Thanks to all who contributed to this blog and those who expressed interest

As we approach the end of this month Dispassionate Observer is yet to make a niche for itself, however, the short journey has been fascinating. An idea which was conceived on a jiffy and put to operation on 9th July, 2011, this news and current affairs blog has got the love and blessings of many.

This  journey would not have been possible without the contributions which came from esteemed writers. James Cave who expressed his interest to guest post in this blog from United Kingdom set new standards. Srirupa Ganguly, who is a busy professional, took out some time to express her views. Anuja Bagchi, an accomplished researcher, also chipped in with her valuable contribution. Today, I like to thank you all for sparing some time writing for this blog. I am honored to publish your write ups and look forward to your long association with this endeavor. I also like to thank all the readers from India, United States, United Kingdom, Romania, Ukraine and Germany who have taken all the pains to go through this blog.

I wish to thank the members of the academic fraternity in my University who have always provided new ideas for the betterment of Dispassionate Observer. One of the esteemed professors has provided the idea to start a section based on research in the field of media specially television where I am working. Thank you Sir for your idea. I am working towards incorporating this section from the next issue. Last, but not the least, I like to thank all my students who have provided ideas starting from the name of the blog to its design. It is their co operation which is going to ensure that the blog reach new heights.

Thank you all!! Keep following Dispassionate Observer...contribute with your guest posts and do leave your comments to the articles posted. Each comment is precious.

Guest Posts Needed

I invite guest posts for my blog from persons who like to express themselves on issues. The thrust areas for submission are insightful views on current events of international importance, developments in media, television, modern day lifestyle, aviation,finance, society and gadgets. The length of the submissions should be between 500 to 1000 words. Along with the write ups the authors should also provide a brief bio. You can provide two links of your blog or website in the body of the article. The articles should be sent at soumyadutta.dutta@gmail.com.

This blog is still in its initial days. Your valued submissions will be of help in its journey. Looking forward to some great posts!!!

Special Guest Column on Indian Aviation Industry

Up Up and Away for India's Aviation Industry

                              picture source: http://www.morguefile.com/

What with ash clouds, lost luggage mountains and a recent crippling credit crunch, it hasn’t been the best time for the aviation industry as a whole. However, that doesn’t seem to apply everywhere.

Despite a general and often devastating economic downturn, it seems that at least one country’s aviation’s industry has remained unaffected. In fact, India’s aviation industry actually increased its domestic flight traffic and productivity by 19% in just one year! A quick look at the number of flights available on a given day to India shows that this trend is continuing to grow. 

(Source: Skyscanner.net)

Currently less than 2% of India’s vast population travel by plane meaning that there is huge potential for future growth. Predictions are for at least three decades worth of growth in the airline industry alone.

IndiGo is one of the major low cost airlines benefiting from the economic upturn in India. At only 5 years old, this is a major achievement and one that looks set to continue. It helps that they have a growing reputation for excellent customer service which is key, not to mention fares far cheaper than that of their competitors.

IndiGo have recently purchased 180 new aircrafts in a bid to capture the growing market for cheap air travel and are optimistic about their outlook. In one of the worst year for aviation, IndiGo saw a 46% growth in their business which is quite astonishing and as a result been given the go ahead to start flying international routes which means expanding their market, their customer base and ultimately, their profits.

India has a real spirit of entrepreneurship which possibly stems from the fact that new business start-ups in India often face many hurdles and red tape in order to get off the ground. A spokesman for the GMR Group that built the new Delhi airport terminal said that “India, as a country, has learned and become adept at overcoming obstacles”.

Despite these, IndiGo are confident that the opportunities for growth over the next few decades are there and are worth the challenges. Other countries may have the benefit of lower fuel taxes and less red tape, but they do not have the current advantage of India’s huge potential market, where there is real profit to be made.

Anyone looking for employment opportunities or somewhere to invest, they could do a lot worse that look to India.

