The nuclear deal… can someone switch on the lights please….

The nuclear deal between Indian and US has come to a stand still since the Left and BJP are crying foul. Now it was Mr. Vajpayee ( I respect this man a lot) during the time of the BJP rule who started the discussion on this deal. The Left, as we all know were always opposed to anything that has an American tag and would prefer goodies coming from their like minded friends in China or Russia. But we very well know that Russia refused nuclear fuel on some petty reasons and China is now very happy that this deal is not going through.

There are many, both in India and America who are not happy with this deal. The Americans still don’t trust India and feels that India may use the technology and fuel for its military purpose.

India would want to develop a nuclear weapon, specially since its neighbour Pakistan has not stopped going in this direction but the world should keep in mind that India has always been a responsible country with a vibrant democracy.

But now that the deal has come to a stand still and if the Left and BJP has any reasons for their stance, can they please explain the pros and cons? Of course there has to be a “give and take” attitude in every deal, but can we know what we are giving up. Can someone explain this is plain English. And if the Left wants to oppose, can they give an alternative to India’s need for energy? Ok, there is Iran, but how viable is this when the pipe lines are going through Pakistan?

It is not that I do not trust Mr.Manmohan Singh, but please throw some light.

Idiot Box is being appreciated!

Is TV empowering women in rural India? Yes.. this is what research says.

We see many of the women folks addicted to the TV and the household chores are adjusted around this idiot box. Even prayer time has been shifted so that the serials are not missed. We see them cry, laugh, pray while watching these dramas. Telephone calls and visitors are seen as intruders during this time. And when one visits them, the TV is still there and one is lucky if one gets a cup of tea or a full statement from the host!

But now as per the research, TV is empowering the rural women. It is found that:

1- Girls between the ages of 6 and 10 were 8 percent more likely to go to school
2- The share preferring sons fell 20 percentage points with the arrival of cable, compared with a 12 percent decline overall (this is what I liked most). I guess they found that the girls are after all not that bad!
3- For women under the age of 35, average number of births fell annually by more than half.
4- Women’s autonomy has increased. (Men take care!)
5- Average number of situations in which women said that wife beating is acceptable fell by about 10 percent ( I cant believe there are still women in this century who thinks like this!)

Long live the idiot box!