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Some comments on the recent deceleration in Indian economy

sudip47
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Some comments on the recent deceleration in Indian economy

It is now generally accepted that the distress in the automobile, textile and diamond industry, thaw in the information technology sector and the declining manufacturing sector characterize the slowdown prevailing for some time now. Consumption, which has been the main life-blood and the driving force of the Indian economy, has remarkably slowed down in the recent months in the absence of credit supply to the SMEs particularly in the informal sector and already suffering rural economy. NBFC, which used to be the prime lender to the informal sector, has been going through a liquidity crisis. There is a cash crunch. It is affecting the farm and wholesale sectors.

Even the country’s rich are affected, according to Hurun India Rich List 2019 and their cumulative wealth dropped by Rs 3,72,800 crore. The list indicates tough competition among the rich and also that their industries have been hit by the economic slowdown. Further, the Big Corporates are drowning in debt that they accumulated during the Boom Years of the first decade of the 21st century. There is also a global economic slowdown that is happening and given the fact that India is a net commodity exporter, there has been a decline in the value of exports. In short, the meltdown is all encompassing.

The cut in corporate tax rates from 35 per cent to 25 per cent is welcome but, in fact, with depreciation and other adjustments, the corporates for the last over two decades have not been paying more than 22.5 per cent income tax. The supposed relief of Rs 1.45 lakh crore could therefore turn out to be much less. Yet, there will be considerable additional cash inflow to the producers/suppliers increasing their return on investment which may enable some price cut. But it would not add much to the consumption demand which would have happened if the cut was instead on individual income tax. In any case, the corporate tax cut will facilitate better business confidence and trust in govt. and also significant inflow of foreign and domestic capital.

The RBI announced rate cuts lowering cost of credit and also a relaxation in risk weights for all consumer loans, except for credit card receivables. A reduction in risk weights means the banks will have to set aside lesser funds to provide for these loans, thus ensuring better credit flow to these sectors at lower rates. The risk weight for this segment was higher than what was mandated by Basel norms, and was actually brought in a few years ago when this segment saw excessive lending.

The govt. has initiated measures like the withdrawal of the bad taxes on capital gains and start-up funding. These and its attempts to encourage more retail credit flows and energize aggregate demand by injecting $ 10 billion into banks as well as the promised quick disbursal of tax refunds and vendor payments to the private sector, should help improve the economic sentiments.,

The recovery is possible through increasing govt. spending urgently in all the effected sectors, in expediting infrastructure projects and in encouraging investment in export oriented, value added products particularly by foreign investors with access to export market so that both domestic and export demand get stimulated and investment too goes up thereby expanding the economic activity in the economy.

The writer is a long standing commentator on contemporary issues.

Support PM Modi to fulfill the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi

S Ranganathan
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Support PM Modi to fulfill the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi

It is believed that on the day of Onam in Kerala, the King Mahabali would visit Kerala to bless the people. Onam is celebrated in Kerala with great joy and unity.

Today India is celebrating 150th birth day of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation. Mahatma Gandhi was a sage, dedicated his life to India, followed the path of truth and Dharma, believed firmly in God- especially, Lord Ram and promoted cleanliness for both our body and mind, worked for sab ka vikas, it means the development of our society with complete values of sacred Indian culture called Hinduism. In fact Gandhi always saw the existence of a mahatma in every soul in the universe.

If Gandhi ever visits India today, he has more reasons to be happy and joyful than be sad as most of his dreams and wishes are getting fulfilled through Narendra Modi. Like Gandhi, Modi is also a very simple person, a sage who follows the path of truth and honesty, promotes the sacred culture of India- Hinduism and sanadana dharma, wants to remove corruption and poverty from India and wants to achieve clean India etc. Gandhi always believes that villages are the soul of our nation. PM Modi too has recognised the above truth of Gandhi and that is why soon after he came to power in 2014, made a big transformation in villages by building toilets to millions of poor people, provided electricity, drinking water, and opened bank account so that the subsidies and other benefits are directly transferred to the bank account of poor people.

Another aspect of comparison between Modi and Mahatma is quite interesting. On the year of India celebrating the 150 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, PM Modi too was referred by US president as father like person of India. In all respect, PM Modi deserve such phrase because Modi not only follows the maxims of Gandhi but is also implementing and executing each of the dreams of Gandhi.

A true follower is not the one who remembers the teachings of his or her master but also practice and implement for the benefit of larger section of people. PM Modi uses his office as Prime Minister of India to serve humanity, uplift the life of poor and downtrodden people and make India the land of truth and honesty. Gandhi believed that people can be reformed and made conscious of their humanly responsibilities and duties only through promoting spiritualism, divinity and teachings. By following the Hindu scriptures and civilization one can easily attain divinity. PM Modi too is re-invoking the sacred cultural identity of India- Hinduism to promote patriotism and social justice and to eliminate caste divisions and corruption.

India was ruled by congress party for about 50 years. Although Gandhi wants to dismantle congress party post-independence, but by the time the congress party has become a family property and no more the party of great freedom fighters. As a result of family ownership of congress party, instead of patriotism to our nation, several congress men started to express competitively their patriotism to one family. Congress has progressively reduced to the stature of sycophant’s club where several gentlemen of leisure rule the party by paying floral tributes to one family.

