The prize

Fri, Oct 23 05:14 AM

Rashtriya Sahara, in an editorial entitled, 'Politics over Nobel Peace Prize' (October 12), writes: "The prize to Obama has raised eyebrows of the Republican Party, perhaps because it is indirectly being seen as the debunking of the aggressive policies of George Bush that brought a bad name to America... The fundamental difference between Bush and Obama appears to be that Obama is successful in convincing the world that he and his country now want to work for peace. Bush worked for an artificial peace based on use of force during his long stint in power whereas the path of logical persuasion (ifhaam-o-tafheem) chosen by Obama takes us to actual peace."

Kolkata and Delhi-based daily Akhbar-e-Mashriq, in its editorial (October 11), says that Obama's prize is "not a bed of roses, it is a crown of thorns". It writes: "In the last nine months, Obama has been unable to perform any miracle. But it has to be accepted that he has definitely set a target and has moved forward to attain it." The paper quotes, in the context of challenges before Obama, a very famous line from poet Jigar Moradabadi about love: "Ek aag ka dariya hae, aur doob ke jaana hai" (have to drown and sail though a river of fire).

On the contrary, Hyderabad-based Rahnuma-e-Daccan (October 13) writes: "Barack Obama does not deserve this prize on any criterion." The paper says that Obama's stature would have grown if he had declined to accept the prize. It has also commented on the failure of the Nobel committee to give the prize to such stalwarts in the movement for peace as Gandhi and Nehru.

Jamaat-e Islami's Daawat (October 13), makes no bones about its disapproval of the prize at this point of time. "If Nobel prizes are continued to be given in a similar hurried manner, its prestige will be hurt. Awards cannot be given merely on appeals and messages; practical demonstration and positive results too are imperative." The paper has pointed out that the maximum number of nuclear weapons are in his own country and, "all over the world, American soldiers are shedding blood of people and promoting violence instead of peace."

Arunachal's status

Commenting on the Chinese claim on Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi-based daily Hamara Samaj (October 15), writes: "It has become the habit of China to take advantage of our soft policy. Therefore, it is unable to appreciate our policy of softness and evasion (of conflict)... Our Ministry of External Affairs has, for the first time, taken a tough stand against China and it has not given way to any element of hesitation in expressing its point of view. It has plainly told China that this type of despicable activities would create bitterness in the mutual relations which cannot be a desirable thing for China too."

Hyderabad-based daily Siasat (October 15) writes: "The border controversy between the two countries is an important question left over by history. Positive initiative on the part of India and China is needed to resolve the issue. In such matters great patience and perseverance are to be demonstrated."

Akhbar-e-Mashriq has pleaded for caution on the issue of dealing with China. It writes: "We have to accept that both India and China are rapidly moving forward in the realm of development and economic plenty. But China is ahead of India from both military and economic points of view. We should not take any step so that the 1962 story is repeated." Bengaluru-based Saalar (Oct 2) writes: "India has accepted Tibet as a part of China, but China has never done anything like this."

Delhi, Lucknow, Dehradun and Mumbai-based daily Sahafat (October 16) has, however, chosen to give weight to the statement of former External Affairs Minister, Mr Natwar Singh, to the effect that at least Tawang, a part of Arunachal Pradesh, had never been shown as part of India in the country's map till 1963.

Maulana Akhlaque Qasimi: RIP

The passing away of Maulana Akhlaque Husain Qasimi, a towering Islamic scholar, expert on Quranic teachings as well as a commentator on contemporary affairs has been mourned. Apart from eminent religious scholars and politicians, Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi, in a piece entitled, 'A Dilli-wallah's tribute to a Dilli-wallah', (Rashtriya Sahara, October 17) writes that he had enjoyed the affection of Maulana Qasimi from his childhood, and apart from being a true patriot and a freedom fighter, he was proud of being a Dehlvi. "Maulana Akhlaque Husain Qasimi was not merely a traditional maulvi. He was, in fact, an iron man in the field of politics", Qureshi writes. Delhi-based Jadeed Khabar writes (October 15): "if a search was made for an alternative to him, with regard to the sweetness of Dehlvi culture and representation of what is called Taksali language, it would meet with nothing

but disappointment."

Compiled by Seema Chishti

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