Monday, October 31, 2011

SARDAR PATEL - BUILDER OF A STEEL STRONG INDIA











The history of India would have been different had Sardar Patel not been the Deputy Prime Minister when India became independent in 1947. The triumvirate- Gandhiji, Nehru and Sardar Patel were responsible for giving direction to the destiny of the country. Sardar Patel consolidated the country into one united whole in a unique manner.

Formative Years

Born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad, in the Kaira district of Gujarat, Vallabh Bhai Patel was the son of Zaverbhai Galabhai Patel , a Leva Patidar. This class of cultivators was known for their simple character, industrious habits and straightforward dealings. Vallabh Bhai possessed an ingenous mind as a school boy. He was a rebel whose exceptional organisational abilities were recognised by his schoolmates and teachers. Patel passed the matriculation examination from the Nadiad High School in 1897.

Patel had two ambitions to fulfil , first to become a pleader and later a barrister. During those days a matriculate could become a lawyer by taking the pleaders examination. He became a pleader in 1900, and started practicing in Godhra. In 1902 he shifted to Balsad, a taluka headquarter, where he practised as a criminal lawyer for nearly eight years, during which period he had built a name for himself as a most successful criminal lawyer. In 1910, he left for London and joined the Middle Temple, where he took an examination in Roman Law and stood first. He returned to India in 1913 and started practising as a barrister in Ahmedabad , fulfilling his second ambition.

Gandhiji's Disciple

The impact of Gandhiji's personality on Vallabhbhai was tremendous. It gave him a new mission in life. The Champaran struggle waged by Gandhiji had a sweeping effect on Patel's mind. In Gandhiji's Champaran victory Patel saw the beginning of a new agrarian revolution. His interest in politics had been kindled, as became abunduntly clear in the Provincial Political Conference organised by the Gujarat Sabha and presided by Gandhiji at Godhara. The conference appointed a permanent committee with Gandhiji as the President and Patel as one of the secretaries. He became a staunch follower of Gandhiji. From then on there was no looking back. Blessed with rare qualities of fortitude, integrity and an iron determination, Patel played an important role in the freedom movement.

Indomitable Personality

It was due to his sterling leadership and practical vision that the peasant movement in Gujarat became a success. It was in this struggle that the organisational capacity for which Sardar Patel was famous in the whole country became visible. He took over as the nascent nation's Home Minister at a very crucial juncture in history and devoted himself whole heartedly to ensure that the country which was already partitioned, remained intact and united.

Building a Union

On the eve of their departure, the British government announced that its paramountcy would lapse not only over the British territory but even over the native States . This meant that as many as 625 small and big native States would become independent like India and Pakistan. Consequently, the country would be divided into a number of small and big units.

Before embarking on this mammoth task, Sardar sought to ensure the stability of administration by forging a bridge of faith and confidence with the"Steel Frame". Most of the I.C.S. officers suspected that the Congress leaders, particularly Sardar in view of his past experiences with them, would have no faith in the I.C.S. But Sardar rose to the occasion and reposed total trust in their capability to serve the nation. He was, thus, able to win their unstinted support in the endeavour of nation building.

Attempts were afoot for finalising the standstill agreement with the States. It provided that the Central Government will be vested with powers of defence, foreign policy and communications even over the States. Travancore, Hyderabad and some other States declared themselves sovereign States and created hurdles in the agreement. On the other end, Jinnah with a view to tempt Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and other border States made them an unconditional offer to align with Pakistan on their terms.

Political Sagacity

To find an amicable solution to this complicated situation, Sardar issued a statement to the princes wherein he appealed to their sense of patriotism and reiterated that the new States department in no way, desire to have supremacy over them. "If at all, any sense of supremacy is required, it would be with common understanding and for common good. We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By common endeavour, we can raise the country to new greatness, while lack of unity will expose us to unexpected calamities. I hope the Indian States will realise fully that if we do not cooperate and work together in the general interest, anarchy and chaos will overwhelm us all great and small, and lead us to total ruin". The statement which amply reflected his statesmanship and political sagacity, removed whatever doubts lurked in the minds of the princes.

There was a popular agitation in Travancore and the State acceded to India. The Nawab of Bhopal could not take all this but when he realised that there was no alternative, he sent the instrument of accession duly signed to Sardar.

A man of iron will and absolute fearlessness, Sardar Patel tackled the question of 550 and odd State territories and principalities in such a strategic manner which left even his wildest critics in complete amazement. Almost within a year he redrew the map of India with every princely State joining the Indian union and thus, forming part of the political stream of life that was endowed with cultural unity and harmony.


Intricate Situation

The intricacy of the situation can perhaps be gauged by the fact that there were 26 small States in Orissa and 15 in the Chattisgarh area of present Madhya Pradesh. It required skilful diplomacy on the part of Sardar Patel to persuade them to merge into bigger, more viable units. Even more ticklish was the case of Saurashtra where there were 14 big States, 119 small States and other units under different administrations totalling 860.

The herculean task of merging all of them into the Saurashtra union was also accomplished by Sardar Patel. Soon, State after State started acceding to the Indian Union. One after the other, Gwalior, Indore, Dhar, Dewas all accepted the advice of Sardar. Rajputana States followed the same. The Sikhs of Punjab also cooperated with the merger.