Those divine soul, a true mahatma, totally committed leader, an embodiment of honesty and probity participated in our freedom struggle, our present generation would not have seen but PM Modi is filling the space with right reasons and that is why Modi is mahatma and father of New India; the India that people wants to be free from corruption, scam, dynastic politics and nepotism, negativity and hatred. Spirituality and Hinduism are the solution for universal peace and brotherhood.

PM Modi is the second Mahatma or may be the re-birth of our first Mahatma. India should pledge its unconditional support to Modi to eliminate all negative forces, dynastic politics and corruption. While celebrating the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, let us also felicitate Mahatama Modi for fulfilling all most all dreams of Gandhi. Let us support and pray for Modi’s good health and long life to save India from corrupt, dynastic forces and tukde tukde gangs.

Modi disproved the proverb “written laws are like spiders’ webs; they will catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but would be torn in pieces by the rich and powerful”

S Ranganathan
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Modi disproved the proverb “written laws are like spiders’ webs; they will catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but would be torn in pieces by the rich and powerful”

The Delhi High Court has denied the bail application of P Chidambaram who is in Tihar jail in connection with INX media money laundering case. The strongly worded observation of the court in denying bail has brought new hope to millions of poor Indians that law and justice are still alive in India thanks to PM Modi. The denial also indicates something is rotten in Denmark which P Chidambaram and congress party has lot to worry.

Unless the material evidences provided by the investigating agencies have strong merit, the court would not have convinced and denied bail to P Chidambaram who has great influence, money power and muscle power in Indian politics.

The court also stated in the judgement that the investigation has reached the advanced stage therefore considering the might of Chidambaram, the possibility of him tampering evidences cannot be ruled out. The investigating agencies have submitted evidences supporting how Chidambaram has influenced certain key witnesses not to speak anything against him or his son, as reported by the media.

The bail denial to P Chidambaram although is not a verdict against him proving he is guilty but certainly give some hope to the ordinary citizen that the reason for the denial is only the tip of the iceberg and something is rotten in Denmark which is yet to unearth by the agencies. The explicit reason cited for the denial suggests that some strong case is there which the court does not want to dilute by granting bail to Chidambaram who might influence the case to his favour. The point is not about whether P Chidambaram would do but according to the court, he is capable, powerful and such possibility cannot be ruled out.

PM Narendra Modi is very firm against the national evil called corruption and nepotism. UPA 1 and 2 were the most corrupt government ever India had based on the allegations such 2G, Adharsh, CWG, coal block allocation, Aircel Maxis etc. India was tattered and destroyed by the concept of coalition government where several tukde tukde gangs like DMK has kept the central government under its whiplash because congress was in desperate need of DMK to run the government.  Although congress party made an investigation against 2G allocation but the investigation turns out to be a cosmetic gesture and not meant to unearth the truth. PM Modi must speed up the investigation by engaging the honest officials and must establish whether the observation of Roy, the former Comptroller General has any truth. Mr. Roy is a very honest official therefore a proper re-investigation on 2G may bring out shocking revelations and end certain style of politics in India.

Politicians and political parties under congress rule had a very callous and casual approach towards scam may be due to the fact that everyone in the conglomeration was close relatives of corruption and scam. Therefore even if some investigation was constituted, the investigating agencies would not have been given freedom and also the politicians knew how to subvert the investigation. Such belief and conviction several tukde tukde gangs had mainly because Indians had given fractured mandate, thereby coalition for corruption got established. But PM Modi has changed the scene dramatically. It was possible for PM Modi because PM Modi came to power with the blessings of people of India and that of Lord Ram.

PM Modi dedicated his life to the nation, sab ka vikas, development, corruption free governance, governance free of nepotism and dynastic politics, national security, accountability and responsibility among various government machineries, complete freedom to the investigating agencies and equal treatment to both rich and poor.

The developments that are taking place in various investigations involving several big guns in Indian politics has already rattled some political force in Tamil Nadu which has been spreading negativity, lies, anti-God, anti-Hindu, anti-Hindi rhetoric. Now the corrupt force has started to shiver as the investigating agency is going to unbundle the scam and soon would nail the corrupt.

PM Modi has disproved the proverbial saying that “written laws are like spiders’ webs; they will catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but would be torn in pieces by the rich and powerful”. Under Modi, even the richest and mightiest also would receive same treatment if they are guilty. Like Lord Krishna, PM Modi has come to Indian politics to establish the rule of dharma, honesty and truth and to punish all those criminals and corrupt forces that looted our nation. Hope people of Tamil Nadu would support Modi to save the state from corrupt, dynastic forces and establish the glory of Tiruvalluvar, Andal and Tirugnana Sambandar.

Why Pakistan is screaming nuclear weapons against India

pulkitkaul
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Why Pakistan is screaming nuclear weapons against India

Partition of India was not a destiny of History or conspiracy but a direct result of uncontrolled foolish tolerance and useless Utopian ideals.

I am still amazed that after winning all conventional wars against Pakistan, we have much bigger economy and mightier army than rogue state of Pakistan; we faced terrorism and complained like small kids at International forums about Pakistan sponsored terrorism.

