Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Pak duplicity exposed

The bid to gain world-wide praise and acclamation through duplicitous action by Pak boomeranged on it. Pak arranged a farcical meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is undergoing imprisonment in Pak and facing a death sentence for allegedly spying for India, his mother and wife. But it was a sham to hoodwink the world outside of itself. Kulbhushan met them sitting across the glass wall. They were separated by a glass wall. They talked through the intercom. They were not allowed to meet face to face. They were separated by a wall of glass. Kulbhushan's mother and wife were put to all types of humiliations and insults in Pakistan. They were asked to take their Mangle Sutra, Bindis and bangles off and change their attire before the meeting. Pak media was allowed to ask them undesirable questions. It was a farcical meeting between Kulbhushan's mother and his wife arranged by Pakistan. Pakistan described it as its humanitarian move. It was all done to show the International Court of Justice and the rest of the world that how serious Pak was and what a great human approach it adopted. Even Kulbhushan Jhadav was tutored by Pakistan authorities to speak before his family members. Pak not only tortured two Indian women but also hurt their cultural and religious sentiments. Its action is intolerable for India. Pak duplicity was exposed when Kulbhushan's mother and wife related everything to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other officials. Pakistan military court sentenced Kulbhushan to death, but International Court of Justice stayed the death sentence and the matter is sub-judice there. Pak has woven a false case against Kulbhushan, who is an ex-Indian Navy Commander, of spying for India against Pakistan as a RAW agent. But the truth is that Kulbhushan Jhadhav was kidnapped from Iran by Al-Qaeda men and taken to Pakistan. Kulbhushan was in Iran for personal business dealings. Pakistan Military court is trying his case. He was also not allowed consular access even after India's pleadings umpteen times for that. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must ask External Affairs Ministry to go the whole hog internationally against Pak duplicity and farcical meeting that it arranged between Kulbhushan and his mother and wife. The photo of the meeting between Kulbhushan and his mother and wife with a wall of glass in between them has surprised not only India but the entire world at Pak's bestial behaviour. Pakistan's insensitive treatment of the mother and wife of Kulbhushan Jadhav is not acceptable. The meeting was conducted by Pak to bolster a false and unsubstantiated narrative of his alleged activities. Also, Jadhav, who is on death row in Pakistan on charges of alleged spying, seemed to be under stress and speaking in an atmosphere of coercion.Kulbhushan Jadhav is a retired officer of the Indian Navy and was kidnapped from Iran. Although Pak claims that Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan. The Pakistan military court has sentenced him to hang on charges of espionage. To save Jadhav, India moved the International Court of Justice, which ordered Pakistan in May to stay his execution.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Loss of public exchequer and interest

Winter session of Parliament is already shortened. It started late by almost a month. It convened on December 15 and since then what is witnessed by the people of the nation in Parliament is uproar, chaos and bedlam. No parliamentary business of public interest has been transacted. It starts in the morning and after the hour or two when the chaotic condition created by both Treasury and Opposition benches becomes unbearable, the Speaker adjourns Lok Sabha and Chairman adjourns Rajya Sabha for the last 5 days. Parliament functioned only on the first day of the winter session. Disruption in parliamentary proceedings appears to be the hallmark of our MPs. Both the camps ruling and the opposition are rigid on their stand. Congress demands an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his statement that former PM and his predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh attended a seminar hosted by expelled Congress MP Mani Shankar Aiyar in which former Pak foreign minister and other dignitaries participated to hatch an anti-India conspiracy. PM Modi made this allegation against his predecessor at an election meeting to polarize the majority community in the favour of his party. Now when the Parliament convened for Winter Session, Congress party demands an apology from PM Modi by making the clarification that he had alleged against his predecessor involving Pakistan to win Gujarat assembly elections. The BJP rejected Congress demand outright and Rajya Sabha Chairperson Venkaih Naidu said that as PM made allegation outside Parliament, he would give no apology. Congress members are adamant on PM's apology. In the war of word between opposition and ruling, the helpless public suffers most. The boisterous nature of both the BJP and the Congress is hampering the parliamentary proceedings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be the most reasonable and responsible leader of the nation. But to win an election, he should have also not made this type of allegation against his predecessor like Dr. Manmohan Singh whose stature is of a fine gentleman. He is an economist par excellence, besides being the former PM of the country. Despite several allegations of corruption against his previous UPA govt., no one makes any personal allegation against him. So, PM Modi's innuendo against him of colluding with anti-nationals doesn't hold any water. Disrupting Parliament is not a good idea. Congress should demand an apology from PM by holding meetings and rallies. But stalling Parliament merely for an apology from the PM has no justification. PM Modi appears to believe that everything is right in war and love. He had to win Gujarat elections. So, he made an allegation of this type. Ruling dispensation has a greater role in ensuring that Parliament is run smoothly. The ruling BJP must make effort to resolve the issue amicably and run the Parliament smoothly. Several Bills of Public interests are awaiting the nod of the Parliament. Disrupting Parliament over trifle will not be condoned by the people of the country as they are watching Parliament functioning on their TV sets. Crores of rupees are spent a day on the running of the Parliament. It is taxpayers' money. MPs must know that the people will ask them why they have turned Parliament into a fish market. People don't witness any reasoned debate on any issue of public interest in Parliament in the recent past. Key legislations on the agenda during the session are the followings: -- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill to criminalise triple talaq -- The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill to give constitutional status to National Commission on Backward Classes -- The GST (Compensation to States) Bill -- Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill -- The Consumer Protection Bill -- The Financial Resolution & Deposit Insurance Bill for creating a framework to oversee financial institutions and stock exchanges in case of insolvency -- The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill -- Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill -- The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill -- and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Inquire and act immediately

Delhi Metro rail is the Lifeline of Delhiites. Any sort of negligence in the running of Metro rails and of its staff can cause an immeasurable damage in terms of human lives and property. Negligence, callous and careless approach of the staff must be dealt with stringently. Despite the high fair of Metro rail, a large number of people ride it only because it is swift, punctual and safe. But the yesterday's incident in which a Metro rail crashed into the wall at Kalindi Kunj depot while on trial puts a big question mark on its running and the functioning of the staff. Metro train was reportedly allowed to run without checking its brake system. It is purely a human error caused by the human negligence. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has done right by ordering a high-level inquiry into the incident. The report of the inquiry must be completed within a fixed time. It should also recommend an appropriate action so that there could be no recurrence of the incident like this. Metro in Delhi is the most convenient mode of conveyance in the city and NCR. Majority of the office goers in Delhi go to their offices by Metro rails. It is only because of its fast, prompt and safe service. Providing better Metro rail service will help reduce the pollution level in the city. By giving comfortable, fast, punctual and sincere service to the Delhiites, Metro rail will certainly attract even the car owners to ride it. But at the same time, it is of utmost importance to take care of the safety Metro rail riders. Metro trains run so fast and swift that Delhiites can go one corner to another in the city in less than one hour. It also gives hassle-free service. There is no issue of red light signals at traffic crossing points with Metro. Metro train saves time and provides hassle-free service. Being the most popular mode of conveyance, DMRC has rightly swung into action immediately after this incident of ramming of the Metro train into the wall at Kalindi kunj depot. Metro is the first preference of Delhiites among the public transports. So, its sincere surveillance is necessary to keep Delhiites safe. DMRC has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident in which a metro train crashed into a wall yesterday at the Kalindi Kunj depot while on a trial run. The three-member committee consists of Executive Directors Rolling Stock (Project), Rolling Stock (Operations and Maintenance) and Operations. The DMRC said, prima facie it appears to be a case of human error and negligence and appropriate action will be taken after the inquiry. A trial train was moved from the workshop without testing the brake system as a result of which, while the train was moving up the ramp for washing, it rolled back and hit the adjacent boundary wall. No person was injured in the incident. The Metro train which rammed into the wall was reportedly driverless. It is to be made public that on whose order the Metro was allowed to move driverless. This aspect must also be inquired into. Whoever is found guilty must be punished without any loss of time. A message must go out that malfunctioning in the upkeep or the running of Delhi Metro will not be tolerated at any cost.

Monday, December 18, 2017

BJP won, but with a wake-up call

BJP is heading for victory in Gujarat for the record 6th consecutive time and it is also set to win Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. The victory is victory and the defeat is defeat. But BJP must take the message from Gujarat that though it won for the sixth consecutive time, its strength of MLAs in assembly is expected to go down by more than 15 MLAs. As the counting is in progress, it is difficult to get the exact number. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's magic still works, which has been amply testified by Gujarat and Himachal assembly election results. But one thing clearly indicates that his magic has also started losing its sheen. As far as Congress’ newly elected President Rahul Gandhi's performance is concerned, he led the Gujarat election campaign from the front against the formidable rival BJP and gave a very tough fight to it. He also took the three young leaders of Gujarat on board against the BJP. He brought the PAAS leader Hardik Patel, SC/ST face Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor on a single platform to support the Congress party. Alpesh Thakor finally joined the Congress Party whereas Hardik and Jignesh supported it from outside. The clear picture is yet to emerge how far Hardik succeeded in convincing his community Patidar not to vote for BJP. It appears from the result that Hardik influenced the Partidar voters against the BJP to some extent, but not in totality. One thing that Congress also lacked that it failed to project a Chief Ministerial face in the Gujarat assembly elections. In absence of an alternative face, people may have got confused that if Congress won who would be their Chief Minister. Rahul Gandhi laboured hard in Gujarat elections. It also appeared this time to the people that there was alternative to BJP before them. He may not be as eloquent as Prime Narendra Modi, but people also gathered in large number to hear him. The worrying reports for the BJP in Gujarat elections are that the young voters voted for Congress. It is a good sign that the Congress party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi has caught the imagination of the Youth. The youth had played a major role in voting PM Modi to power in 2014 Lok Sabha election. As far as Himachal assembly election result is concerned, it has been the tradition of the state that every 5 alternate years, the government is changed. It has been happening since 1980. Both the BJP and Congress come to power after every five years alternately. The Gujarat result also shows that downward trend is about to set in BJP if no corrective steps were taken immediately. Its poll percentage in Gujarat has fallen sharply from what it had polled in 2014 whereas there has been a marked improvement in the polling percentage of the Congress. Strong opposition is the need of the democracy. Before going to Lok Sabha polls in 2019, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattishigarh and four N-E state assembly elections are going to be held in 2018. Opposition Congress is resurging slowly, but steadily. It would also give a tough fight to the ruling BJP in these state assembly elections.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Rahul Gandhi in command

