyrights issue as in Indian entertainment industry; this subject is not given so much importance what is given in developed countries like US or UK, though the awareness is on the rise.
One argument is that many of the shows, like Roadies, are shoot way in advance as in these programs, public do not have to vote like other reality shows like Indian Idol or Nach Balliye. Contenders are eradicated by the participators’ votes itself. Thus, the Roadies schedule allows loopholes that can be used by miscreants, who in order to garner some quick money, can reveal some crucial detail of the show. However, such kind of misdeeds can be a strong reason for the evaporation of certain followers’ interest in the program as they will now know that their favorite contestant will not win it and someone they hate from the first day may well be the king of their beloved show. These sorts of news also seem to eradicate the whole mystery content of the program as you now know what will happen. At least you can now guess. However before that, although one could guess, but one always had a slim doubt in his/her mind about one factor – the famous entries of Raghu, the producer of Roadies and his ‘game reversing’ strategies and tactics. That is the charm of Roadies which will be missing now if those reports are true that Sufi already won the sixth version of Roadies – Hell Down Under.
However, on the other hand, this can be a publicity stunt also as the news has the potential to generate more interest in the show and create a controversy. If you craft a hullabaloo, it keeps in publics’ mind for few days, but in those few days also, one can generate leaps and bound curiosity and fame about oneself that can change many fortunes. It is a well known fact now in India that ‘whatever shows more does sell’. Many of the entertainment celebrities, now days, fashion controversy in order to stay in the minds of their audiences. Thus by this revelation, Roadies can generate more popularity. At the same time, you throw some confusion with the news and that will be a perfect recipe for the success of the show as then public will be perplexed, puzzled and more importantly, will be more than ever attracted to the show. As the audience will be more concerned with the appropriateness of the news, they themselves will want to find it out by themselves only – by watching the show. That can also lead to soaring of the TRP ratings.
This may well be a result of leakage also. However, if leakage happened and if some miscreants are responsible for it, it can be of a serious concern as the news have enough material to destroy the certain quarters’ public interest of the show and that should not happen. Thus, there should be standard law to deal with such kind of incidents or crimes, if one can name it so. More and more concern should be given to the copyrights issue as in Indian entertainment industry; this subject is not given so much importance what is given in developed countries like US or UK, though the awareness is on the rise.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Global Phenomenon : Terrorism - Benefits Whom?
“Any power must be an enemy of mankind which enslaves the individual by terror or force, whether it arises under a facets government or communist flag. All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded to the individual.”- Albert Einstein.
Terrorism is defined by many as the use of terror through violent and destructive activities by a group of people in order to make a country’s Government or a population granting their demands. The persons who spread terror are invariably called terrorists. They walk in the path of violence and disguise through deliberately targeting the non-combatants and also in the process, generating a Psychological impact of fear in the minds of people. They destroy human life, peace and not to mention, the invaluable property. Whether it is 9/11 attacks on the United States or 26/11 mayhem on Mumbai or the very recent 3/3 attack on Sri Lankan Cricketers in Lahore, Pakistan, each led to massacre of peace, life and property consequently.
However, what is the use of it? What are the consequences? After the Mumbai attack, in the following interim budget on February 16th, 2009, India increased its defense budget by 34% to INR 1,14,703 crore from INR 86,879 crore. The amount is approximately between 2-3% of its GDP! Reasoned Mr. Pranab Mukherjee that "Mumbai attacks have given a new dimension to cross-border terrorism. In this context, I propose to raise defense allocation to Rs.1,41,703 crore". They are stressing on buying more fighter planes or weapons as a result of the terrorism threat generated by the terrorists from the different quarters of their neighboring countries. The fact that India is devoting much more money in research for upgraded, efficient and more effective weapons year by year is a direct result of its perception that it can be hurt by its neighboring nations any day, any time. This perception may be right, may not be, but one thing is guaranteed that it always remains as a threat.
Having said that, the amount India spend in defense and border issues could easily be invested in solving inter-country problems like education, hunger, food, employment, etc. That would lead the country to the path of prosperity. However, another of India's neighboring the countries –Pakistan, with India, are traditionally busy solving their border issues, ignoring more intimidating internal dilemmas. If they come to a common conformity, then that amount will be no longer needed to deploy in defense and may well be diverted to projects that would make their respective countries more beautiful, more literate, more sought after tourist destination and also self reliant in terms of food, employment, energy, etc.
