WELCOME INITIATIVE
   Date :10-Jul-2019

 
 
NEW Speaker of Lok Sabha Mr. Om Birla, by encouraging newly elected members to participate in House debates, has taken a welcome initiative to raise the participation level in Parliamentary business. According to the records of the Lok Sabha, for the period between June 19 and July 4, 130 of the 264 newly elected MPs have participated in the debate of the House and knowledgeable sources estimate that by the time the current session ends a record of sorts of participation by new members will be created. The intention of the new Speaker is indeed laudable as new and young leaders will come up with new ideas for the governance of the country and make the business of Parliament more participatory, creative and productive. With the Speaker encouraging new entrants to take part in the discussions and debates, there is likelihood of attendance in the House too improving, making the sessions more meaningful. Thus participation in the debates and discussions will not remain the monopoly of a few but would have wide array of leaders giving inputs.
 
NUCLEAR THREAT
 
A CRAZY war of egos is being played out between the United States and Iran, threatening not only the Middle East but also many other countries. Religiously adhering to the “maximum pressure” policy of US President Mr. Donald Trump, the hawks in White House are crippling Iran and its wobbling economy with ruinous sanctions. How much this policy will work to cower down Iran is now a matter of debate, for, the Islamic Republic has decided to fight pressure with pressure by uranium enrichment to a pernicious level of 4.5 percent. This is just a step away from giving Iran its nuclear weapon. While European countries and signatories of the Nuclear Deal are urging Iran to reverse the course and adhere to the deal, their reluctance to tell the US to return to the JCPOA deal is intriguing. It was the US that tore up the treaty last year thus becoming the first country to violate the principles and allowed Iran to cease performing its commitments. It is time for the likes of Germany, France and China to hold the mirror to Mr. Trump.