It is a foregone conclusion that Rahul Gandhi has taken charge as President of the Congress Party. It had been expected since he joined active Congress party politics. Congress Party is a grand old party of 132 years and Rahul is the sixth party President from Nehru-Gandhi family. Undoubtedly, Congress has been the premier political party of the nation for more than 60 years. It has also led the freedom struggle from the front. Most of Congress leaders sacrificed everything for the freedom of the nation. Nehru-Gandhi family's sacrifice for the nation is immeasurable. India's first Prime Minister late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru under the leadership of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi fought for the freedom of the country from the front. Nehru spent most of his youthful years behind the prison for the Independence of the country. His role in throwing out British imperialism is immortal. When India got freedom in 1947 on August 15, Mahatma Gandhi handed over the responsibility of the country to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to run its administration. Mahatma Gandhi said,"The nation is safe in the hands of Nehru." Pandit Nehru was elected the first Prime Minister of the country. Not only Nehru his daughter late Indira Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi also became Prime Ministers of the nation. These were the days when Congress was the main and the strongest political party in the country. After Indira and Rajiv, Sonia Gandhi took charge of the party. Sonia had also played a pivotal role in bringing the Congress back to power for 10 years when it won Lok Sabha elections in 2004 under her leadership. But after the worst-ever defeat of the Congress Party in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it has become weaker and weaker. It is presently passing through its worst days. It gets one defeat after another. It is losing one state after another. Congress party's organizational set up is in disarray all over the country. It is gasping for breath. The most challenging task before Rahul Gandhi is to revive the Congress party units from state capital to the village level. The ruling BJP is its formidable rival under the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP under PM Modi’s leadership is in its heydays. So, becoming President of the Congress party at this juncture when it is passing through its worst-ever days, it is the toughest task before Rahul Gandhi to infuse confidence in the party cadre to fight BJP in the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The first and foremost task before him after taking full charge of the Congress Party is to instill life in the party units in the Hindi heartland states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These two are the biggest states and politically most important ones. In these two states, Congress organization units at all levels appear to be dead. And Until and unless the party is revived in these two states, it cannot get power at the Centre. Rahul Gandhi succeeds Sonia Gandhi, who led the party for the last 19 years. Rahul Gandhi entered electoral politics in 2004. He was appointed as the party general secretary in 2007 and was elevated as its vice president in January 2013.

Friday, December 15, 2017

EC must preserve its sanctity and respect

Election Commission of India is one of the highest constitutional bodies of the nation. It must be respected by all political parties. It is also EC's responsibility to conduct free and fair elections. It has played a great role in strengthening the democracy. India is the largest democracy in the world. It is not easy to conduct elections so peacefully and freely, considering the length and breadth of the country. But since its formation, it has been doing a commendable job. Election Commission is also an independent body. So, it has rarely been seen that any government had ever exerted influence on it or had it been influenced at any point of time. It is the constitutional responsibility of the EC to enforce Model Code of Conduct once it declared the date of elections. The Model Code of Conduct is applied to all political parties and their leaders whether it matters little that the certain leader of the certain political party is PM or Opposition leader. Whether it is PM or opposition leader, the EC has to act without any bias, prejudice or favour. Achal Kumar Jyoti is the Chief Election Commissioner of India. He is an IAS officer and belongs to Gujarat cadre. Gujarat is the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat, Jyoti was his Chief Secretary. After Modi became PM, he was appointed as the CEC of India. In the given position, there has arisen an unsavoury incident of violating the code of conduct by Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi, who gave the interview to the Gujarat-based 5 to 6 news channels in the evening of the day the electioneering had ended. The Election Commission on Wednesday issued the notice to Congress him asking why action should not be taken against him for violating the Representation of the People Act, hours after several TV channels aired his interview on Gujarat polls. EC’s one-sided action may be termed as its double standard. Taking action on a complaint from the BJP’s Gujarat unit, the Commission instructed Mr. Gandhi to furnish his response by 5 p.m. on December 18. The notice was issued for “prima facie” violation of Section 126(1) (b) of the Act. .The Congress, in turn, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing the FICCI platform. Rahul Gandhi along with the news channels were charged with violating the Model Code of conduct. Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi was served with Show cause notice and FIR was reportedly lodged against the TV news Channels, which aired his interview. Whereas this type of the violation of the code of conduct was reportedly committed by none other than the PM of the country but Election Commission kept mum. This clearly shows EC’s bias against the Opposition leader and favour for the ruling dispensation. Election Commission must keep itself above any sort of bias. It is an apolitical body. It has nothing to do with politics of the nation. Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti should know very well that his predecessors have been T N Seshan, S Y Quraishi, MS Gill and others. They have set standard parameter how EC should conduct free and fair elections in the country. Undoubtedly, Election Commission has won worldwide applause for conducting free, fair and peaceful elections. No fingers have ever been raised at its fairness. This must be maintained at all costs.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Delhi Govt’s courageous action

By cancelling the licence of Shalimar Bagh Max Hospital, the Delhi Government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has shown courage to act against its criminal negligence. How negligent and careless the doctor was that he declared a baby dead when he or she was alive. It is a matter of investigation. Why the hospital management employs such negligent and careless doctors. Or, Are they under some much pressure from the management that they failed to act sensibly? Declaring the baby dead when he or she was alive by the doctor is nothing but the criminal negligence. Undoubtedly, the doctors work under severe pressure in big private hospitals. But it does not give them the freedom to be lax and careless while giving treatment to the patients. Doctors are entrusted with the task of saving the lives of the patients. The first and foremost duty of the doctors is to treat the patients with utmost seriousness. Private hospitals and schools avail all govt. helps and facility on the priority basis. But in spite of providing service to the people, they become the centres of fleecing money from them in the name of treatment and teaching. Before declaring the child dead, the doctors should have checked him or her very properly. If they had done so, this unfortunate incident would not have happened. In the recent past a big private hospital named Fortis hospital in Guroan failed to save the girl suffering from Dengue fever, but charged Rs. 26 lakh from her parents. She was in hospital for 15 days only. The apathy in the treatment of the patient by the doctors at private or govt. hospitals must not be tolerated. Doctors are considered to the next to God as they save patients from the throes of death. But when they are found to be negligent, careless and lax, they must be awarded deterrent punishment. Delhi government has rightly warned other hospitals against medical negligence. It is a very bold step taken by the AAP govt. of Delhi. It will send the message out that no nonsense will be tolerated by the govt. The other private and govt. hospitals now will be cautious and serious in providing treatment to the patients. As far as the position of doctors, patients, and staff at the Shalimar Bagh Max Hospital is concerned, it is for the management to make alternative arrangement for them. There is a chain of Max Hospital in the city. Max management can adjust them anywhere in its hospital. It is right that the Delhi government came down heavily on the hospital where a premature baby was wrongly declared dead last week. The baby died on Thursday at a nursing home in Pitampura after battling for life for nearly a week. A panel has been formed by the Delhi government to look into the case found the hospital administration guilty of not following prescribed medical norms in dealing with newborn infants. It is of the urgent need for the govt. to create a mechanism to deter the erring private hospitals and schools from doing wrong. They are in wrong notion that their only business is to fleece money from the public without any accountability. Delhi govt. has taken a bold, courageous and commendable action by cancelling the licence of the Shalimar Bagh Max Hospital for declaring a baby dead wrongly.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Gujarat poll not easy, but BJP has still upper hand

The election campaigns for the first phase by both the political contenders- ruling BJP and the opposition Congress- are in full swing. BJP has been ruling the state for 22 years. Mr.Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to May 26, 2014. He was sworn- in as Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, as his party, BJP won Lok Sabha elections with a massive mandate. When Modi was the Chief Minister of the state, his Gujarat model of development earned all-round applause and it made a great contribution to attracting people in 2014 Lok Sabha elections towards him and his party. Gujarat has also been considered as Hindutva laboratory. It has been a developed state. BJP has been very strong in the state for a long time. The Patidar community constitutes 16 percent of Gujarat population. Patels in the state are economically, intellectually and politically far ahead of all other communities in the state. They became supporters of the BJP after the formation of KHAM formula by the former Congress Chief Minister Madhav Singh Solanki. On the basis of the total support of Partidar community, BJP won the elections after elections very easily. But in this assembly election, Partidars under the leadership of young, vocal and liberal Hardik Patel appear to be opposed to BJP. They have been agitating for reservation in a government job and educational institutions. As according to the Supreme Court, the reservation limit of 50 percent cannot be crossed, the Gujarat govt. turned down their demand. They formed Patidar Anamat Association Samiti(PAAS) under the leadership of Hardik Patel. They organized a massive rally in support of PAAS. The police had to resort to firing to control the mob of Patels at that time. In the police firing, around 10 young Patel boys were reportedly killed. This unfortunate incident of police firing antagonized the Patidar community very much. Hardik Patel came closer to Congress against the BJP in this assembly election. Now, it is to be seen how Patel voters vote in this assembly election. Apart from Hardik,two more young leaders Alpesh Thakor and Ginesh Mevani of backward and SC/ST communities respectively have shaken their hands with Congress. Alpesh has already joined Congress party. So, the stack against the BJP this time to win the elections is not light, but heavy enough to be pushed out. Realizing the mind of the people in the state of Gujarat that this time they are not going to vote his party in a natural way, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself started playing emotional and Hindu Muslim cards in favour of his party. In his election meeting, he talks of Pakistan, Hafiz Sayeed and Chaiwala taint himself to win people’s favour. By playing the emotional card of being the son of Gujarat and has been a victim of being Chaiwala before coming into politics, he tries to draw the people towards his party. By talking of Hafiz Sayeed and Pakistan, he tries to polarize majority community of Hindus in his party’s favour. Now, he never talks of Gujarat model of development in his election meeting. Apart from Patels’ discontents, anti-incumbency factor, the negative impact of PM two pet economic steps -Demonetization and GST - on the business community have made them disillusioned with the BJP govt., though they have been its traditional voters. But despite all these hurdles for BJP to win Gujarat elections, PM Modi is still the trump card for the party. And BJP still has the upper hand in Gujarat.Gujarat elections are scheduled in two phases, on December 9 and December 14, and the state will have its verdict on 18th December.