Rather we invest a huge amount of money and manpower to solve conflicts and thus, lagging way behind others. INR 1,14,703 crore is not a small amount itself and imagine the fact that how many more educated or employed we would have got if we could be able to invest this amount in their development work. This, in fact, will escort a country to affluence, not the spending in defense or borders related exertions. Considering the new technologically innovative and more powerful weapons both the countries purchase nowadays, what is the need of them if one knows that his surroundings are perfectly all right and all are his allies? Remember, the Jawans from both the countries also do not like sitting in borders and involving in blood bath. They have to do it for their love for motherland and to do their duties of protecting common citizens. Given an option and surety that if they leave the crossing line, nothing will happen to the nation, I am sure that they will also prefer doing something meaningful in life that would take their respective countries to greater heights.
Therefore, one should look into this matter vigilantly and also be concerned of the fact that by concentrating on our gains or would be gains in near future in defense, how much we are loosing now, how much we are pushing the country backwards now.
Terrorism is defined by many as the use of terror through violent and destructive activities by a group of people in order to make a country’s Government or a population granting their demands. The persons who spread terror are invariably called terrorists. They walk in the path of violence and disguise through deliberately targeting the non-combatants and also in the process, generating a Psychological impact of fear in the minds of people. They destroy human life, peace and not to mention, the invaluable property. Whether it is 9/11 attacks on the United States or 26/11 mayhem on Mumbai or the very recent 3/3 attack on Sri Lankan Cricketers in Lahore, Pakistan, each led to massacre of peace, life and property consequently.
However, what is the use of it? What are the consequences? After the Mumbai attack, in the following interim budget on February 16th, 2009, India increased its defense budget by 34% to INR 1,14,703 crore from INR 86,879 crore. The amount is approximately between 2-3% of its GDP! Reasoned Mr. Pranab Mukherjee that "Mumbai attacks have given a new dimension to cross-border terrorism. In this context, I propose to raise defense allocation to Rs.1,41,703 crore". They are stressing on buying more fighter planes or weapons as a result of the terrorism threat generated by the terrorists from the different quarters of their neighboring countries. The fact that India is devoting much more money in research for upgraded, efficient and more effective weapons year by year is a direct result of its perception that it can be hurt by its neighboring nations any day, any time. This perception may be right, may not be, but one thing is guaranteed that it always remains as a threat.
Having said that, the amount India spend in defense and border issues could easily be invested in solving inter-country problems like education, hunger, food, employment, etc. That would lead the country to the path of prosperity. However, another of India's neighboring the countries –Pakistan, with India, are traditionally busy solving their border issues, ignoring more intimidating internal dilemmas. If they come to a common conformity, then that amount will be no longer needed to deploy in defense and may well be diverted to projects that would make their respective countries more beautiful, more literate, more sought after tourist destination and also self reliant in terms of food, employment, energy, etc.
Rather we invest a huge amount of money and manpower to solve conflicts and thus, lagging way behind others. INR 1,14,703 crore is not a small amount itself and imagine the fact that how many more educated or employed we would have got if we could be able to invest this amount in their development work. This, in fact, will escort a country to affluence, not the spending in defense or borders related exertions. Considering the new technologically innovative and more powerful weapons both the countries purchase nowadays, what is the need of them if one knows that his surroundings are perfectly all right and all are his allies? Remember, the Jawans from both the countries also do not like sitting in borders and involving in blood bath. They have to do it for their love for motherland and to do their duties of protecting common citizens. Given an option and surety that if they leave the crossing line, nothing will happen to the nation, I am sure that they will also prefer doing something meaningful in life that would take their respective countries to greater heights.
Therefore, one should look into this matter vigilantly and also be concerned of the fact that by concentrating on our gains or would be gains in near future in defense, how much we are loosing now, how much we are pushing the country backwards now.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sachin at Madame Tussaud:Really a reason to Cheer?
Sachin tendulkar, the great Indian Cricket batsman, is all set to enter the premises of internationally acclaimed wax museum Madame Tussauds in London after his Indian counterparts like the great Amitabh Bachhan, Shah-Rukh Khan, Aiswarya Rai Bachhan, Salman Khan and Kapil Dev. He will accompany legendary cricketrs like Viv Richards, Shane Warne and Brian Lara in the form of a wax figure and also join in the ranks of renowned World sportsmen like Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Tiger Woods, Mohammed Ali, etc.
However, is this really a great honour and calls for a celebration for every Indian?
