Review of 2010 and Predictions for 2011

As has been a tradition on Drishtikone, we review the past year and make predictions for the coming year – not astrologically, but logically – based on how the world is and what it can be given the alignments.  We did it last year as well.

India

From India’s front, if 2009 was a year of relatively better performance from the Congress, 2010 will remain in ignominy as the year of scams.  Not just any scams but of Rs 800 Lakh crores in ONE YEAR.  That is a lot of money by any standards!  India and its citizens should be ashamed that we have seen such unrepentant and unrelenting looting going on without any anger or repurcussions for the perpetrators.

Its a shame that the opposition is so weak.  Specifically the BJP!  Where it should have worked harder to question Congress and its looters and put them in the dock, it has painted itself in a corner by being known as “time-wasters” for the JPC Committee call – a strategy that has lost its support and appeal in public despite its requirement.  Dramatic situation require creative solutions.  And this was one such occassion.  BJP lost that opportunity.  Congress needs to pay back.  But there is no one to bell the cat in the country.

Petty journalists play kingmakers in the country these days.  Such is the lot of the Indian people!

Rahul Gandhi and other Congress sycophants of the “White Man’s (Gandhis)” family are busy painting Hinduism, Hindutva, and anything related to anyone in that area as terrorists, laughable, criminal and useless.  They have tried using “Saffron terror” and “Hindu terror” etc.  Rahul is of course busy influencing the foreign politicians on how Hindu Nationalists are graver threat to the country than the Islamic Jehadis… which the “secular” lobby is thoroughly lapping up.

The mischief and grave error in this entire scenario is that if you put the critical below the important, you are bound to produce fatal mistakes.  To downplay synchronized, Internationally coordinated and funded Jehadi terror by putting it on the same pedestal as a one-off events and often one-man/small group acts like Samjhauta express bombing, one is making a mockery of the threat that the country faces!  We are in effect preparing to have not one but multiple 26-11s in the future, because we aren’t looking where we should.

When General Thimayya went to Krishna Menon to tell him about the road that the Chinese had built on Indian side and could be used for incursions, he directed the General to look “elsewhere” for the threat.  Krishna Menon, of course was a traitor and in all probability a Communist China’s mole in Indian cabinet.  So, as grave a mistake as that was, one can clearly understand the motive.

Unless one uses the same logic against Rahul Gandhi and the Congress sycophants, it is difficult to understand the statements and the intent of their Saffron = Jehadi terror.  Even when there is no real “Hindutva” terror except small groups trying to vent their anger – who could be engaged and worked with, to start celebrating the advent of “Hindutva” terror and putting people in the dock – on at times unsubstantiated charges – is suicidal.  Sadhvi Pragya, for example, has been in the jail for last two years.  She is yet to be tried or convicted.  So, she has been jailed on mere suspicion!  If she is indeed a “terrorist” then for God’s sake TRY her.  CONVICT her.  But where is the need to put her in the jail without a trial?

Jehadi terror is NOT of the same variety, character or potency.  It is an international operation.  If anything, Wikileaks and confessions from David Headley substantiate this clearly!

If Congress goes on with this “merry dance” of playing with fire and creating terror hoaxes and disregarding the ones which are real and potent as Rahul Gandhi, Antulay, and Digvijay Singh have been doing, then one day the proverbial “wolf” may actually visit from the forest.

Maoists as a threat, as predicted in last edition, has only increased.  The juggernaut of poor turning the predators doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.  Although the Government has tried to hit at the group by eliminating the top leaders one by one.  Seditious activists like Arundhati, Binayak Sen etc will keep making a case for anarchy under the garb of human rights and freedom of speech but this will make things only worse.

The security situation in India is poised very precariously.  According to my reading of the situation in India, I see a very serious event happening before too long.  And it will hit home pretty badly.  Something to the level of 26-11, but worse in proportion.

There are several enemies of the state and people, who are being dealt with complete irresponsibility and new ones are being created for sheer political expediency.  When these sheer forces dissect, it will be a lot of anarchy.

India’s democracy will be tested in the next few years to come – VERY dramatically!  If I were the Indian Army Chief or his Deputy; I would be watching very closely.  The coming years may be the time when for the first time, Army may need to take a lead role.

Pakistan

As predicted, the Government will become more ineffective in that country.  And from most indicators, the Government is just a mockery.  It will get even worse.  The extremists forces are trying their best to get into proper positions and preparing the ground for US to leave Afghanistan area.  They are helped by Obama’s bad handling of the opposition to himself and the short-sightedness of the Americans.  But if US comes close to leaving Afghanistan, destruction of Pakistan and Afghanistan is INEVITABLE!  Nothing can stop their implosion!

Pakistan is already bankrupt… once again!  One wonders how long it will be able to sustain itself.  So, the last thing this entire region can afford is leaving of the US from those corridors.

US

Obama has hurt himself badly.  The opposition has painted him in a corner and he hasn’t been able to cover himself well.  Republicans will not let the little advantage coming out of the election victory they just got in the Senate races go away so easily.  By the time the next election comes through, Obama may be ready to go.  As ironic as it may sound!

But its not that the things will be any better.  Republicans are the worst answer to US’ woes.  They have brought this country to where it is.  And with most of that group standing behind jokers like Sarah Palin etc, one can only hit his head against the wall at that eventuality.

Do I see the US economy imploding?  No.  US economy will do just fine for sometime.  Not great but fine.  Unemployment may not cease so easily but different sectors will see changes.  With new technologies and greener emphasis, new opportunities have come about and they will change the landscape of this country going forward.

Poverty will increase.  And not just the traditional demographics but even in the mainstream demography, where has been at the helm.

Overall

In the end, although I hope things improve – but the situation in the world and the main countries affecting the Drishtikone readership are such that we will be lucky to have a neutral year with a neutral situation in the end.  We are entering a new decade and the new decade will bring new challenges.  This year will be a strong indicator of those changes!