Unprecedented reception

It was an unprecedented welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Britishers as well as Indian diasporas at Wembley in London. After the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to UK is hogging the headlines of national and international news papers. Undoubtedly, his visit to almost all foreign countries have been successful barring in our backyard Nepal where despite tumultuous welcome to him, it provides space to China to our annoyance and blames India for blockading the supply of petroleum products like, diesel and LPG and giving support to Madhesis. So, instant media focus on PM’s foreign trips and their wide coverage of the jamboree of Indian diasporas to welcome him on foreign land make no meaning for the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is first to address British Parliament, though it was not in session yet all MPs were in attendance. It is also true that he has put a sense of nationalism among the Indian diasporas living in different countries. The people of Indian origin in the US at Madison Square welcomed Prime Minister Modi very warmly and he with his excellent oratorical quality made them hilarious and infused a sense of help to the country of their origin. The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given rousing welcome with red carpet laying all around for him in England, which had ruled on us, is unprecedented. British Prime Minister welcomed PM Modi with open heart and heaped praise on him profusely. He assured him of helping India in its attempt of making Digital India and Skill India a total success. Britishers have been our masters and we have got freedom from them. But we have felt nowhere uneven behavior on the part of either the Queen Elizabeth or British Prime Minister David Camron with Prime Minister Modi. As India has a very big market and it has also immense potential with being the third largest economy, all the western countries prefer to look towards India. Market has been the deciding factor in determining and establishing relation. The down turn in China and economic upward of India have changed the world perception on economic front. India is also an emerging economy and there seems no sign of world-wide economic slump on it. It has resilience to weather off any economic downturn at any point of time. Trade and business have been the main theme of the talk between PM Modi and his British counterpart Camroon. British PM Camron's body language while exhorting the Wembley crowd to welcome PM Modi clearly reflects that he needs Indian market as much as India needs British investment. Despite being a successful Japan, China, US, UK etc. visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and singing of agreements in regard to business, trade and investment with them, nothing is perceptible on the ground. Undoubtedly, PM Modi has raised India's image abroad as foreign countries have realized that India too wants business and it has finally put its feet on the path of economic reforms very strongly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent the Friday morning at Chequers where he continued his discussions with his counterpart PM David Cameron.The two leaders took a walk in the compounds of Chequers Court which is the country house retreat of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It has been the private retreat of the Prime Minister since 1921. The two leaders also planted a sapling to mark the visit.

Bihar is verdict against intolerance, price rise and false promises

The Bihar verdict has given a clear message against growing intolerance, price rise, politics over beef, uncalled for statement on reservation by ruling BJP's doting parent Mohan Bhagwat that it is to be reviewed and the false promises made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the last Lok Sabha election campaignings as Prime Ministerial candidate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made tall promises to the people during Lok Sabha election campaigns that if he was elected to power, his govt. would give relief to the people on all fronts. He had promised to bring down prices of the essential commodities, including food items, which was very high during the last phase of the previous UPA govt., and bring back black money stashed in foreign banks within hundred days. PM Modi had promised that the amount of black money was so heavy that after bringing it back, his govt. would give 15 to 20 lakhs in the account of every Indian. He said that he would fulfill his promises in 100 days only. 17 months have elapsed neither any black money was brought back nor Rs. 15 to 20 lakh was deposited with any Indian bank account holder. Instead of any ease on any front, the prices of all essential commodities rose higher and higher without any check in with his coming to power. The pulse and onion prices broke the all previous records. That is why Biharis rejected the BJP in this state assembly election. Bihar verdict may be described as the victory of pulse over beef. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the single face of the BJP in the state of Bihar. He had held about 40 election rallies and entertained the audience a lot. But what his party got in return is all before us. The killing of Iqlakh over mere suspicion that he slaughtered calf and at beef, blackening of the faces of writer Sudheerendra Kulkarni in Mumbai for organizing the book launch of Pak foreign minister Mahmud Kasauri and J& K independent MLA Rashid Engineer in Delhi for holding beef party allegedly by Shiv Sainiks and Hindu Senas respectively clearly shows the growing intolerance in the country with Narendra Modi-led NDA govt coming to power. No secular Indian can tolerate these acts. Our Constitution does not permit any body to control and direct the people as to what to eat, how to dress and which religion to adopt. Bihar is testimony to the fact that it has never supported sectarian, divisive and communal agenda with which Modi-led NDA govt. tried to go ahead. It would reign in unbridled BJP motor mouths. Biharis too had overwhelmingly voted to BJP in the last general elections but when they found that PM Modi believed only in tall talking and doing nothing on the ground, they showed their displeasure in the just concluded Bihar assembly elections. Undoubtedly, the criteria for voting in Bihar has been caste since the first elections and it has increased election after elections, but this type of massive victory recorded by the Grand Alliance of Congress, RJD and JD(U) under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar can not be possible with only caste-based voting. CM Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance has swept the elections and pulverized the rival PM Modi-led NDA in Bihar. And Bihar verdict would have far reaching political consequences on national level. It has also shown that PM Modi-led NDA is no longer invincible. It has given an impetus to the opposition. Bihar verdict itself shows that the people irrespective of caste, creed, community and region voted for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is development-oriented. Biharis reposed faith in him very strongly. No political leader can stand up to CM Ninish Kumar at this point of time in the Bihar. This verdict may pitch-fork him as a contender to PM Modi at national level. The time is running out for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and if he failed to read the writing on the wall and continued to keep himself silent on various tormenting incidents in the country, the people would no longer hear his grandstanding speeches.

