The closure report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Aarushi murder case should not be the end of the matter. Its admission of failure must trigger another set of actions. The least that the people of this country expect from its premier investigating agency is competence. Hopefully, the closure report will be made public when the Ghaziabad court opens after the year-end vacations, and people will get to know the pains that the CBI has taken, the leads it has followed, the events that plausibly happened on the night of May 16, 2008 when Aarushi and her manservant Hemraj were murdered, the most likely suspects and why the case has reached a dead end. This happened in the Jessica Lal case where the Delhi High Court ordered the Delhi Police to file a status report when main accused Manu Sharma was set free.
Ever since it took up the case the CBI has been leaking like a sieve. It has led on the journalists with all kinds of stories. At one time they even believed that it had "cracked" the case. Even after the closure report was filed, Ritu Sarin of the Indian Express reported that the CBI suspects 'inmates." Being a journalist of repute, Ms Sarin must have got her information on authority. According to her report, there were four inmates at the time of the crime, including the parents. Two are dead. The CBI's needle of suspicion has pointed to other actors as well. How about declaring those who are in the clear?
The murderers may go unpunished, but those that that allowed them to be free, by default or design, must not. From the television coverage of the incident it was clear that the Noida police had messed up the investigation. They did not cordon off the scene of crime; journalists and mourners had a free run. The police did not even make a proper survey. They discovered Hemraj's body on the terrace many hours later. So casual was Meerut Inspector General Gurdarshan Singh that he kept referring to Aarushi as Shruti during the press conference, seven days later. In the Jessica Lal case, the special investigation team charged the Delhi Police with criminal conspiracy (because forensic evidence was manipulated) and destruction of evidence. The Noida police who let the evidence get contaminated must be booked for dereliction of duty. There is such a thing as esprit de corps or professional pride. In Japan, a person in Mr Singh's position would have made a public apology and quit. In Uttar Pradesh, he gets posted to headquarters.
If a case that was in the eye of the nation was so terribly messed up, what of those that do not catch the headlines? It would be interesting to know how many heinous crime cases in Uttar Pradesh - and other states - have gone cold. The police have acquired a reputation for shaking people off their money. It is time to shake them up. The security apparatus was revamped after the 26/11 terror attacks. The Aarushi murder case is a call for overhauling the crime investigation setup.
Where india wakes up when oppression & tyranny pose a threat. No mercy, only protest through non-violent means
Friday, January 21, 2011
Top 10 Films and Best Actors of 2010
As promised, here's the list of the top 10 movies of 2010 with brief reviews. Unfortunately I haven't seen 127 Hours yet, so it doesn't feature on the list.
Try and watch every film on this list, they truly deserve your time.
1)BLACK SWAN (Psychological Thriller/Drama)
The story of a ballet dancer 'Nina Sayers'(portman) who's given the lead part in the prestigious 'Swan lake' ballet, Sayer's has to tackle her insecurities and an overwhelming pressure to deliver the perfect performance, the one she's been waiting for all her life.
Sayer's is an underdog, a fighter, a psycho, a talent but most importantly she's YOU.
What really works for 'Black Swan' is the fact that no matter who you are, you will miraculously relate to 'Nina Sayers' and find a bit of yourself in her, as the director succeeds in creating the most beautiful multi-layered on-screen character this year.
Even though she races towards insanity with each proceeding frame, you sub-consciously cheer her on as the sadist inside you wants her to carry on and never stop.
The film shocks you and stays with you long after you've left the theatre, cause Aronofsky helps you discover a weak, vulnerable side of your personality that is unabashed and determined to fulfill its lust at any cost.
I thought 'Requiem For A Dream' and 'The Wrestler' were average at best, over hyped really, but Black Swan deserves all the credit its been getting as it is most definitely the film of the year. This Darren Aronofsky is good.
Run Time : 01:48 Director : Darren Aronofsky
Starring : Natalie Portman , Mila Kunis , Vincent Cassel, Barabara Hershy and Winona Rider .
2) FOUR LIONS (Comedy - Black)
It's a shame that a film as effective and as well researched as Four Lions will not feature at any award ceremonies this year. May be it hasn't got the buzz going for it, maybe it's the reservation against comedies by juries world over but whatever it is, isn't fair.
To think of a done to death subject such as 'Jehad' and to totally spin it around to deliver a non-stop laugh riot should get director Christopher Morris all the accolades he hasn't been getting.
Four Lions is the story of four wannabe English 'Mujahids' - Waj, Barry, Omar and Faisal, who struggle with formulating the perfect strategy to carry out their 'Jehad'.
The film thrives on its brilliant script and near perfect performances by all the actors specially Nigel Lindsay as Barry.
About 50% of the film has been shot in a small room where the group schemes and plots on how to wage war on the 'kafirs' of the western world so the director has purposefully kept all sequences and dialogues fast paced and extremely engaging so much so that you feel like watching a live theatre play , being in the same room as the characters.
My favourite film of all time is Stanley Kubrick's black comedy Dr Strangleove. This film is now my second favourite black comedy of all time followed by Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and In The Loop, an extremely intelligent and hysterically funny film.
Run Time : 01:42 Director : Christopher Morris
Starring : Rizwan Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak
3) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Drama-Comedy)
Back in 2006 I was rooting for 'Little Miss Sunshine' at the Oscars, it was my favourite film of the year. But the academy chose to disagree with me (as it always has) handing the trophy to Scorsese who finally won an Oscar for a film that he least deserved it for (The Departed).
Lias Chodolenko's 'The Kids Are All Right' is this year's Little Miss Sunshine.
The story of an abnormal family with two lesbian mothers - Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) with kids Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson).
As Joni turns 18 she decides to track the sperm donor who contributed to her existence. Enter Paul (Mark Ruffalo). What follows is heady mix of pure emotions which the director sometimes serves as a soothing cocktail and sometimes as raw country liquor served on the rocks, and you do feel the buzz after it hits.
It's the kind of film that doesn't necessarily force you to laugh out loud but makes you smile, with a little teardrop in your eye.
Annette Bening as Nic delivers the best performance of the year - male or female.
Run Time : 01:46mins Director : Lisa Cholodenko
Starring : Annette Bening, Julliane Moore, Mark Ruffalo
4) I LOVE YOU PHILIP MORRIS (True Story / Comedy)
The first of the 4 spell bounding true stories that we've seen this year, 'I Love you Philip Morris' is by far the most entertaining film of the year, but sadly again the awards will choose to stay light years away from the film.
Jim Carrey is an outstanding performer and as entertaining as he was in the Mask or Dumb And Dumber etc, no one took his goofiness seriously. He got critics talking about his 'acting' capabilities courtesy 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind' which didn't do much for me. This time good old madcap Jimmy is back, but there's a credibility to his over the top clown act because as they say in the beginning of the film - This really happened, it really did.
Ewan McGregor who plays Carrey's gay love interest in the film delivers a performance of a lifetime. Both Carrey and Mc Gregor take you on joyride through company frauds and prison escapes - some really weired yet amusing ones. Must, must watch.
Run Time: 1:42 mins, Directors : Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Starring: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor
5) THE SOCIAL NETWORK (True Story / Drama-Comedy)
No review here as everyone has already seen this one, but I will recommend you watch 'Pirates Of The Silicon Valley', the story of Microsoft (Bill Gates) and Apple (Steve Jobs). A far more enjoyable and eye opening film, the story is unbelievable. Damn these billionaires!