We are improving on our diplomatic and military handling of Pakistan but much is yet needed to be done.

Pakistan is now worried, as why India is not taking it’s nuclear deterrence seriously. Jihadist Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan accepted that Pakistan trained terrorist outfits.

This move by Pakistan was played because they wish to convey that all terrorist groups were groomed by them for US benefits and we all know Pakistan was a Non-NATO cold war ally of US.
India should not take their nuclear threat seriously.

Even North Korea after all boasting never tried to attack US or Japan with nuclear missiles. Pakistan conveniently forgets that India is also a nuclear power.

If India bombards Pakistan not even a single bone of a Pakistani will remain. On the other hand Pakistan uses useless tactical nuclear weapons which have range less than 50 Km.

They are the only fools in the world to use such military tactic. On the the other hand Indian missiles can fire more than 5000 km and we have plenty of missiles of 500 km.

Jihadist elements of Pakistan must not try to act smart.

They can live in their dreams but in reality they are the biggest begging bowl of the world.

Greta Thunberg: Climate warrior or the Left’s tool

Rishi Khemani
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Greta Thunberg: Climate warrior or the Left’s tool

A 16-year-old Swede girl, fighting her autism and global climate change together, made the headlines in the past few days as she took part in the UN Summit and delivered a speech lauded by many. The climate activist reached New York after sailing for 15 days on a yacht powered by solar panels and hydro-generators. On her voyage, she had the company of her father, the owner of the boat Pierre Casiraghi, who happens to  be the grandson of Monaco’s late Prince Ranier and actress Grace Kelly, cameraman Nathan Grossman and yachtsman Boris Herrmann. Thunberg admitted that solar powered yachts can’t be a preferred mode of travel for everyone and that this journey was just a symbolic one to sensitize the world. However, the carbon footprint of her voyage, as claimed by many to be zero, turned out to be not so less after the reports in Germany came out claiming that two people will have to fly to the US to bring the £4m boat back to Europe. The climate warrior’s thunderous speech at the summit has been a talking point in many social media debates. It has invited an opinion from everyone who holds one about the issue.

“This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean,” she said. She continued, “Yet you have come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I’m one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!”

No matter how angered or sad or emotional she may have felt while delivering this speech but that bit about the world stealing her dreams is just far from reality. Which one of her dreams was she talking about? Travelling to the US on a luxurious yacht with important people belonging to the European elite or receiving gratification in the form of global awards? We can all agree that she stood up for the right cause. Yes, she’s a 16-year-old girl doing her bit and yes, she deserves to be heard, but the speech was blown out of proportion. Many have claimed that her speech appeals to the upper middle-class who have enjoyed every luxury they could have thought of and have now turned towards this ‘noble cause’ for bringing about a change and saving mother Earth.

When she accuses the world of talking just about money and economic growth, and not paying much heed towards the cause of limiting climate change, she sounds as if she has been prepped by Marxists. Money and economic growth translate into what you call solutions to problems that face us. New ideas and technologies are not possible without research and research takes place when you have enough money to invest in it. She wants people to give up air travel but in this fast-paced world, is that even possible? This one of her suggestions hints as if she has caught the leftist syndrome of listing complaints and expecting unreasonable solutions.

Yes, climate change is real and it’s here, but this teen’s presence and movement doesn’t do much on the ground when you see that her supporters come from a section of society that routinely leaves larger carbon footprints on this globe than some countries of Africa and Asia put together. Her movement needs to put a dent on the lifestyles of people belonging to her generation – a section that doesn’t ride bikes to the school anymore and prefers cars, millennials who can’t enjoy the natural breeze of the countryside and would instead want to be trapped in a room as long as there’s air-conditioning. If her movement can’t make any significant changes in that, then there’s no reason left to expect anything further from it. The flare of energy is temporary, and like every other thing hyped by social media, it is going to vanish from the scene in some days.

डियर कॉमरेड,

rajprashar
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डियर कॉमरेड,

 

कॉमरेड सच कहूं तो तुम्हारे विचारों से प्रभावित होकर मैं सोच रहा हूं कि चे ग्वेरा की कुछ पोस्टर और टी शर्ट्स ऑनलाइन मंगा लू | बुलेट को भी हरे रंग से रंगा कर स्टार वगैरह लगवा लेता हूं-रिवॉल्यूशन जो लाना है|

डियर कॉमरेड,

आई एम ऑल ‘राइट’, आई मीन आई एम लेफ्टI उम्मीद करता हूँ तुम भी लेफ्ट होगे और अनवरत क्रांति ला रहे होगेI कॉमरेड, पिछली बार तुमसे साम्यवाद, साम्यवादी विचारों, साम्यवादपूर्ण सरकारों और असली वाले साम्यवाद पर चर्चा हुई, जिसमें तुमने कुछ भारी-भरकम शब्दों के द्वारा साम्यवाद को परिभाषित किया और साम्यवादी विचारकों से भी मेरा परिचय कराया थाI मैं तहे दिल (जिसका रंग भी लाल हैं) से तुम्हारे भगीरथ प्रयास कि लाल-लाल प्रशंसा करता हूँ (माफ करना अगर भगीरथ कुछ ज्यादा दक्षिणपंथी लगे तो कुछ उत्तर का चुन लेना)I यकीन मानो कुछ ज्यादा पल्ले तो पड़ा नहीं लेकिन हैंगओवर सॉलिड हैI

