Is the Neighbourhood First Policy a viable solution to tackle climate change in South Asia?
“Without enduring primacy in one’s own neighbourhood, no nation can become a credible power at the global stage.”
Indian foreign policy has ‘Neighbourhood policy’ as its core constituent that seeks to establish peace, stability and synergy with the south asian countries. The policy aims to enhance cooperation amongst SouthAsian countries [ Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka ] , thereby focussing on encouraging trade, connectivity and people-to-people contact. As China’s Belt and Road vision and America’s Indo-Pacific vision compete for influence in India’s periphery, it is in India’s interests to keep the focus on reconnecting with its smaller neighbours.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019, which was presented during the Katowice summit, India and its neighbours are among the worst impacted nations in the world due to violent cyclones, heavy rainfall, and catastrophic floods.
In 2017, there were 2,726 deaths in India directly connected to extreme weather occurrences such as heat waves, storms, floods, and droughts. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019, India sustained an economic loss of around USD 13.8 billion last year. India is ranked 14th in terms of vulnerability. Sri Lanka came in second position, while Nepal was rated fourth in the world and Bangladesh was placed ninth.
The poorest countries are the worst impacted. Extreme weather occurrences also pose a danger to the further growth of upper middle-income nations and can even overload high-income countries.
Floods swept over Nepal, Bangladesh, and India, affecting more than 40 million people. According to Germanwatch, up to 200 people died in these three nations, while millions were displaced throughout the area. Floods swept throughout the Himalayan foothills, causing landslides and damaging tens of thousands of homes, crops, and highways. In August 2017, Nepal witnessed flash floods and landslides along its southern border with India, causing USD 600 million in damage.
Climate Change diplomacy is very crucial for Indo-Pacific strategy to bear fruits. As part of the Neighbourhood First policy, India has been actively engaged in helping the South Asian neighbours. This strategy has twin benefits; one, it is supposed to enhance India’s soft power and it is supposed to curtail China’s meddling in South Asian affairs, in light of China’s BRI, Debt Traps and Pearl of Strings diplomacy.
The COP26 summit highlighted the resolve of SouthAsian countries to tackle climate change as India stated not just a net-zero aim for 2070, but also, perhaps more importantly, near-term targets of 500 GW non-fossil fuel energy, 50% of installed capacity through renewables, 45% decrease in carbon intensity of its economy, and a reduction of 1 billion tonnes carbon emissions by 2030.
Pakistan’s ambitious new NDC, launched in Glasgow with World Bank help, reiterates its pledge to build no new coal power plants and prohibits the use of imported coal for energy generation. Carbon financing will play a vital catalytic role in mobilising private sector funding for thriving regional power commerce among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
The answer to lowering South Asia’s contributions to global emissions levels and becoming more environmentally conscious is to decarbonise the economy.
Heavy, climate-smart investments in all sectors are critical for all nations to create resilience, accelerate economic growth, and cut emissions.
Regional cooperation in climate and hydro – meteorological services, as well as river basin management, will enable South Asian countries to reform and harmonise climate policies, share information on collective risks and regional power market development, and build trust through technical expertise and shared connectivity.
मित्रों याद करिये संसद के उस दिन के परिदृश्य को जब गुलाम नबी आज़ाद के विदाई का दिन था और हम सबके प्रिय प्रधानमंत्री आदरणीय श्री नरेंद्र दामोदरदास मोदी जी उनकी प्रसंशा के गीत गा रहे थे, उनकी आँखों से आंसू निकल रहे थे, बड़े ही भावुक थे तब शायद गुलाम नबी को इस बात का एहसास नहीं था की आखिर उनकी पार्टी को समाप्त करने की कस्मे खाने वाला मनुष्य उनकी क्यों इतनी प्रसंशा कर रहा है। खैर प्रधानमंत्री जी के भावुक और ह्रदय से निकले शब्दों से प्रभावित होकर गुलाम नबी ने भी उनकी प्रसंशा की और बात आयी गयी जो गयी।
मित्रों अब जरा याद करिये जब जम्मू कश्मीर से अनुच्छेद ३७० और ३५ अ को हटाने की कवायद शुरू होते ही मेहबूबा मुफ़्ती, फारुख अब्दुल्ला उनका पुत्र उमर अब्दुल्ला और अन्य अलगाववादी जीवों को नजरबन्द कर दिया गया था परन्तु गुलाम नबी पूर्णतया आज़ाद थे। ऐसा नहीं था कि गुलाम नबी, मेहबूबा मुफ़्ती और फारुख और उमर अब्दुल्ला जैसे नेताओ की तरह भाजपा के नीतियों की आलोचना नहीं कर रहे थे अपितु वे भी जबरदस्त आलोचना कर रहे थे परन्तु उन्हें आलोचना करने के लिए आज़ाद छोड़ दिया गया था। वे भाजपा की आलोचना कर रहे थे और भाजपा चुपचाप उसे सुन रही थी।
याद करिये जब उन्होंने जब उन्होंने कांग्रेस के शीर्ष नेतृत्व के विरोध में कांग्रेस के कुछ बड़े नेताओ द्वारा बनाये गए संगठन का नेतृत्व किया तो इससे सबसे ज्यादा ख़ुशी भारतीय जनता पार्टी को ही हुई थी। इन सभी तथ्यों के साथ मैं अभी आपको यही छोड़कर, गुलाम नबी आज़ाद के पृष्ठभूमि की ओर लेकर चलता हूँ :-
