Tag Politics

Does Japan still matter?-Washington Post.

Japan might be world's second largest economy- I do not know by what yard stick,if it is facing economic slow down and its products are not as popular as it was a decade ago- but Korea and Hongkong, not to speak of China have surged far ahead of Japan in the international market, cutting into Japan's market.Assuming it is a very powerful economy and a leading donor to third world countries and United Nations, of what use is that to Japan? Its voice is hardly heard and if heard barely listened to in the international arena.Sans US, which needs it to counter North Korea and China, it is a non entity in international affairs as far as its influence is concerned.
You can count the number of friends of Japan in the international arena.
Despite its military hard ware Japan is unable to counter North Korea, not to speak of China.
Japan needs US more than US needs Japan.
Fact is Japan is no longer a world power;US makes it believe so for its strategic reasons

India to create new southern state of Telengana-BBC.

Pandora's box has been opened.Non development of some areas have led to this.Instead of dividing states based on Administrative convenience, dividing on the basis of language has been a folly.Ironically, the whole process of , I would call disintegration of India, was started by Potti SriRamulu of Andhra, the same state which is clamoring for another division.Instead of focusing on developing all regions, the govt.has neglected th areas.Solution is to develop all the areas.What is to prevent the politicians to ignore some areas in the newly formed state , which would call for another state?
Another reason is local politicians, who have become indispensable in the Federal Govt. in Delhi because of Coalition politics,would like smaller states where they can form the Govt. and have a say at the Center.Added to this is the Maoists who have been fueling this division, especially in Andhra, where they control large chunks of territory.
Waiting in the pipe line for new states are;
Mithilanchal,Coorg,Saurashtra,Gorkha land,Budelkhand,Bhojpur,Cooch Bihar,Vidarba and Harit Pradesh.
Hindu scriptures list 64 states or principalities were in vogue .
May be we are honoring traditions.