Don't see the prevailing situation with jaundiced eyes

Undoubtedly, Anupam Kher is a famous Bollywood actor, but the march for India against intolerance led by him to counter protests by writers and artistes against "rising intolerance “lends little credence because of his being close to the ruling party. He also happens to be the husband of BJP MP Kirron Kher. So it is natural that he would speak for Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. The counter march taken out by film actors and writers, who support BJP, reflects that they have chosen the path of confrontation. It would be better for the country if Anupam Kher had taken initiative in arranging talks between Modi govt. and writers, film makers and scientists who have returned their national awards in protest against growing intolerance in the country. Instead of mollifying them, BJP supporter writers and film personalities have aggravated the situation by taking out march for India against intolerance to counter protests. Anumpam Kher says that award Wapsi is to defame the country by projecting a wrong picture of the situation. It appears from his statement that he is blind to whatever is happening all over the country in pursuit of establishing the supremacy of the religion of the majority. What is Dadri lynching over the suspicion of Calf slaughtering and eating beef? Why was Akhlaq killed on mere suspicion that he slaughtered calf and ate the beef? It is the naked example of intolerance. The situation of intolerance has reached to such a pass that the news about it is being made headlines even in prestigious foreign news papers and News magazine. The blackening of writer Sudheerendra Kularni only for organizing the launch of Pak foreign minister Mehmud Kasauri's book launch in Mumbai allegedly Shiv Sainiks and the blackening of the face of independent J& K MLA Rashid Engineer allegedly by Hindu hardliners after being thrashed in the assembly by BJP MLA for holding the beef party clearly reflect that there is no freedom of expression and personal liberty. The killing of writers and rationalists allegedly by Hindu hardliners, who are bent on establishing the supremacy of Hindu religion over others, clearly reflects that there is no space for sense of reasoning. Food choice is a matter of personal affairs. What we should eat or what should we not eat can not be decided by others. What do we call this type of situation? It is nothing but intolerance. Anupam Kher has led a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan alleging that the "award-wapsi" campaign was to defame the country by projecting a "wrong" picture of the situation. It clearly appears that he sees all things with jaundiced eyes. At least 75 members of the intelligentsia have returned national or literary awards in an escalation of protests by writers, historians, filmmakers and scientists over "growing intolerance", voicing fears that the country's robust democracy might be "coming apart" in the current atmosphere. Instead of inviting writers, film makers and scientists, who have returned awards in protest against growing intolerance, for talks to know their point of view, the BJP-led government has dismissed the protest as "manufactured rebellion" and "politically" motivated.

