Edits In Short: June 21

The Times of India, June 21, 2013

Lead article: Pakistan Turns a Corner

Rahul Kansal, Executive President of Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd, comments on how Nawaz Sharif’s coming to power provides an opportunity to India to improve bilateral relations with Pakistan. He highlights Sharif’s prior friendly overtures to India in his earlier terms as PM. Also, the average Pakistani seems to want better relations with India. According to the 2012 Pew survey, 62% of Pakistanis say it is important to improve relations with India. A “more peaceful Eastern front, would allow them (the army) to focus better on their troubled western and north western borders”. Indian foreign policy makers should focus on economic cooperation between the countries. The writer finally suggests that improvement of bilateral relations might be the one way for Manmohan to redeem his “lack luster tenure” and our PM should make the most of this change in disposition of Pakistan towards India.

Full Article:  http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=CAP&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW

The Hindu

Lead Article: Nature against its exploitation

Maharaj K Pandit, professor at University of Delhi, comments that the disaster in Uttarkashi is triggered by natural events, but the catastrophe was man-made. Unprecedented deforestation and urbanisation over a long period has been the reason for such a disaster. Scientific studies indicate that at the current rates of deforestation, the total forest cover in the Himalayas will reduce to 52.8 per cent by 2100. As compared to the European Alps or other mountain ranges of the world, the Himalayan ecosystem has experienced faster rate of global warming. In such a scenario, the melting of glaciers causing higher water discharge into Himalayan rivers can be expected. The author has also blamed excessive dam building and increasing pilgrim population for the imbalance in the region. He suggests that the government must impose penalties on building structures within 200 meters of river banks. Fewer dams which have less environmental and social fallouts should be built.

Full article: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/nature-avenges-its-exploitation/article4835662.ece

The Indian Express

Lead Article: India, China and growing gap

Nobel Laureate, Amartya Sen comments on the increasing gap between India and China. They were both considered to be two of the largest growing economies. But now the hope of India overtaking China seems to be a distant one. Poor education and inadequate health facilities in India are the reasons behind it. China has been strongly committed to eliminate hunger, illiteracy and medical neglect.Despite the catastrophe of Japan’s war years, even Japan developed due to its investment in education and healthcare. India, on the other hand, has paid inadequate attention to these lessons. While China devotes 2.7% of its GDP on healthcare, India allots only 1.2%. To match China’s development, India needs a better-educated and healthier labour force at all levels.

Full article: http://epaper.indianexpress.com/127434/Indian-Express/21-June-2013#page/13/2