वैसे तुम्हे जानकर खुशी होगी कि मैंने अपनी ‘राइट’ सोच को गिरवी रख दिया है और अब मैं पूरी तरह से क्रांतिकारी बन चुका हूँI कॉमरेड मैं तो व्रत भी मंगलवार का ही करता हूँ समझ रहे हो ना कॉमरेड रेड एंड ऑल, वैसे कॉमरेड मैं नास्तिक ही हूँ लेकिन बस मंगलवार को थोड़ा कम नास्तिक हो जाता हूँI

कुछ दिनों से लगातार मैं साम्यवादी विचारों का अध्ययन और मंथन कर रहा हूँI मित्र, मैंने तुम्हारी हर बात को कसौटी पर कसा और अपने अनुभव  को तुम्हारे साथ साझा करना चाहता हूँI

 कॉमरेड, तुमने मुझे बताया था कि साम्यवाद डेमोक्रेसी का चचेरा भाई हैI वैसे अंदर की बात तो यह है कि वर्तमान परिदृश्य में तथाकथित कम्युनिस्ट चाइना के संदर्भ में अनेक कीवर्ड्स डालने के बाद भी लोकतंत्र  का ‘ल’ भी खोजने पर ना मिल पाया, लेकिन पार्टी के अंदर डेमोक्रेसी है, अगर सच कहूं तो ‘एक पार्टी-एक नेता’ का कॉन्सेप्ट वाकई अद्भुत हैI निसंदेह, कुछ फासीवादियों के द्वारा इस नायाब व्यवस्था को तानाशाही घोषित करना दिन दहाड़े लोकतंत्र की हत्या हैंI

चलो माना कि आर्थिक साम्यवाद लिटिल लिटिल ही सही पर राजनीतिक साम्यवाद तो लहू की तरह बह रहा है – पीपल्स रिपब्लिक ऑफ चाइना मेंI

अब देखो ना हैप्पीनेस इंडेक्स को लेकर भूटान फालतू ही महफ़िल लूट लेता है, अगर सही मायने में बात की जाए तो साम्यवादी चीन अन्य देशों से डेढ़- दो सौ कदम आगे हैI वहां सब राजी खुशी हैI अरे! सरकार की कल्याणकारी योजनाओं की संख्या इतनी ज्यादा है कि और कुछ बचता ही नहीं छापने कोI खबर इतनी सच्ची होती है कि न्यूज़ पेपर भले ही बदल लो पर खबर नहीं बदलती है कसम सेI मजाल जो कोई संपादक छींक कर कोई खबर लिख देI कॉमरेड, इसे बोलते हैं ‘कंप्रेस करने की स्वतंत्रता’ मेरा मतलब ‘प्रेस की स्वतंत्रता’ और तो और नागरिक और राजनीतिक अधिकार ऐसे ऐसे कि पूछो मत हमारे यहां की तरह कोर्ट कचहरी के चक्कर नहीं लगाने पड़ते वहां, सुना है ऑन स्पॉट राइट्स की डिलीवरी होती है विश्वास ना हो तो ‘तियानानमेन’ गूगल कर लोI

वैसे साम्यवाद की विश्व यात्रा भी क्या गजब रही है, वह चाहे क्यूबा से निरंकुश तानाशाह बटिस्टा को हटाकर लोकतंत्र की स्थापना करने में लगे कॉमरेड फिदेल कास्त्रो और उनके मरणोपरांत उनके भ्राता राउल के छह से सात दशक हो या रूसी क्रांति के दौरान समतामूलक समाज की स्थापना के उद्देश्य हेतु चलाया गया सफाई अभियान (रेड टेरर) ही क्यों ना होI दिमाग पर कितना भी जोर देने पर याद नहीं आ रहा जब हम हिंसक हुए हो, वैसे पूछना भूल गया 2 अक्टूबर नजदीक आ रहा है, बापू की जयंती तो मना रहे हो ना कॉमरेडI

कॉमरेड, वैसे तो साम्यवाद को भारत में वीजा ऑन अराइवल मिल गया था लेकिन फॉर्म भरते टाइम धर्म वाला कॉलम मिस हो गयाI सच बोलूं तो धर्म-लेस इंडिया वाला कॉन्सेप्ट यहां कुछ जमा नहींI हालांकि साम्यवाद का थोड़ा भारतीयकरण हो जाता तो सामाजिक स्वीकृति थोड़ी ज्यादा होती शायदI पूरब और पश्चिम का वो गाना याद है कॉमरेड जिसमें

मनोज कुमार गाते हैं – “इतना आदर यहां इंसान तो क्या, पत्थर भी पूजे जाते हैं”I

पता है कॉमरेड कुछ राइट ब्रदर्स तो ये भी कहते है कि समाज सिर्फ कानून से नहीं धर्म से भी चलता है इसलिए जब देखो कुछ गलत मत करो भगवान देख रहा है बोलते रहते हैंI सब बकवास हैं कॉमरेड, वैसे भी ‘गॉड इज डेड’ वाला पंच लाइन सोवियत से हमने ऐसे थोड़े ही इंपोर्ट किया हैI