Monday, November 27, 2017

US urgently needs to act against Pakistan

Merely telling that there will be a repercussion of the release of designated terrorist and Jama-Ud-Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest on bilateral relations by the US serves no purpose. Pak has no concern about its global reputation. Hafiz Saeed is the mastermind of Mumbai Terror attacks of 26/11 in which 166 innocent people were killed and more than 300 injured. He must be re-arrested. The US must ensure his re-arrest by putting pressure on Pakistan. 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks had shocked and shaken the entire world and all had spoken in unison against the terrorism. Despite India handed over all pieces of evidence of the complicity of Hafiz Saeed in Mumbai attacks, it appears that Pakistan deliberately did not present them in the court to facilitate his release. It also appears that it is not only Pak government but also its judiciary dances at the tune of the military establishment, which provides all types of help to various terror groups in Pakistan. So, the US must know that the epicentre of all terror acts in the world is Pakistan. The saviour of the terror organizations in Pakistan is its military. Pak military has always been very important player in governance since its inception and because of this half of its existence has been under the military rule. Hafiz Saeed is the representing the organization of terror, which is the enemy of humanity. Earlier, it was experienced that whenever India raised the issue of Pak sponsored terrorism and its own concerns over it at international platform, the big powers of the world usually took it very lightly and no country ever paid any seriousness to it. But after 9/11, when the pain of terror was experienced by the US and other western powers also, all started speaking in the language of India against terror. Terrorism is the greatest enemy of the humanity. The country which values humanity above everything will always be supported by the entire world. Pakistan is a rogue state. It does not understand the language of civility. It is to be treated as a rogue only then it will stop sponsoring terrorism in India and elsewhere. India is itself capable of pulverizing the terrorism. It does not need any help from others to deal with the terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. There must not be any doubt about the involvement of Pakistan in sponsoring, aiding and abetting terrorism with an aim of creating mayhem in Jammu and Kashmir of India and other countries of the world. If the US really wants to punish Pakistan for aiding, abetting and nurturing terrorism, it must start without any delay the process of declaring it a terrorist state. It baffles most of the observers that why the US is not taking direct action against Pakistan. If Pakistan fails to re-arrest Hafiz Saeed, what action will the US take against it? US must also open its mind what it wants to do with Pakistan in regards to terrorism. It will not go long that whenever any US dignitary visits India, he or she speaks against Pakistan and when the same dignitary visits Pakistan he or she does say nothing there. It means the US is just befooling India. The US President Donald Trump must act against Pakistan and show the world that the last vestiges of terrorism will be wiped out.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Build Ram temple through consensus or on court verdict

The strong pitch for constructing Ram Temple on the disputed site at Ayodhya is being made by Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat with the nearing of Gujarat elections to build political tempo in favour of its political wing the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party. While the matter regarding the construction of Ram Temple on the disputed site at Ayodhya is subjduce in the Supreme Court of India, the statement given by none other than the RSS chief that the Ram Temple will be built on the disputed site at Ayodhya assumes significance. Bhagwat’s statement must be taken seriously. No one opposes the construction of Ram temple but it must be through consensus or on court verdict. The Ram Temple Babri-Masjid dispute is very old and it has been plaguing the nation since independence. Both parties to the dispute claim their rights on the disputed site. The nation has already paid the price for the unfortunate incident of Babri-Masjid demolition on Dec.6, 1992. It is alleged that the Babri-Masjid was demolished on the instigations of RSS, BJP and various Hindu organizations. The Govt. at the Centre at that time failed to enforce the rule of law and despite giving an undertaking in the apex court, the then BJP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh of Uttar Pradesh failed to protect the Babri-Masjid. In the repercussion to the demolition of Babri-Masjid, there broke out a series of communal violence all over the country. The 1993 Mumbai communal violence allegedly engineered and masterminded by Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who is reportedly living in the haven across the border and despite India's demand to hand him over to it, Pak takes no notice. Now the question here arises that when the matter is subjudice, what is the need of raising the issue? The issue of Ram Temple has been raised by Mohan Bhagwat at the three-day Dharm Sansad organized by RSS religious wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Karnataka's Udupi. Now, election time is coming near. Gujarat assembly election process is underway. Next year nine state assembly elections will take place and just after a year in 2019 Lok Sabha elections will due to be held. It has also been experienced that whenever any major state or general election is about to be held, either RSS itself or its any wing religious, political or youth brigade raises the issue of Ram Temple with the sole motive of polarizing the majority Hindu votes in favour of BJP. But the matter of the face is that all Indians whether they are Hindus or others want a grand temple of Lord Ram at Ayodhya to be built, but it is to be done through consensus or on the verdict of the court. There must not be the use of muscle power to build Ram temple on the disputed site at Ayodhya by hurting the sentiment of the other party representing in the court of law. Court verdict on the construction of Ram Temple is acceptable to all. It must be acceptable to Hindus and Muslims both. Secular social fabric of the nation must not be torn at any cost. Nothing should be done to hurt the feeling of any community. India is a sovereign secular socialist democratic republic. Its character must be respected and protected. Ram Temple must be built without hurting the feeling of any community.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Door must be kept open for talks

Centre's special representative for Kashmir is on his second round of visit to the trouble torn-state. It must be known to all stakeholders in the state that the problems of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be resolved in two or three rounds of talks. As the problem is longstanding for years, the solution will take time to be found out. Dineshwar Sharma is a very senior and has been an upright IB officer. He has a vast experience of talking to players in this type of problems as he had been to North-eastern states for the same reason. By appointing Sharma as Centre's special representative for Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed at last that he had the policy to deal with the Kashmir problems. Dialogue, discussion and talks can only be the medium of resolving the Kashmir problem. One thing must be made clear before embarking on any dialogue process that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it will remain so. Whoever comes to the talking table must know this and there would be no talk on this point. All those who are Indians and living in Kashmir can put their views before the Govt. interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma. There must not be any reservation or condition on talking to the countrymen in Jammu and Kashmir. It must also be impressed on the people of the Valley, who have been misled by the separatist leaders at the behest of Pakistan, that Jammu and Kashmir is their state and they are all Indian citizens. All the grievances of the misguided and misled youth must be heard patiently and necessary action should be taken to remove them under the ambit of the Constitution of India. All talks on Jammu and Kashmir with all the stakeholders in the state must be held within the ambit of the Constitution. It is the responsibility of Centre's special representative to impress on the misguided and misled youth and separatist leaders of Jammu and Kashmir that Pakistan is only leading them nowhere and its only aims and objective are to disturb and disintegrate India by its own people. That is why it pays them to do its bidding against India. They must also be impressed that Pakistan would never succeed in its nefarious design on India. It is a good beginning made by the Centre's interlocutors Dineshwar Sharma that he talks to all political and non-political representatives to keep himself abreast of the latest developments in the Valley. One of the most important stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir is the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is Pandits who suffered most from Pak-sponsored terrorism. They have been evicted and driven away from their home and hearth by the secessionist, separatist, militant and terror element in early 1990. Hundreds of Pandits lost their lives. At last, to save their lives and prestige, they left the state in lakhs for different corners of India. They were made to live in different cities of the country as refugees. So, there must also be a point how Pandit community would return to their homeland with due respect and guarantee of safety and security.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Take cognizance of hospital's apathy

The Government at the Centre and in the state of Haryana must take a serious note of Gugurugram Fortis hospital's apathetic treatment to Adya Singh, a little girl of barely 7 years old, due to which she died as she had been suffering from Dengue fever. She was in the hospital for the treatment for 15 days. But the doctors could not save her life and the hospital slapped a bill of Rs. 16 lakh for the treatment. It appears that no humanity is left and only what matters most is the commercial interest of the hospital in the country. Fortis is one of the most prestigious and the costliest hospitals in the country. It was Gurugram branch of the Fortis hospital where the little girl Adya died of Dengue in absence of the proper and prompt treatment as alleged by her father. It appears to be the sheer negligence of the hospital staff, including all doctors. Private hospital like Fortis, Max, Batra, Sir Ganga Ram Apollo, Medanta and others' main objective is to fleece as much money as they could from the patients. They appear to be less interested in curing the patient and more in fleecing them. Their main aim is to extract all money and pay less attention and provide sub-standard service. It is very easy to say that the profession of doctors is very refined and sophisticated and they are dedicated to the service of the humanity. But now-a-days, it is experienced that medical profession has completely become commercial. It is the commercial interest of the Fortis management that the doctors are allotted the fixed number of patients to see. In this mad rush for completing the quota of patients, doctors fail to provide proper, suitable and responsive treatment to the little girl like Adya Singh. Haryana and Central governments have rightly taken serious note of the hospital's apathy in treating the girl. It is alleged that doctors were negligent in providing proper treatment to Adya. She was on the hospital bed for 15 days for which the hospital charged 16 lakh rupees. Whoever hears the huge charge of a failed treatment, he or she expresses concerns over the commercialization of healthcare in the country. Lower middle-class people cannot even dream of treatment in the big private hospital like Fortis. Haryana Govt. has rightly constituted a 3-member team to go into the death of the little girl Adya Singh at Gurugram's Fortis hospital. The three-member probe committee must go into all aspects and whoever is found guilty of negligence in his or duty as a doctor must be stringently punished. It is also to be probed how 16 Lakh rupees was charged for treating the girl and how and under what circumstances she died. It is praiseworthy that Union Health Minister JP Nadda has also taken cognizance of hospital's apathy and its huge charge of Rs. 16 lakh. Taking note of the death of a seven-year-old girl at Gurugram's Fortis Hospital and the subsequent bill of Rs 16 lakh slapped on the family, the Haryana government has constituted a three-member team to look into allegations by girl's parents. The team has been asked to submit a report within two weeks.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Public sentiment and freedom of expression must be protected