गुलाम नबी आज़ाद का जन्म जम्मू और कश्मीर के डोडा जिले में गंडोह तहसील (भालेसा) के सोती नामक गाँव में हुआ था। इनके पिता का नाम श्री रहमतुल्लाह बट्ट और माता का नाम श्रीमती बासा बेगम था। इन्होंने अपनी प्रारम्भिक पढ़ाई अपने गांव के स्थानीय स्कूल में की। बाद में उच्च अध्ययन के लिए वे जम्मू चले गए और जी.जी.एम. साइंस कॉलेज से विज्ञान संकाय से स्नातक की उपाधि प्राप्त की। इसके अलावा, उन्होंने वर्ष १९७२ में कश्मीर विश्वविद्यालय, श्रीनगर से जूलॉजी में मास्टर डिग्री भी प्राप्त की।
गुलाम नबी आज़ाद ने 1980 में एक प्रसिद्ध कश्मीरी गायिका शमीम देव आज़ाद से निकाह किया जिसके परिणामस्वरूप उन्हें पुत्र के रूप में सद्दाम नबी आज़ाद और पुत्री के रूप में सोफिया नबी आज़ाद की प्राप्ति हुई।
राजनितिकउतारचढ़ाव :-
गुलाम नबी आज़ाद ने अपने राजनितिक करियर की शुरुआत वर्ष १९७३ में भालेसा के ब्लॉक कांग्रेस कमेटी के सचिव के रूप में किया और दो वर्ष के पश्चात ही उन्हें जम्मू और कश्मीर प्रदेश युवा कांग्रेस के अध्यक्ष के रूप में नामित किया गया। गुलाम नबी आज़ाद का परिश्रम रंग लाया और वर्ष १९८० में, उन्हें अखिल भारतीय युवा कांग्रेस के अध्यक्ष के रूप में नियुक्त किया गया। वर्ष १९८० में महाराष्ट्र के वाशिम (लोकसभा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र) से सातवीं लोकसभा के लिए सांसद चुने जाने के पश्चात, आज़ाद को वर्ष १९८२ में कानून, न्याय और कंपनी मामलों के मंत्रालय के प्रभारी उप मंत्री के रूप में केंद्र सरकार में प्रवेश दिया गया।
इसके पश्चात उन्होंने पीछे मुड़ कर नहीं देखा, वर्ष १९८४ में गुलाम नबी आज़ाद आठवीं लोकसभा के लिए चुने गए और राज्य सभा में उन्हें महाराष्ट्र राज्य का प्रतिनिधित्व करने का मौका मिला। स्व श्री नरसिम्हाराव की सरकार के दौरान, आजाद ने संसदीय मामलों और नागरिक उड्डयन मंत्रालयों का कार्यभार संभाला। इसके पश्चात वो दिनांक ३० नवंबर १९९६ से दिंनाक २९ नवंबर २००२ और दिनांक ३० नवंबर २००२ से दिनांक २९ नवंबर २००८ तक की अवधि के दौरान जम्मू और कश्मीर से राज्यसभा के लिए चुने गए, परन्तु दिनांक २९ अप्रैल २००६ को उन्होंने इस्तीफा दे दिया क्योंकि उन्होंने दिनांक २ नवंबर२००५ को जम्मू और कश्मीर के मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में अपनी राजनीती की नयी शुरुआत की।
विदित हो कि जम्मू और कश्मीर में गुलाम नबी की सरकार, पीपुल्स डेमोक्रेटिक पार्टी ने अपना समर्थन देकर बनवाई थी परन्तु किसी कारणवश उस पार्टी ने गुलाम नबी आज़ाद की सरकार के लिए दिया गया अपना समर्थन वापस ले लिया, और गुलाम नबी आज़ाद ने दिनांक ७ जुलाई २००८ को अपने पद से इस्तीफा दे दिया।
डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह के नेतृत्व वाली दूसरी संयुक्त प्रगतिशील गठबंधन सरकार में, श्री गुलाम नबी आज़ाद ने भारत के स्वास्थ्य मंत्री के रूप में शपथ ली। वे दिनांक ३० नवंबर १९९६ से दिनांक २९ नवंबर २००२ की अवधि के दौरान जम्मू और कश्मीर से चौथे कार्यकाल और तीसरे कार्यकाल के लिए राज्यसभा के लिए चुने गए। उन्होंने राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण स्वास्थ्य मिशन का विस्तार करने की मुहीम उठाई और जबरदस्त सफलता अर्जित की।
नेताप्रतिपक्ष
जून २०१४ में अभूतपूर्व परिवर्तन के दौरान जब राष्ट्रीय जनतांत्रिक गठबंधन के नेता के रूप में आदरणीय श्री नरेंद्र दामोदरदास मोदी जी ने लोकसभा में बहुमत हासिल किया और केंद्र में सरकार बनाई, तब गुलाम नबी आजाद को राज्यसभा में विपक्ष के नेता के रूप में नियुक्त किया गया।
वर्ष २०१५ में, आज़ाद को जम्मू और कश्मीर से राज्यसभा के लिए फिर से निर्वाचित किया गया, परन्तु उसके पश्चात कांग्रेस पार्टी में पनप रही गंदगी कि सडांध ने गुलाम नबी की आत्मा को झकझोर डाला और अपनी कुचली गयी भावनाओ के बयार को वो रोक नहीं पाए और अगस्त २०२२ में, आखिरकार आज़ाद ने अपनी नियुक्ति के कुछ घंटों के पश्चात ही जम्मू-कश्मीर कांग्रेस अभियान समिति के अध्यक्ष पद से इस्तीफा दे दिया और कांग्रेस को नष्ट करने में अग्रणी भूमिका निभाने वाली सोनिया गांधी ने आजाद का इस्तीफा स्वीकार कर लिया। दिनांक २६ अगस्त २०२२ को, उन्होंने पार्टी की प्राथमिक सदस्यता सहित सभी पदों से इस्तीफा दे कर स्वय के वजूद को पूर्णतया कांग्रेस के चंगुल से आज़ाद करा लिया।
मित्रों चलिए गुलाम नबी के पृष्ठभूमि से बहार निकलकर फिर से वर्तमान में आ जाते हैं और जम्मू कश्मीर के परिदृश्य में गुलाम नबी की भूमिका को देखने का प्रयास करते हैं। गुलाम नबी आज़ाद की पकड़, किसी फारुख अब्दुल्ला, मेहबूबा मुफ़्ती या गिलानी वगैरा से कम नहीं है। जम्मू कश्मीर के मुसलमानो के मध्य गुलाम नबी की छवि अन्य समकालीन नेताओ से कहीं ज्यादा प्रभावकारी है। ऐसे में जबकि पाक अधिकृत कश्मीर के लोग भी भारत के साथ विलय करने हेतु जीतोड़ मेहनत कर रहे हैं और पाकिस्तानी धूर्त और मक्कार सैनिको से जमकर लोहा ले रहे हैं, गुलाम नबी आज़ाद एक तुरुप का पत्ता भाजपा के लिए साबित हो सकते हैं।
मित्रों अनुच्छेद ३७० और ३५ अ के कलंक से बाहर निकलकर जम्मू कश्मीर में विकास की जो नई परिपाटी खींची जा रही है, वर्तमान सरकार द्वारा उसे देखकर पाक अधिकृत कश्मीर के लोगो को भी अपना सुनहरा भविष्य अब भारत के साथ ही दिखाई दे रहा है। जम्मू कश्मीर में विधानसभा सीटों के पुनर्निर्धारण से जम्मू में तो भाजपा को स्पष्ट रूप से लाभ मिलता प्रतीत हो रहा है, परन्तु कश्मीर में मेहबूबा मुफ़्ती और फारुख अब्दुल्ला की पकड़ भी मजबूत है अत: जम्मू कश्मीर के लिए भाजपा को एक ऐसे चेहरे की तलाश थी जो मुलत:जम्मू कश्मीर से ही हो और मुस्लिम आबादी में जिसका अच्छा खासा प्रभाव हो और वो तलाश अब गुलाम नबी आज़ाद पर आकर केंद्रित हो गयी है।
मित्रों याद रखिये पाक अधिकृत कश्मीर को बिना युद्ध किये भारत में शामिल कर लेने के उद्देश्य की पूर्ति करने हेतु सिमा रेखा से जुड़े चिनाब विधानसभा जैसी सीटों पर विजय प्राप्त करना भाजपा के लिए अत्यधिक आवश्यक है और यदि गुलाम नबी आज़ाद भाजपा के लिए दूसरे श्री हेमंत विश्व शर्मा साबित हो जाते हैं तो पुरे उत्तर पूर्व राज्यों की तरह जम्मू कश्मीर भी भाजपा के झंडे तले विकास की नयी कहानी रचने सुनहरे भविष्य की ओर अग्रसर हो जायेगा। गुलाम नबी आज़ाद निश्चित ही कांग्रेस की बदबू भरी सड़ांध से बाहर निकलकर ताज़ी और प्रकाशयुक्त स्वतंत्र हवा में सांसे लेकर अपने जम्मू कश्मीर के उज्जवल भविष्य के लिए भाजपा से जुड़कर एक नए मुकाम को हासिल कर सकते हैं। वैसे आपको बता दे की भाजपा के शासन काल में ही गुलाम नबी आज़ाद को मार्च २०२२ में पदमभूषण से सम्मानित किया गया था।