In my opinion, the answer is a big 'NO'. First of all, Madame Tussauds, established by Marie Tussaud is only a museum. The selection of the celebrities is faulty as i can't understand the omission of world known great players like Maradona. On the other hand, it has relatively new and comparatively unproven British players' wax figures like Wayne Rooney! Again on one hand, it celebrated the success of Arsène Wenger, who is the manager of Arsenal from 1996 with 57% winning percentage and on the other, they omitted Sir Alex Ferguson who is with Manchester United from 1986 till now with over 58% winning percentage! One also fails to understand the selection of Micheal Owen instead of several time FIFA player of the year winner Christiano Ronaldo or a certain Ronaldo of Brazil. Therefore, I consider the system as a faulty one which only considers the popularity, not the greatness. Otherwise, how relatively less talented and comparatively unproven British players get the nod ahead of some greats in that particular sport only?
The answer is simple. The museum invests and makes money in the name of tourism, fee and auction, which is a very big industry in developed countries like UK. They just try to earn some big bucks by selling the name of the celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar as the Indians living in UK or Europe or the travellers to Britain certainly will go to the museum to see their heroes’ sculpture. In lieu, they pay money as royalty to the celebrities. By doing this, they ensure a continuous life long income for the museum.
Therefore, this is a business and nothing distantly related to Sachin's greatness or Sachin being honoured by the UK people. We, as Indians, tend to be very much happy by a little appraisal from the white people. But, do not make a mistake here as the authorities of Madame Tussauds are only doing business. Otherwise, if they really want to honor great people, then why on the earth they did not cement a place for global legends like Don Bradman, Diego Armando Maradona, Pete Sampras, Vishwanathan Anand or a certain Gary Kasparov till date? Their business strategy is like consider the people who have the maximum fan following in their respective countries and consequently, in the World also. Count on their talent and name, as their fans would come to know about the Madame Tussauds and when they visit UK, they will definitely make a trip to the museum which would generate money for the museum. This also helps the museum to garner free publicity all over the world. The decision to choose a talent from which part of the World do matter also, i guess. As Indian team is booming, they choose Sachin - the great Indian sportsman ever. All because of Business through selling his image!
Friends, I am not against the Madame Tussauds or Britain. I only protest the evil mentality of Indians who tend to be influenced by these sorts of clever tactics of people and consider this as a honor for the whole country, without knowing the full story as happened in the case of 8 Oscar winning British Movie 'Slumdog Milleniere' recently.
However, is this really a great honour and calls for a celebration for every Indian?
In my opinion, the answer is a big 'NO'. First of all, Madame Tussauds, established by Marie Tussaud is only a museum. The selection of the celebrities is faulty as i can't understand the omission of world known great players like Maradona. On the other hand, it has relatively new and comparatively unproven British players' wax figures like Wayne Rooney! Again on one hand, it celebrated the success of Arsène Wenger, who is the manager of Arsenal from 1996 with 57% winning percentage and on the other, they omitted Sir Alex Ferguson who is with Manchester United from 1986 till now with over 58% winning percentage! One also fails to understand the selection of Micheal Owen instead of several time FIFA player of the year winner Christiano Ronaldo or a certain Ronaldo of Brazil. Therefore, I consider the system as a faulty one which only considers the popularity, not the greatness. Otherwise, how relatively less talented and comparatively unproven British players get the nod ahead of some greats in that particular sport only?
The answer is simple. The museum invests and makes money in the name of tourism, fee and auction, which is a very big industry in developed countries like UK. They just try to earn some big bucks by selling the name of the celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar as the Indians living in UK or Europe or the travellers to Britain certainly will go to the museum to see their heroes’ sculpture. In lieu, they pay money as royalty to the celebrities. By doing this, they ensure a continuous life long income for the museum.
Therefore, this is a business and nothing distantly related to Sachin's greatness or Sachin being honoured by the UK people. We, as Indians, tend to be very much happy by a little appraisal from the white people. But, do not make a mistake here as the authorities of Madame Tussauds are only doing business. Otherwise, if they really want to honor great people, then why on the earth they did not cement a place for global legends like Don Bradman, Diego Armando Maradona, Pete Sampras, Vishwanathan Anand or a certain Gary Kasparov till date? Their business strategy is like consider the people who have the maximum fan following in their respective countries and consequently, in the World also. Count on their talent and name, as their fans would come to know about the Madame Tussauds and when they visit UK, they will definitely make a trip to the museum which would generate money for the museum. This also helps the museum to garner free publicity all over the world. The decision to choose a talent from which part of the World do matter also, i guess. As Indian team is booming, they choose Sachin - the great Indian sportsman ever. All because of Business through selling his image!
Friends, I am not against the Madame Tussauds or Britain. I only protest the evil mentality of Indians who tend to be influenced by these sorts of clever tactics of people and consider this as a honor for the whole country, without knowing the full story as happened in the case of 8 Oscar winning British Movie 'Slumdog Milleniere' recently.
Is Clean Environment a Dead Issue Today?