Both the public sentiment and freedom of expression must be respected by artists, writers, directors, filmmakers, painters, singer etc. Rajput community is fiercely opposed to the screening of the film Padmavati directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Deepika Padukone has played the main role of Rani Padmavati of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. This is the cinematic presentation and this may be based on the figment of the imagination. So, it must not be taken seriously or be made an issue of prestige. Rani Padmavati was the wife of Raja Ratan Singh of Chittorgarh in Rajathan. Aladdin Khilji of Khilji dynasty was the emperor of Delhi. Rani Padmavati was strikingly beautiful and one of the courtiers of Aladdin Khilji had described her beauty to him. Upon hearing about her beauty, it is said that he moved to Chittorgarh with his battalion of soldiers for the war against Raja Ratan Singh. He could not defeat Rajput king but through deceitful means, he arrested and brought him to Delhi. A war again broke out between the commanders of Raja Ratan Singh on the order of Rani Padmavati to get him free from the clutches of Khilji, but unfortunately, he was killed. After that Rani Padmavati along with 16000 Rajput ladies jumped into the bowl of fire and committed Sati to protect their honour and the prestige of the nation. Rani Padmavati is revered as Goddess by Rajput in Chittorgarh. Any portrayal of her in the taste below her stature is not tolerable for Rajputs. They demand an immediate ban on the film Padmavati. Film Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali says that the role of Rani Padmavati played by Deepika Padukone has been painted with utmost care and she has been held in the highest esteem in the whole cinema. As the film paints the war between Aladdin Khilji and Rajputs, the political parties, especially the ruling BJP, don't miss the chance of exploiting the controversy over it in terms of Rajput votes in view of the Gujarat assembly elections. The film was to be released on December 1, but now it would not be allowed to be released before Gujarat assembly elections. Now come to the freedom of expression that when the film director undertakes the responsibility that there is nothing in the film which could hurt the sentiment and damage the prestige of Rajput community, their fierce opposition to its screening baffles the general public. Now it is for the government of the day to not allow the handful of muscle men to throttle the freedom of expression. Some openly threaten Deepika of cutting her nose like what Laxman did to Ravan’s sister Supernekha in the Ramayan. Some other declares of awarding the prize of Rs. 5 crore rupees for beheading the artists. And the government of the day is listening to these threats as mute spectators. Rajputs allege that the character of Rani Padmavati has been painted in bad taste. They say that Rani never danced while Deepika was dancing in the film in her role as the trailer shows. Without witnessing the movie, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindhia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh banned the film Padmavati in their respective states. Which film is to be released and which is not to be released is the power of Film Censor Board. It would be better for the Censor Board to watch the movie and then decided what to do with it. The banning order given by both the CMs in their respective states amply indicates that our leaders use every issue for votes. Neither the public sentiment be hurt nor the freedom of expression be curtailed at any cost.

Friday, November 17, 2017

International recognition

Moody's India upgrade is good. It is also a good news that the international rating agency like Moody's has not only praised economic measures taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also upgraded India's sovereign rating to BAA2 with a stable outlook from Baa3 earlier. This is the first time that Moody's upgraded India's rating since 2004. Moody’s upgrade of India’s economic rating can be interpreted as recognition of the raft of structural reforms taken by the current government over the last 3-4 years. This is the first time in 13 years that the international rating agency has raised India’s assessment – to Baa2 from Baa3 – indicating that the economy has moved from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’, and is on a high growth trajectory. Among the principal policy changes that have contributed to improving India’s rating are the implementation of a comprehensive reforms programme, including the introduction of the GST, the Aadhaar system of biometric accounts, direct benefit transfer schemes and measures to address bad loans. The upgrade essentially means that the cost of international borrowing will now become cheaper for the Indian government and Indian corporates, and also lead to a surge in equity markets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took two important economic decisions. One is of demonetization and other is of GST. The entire nation affirmed faith in PM's speech that after 50 days of demonetization, all economic ails will be removed from the country. Black money, corruption, counterfeiting of notes, stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalism and terrorism would be finished. PM with his declaration of demonetization in a televised addressed to the nation at 8 PM on Nov. 8, 2016, that all high currency notes of 500 and 1000 will no longer be legal tenders. He called up all citizens to exchange their demonetized high currency notes from banks. He appealed to the countrymen to bear with the problems in standing in a queue outside the bank for 50 days in the interest of the nation. The demonetized high currency notes of Rs. 500 and 1000 constituted 86 percent of total currency notes. If RBI report is anything to go by, about 99 percent of the currency came into the banking system. The expenditure on the printing of the news notes exceeded their value. This is one part of the result of demonetization. Its second part is its impact on small and medium business and employment in the country. If CMEI report is anything to go by, 15 lakh people were rendered jobless in the first three months of 2017 due to demonetization. As all economic activities came to a halt, there prevailed gloom in the market. With the introduction of GST, which is PM Modi’s pet economic move, the small and medium businessmen were harmed beyond expectation. Its official paraphernalia of taxation is so lengthy and computerized that it is beyond their understanding. The Moody’s may have upgraded India’s rating, but the ground economic reality tells a different story. The poor are becoming poorer and the rich are becoming richer. The gulf between the poor and the rich has also widened. So, it would be better if Modi Govt. had not patted its back merely at Moody’s upgrade India rating. Prices of all edibles and essential commodities are also going up and up.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Bonhomie in Indo-US relations

After the meeting of a quadrilateral coalition of four nations- India, the US, Japan and Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held bilateral meeting with the US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of ASEAN summit at Manila in the Philippines. The meeting between the two was held in a very cordial atmosphere and both appreciated each other's performances. PM Modi thanked President Trump for praising him whenever he got the opportunity. PM Modi also praised Trump's style of functioning. It clearly appears that the chemistry between the two leaders is very fine. Both showed warmth and affection for each other and they also gave clear hints that they would take the relations between the two countries to new heights. They not only talked about bilateral issues but also beyond that. Quadrilateral talks among the four nations were held to keep Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive. Though China sees it as grouping against it in Asia, it is its misplaced belief. It is only meant for establishing peace, prosperity, and amity among Asian nations. This type of grouping was formed earlier also but that it did not work and ultimately it was dissolved. President Donald Trump appears to be a very big fan of PM Modi. He has always spoken very high of him. With the US coming closer to India for the last few years especially after sealing the N-deal between the two countries, the strategic relations also got strengthened.US is the oldest democracy while India is the largest one in the world. So, the US and India can be natural partners. They are expected to be on the same page in dealing with international problems. But for that, both will have to rise above personal interests. It is the statesmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he impressed all the world leaders whom he has met so far. It is our PM's personal traits that all the leaders become impressed with him very easily. Both India and the US should work beyond bilateral issues. They should work for peace and development in the Indo-Pacific region. The US being the sole superpower of the world, it has greater responsibility in the development of Indo-Pacific region. It also must be ensured that no Asian country could try to establish its hegemony in the region. With XI Jing being in power for 5 more years in China and his military preparations, it is necessary for the US President Trump to act decisively so that no confrontation or collection of armed personnel could take place in the Indo-Pacific region. Since the US started coming closer to India and distancing itself from Pakistan, an open field for China was left to set its feet firmly in the Asian region. Pakistan and China came close to each other. Apart from CPEC already in place, Pak even allowed Chinese troops to set their feet on its territory for war and other exercises. It is a dangerous development that Pakistan has now completely surrendered to China. China's free entry in Pakistan is not good for India. The US is required to be watchful of the development China in India's neigbourhood. President Donald Trump has often praised Prime Minister Modi the most recent instance was on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Vietnam where he gave credit for India's rising growth trajectory to Prime Minister Modi. Earlier at the G20 Summit in Germany too, the chemistry between both the leaders made heads turn. The bonhomie in relations was first seen this year in June during Prime Minister Modi's America visit when President Trump and First Lady Melania hosted him at the White House for bilateral talks.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Delhiites gasping for breath