अब शायद आप अपने प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र दामोदरदास मोदी जी और गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी के राजनितिक और कूटनीतिक व्यवहार को समझने के लिए अपने मस्तिष्क पर और दबाव अधिरोपित किये बिना इस तथ्य को समझ सकते हैं की कांग्रेस के शीर्ष नेता अपने दम्भ और झूठे घमंड के कारण जिन नेताओ के पर कतरने का प्रयास करते हैं, वही नेता अपनी प्रतिभा का उचित उपयोग भाजपा का साथ प्राप्त करते ही करने लगते हैं और देश के विकास के साथ साथ इसकी एकता और अखंडता को सुरक्षित रखने में अभूतपूर्व योगदान करने लगते हैं, श्री ज्योतिरादित्य सिंधिया, श्री हेमंत विश्व शर्मा और श्री जितिन प्रसाद इत्यादि तो मात्र कुछ उदाहरण हैं। और सच ही है की सतसंगति का असर तो ह्रदय पर छाप छोड़ ही जाता है। इसीलिए महान संत कबीरदास जी ने कहा है की:-
कबीरसंगतसाधुकी,नितप्रतिकीजैजाय।
दुरमतिदूरबहावसी,देसीसुमतिबताय॥
कबीरसंगतसाधुकी,जौकीभूसीखाय।
खीरखांडभोजनमिले,साकटसंगनजाए॥
अर्थात:- संत कबीर कहते हैं कि, सज्जन लोगों की संगत प्रतिदिन करनी चाहिए। ज्ञानी सज्जनों की संगत में, प्रतिदिन जाना चाहिए। इससे दुर्बुद्धि (दुरमति), दूर हो जाती है, मन के विकार, नष्ट हो जाते है और सदबुद्धि (सुमति), आती है। कबीरदासजी कहते हैं कि साधु की संगत में रहकर यदि जौ की भूसी का भोजन भी मिले, तो भी उसे प्रेम से ग्रहण करना चाहिए। लेकिन दुष्ट के साथ यदि खीर और मिष्ठान आदि स्वादिष्ट भोजन भी मिले,तो भी उसके साथ यानी की दुष्ट स्वभाव वाले के साथ कभी नहीं जाना चाहिए।
“Reform, Transform and Perform”- PM Narendra Modi. India overtakes UK and becomes fifth largest economy.
India becoming 5th largest economy overtaking UK economy at a time of celebration of 75 years of independence from British colonial rule is a pride moment for every Indian. The significance being India was able to achieve such progress amidst crisis of Covid and Russia -Ukraine war. India is expected to attain 3rd position by 2029.Bloomberg analyzed the data of International Monetary Fund and prepared the report. US remains world’s largest economy with highest GDP followed by China, Japan, Germany and India. India was in 11th position of GDP in 2014. In 10 years, India made significant progress ranking 5th with GDP of 854.7 billion dollars.
India Ahead while world recedes
Many of developed countries are facing inflation and economic recession. GDP of UK stands at 816 billion dollars. Inflation hit a record level in UK. UK recorded just 1% growth of GDP in second half of financial year of 2021-22. China is facing real estate, banking and financial crisis. Europe is having highest inflation, climate crisis and facing economic recession. The depreciation of pound value of Uk, yen of Japan, Yuvan of China, Euro and other currencies are more compared to depreciation of rupee with dollar.
India is the fastest growing economy at present. In April-June quarter of FY 2022-23 India recorded a growth of 13.5 % in GDP. After covid crisis and relaxation of covid protocol guidelines, there was spurt in consumption and demand in all fields, especially in service sectors. Contribution of India to GDP which was 2.6% in 2014 increased to 3.5% in 2022 and is expected to rise to 4% by 2027.At this growth rate India is anticipated to overcome Germany by 2027, Japan by 2029 and become 3rd largest economy by 2029.
The Fragile Five to top Five
When Modi became the prime minister of India in 2014 India was in top 5 fragile economies – The group of “Fragile Five” alongside of Brazil, Turkey, South Africa and Indonesia. The policy paralysis of UPA government was responsible for double digit inflation, bad impact in business confidence and economic recession. The fragile five had bad current account deficit, lesser foreign exchange reserves, more external debt, crash of rupee value, higher double-digit inflation above 10% and a slump in growth to below 6%. Investors were moving money out of India, mainly into USA and the currency value was falling. It was not an easy path for Modi government.
With a strong determination to set right Indian economy Modi government took various measures and steered country on a right path resulting in more stable currency, falling inflation rates and a well-controlled fiscal deficit. All these actions made India a better place to invest in. Within 1000 days Indian GDP growth rose to 7.4%, highest among large economies of world. By 2017, India was dropped off the list of Fragile Five and became fastest growing economy. India was referred as the “bright spot in the gloomy global economy” and a macro sweet pot. India’s stocks and currencies performed better than most of the world’s largest economies. It was clearly predicted in 2017 that “Due to changes in its political structure, India is on the rise as an economical power and is not likely to return to Fragile Five status”.
Policies of Modi government
Make in India Government has made constant efforts to incentivize domestic manufacturing, as compared to import and sell model. “Make in India” initiative was launched on September 25th 2014. Concessions were provided on import of raw materials needed for manufacture in India. Customs duty has been increased on some finished items to encourage domestic MSMEs. “Vocal for Local” initiatives exposed India’s manufacturing domain to world. “Start UP India” scheme was launched with a corpus of Rs.10000 crores to meet funding needs of Start- Ups. India now ranks 3rd in global start up ecosystems with more than 4200 new-age companies.
