Historically , the students demands found a prominent place in the all phases of Telangana movement. The Mulki rules , the six point formula , the presidential order, the 610 GO, the Girglani commission report and their non implementation and more recently the Hyderabad Free Zone issues were central to the interests of students. Unfortunately the mainstream student movement responded to these issues only when the telangana movement forced them on the political agenda. Therefore, the students of Osmania University have direct emotional stakes in the issues thrown up by the Telangana separate state movement.

ARE STING OPERATIONS ACCEPTABLE? – Prof.K.Nageshwar

Sting operations by various television channels are a subject of debate over media ethics with the number of news channels increasing day by day, one or other television channel conducts a sting operation across the country. Some target corrupt officials. Some other sting operations chase politicians in power. Some expose the wrong doings of public life. Many such operations invade private life of high and mighty. In an age of sensationalism the sting operations have become effective means of capturing the audience. The myriad hour, multi channel television boom is propelling the phenomenon of sting operations.

THE VAISHNAVI TRAGEDY: SOME REFLECTIONS ON SOCIETY – Prof.K.Nageshwar

The brutal murder of Vaishnavi and the death of her father due to heart attack subsequently sent shock waves across the state . The woebegone story of vaishnavi plunged Vijayawada into an ocean of sorrow and grief. What should the society learn from this most tragic episode. The manner in which the crime was carried out was simply unbelievable.

The early reports suggest that family feuds owing to property conflicts is the prime motivation for this crime. The police claims that the alacrity with which the crime was resorted to virtually makes it impossible to crack down on the criminals and save the abducted girl despite their best efforts. The society does not satisfy with police explanations for the failure to protect the child but rather they want an action that could have saved her from the clutches of criminals.

SHOULD INDIA SIGN NPT? – Prof.K.Nageshwar

Pressure is mounting on India again to sign Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty with the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopting resolution-1887. This resolution called upon all the member States to sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Infact, India has been resisting signing this treaty for last four decades calling it discriminatory. The US president Barack Obama authored this resolution. The NPT regime differentiates the world into two categories, those who signed the NPT and the Non NPT nations. As India refused to sign NPT, India was subjected to sanctions under the strict non-proliferation regime. As a result key nuclear technologies including uranium exports were denied to India all these years. The civil nuclear cooperation agreement which India entered into with US accorded special status to us. This Indo-US Nuclear Agreement recognized India as a responsible country with advanced nuclear technologies. This special status meant indirectly recognizing India as a country which does not need to comply with the NPT. Now, the US sponsored UN resolution raises fundamental questions over the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement. This resolution clearly aims at India and Pakistan which refused to sign the NPT and those countries which are planning to come out of the NPT regime owing to US black mail such as Iran and North Korea.

LOVE AS CRIME – Prof.K.Nageshwar

Andhra Pradesh has been witnessing a spate of acid attacks on girls for last several days. Some lost their lives while others were condemned to a life of perennial trauma. Society instantaneously responds. Politicians rush to the place, consoles the victims perhaps announces exgratia. Media debates for few days. Government confines to only quick jerk reaction. But, as the time passes, society forgets. New victims, new places, yet another round of similar emotional outburst, similar media blitz. But things remain as usual. Crimes are perpetrated against innocent girls again and again. The time has now come to look at the problem at its roots. These unending incidents raise few legal, administrative, social, cultural questions before the society.

LOVE AS CRIME – Prof.K.Nageshwar

Andhra Pradesh has been witnessing a spate of acid attacks on girls for last several days. Some lost their lives while others were condemned to a life of perennial trauma. Society instantaneously responds. Politicians rush to the place, consoles the victims perhaps announces exgratia. Media debates for few days. Government confines to only quick jerk reaction. But, as the time passes, society forgets. New victims, new places, yet another round of similar emotional outburst, similar media blitz. But things remain as usual. Crimes are perpetrated against innocent girls again and again. The time has now come to look at the problem at its roots. These unending incidents raise few legal, administrative, social, cultural questions before the society.