Delhi air quality has gone down an all-time low. It shoots up to 451 on the scale where the maximum level is 500. The inhaling of Delhi air in the morning is equal to smoking 50 cigarettes. It is detrimental to healthy individuals and those who suffer from breathing, heart and throat problem. As per the IMA, this is a public health emergency as the city has practically turned into a gas chamber. When Delhiites woke up in the morning today, it seemed as if the city were shrouded in a thick blanket of smog with the visibility level very low and pollution level crossing all danger limits. Air quality in the capital is getting worse and worse and pollution level in the city reached to 451. All India Medical Association has rightly declared a public health emergency in Delhi. The situation is very grave and disturbing. Supreme Court mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has recommended the four-time increase in Parking fee and rationalizing the Metro Fare. It is time for the Central, Delhi, environment activists and the common Delhiites to make aware the people of the impending danger of pollution. The immediate need of the hour for the govt. in Delhi is to take emergency measures to meet the emergency situation. The rising level of pollution is posing a great threat to the health of the school going children in the morning. The pollution in the morning is inhaled by them profusely and that causes lungs and other throat related diseases. The worsening condition of pollution may cause health problems for healthy people. Those people who suffer from Cardiovascular and heart diseases have to be away from this type of polluted environment. This is not the first time that the Delhiites have experienced this thick cover of smog. It is a regular phenomenon for them. The Delhi Govt. must deal stringently with the people who violate norms meant for keeping pollution in check by using diesel generators all the time at their shops, offices and residences. The petrol run vehicles must be regulated in the city and the burning of stubble by the farmer in NCR and neighbouring states to clear the field be stopped. To deal with the problem of rising pollution effectively, the Govt. must introduce and well-managed and comfortable public transports on the road the number of the round of Metro every minute should also be increased. Delhiites would continue to experience worsening condition. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, high moisture level in the air has trapped emission from local sources and hanging low over the city in the absence of wind. A 'severe' Air Quality Index comes with the warning that air affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. The CPCB also recorded 'severe' air quality in the neighbouring Noida and Ghaziabad. Due to smog-like condition, the visibility early in the morning remained low, causing problems in rail and flight movement. The Supreme Court mandated green body Environment Pollution ( Prevention and Control) Authority- EPCA has recommended a four-times hike in parking fee and reduction of metro fares during off-peak hours to tackle the severe air quality in Delhi- NCR. The Committee met in New Delhi in the backdrop of worsening air quality in the region and announced a series of measures under the Graded Response Action Plan. The measures also include complete closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers across the region till further notice.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Lacking in action against corruption

Paradise after Panama papers have revealed the names of high and mighty, who have tax haven dealings, but despite the prompt order of probe, no action would be initiated on the report of the investigation. Though Centre has rightly ordered a probe by the reconstituted Multi Agency Group into the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists' Paradise Papers, the most important thing is action on the report of investigation. It is welcome that the Govt. has taken prompt action by ordering the probe immediately after Paradise papers’ names came to light, which reflects how big and mighty people from all around the world commit irregularities and have tax haven dealings. They have unaccounted money so they deal with tax haven by conniving with the law of the land. Paradise and Panama papers are of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which have leaked the information about how political leaders, Bollywood actors, businessmen, doctors etc. have stashed their unaccounted money into tax haven countries. With the revelation of Panama papers, several governments all around the world, including our neighbour Pakistan toppled, but no action was taken by our Govt. against those powerful personalities whose names figured in them. So, mere giving order to probe into Paradise papers and taking no action on the report of the investigation would never serve any purpose. And ultimately, it sends out the message that the Govt. at the Centre is not interested in acting against those people whose names figured in either Panama or Paradise. India's rank is 19th in Paradise papers as far as the name of the people in them is concerned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi always stresses the need for rooting out corruption from the country. But the time of issuing statements have gone. Now, action against corruption irrespective of connection is urgently required. Otherwise, the impression would go that Narendra Modi govt. is as lax as the previous one was in regards to fighting against corruption. ICIJ and 95 media partners explored 13.4 million leaked files from some of the world's most secretive countries. Prominent names from the US, UK, several other countries even India are shown to have tax haven dealings. From India to Washington, to London from Canada to Pakistan the new set of papers reveal how world’s rich and mighty has been indulging in alleged financial irregularities. Indian govt. has already taken cognizance and investigation units of the Income Tax Department have been alerted to take note of revelations for immediate appropriate action. It has been reported that many cases of offshore entities are already under investigation on fast track. The Government has directed that investigations in cases of Paradise Papers will be monitored through a reconstituted Multi Agency Group, headed by the Chairman, CBDT, having representatives from CBDT, ED, RBI & FIU. The most appropriate way to deal with corruption and black money is to take prompt action against all those, who are involved amassing ill-gotten money, irrespective of their connection. The time has come for action, and not merely issuing statement after statement about this and that achievement.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Corruption charges follow everywhere

By changing sides, the stigma of corruption charges against the political party leaders is not washed away. It is no logic that by joining the ruling BJP, the tainted leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are absolved of all charges. The two tainted leaders one of Himachal Pradesh and the other of West Bengal have left their parties and joined the BJP. The charges of corruption against them were leveled against them by none other than the BJP leaders. But now they have become clean only because they joined the BJP. It means the BJP is like the holy Ganges in which whichever tainted political leaders take a dip is washed off their sin of corruption. Pandit Sukhram was the Telecom Minister in Congress government of Narasimha Rao in 1996 when the investigating agency (CBI) during their investigation at his residences both at Mandi and New Delhi reportedly found bundles of notes of different denominations worth several crores in cash under his bed. Parliament was adjourned for more than two weeks over the bribery charges against Sukharam. The main leaders in Parliament who raised voice vociferously in Parliament were from the BJP. They stopped the Parliament to run for weeks over Sukhram issue. But when first Sukhram and then his son Anil Sharma in Himachal Pradesh left Congress and Joined BJP, they were considered, to be honest. What a standard parameter! It means it is clear that votes matter above everything for all political parties. There is no importance of moral, ethics, sanctity and character before votes for them. It is now clearly reflected that vote gathering capacity is the only factor in deciding the personality of political leaders. No doubt, Sukhram is still the most popular leader and has a strong grip on the voters in Mandi. Senior TMC leader Mukul Roy resigned from the party and joined BJP. He was close lieutenant of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He is accused of involvement in the famous scandals of Narada and Sharda. Again, it is none other than the BJP which had sought at the top of its voice for action against all those TMC leaders who were allegedly involved in Sharada and Narada Ponzi scandals. But now when Mukul Roy joined BJP, all the charges of corruption against him were of bygone days. BJP’s philosophy is that the past is past. Now see ahead and leave the baggage behind. BJP President Amit Shah laid the trap to enmesh Mukul Roy to strengthen his resurging party in Bengal. With the Left on the verge of total collapse and the Congress disorganized and disjointed in Bengal, BJP is emerging as the main opposition party in West Bengal. As Mukul Roy was considered to be very close to CM Mamata Banerjee since Nandigram Singur agitations against the Left, he has failed to connect with the people on the ground in West Bengal. He is not a mass leader like Mamata Banerjee. So, by taking Mukul Roy on board, BJP is not in a position to challenge her. She is still the way ahead of all other leaders of the state so far as the popularity graph is considered. Mamata Banerjee is the tigress of Bengal. She is connected with the people on the ground. Undoubtedly, BJP's vote share has gone up sharply in the last one or two elections but it does not mean that it poses any threat to Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Changing sides to wash off corruption taint is nothing but the political degeneration setting deeply in leaders and parties.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Shadow boxing between BJP and Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena is the oldest ally of BJP. It is in govt. with BJP in Maharashtra and at the Centre. There is more or less ideological similarity between the two parties. BJP is the bigger partner both in Maharashtra and at the Centre. Shiv Sena's political influence is confined to Maharashtra only while BJP is not only the national party but also emerged as the largest one of the nation. Just after a year and half of Narendra Modi govt. at the Centre, Shiv Sena started expressing reservation against the BJP openly. Though BJP has restrained so far in giving tit for tat to BJP to some extent, it now appears that breaking point between the two is about to be reached. Shiv Sena's Mouthpiece Samana's editorial stridently criticized the Demonetization and GST moves of the Narendra Modi Govt. In addition to that Sena Spokesperson Sanjay's Raut statement that now there is no longer Modi wave and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is capable of leading the nation will certainly sour relations between the two oldest allies. Shiv Sena's founder Bal Thackery also did not enjoy a very good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no cordiality of the past between the two parties - Shiv Sena and BJP- being represented by Bal Thackery and Vajpayee- Advani duo respectively left anymore. And if this situation continued to prevail, it would not be a surprise that both the allies would choose their own way. The root cause of strain in a relation between Shiv Sena and BJP is that the former is not getting as much weight in Fadnavis-led BJP govt. in the state of Maharashtra. At the Centre also, BJP in Modi regime attaches any importance to Shiv Sena. It is also the fear of Shiv Sena that the rising popularity of BJP and its tilt towards Sharad Pawar - led NCP in Maharashtra may cause a split in it. Praising Rahul Gandhi and demeaning Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Shiv Sena's spokesperson must have political importance. BJP may not react to Sanjay Raut in the same tone and tenor, but the knot has already set in relation with Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena has officially criticized Demonetization and GST and observing the ire of small and middle-class business persons at these two economic decisions, it has predicted that BJP might loose Gujarat this time. The thinking of Shiv Sena has always been low, narrow, parochial and regional. It may not openly espouse the cause of regionalism, but its breakaway group Maharashtra Navnirman Samiti (MNS) led by Bal Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray openly resorts to goondaism against the autorickshaw drivers, Rickshaw pullers, small business persons, hawkers and others in Mumbai from north India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and the state police and administration remain a mute spectator. BJP is the ruling party. BJP being largest national party, it should have immediately snapped its ties with this narrow and parochial party like Shiv Sena. Though Maharashtra Govt. is helpless in acting against the goons of MNS, who beat hawkers and auto rickshaw drivers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, hawkers have given them befitting reply. We are not supporting violence in any way by any side. But when no way is left and the govt. becomes silent over the alleged crime of Raj Thackeray's goons, the situation demands tit for tat. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city. It is not only Indians but the people from all over the world visit. So, its cosmopolitan character must be kept intact. It will be better for BJP to snap the tie with Shiv Sena as early as possible. Otherwise, its own image is tarnished in the company of Shiv Sena. When Shiv Sena says that Modi wave has faded away, it means it has now no hope with BJP.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Pak is deaf to US warning This is not the first time that the US has given a strong message to Pakistan to act against terrorists living in safe havens there. This type of message has been given to it a number of times in recent years. And all the US messages to Pak went unheeded. Pakistan never acted against terror on the US suggestion, advice, instruction, and dictation. The stark example of this is about the US most wanted terrorist Al-Qaeda boss Osama-bin-Laden, who was in safe havens in Abbottabad near Karachi in Pakistan, before being killed in the raid of his residence by the SEAL (US national navy). Pakistan had always been in denial mode about the whereabouts of Osama-bib-Laden while he was living there in safe havens. The duplicity of Pakistan is no longer a secret. It is known worldwide. The US is required to take direct action against Pakistan to show the world, especially, India that it wants at heart to fight against terrorism to finish. Though Pakistan has denied about the US wish list of about 100 terrorists whom the US wants to be handed over, the name of India’s most wanted terrorist Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar are not on it. The US list does not contain the name of Hafiz Saed, the Mumbai terror attack mastermind who carries a bounty of 10 million dollars on his head, but has been under house arrest since January.Mostly the terrorists belonging to Haqqani network figured on the list. To fight against terrorism and act against the nation which aids, abets and support terrorism, it is necessary to take hard steps on the ground. Merely giving verbal warning time and again cannot serve the purpose. Rather, it emboldens the nation which sponsors terrorism. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he had a frank exchange with Pakistan leadership on US expectations in a fight against terror. Tillerson himself had made the US position clear, at a press briefing on the last leg of his 8-day visit in Geneva.During his recent visit to Pakistan, he said he had a frank exchange of views with the Pakistani leadership and made it clear that nothing could be achieved by lecturing, but the US was very clear about expectations and what it was asking. The US too should have clear intent while dealing with the issue of terrorism. If it continued to keep its interest uppermost as far as terrorism is concerned, its fight cannot be taken to the logical end. The time has come for the US to act against Pakistan. It is always in denial mode on the issue of providing safe havens to terrorism. So, it deserves to be given a hard blow to open its mind. Otherwise, the warning after warning will go in vain.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Tighten law and order machineries in UP