Environment is a broad terminology that encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is the atmosphere where we live, operate and do our daily activities. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep it clean. However, many of our corporate houses are not of the same opinion and historically, causing destruction through their evil deeds to our environment in the form of air, water, sound, or soil pollution in order to enrich their pockets. Therefore, every one of us as the responsible citizens of the planet should initiate the revolution against those offenders, so that our future generations would not blame us for their misfortunes. The gas emissions form factories, chemicals that pollute water, high sounds that cause noise pollution and many other different hazardous objects that result into soil pollution are our main opponents whom we have to destroy sooner or later. While discussing that we may form an image that this is mainly a concern for developing or under-developed countries as they lack proper knowledge as what can cause what. However, the fact tells a completely different story.
Consider the instance of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) – world’s largest producer of agricultural products and also ethanol, the alternative source of renewable biofuel energy. There are historically protests against the use of ethanol that is made from corn as it raises the rate of hazardous gas emissions in the environment, make potable water scarce, and hike food prices all over the world limiting agricultural land to name a few. Despite all that, the first nation of the world, United States (US) is traditionally supporting ADM, that too right from President Cartel era in 1978. They always give subsidies in the name of corporate welfare whenever ADM find the road difficult and made the competitor Brazilian import sugarcane made ethanol expensive through duties. They do everything on the earth to support ADM in the country’s bid to be ‘Energy Independent’, diluting the effect of OPEC countries. But, in the process, they are ignoring a more important issue of ‘Clean Environment’, which has the potential to be a serious concern in near future.
Not only can US be made an example among so many. Our very own India is also found guilty in this regard when it allowed DOW Chemical Co. to re-enter India to carry out their chemical businesses. DOW is the one which was mainly responsible for the December 3rd 1984 ‘Bhopal Gas Tragedy’ which exposed more than 5,00,000 lakh people to toxic gasses killing 2,259 immediately and taking the toll to 16,000 after two weeks! Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) was the company responsible for the mayhem which was later overtook by DOW in 2001. However, Indian government again handed over the courtesy in the form of regulatory permission to the company to carry out its business. Thankfully that effort was partially destroyed by local social protests in 2008 at DOW, Pune’s main R&D center.
However, the question is why people should have to take the things in their hands all the time. Is not it the duty of government which forgot all its responsibility and treat the “Clean Environment” concern as a dead issue? The importance of this concern is beyond anyone’s guess also and can be understood only when the pollutants would destroy the ozone layer of our environment which protects us from Sun’s hazardous rays and other life taking substances. But, till now, I have to conclude that the concern for “Clean Environment” is a dead issue, keeping in mind only one exemplary instance – that of US’s role in ADM’s affluence.
Consider the instance of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) – world’s largest producer of agricultural products and also ethanol, the alternative source of renewable biofuel energy. There are historically protests against the use of ethanol that is made from corn as it raises the rate of hazardous gas emissions in the environment, make potable water scarce, and hike food prices all over the world limiting agricultural land to name a few. Despite all that, the first nation of the world, United States (US) is traditionally supporting ADM, that too right from President Cartel era in 1978. They always give subsidies in the name of corporate welfare whenever ADM find the road difficult and made the competitor Brazilian import sugarcane made ethanol expensive through duties. They do everything on the earth to support ADM in the country’s bid to be ‘Energy Independent’, diluting the effect of OPEC countries. But, in the process, they are ignoring a more important issue of ‘Clean Environment’, which has the potential to be a serious concern in near future.
Not only can US be made an example among so many. Our very own India is also found guilty in this regard when it allowed DOW Chemical Co. to re-enter India to carry out their chemical businesses. DOW is the one which was mainly responsible for the December 3rd 1984 ‘Bhopal Gas Tragedy’ which exposed more than 5,00,000 lakh people to toxic gasses killing 2,259 immediately and taking the toll to 16,000 after two weeks! Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) was the company responsible for the mayhem which was later overtook by DOW in 2001. However, Indian government again handed over the courtesy in the form of regulatory permission to the company to carry out its business. Thankfully that effort was partially destroyed by local social protests in 2008 at DOW, Pune’s main R&D center.
However, the question is why people should have to take the things in their hands all the time. Is not it the duty of government which forgot all its responsibility and treat the “Clean Environment” concern as a dead issue? The importance of this concern is beyond anyone’s guess also and can be understood only when the pollutants would destroy the ozone layer of our environment which protects us from Sun’s hazardous rays and other life taking substances. But, till now, I have to conclude that the concern for “Clean Environment” is a dead issue, keeping in mind only one exemplary instance – that of US’s role in ADM’s affluence.
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