THE WAR OF SUCCESSION – Prof.K.Nageshwar

Even two weeks after the untimely demise of Y S Rajashekhar Reddy, the war of succession continues to take a heavy toll of politics and governance of Andhra Pradesh. Neither the political pundits nor seasoned congress politicians are in a position to predict the unfolding events with some degree of certainty. This is precisely because the congress high command on one side and Jaganmohan Reddy lobby on the other are caught in an unrelenting cold war with each side sticking to its position. Who will ultimately win this war of succession? The puzzle remains unanswered until one side gets a clear lead over the other. However this enigmatic situation need not deter us from making some valid observations on the developing political situation in the state.

Y.S.RAJASEKHAR REDDY AND AFTER: THE POLITICS OF CONGRESS – Comment, Prof.K.Nageshwar

The untimely demise of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy is bound to redefine politics in the state especially within the Congress. The impulses shall also be felt at the national level. All through the history Andhra Pradesh was crucial for Congress victory at the national elections. In 1977 Loksabha elections too, when the nation saw remarkable mandate against Congress, it was Andhra Pradesh that saved the face of congress though it could not help in retaining power. Rajashekhar Reddy played a stellar role in installing UPA government at the centre. Even this time too, AndhraPradesh provided as many as 33 seats to the tally of Congress. This enabled Congress to retain power. It has infact helped to adjust more ministerial berths to its allies as the state accepted least representation in the Union Cabinet despite giving a large number of Parliament members.

THE CRISIS CALLED THE BJP – Comment- Prof.K.Nageshwar

Jaswanth Singh, Sudeendra Kulakarni, Arun Shourie, the list perhaps goes on. Vasundara Raje rises in revolt, Arun Jaitley annoyed with Rajnath Singh, the ailing patriarch disappointed over the state of affairs in the party, rightly so, the spiritual force behind the BJP warns the party leadership to tackle indiscipline firmly. The party is not plagued with differences over tackling drought or price rise. It is rather baffling that the major opposition in Indian Parliament is battling with itself as the ghost of Jinnah haunts it. Instead of fighting with the government on the concerns of people, the party that ruled the country for so many years is caught in the quagmire of historical controversies that have little or no relevance with the contemporary India.

INVESTING IN THE POLICY OF DISINVESTMENT- Prof.K.Nageshwar

The economic survey for the year 2008-2009 presented to the parliament on the eve of the union Budget 2009-2010 proposed to raise Rs.25,000 crores through the disinvestment of the central public sector units. The programme of disinvestment has been put on hold due to strident opposition from the Left whose support was indispensable for the survival of the then UPA government. In the absence of any such ideological resistance from the supporting parties or the constituents of the ruling front , the central government has made its intensions clear in this economic survey. However, the budget was silent on this subject It does not mean that the government has given up the policy of disinvestment . In fact, Prime minister and the Finance minister made it abundantly clear that all these economic reform measures shall follow soon independent of the budgetary proposals.

WHY DID THE LEFT SUFFER SUCH AN ELECTORAL LOSS- Special article- Prof.K.Nageshwar

The 2009 elections imposed on the Left the worst ever electoral debacle in the recent past. Obviously, the reasons for this have been a subject of debate in the media and the political parlons beyond the Left periphery too. The CPI (M) could win only 16 seats in the Lok Sabha in 2009. This is the lowest ever figure for this Party in the Lok Sabha elections. CPI (M) has won nine seats in West Bengal, four in Kerala, and two in Tripura and one in Tamilnadu. CPI (M) has got 5.33 per cent of the vote which is slightly less compared to 5.66 per cent in 2004. CPI (M) had contested 70 seats in 2004 and this time it contested 80 seats. The CPI, All India Forward Bloc and RSP have together won eight seats. The total Left tally is 24. The CPI has won two seats in West Bengal, one seat each in Orissa and Tamilnadu. Its percentage of votes is 1.43 compared to 1.41 per cent in 2004. The All India Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party won two seats each from West Bengal.

INTERLINKING OF RIVERS IN RIGHT EARNEST – Prof.K.Nageshwar

A news has appeared in some newspapers that the Government has dropped the interlinking of rivers project citing the debate held in Lok Sabha on December 2, 2009.