Duration : 2hr Director : David Fincher
Starring : Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer Jr.
6) THE KING'S SPEECH (True Story / Drama-Comedy)
I'm not quite sure how King George the 6th spoke but I'm quite sure it was like Colin Firth.
His struggle with stammering in 'The King's Speech' will pierce through the most unforgiving of viewers. Firth is wonderfully supported by Helena Boham carter (wife) and Geoffery Rush (speech therapist) - both of whom are also favorites to pick up best supporting actor trophies at most awards.
King George 6 is given an opportunity to become King as his brother abdicates the throne, struggling with a speech impediment. The King has to deliver his country a speech before Britain goes to war. Geoffery Rush and Colin Firth play a game of act and mouse as a hopeless King is pushed to the hilt by his unique Aussie teacher.
Subtle yet classy, The King's Speech is a fulfilling experience.
Run Time : 01: 51mins Director : Tom Hooper
Starring : Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce
7) THE FIGHTER : (True Story / Drama-Sport-Comedy)
What is wrong with Christian Bale? Or is something right about him and wrong with rest of the actors? If you've seen 'The Machinist' (Bale lost almost 28kgs for the role) where he seems like a head fixed on certain ribs and American Psycho - where is in perfect shape ripped to the core, you wont believe he's the same actor.
Bale once again sheds weight to an unrecognizable extent for The Fighter as he plays has been boxer Dick Eklund. The role of 'The Fighter' or Irish Micky Ward played by Marky Mark, sorry Mark Wahlberg. Eklund is Ward's elder brother and coach, he is also a crack addict. Bale genuinely seems drugged throughout the film as he's put in a lot of effort getting those droopy eyes and a doped out diction. Eklund and Ward have 7 sisters and mom and dad as managers. Ward's quest for the championship belt is both painful and fascinating at the same time.
There's a perfect balance of sport and emotion in this 'Rocky' meets 'Trainspotting' flick.
Amy Adams stands her own amidst powerhouse performances by Bale and Mallisa Leo. Wish the in-ring boxing would be a little more authentic, but that's too much too ask I guess.
Duration : 01:54 mins Director : David O. Russell
Starring : Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
8) TRUE GRIT (Western/Drama)
I thought Colin Firth deserved the best actor Oscar for 'A Single Man', Jeff Bridges won for 'A Crazy Heart'. Bridges once again delivers the second best performance of the year following Firth's King's Speech act, and I believe this time it will stay this way.
The real hero of this magical cross country western adventure is little Hailee Steinfield, her stern punch dialogue delivery takes you by surprise. Every scene that Mattie (Steinfield) so much as speaks in, is a treat .
Mattie hires Rooster Cogburn(Bridges) to hunt the muderer of her father - Tom Channey. Cogburn is a trigger friendly alcohol prone country marshall who is joined by Marshall LaBoeuf whose been following the same convict for the past 6 months. Evidently the partnership of the two marshals and the 14 year old girl is more by fate than by choice as mutual mistrust grows throughout the chase.
It is an extremely gripping, funny and intently watchable film. Matt Damon once again proves that he's the actor with most caliber in the current era as he matches Bridges frame for frame.
Watch it for Damon, Bridges and Steinfield, most of all - as a rule 'never miss a COEN BROTHER'S flick'. Get on this horseback watch that rope hurl in the air and catch the bull .
Duration : 01:50 mins Director : Joel & Ethan Coen
Starring : Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld
9) INCEPTION (Sci-Fi/Adventure)
Every now and then there comes a film that pushes the art of filmmaking further. Stanley Kubrick did it with 2001: A Space Odyssey, Steven Spielberg did it with Jurassic Park and Christopher Nolan has done it with Inception.
Everyone's seen this flick so no review again .
Duration : 2:28 mins Director : Christopher Nolan
Starring : Leonardo DiCaprio
10) ANIMAL KINGDOM / GET LOW / RABBIT HOLE
It's a tie for the tenth place as I feel all the three films deserve to be in the top 10 list.
Animal Kingdom is a gripping Australian crime drama with Jackie Weaver delivering the best - best supporting actress performance of the year.
Robert Duvall gives a flawless performance in 'Get Low' - as he throws his own funeral party with the help of funeral planner Bill Murray. They don't disappoint, as they never have.
Nicole Kidman has more than an outside chance at the best actress trophy courtesy her performance as 'Becca' in Rabbit Hole. She is supported by Aron Eckhart who plays her husband 'Howie'. The story revolves around the couple coming to terms with the loss of their only son, who dies in a car crash at the age of 4. A beautifully told story .
Finally, here's my pick for best actors in descending order, best supporting actress and moreover best director are the toughest ones to pick, very tight competition.
Best Actor: 1) Colin Firth (The King's Speech), 2) Jeff Bridges (True Grit), 3) Robert Duval (Get Low), 4) Christian Bale (The Fighter), 5) Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Best Actress: 1) Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right), 2) Natalie Portman (Black Swan), 3) Mattie Steinfield (True Grit), 4) Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Best Supporting Actor: 1) Nigel Lindsay (Four Lions), 2) Geoffery Rush (The King's Speech), 3) Ewan McGregor (I Love You Philip Morris), 4) Matt Damon (True Grit)
Best Supporting Actress: 1) Jackie Weaver (Animal Kingdom), 2) Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech), 3) Amy Adams (The Fighter), 4) Barbara Hershy (Black Swan), 5) Julianne Moore (The Kids Are All Right)
Best Director: 1) Christopher Nolan (Inception), 2) Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), 3) David Fincher (The Social Network), 4) Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), 5) Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right)
Try and watch every film on this list, they truly deserve your time.
1)BLACK SWAN (Psychological Thriller/Drama)
The story of a ballet dancer 'Nina Sayers'(portman) who's given the lead part in the prestigious 'Swan lake' ballet, Sayer's has to tackle her insecurities and an overwhelming pressure to deliver the perfect performance, the one she's been waiting for all her life.
Sayer's is an underdog, a fighter, a psycho, a talent but most importantly she's YOU.
What really works for 'Black Swan' is the fact that no matter who you are, you will miraculously relate to 'Nina Sayers' and find a bit of yourself in her, as the director succeeds in creating the most beautiful multi-layered on-screen character this year.
Even though she races towards insanity with each proceeding frame, you sub-consciously cheer her on as the sadist inside you wants her to carry on and never stop.
The film shocks you and stays with you long after you've left the theatre, cause Aronofsky helps you discover a weak, vulnerable side of your personality that is unabashed and determined to fulfill its lust at any cost.
I thought 'Requiem For A Dream' and 'The Wrestler' were average at best, over hyped really, but Black Swan deserves all the credit its been getting as it is most definitely the film of the year. This Darren Aronofsky is good.
Run Time : 01:48 Director : Darren Aronofsky
Starring : Natalie Portman , Mila Kunis , Vincent Cassel, Barabara Hershy and Winona Rider .
2) FOUR LIONS (Comedy - Black)
It's a shame that a film as effective and as well researched as Four Lions will not feature at any award ceremonies this year. May be it hasn't got the buzz going for it, maybe it's the reservation against comedies by juries world over but whatever it is, isn't fair.
