Prem Panicker In Washington, DC

Stories by Prem Panicker In Washington, DC

'Afghans must not see America as occupiers'

'Afghans must not see America as occupiers'

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2009

'Riding around in an armed personnel carrier, as I did when I was there, and seeing the faces through the window of Afghans watching that monster vehicle go by, you get a sense of the disconnect that Afghans must experience,' US Senator John F Kerry said.

Holy cow! Congress and the power of 71 characters

Holy cow! Congress and the power of 71 characters

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2009

In the days since September 14, have you heard of one 'common man' or common woman even, getting his or her truss in a knot over Tharoor's remark? No, because the common man/woman/person has much larger issues to worry about -- unlike some of our elected representatives, says Prem Panicker.

Gujarat's affidavit ploy pathetic: Chidambaram

Gujarat's affidavit ploy pathetic: Chidambaram

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2009

For Home Minister Chidambaram, it was an opportunity to set the record straight and disabuse any misperception that the Home Ministry affidavit on Ishrat Jahan and three others could be used by the Gujarat government to vindicate itself from culpability in the alleged fake encounter case.

'We need to revise the definition of education'

'We need to revise the definition of education'

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2009

"Nations need to recognise higher education as the engine of economic growth and prosperity," says Dr Susan Aldridge, president, University of Maryland University College, US, Aziz Haniffa reports

US nonproliferation lobby relishes Pokhran-II row

US nonproliferation lobby relishes Pokhran-II row

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2009

The United States' nonproliferation lobby is apparently relishing the controversy ignited by erstwhile Defense and Research Development Organization scientist K Santhanam that the May 1998 Pokhran thermonuclear tests were not a full success implying that India needs to test again.

Harpoon charges on Pak not a rider on US aid

Harpoon charges on Pak not a rider on US aid

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2009

The New York Times report that Pakistan illegally modified the Harpoon anti-ship missile provided by the United States apparently to bolster its conventional weaponry against India, has embarrassed the Obama administration and Senators John F Kerry and Richard Lugarjust as Washington is poised to provide Islamabad with a massive economic and military largesse of $ 7.5 billion over five years

Doha talks: US hopeful of Indian help

Doha talks: US hopeful of Indian help

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2009

The Obama administration has not received any specific assurances from India that it will help carry the developing countries with it to help successfully complete the stalled Doha Development Agenda, but the fact that New Delhi is hosting the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting exudes optimism in this regard, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk has acknowledged

Harpoon issue: Pak for mutual inspections, says US

Harpoon issue: Pak for mutual inspections, says US

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2009

Responding to "serious" American concerns about illegal modifications made by Pakistan to the US-made harpoon anti-ship missiles that could target India, Islamabad has agreed for "mutual inspections" of the weapon system.

How Sam Pitroda analyses Indian higher education

How Sam Pitroda analyses Indian higher education

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

Telecommunications icon and entrepreneur Sam Pitroda, who is the chairman of National Knowledge Commission, tasked with building excellence in India's education system to meet the challenges of the 21st century, has said India faces serious problems in its higher education system and that unless it is alleviated expeditiously, the Indian march to become a major global player could be adversely impacted.

India needs leaders at many levels: Sam Pitroda

India needs leaders at many levels: Sam Pitroda

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

Sam Pitroda, chairman of India's National Knowledge Commission, believes the United States' model of a liberal arts education is applicable in the revamping of higher education in India and that such a model is very much in the works.He noted during a conference on Higher Education Policies in India, China and the United States, "Too much focus on engineering and medical education has created a situation where liberal arts really did not get due recognition," he said.

'Cooperative education must for India, China, US'

'Cooperative education must for India, China, US'

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

If India, China and the United States are to prosper in a globalised economy, a joint, cooperative transformation of their higher education systems was imperative, believes B M Naik, former principal of the engineering school at the Guru Gobind Singh College in Nanded, Maharashtra."To bring about this transformation from one level to the high level and to the global level and quality standard education, what is most important is that these ideas must move fast," he said.

9/11 plotters still alive and planning: US general

9/11 plotters still alive and planning: US general

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2009

Those who plotted the deadly attacks on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, are still alive and planning to carry out more terror strikes, a top United States military general has said.

Afghan elections a blow to Taliban: Experts

Afghan elections a blow to Taliban: Experts

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2009

The large turnout of voters in the Afghan presidential elections despite threats from militant groups is a blow to Taliban, eminent South Asian experts have said.

Vanita Gupta wins battle to shut detention centre

Vanita Gupta wins battle to shut detention centre

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2009

The Obama administration's decision to improve the United State's immigration detention system, including ending family detention at the T Don Hutto Residential Center, an erstwhile state penitentiary in Taylor, Texas, is being hailed as a major victory for attorney Vanita Gupta.

SRK's detention raises larger questions: Tharoor

SRK's detention raises larger questions: Tharoor

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2009

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor feels it "raises a larger question, as to whether Muslims, who are such a significant portion of our population are suffering particularly from the procedures that are applied to them when they travel to the US."

Jay Goyal flattered to be in race for Ohio Lt.Gov

Jay Goyal flattered to be in race for Ohio Lt.Gov

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2009

The OhioDaily blog reported that it has "learned that Governor Ted Strickland's search for a Lt. Governor may be nearing completion and his short list includes at least two members of the House leadership team: Mansfield-area Representative Jay Goyal and Toledo-area Representative Matt Szollosi. Goyal is the House Majority Whip and Szollosi serves as the Speaker Pro Tempore."

Terrorists in Pakistan making dirty bomb: Analyst

Terrorists in Pakistan making dirty bomb: Analyst

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2009

While the Pentagon has asserted that the US is "comfortable" over the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons arsenal and Islamabad has rubbished a report that militants attacked its nuclear facilities at least three times, an erstwhile CIA analyst has argued that what should elicit more concern among the international community is terrorists in Pakistan acquiring material for a "dirty bomb".

For US body, India same as Somalia and Afghanistan

For US body, India same as Somalia and Afghanistan

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2009

Obviously incensed after being denied visas to visit India, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom -- a US Congress-mandated body that monitors religious freedoms and rights worldwide and then provides independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and the Congress -- has released it 2009 country report on India, which it had earlier held back and placed India on its "Watch List".

Lanka puts Tamil issue on back-burner, US miffed

Lanka puts Tamil issue on back-burner, US miffed

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2009

The Obama administration has expressed its deep disappointment with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse for relegating the devolution of power in the Tamil majority areas, in the country's northern province, to the back-burner. The international community had urged the Lankan government to put the motion in process after crushing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Indian American gets top post in Commerce Dept

Indian American gets top post in Commerce Dept

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2009

Ro Khanna, 32, has been appointed by President Barack Obama as the new deputy assistant secretary of commerce for domestic operations of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration at the US Department of Commerce.He is the first Indian American to be named for a senior position in the Department of Commerce in the Obama administration, whose portfolio will have a direct impact on US-India trade and commercial ties.