Even by August 15, Hyderabad kept aloof. Hence, Lord Mountbatten himself started negotiations. At one stage, it appeared that there was a settlement but Nizam found himself helpless against the pressures of Razakars. The Razakars started harassing the local public. Thus, when the situation went out of control, Sardar with the consent of the Governor General initiated police action. In 108 hours, the Nizam surrendered and Hyderabad acceded and merged with India. The Nawab of Junagadh accepted an accession with Pakistan. Sardar solved this complex problem in his own inimitable way and the Nawab and his Diwan left Junagadh for Pakistan.

Thus, the 'Yagna' for establishment of a united India undertaken by Sardar was completed with the merger of Hyderabad. Politically, India became one and united. In the history of India stretched over ages, India became one and united for the first time and that too without shedding a drop of blood. That was the marvel of the personality of Sardar. The sterling qualities of leadership he had shown as leader of Satyagraha, flowered in greater way in the administration of the country, maintenance of law and order and ensuring stability of the country and making it invulnerable.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

WCO












The World Customs Organization

WCO is the only international intergovernmental organization that deals with Customs procedures governing trade between countries. Its work aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations across the globe, and to help them fulfil their dual role of facilitating trade whilst ensuring its security.

Born after the Second World War out of a desire by countries to re-launch world trade, and to provide a platform for the discussion of Customs issues, the WCO – officially established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council – held its first meeting on 26 January 1953. Since then the Organization has grown from its original 17 founding members to encompass a truly global membership now numbering 176.

Setting international standards to facilitate cross-border trade

Modern production and delivery systems, linked with new forms of electronic commerce, make swift and predictable Customs clearance an important prerequisite for economic development. Improving the efficacy and harmonization of Customs procedures and practices around the world has become an essential part of the trade facilitation process.

The adoption of international standards leads to simplification and harmonization. Applied to the management of border transactions, the use of these standards adds to the effectiveness

of Customs operations as they provide a simple and predictable trading environment and promote easier and better compliance from traders.

Securing the international trade supply chain

Global challenges transcend borders and call for worldwide responses. Securing trade and combating illegal trafficking and commercial fraud without disrupting legal trade requires a high degree of cooperation between countries, and the application of uniform methods and standards which are recognized and applied by all.

As a frontline border agency dealing primarily with the cross border movement of goods, people and means of transport, Customs is best placed to ensure the security of international

trade thus promoting national economic prosperity and social development.

Mission

The WCO’s mission is to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of its Member Customs administrations across the globe.

While three-quarters of its Members are developing countries, the WCO’s combined

membership is collectively responsible for managing and processing more than 98% of world trade.

The responsibilities linked to the international movement of goods, people and means of transport have expanded and will continue to do so, ranging from traditional Customs activities such as the collection of revenue to activities as diverse as environmental protection, combating drug trafficking and money laundering, and ensuring food safety and revenue security.

To facilitate the work of Customs at borders, over time the WCO has developed a number of instruments and tools, and introduced a number of programmes and initiatives that significantly enhance Customs operations.ance Customs operations.

Key activities

Harmonization and simplification

• Developing and promoting harmonized and simplified Customs procedures aimed at facilitating trade.

• Offering strategic direction and examples of best practice to ensure a uniform trade environment that will enhance economic prosperity and social development.

• Administering and developing the international goods nomenclature known as the Harmonized System, which enables products to be identified by the same code all over the world.

• Ensuring the uniform interpretation and application of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Customs Valuation.

• Progressing the discussions on Harmonized Rules of Origin developed by the WCO for the World Trade Organization as part of the imp

Security and enforcement

• Strengthening the security of the international trade supply chain through the WCO SAFE

Framework of Standards that lists the minimum standards that Customs and economic operators should apply in order to avert the risk of terrorist attacks and other criminal threats.

• Bolstering efforts to combat fraudulent and criminal activities by improving enforcement

methods and practices through training, managing a global network of regional intelligence liaison offices, developing secure communication tools for the exchange of information, preparing analyses of smuggling trends and modus operandi, and facilitating field and border enforcement operations.

Partnerships and cooperation

• Fostering cooperation, the exchange of information and intelligence, and mutual assistance between Customs administrations, by making various international instruments available.

• Stimulating collaboration between Customs administrations and other border regulatory agencies involved in cross-border movements, by promoting coordinated border management.

• Advancing Customs-Business partnerships in a transparent regulatory environment where information is shared, which will lead to better compliance, less formalities and a smoother

flow of trade.

• Cooperating with international organizations in areas of shared competence, by contributing, in particular, to WTO trade facilitation capacity building missions, World Bank Customs reform projects, and UN Counter-Terrorism Committee security missions, among others.

Modernization and capacity building

• Devising capacity building programmes and encouraging Customs modernization projects

by organizing diagnostics, whilst supporting the implementation of action plans through the use of WCO tools, training and technical assistance.

• Encouraging synergy and cooperation at the regional level via a network of Regional Offices for Capacity Building and Regional Training Centres.

• Providing guidance in the use of enabling information and communications technologies

and tools with a view to improving Customs processing, risk management and assessment, intelligence handling and non-intrusive detection.

• Establishing research partnerships with the academic community in order to enhance knowledge and skills, including the identification of professional standards that will ultimately improve the management and operation of Customs administrations.