About the Author-

James Cave represents Skyscanner Ltd, a premier organization based in United Kingdom, which provides instant comparison on flight prices for over 670,000 routes on over 600 airlines.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

India and it's different sectors

Going with the spirit of a blog which provides in depth news and views about a range of topics which are related to India as well as other countries of the globe we will constantly strive to publish quality articles and features. In this section we are looking at India through the eyes of experts who belong to different sectors like aviation, finance, hospitality, media and a plethora of others. This is their take on how India is progressing and what the country needs to achieve in the days to come. To start with we are focusing on India's aviation industry. Happy reading!!

Guest Column

Through Anuja's Eyes

TERRORISM!!

TERRORISM! Dreaded word these days. When we think of it, the image of a many-fanged Medusa comes in front of our eyes. A vampire sucking away the blood of civilization. At least for the common man on the street, the scenario certainly seems so. Remember the film A Wednesday ? It wont be an exaggeration to say that the citizenry of the metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Kolkata live under constant fear of the strike of the invisible, cruel hand of mindless terrorism. We can’t even celebrate our national holidays without being queasy about security.

Wait! Did we say MINDLESS? Is it mindless? Terrorism? Terrorism in Asia draws its lifeblood from the golden triangle of opium whose headquarters is in Afghanistan. Opium, the backbone of the economy of terrorism. It uses illiterate ideology to form the formidable strength before which mighty countries like USA bow. Strength? Where is the question of strength if that is used against unsuspecting innocent billions who go about their everyday work? But still, IT is not mindless, whatever else it may be. A whole new generation of disgruntled youth has been sucked into the net of terrorism. Ever question WHY? Terrorism is the bread-earner for these youths, and when they have sacrificed themselves on the altar of terrorism, for their families. When governments won’t do their duties, terrorism presents starved, goalless youth with a glimmer of hope. That is why its grip is so tight and the loyalty of its minions so fierce!

The days of shouting out statistics are gone….the days of round-table conference in a TV studio are gone, the days of taking stock of the situation after a country has seen the bloodbath of terrorism are gone too. The need of the hour is the goodwill of the administration of the victim-countries. To have the honesty to say that yes Terrorism has come here to say because of our failure to deliver. To find out practical, effective ways to deal with this modern Medusa like Israel has done. As for India, it must take into account its gory history of Independence and not act like the proverbial camel seeking shelter by hiding its face into the sand. Hot sand. Because, for India, its Independence and constitution were both a victory and a debacle against the monster of the Two-nation theory. BECAUSE, THE TWO-NATION THEORY ACTS AS THE LIFELINE OF THE MONSTER OF TERRORISM AGAINST INDIA. So, its high time that India takes lesson from its own history and mends its borders.

About the Author- 

Anuja Bagchi is presently engaged as University Research Fellow at Department of Mass Communication, University of Burdwan. She has expertise both in the field of mass communication and law and has widely commented on a range of topics.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

Guest Column

 Srirupa's Take

I think Terrorism is a disease dwelling deep in the hearts of a certain strata of human kind and it gets surfaced in the form of violence. The cause of these, drills down to the same old social problems of overpopulation, inequality and illiteracy:

• We call the globe is marching towards greater economic development; but still so many people across the world aren’t fortunate enough to receive a single meal per day.
  
  
• Students across a big country like India have brains and proper knowledge; but still not many of these masses get a chance to prove themselves.
  
  
• There is high level of corruption, red tapism and bribery omnipresent in the society.
  
  

With so many lurking problems and vengeance in the minds of the people, terrorism has no way of escape.

As Adam Smith said, “There is a great deal of ruin in a nation.” 

The process could be reversed; but for that to happen, somebody in power would have to try.