To think of a done to death subject such as 'Jehad' and to totally spin it around to deliver a non-stop laugh riot should get director Christopher Morris all the accolades he hasn't been getting.
Four Lions is the story of four wannabe English 'Mujahids' - Waj, Barry, Omar and Faisal, who struggle with formulating the perfect strategy to carry out their 'Jehad'.
The film thrives on its brilliant script and near perfect performances by all the actors specially Nigel Lindsay as Barry.
About 50% of the film has been shot in a small room where the group schemes and plots on how to wage war on the 'kafirs' of the western world so the director has purposefully kept all sequences and dialogues fast paced and extremely engaging so much so that you feel like watching a live theatre play , being in the same room as the characters.
My favourite film of all time is Stanley Kubrick's black comedy Dr Strangleove. This film is now my second favourite black comedy of all time followed by Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and In The Loop, an extremely intelligent and hysterically funny film.
Run Time : 01:42 Director : Christopher Morris
Starring : Rizwan Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak
3) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Drama-Comedy)
Back in 2006 I was rooting for 'Little Miss Sunshine' at the Oscars, it was my favourite film of the year. But the academy chose to disagree with me (as it always has) handing the trophy to Scorsese who finally won an Oscar for a film that he least deserved it for (The Departed).
Lias Chodolenko's 'The Kids Are All Right' is this year's Little Miss Sunshine.
The story of an abnormal family with two lesbian mothers - Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) with kids Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson).
As Joni turns 18 she decides to track the sperm donor who contributed to her existence. Enter Paul (Mark Ruffalo). What follows is heady mix of pure emotions which the director sometimes serves as a soothing cocktail and sometimes as raw country liquor served on the rocks, and you do feel the buzz after it hits.
It's the kind of film that doesn't necessarily force you to laugh out loud but makes you smile, with a little teardrop in your eye.
Annette Bening as Nic delivers the best performance of the year - male or female.
Run Time : 01:46mins Director : Lisa Cholodenko
Starring : Annette Bening, Julliane Moore, Mark Ruffalo
4) I LOVE YOU PHILIP MORRIS (True Story / Comedy)
The first of the 4 spell bounding true stories that we've seen this year, 'I Love you Philip Morris' is by far the most entertaining film of the year, but sadly again the awards will choose to stay light years away from the film.
Jim Carrey is an outstanding performer and as entertaining as he was in the Mask or Dumb And Dumber etc, no one took his goofiness seriously. He got critics talking about his 'acting' capabilities courtesy 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind' which didn't do much for me. This time good old madcap Jimmy is back, but there's a credibility to his over the top clown act because as they say in the beginning of the film - This really happened, it really did.
Ewan McGregor who plays Carrey's gay love interest in the film delivers a performance of a lifetime. Both Carrey and Mc Gregor take you on joyride through company frauds and prison escapes - some really weired yet amusing ones. Must, must watch.
Run Time: 1:42 mins, Directors : Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Starring: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor
5) THE SOCIAL NETWORK (True Story / Drama-Comedy)
No review here as everyone has already seen this one, but I will recommend you watch 'Pirates Of The Silicon Valley', the story of Microsoft (Bill Gates) and Apple (Steve Jobs). A far more enjoyable and eye opening film, the story is unbelievable. Damn these billionaires!
Duration : 2hr Director : David Fincher
Starring : Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer Jr.
6) THE KING'S SPEECH (True Story / Drama-Comedy)
I'm not quite sure how King George the 6th spoke but I'm quite sure it was like Colin Firth.
His struggle with stammering in 'The King's Speech' will pierce through the most unforgiving of viewers. Firth is wonderfully supported by Helena Boham carter (wife) and Geoffery Rush (speech therapist) - both of whom are also favorites to pick up best supporting actor trophies at most awards.
King George 6 is given an opportunity to become King as his brother abdicates the throne, struggling with a speech impediment. The King has to deliver his country a speech before Britain goes to war. Geoffery Rush and Colin Firth play a game of act and mouse as a hopeless King is pushed to the hilt by his unique Aussie teacher.
Subtle yet classy, The King's Speech is a fulfilling experience.
Run Time : 01: 51mins Director : Tom Hooper
Starring : Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce
7) THE FIGHTER : (True Story / Drama-Sport-Comedy)
What is wrong with Christian Bale? Or is something right about him and wrong with rest of the actors? If you've seen 'The Machinist' (Bale lost almost 28kgs for the role) where he seems like a head fixed on certain ribs and American Psycho - where is in perfect shape ripped to the core, you wont believe he's the same actor.
Bale once again sheds weight to an unrecognizable extent for The Fighter as he plays has been boxer Dick Eklund. The role of 'The Fighter' or Irish Micky Ward played by Marky Mark, sorry Mark Wahlberg. Eklund is Ward's elder brother and coach, he is also a crack addict. Bale genuinely seems drugged throughout the film as he's put in a lot of effort getting those droopy eyes and a doped out diction. Eklund and Ward have 7 sisters and mom and dad as managers. Ward's quest for the championship belt is both painful and fascinating at the same time.
There's a perfect balance of sport and emotion in this 'Rocky' meets 'Trainspotting' flick.
Amy Adams stands her own amidst powerhouse performances by Bale and Mallisa Leo. Wish the in-ring boxing would be a little more authentic, but that's too much too ask I guess.
Duration : 01:54 mins Director : David O. Russell
Starring : Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
8) TRUE GRIT (Western/Drama)
I thought Colin Firth deserved the best actor Oscar for 'A Single Man', Jeff Bridges won for 'A Crazy Heart'. Bridges once again delivers the second best performance of the year following Firth's King's Speech act, and I believe this time it will stay this way.
The real hero of this magical cross country western adventure is little Hailee Steinfield, her stern punch dialogue delivery takes you by surprise. Every scene that Mattie (Steinfield) so much as speaks in, is a treat .
Mattie hires Rooster Cogburn(Bridges) to hunt the muderer of her father - Tom Channey. Cogburn is a trigger friendly alcohol prone country marshall who is joined by Marshall LaBoeuf whose been following the same convict for the past 6 months. Evidently the partnership of the two marshals and the 14 year old girl is more by fate than by choice as mutual mistrust grows throughout the chase.
It is an extremely gripping, funny and intently watchable film. Matt Damon once again proves that he's the actor with most caliber in the current era as he matches Bridges frame for frame.
Watch it for Damon, Bridges and Steinfield, most of all - as a rule 'never miss a COEN BROTHER'S flick'. Get on this horseback watch that rope hurl in the air and catch the bull .
Duration : 01:50 mins Director : Joel & Ethan Coen
Starring : Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld
9) INCEPTION (Sci-Fi/Adventure)
Every now and then there comes a film that pushes the art of filmmaking further. Stanley Kubrick did it with 2001: A Space Odyssey, Steven Spielberg did it with Jurassic Park and Christopher Nolan has done it with Inception.
Everyone's seen this flick so no review again .
Duration : 2:28 mins Director : Christopher Nolan
Starring : Leonardo DiCaprio
10) ANIMAL KINGDOM / GET LOW / RABBIT HOLE
It's a tie for the tenth place as I feel all the three films deserve to be in the top 10 list.