फेसबुक पर तुम्हारी चुनावी यात्रा के दौरान, नई ऑडी भी देखी, शानदार हैI वैसे तो साम्यवाद में प्राइवेट प्रॉपर्टी का तो कोई स्थान नहीं है, उस हिसाब से तो तेरा है वो मेरा है और जो मेरा है वो तो मेरा है हीI

कॉमरेड, मैं भी रेवोल्यूशन लाना चाहता हूँ बस वेन्यू और सब्जेक्ट डिसाइड नहीं कर पा रहा हूँI

कॉमरेड सच कहूँ तो तुम्हारे विचारों से प्रभावित होकर मैं सोच रहा हूँ कि चे ग्वेरा की कुछ पोस्टर और टी शर्ट्स ऑनलाइन मंगा लूँI बुलेट को भी हरे रंग से रंगा कर स्टार वगैरह लगवा लेता हूँ-रिवॉल्यूशन जो लाना हैI

कुछ लोग हैं जो चाहते हैं कि मैं क्रांति ना लाऊँ और तरह तरह के तर्क देते हैं पर कॉमरेड तुम चिंता मत करना, दुश्मन जो भी लॉजिक दे मुझे कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता- क्योंकि ‘लेफ्ट इज ऑलवेज राईट’I

तुम्हारा प्रिय कॉमरेड,

Uncle-Nephew feud in NCP, last nail in the coffin of dynastic politics and nepotism

S Ranganathan
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Uncle-Nephew feud in NCP, last nail in the coffin of dynastic politics and nepotism

The term nepotism originates from Italy. Now people may wonder why the congress party promote and perpetuate nepotism and dynastic culture than developing merit and talent based leadership to lead the party.

The term ‘nepos’ also refers to nephew in Latin. In the olden days, especially in late 17th century, many Catholic popes and Bishops appointed their nephews to several high posts as the pops and bishops had no son (s) of their own due to their decision to follow celibacy.

It means nepotism was quite rampant in the catholic practice in some parts of the world and may be in Italian culture also.

In Indian mythology, nepotism has been described only as social evil and the sacred Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma never promote nepotism to retain power or position in any form. The King Dhritarastra if had not promoted nepotism and his son Duryodhana not blind towards his uncle and be a dancing doll, the great war of Mahabharata would not have taken place.

The demon Ravan used his uncles Maricha and Subahu to help him to abduct Mother Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, the God of India. Although both Maricha and Subahu expressed their reluctance and fear, the force of Ravan they could not be whipped by them and hence they decided to die at the hands of Lord Ram and attain Moksha. Even Lord Krishna incarnated to destroy the evil king Kamsa, his uncle.

The contrast of Hinduism is that our mythology has clearly shown how bad was nepotism and how God himself incarnated at different points in time to destroy nepotism and send a clear message about the ill effects of nepotism.

What we witness today in NCP, the feud between uncle and nephew is nothing new. For safeguarding the power and party, the uncle would have trusted his nephew more than anyone else in the party and now the same nephew may be revolting against his uncle for the reason that he no more wants to be a ‘chief in waiting’ but wants to own the party. Therefore wants the uncle to gracefully retire and party be handed over to the nephew.

Luckily, for MK Stalin of DMK does not have to pass through such test as he has son whereas Sharad Pawer does not have a son. Earlier India had witnessed the big fun in SP where the son Akilesh Yadav and his Uncle Shivpal Sing Yadav, brother of Mulayam Sing Yadav used to fight in the street almost every day.

The point to be noted by Indians is about how nepotism can ruin our country.

Tiruvalluvar in his famous work Tirukural explains how nepotism is bad and negative to our society. Hindu mythology has clearly shown how bad nepotism is though several events such as Ravan- Maricha-Subahu, Kamsa and Lord Krishna, Duryodhana-Shakuni etc. The irony is that the origin of the word nepotism is from Italy where Catholic bishops and pops in the past used to appoint their nephew to power to continue the legacy. 

Lord Krishna and Lord Ram stood against nepotism and promoted values, merit, honesty and Dharma. PM Modi and Amit Shah in letter and spirit oppose dynastic politics and nepotism because such social evil would ruin the country and would also directly and indirectly promote sycophancy.

For example, in DMK, the son of Stalin is quite powerful and several party leaders can easily get party ticket to contest election if they have the grace of Stalin’s son or other close relatives of Stalin. Therefore from respecting the leadership, worshiping the leadership culture would begin forcefully thanks to nepotism.

A leader is loved, worshiped, adored and praised lavishly by millions only when they see the leader as honest, dedicated the self to develop the country, achieve sab ka vikas, ensure national security, end corruption, nepotism and dynastic politics. PM Modi is such leader India has today and that is why millions adore and worship him.

People must clearly differentiate the culture of sycophancy where the party cannot function without one family from the definition of Bhakti which is otherwise called as devotion.

Time has come India must differentiate Bhakti from sycophancy. We need Desh Bhakti, Bhakti to law and order, Bhakti to good thoughts and deeds and simultaneously we also must display our Bhakti to honest, corruption free, decisive leadership than be a sycophant, stand in the queue with a bowl hoping that the sycophancy would provide some political dividend.

