Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga

I had an opportunity to interact with the former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga during her recent visit to New Delhi in November 20o6. We discussed quite a lot on Sri Lankan conflict, economic development and political development.

With Her Excellency Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, Former President of Sri Lanka

Operation Mountain Thrust

July 2006 - Coalition forces in Afghanistan launch and execute Operation Mountain Thrust to drive Taliban forces out of the southern provinces of Afghanistan. The operation is the largest operation since the start of the Afghanistan war.

Operation Mountain Thrust was a U.S. commanded, Canadian and U.S.-led operation in the Afghanistan campaign, with more than 2,300 U.S., 3,300 British troops, 2,200 Canadian troops, about 3,500 Afghan soldiers and large air support. The operation was the largest offensive since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Its primary objective was to quell the ongoing Taliban insurgency in the south of the country.

There was heavy fighting during June and July 2006, with Afghanistan seeing the bloodiest period since the fall of the Taliban regime. The Taliban showed great coordination in their attacks, even capturing two districts of Helmand province at the end of July, which were retaken a few days later. The Taliban suffered during the fighting more than 1,100 killed and close to 400 captured. Heavy aerial bombing was the main factor. But even so the coalition forces had close to 150 soldiers killed and 40 Afghan policemen captured by the Taliban. Tom Koenigs, the top U.N. official in Afghanistan, told the German news weekly Der Spiegel that the Taliban numbers of casualties do not reflect success. "The Taliban fighters reservoir is practically limitless," Koenigs told the magazine in an interview. "The movement will not be overcome by high casualty figures."

In the end, the operation did not manage to quell the Taliban insurgency. Control of the region was transferred from the Americans to NATO forces. Attacks continued and even intensified. On the first day that NATO took control, August 1, a British patrol was hit by enemy fire in Helmand province; three soldiers were killed and one wounded. On the same day 18 Taliban and one policeman were killed in an anti-Taliban coalition operation in the same province and 15 Afghan policemen were captured when they surrendered in Zabul province while a Taliban force was preparing to attack their police post. Also two days later there were several incidents in and around Kandahar, including a suicide bombing which killed 21 civilians. In the other attacks in and around Kandahar, four Canadian soldiers were killed and ten were wounded. These clearly demonstrated that the Taliban forces are still a threat. American forces still remain in the eastern provinces.

200th Session of Rajya Sabha

I had an opportunity to take part in the historic occasion when the Rajya Sabha celebrated its 200th Session. This is a landmark milestone in our journey on the path of parliamentary democracy. It is an occasion that gives us a sense of legitimate pride.

We are justifiably proud of our democracy. It is the story of the success of democracy in a populated nation which has demonstrated to the world how complex problems can successfully be addressed within constitutional and democratic framework.

I had an opportunity to learn that our Constitution has provided a unique role to Rajya Sabha (which had its First Session on 13th May, 1952) and that it had 4408 sittings, passed 3203 Government Bills, considered 238 Private Members’ Bills till the last Session. This has meant significant contribution by Hon’ble Members in critically evaluating legislative proposals, facilitating reasoned and dignified debates, and highlighting political consciousness.

Rajya Sabha, as House of Elders, needs to be an alert and vigilant watchdog on the affairs of the Nations and also function as a guide to the Union as also the States. Building up consensus on approach of action on major issues is critical to strengthening the roots of democracy. In respect of key issues of national importance before the Parliament, decision should be based not just on the basis of relative strength of political parties.

We are today faced with the challenges of economic growth and public governance. It is unfortunate that about 26 crore of our citizens still await freedom from hunger, disease and insecurity. Besides poverty alleviation, there are the challenges of population stabilisation, electoral reforms, speedy justice, and hassle and corruption-free administration to the common man. There are threats to national security as also to the bonds of national integration. We face the challenges of speeding up integrated and balance development as also of weaving a stronger secular fabric and build up an environment of peace and social harmony conducive to growth and progress.

In this onerous task, we need to make wholehearted efforts to serve the people with dedication and commitment.