Nuclear Deal:The Positives fallout & New Hope

If you have been watching the news channels in the past few days, you would have seen excerpts from the debate in parliament about nuclear deal between India and the United States. The debate appeared to be a soap opera, straight from the Ekta Kapoor production house. With friends turning foes, back stabbing alliances for mutual benefit and money so on.

But all jokes aside, I would like commend all the politicians who spoke during the debate highlighting the pro’s and con’s of the nuclear deal. I would like to mention that Advani is not on that list as his speech had nothing to do with the deal and represented everything that is wrong with Indian politics. He could not rise beyond the issue of petty politics and think about the country.I even praise the left representative who presented the views of his party.

Watching the debate on TV was an eye opening experience in a way. As it made me feel that the future of Indian politics may not as bleak as one may fear. Among those who spoke for the deal, people such as the Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah stood out for their content and oratory skills.

I know there were a lot of events that occurred that brought shame to the home of Indian democracy but I for one do not want to dwell on them. Focusing on them is a job that seems to be very well carried out by news channels. I would like to focus on positives such as emergence of young leaders who inspire hope for the future. My two personal favorites were the speeches from Omar Abdullah and Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Our railway minister’s speech was one that was humorous and comic but at the same time was very calculated counter attack on every point raised by the opposition. In the case of Omar Abdullah it was very evident that he was speaking straight from the heart. His passion and his choice of words echoed the feelings of every simple Indian.

Also I would like commend the prime minister, who showed that he is man of his word and backed the deal to the hilt. He showed that he will not compromise on his beliefs and ideals to satisfy the petty needs of coalition politics. I honestly believe he is a man whose integrity cannot be questioned and only has the best interests of the country at heart. His track record speaks for itself and this deal will only add to his legacy.

But the words that give me most hope are the one’s spoken by Rahul Gandhi. He finished by saying India is an emerging world power and it is time we start thinking like one by questioning how we may impact the world and not how the world may impact us. I am an optimistic Indian and believe that this is no false dawn.