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From the President
GLOBAL WARMING & GLOBAL
WARNING
Global Warming
At least now it does not
require a telescope or binocular eyes to see what is coming in! Yes, the much
feared, the much talked about, but not much seriously taken note of, it is:
GLOBAL WARMING. The recent reports, news and views are truly shocking and
alarming. It is feared that many cities, including our dear Mumbai, is going to
be seriously affected by the raising sea level. It is really disturbing to
realise what mess we, the most intellectual of all the living species on the
planet, have created. It's like reverse of the old saying: “Man proposes, God
disposes”. Now it is “God proposes, Man disposes”. Ironically, the effect of
this man made calamity is so gradual – and, paradoxically, so gigantic and
global in scale – that people have started not bothering about what is going to
happen after, say, half a century from now. And, coupled with this is the great
contribution coming in from the international policies of self-interest. It is,
indeed, a very sad state of affair. One has to just imagine or visualise, for a
moment, how his child and grand child is going to face the colossal natural
disasters flowing from this apathy. Just a thought should shudder everyone of
us. Unfortunately, this is one of such areas where the common man finds himself
in helpless and hapless situation, or so it seems. This is because the problem,
and so its solution, lies not in his backyard, his area, his city, his State, or
his country. The problem is global, transcending international barriers.
However, isn’t it possible that
the solution can also start from one’s backyard, one’s area, one’s city or one’s
country? If all of us – so called intellectual earthlings – start thinking and
reacting with respect to their own backyard, area, etc., the solution may not
look so much difficult. At least for this it is not necessary to wait till the
politicians arrive at any solution by consensus. Of course, it requires a
mammoth task of enlightening the entire population, or a sizable segment of the
population.
Global “Warning”
No, it's not – now usual and
routine – the global warning regarding terrorist/extremist attacks. Such
warnings are now so frequently sounded and distributed, that they have ceased to
have the desired effects and reactions; affecting preparedness – psychological
and otherwise – to combat them. Of course, that is not to undermine the
seriousness of such warnings. But the frequency of such alerts has, indeed, made
everyone used to such alerts, frustrating the very purpose of sounding such
alerts.
However, there is another kind
of global “warning”. It is sounded by none other India, announcing its grand
arrival at the doors of international trade and commerce. The knock on the door
has woken up and alerted the occupants – the so called developed countries,
China and alike. While we celebrate in chorus the Corus deal, its far reaching
implications in the long-term are not yet fully appreciated. With frequent
reports of World Bank, UN and other organisations indicating the awakening of
Indian Tiger, India is now being take note of, at international level, with some
interest. The recent interest – and its consequential euphoria and uproar –
shown with respect to a reality show in UK is but an indicator of such India
awakening. Suddenly, everybody – that is, everybody who matters at
socio-political circuit - has joined this bandwagon and has started making right
noise at right time at right level and started making politically correct
statements and assessments. This time the noise, for a change, is indeed, a
pleasant one to hear.
To bring back the discussion to
the “petty” national or regional level form such global level is little
disappointing but it is must. While the Finance Minister is preparing to give us
“shock” – pleasant or rude, only time will tell – once more, we, at the Chamber,
have decided to enjoy this pre-budget calm period – a calm before storm (?) – at
the Queen of hill stations, Mahabaleshwar, from 15th to 18th of this month. We
also have a line of programmes, pre budget as well as post budget, organised for
you. Pick any of them that suit your interest.
Till then wish you a very best
of luck and I pray that may this Budget not disturb your health and wealth in
this happy and joyous year 2007.
Vipul Joshi
President |