The position as stated by the Union Minister of Water Resources in Lok Sabha on December 2, 2009 is given below:-

(a) The Minister stated that the National Common Minimum Programme of UPA in 2004 indicated that it will make comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of linking of rivers starting from South-bound rivers, and the assessment will be done in a fully consultative manner. The Task Force identified only 2 projects as priority projects, however, we have put 5 projects in the priority list, which only shows that this government wants to pursue ILR in right earnest.

SCIENCE SHAPES THE SOCIETY- Special article, Prof.K.Nageshwar

The study of human evolution through the ages clearly shows that science and technology have been the key elements in determining how society evolved to become what it is today. During the 10 to 15 million years of evolution of present Homo Sapiens from an ape like being, the most significant development was the evolution of human brain. This contains most of the abilities that separate Man from other animals.

Human beings developed four highly important abilities. Tool making and the intelligent manipulation of objects which involves coordination between the eye and the hand; speech and sophisticated vocabulary which enabled intelligent communication; the capacity of social development which enabled Man to cooperate within family or tribe; and finally, the ability to reason logically. This is the newest of Man’s attributes and of course the most crucial one that separates Man from an animal.

COALITION POLITICS IN INDIA-Special article, Prof.K.Nageshwar

Elections 2009 have once again revealed that India has firmly entered into the phase of coalition politics. A closer scrutiny of pattern of results indicate that the parties which understood the grammar of coalition politics effectively could benefit more than those parties which failed to do so. For over a decade of Indian politics have decisively established this trend. In 1996, for instance, the then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee faced the confidence vote in Loksabha, the entire Indian political spectrum opposed the BJP government. But, within two years, thanks to intelligent political maneuvering, the BJP could succeed in rallying a large number of parties behind it. On the contrary, the congress at its Panchmadi meet took a stand against coalition politics and maintained that it can come to power on its own. This helped the BJP led National Democratic Alliance to come to power in 1998 and 1999. But soon the congress learnt lessons from its debacle.

SPORTS AND INDIAN SOCIETY-Special article, Prof.K.Nageshwar

The land of Arjuna and Ekalavya, the greatest sports men of epic age is certainly now not a force to reckon with in the world of sport. However, the disparaging performance of Indian sports in international events and the concern and criticism surrounding it is nothing new. But what disturbs many sports lovers and planners is the fact that this performance has either declined or not improved over a period of time. The reasons for such a sad state of affairs lie in the nature of sports planning, administration, culture and policy premises.

The decline in performance is evident from the medals.Though the medals tally is not the only indicator, it is certainly a signal for declining standards of Indian Sports. The medals tally over a relatively longer time frame of nearly one and a half decade suggest a deepening crisis plaguing Indian Sport. Barring a few miracles here and there, the standards of Indian sports are far from satisfactory.

POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN-Special article, Prof.K.Nageshwar

Women constitute about 15 percent of total membership of legislatures in the world on an average. In the most powerful and most advanced nation of the world the United States , women constitute only 14 percent of legislature .The scientifically advanced nation like Japan can not atleast claim to be at the top in providing women due share in political power . In the world’s largest democracy of the world,India, women’s representation continues to oscillate around a meagre eight percent. But in a country like mozambique, a nation ravaged and pillaged by unending civil war and unabated famine like conditions, women constitute 30 percent of the legislature. In South Africa too, the country which was under brutal racist regime, women has 30 percent representation. These international experiences reveal that industrial development, economic prosperity and scientific progress do not automatically lead to political empowerment of women.

GENERATION GAP- Special article, Prof.K.Nageshwar

Every aberrant behaviour either in polity or in society sought to be explained, if not justified, under this fancy thing called generation gap, unlike the familiar gaps like communication gap, knowledge gap, information gap etc. This generation gap is the most invisible one.

It encompasses nebulous notions that are used to explain changes in behaviour, morals, ethics, principles, standards, way of life and a whole range of such things over a period of time in any given society.

SHOULD INDIA INVITE FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES – Prof.K.Nageshwar

There is an intense debate on the entry of foreign universities in India. The argument is that opening of off-shore campuses of foreign universities shall integrate Indian higher education system into the global educational system. Given the demand for foreign degrees among the Indian youth, foreign university campuses in India shall serve the interests of Indian students. Even the Yashpal committee felt that campuses of foreign universities will provide Indian academia interaction with the best minds of the world.