Pay immediate attention to Nepal

The strained relation with Nepal is not good for India and vice versa. A misunderstanding has developed in Nepal that the scarcity of petroleum products in the country is being deliberately created by India. As India's response to the newly chartered Constitution has been lukewarm, Nepal took it otherwise. India openly expressed its reservation on the failure of Nepali Constitution maker s to incorporate proportional representation for Madhesi population of the country. Madhesis have been excluded from the high posts like President, Prime Minister and High Court judges. It is nothing but sheer injustice. But the situation is required to be dealt with tactfully by prevailing on Nepal that the constitution must be inclusive in democracy. And no section of society should feel alienated. The recent death of an Indian student in police firing in Nepal and India’s angry response to it has also made the situation worse. Madhesis have been agitating against the adoption of new constitution, which they describe as discriminatory, for several months. Police had suppressed their agitation time and again. There are people to people relation between Madhesis and Indians. They are very much similar in nature and practice to Indians. As China has always been look out to distance India's neighbouring country as they have done with Pakistan, they grabbed the opportunity and supplied diesel and petrol to meet the requirement of Nepal. India failed the gauze the situating developing in Nepal in time. It is nothing but the failure of India's foreign policy. Nepal has been our traditional friend. Both India and Nepal are close-door neighbours and enjoyed very good relation. Nepal's two third of trade is with India. India is the best destination of Nepalese for livelihood. A largest number of Nepalese lives in India. China and Pakistan are their least concerns. In the given situation, Nepal’s bonhomie with China is nothing but the failure of India's foreign policy. Nepal was dependent on 67% of petroleum consumption on India but when it found that there had been blockade on its supply. So, Nepal looked towards China for petrol, diesel and LPG, which is very bad signal for India. But at the same India also can not bear with Nepal govt. discrimination with Madhesis population. So, India required dealing with the situation tactfully and diplomatically. With Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister of India, he made two quick visits to Nepal and his govt.'s instant response with relief material to its earthquake, which caused wreckage, brought Nepal closure to India. It is the newly chartered constitution which has caused strain between the two countries. Though China can not continue to supply petroleum products like Petrol, diesel and LPG due to difficult road route, India must start sending trucks of essential commodities and petroleum products to Nepal. It is India's success in its foreign policy if it keeps the neighbours in good humour. The good relation with neighbour would not allow any other nation to set its foot in our backyard.

Reign in motor mouths

The way Super star Shahrukh Khan, who is also lovingly called king Khan, was attacked by BJP motor mouths- Kailash Vijayvargia, Yogi Aditya Nath and others of the same ilk - merely for expressing disgust over the increasing intolerance in the country on his 50th birthday is a cause of great concern for the entire nation. He has rightly said that religious intolerance will take us to dark ages. He has made India proud with his extra-ordinary cinematic, artistic and entertaining skills. And all Indians are proud of him. PM should reign in his party motor mouths to keep our country’s chief characteristic -unity in diversity- intact. Shahrukh Khan is one of the most popular Bollywood actors of our country. He is popular not only in his own country but also the world over. He earned pride, glamour and prestige for the country. His Indianness can not be questioned. Comparing Khan with the dreaded Pak-based and India's most wanted terrorist Hafiz Sayeed by the BJP MP is a great disservice for the nation. BJP leaders, MPs and Ministers are habituated to asking all Indians who ever raised voice against the Narendra Modi government at the Centre to go Pakistan. They even said that Khan spoke in the language of Hafiz Sayeed and accused him of treason. What is this? It is completely nonsensical behavior towards our luminary. BJP and its leaders must know that the father of Shahrukh Khan was a veteran freedom fighter. His father became freedom fighter at a very young age. Khan's family had migrated to India from Pakistan after the partition. So his nationality and patriotism is unquestioned. He is known world over as one of the biggest Bollywood stars with innumerable number of fans in India as well as abroad. The way Dadri lyching and blackening of Sudheerendra Kulkarni's face in Mumbai for organizing the launch of Pak former foreign minister Mehmud Kasauri’ book and Independent J&K MLA Engineer Rashid's MLA in Delhi for organizing beef party by the Hindu hardliners is nothing but increasing intolerance in society. Engineer Rashid had already been manhandled by BJP MLA in J&K assembly itself. The situation becomes dangerous when BJP and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warning to party leaders not to make statements that encourage intolerance and create division in society have fallen on deaf hear. The motor mouths of BJP continued to shoot whenever any opposition political leader or celebrity expressed his or her view on increasing intolerance in society and against the government. Why did the Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. instead of describing the return of national awards by several writers, scientists and celebrities of different fields in protest against the intolerance as manufactured act not call them for talks to know their point of views? The killing of rationalists- Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare - and renowned literary personality Dr. Kalburgi - allegedly by the Hindu hardliners who are bent on establishing orthodox social order even in 21st century is nothing but a naked example of intolerance . Prime Minister Narendra Modi should realize immediately that now the time has come to reign in his party's unbridled leaders and minister, who compare the two Dalit children who were burnt alive, with dogs. It shows their insensitivity to the people who belong to weaker section and religious minority. India is a secular democratic republic. The govt. can discriminate against the people who belong to minority community. India's secular fabric must be kept intact.

