This is directly taken from sptulsian.com.I have never seen/read an arcticle on Indo-American Nuclear Deal in so simple words.
Jul 22, 2008 02:35 pm
WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS NUCLEAR DEAL?
By Ruma Dubey
At the crux of this entire political conundrum, the core issue, which lays quite forlorn and forgotten is the nuclear issue. Today the politicians might have turned it into an opportunity to topple the UPA Govt but few remember that it all started with the nuclear deal.
Surely few of these politicians would have actually taken the effort to read the 82-page nuclear deal and tried to understand what it is all about. Somehow that does not come as a surprise at all! So without getting into the “political” angle of it, let us take a look at what exactly is this nuclear issue. What would India gain if UPA wins the vote and what we stand to lose if the deal gets cancelled?
What exactly is nuclear power?
Nuclear power is generated using Uranium, which is a metal mined in various parts of the world. It produces around 11% of the world's energy needs, and produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel, without the pollution that you'd get from burning fossil fuels.
Where does India currently stand on nuclear power?
In India, nuclear power is being produced under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India. Seventeen reactors are under operation and five reactors are under construction. These power projects are highly capital intensive and currently, takes care of 2.8% of the power needs of the country. Amongst the 30 countries in the world that use nuclear power, India’s rank at 27 is one of the lowest.
Why nuclear power?
To take India’s economic growth rate to greater heights, there is no doubt that power would be required as the main fuel for this growth. Though coal, thermal and hydro fuel would remain India’s dominant energy mix, it cannot continue to depend on coal alone. Global warming considerations and the immediate availability of clean coal technologies may constrain the coal route at least in the short term. Hydropower may also face constraints that arise from changes in the hydrological cycle triggered by long term climatic change. Hence having nuclear power in India’s energy portfolio is crucial for preserving India’s energy security
What does 123 agreement mean?
The 123 Agreement is the terms of engagement which operationalizes the treaty agreement between India and USA for transfer of civil nuclear technology. India’s right to test nuclear weapons, guarantees of lifetime fuel supply and India’s right to reprocess the spent fuel have all been covered in this agreement.
What is the Hyde Act?
The Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006, it is known as the Hyde Act. It is the legal framework for this deal and provides the legal basis for the 123 Agreement with India.
What would the deal with USA mean for India?
The Govt has chalked out a roadmap wherein over the next 25 years, through the deal, it has set a target of generating 20,000 MWe (unit of nuclear power) as against the current 3,900 MWe.
The biggest advantage, which the UPA Govt is actually seeking is projecting to the world that it an ally of USA, which is a superpower in the world of today. The deal would provide India with access to American civilian nuclear technology. It would finally open up the door to US military technology, especially the fascinating US missile defense system.
Once the new reactors are set up, and they go critical without any time overrun, the nuclear power generation would take care of 8% of India’s total power requirement. More than 80% of the power generated in India comes from coal and thermal. And that will continue but just as oil has become critical today, coal will also one day reach such a stage. And unless we have backups ready, our entire country could get unplugged. Having nuclear power could help India, over the long run, offset the rising cost of coal.
Yes, price of uranium is also mounting. Between 2005 (when the India-US nuclear deal was first proposed) and 2007 (when the 123 Agreement was finalised), since then, the spot price of uranium has quadrupled. According to a June 2008 market assessment, a further 58 per cent increase is expected. But remember unlike oil, we are dealing with more mature economies here who will supply uranium and hopefully, they will prevent the present cartelization which we see in oil.
What is the cost of nuclear power?
At present, power from existing nuclear reactors costs, after huge subsidies, between Rs 2.70 and Rs 2.80 per kWh. The coal-fired Sasan mega power project in Madhya Pradesh will be supplying power at Rs 1.196 per unit. The real cost of power from existing nuclear reactors is around Rs 4 per unit; the cost of power produced by new reactors will be around Rs 5.50 per unit. But the economies of scale would soon start giving the advantages. Plus, these costs are today at the present levels of coal price, so when price of coal escalates further, cost would only go up.
What would the deal mean to Indian companies?
India has plans to set up 15 plants over the next 20 years. Business worth $100 billion is expected to be generated from this nuclear deal over the next 20 years. Apart from USA and France, which would benefit immensely, Indian companies too will get a part of this juicy pie. Over 400 Indian companies are expected to benefit, mainly for those involved in making equipment for nuclear power plants.
Why did the Left withdraw support?
The Left alleged that the deal would undermine the sovereignty of India's foreign policy. It has also stated that the Indian government was hiding certain clauses of the deal, which would harm India's indigenous nuclear program.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
My Take On Chiranjeevi's Political Entry
Mr Chranjeevi Entry into politics is dominating the Andhra Pradesh for a past decade.
