Whither India>

It has become a common for making any issue into a political drama. I am a layman and no expert on nuclear power nor an economist to understand fully the pros and cons of FDI in retail. But common people are being made to go on hunger strikes to protest against the nuclear power station in Kudankulam. Concerns on safety are appreciated but are this protesters being used by interested parties just to get more attention without being able to know what the safety measures taken are and what how their concerns should be met and solved. Who can they accept to address their concerns and are they in a position to understand the technicalities involved. While I do not blame those leading the movement, but I wish they did not resort to street protests by crowds who do not understand the technical issues involved other than a general opposition to nuclear power when we have power plants already operating safely. Besides, technology is always improving and better safety measure are in place.

As regards the question on FDI in retail. Here again the issues raised by those opposing are not based on any study. They have every right to ask for clarifications and even modifications to protect any intere3sts affected. The main opposition party the BJP seem ot have no logical or economic reasons supported by marketing studies to prove why they have changed their stand on this issue. Small traders have not lost out with the supermarkets already in operation. Better infrastructure, storage and prevention of wastage of food, better prices for farmers with no middlemen who today make a large profit at the expense of the farmer and the consumer will help the economy. Inflation can be controlled. FDI will bring in foreign investment and steady the dollar/rupee exchange rate. We certainly must take certain strong steps to prevent these Foreign investors from making unseemly profit or policies affecting our farmers/small producers and our consumers. THis can always be evolved with experience. In any case those States that do not want such outlets are free to ban them in their own State.

What I have expressed are a layman's view no doubt. But what confuses and hurts me is the blind opposition without giving ant tangible reasons and working against b national interests. The BJP are hoping to topple this Govt but I wonder how any will vote a NDA with the support of many regional parties which is the reason why no Govt can work with their dependence on such parties. What we need in case of any re election is a single party Govt where they do not depend on regional parties who do not have a national perspective. The manner in which the country's interests are being sacrificed for political gains is most unfortunate.