Bhaktas ask for universal peace, development and prosperity, law of truth and justice, sab ka vikas etc. On the contrary the sycophants would always ask for favours to the self or to their family members and would never care about the country. Bhaktas are always humble and humane because there is a super power over them but the sycophants on the other hand would tries to display how best they can praise the one family to maximize their profit.

Time has come every Indian must come back to Indian-ness, must learn and follow the sacred and eternal teachings of Hinduism, the message of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna and must work together to defeat all those play dynastic politics, promote nepotism, corruption and instability.  Let us support PM Modi unconditionally to make India a great land, land of peace, prosperity, universal brother hood, tolerance, truth, honesty, corruption free governance, sab ka vikas and finally free from nepotism and dynastic politics.

Blinded by Modi’s hatred? A response to Christine Ro

sathye54
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Blinded by Modi’s hatred? A response to Christine Ro

Christine Ro’s recent piece in Forbes on Modi appears to have been written hurriedly without verifying facts and amounts to a little more than mud-slinging.

Christine begins her article by quoting one Zahid Khan, a restaurant worker, in New York. Khan’s abuses directed at Modi should have alerted Christine for a fact-check, instead, she takes his word as the Gospel truth!

Modi’s seven-days visit to the US, included address to the United Nations General Assembly, a speech at the UN Climate Summit, addressing a dialogue on responses to terrorism and violent extremist narrative hosted by the King of Jordan, addressing India-Pacific nations forum, 20 bilateral meetings, engagement with the Caribbean forum, and addressing Bloomberg forum to attract foreign investment, to make India a five trillion dollar economy by 2024.  But it seems, Houston’s, over 50,000 strong diasporas, an event attended by Trump and the Gates Award irked Christine to label Modi’s visit a publicity blitz.

Khan’s scoffing at Modi’s Clean India Mission is understandable. But Christine echoing the restaurant worker would amuse readers against the background that the World Bank considered the Mission to be the biggest sanitation movement in the world. The UNICEF and Gates Foundation led ground-level study found that the Mission helped reduce ground-water contamination. But for Christine, Khan’s word weighs more than that of international institutions!

Furthermore, if there was widespread corruption in the toilet program as opined by Khan, opposition parties would have exploited the issue in the 2019 election. But they didn’t. In fact, Modi introduced several anti-corruption measures and provided a financial scandal-free government. Consequently, India jumped from 94th rank (2013) to 78th (2019) in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. This negates Christine’s assertions.

The ‘’temporary’’ provision relating to Jammu and Kashmir (Article 370 of the Indian constitution) was scrapped by the Indian Parliament with a 2/3rd majority. Some opposition parties also supported the move. But Christine appears to be so enamored by the restaurant worker’s opinion that she ignores the decision of the Parliament of the world’s largest democracy.

She cites a BBC article published in 2011 to push the claim of the mass killing of Muslims under Modi’s watch in Gujarat but doesn’t cite BBC’s article in 2012 which reported that India’s highest court cleared his name.  She cites an article about the detention of Muslims but doesn’t tell the readers (unless they verify the link provided) that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a Supreme Court initiated exercise to identify illegal immigrants. Incidentally, the NRC was promised by the left-backed Congress Party government years back. But they failed to implement it.

To push her narrative, she again resorts to citing old news about the ban on internet and mobile services in J&K, though these were subsequently restored, barring in few districts, that are highly sensitive. On 28 September 2019 ban has been lifted from all districts.

By citing the posters of atrocities in Kashmir, she conveys the impression as though everything happened after the abrogation of Article 370, but the roots of Kashmir’s problem date back to the 1940s. Can she vouch with certainty that the posters are not of Pakistan Army’s atrocities in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir?. They have a record of killing 3 million during the Bangladesh war. Did she check the posters displayed by Baloch activists about atrocities by the Pakistani Army?. Incidentally, Baluchistan was an independent state which was invaded and occupied by Pakistan. Why is she silent about the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus in the 1990s? Christine is obviously not interested in serious research. Obviously, it is a lot easier to present a distorted narrative.

Similarly, it is preposterous on the part of some people to urge Gates Foundation not to honor Modi for Clean India Mission success because of the security situation in J&K.

Either Christine doesn’t know or doesn’t want to know that Modi successfully introduced the world’s largest health care scheme that benefits half a billion Indians – mostly poor, world’s largest safe sanitation scheme, and world’s largest financial inclusion scheme. He abolished instant divorce (triple talaq) to empower Muslim women and brought home safely Muslims stranded in Yemen. No wonder, Muslim countries conferred the highest civilian award on Modi.

She describes herself as a science and international development writer yet fails to carefully weigh the evidence and leaves the readers disappointed.

Do better next time Christine!

Howdy Modi, optics yes, but mattered too

Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan
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Howdy Modi, optics yes, but mattered too

It’s 21.40 IST. Howdy, Modi? “Mitron, I’m Back. And doing great. India is overwhelmed by the reception that Houston and United States has accorded. Everything is fine, back home”. To imprint that Unity in Diversity was India’s strength, he repeated it in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada et al. And his reciprocal introduction of Donald Trump to ‘Modi’s family’ was sheer class. Orator, communicator par excellence.

