I could not agree more with the writer about the despicable situation in Pakistan regarding ill treatment faced by the minorities in the hands of fundamentalists. On top of this, it seems that the government in Islamabad is ignoring and showing no concern at all to the fate of the minorities.  Minorities are being converted to Islam forcefully, their daughters are forced to marry  Muslims, blasphemy is not tolerated at all which means no freedom of religion and speech.  When Jinnah created a Pakistan, his intention was to have a secular state in which all people - Muslims and non-Muslims will be treated equally.  I wonder what happened to those intentions of the founder.  What a shameful situation?  As we all know, Pakistan is an epicenter of terrorism which is instrumental in creating havoc worldwide.  The civilized world has been suffering from this menace stemming from Pakistan.  Instead of isolating and segregating Pakistan, unfortunately, lot of cash flow is still being funneled to the Pakistan exchequer by the western countries.  That needs to be stopped.  Pakistan is a failed state run by incapable people - I would not even call them leaders.  Karachi, Balochistan and Panjab are burning every day.  KP province does not want to be part of Pakistan.  It is a state run by the nexus of military/ISI which has no sense of human responsibility- people in Pakistan are suffering, ill educated, no good health facilities, no respect for law and order and no life at all for female community.  The militants are running around in the country with full impunity creating havoc everywhere.  Yes, the world is concerned about the nuke arsenal Pakistan possesses.  May be it is time for the western nations to arrange some type of coup and take possession of this arsenal before they get into the hands of these brainwashed militant groups.

Like other rape cases in India, this is another sad story happened to a 27 year young lady in Kolkata.  I think these type of inhuman tragedies are happening in India due to either non-existence or non-compliance of severe legal punishment under the Indian Constitution for such crimes.  In this particular case, the way police authorities handled the situation is pathetic.  It appears that the police authorities were careless, not concerned and simply ignored the seriousness of this crime.  Of course, the rapists will face the punishment predicated on whatever verdict court announces, but in the eyes of this writer, local police is equally responsible for not understanding the seriousness of this crime and needs to face the legal music too.   This writer is a firm believer of an enactment of a national law (mandatory to be applied in states also) which will put the rapist, once proven guilty, behind bar for life without any possibility of parole., and if victim's life is involved, then the rapist needs to be hanged in public square to set a precedence for others who might be contemplating of committing a similar crime.  Yes, it sounds very barbaric, but the government authorities need to become barbaric with the criminals.  This is the only way to eradicate this heinous crime from the society.  If females are not safe in a society, that society will be reduced to ashes, morally speaking.  Unsafe and tortured females cann't nurture their children properly, cann't provide them adequate and proper education which means eventually that country's existence will have no meaning and value in the world community.  Unfortunately, these rape cases are happening on an hourly basis, it seems like, all over India.  This writer wonders what it is going to take before the central and state governments wake up and do something to eradicate this inhuman menace from the society?

The writer of this article is trying to misguide the public as well as the White House by insinuating that improving relations with India is a futile exercise in light of a few political differences between these two countries, even though the Indian government officials have stated that there is a possibility that these differences may be settled in September when Mr. Modi visits Washington DC.  The writer also is forgetting that American prestige and status in the world forums is decelerating in spite of being still  the super power.  Even small countries are not willing to be dictated by the USA.  As I see it, America does not have many real friends left in the world.  The writer of this article seems to have the notion that any country can survive in a vacuum when the current economy is predicated on global relationship.  Therefore, on the contrary, America needs India strategically, politically and globally to continue having its influence worldwide.  Also, one ought not to ignore the increasing military might of China in that part of the world which is going to be a big challenge for the USA.  If the latest press reports are true, China has ICBM (DF41) with the range of 12000 KM which can hit any corner of the United States.  To counter Chinese territorial ambition, it is very timely that America extends an olive branch to India.  I hope that the leaders in Washington DC are not misled by people who have anti-India thoughts brewing in their mind.

In view of worldwide political imbroglio the USA is experiencing, a recognition by the White House as to how important and strategic relationship with India can become is one thing, but to turn that recognition into a reality by taking a step forward by extending technological assistance in various fields is another issue to contemplate.  Having knowledge of a situation is the accumulation of facts which is a good start, but to have a wisdom to analyze those facts and come out with a win-win solution is something different.  In the eyes of this writer, what is missing is a long term wisdom to put an Indo-US relationship on a concrete footing especially when the USA has basically a very few genuine friends left in the world.  Needless to say, China is flexing its military muscles and trying to be a world super power by spending tons of money to strengthen its armed forces.  The USA relationship with Russia is not going anywhere.  Basically, Middle-East is burning on a daily basis.  The USA can use India's help, being a friendly nation to Russia and to many of Muslim countries, finding a solution to some of the problems in that part of world.  This can be achieved only if the USA is willing to accommodate Indian concerns whether it is in the civil nuclear area or defense technology etc.  This relationship ought to be on a long term basis, without any politics involved, with the understanding that there will be no ditching of each other come what may.  Once that faith and belief are determined, the USA will have a solid force of strength to counter balance Chinese influence in that part of the world.  Also, one should not under estimate India's contacts and relationship with Russia which has been in existence since 1950s.  America can utilize that relationship to soften the current tension between the United States and Russia.  I would say the ball is in the court of the USA and it will be interesting to see how this ball is rolled in September when Mr. Modi will be talking to Mr. Obama on one-to-one basis.

