Brand Lalu is a Big Hit in Cyberworld

We have been regularly discussing the Indo-US nuclear deal with the Left partners. We have had enough of Inquilab Zindabad slogans and discussions related to roti, kapda and makaan, and it will continue.
But the fundamental question is from where will roti come? It will not fall from heavens. It will come from infrastructure, which includes power, railways, highways and ports.
In the era of globalization, where nations are coming close and barriers have come down due to technological advancements like IT, each nation is blindly following an aggressive trade and commerce policy. India is keen to expand its business and has reputation of being a responsible state. India is a hot investment destination and that is the reason why we should have a sound infrastructure in place.
The UPA government is committed to provide good infrastructure as far as power is concerned. There is a severe gap between demand and supply. We have stocks of Thorium, but making power out of it is a tedious and long process. Since power is necessary for any type of development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has signed a deal with the US to get nuclear energy which is safe and pollution free. Any leader from India would have signed the deal, irrespective of the reasons behind their decisions.
We have no choice but to approach other countries for uranium, as India does not have adequate stock of the radioactive material to produce nuclear energy.
The 123 agreement has to be approved by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), where the US is also a member. There is severe opposition from Left over India going to the IAEA. I say, let us go there and see, it is not a final decision. True, the Left partners have been opposing the US. But you should also see what communist China and others have done. They have signed deals with US and become self-sufficient as far as nuclear power is concerned.
It is not necessary that we purchase uranium from the US. We can buy it from Russia, France, Australia or any other country. Wrong information is being circulated that India is supporting US policies. We are not supporting the US or policies.
We have tried our level best to discuss with the Left and address their concerns. Nuclear power is the need of the hour. If not today, then tomorrow, we have to harness nuclear power, if we have to become a self sufficient nation.
When the Uttarakhand government wanted to start hydel power project, opponents raised the concern of pollution.
When the government starts any new project or wants to build dams for irrigation, energy or drinking water, people like Sunderlal Bahuguna and Medha Patkar oppose it, raising concerns about pollution.
Nuclear power is thus safe, pollution free and in the nation's interest. It is necessary for us to have nuclear plants capable of generating power, not only for the present generation but also for the future.
Dedicated power would enable us to operate irrigation pumps on electricity and save money on diesel. Railways, which consumes one-third of total diesel, can run on electric power if we have uninterrupted power supply.
Once we get uninterrupted power supply, it will also act as a check on the oil cartel, which is raising prices according to their whims and fancies.
Arguments, counter arguments are being aired about the deal, with every one mad at the US without knowing the facts. US has the same status as India. If the deal does not suit us, there is provision to withdraw in the 123 Agreement. We can withdraw from the agreement, if we find the deal is detrimental to India's interests.
They claim the deal will mean we are forming a pact with the US. What pact? Countries form pacts with each other. They forget that we have had pacts with Russia and other countries. Power is must as we need it for infrastructure development. Sloganeering will not help and roti (daily bread) will not tumble from heaven.
If the US helps, we should take advantage and accept the help and benefit from it. We have not pawned our independence or sovereignty. The deal doesn't mean becoming slaves of the US. If the US does not sell us, we can buy uranium from Russia, France, Germany, Australia or any other country.
I am of the firm opinion that everyone should coolly think over the nuclear deal.