The government liberalized investment restrictions, eliminated regulatory barriers, nurtured international relations and improved business relations. India jumped by 79 positions in 5 years (2014 to 2019) from 142nd to 63rd place in ease of doing. FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments) have increased across various sectors. In FY 2021-22 FDI have been reported from 101 countries. India received highest ever FDI inflow of Rs 6,31,050 crores in FY 2021-22.
Tax Reforms Goods and Service Tax (GST) was the biggest ever tax reform and game changer of Indian economy. Over 17 taxes and multiple cesses were subsumed into GST combining central taxes like excise duty, services tax and state taxes. GST simplified and replaced the complicated indirect tax system and increased the compliance and number if indirect tax payers and made them more accountable. It also created a unified common national market for India boosting foreign investment and “Make in India” campaign.
Reduction of corporate tax for domestic companies and new manufacturing firms costing government around Rs 1.45 lakh crores was another major reform for “Make in India” making India country with lowest tax rates in Asia. Reforms in Income Tax resulted in simplicity in filing and increased compliance. India recorded highest ever Income tax collections of 13.63 lakh crores and around 5.83 crore IT returns in FY 2021-22 despite covid pandemic.
Welfare with Development
PM Jan Dhan Yojana scheme was launched in September 2014 and 44.23 crore bank accounts were opened for poor at zero balance. Benefits like subsidies, scholar ships, pensions and covid relief funds are being credited to the bank accounts including Jan dhan accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer. “Digital India” scheme increased digital literacy in citizens, digital infrastructure and digital delivery of government and non-government services. UPI (United Payment Interference) UPI transactions stood at 73 lakh crores in 2021 and the value is increasing every year significantly. In July 2022 UPI transactions value stood at 10.63 lakh crores.
Over 3 crore houses were built for poor under PMAY scheme with over 4.47 lakh crore rupees since 2015.Over 10.9 crore toilets were built under Swachh Bharath Mission since 2014. Seven crore rural families were given piped water connections in 3 years since 2019 through Jal Jeevan Mission which was budgeted at 3.6 lakh crores. The important point here is schemes of Modi govt provided necessary amenities to the under privileged in a useful way which created jobs and put money in to hands of people along with improving quality of lives of deprived.
MUDRA scheme was launched by Modi government on 8th April 2015 to provide loans up to 10 lakhs to non-corporate non-farm small and micro enterprises in hassle free manner. Since launch over 34.42 crore loans worth Rs 18.6 Lakh crores were sanctioned through MUDRA.
Infrastructure Since 2014 ,157 medical colleges were allotted by Modi government which are under different stages of implementation. In 2014 -2019 2 lakh kms of rural roads and 35000 kms of highways were built. 100 airports were made operational by 2019 and government is planning to make 200 airports, heliports and water ports operational in next 3 to 4 years. Hundreds of railway stations were modernized and 400 to be done next. National Infrastructure Project was devised for 5 years from 2020-2025 with Rs 111 lakh crores to provide world class infrastructure and improve quality of life. Money spent on infrastructure created jobs giving money to people and increasing the spending capacity.
Agriculture India is agriculture-based economy. Various schemes were launched to support farmers in Modi regime. Through PM KISAN Rs 6000 amount is being transferred to farmers every year. Subsidies on Urea, saplings, seeds were given. Through PM Krishi sanchay yojana, SAUBHAGYA various equipment like drip sets, bore wells and solar panels were given. Rs 1.25 lakh crore was allotted for developing infrastructure for agriculture like ware houses, cold storages and rural roads. Kisan rail and Krishi Udaan helped faster delivery of perishable goods. Food produce organizations were developed with Rs20000 crores.
Atmanirbhar Bharath
Entire world grappled with covid. Modi government launched “Atma Nir Bhar Bharath” worth Rs 20 lakh crores to turn crisis in to opportunity. ECLGS scheme sanctioned collateral free loans amounting to Rs3.48 lakh crores benefitting nearly 1.19 crore MSMEs. Through PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, largest food security program in world, 5kg cereals and 1 kg pulses per person were provided to 80 crore poor from March 2020 till today.
Money of Rs 500 was transferred per month to women having Jan Dhan accounts during lock down. Over 200 crore covid vaccine doses were given free of cost to citizens. PLI (Production Linked Incentives) scheme aimed at offering Rs 2.4 lakh crore incentives in key businesses manufacturing in India has got good response from electronics, auto components and pharma and is expected to add 4% annually to India’s GDP. One example being mobile manufacturing units went up from 2 units in 2014 to 200 units in 2021 and production from 6 crores in 2014 to 30 crores in 2021.
Way ahead to Vishwa guru Modi government inherited India as a part of Fragile Five in 2014. India is now 2nd largest manufacturer of mobile handsets. India recorded highest ever merchandise export value of nearly Rs 53 lakh crores (676 billion dollars) in 2021- 2022. From just being importer India is now exporter of defense equipment with exports of Rs 13000 crores in 2021.India’s agricultural exports crossed Rs 3.95 lakh crores registering 19.92 % growth. Fiscal consolidation in budgets brought down fiscal deficit to 3.2% and current account deficit to 1%. From having meager forex reserves in 2014, India became the fourth largest forex reserve holder as of December 2021 ahead of China, Japan, and Switzerland. On 4th June 2021 India became 5th country in the world to have Forex reserves exceeding 600 billion dollars.
Those who heckled about usage of UPIs by coconut vendors now realize that coconut vendors to car vendors are using UPI services easily. Manufacturing growth, Inflation, Fiscal deficit, forex reserves, FDIs showed better performance in 2014 -2019 than 2009-14. Modi government has ensured the welfare of needy along with development Welfare measures were designed to boost development and vice versa development to boost welfare. India has now become fastest growing and fifth largest economy in the world. This transformation happened in just 6 years. Determined India now aims to become Vishwa guru.
Dr Vinusha Reddy State executive member, State Media Panelist and State In charge of Policy & Research Mahila Morcha BJP Andhra Pradesh
It’s no secret that politics today is more about self-promotion than actual policymaking. But just how bad has it gotten? Politicians today live only for themselves. They are more interested in advancing their own career and lining their own pockets than they are in serving the public. This is a major concern because it means that our elected representatives are increasingly out of touch with the people they are supposed to be representing.
This is bad news for democracy and our society as a whole. We need politicians who are willing to put the needs of the people first, but it seems like those days are long gone.
