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Saturday, April 14, 2012

Pak FDI allowed; Somali women stay in Hyderabad so do other illegal immigrants ...............


Confusing are the ways of administrators and their Policies.  Sure, everyone wants peace and wants to maintain good relations with neighbours – more so, for countries which share not only boundaries but also their history.  Good relations with Pakistan, Bangaldesh, Nepal, Burma, Srilanka – will do India good. But……………. – one gets more confused when one reads today’s paper on  Govt allowing Pak  FDI in India, Somalians staying in Hyderabad, many Pakistanis and Bangladeshis crossing over the border never to go back but to live in India, getting all the benefits !!!!!! Does that not sound threat to the Nation, its integrity, sovereignty and harmony.  Why no action !?!

Sure , have heard of Coyote – American Jackal or the prairie wolf found in USA and Canada.  "Coyotes" are also the name for smugglers who facilitate the migration of people across the U.S. border.  No Indian can ever forget the dreaded 26/11/2008 – India’s period of crisis, shame and turbulence.  The  commercial capital of the country was under siege and was subjected to  coordinated shooting and bombing attacks  by Islamist terrorists who came from Pakistan.  The attacks, which drew widespread global condemnation, began on Wednesday, 26 November and lasted until Saturday, 29 November 2008, killing 164 people and wounding at least 308.  Indian rulers were quick to point out hand at the Pakistan and the relations became more strained. 

As part of regular prattle and rhetoric, diplomatic relations were stalled and even games between two countries did not happen.  India Pakistan cricket was stopped – more to follow – no Pakistani players in IPL – but …. Er.. but,,, only players – there can be Paki Coach (Wasim Akram), Pak Umpire (Asad Rauf) and Pak commentators…..

Today, it is reported that the  horizon in the neighbourhood appears to be brightening as for the first time ever, India on Friday (13/4/12)  decided to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan a step that signals growing warmth in the relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.  Until now, Pakistan was the only country from where FDI was not allowed.  So you can have great trade relations with thy neighbor who is accused of harbouring terrorists and always encouraging acts against the Nation.  But anyway, commerce, trade, tourism and hospitality should thrive.   Soon, business visa norms would be eased.   That is liberalization of trade policy !

Elsewhere on the International border between United States and Mexico traversing variety of terrains  things are tougher.  For a period in the 1990s, United States Army personnel were stationed along the U.S.-Mexico border to help stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drug smugglers. These military units brought their specialized equipment such as FLIR (forward looking infrared) devices and helicopters.

There was another matter of fact reporting that ‘Somali women find refuge in Old Hyderabad.  It spaks oof many Somali mothers and women living on their own in Hyderabad currently.    TOI reports that nearly 400 Somalian refugees are living in Hyderabad who account for 90 per cent of the total Somalian refugees living in India. Sad these women had to undergo heinous atrocities but why Hyderabad – it is reported that they are concentrated in Mehdipatnam and Toli Chowki areas in the city, mingling with the locals, doing menial jobs, some relying on donations from friends and relatives abroad.  The report states that when asked why they chose Hyderabad,they say that the broker who helped them flee their country recommended the city, considering its large Muslim population.

The issue of illegal immigration has been plaguing the country for too long.  There were reports that Central Home Ministry was alarmed  over the continuous reports of overstaying and disappearance of Bangladeshis after their arrival in the country with more than 70,000 people travelling on valid documents still missing since 2006 in addition to illegal immigrants. Most of these Bangladeshi over stayed and the illegal infiltrators are trying to make their own  mini bangle home land and there reportedly are places where they can influence the result of an election.  Home Ministry officials said on an average about 21,000 Bangladeshi nationals, who come with regular visas, either go missing or have been overstaying every year in the country.  This is in addition to the scores of illegal immigrants who regularly cross the porous Indo-Bangla border. Months ago, a Right to Information (RTI) reply  revealed that as many as 7,691 Pakistanis and 32,644 Bangladeshis were found to be overstaying in India even after their visas expired.  And on Tuesday, the Lok Sabha was informed that more than 700 Pakistanis have acquired Indian citizenship in the last three years.  In a written answer, Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said while 321 Pakistanis got the citizenship in 2009, the figure dropped to 150 in 2010 but rose to 300 in 2011.

But we are so concerned about Cricket and IPL - Tanmay Mishra is a Kenyan cricketer, made his debut in 2006 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo. Tanmay  Mishra has  been bought by the Deccan Chargers ahead of IPL 5, he has been signed as an 'Indian' as he has dual-citizenship.  And there are headline reporting of Azhar Mahmood getting Indian visa.  Azhar Mahmood Sagar, now 37, is  former Pakistan allrounder bought to play for Kings XI Punjab.  Mahmood, who is now a British citizen and plays for Kent, was bought by the franchise at the auction last February for $200,000.  The visa reportedly is valid for Chandigarh and Delhi and it remains to be seen, whether he plays or travels with the team, when they play elsewhere !

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

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