Kolkata and Delhi daily, Akhbar-e-Mashriq, in an editorial on October 20 has praised Benazir “for coming out of a cesspool, but she will have to find a way between two centres of power, General Musharraf and the Army.”

Putin in Iran

There has been a lot of comment on the Russian President’s visit to Tehran last week. Hyderabad’s Rehnuma-e-Deccan on October 19 says, “Iran has finally found influential friends among neighbours.” The paper welcomes the visit, “the first such, after Stalin and his statements there against attacks or domination of any country”. It concludes Russia has put brakes on US plans to crush Iran. Jadeed Khabar in an editorial on October 19 says, “Putin’s support to Iran is very meaningful at the present juncture. On one side, his experts are working in Iran’s nuclear reactors, and on the other hand, he is himself clarifying that Iran’s nuclear programme has open and peaceful objectives.”

Delhi’s Hindustan Express in an editorial on October 18, raised the question whether Russia “has decided to confront the US openly”. The paper feels that “while this may not be true, President Putin’s recent statements and actions, especially with regard to Iran have indicated a new alignment in world politics.” This, the paper adds, “has the potential to rein in the US.”

A ‘Muslim’ survey

Hindustan Express reports on October 23, that “the average Muslim says, hamari kismat mein commission hi commission, committee hi committee aur survey hi survey hai.” (Muslims just have surveys and committees on their plate). It writes that the 90 districts with significant Muslim population and backward characteristics are now being surveyed by the ICSSR, before the package is given to them. This is a follow-up apparently of the Sachar Report, and its implementation.

... contd.