It gained required momentum only in the past one year or so. I debated his entry among my friends for a quite sometime. Here I am making an attempt to verbalize my thoughts.
Is there a Vacuum in Andhra Pradesh Caste-ridden politics?
In the past 50 years Andhra Pradesh, for the first 10 years or so Brahmins dominated the political scene then they made the way to Reddy’s and Kamma’s to rule the roost in the state.
Reddy’s ruled the next 25-30 years without any opposition. In the 80’s two things that worked against the reddy’s – Naxal’s Movement gained momentum and they stared killing the feudal reddy’s from the Telangana villages. Reddy’s flew away from villages to save themselves from Naxals.Since early 80’s Kamma’s effectively checkmated the Reddy domination in the Telangana/Rayalaseema by promoting the BackCasete in a big way at the same time they suppressed the Backward Classes in Andhra region.
Backward Classes in one region (Telangana) got their political power in lieu of reddy’s.However there is other half who haven’t tasted the power because of Kamma’s suppression. This other group is toying with idea of bringing in influential figure who catapult them to power stage.
It appears that chiranjeevi is making entry just to bring his backward classes into Power. Let us see how he fares by regions and also what kind of leader he may become.
Telangana:
Telangana culture never holds the cinema fraternity in high esteem. There was a story making rounds 20 years back that – A Film hero approached former chief minister from Telanagna with the intension of marrying off his daughter for minister’s son. He out rightly rejected saying – Tolubommalu aditchu kone vaniki naa koduku ku chesukuntana ani.
In general, people of Telangana look down filmy stars. This is amply clear from the way Telanagana people address cine actors. Given the growing Telangana sentiment, for them chiranjeevi is no different from Dr Rajasekar Reddy or Mr. Naidu- all Andhrites. Chiranjeevi scoring few points here on his own are very very remote. His own Backward Caste plank also may not work as Mr Goud may dent his prospects. Mr Goud wants to play a role Martin Luther King Jr-messiah of Blacks- to BCs.
Telugu cine actors are averse to multi-star’er movies. Is Mega Star ready to play second fiddle to Mr Goud? Time to realize Mr Chiranjeevi, reel life & real Life are different.Telangana people are tough audience; your routine acting skills are not enough.
Rayalseema:
Rayalseema polity, always, is personality driven. Here THAT Reddy or THIS Reddy brings the voters to polling booth not antics of actor. If you observe keenly Dr Reddy or Mr Naidu spends very little time while electioneering. Even though CMs are predominantly from that region always there is split verdict. So Mr Chiranjeevi the only can survive if he sacrifices his so called ideology-keep away the criminals. If that happens he may invite criticism. Mr Chiranjeevi has to put his BREAK DANCE skills to test here.
Andhra:
He belongs to this region .These suppressed Backward Classes may side with Mr Chiranjeevi in this region. Here he may get reasonably good dividends. At the outset Andhra People appears to be trusted audience. Mind you sometimes most trusted audience reject sub standard performance. Mr Chiranjeevi balancing act(ing) is the need of the hour.
Chiranjeevi's Persona -Not that of a leader:
I have grown up watching/admiring Chiranjeevi's Movies. However hardly he made 10 good movies in his cine life spanning over past 30 years.Chiranjeevi is unquestionably great actor but why there are less than 10 good movies. By no stretch of imagination he is not Al Pacinao, Tom Hanks or Amitab Batchan or Rajini Kanth.They all took risks in life so they went on to become great actors/persons.
What I am trying to say this is he is averse to risk taking and also he is most indecisive person. He always depends on somebody else to take a decision for him. Whatever XYZ says he listens to it without application of any of his own brain. What buttresses this argument well is his choice of movies in the recent past- Andarivadu, Jainchiranjeeva--Worst movies Telugu Cinema ever made.
A person with such an indecisive mind would take the decisions for the People of Andhra Pradesh, if he ever becomes the political power. People, in general, expect leader to have own brain but not one who dons other as he does in movies. I guess Andhra Pradesh people also think the same way. Has he got leader mettle in him? I earnestly feel otherwise.
Chiraneevi‘s ideology
His (or his party) appears to be too idealistic.
1. He talks about corruptions free governance
Common Man’s Take: Which party in India is not saying this; including Lallu Yadav RJD.
2. He talks about giving Seats to only Graduates
Common Man’s Take: Mr Chiru, Govt recruits only graduates for the Govt Jobs. They are the most corrupt. So your graduate will be from Mars or what?
3. New politics altogether
Common Man’s Take: New Politics from Old politicians (migrated birds).Be honest man.