Well, ask the Congress led opposition. They would respond in fury. They were decimated in 2014. Modi 1.0, they thought was a one-term wonder. The way the friendly Lutyens’ and Khan Market log’s media made it out, Rahul Gandhi was convinced that it was ‘Goodbye, Modi’. The alliance of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati, they convinced themselves, had the chemistry, biology, physics, history, geography to deliver on Maths. Alas, not to be. Modi 2.0 was back with 303.

Chandrababu Naidu worked ceaselessly by logging maximum miles Around The World in Less than 80 days with Didi Mamta and DMK leader Stalin, for company. Well, Naidu lost, even his home turf, Mamtaji suffered huge setbacks and Stalin alone could stop the wave from swamping them all. Rahul insistently yielded to Mummy as President of Congress. The visceral hatred Trinamool and BJP had for each other, crushed the Communists to smithereens, leaving them with little to celebrate.

Modi 2.0 majority in the Lower House was unprecedented. Modi 1.0 was noted for Goods and Services Tax, Demonetisation (both of which were heavily blamed for the slowdown in the economy), Insolvency & Bankruptcy legislation (a huge dent on crony capitalism with many an enterprise unable to continue on bank largesse). But, the absence of numbers in Rajya Sabha was a huge handicap. The legislative dreams could not be realised. The ‘suit boot ki sarkar’ jibe from Rahul Gandhi stopped Modi in his tracks, in ‘cosying up to the corporates’ to ease the doing of business.

The lessons were well learnt. Modi 2.0 was a different genie let loose from the same bottle. Ministers worked overtime, in the Parliamentary corridors, to ensure majority for their legislations to be rolled out, in an assembly line. With a firm hand, foot and full bodied approach, NDA faced the first session of Parliament.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Chairman Rajya Sabha was effusive in his praise, on the legislative record set in Parliament- 21 legislations, including Triple Talaq. Stunning statistics. The opposition was silenced. All the noise and hoopla was from the Treasury Benches. The opposition could only moan and mourn the Government was ‘misusing its majority to rush through statutes’. Modi 2.0 had no time to stop, stare, listen and yield. They were in a tearing hurry and that showed.

Come Aug 5th, 2019, India was in for a huge and iconic change. In its 70 plus years, since India became a Republic, it saw history being made. And How? (dy). Amit Shah, the new Home Minister, moved the Presidential proclamation, to remove the vestiges of Art.370, granting special status to Jammu & Kashmir and annulling Art.35A, from the Constitution, in its wake. And that with a 2/3rds majority in Rajya Sabha. Followed by 2/3rd plus vote in Lok Sabha. The debate was open and transparent for the world to see.

Congress party was split from the top. Other opposition parties hardly mattered, as many, including Mayawati, Navin Patnaik, joined the Modi bandwagon. Pakistan fumed. India beamed. International community was innoculated by Modi’s diplomacy team, and ignored Imran Khan’s protestations as ravings and rantings of a ‘selected PM’, as his opponents designate him.
And when Howdy, Modi? became real, it resonated with every Indian ,from the diaspora, 4.5 million strong ,to the nation. The opposition taunted that he was back to flying abroad and logging miles when Indian economy was slowing down and needed desperate doses of energy. Modi 2.0 responded with automobile and real estate specific measures. Reserve Bank of India eased interest rates and tax terrorism was sidelined. Modi 2.0 was not finished. They had more up their sleeve.

A huge 1.47 lakh crore tax related infusion of capital into the economy, on the eve of his departure to US was greeted overwhelmingly by the corporates. SENSEX and NIFTY zoomed to stratosphere. Opposition cried foul. Modi called it ‘Historic and growth oriented’. After the Jandhan bank accounts , Direct Benefit Transfer of subsidies, with no leakage, gas cylinders to rural sisters, construction of low cost housing, village electrification, building of toilets, Swachh Bharat, Ayushman benefit on health care to the poor and marginalised sections of society, Modi 2.0 was ready to debunk the ‘suit boot ki sarkar’ diatribe, lock, stock and barrel.

It is in this backdrop, when Howdy, Modi happened, to greet the Prime Minister of the largest democracy, that Donald J Trump, leader of the free world and oldest democracy, joined Modi. Donald J Trump, on a nonstop campaign mode, since 2015, when he came down the escalator of Trump Towers, in New York ,to announce his candidature as POTUS, is not one to miss such a reality television opportunity. When an assembly of ‘500/1000 is a huge crowd’ in US, a congregation of 50,000 plus screaming Indian Americans, was a dream for Trump. Indian American community, has a Democratic Party leaning and Trump loved to tweak the Modi connect to help his cause for a re election in 2020. Trump tucked into his pet themes on immigration and strong economy, as if to each ‘voter’ in the audience.

Trump’s immigration policy has been harsh. It has hit the Indian diaspora too. The withdrawal of special status under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in Indo-US trade deal has also been the subject of efforts at restoration. Not to forget Trump’s off the cuff remark to offer ‘mediation’ on Kashmir with Pakistan, in the presence of Imran Khan. Trump’s presence mattered .But, the bottom line for Trump was pure politics. He would like the rub of saffron on the Republican Red in 2020.