Since the BJP government of Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath came to power in Uttar Pradesh, no sign of improvement on law and order front in the state has been seen. Rather, it has deteriorated sharply. It appears that law and order is an insurmountable problem in the state. The people of Uttar Pradesh had been yearning for good governance and law and order in the state for the last 15 years. Mulayam- Mayawati- Akhilesh Yadav government in the last 15 years before this assembly election in the state was known for all sorts of misgovernance. People were very much vexed and troubled because of deteriorating law and order in the state. So, they wanted to change in government. To get rid of anti-social and criminal elements, people voted BJP to power with a massive mandate. The five-time MP and Hindutva face of the BJP Yogi Adityanath was elected the leader of the ruling legislature party leader and was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. As Yogiji appears to be a hard taskmaster, people expected that he would tighten the law and order machinery immediately. The criminal elements will be driven away from the state as Yogi's administration was not expected to tolerate any nonsensical act. But the reality on the ground even in the BJP regime of CM Yogi Adityanath tells a different story. Murder, rape extortion, theft, loot, kidnapping etc. continue to take place in the state as it used to happen in the previous regimes. They have become the order of the day. Political executive in the democracy is the boss of bureaucrats. Bureaucrats cannot move a step without taking orders from their political bosses. Yogi Aiditya Nath is the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. It is not a general state but the largest among states. It is a politically most important state in the country. Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he started cleanliness campaign by taking the lead from the front to sweep the dirty corners in the city. PM or CM has much more tasks to work out than mere cleaning the Verandah, road, and courtyard. If the political executives are so much concerned about the cleanliness in the surrounding, they can easily take a personal interest in entrusting the task to the person concerned from the civic body. The time of PM and CM is very precious. It must not be squandered. If the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had spent time with police officials of the state in regard to tightening the law and order situation, India would not have been defamed outside in the foreign country for the assault on a Swiss couple at Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra. So, Mr. Chief Minister it would be better if you had visited some police stations to ask them why the incident of crime is not controlled. Whatever happened with the Swiss couple must be condemned by one and all. UP police must bring the culprit back to justice. Five persons have reportedly been arrested in connection with the assault on a Swiss couple at Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra. The attack on foreigners is so serious that even External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has also sought a report on it from the state government. It is the total failure of the Yogi govt. As law and order is a state subject, the state govt. must be held responsible for its failure.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

At last, Govt. to initiate dialogue in J&K

Centre has rightly decided to start a sustained dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir. Former Director of Intelligence Bureau Dineshwar Sharma will be the Govt. representative in the dialogue. Since the Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. came to power, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir went from bad to worse. Infiltration, militant violence, ceasefire violations and killing of civilians and military personnel increased without any check. All the promises of improving the situation in Jammu and Kashmir made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 proved to be hollow ones. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir got worse and worse. It appeared that the Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. had no Kashmir policy. The BJP which was ideologically dead against the People's Democratic Party of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti lost no time in sewing coalition with it to form govt. PDP-BJP coalition govt. is in place in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP is ruling at the Centre in Delhi. In the given situation, the deteriorating condition in the trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir is the result of prevailing confusion in the Govt. at the Centre. Earlier, Centre was against any talks with separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference. The faction-ridden Hurriyat Conference is playing in Jammu and Kashmir to the tune of Pakistan. Hurriyat leaders are openly financed and supported by Pak Govt. to create trouble in the Valley. With the revelation of money being received by Hurriyat leaders from Pakistan, the common innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir now can easily be impressed that the separatist leaders are only using them for their personal gains. This is possible only in talks with all the shareholders in Jammu and Kashmir. The Govt.'s interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir may even try to talk with the youth of the state who have been misled by the separatist leaders. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are required to be dealt with delicately so that they could feel that they are also part and parcel of India. They are as much Indian as anyone else belonging to any corner of the country. At last, Prime MInister Narendra Modi has taken very good decision to start dialogue process in Jammu and Kashmir. Any difference, grievance and complaints can be resolved through sustained dialogue. The govt.'s special representative Dineshwar Sharma is an expert hand to deal with the separatists. He is already involved with the dialogue process with different separatist leaders of different northeastern states. Dialogue process is the only option to resolve Kashmir problems. No problem can be resolved at gunpoint. The majority of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir has been misled. They must be brought to the national mainstream. The major announcement was made by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing a press conference in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that former director of Intelligence Bureau, Dineshwar Sharma will be the Government's representative in the dialogue. The Home Minister said that the Govt. is serious about the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. It would be better if the Govt. had shown seriousness about Jammu and Kashmir a little earlier. Though the start is already late, still there is much time left with the Govt. to initiate the sustained dialogue process with all the stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir within the ambit of the Constitution of India.

Monday, October 23, 2017

Poll bugle in Gujarat

Poll bugle in Gujarat, but the schedule of the assembly elections is yet to be announced by the Election Commission. Despite criticism by the opposition parties, which push the EC in the dock over the delay, no seriousness is visible. Opposition parties allege that EC has come under the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by not announcing the Gujarat assembly election date along with Himachal Pradesh. It has been done to favour the ruling party there as the Oppn parties allege. Election Commission should now announce the date of elections immediately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the single star election campaigner of BJP and Rahul Gandhi is the whole and sole of the opposition Congress party. Both have been addressing one rally after another to woo voters in the state. The Gujarat assembly elections are equally important for both BJP and Congress. This election is a test for BJP whether its popularity is intact or not and what is in store for it in 2019 while Congress has the opportunity to revive and get back its pre-imminent position in the state. BJP has been ruling Gujarat for the last 22 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi already served the state as its Chief Minister for 12 years before being elected as the Prime Minister of India. PM Modi also happens to be belonging to Gujarat. Gujarat is also PM's home state. With the rule in the state for 22 years without any interruption, BJP's base is on a sound foundation. But the reports pouring in from Gujarat clearly indicates that this time it is not going to be as easy as it used to be in the previous elections. Congress has been the main opposition party in the state. It has been out of power for the last 22 years. The wind this time is not favourably blowing in favour of the BJP. The small and middle-class business community is up in arms against BJP Govt. at the Centre over GST and demonetization. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani is himself helplessness to pacify them. But PM Modi is still the BJP's star attraction in the Gujarat assembly elections. He is not only PM but also the face of BJP in the Gujarat assembly elections. It also appears from the gathering at his election meeting that the people are no longer as much enthusiastic in support of BJP as they used to be in previous elections. Congress is the main opposition party in the Gujarat assembly. It is trying its best to get back its pre-imminent position in the state. It is hobnobbing with the young Patidar leader Hardik Patel, OBC star campaigner Alpesh Thakor and the lawyer and SC/ ST voice in Gujarat Jignesh Mewani. OBC leader Alpesh Thakor has reportedly joined the Congress at the rally being addressed by Congress Vice- President Rahul Gandhi. Congress has reportedly sent feelers to Hardik Patel and Jignesh Mewani to join Congress. If all the three young faces of Gujarat- Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mewani and Alpesh Thakor- came together to support Congress in the assembly elections, the severe headache will certainly develop among BJP leaders. But the BJP's greatest mascot is none other than the PM. PM Modi has the charisma to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Before the announcement of the election date, both Congress and BJP are fighting each other to score a brownie point. The war of words between Congress and BJP is going on to the tune of war drums. Apart from Congress, AAP may contest in Gujarat elections, though it is going to be a non-entity. If the Modi magic failed to click in Gujarat, the assembly elections' results may give clear signal what is to come for the party in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