It’s no secret that politicians today are more interested in serving themselves than they are in serving the public. But why is this the case? There are a few reasons, but the most important one is that our political system is set up in a way that incentivizes self-serving behavior.
First and foremost, our system of campaign finance encourages politicians to prioritize the interests of their donors over the interests of their constituents. In order to get elected and re-elected, politicians need to raise a lot of money, and the people who give them that money expect something in return. This often takes the form of special treatment for certain industries or businesses, even if those things are bad for the rest of us.
Secondly, gerrymandering allows politicians to pick their voters instead of the other way around. This means that they can choose to represent only the people who agree with them, and they don’t have to worry about offending anyone or making any tough choices. As a result, they can just pander to their base and do whatever will get them re-elected.
Lastly, our political parties have become so polarized that it’s nearly impossible for politicians to work across the aisle and get anything done. They’re more interested in scoring political points against the other side than they are in actually governing.
All of these factors combine to create a situation where politicians are more concerned with their own interests than the interests of the people they’re supposed to be representing. And until we fix our broken political system, that’s not likely to change.
It’s no secret that politics has become increasingly self-serving. Politicians today exist more for themselves than for the people they represent. They’re more interested in power and glory than in actually making a difference.
This trend has far-reaching implications. For one, it means that our political leaders are less likely to make the tough decisions that are necessary to improve our society. They’re more interested in maintaining the status quo and their own power than in truly making a difference.
What’s even more troubling is that this trend is likely to continue. As long as politicians are more concerned with themselves than with the people they represent, our society will suffer. We need leaders who are willing to put aside their own interests and focus on what’s best for the country. Otherwise, we’ll continue to decline.
In a world where politicians exist only for themselves, it can be hard to see what can be done to change the system. But, there are a few things that can be done in order to make a difference. First, we need to vote for politicians who have our best interests at heart. Second, we need to hold our elected officials accountable and demand transparency. And finally, we need to stand up for what we believe in and fight for the change we want to see.
The people of this country may regard to you as the ‘Iron Lady of India’, but pardon me, I would never. I wonder are you really eligible for such a dignified and respectable title? Frankly, I don’t think so. Well, did you really want to serve the nation till your last breath, as you said? Forgive me, but I don’t agree. Press censorship, forced sterilization, suspension of fundamental rights, huge economic losses, and controversies.
Don’t these all define your term as the Prime Minister? Doesn’t it sounds crazy that you were the first ever PM to be cross-examined at the court? Didn’t you feel embarrassed when the Supreme Court took away your rights as an MP and even prohibited you against using your voting rights? Didn’t you feel ashamed when the whole nation was demanding your resignation, and you so haphazardly declared an emergency, just because you didn’t have the guts to face them?
Didn’t you feel ashamed when you banned organizations like the RSS as you were afraid of the consequences of their rebellious movements? Didn’t guilt haunt you when citizens were killed for opposing the brutal emergency that you declared? How on earth didn’t you pity on the people who believed in you and voted for you? Sorry to say, but India was very unfortunate to have you as its Prime Minister.
This year India celebrate 75th anniversary of independence in form of “AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV”. Almost three years ago on 5th of august 2019 the Indian government surprised the world by abrogating the article 370 which had given special status to the Jammu and Kashmir.
When the article was introduced in the Indian constitution it was understood that it was supposed to be a temporary measure for preserving the special arrangement between the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian union or the newly created independent India. It was always understood that the article would be abolished and Jammu and Kashmir would eventually become like any other state in the country.
That was not to be for various political and administrative reasons, also the fact that Jammu and Kashmir was majority Muslim state. The population in Kashmir valley was Muslim although the Jammu region had more Hindus and Ladakh of course had a mix of Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. So that was the arrangement which continued for a long time for almost 70 plus years which created a kind of a rift between the rest of India and Jammu and Kashmir.
Some families in Jammu and Kashmir benefited from it. They became the new elite in the state. The political families, business families, some bureaucratic families and of course the common people continued to get discriminated against and the divide between Jammu and Kashmir on religious lines only got accentuated.
But with one stroke the PM Narendra Modi government on 5th of august 2019 just abolished the article 370 and created two new union territories in the form of Jammu and Kashmir together and Ladakh which has majority Buddhist population as another union territory. So the removal of article 370 from the Indian constitution and the abolishment of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir meant that Pakistan which constantly keeps the pot boiling in Jammu and Kashmir through its proxy war and by constantly calling Jammu and Kashmir as an unsettled dispute between India and Pakistan did not know how to react.
It was a major constitutional and emotional change in the valley region on 5th august 2019. There was a lot of protest go through. How the Indian government moved in to quell the protest they were complete curfew, huge number of security forces went into the Kashmir valley and in Jammu to control it.
Three years later many things have been changed on the ground that was a cataclysmic change. If one may want to call it in that particular year when everybody thought that proxy war is going to now go to the next stage. Pakistan will attack India, Pakistan will try and exploit the resentment amongst the Kashmiri population but nothing of the sort happened.
The population realized that it’s a political decision and in the long run it would be a good administrative decision in terms of better governance in favor of the common people.
In the velly there are different perceptions about it. There are different opinions amongst people and naturally so it’s a varied region their aspirations are different like us.
When the new union territory was created and they expected to get at par treatment with the Kashmiri Muslims but that has still not happened. is what their sense is you will find many of these voices in that film so when you go to the Kashmir valley there are other voices which talk about the radicalization of the Kashmiri youth.
Kashmiri muslim youth in the valley there is one gentleman who speaks about the increasing or increased influence of the jamaat on every aspect of the Kashmiri life. The radicalization that is now assuming dangerous proportions if you speak to the security personnel the security establishment will tell you all the parameters of the violence have come down.
There are very sporadic incidents of violence and killing targeted killing of Kashmiri Hindus sometimes of businessmen and even a popular TV star has happened.
But the violence levels have come down, overall the sense of security has increased. The encounters on the line of control between India and Pakistan have reduced but the infiltration from the Pakistani side to continue the proxy war hasn’t really reduced as much as India would have liked. But because Pakistan still believes that Kashmir is its main cause against India for against the resentment that it has against India and therefore it must continue the proxy war so all that remains.
As we know, every Pakistani mind thinks that Kashmir has been taken away from Pakistan by India by amending its constitution and giving it a special status under the union territory which comes directly under the central government. So there is a governor’s rule their political activities right now at the low level in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Ladakh but there are challenges of putting in place administrative systems, tourism is booming in both Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. but is that sustainable does that give the long-term tourism that India wants or those two regions want which are in the very fragile climate zone.
Now we’ll have to wait and watch for a long-term and permanent effect of that change but all that iI can say after three years is that it’s a good beginning and we need to build on that beginning. Although there are challenges and there are multiple opinions about how these three years have gone.
