“Together, we can strengthen agriculture. Cooperation between Indian and American researchers and scientists sparked the Green Revolution. Now, as farmers and rural areas face the effects of climate change and drought, we’ll work together to spark a second, more sustainable Evergreen Revolution” — these words by US President Barack Obama were buried under the more important issues that bother the world, India and America — words and issues like terrorism, N-energy and of course Pakistan.
“We aim to help millions of Indian farming households save water and increase productivity; improve food processing so crops don’t spoil on the way to the market; enhance climate and crop forecasting to avoid losses that cripple communities and drive up food prices” — thoughtful and caring words again from the most powerful man in the world. But who cares??? The media, the politicians or the policy makers? Why care for the poor farmers when we need to care about terror hot spots of the world? Why think about research and development in agriculture sector when our media is researching day in and day out about how to thrive on P-related TRPs. Who cares about the Green Revolution when 3G is here.
“We are two great Republics dedicated to the liberty, justice and equality of all people” — says Obama. ‘Equality’ sounds familiar… and “We are two free market economies where people have the freedom to pursue ideas and innovations that can change the world” — really now??? Free market economies, innovations to change the world… but for whom?
As of today even while President Obama is keen on helping the farmers and PM Manmohan Singh seconds the US President’s intentions, there are thousands of farmers and migrants in cities who still go hungry to bed. At the same time those who run the government departments deprive the poor of their basic right to a ration card… ugly but true… http://themalicebasket.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-cant-they-give-mere-ration-card-to.html.
Despite the awe-inspiring speech by the US President, we need to swallow the bitter pill of reality that we love and live in a free market economy. Hail innovation and development but development that helps the urbanites even if it is at the cost of the poor. Innovation for the free market economies not for the development of the nation.
The hoi polloi musings 
I didn’t know you would feel so strongly about this issue. Anyway it happened exactly the way we skeptics thought — that O Bum Ah would sign some FDI deals in agro retail without going public.
The closest guess is that deals were cut by mid-level diplomats. It will take some time to be known.
Life’s just like this (or that) anyway 🙂
Waiting for your “khana khazana” posts with pics.