4. No criminals
Common Man’s Take: definition please? No criminals but factionalists
>
It gained required momentum only in the past one year or so. I debated his entry among my friends for a quite sometime. Here I am making an attempt to verbalize my thoughts.
Is there a Vacuum in Andhra Pradesh Caste-ridden politics?
In the past 50 years Andhra Pradesh, for the first 10 years or so Brahmins dominated the political scene then they made the way to Reddy’s and Kamma’s to rule the roost in the state.
Reddy’s ruled the next 25-30 years without any opposition. In the 80’s two things that worked against the reddy’s – Naxal’s Movement gained momentum and they stared killing the feudal reddy’s from the Telangana villages. Reddy’s flew away from villages to save themselves from Naxals.Since early 80’s Kamma’s effectively checkmated the Reddy domination in the Telangana/Rayalaseema by promoting the BackCasete in a big way at the same time they suppressed the Backward Classes in Andhra region.
Backward Classes in one region (Telangana) got their political power in lieu of reddy’s.However there is other half who haven’t tasted the power because of Kamma’s suppression. This other group is toying with idea of bringing in influential figure who catapult them to power stage.
It appears that chiranjeevi is making entry just to bring his backward classes into Power. Let us see how he fares by regions and also what kind of leader he may become.
Telangana:
Telangana culture never holds the cinema fraternity in high esteem. There was a story making rounds 20 years back that – A Film hero approached former chief minister from Telanagna with the intension of marrying off his daughter for minister’s son. He out rightly rejected saying – Tolubommalu aditchu kone vaniki naa koduku ku chesukuntana ani.
In general, people of Telangana look down filmy stars. This is amply clear from the way Telanagana people address cine actors. Given the growing Telangana sentiment, for them chiranjeevi is no different from Dr Rajasekar Reddy or Mr. Naidu- all Andhrites. Chiranjeevi scoring few points here on his own are very very remote. His own Backward Caste plank also may not work as Mr Goud may dent his prospects. Mr Goud wants to play a role Martin Luther King Jr-messiah of Blacks- to BCs.
Telugu cine actors are averse to multi-star’er movies. Is Mega Star ready to play second fiddle to Mr Goud? Time to realize Mr Chiranjeevi, reel life & real Life are different.Telangana people are tough audience; your routine acting skills are not enough.
Rayalseema:
Rayalseema polity, always, is personality driven. Here THAT Reddy or THIS Reddy brings the voters to polling booth not antics of actor. If you observe keenly Dr Reddy or Mr Naidu spends very little time while electioneering. Even though CMs are predominantly from that region always there is split verdict. So Mr Chiranjeevi the only can survive if he sacrifices his so called ideology-keep away the criminals. If that happens he may invite criticism. Mr Chiranjeevi has to put his BREAK DANCE skills to test here.
Andhra:
He belongs to this region .These suppressed Backward Classes may side with Mr Chiranjeevi in this region. Here he may get reasonably good dividends. At the outset Andhra People appears to be trusted audience. Mind you sometimes most trusted audience reject sub standard performance. Mr Chiranjeevi balancing act(ing) is the need of the hour.
Chiranjeevi's Persona -Not that of a leader:
I have grown up watching/admiring Chiranjeevi's Movies. However hardly he made 10 good movies in his cine life spanning over past 30 years.Chiranjeevi is unquestionably great actor but why there are less than 10 good movies. By no stretch of imagination he is not Al Pacinao, Tom Hanks or Amitab Batchan or Rajini Kanth.They all took risks in life so they went on to become great actors/persons.
What I am trying to say this is he is averse to risk taking and also he is most indecisive person. He always depends on somebody else to take a decision for him. Whatever XYZ says he listens to it without application of any of his own brain. What buttresses this argument well is his choice of movies in the recent past- Andarivadu, Jainchiranjeeva--Worst movies Telugu Cinema ever made.
A person with such an indecisive mind would take the decisions for the People of Andhra Pradesh, if he ever becomes the political power. People, in general, expect leader to have own brain but not one who dons other as he does in movies. I guess Andhra Pradesh people also think the same way. Has he got leader mettle in him? I earnestly feel otherwise.
Chiraneevi‘s ideology
His (or his party) appears to be too idealistic.
1. He talks about corruptions free governance
Common Man’s Take: Which party in India is not saying this; including Lallu Yadav RJD.
2. He talks about giving Seats to only Graduates
Common Man’s Take: Mr Chiru, Govt recruits only graduates for the Govt Jobs. They are the most corrupt. So your graduate will be from Mars or what?
3. New politics altogether
Common Man’s Take: New Politics from Old politicians (migrated birds).Be honest man.
4. No criminals
Common Man’s Take: definition please? No criminals but factionalists
>
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