Bush blames Indian middle class upsetting our politicians!

The world over food prices have drastically increased affecting the common man. The developed world is weathering this problem with subsidies and economic stimulus plans, which are in effect providing money to the common people. The developing world is left at lurch with the poor taking to the streets.

So George Bush, the American clown, agreed with his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, that the food prices are so high because of the increase in population of the Indian middle class. They theorize that this has led to better diets and increased consumption by Indians driving global demand. Nothing wrong with that – this is indeed very true. But Bush is also assertive that the biofuels policy of USA has no role in increasing food prices (picture: corn fields in USA). This is indeed very stupid! Right from the UN and renowned scientists and economists the world over are urging Europe and the US to quit encouraging biofuels in order to curtail global inflation. But Bush of course has his own way of thinking, he didn’t believe in global warming for almost 15 years and does so only now!

Indian politicians have been very upset over Bush’s remark. I think that not only are they over-reacting, but that Bush’s comments are really not worthy of any reaction. They should best have been ignored for their utter folly and lopsidedness. Anyway, our Netas have reacted in anger and impulse, only starting a blame game. It would probably be best in Bush’s interest to curtail obesity amongst Americans rather than criticizing Indian dietary habits, although he didn’t by any stretch of imagination suggest Indians to eat less! Politicians from all political parties have in return, blamed America’s biofuel policy for global inflation.

It is not only the USA that is to blame for wastefully earmarking land for biofuels. India is encouraging the cultivation of jatropha and other crops for biofuels too. While these crops are cultivated in dry land, India should instead be encouraging a healthy agricultural economy. And the least it can do is to help prevent the suicides of almost 10,000 farmers a year. It can also take up the issue to stall biofuel production in developed countries through the UN.

But, please, Netajis, grow up! Bush never will.