जी हाँ मित्रों आज अंग्रेजों और अंग्रेजों के तलवे चाटने वाले और भारत में रहने वाले उनके चाटुकारो के लिए निसंदेह मातम भरा दिन है, परन्तु प्रत्येक सच्चे भारतीय के लिए आज का दिन गौरवमय आंनद से भरा उत्सव जैसा है। स्वतंत्रता के अमृत महोत्सव के इस कालखंड में भारत ने उन अनपढ़ मुर्ख और बर्बर अंग्रेजो की लूट पर आधारित अर्थव्यवस्था को अपने ज्ञान, विज्ञान, उच्चकोटि की प्रतिभा, परिश्रम और निस्वार्थ देशप्रेम से पछाड़कर विश्व के पाचँवी सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था होने का गौरव हासिल कर लिया है।
आज यूरोप, अमेरिका, रसिया सहित सारी बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्थाएं जंहा कोरोना, महँगाई और मंदी की मार झेल कराह रही हैं, वंही हमारा देश १३.५% की जीडीपी के साथ सबको आश्चर्य में डालकर नित नयी उचाईयों को स्पर्श कर रहा है और ये सब कुछ हो रहा है क्योंकि देश की बागडोर परम आदरणीय श्री नरेंद्र दामोदरदास मोदी, श्री एस जयशंकर, श्री अमित शाह व श्रीमती निर्मला सीतारमण इत्यादि जैसे कर्मठ, जुझारू, ईमानदार और देशभक्त व्यक्तियों के हाथो में है।
आपको बताते चले की भारत अपनी पिछली निरंकुश नीतियों से मुक्त, “बाजार अर्थव्यवस्था” के रूप में विकसित हो रहा है। भारत का आर्थिक उदारीकरण वैसे तो वर्ष १९९० के दशक की शुरुआत में शुरू हुआ (जब स्वर्गीय नरसिम्हाराव की सरकार थी) और इसमें औद्योगिक नियंत्रण, विदेशी व्यापार और निवेश पर नियंत्रण कम करना और राज्य के स्वामित्व वाले उद्यमों का निजीकरण करना शामिल था। इन उपायों से भारत को आर्थिक विकास में तेजी लाने में मदद मिली है। भारत का सेवा क्षेत्र दुनिया का सबसे तेजी से बढ़ने वाला क्षेत्र है जो अर्थव्यवस्था का ६०% और रोजगार का २८% हिस्सा है। विनिर्माण और कृषि अर्थव्यवस्था के दो अन्य महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्र हैं।
आइये जानने का प्रयास करते हैं की आखिर ये जीडीपी (GDP) होती क्या है?
मित्रों यदि सामान्य भाषा में कहें तो जीडीपी अर्थात सकल घरेलू उत्पाद (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) एक निर्दिष्ट अवधि (Specified Time), आमतौर पर एक वर्ष के दौरान देश की सीमाओं के भीतर उत्पादित तैयार माल और सेवाओं के कुल मूल्य का एक अनुमान है। किसी देश की अर्थव्यवस्था के आकार का अनुमान लगाने के लिए जीडीपी का लोकप्रिय रूप से उपयोग किया जाता है। दूसरे शब्दों में हम कह सकते हैं कि “सकल घरेलू उत्पाद” (जीडीपी) एक विशिष्ट अवधि के दौरान किसी देश के भीतर किए गए सभी अंतिम वस्तुओं और सेवाओं का मौद्रिक बाजार मूल्य है। जीडीपी किसी देश की अर्थव्यवस्था का एक स्नैपशॉट प्रदान करने में मदद करता है और इसकी गणना व्यय, उत्पादन या आय का उपयोग करके की जा सकती है।
सकल घरेलू उत्पाद (GDP) या जीडीपी या सकल घरेलू आय (GDI), एक अर्थव्यवस्था के आर्थिक प्रदर्शन का एक बुनियादी माप है| यह एक वर्ष में एक राष्ट्र की सीमा के भीतर सभी अंतिम माल और सेवाओ का बाजार मूल्य है। GDP (सकल घरेलू उत्पाद) को तीन प्रकार से परिभाषित किया जा सकता है, जिनमें से सभी अवधारणात्मक रूप से समान हैं।
पहला, यह एक निश्चित समय अवधि में (आम तौर पर ३६५ दिन) एक देश के भीतर उत्पादित सभी अंतिम माल और सेवाओ के लिए किये गए कुल व्यय के बराबर है।
दूसरा, यह एक देश के भीतर एक अवधि में सभी उद्योगों के द्वारा उत्पादन की प्रत्येक अवस्था (मध्यवर्ती चरण) पर कुल वर्धित मूल्य और उत्पादों पर सब्सिडी रहित कर (Tax) के योग के बराबर है।
तीसरा, यह एक अवधि में देश में उत्पादन के द्वारा उत्पन्न आय के योग के बराबर है- अर्थात कर्मचारियों की क्षतिपूर्ति की राशि, उत्पादन पर कर औरसब्सिडी रहित आयात और सकल परिचालन अधिशेष (या लाभ)।
GDP (सकल घरेलू उत्पाद) के मापन और मात्र निर्धारण का सबसे आम तरीका है खर्च या व्यय विधि (expenditure method):
GDP (सकल घरेलू उत्पाद) = उपभोग (Consumed)+ सकल निवेश (Investment ) + सरकारी खर्च (Expenses)+ (निर्यात – आयात), या
GDP = C + I + G + (X − M).