Lowest level of political discourse in Bihar elections

The people have witnessed the lowest level of politics by both the contenders of power in Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA is pitted against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance in the ongoing Bihar assembly elections. The fifth and final phase of election comes to an end on Nov.5 and counting of votes will be held on Nov. 8. Both the contenders of power claim of their victory. This Bihar assembly election is the most keenly contested one in the history of independent India. It is the day of result i.e. Nov 8 on which people will come to know who won or who lost. Whichever side wins, the margin of victory will be very thin. There is neck to neck fight between NDA and GA. NDA is led by PM Modi while GA is led by CM Nitish Kumar. PM Narendra Modi himself is the face of NDA while GA has projected CM Nitish Kumar as its face in Bihar assembly elections. PM Modi has been the single star campaigner of NDA. He has broken all previous records of campaigning in assembly elections in a state by any other former PM. He has held more than 40 rallies in the ongoing Bihar assembly elections. His prestige as PM is at stake in this election. As the result of the assembly elections will have far reaching political ramifications both at the Centre and in the state, both sides have put everything at the stake to win. There is do or die situation for both the contenders. Both NDA and GA avowedly say that they are fighting elections on the agenda of development and good governance but neither of them allows the issue of religion, caste and community go untouched. Since 1952 elections, Bihar has always witnessed as caste being the single most important factor in casting of votes. The same situation of caste-wise voting has taken place in this ongoing Bihar election. As the people of Bihar are politically very conscious, it is difficult for any analyst or pollster to make prediction. The ramifications of Bihar assembly election result will put question mark on unquestioned leadership of PM Modi in NDA if it looses. If the GA looses, there will be the end of Lalu’s political career, question mark on Nitish political future and hopeless in Congress with the leadership. The Bihar assembly elections show that the politicians are only interested in power and they have nothing to do with development. It also shows that even the leader of the stature of Prime Minister can go to the lowest level of politics. It is no matter whether it is communal, caste or religious issue, politicians can focus on any of these three issues to garner votes. Grand Alliance under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar is the conglomeration of secular democratic politics whereas NDA under the leadership of PM Modi represents the right of the Centre. Not even a single day has passed in Bihar poll campaign on which the leaders from both sides have gone all time low. Grand Alliance has edge over NDA certainly in one area. It is the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar, who has been a development-oriented politician and on this count he is unmatched in the state. No political leader across the party line stands up to Kumar in Bihar. It is because of differences within the Bihar BJP that the central leadership did not project any party leader in the state BJP as its chief ministerial candidate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is himself the sailor of Bihar BJP boat to the shore. Now only three days are left to go when we would come to know who emerged victorious in nation's one of the most keenly contested assembly elections.

Check sky-rocketing price If one thing was behind the disillusionment of the people with the previous UPA government, it was the run away price of all essential commodities, including all food items. And because of its failure to check the rising prices, the people saw hope in the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha election campaigns as prime ministerial candidate of BJP. The common people and the youths of the country were completely carried away by his grandstanding slogan. It is not only the price rise but also communal harmony, creation of jobs and peaceful co-existence on which Modi govt. has failed to deliver any result. The common people of the country are finding extremely difficult to fill their stomachs. Their back is being broken by the unbridled price of essential commodities, including food items. The price of green vegetables is going up and up. Onion is already bringing tears to the people eyes. The price of Pulses has broken all previous record and presently they at all time high. Some raids in different parts of the nation have also exposed the level of black marketing and hoarding by business men. It is true that inclement weather has also contributed to price rise of food items. The question arises now that the price of food items largely depends agricultural production, which is mostly dependent on rain, and if that is the ground reality, what was the need for making tall promises. The price of Arhar pulse has crossed Rs. 200 a Kg and onion Rs. 80 a Kg. Both pulse and onion are the staple food of the poor. But in the given situation of price rise, they can not afford to buy pulses and onion. Prime Minister Modi is an excellent orator, but he never mentions nor does give a hint at price rise issue during his month-long Bihar poll campaigns. The ruling BJP says that during its rule, the prestige of the country has gone high abroad. But what does it mean for the poor who are struggling hard to meet their both ends. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised during his Lok Sabha poll campaigns that if he was elected to power, he would bring the black money stashed away in foreign banks back, and the amount is so high that every India would have Rs. 15-20 lakhs in their bank accounts. But it has so far proved an eyewash. If the result of Munuicipal elections in Maharashtra and Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh is anything to go by, the hopelessness with Modi-led NDA govt. among the people is clearly reflected and it also shows the sharp fall in PM Modi’s popularity . If a global account report on price rise is to be considered, it is higher by 18 percent than that of the price rise in Pakistan. On the price rise issue, Modi-led NDA govt. has left Pak behind. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also failed to push forward the reforms process and check the rising intolerance in society. If the intolerance would be dismissed as manufactured by the Modi govt., the foreign investors would certainly think twice before investing in India.