MEDIA ADVOCACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS – Prof.K.Nageshwar

The concept of a wide range of human rights ranging from personal to social and political rights. Several international treaties, conventions and the constitutional and legal measures recognize the human rights. Right to education , health , right to life , right to privacy, right to free speech, fair trial ,right against abuse, right to form an association, right against illegal detention, right of movement, right to information , etc., form a wide spectrum of human rights that need to be zealously protected . Media play an important role in this crusade against violation of human rights. State and non state actors resort to violation of human rights.

THE RESIGNATIONS AND THE TELANGANA - Prof.K.Nageshwar

The Joint Action committee of Telangana fired the resignations salvo to reign in all the politicians for the Telangana cause. At a time when the central government is resorting to cold storage tactics , the telangana JAC is putting forth the proposal of standing firm on the resignations to exert political pressure on the Congress party and the central government . Given the experience with the politicians who are known for their vacillation, perhaps, the JAC thought this as a method of pinning down the parties and politicians.

WHO SHOULD PAY FOR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT – Prof. K. Nageshwar1

The Andhra Pradesh government has increased the passenger fares in the State Road Transport corporation run buses by a whopping 22 percentage. In a single stroke, the state government has increased the bus fares so heavily imposing a huge burden on the bus commuters. This issue does not have relevance for the state of Andhra Pradesh only. The arguments that defend or oppose the measure are relevant for other states too. Infact, this debate is continuing internationally. Who should bear the cost of public Transport? To what extent, the passenger fares can contribute to the total cost of public transport system?

HANDLING LA-AFFAIRE TIWARI – Prof.K.Nageshwar

The allegations on Andhra Pradesh Governor of his involvement in the sex scandal was received by the world with great shock and dismay. The manner in which this sex scandal happened, the fact that Raj Bhavan was the centre of this heinous crime and the mafia type operations with which it was carried out reveal the preposterous proportions of this incident. Still, the central government decided to bail out Narayan Dutt Tiwari by providing him the safe haven and a honorable exit speak volumes about the political and administrative culture that goes to any extent to protect the people well connected with the highest power circles.

INTERLINKING OF RIVERS IN RIGHT EARNEST - Prof.K.Nageshwar

A news has appeared in some newspapers that the Government has dropped the interlinking of rivers project citing the debate held in Lok Sabha on December 2, 2009. The position as stated by the Union Minister of Water Resources in Lok Sabha on December 2, 2009 is given below:-

REASONS FOR LOW VOTER TURN OUT - Prof.K.Nageshwar

The political dust raised by the elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC ) has settled down. The voters in Hyderabad have elected the new leadership for the civic body. The city of Hyderabad comes under the elected civic leadership after a gap of several years. The low turn out is however dampening. All the political parties have to do sound soul searching for the appalling apathy among the metropolitan voters. The study of factors behind the low voter turn out would give valuable insights for the civic governance.

WHY ARE GOLD PRICES RISING - PROF.K.NAGESHWAR

Gold is a ubiquitous metal. Its uses vary from a milk man’s wedding to the crown of the queen. The preference for gold ranges from ornamental value to increasingly investment option. The prices of Gold are witnessing an unprecedented rise in the recent past. In 2009 ,the price of gold registered an increase of around 15 percent. In the last three years there has been a 70 percent increase in the price of the yellow metal . What are the reasons for this rise. This question is perplexing everyone from an economist to a common man across the world.

MINES, MONEY, MAFIA AND POLITICS: THE POLITICAL SPECTACLE IN KARNATAKA - Prof.K.Nageshwar

The accord concluded between Karnataka chief minister Yeddyurappa and Gali Janardhana Reddy was described by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the birth day gift to L.K.Advani. This reflects the state of affairs in the BJP which ruled the country earlier. While the state is gripped under flood havoc, the BJP leadership is bogged down in resolving the internal feud within the party that has nothing to do with the interests of the people. A similar blackmail was unleashed on the congress high command by supporters of Jagan Mohan Reddy. But, the Congress leadership at the centre refused to bow down before the power acrobatics demonstrated by the Jagan camp. On the Contrary, the BJP which is expected to be driven by ideology and cadre succumbed to the money power mined out of Bellary iron-ore fields.

