India, China and Japan’s collaboration for a new operating system to challenge Microsoft and Linux monopoly? Microsoft trying to counter-react? 
Preetam Sagar, Special Correspondent
November 18, 2004

PM Manmohan Singh is trying to reach the heart and soul of Kashmiris. Compassion, love, respect and mutual sense of dignity are guiding Manmohan’s new effort. He is presenting Kashmiris with hope of global prosperity and welcome path to share Indian main stream dream of better life and economic well being. At the same time he is firm on negotiation on territory with anyone inside and outside India. He has told Mushrraf of Pakistan that no new border or new status of any part of Kashmir is acceptable to India.

Promising a "new beginning" for the long-suffering people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that if everyone worked together, a "new Kashmir" of peace and prosperity can be brought about. "I have a dream and confidence that if we all work together, we can make a new Kashmir of peace and prosperity," Singh said addressing a rally here on his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Declaring that he had come with a "message of peace", he said, "I want to assure all of you that Kashmir is very close to my heart". Observing that the dialogue process with Pakistan was continuing, the Prime Minister said, "If conditions improve, infiltration is brought under control, then I can seek more reduction of troops in the state". He said the troops stationed there were for the security of the people and were working under difficult conditions. Noting that the Congress party had close bonds with J and K from the time of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Singh said, "Kashmir has a special place in our hearts". He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had visited the state several times, had sent a message that the Centre would work hand in hand with the state government for overall development of the state. The Prime Minister said the government would make all efforts to ensure that people of the state got easier access across the Line of Control to meet their relative and friends. Observing that India has already offered a hand of friendship to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Singh said that New Delhi was willing to take concrete steps to resolve all outstanding issues with Islamabad. He also said that the Centre was prepared to hold talks with any group to usher in peace in the troubled state so that the people prospered and lived in tranquility. The government, he said, had no conditions but those wanting to hold talks should have in mind restoration of peace. "My doors are always open and there is place in my heart for everyone. Those wanting to come to the negotiating table should have good intensions," he said, appealing to all to strengthen his hand in this initiative. Noting that a demand for Rs 24,000 crore has been made by the Mufti Sayeed government for all round development of the state, the Prime Minister said the Centre would provide all help to ensure that a new Kashmir came into being and fresh job opportunities were created for the unemployed youths.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ruled out on Wednesday redrawing India's borders with Pakistan as a solution to the Kashmir issue. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf suggested last month that parts of Kashmir, which is currently divided between Pakistan and India, be demilitarised and placed under United Nations'' mandate or under joint control. "I have made it clear to President Musharraf that any redrawing of the International Border is not acceptable to us. Any proposal which smacks of further division is not going to be acceptable to us," Singh told a press conference in Srinagar.