But, let’s be clear. Howdy, Modi? may be, no big deal in dollar or rupee terms. But Optics matter. America is the richest nation. They matter in global politics and world economy. We need not be deferential. But simply accept that We Have Arrived On the International Stage. On our own. And Modi matters too. He is undeniably a loved leader back home. Those who despise him have their own reasons and they are entitled to their views. That is the beauty of a functional and chaotic democracy Bharat is. Howdy, Modi? was nothing but a celebration of India, show stopper in Bollywood style, and if it was hagiographic and exploitative, that too is India, Mitron.

The biggest take away was Trump’s use of the dreaded ‘I’ word- Islamic Terrorism and India’s ‘continuing border problems’. The standing ovation that followed must have warmed the hearts of every Indian, and sent a shiver down the spine of our neighbour’s diplomats. And then, when Modi spoke the lovable ‘K’ word- Kashmir-, the massive crowd brought the roof down. Message was loud and clear. Indo-US strategic partnership was now not merely ‘history in the making’ as Modi alluded to, but history made.

(Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan, Author is practising advocate in the Madras High Court)

What India gained with Modi’s recent visit to the USA

ank21pat11
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What India gained with Modi’s recent visit to the USA

PM Narendra Modi’s (referred as PM hereafter) visit to the U.S. wasn’t a bilateral one, it had several dimensions to it and we should analyse its success and failures in all the dimension. We should also keep in mind that this was the first major foreign visit by the PM lasting over 7 days and encompassing several regions of the world. Let us analyse his visit in accordance with several theatres of the world and what India hit and miss during these seven days.

U.S.A.

If we look at the visit with respect to India -USA relationship, the visit was a mixed bag. India did get a huge endorsement from the USA in terms of Trump attending the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in its stands. The attending of the event was also a signal of good personal chemistry between the two leaders. India managed to use the power of its NRI population which constitute about 1.3% of the total US population as probable voters and use this leverage to direct US policies in its favour.

India also managed to convince the US that whatever it has done in J&K is its internal affair and needs no third party mediation on this issue, a prospect which was very important with Imran Khan being in USA at the same time. PM also met the CEOs of various MNCs from US, who were briefed about the opportunities to invest in India and how India could be the better destination for all their future investment, especially with the recent aggressive rate cuts. These companies outlined their future plans for investment in India in the meeting.

The disappointment, however, came on the trade front with further delaying of the trade deal which was very much expected to be signed during this visit. This delay in the trade deal is hurting the Indian economy more as we are failing to capitalise on the trade opportunity created by US-China trade war.

THE CARICOM

There was significant development which very few people noticed or even if noticed didn’t understand the importance and gravity of. It was the meeting of the PM with the leaders of the CARICOM (Carribbean community). CARICOM is a group of 15 Caribbean countries lying somewhere in between north and south America. PM met the leaders of these countries and extended support in their development by providing technical expertise and $ 14 Million aid to them. The importance of CARICOM lies in the fact that they behave as a single unit and vote together in all major international forums like the UN. It was a very important meeting considering these highly important 15 votes in UNGA.

AT THE UNGA

The main purpose of PM’s visit to the USA was attending the UNGA and his success and failure will be analysed mostly in this context. PM delivered two important speeches at the UN, one in the climate change summit and the other at the UNGA. He also dedicated a solar park as a gift to the United Nations Building in New York from India.

The PM delivered quite a statesmanlike speech in UNGA where he highlighted the work done by India in countering climate change which has emerged the single most important issue which the international community has to deal together irrespective of their national interests. He also touched upon the menace of terrorism without naming anyone specifically and entering into an argument. Advocated world peace and harmony as the way forward.

India also turned out to be quite successful at the UN regarding its current decision on J&K with only 4 of the 193 countries bringing this issue to the table. The two obvious ones were Pakistan and China and the others being Malaysia and Turkey. While Turkey got an instant reply with Modi pulling of bilaterals with Turkeys arch-rival neighbour Armenia and Cyprus where PM discussed ways to further strengthen the cooperation and recognise their sovereignty as few parts of these countries have been under Turkish occupation, Malaysia is expected to get a reply in the form of tariff hike on palm oil soon.

THE QUAD

In what will be a clear sign to China the QUAD (U.S.A., India, Japan and Australia) since its inception had its first Ministerial level meeting. India from the very beginning has been the most reluctant member of QUAD, with always a soft corner for not upsetting China. China sees QUAD as a precursor to a military alliance between these countries in order to check the rise of the Chinese Navy in Indo- Pacific. In a clear escalation with the meeting of Foreign Ministers, both India and QUAD have communicated to China its disappointment with its policy. And since India was the one country which catered for Chinese reservation, the signal from India to China is also very clear that either the Chinese change their policy on J&K or they will face its consequences in the form further development and escalation of QUAD. And with India and Japan starting Malabar Exercise in the Pacific, which is a Naval Exercise comprising of USA, the red flag to China is clearly shown.

So, if we see, all in all, the U.S. visit of Mr Modi was quite a successful one in every aspect, leaving behind one which was the delay in trade deal between USA and India which both the countries promised to deliver soon.

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