ANDHRA PRADESH POLITICS : BEHIND CONGRESS PRP TIE UP -Prof.K.Nageshwar

The proposed tie up between congress and Prajarajyam party sent shock waves in the state politics. However, the PRP seems to have retreated as a result of the internal bickering within the congress that embarrassed the PRP. Whether there will be a tie up between these two parties or not, the very proposal needs a closer scrutiny to understand the changing contours of Andhra Pradesh politics. Obviously, the congress decision to stretch a hand of friendship to PRP raised many an eye brow within the political circles. Predictably, the loyalists of Jagan raised a banner of revolt. For the first time after the tragic demise of YS Rajashekhar Reddy , the supporters of Jagan scored more points over their detractors. By the time I complete writing this article, the Congress PRP tie up seems to be a non starter.

THE UPBEAT MOOD IN TDP - Prof.K.Nageshwar

The Telugu Desam party and its supremo N.ChandraBabu Naidu is yet again in an upbeat mood. The party’s active intervention in the flood relief activity stands testimony for this. Unlike in 2004, The TDP immediately recovered from its poll debacle this time. The recent political developments subsequent to the tragic demise of Y.S.Rajashekhar Reddy have propelled the new confidence in the party. Just before the death of YSR, the TDP seems to be in disarray. With the Operation Akarsh underway, the party was finding it difficult to keep its flock together. Despite doubling its strength in the Assembly this time, the party leadership was increasingly seen unable to instill much needed confidence in the party rank and file. Its allies were moving away. Leaders were deserting. But, the politics are like tidal waves which have a potential to rise and fall at any moment. Political currents are giving a new hope for the party. This is of course not without reason. The shrewd politician in Chandra Babu Naidu could smell this before any one could do that. It is too early to say whether these congenial political atmosphere will reap rich dividends for the party at the hustings. But, the party has every reason to cheer at least for now.

ON ELIGIBILITY FOR IIT ENTRANCE – Prof.K.Nageshwar

The Union Minister for Human Resources Development has recently proposed that the minimum marks to be eligible for IIT entrance examinations would be increased to 80 percent. At present it is 60 percent in the intermediate or class XII examination. This proposal goes against the interests of the rural students who find it difficult to get such a score in the intermediate due to lack of infrastructure including teachers. Infact, several students despite such adversities fair well in the entrance examinations. There is no proven correlation to show that high marks in the intermediate or XII has any thing to do with the students’ performance at the entrance examinations.

THE FREE ZONE AND POLITICS OF TELANGANA – Prof.K.Nageshwar

Free zone issue has come as an instant political weapon for Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief, K.Chandrashekhar Rao who is under duress from quite some time since his lacklustre performance in the recent elections. The shrewd political leader KCR could see the potential in the issue that has a direct bearing on the sentiments of Telangana Youth. KCR infact, handled the whole issue in a very clever manner. Instead of leading the struggle from the front line, KCR deliberately chose to allow the employee organizations to take the initiative. This strategy disarmed his political critics. His political adversaries cannot come heavily on the moves of KCR as a large number of employee organizations are involved. The Siddipet meeting helped KCR to restore the strained relations between TRS and employee organizations. Thanks to free zone issue, KCR could launch a fresh political battle. It seems this issue has a potential to provide a fresh lease of life to TRS chief who has been the veteran of several such battles.

KG BASIN:AP MAKES A BEGINNING - Prof.K.Nageshwar

Andhra Pradesh has at last entered the gas exploration. The long standing demand of people of the state is fulfilled as ONGC led consortium bagged the bids for gas exploration in Krishna Godavari basin . The state government owned Andhra Pradesh Gas Infrastructure Corporation is a 10 percent partner in the ONGC led consortium. The oil and the gas blocks won by the Andhra Pradesh Gas Infrastructure Corporation (APGIC) consortium in K G basin are not only close to Reliance owned D-6 block, but twice as much as Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC )

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