जीडीपी का मापन :-
वर्तमान यू.एस. डॉलर में नाममात्र जीडीपी (NOMINAL GDP ): मुद्रा बाजार विनिमय दरों का उपयोग करके स्थानीय कीमतों और यू.एस. डॉलर में परिवर्तित मुद्राओं का उपयोग करके देशों के बीच जीडीपी को मापने और तुलना करने का यह सबसे बुनियादी और सामान्य तरीका है। यह वह संख्या है जिसका उपयोग शीर्ष २५ सूची में देशों की रैंकिंग निर्धारित करने के लिए किया जाता है।
क्रय शक्ति समता (पीपीपी – PURCHASING POWER PARITY ) वर्तमान अंतर्राष्ट्रीय डॉलर में समायोजित सकल घरेलू उत्पाद: यह देशों के बीच नाममात्र सकल घरेलू उत्पाद की तुलना करने का एक वैकल्पिक तरीका है| मुद्रा विनिमय दरों के बजाय उन देशों में सामानों की टोकरी के आधार पर मुद्राओं को समायोजित करना। यह देशों के बीच रहने की लागत में अंतर को समायोजित करने का एक तरीका है।
जीडीपी वृद्धि (GDP GROWTH): यह स्थानीय कीमतों और मुद्राओं में नाममात्र जीडीपी की वार्षिक प्रतिशत वृद्धि दर है, जो अनुमान लगाती है कि देश की अर्थव्यवस्था कितनी तेजी से बढ़ रही है।
जीडीपी प्रति व्यक्ति (GDP PER PERSON ), वर्तमान यू.एस. डॉलर में: यह नॉमिनल जीडीपी है जिसे किसी देश में लोगों की संख्या से विभाजित किया जाता है। जीडीपी प्रति व्यक्ति मापता है कि किसी देश की अर्थव्यवस्था कुल के बजाय प्रति व्यक्ति कितना उत्पादन करती है। यह किसी देश में रहने वाले व्यक्तियों के लिए आय या जीवन स्तर के एक बहुत ही मोटे उपाय के रूप में भी कार्य कर सकता है।
अंतरराष्ट्रीय मुद्रा कोष (आईएमएफ) के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद के आंकड़ों के अनुसार, भारत ने पहली तिमाही में बढ़त हासिल कर ली है। अभी दुनिया की सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था में अमेरिका है। जबकि दूसरे नंबर पर चीन फिर जापान और जर्मनी का नंबर है। एक दशक पहले भारत इस सूची में 11वें नंबर पर था और ब्रिटेन पांचवें पायदान पर। भारत ने यह कारनामा दूसरी बार किया है। इससे पहले 2019 में भी ब्रिटेन को छठे स्थान पर धकेल दिया था।
अमर उजाला में ३ सितम्बर २०२२ को प्रकाशित किये गए एक लेख में स्पष्ट रूप से यह दर्शाया गया कि “भारत ने हाल में चालू वित्त वर्ष की पहली तिमाही के जीडीपी के आंकड़े जारी किए हैं। इसके मुताबिक भारत दुनिया में सबसे तेज आर्थिक वृद्धि वाली अर्थव्यवस्था है। चालू वित्त वर्ष की पहली तिमाही में जीडीपी वृद्धि दर १३.५ प्रतिशत रही, जो पिछले एक साल में सबसे अधिक है। नकदी के संदर्भ में देखें तो भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था का आकार मार्च तिमाही में ८५४.७ अरब डॉलर है, जबकि ब्रिटेन की अर्थव्यवस्था ८१६ अरब डॉलर की है।
राष्ट्रीय सांख्यिकीय कार्यालय (एनएसओ) ने आंकड़े जारी करते हुए बताया कि “अप्रैल-जून तिमाही में सेवा क्षेत्र की वृद्धि दर १७.६ % रही, जो इससे पिछले वित्त वर्ष की समान तिमाही में १०.५% थी। कृषि क्षेत्र की वृद्धि दर ४.५ % रही जबकी २०२१-२२ की पहली तिमाही में २.२ % फीसदी थी।
राष्ट्रीय सांख्यिकीय कार्यालय (एनएसओ) के अनुसार वित्तीय, रियल एस्टेट और पेशेवर सेवाओं की विकास दर २.३ % से बढ़कर ९.२% पहुंच गई। इसके अलावा, बिजली, गैस, जलापूर्ति और अन्य उपयोगी सेवाओं की वृद्धि दर १४.७ % रही, जो २०२१-२२ की समान तिमाही में १३.८ % थी। लोक प्रशासन, रक्षा और अन्य सेवाओं के बढ़ने की दर ६.२% से बढ़कर २६.३% पहुंच गई। कृषि और सेवा क्षेत्र के दमदार प्रदर्शन से भारतीय बाजार में वैश्विक निवेशकों का भरोसा बढ़ा और निवेश आकर्षित करने में भी मदद मिली है।
मित्रों चीन और भारत दुनिया की दो उभरती अर्थव्यवस्थाएं हैं। २०२१ तक, चीन और भारत नाममात्र (NOMINAL )के आधार पर क्रमशः दुनिया की दूसरी और 5वीं सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था हैं। पीपीपी (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) के आधार पर चीन पहले और भारत तीसरे स्थान पर है। दोनों देश कुल वैश्विक संपत्ति का क्रमशः २१ % और २६ % नाममात्र (NOMINAL)और पीपीपी (PPP )शर्तों में साझा करते हैं। एशियाई देशों में, चीन और भारत मिलकर एशिया के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद में आधे से अधिक का योगदान करते हैं।
मित्रों आपको जानकार आश्चर्य होगा कि भारत की सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था वाले राज्य महाराष्ट्र में वर्ष २०१७ में लगभग ३७४ बिलियन अमेरिकी डॉलर का सकल घरेलू उत्पाद (नाममात्र) और लगभग १,३५४ बिलियन अंतर्राष्ट्रीय डॉलर का सकल घरेलू उत्पाद (पीपीपी) था। महाराष्ट्र की अर्थव्यवस्था नाममात्र (NOMINAL) के आधार पर नाइजीरिया के बराबर है और पीपीपी आधार पर थाईलैंड के बराबर है। अगर महाराष्ट्र को २०१७ की जीडीपी सूची में शामिल किया जाता है, तो यह नाममात्र और पीपीपी के मामले में क्रमशः ३१ वें और १९ वें स्थान पर होगा। २०१८ तक, भारत के दूसरे सबसे बड़े राज्य तमिलनाडु की अर्थव्यवस्था पुर्तगाल (नाममात्र में) और अर्जेंटीना (पीपीपी में) के बराबर थी।
मित्रों जब इस पुरे विश्व में सबसे धाकड़ विदेश मंत्री के रूप में स्थापित हो चुके श्री एस जयशंकर जी ने जब कहा कि अंग्रेजो ने भारत से ४७ ट्रिलियन डॉलर के बराबर सम्पत्ति की लूट खसोट की तो पूरा विश्व सकते में आ गया और लुटेरे अंग्रेज अपना मुँह छिपाकर भाग खड़े हुए। पर मित्रों सच है कि हमारे पास एक अत्यंत नीतिवान, चरित्रवान, गुणवान, देशभक्त और प्रजावत्सल शासक है, जो हमें निरंतर विकास और खुशहाली के पथ पर लेकर चल रहा है और हमारे शास्त्रों में ऐसे ही व्यक्ति का कुछ इस प्रकार वर्णन किया गया है:
व्याख्या- मनमें अपने धर्मका पालन करनेकी तत्परता,जिसके प्रभाव या शक्तिके सामने पापी दुराचारी मनुष्य भी पाप दुराचार करनेमें संकोच करे जिसके सामने लोगोंकी मर्यादाविरुद्ध चलनेकी साहस नहीं होता अर्थात् लोग स्वाभाविक ही मर्यादामें चलते हैं,विपरीत से विपरीत अवस्थामें भी अपने धर्मसे विचलित न होने और शत्रुओंके द्वारा धर्म तथा नीतिसे विरुद्ध अनुचित व्यवहार से सताये जानेपर भी धर्म तथा नीति विरुद्ध कार्य न करके धैर्यपूर्वक उसी मर्यादा में चलना,प्रजाको यथायोग्य व्यवस्थित रखनेकी और उसका संचालन करनेकी विशेष योग्यता,युद्ध में कभी पीठ न दिखाना मन में कभी हार स्वीकार न करना युद्ध से पलायन ना करना,दान देने मे तत्परता,अपने शासनद्वारा सबको अपनी अपनी मर्यादाके अनुसार चलानेका भाव,जो मात्र प्रजाकी दुःखोंसे रक्षा करे यह सभी स्वाभाविक क्षत्रियात्मक गुण और कर्म हैं।और ये सब हमारे प्रधानमंत्री में है।
Himanta Biswa Sarma is one of the most charismatic and dynamic leaders of Assam. He is a great visionary and is at times referred to as the Chanakya of Assam and Northeast politics. He is seen as the BJP party’s mascot in Assam. In the 2016 Assam Assembly elections, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and once again in the 2021 Assam Assembly elections, he managed to create an electrifying atmosphere during the poll campaign. His dance moves have become very popular. He is a huge crowd puller.