BJP has upper hand in Himachal

As Himachal assembly is going to poll on Nov. 9, 2017, the state is in an election mode. The electoral process is set to gain momentum. The two major political parties – Congress and BJP- are busy with the selection of their candidates. If History repeats, BJP is certain to win as the state has always been alternate between the two major parties in the state. Infighting plagues the Congress party very seriously. Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and the state Congress President Sukhbir Singh Sukhu are fighting each other in the party to establish supremacy. Virbhadra Singh is a veteran Congress leader and he is also one of the tallest political personalities of Himachal Pradesh. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has already announced his name as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the party in the assembly elections. He had made HP Congress President Sukhbir Singh Sukhu as the Chief of the Election Campaign Committee and Virbhadra Singh as its member. But making CM Virbhadra Singh as the Chairman of the Election Campaign Committee on Monday as announced by Janardan Dwivedi is not only puzzling for the party workers but also the general people as to what is going on in Congress Party in the state. Virbhadra Singh may be one of the most prestigious leaders of Himachal Pradesh, but the Disproportionate assets case against him undoubtedly dented his political image. Congress is also facing anti-incumbency factor in the state. The party has to do lot of explaining to the people about its performance in the last four years. Internally, the BJP in Himachal is also not united. Union Health Minister J P Nadda, who comes of Himachal, also sees CM's chair and may be inclined to the post, but former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has also set his eye on CM's post again. So, it is also very difficult for the BJP to announce chief ministerial candidate of the party in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the tallest leader of the BJP and his charisma has also seen the nation. He has the political ability to snatch victory from the jaw of defeat. So, it is no problem for the BJP even if it doesn’t announce the name of its chief ministerial candidate in the assembly elections. It is not new for the party. It has done in several state elections in the past.PM with excellent oratorical power has the ability to draw crowds in the large number. Congress has no match for him. History is also on the side of BJP. If that is so, the BJP will certainly win this assembly election. If Congress has to be in the reckoning to get power back, it has to put up a united face in the elections. The Congress party President Sonia Gandhi must take personal interest to keep everything in the party in order. Congress is required to be united at all costs. Whenever the Congress party tastes defeat, it is because of infighting in the party. The Congress has named Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh as head of the party's campaign committee for the November 9 Assembly polls, replacing state Congress chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. Only three days back, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had named Sukhu as chairman of the campaign committee and made Singh its member. Gandhi has "approved" the name of Virbhadra Singh as the chairman of the campaign committee for the assembly elections in the state. Singh and Sukhu have been at loggerheads, with the chief minister demanding an immediate replacement as the PCC chief ahead of the elections. In the prevailing situation, the Congress leadership has to take the case of Himachal seriously and ask both the factions to patch up their differences as early as possible. Otherwise, Congress defeat in Himachal is a foregone conclusion.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Signal of Cong resurgence and wake-up call for BJP

The by-election result of the Gurdaspur Parliamentary elections is a wake-up call for the ruling BJP at the Centre and the clear indication of Congress resurgence to some extent. It was the bastion of BJP. Its MP film actor late Vinod Khanna represented Gurdaspur constituency thrice in the Lok Sabha. It was because of his death that by-election was necessitated there. There is Congress govt. in Punjab. So, Congress being strong there politically may be natural but the margin by which the BJP candidate was defeated must be a matter of serious concern for the party. It now clearly appears that the demonetization move of Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not yield any result as was expected. In addition to demonetization, the hastily implemented and ill-conceived GST also did not go down well with the small, middle and big businessmen. The proof of the adverse impact of these two economic measures can be seen in the fall of GDP growth by two percents. One thing also is evident all around that an atmosphere of economic gloom spreads all over. The market shows no enthusiasm despite the time of Deepawali. The employment is not generated in proportion to the growing number of unemployed. There is no bright spot anywhere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP must introspect that where they are going wrong that the people in only three years are appearing to be against the govt. They had given overwhelming support to Prime Minister Modi in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. So, the govt. must initiate economic measures to provide succour to the people. All economic activities have come to a standstill due to the implementation of GST without giving any proper training to the businessmen community. They are absolutely not satisfied with the Modi govt. It has also been experienced that in the NDA regime the gulf between the poor and the rich is widening. The rich are becoming richer and while the poor are becoming poorer. Modi govt. is required to think seriously about the falling economic condition of the people. Modi Govt. must realize one thing that the longstanding and idealistic speech cannot fill the stomach of the poor. The poor and the unemployed youth need employment to earn their livelihood. The common people of the country have nothing to do with this or that political party. They want the govt. that works for them. The Gurdaspur by-election result is the reflection of people's discontent with the ruling BJP at the Centre. If the BJP holds Congress corrupt, by which parameter it holds Akali Dal in Punjab honest to be made alliance partner. As long as the BJP will remain with Akali Dal, it would not resurge in Punjab. Now, only a year and 10 months have left to go to Lok Sabha elections in 2019. So, the ruling NDA must do something to revive the economy fast. Otherwise, it will also have to face people's wrath in the Lok Sabha elections. It has been in govt. so it will have to answer the questions put by the people to BJP leaders. The Congress has registered a massive victory in the Gurdaspur, as party candidate Sunil Jakhar won by a margin of 1,93,219 votes. The six-month-old govt. of Congress passed a litmus test by winning the election by such a huge margin. The Congress had fielded veteran leader Sunil Jakhar to contest the by-elections against the BJP-SAD alliance candidate, businessman Swaran Salaria and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate, Retired Major General Suresh Khajuria.Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) could not save its security deposit. Gurdaspur result clearly shows that the people are not satisfied with the work of the BJP govt. at the Centre. Though by-election result generally goes in favour of the ruling party in the state, it is definitely taken seriously by the BJP.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Keen contest in Himachal Pradesh assembly elections

The date of Himachal Pradesh assembly elections has been announced by the Election Commission. The difference between the date of commencement of election and declaration of its result is 38 days. It itself appears ocular. It has also surprised the nation that why the date of Gujarat assembly elections was not announced along with the Himachal. It appears that Election Commission which has so far been independent has come under the pressure of NDA govt. at the Centre. Election Commission is a constitutional body. It comprises three Election Commissioners and one among them is the Chief Election Commissioner. CEC AK Jyoti was the Chief Secretary of the Gujarat Govt. before being made CEC. Jyoti being the CEC and Gujarat election date being not announced along with Himachal create an impression among the people that he favours the ruling party at the Centre by giving them two to four days to announce some schemes, policy, and programmes to tempt the Gujaratis towards BJP as PM is to visit the state in the next week. With the announcement of the election, the model code of conduct is automatically enforced and after that Govt. can make no announcement about its promises and policies for the people to influence them. Though it has been the history of assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh that it alternates between Congress and BJP after every five years, this time outcome may be different. There is an anti-incumbency factor against the Congress govt. of Virbhdra Singh in the state. In addition to anti-incumbency, there is also the Disproportionate assets case against CM Virbhadra Singh. ED is already pursuing its investigation against him. In addition to this, CM and the Himachal Pradesh Congress president don't see eye to eye. Congress party is faced with the issue of infighting. Though Virbhadra is still the tallest leader of Himachal and his name has already been announced as Chief Ministerial candidate in the assembly elections by the Congress, his boat doesn’t appear to be sailing through. On the other side, the BJP is poised for victory in the assembly elections. But the irony with the party is also that no one leader emerges as the consensus candidate for the post of Chief Minister. Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is already in the race. Himachal BJP leader and the Union Health Minister JP Nadda is also eyeing the post of Chief Minister of the state. It is also difficult for the BJP to evolve consensus over the issue of leadership for the post of Chief Minister in the state. BJP may not announce its CM candidate as it has been doing in North Indian states normally. It had not announced the name of Chief Minister in Delhi and UP elections. It lost Delhi but it won Uttar Pradesh. So, it appears pretty certain that the election in Himachal Pradesh will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi versus CM Virbhadra Singh. There is still an attraction for Virbhadra in Himachal Pradesh. It appears clear that due to not reaching consensus on the issue of leadership in the state in the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the face of the party in the state. There are several leaders in the BJP in Himachal who are of Chief Ministerial material. Prem Kumar Dhumal and JP Nadda are prominent among them. So, it appears that the BJP leadership has shelved the issue and like UP if it won the election, it would elect its legislative party leader very easily. The chances for BJP in the state look bright if the electoral history of the state is anything to go by. But as Virbhadra is himself old war-scarred Congress leader, it would not be easy for BJP to thrash him. The election in Himachal is going to be keenly contested. It is not easy either for BJP or Congress to win. Let us see what happens. But the upper hand in the election is of BJP in Himachal Pradesh.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Political violence must stop