Animal Kingdom is a gripping Australian crime drama with Jackie Weaver delivering the best - best supporting actress performance of the year.
Robert Duvall gives a flawless performance in 'Get Low' - as he throws his own funeral party with the help of funeral planner Bill Murray. They don't disappoint, as they never have.
Nicole Kidman has more than an outside chance at the best actress trophy courtesy her performance as 'Becca' in Rabbit Hole. She is supported by Aron Eckhart who plays her husband 'Howie'. The story revolves around the couple coming to terms with the loss of their only son, who dies in a car crash at the age of 4. A beautifully told story .
Finally, here's my pick for best actors in descending order, best supporting actress and moreover best director are the toughest ones to pick, very tight competition.
Best Actor: 1) Colin Firth (The King's Speech), 2) Jeff Bridges (True Grit), 3) Robert Duval (Get Low), 4) Christian Bale (The Fighter), 5) Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Best Actress: 1) Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right), 2) Natalie Portman (Black Swan), 3) Mattie Steinfield (True Grit), 4) Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Best Supporting Actor: 1) Nigel Lindsay (Four Lions), 2) Geoffery Rush (The King's Speech), 3) Ewan McGregor (I Love You Philip Morris), 4) Matt Damon (True Grit)
Best Supporting Actress: 1) Jackie Weaver (Animal Kingdom), 2) Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech), 3) Amy Adams (The Fighter), 4) Barbara Hershy (Black Swan), 5) Julianne Moore (The Kids Are All Right)
Best Director: 1) Christopher Nolan (Inception), 2) Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), 3) David Fincher (The Social Network), 4) Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), 5) Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right)
Musharraf Interview when he was the President
Musharraf Interview when he was the President.
In Part III of an exclusive interview on Devil's Advocate, Karan Thapar questions Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf about the ideas that he has been canvassing for as possible solutions to the Kashmir conflict.
Karan Thapar: General Musharraf, your foreign office spokesperson has indicated that in November, Pakistan Prime Minister Shakuat Aziz, suggested the concept of self-governance to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a possible solution for Kashmir.
It's an idea that many people think has weightage, but they are not really sure what you mean by self-governance. So let me ask you what do you have in mind when you talk about self-governance?
President Musharraf: I believe one has to go beyond stated positions. Now, there is one aspect of what India has been saying - autonomy within the Indian constitution. This is totally not acceptable to the people of Kashmir also. Therefore, one needs to go beyond the stated positions. We have to go beyond autonomy and independence. We are working for something between autonomy and independence. And I think self-governance fits in well.
Thapar: Let us explore what India claims: That the people of Jammu and Kashmir state, who have their own elected government, already enjoy a measure of self-governance. How much more do you have in mind when you talk about self-governance?
President Musharraf: I don't agree with that at all.
Thapar: You mean they have no self-governance whatsoever in your eyes?
President Musharraf: Not at all. Because most of the people don't accept the Indian government in Kashmir.
Thapar: Of course the Indian response to this could be that, in fact, the people of what you call the Azaad Kashmir have no self-governance at all, even less than perhaps in India.
President Musharraf: Well, we would like to give self-governance to them also.
Thapar: So let's come back to my question, when you talk about self-governance, how much more do you have in mind?
President Musharraf: When you say self-governance, okay in this part, would we agree to self-governance from both parts? Let us do it.
Thapar: Before we come to an agreement on both parts, let me try and explore with you, what you mean by that.
President Musharraf: Because you say self-governance, they would say that. Okay, if they are saying that, I'm open to it. Let us work out self-governance and impose the same rules on Indian side of Kashmir and Pakistani side of Kashmir. Is that all right?
Thapar: Well, it is not for me to answer, it is for the Indian government to answer.
President Musharraf: Okay.
Thapar: But I'm sure they are listening to this interview. Let's first try and establish what do you mean by self-governance. As I said, Indians believe there is self-governance. How much more do you want? What more are you looking for?
President Musharraf: If India believes there is self-governance, we keep sticking to this position, we will never move forward because we do not agree. Therefore, if you want to move forward, we have to leave stated positions.
Thapar: Let me ask the question the other way around. May people in Kashmir look forward to what they call independence? How much less than independence is self-governance?
President Musharraf: Exactly that is what I am saying. Please listen to me. Self-governance falls in between autonomy and independence. That is what I want to say. Now, the exact details and intricacies of it need to be worked out. I am there to propose a strategy and idea. Now the tactics and the modalities of what is self-governance need to be worked out.
Thapar: Who works it out?
President Musharraf: Together, India, Pakistan and Kashmiris.
Thapar: Will you bring in constitutional experts, will you do it yourself or is it the politicians who will do the working out?
President Musharraf: Let us get legal experts.
Thapar: International legal experts or Indian or Pakistani legal experts?
President Musharraf: I don't mind international. All these are problems with India. We won't mind international experts. Get international experts.
Thapar: But will you be happy for India and Pakistan bilaterally to appoint their own experts?
President Musharraf: And the Kashmiris too.
Thapar: And Kashmiris. But you are happy for the matter to be handled bilaterally with Kashmiris involved rather than international people coming in?
President Musharraf: As I said, we are open to anything. That is our flexibility. We are open to anything, but please, for heaven's sake, move forward.
Thapar: So, at the moment I am trying to understand what you are saying. You have gem of an idea, which is something in between autonomy and independence. But you have not fleshed it out and you believe the fleshing out has to happen together jointly.
President Musharraf: Yes, only one aspect that I have in mind within self-governance is that of security. Because the problem is of militancy on both sides. Indians accuse us for the terrorism going on or the freedom struggle going on, the other side or Pakistan accuses the Indian Army of committing atrocities. All these have to stop. Therefore, there is a demilitarisation required. And then, if we have to demilitarise, let us hand over security to the people. That is the main aspect.
Thapar: Is the concept of self-governance interlinked with demilitarisation? Or are they two separate concepts that you are playing with?
President Musharraf: I think it is one part of whatever I have suggested.
Thapar: It is a joint idea?
President Musharraf: Yes.
Thapar: But let me point out a problem.
President Musharraf: Demilitarisation is important because what kind of self governance can there be if there is a 600,000 or 700,000 army personnel all over the place and in the cities controlling everything.
Thapar: But what sort of government and you are a head of government, you are a head of army and you will understand this, what sort of government can withdraw and demilitarise while the threat of terrorism continues?
President Musharraf: No, it should not. Yes, indeed I am for curbing any kind of militancy.
Thapar: Doesn’t that have to happen first?
President Musharraf: No it can’t happen entirely. It should happen and peace should return in the Valley.
Thapar: And the demilitarisation?
President Musharraf: No sir, no. I don’t agree there. If anyone thinks that not a bullet will be fired, there are people who are involved. There is an indigenous proof, there are people involved, they are around, and they are not under the control of anyone. So if we think that if one bullet is fired, the peace process is dead, I am afraid this is not the way forward and this is what is happening on the Indian side.
Thapar: Can I point out you what perhaps in Indian eyes is normally the argument you are putting forward? You are saying that demilitarisation and the peace process has to happen together. Demilitaristion and terrorism can happen together, the problem is which government will demilitarise as long as the threat of cross border terrorism remains. Any responsible government in Delhi will say end the terror first, then we will move to talk about demilitarisation and governance. But as long as the terror continues how can a responsible government demilitarise?