About the Author-

Srirupa Ganguly is Editor, WinCentre, Financial Services Hub, Capgemini "India",Hyderabad. Having a distinct style of her own and wide experience in writing for quite a period of time, she is known for her insightful view on events.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

This Month's Focus- Terrorism, India's biggest menace

India has a long history of suffering from terrorism. Terrorists are presently active in different parts of the country. They have taken advantage from improvement in technology and have masterminded numerous blood sheds. Apart from external elements who are constantly planning fresh attacks, there has been a robust growth in indigenous extremist forces in the form of Indian Mujahideen (IM) and a number of other organizations. K. Alan Kronstadt,  Specialist in South Asian Affairs, in his U.S Congressional Research Service Report observes that in 2008 many of the Indian officials came to terms with the fact that the power of the homegrown terrorist groups have increased substantially. These terrorist groups are receiving operational training from organizations like LeT( Lashkar-e-Taiba) which operate from Pakistan.

The triple bomb blasts in Mumbai on 13th July, 2011 is an addition to the ever growing list of such activities in the country. Fresh reports indicate that death toll in the incident may rise. The country's security agencies are not ruling out a coordinated terror plan where the underworld of Mumbai may also have a role to play.

In the aftermath of the terror attacks we have witnessed our politicians playing the same blame game without going to the heart of the matter. A terrorist strike can not be used as an opportunity to call for an inept governments ouster nor can it be dismissed as any other event by simply stating that it is impossible to stop all terror attacks. Terrorism, in its present form, needs to be understood in proper light. The thought process must go beyond religious lines to think of the growing industry that terrorism is becoming worldwide. Religion is only used as a tool to advance the hidden agenda. It is essentially a power struggle which aims to subjugate a class of people by means of fear.

There are wide gaps in the country's security mechanism. Repeated attacks reveal intelligence failure, lack of co-ordination or simply laid back attitude.

 picture source:

http://morguefile.com/

A sense of cynicism and desperation has set in among the common people of the country. Experts have pointed out the high level of homeland security cover in the U.S post 9/11 and U.K post 7/7 which has averted further attacks. In India drawing parallels with U.S and U.K is a bit far-fetched because the geopolitical conditions are quite dissimilar. The huge population in the country with diversities of different kind is a challenge to meet the levels which countries like U.S have reached in internal security. This, however, is no excuse for the delay in executing different plans in place to counter the threat. 

Our this month's discussion will try to understand the different facets of terrorism in the country and seek to explore ways to tackle the problem from its root of origin. 

Contributions are invited from interested people who want to express their mind on this burning issue. The incentive that you get from contribution is being a part of making India stronger in its stride forward. You can send your contributions not exceeding 500 words with relevant key words and a brief bio about yourself to soumyadutta.dutta@gmail.com.

On the Inaugural Issue

                picture source: http://www.burningwell.org/
Dispassionate observer is one who is devoid of passion, emotion or bias while commenting on events. The role of a journalist as a dispassionate observer is a challenging one. There are arguments across the globe about the ideal role of a journalist while covering news. While some have strongly supported the dispassionate role others have cited real life situations to state that at difficult times being objective and dispassionate becomes a tough ask. Readers benefit when the news is covered in a dispassionate way, though at times the unfolding situations may make it hard for the reporter to keep his emotions at bay. However, the sensational news practice that we are witnessing in present times call for a re- look into the role of a media person. At times it seems that journalists are turning into paid agents for different organizations. General people suspect news stories when they see two completely different versions of the same event in two newspapers or two news channels. The dangerous trend that is emerging today is that news stories are not merely about news but more about views. Putting aside the principle of reporting the event as it happens the race is on to add a lot of personal views in a bid to sway public opinion. Ominous signals indeed!

This blog, 'Dispassionate Observer' will look into the contemporary happenings across the globe with a fresh pair of eyes. As the name suggests, being dispassionate in its coverage is the goal. As we have earlier discussed remaining objective in any eventuality is difficult at times. However, this blog will try to publish articles which give objectivity the topmost priority. 'Dispassionate Observer' stands for news in its true colours.  Lets think of a world where news do not breed cynicism, sensationalism and hysteria.