Bhopal gas tragedy issue should have been on agenda of India-US talks during Obama’s visit: Azharuddin

Bhopal gas tragedy issue should have been on agenda of India-US talks during Obama’s visit: Azharuddin
Inaugurates ‘The Fitness World’ Gym in Bhopal

Congress MLA Arif Aqueel felicitating Azharuddin
Bhopal, November 08 (Pervez Bari):Former Indian cricket captain-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin sympathizing with the survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy, world’s worst industrial disaster, has said that it should have been on the agenda of talks between the United States President Barack Hussain Obama and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh while former’s visit to India.
Congress Member of Parliament from Moradabad Azharuddin said: ”I feel sorry that the woes of the survivors is not on the agenda of talks between India and the United States whose sufferings could have been mitigated to some extent by discussing ways and means to provide proper compensation and relief to the gas victims.”
Azharuddin, who was on a personal visit to Bhopal to mourn the death in a friend's family, was talking to newsmen after inaugurating “The Fitness World”, a Gym being run by former member of Mayor-in-Council of Bhopal Municipal Corporation Syed Munawwar Ali here on Sunday. Local Congress MLA Mr. Arif Aqueel felicitated him with a shawl and coconut on the occasion on behalf of the gym “The Fitness World”. At the outset Mr. Munawwar introduced Azharuddin to the assemblage.
He said the issue of proper and adequate compensation to gas victims and extradition of Warren Anderson, the then chairman of the now defunct Union Carbide’s pesticide factory, to face trials in Indian courts should have been on the agenda of talks with Mr. Obama.
Replying to a question he has said that the innocent Muslim youth who have been charged with the bomb blasts in Ajmer, Makkah Masjid (Hyderabad), Malegaon etc. and are languishing in jails should be released after the revelations by the investigating agencies that it was the handiwork of anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic forces. The law should take its own course while pinning down the real culprits of these bomb blasts and the government must take action against them accordingly, he added.
He concurred with this Correspondent that the recently concluded Common Wealth Games, (CWG), brought fame and shame both to India. He expressed disappointment at the scams and controversies that engulfed before the CWG started. He hoped that the inquiries which the government has ordered will bring out the truth and the guilty would be punished.
When asked about the prospects of India holding Olympics in future after the success of CWG as claimed by Suresh Kalmadi, president of India Olympic Association, Azharuddin said it is very difficult to do so but did not elaborate.
Meanwhile, Azharuddin appreciated the facilities made available at “The Fitness World” as he went around the gym inspecting the sophisticated equipments after inaugurating it by cutting the traditional red ribbon. He moved around the gym in a relaxed mood while giving ample time to the photographers to take snapshots. Elite of the town was present on the occasion.
The facilities available at “The Fitness World” include Cardio, Aerobics, Yoga, Steam Bath, Kids Fitness, Zumba Aerobics and Personal Training. There are separate timings for ladies from 11 a. m. to 5 p. m. with a lady trainer. Mr. Munawwar is the Managing Director while Mr. Israr Malik is the General Manager of the gym. There are about 275 members of the gym of which 175 are ladies while 100 are men.
Earlier, answering newspersons' questions at Ankur Cricket Academy Azharuddin said: "Perhaps I was destined to play 99 tests only, so I have no regrets about the past”.
The former stylish batsman of the Indian cricket team said that he does not think much about the past. He was responding to the queries weather he regrets that his era does not had T-20 format, which might had suited to his aggressive style of batting. He said the T-20 version has improved the game of cricket and is good for its health.
Replying to a query on India’s prospects for next year’s World Cup to be held in the sub-continent, Azhar said that Indian batting line-up is very strong with the presence of seniors and talented youngsters in the team. He said he would be disappointed if India did not win the World Cup being jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in February 2011. However, he said that Sri Lanka could be a formidable opponent for India in the ensuing World Cup in the sub-continent conditions.
Recounting the 1996 World Cup loss at the hands of Sri Lanka, Azhar said that at that time we batted very badly and eventually lost the semi-final. On the burning issue of betting charges against the Pakistan cricketers, the former captain said that he does not know much about this but added that the matter should be disposed off quickly in the interest of the game. "More stringent rules were needed to check match-fixing in international cricket", he added. (pervezbari@eth.net)