President Musharraf: Okay. Why it shouldn’t? Has the Indian government ever said 'yes we are for demilitarising and self-government?' They haven’t even spoken. So lets get the strategy right. Okay, if there idea is that all terrorism has to stop and then we will speak about demilitarisation and self-governance. But they don’t move forward at all. They don’t even comment what they want.
Thapar: Let me play Devils Advocate with you. If the Indian want to say to you, as you sort of suggested just now, "end all terror then we will talk about demilitarisation and self-governance", in that circumstance would you move to end all terror immediately?
President Musharraf: Karan, we must understand and the public of India should understand. If you think I have the key, which I will just switch off like that and all terror is gone.
Thapar: It sounded for a moment as if you did.
President Musharraf: Not at all. I didn’t sound that at all. There are a lot of groups operating. There is an indigenous factor operating there and there should be no doubt in any Indian minds there are indigenous factors there.
Thapar: So then do you say the Indian government’s problem is how to demilitarise while the terror continues?
President Musharraf: They will not listen to anyone. So therefore we have to jointly move forward. When we opened the bus service, the bus station on the Indian side was attacked. Do you think we did it? Do you think we facilitated that? On one side we are opening bus service and going for a peace process and somebody attacks that. You think Pakistan sponsored it?
Thapar: Many people in India sadly say that Pakistan sponsors Jehadi militant groups today.
President Musharraf: That is absolute nonsense and this is why we don’t move forward on the peace process. The problem is that they keep blaming Pakistan on things which are not correct and therefore we don’t move forward. Now if the bus station was attacked and they say Pakistan sponsored people, whoever it is they are not sponsored by Pakistan. They may have been sponsored 15 years back. They are not being sponsored. Now stop this allegation so that we can move forward.
Thapar: Let us come back to the peace process. You have said a moment ago that you will be very happy to introduce the concept of self-governance in what you called Azad Kashmir, just as you want to introduce self-governance on the Indian side of the border as well. And you would like both countries to work out together what they mean by self-governance and that is a set of details that still need to be worked upon. Will self-governance also apply to the Northern territories?
President Musharraf: Why we are getting involved in this nuisance?
Thapar: Is it a nuisance? You control almost 70 per cent of the Northern Territories.
President Musharraf: Now my idea is, we have to identity the region. I have said this a long time ago. In its complexity, in its entirety, we have to identify a region and then we have to demilitarise and then we have to go for self-governance and then we go for joint management. There are the four things that I said long time ago.
Thapar: Joint management?
President Musharraf: Yes.
Thapar: This sounds new. Joint management means that the sovereignty of the two countries over what they hold today is not appreciated, but you still manage to exert joint management. A Kashmiri entity with open borders and perhaps collaborated joint institutions. Is that not right?
President Musharraf: First of all it is sovereignty that we are talking about. The dispute is about sovereignty. This is a disputed territory. There is no sovereignty.
Thapar: Then what does joint management mean?
President Musharraf: Joint management would be a solution which we need to go into. Now I know that I am treading in very sensitive areas. And I know that the Indian government would comment on it that I give ideas through the media. Unfortunately, I also give these ideas always to the leadership also.
President Musharraf: I believe in confidentiality. I believe that things should be covered till we move forward. But unfortunately a year has passed and we still keep things under the wrap. We don’t come out openly. I don’t go along with this kind of strategy or theory. A time has to come when leadership on both sides have to come up in the open and discuss ideas.
Thapar: Absolutely. Let us separate for a moment how the ideas are raised and why you talked in the press and why you don’t. Let us leave that for a little later.
President Musharraf: I have said these things to the leadership also by the way.
Thapar: Let us for now concentrate on the idea itself. If self-governance is the solution that you are suggesting for both to consider - for Jammu & Kashmir on the Indian side and what you call Azad Kashmir on yours - why are the Northern Territories, which perhaps represent 70 per cent of of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which you control?
President Musharraf: I have not said anything about any territory. I said we have to identify the region.
Thapar: So the Northern Territories could be included?
President Musharraf: At the moment, technically, the whole of Kashmir means the northern areas, Azad Kashmir, Jammu, Srinagar region and Ladakh region.
Thapar: So just to be crystal clear, because people are listening to you and they want clarity. The Northern Territories could be part of the package that you are talking about?
President Musharraf: When we discuss regions, when we discuss territories, yes indeed we start with the whole block. This is Kashmir and we start discussing.
Thapar: Now this concept of self-governance that you are suggesting would apply to the whole princely state of Kashmir as it existed prior to 1947. What you are suggesting is that the two governments sit down, work out what they mean by self-governance and apply equally and mutually on both side of LoC on the territories that they control? Can I go a step further? What are you envisaging?
President Musharraf: But that is not the end of everything.
Thapar: Absolutely. What are you then envisaging?
President Musharraf: Joint management.
Thapar: Joint management. What does that mean?
President Musharraf: Joint management means we need to work it out. We need to have a system where the Kashmiris, the Pakistanis, the Indians are involved in monitoring the self-governance that we evolve. There have to subjects which are devolved, there have to be some subjects retained for the joint management.
Thapar: So within the joint management of India and Pakistan over the old pre-1947 primary stage and Jammu and Kashmir within that you have self governance equally applied across both sides where the Kashmir have a say in their own life. Is that right?
President Musharraf: Yes, absolutely.
Thapar: Joint management then suggests that the sovereignty of India over what it has and sovereignty of Pakistan over what it has remains, but a creative, imaginative way is found for Kashmir within that sovereignty to share and a be part of it.
President Musharraf: That sovereignty is reduced. Okay. That sovereignty gets reduced because when we give self-governance that sovereignty that you are talking off, in a sense you are saying certainly gets reduced. Yes, I agree with it.
Thapar: But it is not undermined, that is the critical point.
President Musharraf: It's not undermined.
Thapar: If it still remains, Indian-Kashmir, Pakistani-Kashmir but within that joint entity as well.
President Musharraf: Okay, one can have a time frame. One could have a time frame for these separate entities. After five or 10 years if they decide to merge and to have self governance as one block that could also be possible.
Thapar: So, then it could be a two-stage process. In stage one they remain separate entities, in stage two they merge, but they merge under what I am now calling the 'tutelage', the joint management of India Pakistan. That joint management remains.
President Musharraf: Yes, there has to be a division. We are not talking about giving independence to Kashmir. That is not acceptable to either India or Pakistan. We don't accept autonomy as the final solution within the Indian constitution.
Thapar: Something in between.
President Musharraf: Something in between or self-governance.
Thapar: With both countries guaranteeing it?
President Musharraf: With both countries guaranteeing it and overseeing it.
Thapar: And therefore both countries having a stake in guaranteeing the situation in the other side of Kashmir.
President Musharraf: Absolutely.
Thapar: That's critical?
President Musharraf: Yes.
Thapar: So you are talking then about concepts of interdependence, concepts of diplomatic interrelationships, that have never really been experimented before. This is completely fresh ground.
President Musharraf: Absolutely, you to break fresh ground. Because the LoC is the issue. On the Indian side it is said that boundaries cannot be redone. We will not accept the LoC as final.
Thapar: So this is General Musharraf being creative? This is General Musharraf thinking out of the box as he said in April he would.
