Today, OIL is the biggest killer in Iraq. Gold was the killer in India some centuries ago. The actual impact of those invasions on India, culturally and economically, is for the scholars to decipher. I am certain, though, that a lot of innocent and disadvantaged people suffered then. Many are today suffering in Iraq in the same way, if not worse. So, the fight for resourses rages on between nations. Yesterday, it was gold in India. Today, it is oil in Iraq. Tomorrow, as many experts suspect, it could be water.
I learn, from the blog 'Bagdad Burning', that the Iraqis have to stand in queues as long as a kilometer to get their share of kerosene. Ironical, considering that Iraq is home to largest number of oil wells in the world. One man is assigned the job of purchasing the grocery for all the families in a colony. There is a good chance that he may not return home. In that case the families go hungry for the day. Someone else has to take up the dreadful assignment the next day. All this gives an idea of the fearful and disadvantaged life that the Iraqis are living. Will there be an end to this injustice? May be, life and political establishment will stabalize in Iraq in a decade's time. I am certain, though, that injustice will only change its cordinates.
Internationally, some private corporations, I suspect, wield more power than one can imagine. So much so that they are taking up the role of 'invaders'. Directly or indirectly. With force or with deceit. And always with the help of men with political power. George Bush is the oil companies' weapon. Rebels in Africa are helping out the diamond and gold merchants. Bush is utilizing the American army, by virtue of being the head of state, to help maximize the oil company's profits.
The nexus between criminals and politicians in India is destructive. To which we all will agree. Is the recent phenomenon of politicians collaborating with the corporate esatablishments as destructive? Are the people of India being compromised one way or the other due to this nexus? I certainly think so. I dont have factual evidence to support my stand, nevertheless, I do have some arguments.
Companies have different ways to maximize their profits, which is their primary aim. They do that by improving the quality of their products or the the services as the case may be. Companies advertise their product/services to increase awareness among the population. They plot against their competitors for larger market share. The scary part is that they are influencing government policy to suit their needs. 'Tehelka' and other string operations have shown that by throwing bags of cash here and there it is not only possible it is also very easy. So the goverment, whose primary concern is welfare of the state, is making policies to suit corporate needs. Needless to say, our politicians have far more other reasons and incentives to compromise our position. But I suspect, the corporate is giving our politicians far more attractive incentives to betray us.
The election is a costly affair. Every political party spends crores of rupees on campaigning. Its common knowledge that the funds are raised by political parties by donations from the business world. I will not agree to the view that these donations are acts of generosity.
Our large population makes India an attractive market to the business world. Definitely this 'resource' of our country does not compare with oil reserves in Iraq due to various reasons. So the approach is different. In Iraq its an invasion to get oil where as companies coming to India are doing so because of the huge market and cheap skilled and unskilled labour. So companies coming to India have had positive influence as well and in good measure. But the fight for resource is on even in India and sometimes it has a destructive fallout and politicians are playing their devilish part. In Iraq the approach is 'direct and force'. In India it is 'indirect and deceit'.
Comments
Its a nicely written article without much factual evidences. Yeah, I do agree that its essential for the citizens of our country to be a little more watchful about the ongoing nexus between politicians and corporate but believe me, its the same situation all over the world.
What happened to Iraq, is fulfillment of USA's hypocritical and selfish needs. They would not be able to justify their act 10 years down the line as they are now unable to justify their act of assisting the growth of terror-man Osama Bin Laden. The destruction of US is in the hands of US only which sooner or later they have to face.
The market ambiance in India goes onto insinuate that there are few multinationals which are really detrimental to social welfare and in general, for the development of India in the framework of modern society. The sole objective of these multinationals is to squeeze as much money as possible from the Indian market without delving too much into the issues of social welfare and justice. Now, I would like to say that rather than blaming these multinationals who are essentially parasites, the onus is on us to properly choose the leaders for our nation and regularly exercise our right to cast vote. These national leaders should have the vision to counter the malafide intentions of the parasites !!!!
nice way to look at the situation what is going on in the country (of course, one aspect is here).
we should be more carefull and be more alert while doing our part of job for the country....
god bless us!!!
Also, you say “But I suspect, the corporate is giving our politicians far more attractive incentives to betray us”. What betrayal are you talking about? Did any of the companies actually have a contract with the society to help them in any form what so ever? No they did not. So there is no question of betrayal.
Our society conditions our minds to believe that the employers have a duty towards the society and so does various management thoughts. Not because it’s good for the society but because it’s good for the “COMPANY”. This is a strategy that all companies all over the world have, that enables them to “Maximize Shareholder value”. Shareholder value my friend is money for people the same people who elect the Politicians who conspire against them.
The reason I make the above point is that there is something that is allowing these people to do what they what to? What is it…… The Law, it really needs an overhaul.