Mr. Iqbal has listed all the facts starting from the birth of Pakistan to its demarcation and creation of Bangladesh.  One could not agree more than what the facts are.  However, I would like to blame the civilian and military authorities in Islamabad for all the troubles and turmoils Pakistanis are going through on a daily basis.  If the Pakistani leaders have followed the intent and purpose of what Mr. Jinnah had in mind before separating from India, Pakistan would have flourished internally and externally the same way India and now Bangladesh have been experiencing.  The intent was to create a secular state and not a state predicated on a contorted version of Islam which is what the military leaders have been practicing since the birth of Pakistan.  Unfortunately, the civil governments in Islamabad have no say in this matter.  Majority of Pakistani revenue and donations from external sources are being spent on the military and no consideration is given to educate the masses left them being the subservient to the military and landlords of Pakistan.  With this on-going ideology and spread of jihadi element in the country, one cann't see a better outcome for Pakistan in the long run.

The rift between Palestinians and Israelis, Hindus and Muslims on the Indian-Pakistan border, Sunis and Shias all over the world etc. seems like unsolvable problem precisely due to an ill-will and hatred built into the blood streams against each other.  Yes, lot of countries are trying their best to mediate to bring some type of sensible solution leading to a peaceful environment, but all in vain so far.  The reason it is becoming insurmountable task is because of their ideology, and hence, until that ideology of full of hate and ill-will is corrected, there is no possibility of seeing any improvement in the relationship of all these parties involved.  Unfortunately, there is another factor which is a big contributor to this on-going worldwide turmoil and that is the 'Petro-dollar'.  These Sheikhs instead of using their affluence for the uplift and betterment of human society, they invest their dollars in abetting, financing and training militants to spread anarchy in the world.  They do not want to spend their wealth to educate their subjects, instead they want them to remain uneducated, unaware of their rights and be subservient to the Sheikhs.  They dangle their dollars in front of these uneducated and brainwashed militants and use them to serve their own un-Islamic purpose.  These Sheikhs love these soldiers of Hamas, Hezbollas, LeT and JuM.  Even though the whole civilized western world has declared Hamas, LeT and JuM in Pakistan as terrorist organizations, still lot of 'Petro-dollars' are being funneled to these organizations by the Sheikhs.  These militant groups have sophisticated armaments, uniforms as well as other facilities which a normal army personnel need to operate.  Someone is buying this stuff for them - who else other than the Sheikhs.  The USA just sold $11 Billion of military equipment to Qatar - the prominent supporter of Hamas.  Where does one think it is going to end up with?  It is understandable that America wants to see its defense industry manufacturing operations running to keep up with the employment situation.  But is it not counter productive to maintaining peace in the world?  American diplomats have shuttle diplomacy between the warring nations to find solution to peace, but not analyzing the buyers of its military armament. Economy has precedence on peaceful environment - how sad.  In this writer's opinion, their are only two ways to bring peace to this world - one being a long range solution to change the ideology of fanatic Muslims ( which may or may not be achievable in our life time) and the other one is to forcefully occupy the source of 'Petro-dollars' and cut the financial outflow to these militants.  Right now these little battles are going on away from the borders of western nations, but if the civilized society does not wake up and remedy the situation, it will not be too far distant when you see the flares touching their borders also.  CHOICE IS YOURS.

The treatment Mr. Bhatkal is getting in the jail is very appropriate because every criminal needs to be treated predicated on his/her crime.  Mr. Bhatkal says his treatment is worse than the treatment provided to the animals.  He is right because that is what he deserves.  Mr. Bhatkal should know that animals do not kill innocent human beings, but by killing many innocent human beings through various heinous terrorists acts orchestrated by him, he has proven himself as an individual which is worse than animal.  Hence, his appropriate treatment in the jail.  His other complaint is that the jail authorities do not provide him food on a timely basis during his fast for Ramazan days.  Mr. Bhatkal ought to know that his faith in Allah is artificial.  Allah does not dictate anyone to kill innocent human beings.  Allah teaches dissemination of love and affection for all.  His fasting during Ramazan days is not going to please Allah due to his inhuamne acts in the society.  Therefore, this is not an excuse to get a better treatment in the jail.  Criminals are not needed in the society and tough punishment is the only way to eradicate these souls from this earth.  Mr. Bhatkal, you reap what you sow.