President Musharraf: Absolutely, these are my ideas but I am open to any suggestions. The unfortunate reality is no suggestion comes from the other side. Or no comments come on this other than negative comments.
Thapar: General Musharraf, lets take a break. You have sketched out things in more detail than ever before. What you mean by self-governance and you have gone on record for the first time to talk of the concept of joint management under what I call the tutelage of India and Pakistan.
Let's take a break and comeback and ask how you react to the Indian response, the way you have raised these proposals and what the next step thereafter should be.
In Part III of an exclusive interview on Devil's Advocate, Karan Thapar questions Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf about the ideas that he has been canvassing for as possible solutions to the Kashmir conflict.
Karan Thapar: General Musharraf, your foreign office spokesperson has indicated that in November, Pakistan Prime Minister Shakuat Aziz, suggested the concept of self-governance to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a possible solution for Kashmir.
It's an idea that many people think has weightage, but they are not really sure what you mean by self-governance. So let me ask you what do you have in mind when you talk about self-governance?
President Musharraf: I believe one has to go beyond stated positions. Now, there is one aspect of what India has been saying - autonomy within the Indian constitution. This is totally not acceptable to the people of Kashmir also. Therefore, one needs to go beyond the stated positions. We have to go beyond autonomy and independence. We are working for something between autonomy and independence. And I think self-governance fits in well.
Thapar: Let us explore what India claims: That the people of Jammu and Kashmir state, who have their own elected government, already enjoy a measure of self-governance. How much more do you have in mind when you talk about self-governance?
President Musharraf: I don't agree with that at all.
Thapar: You mean they have no self-governance whatsoever in your eyes?
President Musharraf: Not at all. Because most of the people don't accept the Indian government in Kashmir.
Thapar: Of course the Indian response to this could be that, in fact, the people of what you call the Azaad Kashmir have no self-governance at all, even less than perhaps in India.
President Musharraf: Well, we would like to give self-governance to them also.
Thapar: So let's come back to my question, when you talk about self-governance, how much more do you have in mind?
President Musharraf: When you say self-governance, okay in this part, would we agree to self-governance from both parts? Let us do it.
Thapar: Before we come to an agreement on both parts, let me try and explore with you, what you mean by that.
President Musharraf: Because you say self-governance, they would say that. Okay, if they are saying that, I'm open to it. Let us work out self-governance and impose the same rules on Indian side of Kashmir and Pakistani side of Kashmir. Is that all right?
Thapar: Well, it is not for me to answer, it is for the Indian government to answer.
President Musharraf: Okay.
Thapar: But I'm sure they are listening to this interview. Let's first try and establish what do you mean by self-governance. As I said, Indians believe there is self-governance. How much more do you want? What more are you looking for?
President Musharraf: If India believes there is self-governance, we keep sticking to this position, we will never move forward because we do not agree. Therefore, if you want to move forward, we have to leave stated positions.
Thapar: Let me ask the question the other way around. May people in Kashmir look forward to what they call independence? How much less than independence is self-governance?
President Musharraf: Exactly that is what I am saying. Please listen to me. Self-governance falls in between autonomy and independence. That is what I want to say. Now, the exact details and intricacies of it need to be worked out. I am there to propose a strategy and idea. Now the tactics and the modalities of what is self-governance need to be worked out.
Thapar: Who works it out?
President Musharraf: Together, India, Pakistan and Kashmiris.
Thapar: Will you bring in constitutional experts, will you do it yourself or is it the politicians who will do the working out?
President Musharraf: Let us get legal experts.
Thapar: International legal experts or Indian or Pakistani legal experts?
President Musharraf: I don't mind international. All these are problems with India. We won't mind international experts. Get international experts.
Thapar: But will you be happy for India and Pakistan bilaterally to appoint their own experts?
President Musharraf: And the Kashmiris too.
Thapar: And Kashmiris. But you are happy for the matter to be handled bilaterally with Kashmiris involved rather than international people coming in?
President Musharraf: As I said, we are open to anything. That is our flexibility. We are open to anything, but please, for heaven's sake, move forward.
Thapar: So, at the moment I am trying to understand what you are saying. You have gem of an idea, which is something in between autonomy and independence. But you have not fleshed it out and you believe the fleshing out has to happen together jointly.
President Musharraf: Yes, only one aspect that I have in mind within self-governance is that of security. Because the problem is of militancy on both sides. Indians accuse us for the terrorism going on or the freedom struggle going on, the other side or Pakistan accuses the Indian Army of committing atrocities. All these have to stop. Therefore, there is a demilitarisation required. And then, if we have to demilitarise, let us hand over security to the people. That is the main aspect.
Thapar: Is the concept of self-governance interlinked with demilitarisation? Or are they two separate concepts that you are playing with?
President Musharraf: I think it is one part of whatever I have suggested.
Thapar: It is a joint idea?
President Musharraf: Yes.
Thapar: But let me point out a problem.
President Musharraf: Demilitarisation is important because what kind of self governance can there be if there is a 600,000 or 700,000 army personnel all over the place and in the cities controlling everything.
Thapar: But what sort of government and you are a head of government, you are a head of army and you will understand this, what sort of government can withdraw and demilitarise while the threat of terrorism continues?
President Musharraf: No, it should not. Yes, indeed I am for curbing any kind of militancy.
Thapar: Doesn’t that have to happen first?
President Musharraf: No it can’t happen entirely. It should happen and peace should return in the Valley.
Thapar: And the demilitarisation?
President Musharraf: No sir, no. I don’t agree there. If anyone thinks that not a bullet will be fired, there are people who are involved. There is an indigenous proof, there are people involved, they are around, and they are not under the control of anyone. So if we think that if one bullet is fired, the peace process is dead, I am afraid this is not the way forward and this is what is happening on the Indian side.
Thapar: Can I point out you what perhaps in Indian eyes is normally the argument you are putting forward? You are saying that demilitarisation and the peace process has to happen together. Demilitaristion and terrorism can happen together, the problem is which government will demilitarise as long as the threat of cross border terrorism remains. Any responsible government in Delhi will say end the terror first, then we will move to talk about demilitarisation and governance. But as long as the terror continues how can a responsible government demilitarise?
President Musharraf: Okay. Why it shouldn’t? Has the Indian government ever said 'yes we are for demilitarising and self-government?' They haven’t even spoken. So lets get the strategy right. Okay, if there idea is that all terrorism has to stop and then we will speak about demilitarisation and self-governance. But they don’t move forward at all. They don’t even comment what they want.
Thapar: Let me play Devils Advocate with you. If the Indian want to say to you, as you sort of suggested just now, "end all terror then we will talk about demilitarisation and self-governance", in that circumstance would you move to end all terror immediately?
President Musharraf: Karan, we must understand and the public of India should understand. If you think I have the key, which I will just switch off like that and all terror is gone.
Thapar: It sounded for a moment as if you did.
President Musharraf: Not at all. I didn’t sound that at all. There are a lot of groups operating. There is an indigenous factor operating there and there should be no doubt in any Indian minds there are indigenous factors there.
Thapar: So then do you say the Indian government’s problem is how to demilitarise while the terror continues?