Whichever political party indulges in violence to settle scores with its opponent is against the essence of democracy. There is no place for violence in the democracy. Every political party has right to criticize against its rival in politics. But resorting to violence to settle the score with the rival party cadre is a crime. So, it must be dealt as such. BJP charges Kerala Govt. and the Left parties with murdering its political workers. Political violence is not new to Kerala. It has been happening since long. CPI (M) is ruling there and the BJP is trying its best to establish its feet in the state. BJP has launched Janraksha Yatra against the ongoing political violence in the state of Kerala. Violence by any political party to settle scores with opponents is not permissible in the regime of democratically elected govt. in the state. The rule of law is meant for all and it must be enforced to maintain peace and amity in the state. Whether it is BJP, Congress, Left parties or others, the violence committed by anyone is unjustified and outlawed. CPI(M) govt. in Kerala must not allow the anti-social or criminal elements to take law into their own hands. No matter which party the assailants or attackers belong to, the police must act against them under due process of law. It is the responsibility of Pinarayi Vijayan govt. to maintain law and order in the state at all costs. BJP charges the CPI(M) with state atrocities against its cadres. In the recent past, several BJP or RSS cadres have allegedly been killed by the CPI(M) cadres. Meanwhile, political violence continued unabated in the state. Another BJP worker and auto-rickshaw driver Suresh Sudheesh was attacked in Thalassery in Kannur on Tuesday. He has been admitted to a private hospital. The incident took place near Ponniam bridge in Thalassery. BJP has accused CPM workers of the attack. Police are probing the incident. Political violence in Kerala dates back to decades. Since 2001, at least 120 BJP workers had been killed in the state. Of these 84 were killed in Kannur only. 14 of the killings have been conducted in Pinarai, the hometown of Kerala Chief Minister P Vijayan.To attract the media and national attention, the top leaders of BJP have taken upon themselves to push CPI(M) govt. into the corner by launching Janraksha Campaign in Kerala against ongoing political violence Democracy does not allow violence. There must be opposition in the democracy. The ruling political party in the state or at Centre must not promote violence with the help of state machinery. CPI(M) is ruling in the state of Kerala and BJP is at the Centre. Both are ruling political parties. Their cadres have clashed against one another frequently with the police as mute spectators. Whether it is BJP or CPI(M) cadre, the killing of anyone is a criminal act. So, violence must not be allowed. No cadre of any political party should be encouraged to resort to violence to settle the issue. BJP has taken the murder of its cadres in Kerala seriously. So, most of its central leaders have joined Janraksha campaign in the state. BJP's Janraksha Yatra, the campaign against the ongoing violence in the left ruled Kerala has entered its second week. Even Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also joined the Janraksha Yatra.Union Minister of State for external affairs, General (Retd.) V. K. Singh has also attended the Janraksha Yatra. He has alleged that nearly 250 people have been killed in Kerala owing to political violence in the state. Union Minister of State for health and family welfare, Ashwini Choubey also led a Janraksha Yatra from Delhi's Arambagh to the CPM office in Gole Market. BJP is taking out marches in various parts of the country protesting the killings of BJP and RSS workers and has accused the communist cadre of the violence. Whoever is responsible for the ongoing political violence in the state of Kerala must be exposed before the nation. At present, it is the duty of the state govt. to provide security to all political activists irrespective of their political affiliations.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Abnormal rise in Delhi Metro fare

At last, Metro fare was raised unbearably by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which is straight under the control of Central Govt. The Metro fare hike will directly affect the livelihood of Delhiites as it is connected with it. AAP Govt. and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had strongly opposed the proposal for Metro fare hike, but no heed was paid by the Central govt. Central Govt. is of the view that without adequate expense on the Metro, it cannot provide world-class service. It is right that good service demands good cost. But as Delhi Metro is the lifeline of Delhiites and all of them are not in a position to afford the increased fare, it appears the backbreaking move against the metro riders. They would have to stop availing Metro service and choose some other sources of conveyance cheaper than the Metro. All are not equally well off in Delhi that they would have no problem with the increased fare. More than 80 percent of office goers go to their offices by Metro to reach in time. Metro is preferred because it provides satisfactory, fast and punctual service to the commuters. To go to the office in time daily, Metro is the first and last priority of all Delhiites. As there is no disruption normally in the movement of Metro from this corner to that corner in Delhi, Delhiites had the privilege of doing the job anywhere in the city and distance no longer remained any hurdle for them. In about one and half hours, one can make a round of Delhi. This is the miracle of Delhi Metro. So, a steep rise in Delhi Metro fare will create many problems for, especially, the petty job holders and daily wages earner. They live in one corner because of cheap accommodation in the area and work in another corner only due to the Metro service. It could only be possible because of the running of Metro train. Only in May this year, the Metro fare was raised from Rs.8 to 10 as its first slab. Its impact was felt by Metro in the decreasing trends in its passengers. Now as the steep rise in fare was introduced, the number of commuters will definitely go down. Despite the letter written by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of State for Tourism, to handover DMRC to Delhi Govt. to manage without raising fare of the Metro, no attention was paid. Instead, Suri said that Metro would meet the same fate as DTC it its fare was not hiked. It is a matter of common knowledge that without adequate expense, one cannot avail good service. But matter here is that the commuters who would avail the high class if they had the capacity to afford the increased fare. So, while increasing the fare in the name of providing better service, the DMRC must have kept in view the affordability of the Metro commuters in Delhi. If the Metro needs immediate financial support to keep it running in the same condition, the Govt. should have taken responsibility of providing adequate funds. Burdening the poor Delhiites more and more is not a good idea of the Narendra Modi govt. Delhiites are not in a position to afford the increased Metro fare. Metro riding is becoming costlier and costlier year by year. Delhi Metro is the lifeline of Delhiites. But it gets costlier from today.As part of the two-phase revision of Metro fares recommended by the Committee, the fare would remain Rs. 10 for the first 2 km, but will subsequently increase by Rs. 10 in each slab, going up to a maximum of Rs. 60.The Metro fares were last revised in May when the minimum tariff was raised from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10.The revised fare structure will be: up to 2 km - Rs. 10, 2-5 km - Rs. 20, 5-12 km - Rs. 30, 12-21 km - Rs. 40, 21-32 km - Rs. 50 and for journeys beyond 32 km - Rs. 60.

Friday, October 6, 2017

A warning to Pakistan

Air Chief Marshal B. S. Dhanoa has rightly warned Pakistan that if it dared to do mischief with its tactical nuclear weapons, Indian air force has the capability and ability to locate, fix and strike across the border. Our air force has already shown its valour in 1971 war against Pakistan. But as far as the surgical strike against the terror outfits based across the border is concerned, the decision has to be taken by the govt. It is also the chief characteristics of Indian army that all its three wings- Navy, Army and Air Force- operate in a well-coordinated manner whenever the need arose in the past. Our IAF is well prepared to face any eventuality. Pakistan must know that by dangling nuclear weapons in the air, it cannot strike fear among Indian military personnel. Though Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa's reply to the question of the reporter may appear to be reflecting belligerence, Pak needs to understand that it must not be in any delusion that by dangling nuclear weapon in the air, the Indian army will hesitate to undertake any more surgical strike across the border if terror activities continued to go on. The prowess and the valour of IAF are of highest order. It is so fully equipped with weapons and fighter jets that it can strike across the border with the blink of eyes. Our Air Force is one of the best professional forces in the world. The Govt. of India must see that if Air Force is well-equipped with all the required modern weapons of the time or not. India has to keep its three wings of Army well- prepared to meet any eventuality. As far as India is concerned, it is the first target of terrorists sent by Pakistan. Pakistan is its hostile neighbour and its promotion of terror activities against India must be thwarted at all costs. Air Force has shown its concerns about the safety and security of the country. Pakistan is not only promoting terror against India its army and notorious ISI have greater say in the govt. there also. Pak army always likes to wage war against India despite being badly defeated thrice in the past. Air Chief Marshal has shown his forces' bravery that they will no longer be behind in carrying out surgical strike against Pakistan. Pakistan being the promoter of terror, it cannot face the truth. It is mischievous and wicked. Our brave air force personnel must show their bravery once to Pakistan that even the entire world would come to know that India is no longer prepared to accept any kind of humiliation. The Indian Army in September 2016 had destroyed five terror camps across the LoC. In counter-terror operations, members of the Special Forces from the army were also para-dropped at the spots. Also, as per reports, eight Indian Army soldiers were killed in ceasefire violations in 2016. This loss has risen to 14 soldiers till now in 2017. Incidents of ceasefire violation and infiltration attempts made by Pakistan more than doubled till September end of this year. The ceasefire violations in the year 2016 were 228 and this year, it has reached to 503 attempts till date. Security analysts associate the ceasefire violations with the infiltration bids which are to ingress across the LoC.

PM defends the state of economy

The state of the economy is certainly not in a good shape. There is gloomy atmosphere all around the country in every sector of economic activities. Undoubtedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying his best to improve the economic situation in the country but it will take time. He has taken several decisions to halt the falling economic growth. He has pursued structural reforms to close all doors of corruption. The encouragement of cashless mode will certainly leave no scope of corruption. The criticism of his economic moves is not only by the opposition leaders but also his own party leaders, which has upset him. That is why while addressing the Golden Jubilee Company Secretaries of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lashed out at the critics of his economic management. Two veteran leaders of his own party BJP and both are former Ministers- Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie- have already expressed their dismay on the fall of GDP by 2 percents in the last quarters. They criticized stingingly and said that PM Modi mismanaged the economy very badly. They also criticized PM's move of demonetization and introduction of GST. Former Finance Minister and veteran BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said that GST was an ill-conceived idea and it was hastily implemented. He also criticized the handling of economic affairs by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Shourie said that demonetization was as bold as a suicidal step. Brushing aside all criticism of his economic management, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly defended his economic policy and compared it to the previous UPA govt. and said that in that govt. at least 8 times the GDP had fallen by two per cents. PM has rightly said that fundamentals of Indian economy is very strong so minor jolt to it would make no difference. PM has rightly said that economy of the country is on firm footing and that he will never jeopardize the country's future for the present gains. He has spoken plainly on the state of the economy as he addressed the Golden Jubilee of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. He has rightly attacked those pessimists who were exaggerating the extent of a fall in just a single quarter of growth. The PM said that many experts are in agreement that the fundamentals of the economy are strong and reforms are positive. The Govt. over the past three years has taken several important decisions to improve ease of doing business. PM has assured that economic stability would be maintained, and govt. will take all possible steps to increase investment and speed up economic development. It is correct to say that the country's economy has seen only one such quarter after achieving three years of 7.5 percent growth. The NDA Govt. is fully prepared to restore the growth trajectory. Inflation has been brought down from double-digit levels. The data indicates how the economy is improving both in urban and rural India. FMCG's growth has also increased, and so has production of coal and electricity. The credit offtake has increased and so has investments in the mutual fund. Rural road construction has increased by 50 percent in three years as has a construction in the housing sector. There may be gloom in the economy in the prevailing situation, but spreading pessimism in about it is not in the interest of the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is himself making the sincere effort to bring the economy of the country back on the track and be counted as the fastest-growing economy of the world.