Yet another news analysis about the ones that are currently making headlines. So, without much ado, let's get down to brass tacks.
(a) The Chinese President's Visit to Nepal.
Before landing in India to have his informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Chinese President Xi Jinping had visited Nepal. It's interesting to note the list of agreements
signed between the two countries viz.:-
(i) A 70-km rail link to connect Gyiron in Tibet with Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal as part
of China's Belt and Road initiative.
(ii) Alongside, a proposed 28-km road tunnel will more than halve the distance to the Chinese
border from Kathmandu, saving on time and cost.
(iii) Officials from both sides signed 20 deals covering trade, water supply and traditional
medicines.
(iv) Pledges $439 million assistance to help Nepal's development programmes, which will be
provided over the next two years.
(v) Upgrade the Arniko Highway linking Kathmandu with Tatopani transit point - it was shut
down following the devastating earthquake of 2015 - and open more customs points to
improve connectivity.
The Chinese President was emphatic when he said, "We will help Nepal realise its dreams of
becoming a land-linked country from a land-locked one".
My take.
China is not keen to have any rivals in the region and it perceives India as the greatest threat in
this regard. It has been trying desperately to wean away the SAARC countries into its fold which
has been its diplomatic strategy to contain India. Only Pakistan seems to have gone by its
diktats; Sri Lanka has burnt its fingers with the Hambantota port development by the Chinese!
(b) Neither Forethought nor Planning!
The houseboats on the Vembanadu Lake in Alappuzha district have attracted tourists from
far and wide and has a great money making potential. The greatest problem today is the
discharge of sewage waste by houseboats that chokes the lake. The amicus curiae appointed
by the High Court has suggested that action was required to prevent pollution and
construction of resorts alongside the Vembanadu backwaters. The absence of a waste
treatment plant in Alappuzha is considered a great deficiency1
My take.
When the project was thought of at the beginning, don't tell me that the planners never
thought about the various contingencies and initiated necessary measures. Wonder how
decisions are made? It's a sad reflection of our lack of thinking and original thought. Hope
that the necessary remedial measures will be put in place at the earliest!
Tailpiece.
Had gone to town to give the clothes for dry cleaning, Lekha's watch for repairs, pay the monthly water bill and do up the puncture in the left rear tyre.
(a) The Chinese President's Visit to Nepal.
Before landing in India to have his informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Chinese President Xi Jinping had visited Nepal. It's interesting to note the list of agreements
signed between the two countries viz.:-
(i) A 70-km rail link to connect Gyiron in Tibet with Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal as part
of China's Belt and Road initiative.
(ii) Alongside, a proposed 28-km road tunnel will more than halve the distance to the Chinese
border from Kathmandu, saving on time and cost.
(iii) Officials from both sides signed 20 deals covering trade, water supply and traditional
medicines.
(iv) Pledges $439 million assistance to help Nepal's development programmes, which will be
provided over the next two years.
(v) Upgrade the Arniko Highway linking Kathmandu with Tatopani transit point - it was shut
down following the devastating earthquake of 2015 - and open more customs points to
improve connectivity.
The Chinese President was emphatic when he said, "We will help Nepal realise its dreams of
becoming a land-linked country from a land-locked one".
My take.
China is not keen to have any rivals in the region and it perceives India as the greatest threat in
this regard. It has been trying desperately to wean away the SAARC countries into its fold which
has been its diplomatic strategy to contain India. Only Pakistan seems to have gone by its
diktats; Sri Lanka has burnt its fingers with the Hambantota port development by the Chinese!
(b) Neither Forethought nor Planning!
The houseboats on the Vembanadu Lake in Alappuzha district have attracted tourists from
far and wide and has a great money making potential. The greatest problem today is the
discharge of sewage waste by houseboats that chokes the lake. The amicus curiae appointed
by the High Court has suggested that action was required to prevent pollution and
construction of resorts alongside the Vembanadu backwaters. The absence of a waste
treatment plant in Alappuzha is considered a great deficiency1
My take.
When the project was thought of at the beginning, don't tell me that the planners never
thought about the various contingencies and initiated necessary measures. Wonder how
decisions are made? It's a sad reflection of our lack of thinking and original thought. Hope
that the necessary remedial measures will be put in place at the earliest!
Tailpiece.
Had gone to town to give the clothes for dry cleaning, Lekha's watch for repairs, pay the monthly water bill and do up the puncture in the left rear tyre.
No comments:
Post a Comment