President Musharraf: They will not listen to anyone. So therefore we have to jointly move forward. When we opened the bus service, the bus station on the Indian side was attacked. Do you think we did it? Do you think we facilitated that? On one side we are opening bus service and going for a peace process and somebody attacks that. You think Pakistan sponsored it?
Thapar: Many people in India sadly say that Pakistan sponsors Jehadi militant groups today.
President Musharraf: That is absolute nonsense and this is why we don’t move forward on the peace process. The problem is that they keep blaming Pakistan on things which are not correct and therefore we don’t move forward. Now if the bus station was attacked and they say Pakistan sponsored people, whoever it is they are not sponsored by Pakistan. They may have been sponsored 15 years back. They are not being sponsored. Now stop this allegation so that we can move forward.
Thapar: Let us come back to the peace process. You have said a moment ago that you will be very happy to introduce the concept of self-governance in what you called Azad Kashmir, just as you want to introduce self-governance on the Indian side of the border as well. And you would like both countries to work out together what they mean by self-governance and that is a set of details that still need to be worked upon. Will self-governance also apply to the Northern territories?
President Musharraf: Why we are getting involved in this nuisance?
Thapar: Is it a nuisance? You control almost 70 per cent of the Northern Territories.
President Musharraf: Now my idea is, we have to identity the region. I have said this a long time ago. In its complexity, in its entirety, we have to identify a region and then we have to demilitarise and then we have to go for self-governance and then we go for joint management. There are the four things that I said long time ago.
Thapar: Joint management?
President Musharraf: Yes.
Thapar: This sounds new. Joint management means that the sovereignty of the two countries over what they hold today is not appreciated, but you still manage to exert joint management. A Kashmiri entity with open borders and perhaps collaborated joint institutions. Is that not right?
President Musharraf: First of all it is sovereignty that we are talking about. The dispute is about sovereignty. This is a disputed territory. There is no sovereignty.
Thapar: Then what does joint management mean?
President Musharraf: Joint management would be a solution which we need to go into. Now I know that I am treading in very sensitive areas. And I know that the Indian government would comment on it that I give ideas through the media. Unfortunately, I also give these ideas always to the leadership also.
President Musharraf: I believe in confidentiality. I believe that things should be covered till we move forward. But unfortunately a year has passed and we still keep things under the wrap. We don’t come out openly. I don’t go along with this kind of strategy or theory. A time has to come when leadership on both sides have to come up in the open and discuss ideas.
Thapar: Absolutely. Let us separate for a moment how the ideas are raised and why you talked in the press and why you don’t. Let us leave that for a little later.
President Musharraf: I have said these things to the leadership also by the way.
Thapar: Let us for now concentrate on the idea itself. If self-governance is the solution that you are suggesting for both to consider - for Jammu & Kashmir on the Indian side and what you call Azad Kashmir on yours - why are the Northern Territories, which perhaps represent 70 per cent of of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which you control?
President Musharraf: I have not said anything about any territory. I said we have to identify the region.
Thapar: So the Northern Territories could be included?
President Musharraf: At the moment, technically, the whole of Kashmir means the northern areas, Azad Kashmir, Jammu, Srinagar region and Ladakh region.
Thapar: So just to be crystal clear, because people are listening to you and they want clarity. The Northern Territories could be part of the package that you are talking about?
President Musharraf: When we discuss regions, when we discuss territories, yes indeed we start with the whole block. This is Kashmir and we start discussing.
Thapar: Now this concept of self-governance that you are suggesting would apply to the whole princely state of Kashmir as it existed prior to 1947. What you are suggesting is that the two governments sit down, work out what they mean by self-governance and apply equally and mutually on both side of LoC on the territories that they control? Can I go a step further? What are you envisaging?
President Musharraf: But that is not the end of everything.
Thapar: Absolutely. What are you then envisaging?
President Musharraf: Joint management.
Thapar: Joint management. What does that mean?
President Musharraf: Joint management means we need to work it out. We need to have a system where the Kashmiris, the Pakistanis, the Indians are involved in monitoring the self-governance that we evolve. There have to subjects which are devolved, there have to be some subjects retained for the joint management.
Thapar: So within the joint management of India and Pakistan over the old pre-1947 primary stage and Jammu and Kashmir within that you have self governance equally applied across both sides where the Kashmir have a say in their own life. Is that right?
President Musharraf: Yes, absolutely.
Thapar: Joint management then suggests that the sovereignty of India over what it has and sovereignty of Pakistan over what it has remains, but a creative, imaginative way is found for Kashmir within that sovereignty to share and a be part of it.
President Musharraf: That sovereignty is reduced. Okay. That sovereignty gets reduced because when we give self-governance that sovereignty that you are talking off, in a sense you are saying certainly gets reduced. Yes, I agree with it.
Thapar: But it is not undermined, that is the critical point.
President Musharraf: It's not undermined.
Thapar: If it still remains, Indian-Kashmir, Pakistani-Kashmir but within that joint entity as well.
President Musharraf: Okay, one can have a time frame. One could have a time frame for these separate entities. After five or 10 years if they decide to merge and to have self governance as one block that could also be possible.
Thapar: So, then it could be a two-stage process. In stage one they remain separate entities, in stage two they merge, but they merge under what I am now calling the 'tutelage', the joint management of India Pakistan. That joint management remains.
President Musharraf: Yes, there has to be a division. We are not talking about giving independence to Kashmir. That is not acceptable to either India or Pakistan. We don't accept autonomy as the final solution within the Indian constitution.
Thapar: Something in between.
President Musharraf: Something in between or self-governance.
Thapar: With both countries guaranteeing it?
President Musharraf: With both countries guaranteeing it and overseeing it.
Thapar: And therefore both countries having a stake in guaranteeing the situation in the other side of Kashmir.
President Musharraf: Absolutely.
Thapar: That's critical?
President Musharraf: Yes.
Thapar: So you are talking then about concepts of interdependence, concepts of diplomatic interrelationships, that have never really been experimented before. This is completely fresh ground.
President Musharraf: Absolutely, you to break fresh ground. Because the LoC is the issue. On the Indian side it is said that boundaries cannot be redone. We will not accept the LoC as final.
Thapar: So this is General Musharraf being creative? This is General Musharraf thinking out of the box as he said in April he would.
President Musharraf: Absolutely, these are my ideas but I am open to any suggestions. The unfortunate reality is no suggestion comes from the other side. Or no comments come on this other than negative comments.
Thapar: General Musharraf, lets take a break. You have sketched out things in more detail than ever before. What you mean by self-governance and you have gone on record for the first time to talk of the concept of joint management under what I call the tutelage of India and Pakistan.
