NEW DELHI: The unexpected landslide victory of the Congress Party in India's general elections has unshackled the incoming government from the tricky task of managing its earlier coalition for political survival, especially the rabidly anti-American Left parties. There is little doubt that the team of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, all-powerful Congress party president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi -- who led the election campaign -- will look to firm up some of their earlier aims, given the near-majority and stability that the party and its allies now command.In fact, the new government can no longer offer excuses for not delivering on its promises -- whether in pushing for further economic reforms, building infrastructure, implementing security measures and diplomatic initiatives, and developing education and healthcare frameworks that benefit all.If the election results deliver a message, it is that the people of India are looking to their political representatives for a focused national policy that promotes development and provides for stable government. It represents a mature verdict that sidelines regional parties with limited and parochial notions about national issues, and blunts the emergence of regional satraps -- such as Mayawati of Uttar Pradesh -- who ride on caste politics. At the same time, Indian voters rewarded leaders and parties -- in states such as Bihar, Delhi and Orissa -- that have provided corruption-free, pro-growth governance. With expectations so high, Congress cannot afford to be complacent. Given such a mandate, India's foreign policy is likely to reflect domestic concerns and, in particular, Indians' aspirations for a better life. That means defusing conflict scenarios with Pakistan that could set back business and economic prospects, and ensuring that the derailed peace process gathers momentum -- even while security issues are not ignored.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
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