Let's take a break and comeback and ask how you react to the Indian response, the way you have raised these proposals and what the next step thereafter should be.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
£140 million innovation investment boost following fundraising by Imperial Innovations: Pharmaleaders www.pharmaleaders.co.in
SUVEN PARTNERS WITH J P MORGAN HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE 2011
The global top 10 drug discovery technologies market is expected to be around $ 30.8 billion in 2010 and estimated to reach $ 54 billion mark in 2015, growing at a CAGR of 11.9 % from 2010-2015. £140 million innovation investment boost following fundraising by Imperial Innovations: Pharmaleaders www.pharmaleaders.co.in
Delhi: Jan 11, 2011 – The global top 10 drug discovery technologies market is expected to be around $ 30.8 billion in 2010 and estimated to reach $ 54 billion mark in 2015, growing at a CAGR of 11.9 % from 2010-2015. The market for high throughput screening accounts for the largest share with approximately 33% of the entire market for top 10 drug discovery technologies. This huge market share is mainly due to the increasing applications of cell based assays and robotics in the parallel screening of compounds. The top 10 drug discovery technologies play a vital role in the growth of the entire pharmaceutical industry as they are the key contributors in the swift introduction of blockbusters and innovative drugs, which is the most important aspect for the pharmaceutical companies. The applications of these technologies in the introduction of drugs for diverse diseases such as cancer, CVD, CNS disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and other serious chronic diseases have created significant opportunities for the market growth in the future. The slow growth of the introduction of new blockbuster drugs is a major concern which the drug development companies are catering to by using these top technologies.
Suven Life Sciences a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical products, which are first in class or best in class therapies through the use of GPCR targets in CNS disorders for unmet medical needs with $20 billion market potential, today announced that it is participating at 29th J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference being held in San Francisco, USA during 10th to 13th Jan 2011. J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference is the premier conference of its kind, bringing together established industry leaders, emerging fast-growth companies, innovative technology creators and globally minded service providers who will deliver presentations to more than 4,000 investors. This conference puts you at the center of the investment and partnering community and provides an open format to connect with the funding partners. With the targeted audience of senior executives and industry leaders from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and venture capital communities, J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference provides the greatest opportunity for relationship building, facilitating discussions on financing opportunities with an unparalleled opportunity to create new value generating partnerships. Mr.Venkat Jasti CEO of Suven is scheduled to discuss the company’s corporate overview, business strategy, fund raising and partnering activity for their Phase 2a ready clinical candidate SUVN-502 for cognition in Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2011 where the world’s top notch investment professionals will present along with the most innovative companies who are decision makers. The Company has twelve (12) internally discovered therapeutic drug candidates currently, in pre-clinical stage of development targeting conditions such as ADHD, dementia, depression, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and obesity in addition to developmental candidate SUVN-502 for Alzheimer's disease and Schizophrenia.
In a related development Imperial Innovations Group plc, the company that commercialises technologies and discoveries from Imperial College London, has today announced to the stock exchange a fundraising worth £140 million which will boost support to inventions inspired by research at the College. Making Imperial Innovations the UK’s largest company investing in university inventions, the funds will accelerate the number and size of investments that can be made to Imperial College London spin-out companies, thus enabling them to achieve their commercial goals more quickly. Imperial Innovations is the first and only university-owned commercialization company to be publicly listed. It supports academic staff at Imperial College London with the translation of their ideas and discoveries for the commercial market through licensing or establishing new companies. Since April 2005 a technology pipeline agreement has been in place, giving Imperial Innovations the right, subject to certain exceptions, to exploit and commercialize the College’s unencumbered intellectual property.
The global top 10 drug discovery technologies market is expected to be around $ 30.8 billion in 2010 and estimated to reach $ 54 billion mark in 2015, growing at a CAGR of 11.9 % from 2010-2015. £140 million innovation investment boost following fundraising by Imperial Innovations: Pharmaleaders www.pharmaleaders.co.in
Delhi: Jan 11, 2011 – The global top 10 drug discovery technologies market is expected to be around $ 30.8 billion in 2010 and estimated to reach $ 54 billion mark in 2015, growing at a CAGR of 11.9 % from 2010-2015. The market for high throughput screening accounts for the largest share with approximately 33% of the entire market for top 10 drug discovery technologies. This huge market share is mainly due to the increasing applications of cell based assays and robotics in the parallel screening of compounds. The top 10 drug discovery technologies play a vital role in the growth of the entire pharmaceutical industry as they are the key contributors in the swift introduction of blockbusters and innovative drugs, which is the most important aspect for the pharmaceutical companies. The applications of these technologies in the introduction of drugs for diverse diseases such as cancer, CVD, CNS disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and other serious chronic diseases have created significant opportunities for the market growth in the future. The slow growth of the introduction of new blockbuster drugs is a major concern which the drug development companies are catering to by using these top technologies.
Suven Life Sciences a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical products, which are first in class or best in class therapies through the use of GPCR targets in CNS disorders for unmet medical needs with $20 billion market potential, today announced that it is participating at 29th J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference being held in San Francisco, USA during 10th to 13th Jan 2011. J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference is the premier conference of its kind, bringing together established industry leaders, emerging fast-growth companies, innovative technology creators and globally minded service providers who will deliver presentations to more than 4,000 investors. This conference puts you at the center of the investment and partnering community and provides an open format to connect with the funding partners. With the targeted audience of senior executives and industry leaders from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and venture capital communities, J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference provides the greatest opportunity for relationship building, facilitating discussions on financing opportunities with an unparalleled opportunity to create new value generating partnerships. Mr.Venkat Jasti CEO of Suven is scheduled to discuss the company’s corporate overview, business strategy, fund raising and partnering activity for their Phase 2a ready clinical candidate SUVN-502 for cognition in Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2011 where the world’s top notch investment professionals will present along with the most innovative companies who are decision makers. The Company has twelve (12) internally discovered therapeutic drug candidates currently, in pre-clinical stage of development targeting conditions such as ADHD, dementia, depression, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and obesity in addition to developmental candidate SUVN-502 for Alzheimer's disease and Schizophrenia.
In a related development Imperial Innovations Group plc, the company that commercialises technologies and discoveries from Imperial College London, has today announced to the stock exchange a fundraising worth £140 million which will boost support to inventions inspired by research at the College. Making Imperial Innovations the UK’s largest company investing in university inventions, the funds will accelerate the number and size of investments that can be made to Imperial College London spin-out companies, thus enabling them to achieve their commercial goals more quickly. Imperial Innovations is the first and only university-owned commercialization company to be publicly listed. It supports academic staff at Imperial College London with the translation of their ideas and discoveries for the commercial market through licensing or establishing new companies. Since April 2005 a technology pipeline agreement has been in place, giving Imperial Innovations the right, subject to certain exceptions, to exploit and commercialize the College’s unencumbered intellectual property.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Will Telegana will get a Consensus?
A set of people with a set of cultural ethos is entitled to its own government. Any violation of this natural law amounts to denial of sovereignty. For example, marrying one’s sister’s daughter is a common practice in Andhra while a sister’s daughter is treated as a daughter in Telangana. This is a glaring example of the cultural differences, which obtain between the peoples of Andhra and Telangana. * Though the language spoken by both the Andhraites and Telanganites is called Telugu and is mostly similar, the two Telugus are different. The way it is spoken is different. In fact, most of the language is not understood by each other, unless one is used to it for sometime. * Smaller states are better for people as well as governments in terms of accessibility and distribution of resources. * Three States, viz, Uttaranchal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, were created recently on the basis of the foregoing criteria and they are doing very well. * The demand for Telangana state is the oldest of such demands throughout the country. Similar demands obtain in respect of Vidarbha, Bundelkhand and Ghorkhaland. The Congress Party is in favour of a separate Bundelkhand state. * Andhraites need not masquerade themselves as Telanganites while they are in Telangana. They can proudly live as Andhraites, follow their culture, language and lifestyle, which are different from that of Telangana
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