Every move of Sarma was amplified through a dedicated social media team and friendly local journalists. Like in the run-up to the 2016 polls, the incumbent chief minister Tarun Gogoi was ridiculed through an organised social and traditional media campaign for often rejecting developments that he didn’t consider significant with the phrase “baad diya hey” (leave it!), a calibrated attack on the incumbent chief minister Sonowal too was soon launched for often stating the line “Pahar bhoyam”, a term he often repeated in his speeches.
When a leader is shown following spiritual duties, is seen as compassionate, showering respect on all strata of people. It makes himself/herself assessable. It has a joyous social connection with the common man, and concerns for the poorest of the poor, Its ripple effects have an unimaginable multiplier, benefiting millions. Similarly, if a leader is shown partying in 5-7 star posh hotels, boozing, or vacationing, it no doubt sends a warm signal to the elites, but unfortunately alienates the poor citizens, who may look with awe at such leaders but fail to connect or consider them as own, as they are fearful to approach such leaders to address their grievances.
This is the culture India had seen for the past 70+ years, where the simple innocent and poor common man were considered lowly class, looked down upon as subjects to be taken care of but not considered as equals. This is the culture that India has been experiencing for the previous 70+ years, when the average man was perceived as an inferior class, looked down upon as objects to be cared for but not as an equal.
He has been successful in turning the tables and controlling the populace because they view him standing on their side of the table against the supposed oppressors and elites.
Mount Abu: Situated at the height of 4000 ft on the Aravalli Range is the only hill station of Western India. This mountain town is believed to be the abode of guru Vashistha, one of the Saptharishi, who is credited with for being the author of Mandala7 of the Rigveda.
Being the only hill station of Rajasthan and nearby Gujarat, it has always been a popular retreat for tourist for many years. Tourism is the main source of economy for the 20000+ population of this small hilly town.
Mount Abu- The Abode of God. The only hill station of western India.
With huge influx of tourist during the summer season, we have always faced major issue of excessive plastic waste. Also to add to that Gujarat being a dry state and this being a border town of Rajasthan, we have major influx of tourist during every weekends, as liquor is available and it creates a lot of piling up of waste Liquor bottles, which people throw everywhere after consuming.
Mount Abu is connected to outside world with a single artery road designated MDR60. Our nearest railway station Abu Road is 28 kms away. This stretch of road which consist 19.5Km of Ghat can be called the Life Line of Abu. If this roads closes during monsoon, Mount Abu is totally disconnected from the outside world.
On this 19.5kms of ghat road which run through a reserved Eco-Sensitive jungle there are several viewpoints with spectacular views of the plains below. Usually tourist stop at these spots and litters these viewpoints.
Majority of Locals including me zip through this stretch of road without stopping, as for us hill guys these stunning views are part of life, nothing unusual or spectacular, so to speak. During one of such work trips to Abu Road last November, I was climbing this ghat in a leisurely manner because that day we manage to complete our work way before time. Me and my staff stopped at these viewpoints to click images. We were appalled to find the amount of plastic waste and liquor bottle that were lying around. Then further we decided to stop at other viewpoints too. Other spots had the same story to tell. Each spot seems dirtier than the previous ones.
Garbage littered throughout the Ghat Section. Not a single Kilometer of stretch was clean. We usually zip pass the road and never realize the condition and what Environmental damage we are doing.
Next day I approached our SDM, Mr Abhishek Surana, who being a good friend, had the same story for me. He who uses that road on daily basis due to his line of work, was also observing the same for past many months and was worried more. He as an avid environmentalist was thinking for a solution on personal level because practically this piece of stretch does not come under his jurisdiction but Forest Department. Now Forest Department has always been understaff and underfunded for any such work. We two decided to make this as a voluntary people’s movement. He asked me to plan a course of action, and that he and his office will support it in every manner possible.
Images Taken of the Road during our second survey.
Being a Fauji brat and despite of being a1st generation entrepreneur, I have a knack for planning and executing any such large scale projects. Previously in 2019 too I had planned and carried out a very successful large scale cleaning event of our beloved Nakki Lake as a part of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan.(That event which warrant a different article) It was planned only within 3 days as a joke and challenge with same group of friends who are with me in this current project.. With 80 tons of waste from drybed of lake it was done with military precision.
After meeting SDM, I approached my friends, Now I have a group of like minded guys who are always ready to jump to whatever madness I throw to them. Usually these madness comes in a garb of many socially aware projects which none had thought before. They unanimously agreed and said why the hell not. You plan… we do. We made a WhatsApp Group with just 9 people and started to plan from there. Talk of using technology for a social cause. We chose the date of final execution for 15th December 2022, Wednesday, We avoided Weekends to avoid the tourist traffic, which would have caused road hazard. This was a gamble, being a week day everybody would be at work. Lets see who will take a day off from their work and businesses for a social cause!!
We decided to make huge hoardings and erect them on various town square, prior permission of which was already given by SDM. This was done throughout the night by the same group of crazy friend.
Hoardings for the planned event was erected at various prominent circles of the town.
Meanwhile my staff from office had printed Volunteer Registration Form and distributed at different hot spot of the town. Like restaurants owned by friends, Barber Shop, Pan Shop, you name it.
Volunteer Form Delivery location / Volunteer registration form that my office made for the event. Around 500 such forms were distributed.
Next day we pick our cars and bikes and decided to survey the road. I decided to plan this with the same formula I used during the Lake Cleaning Project of 2019, Only this time it was 19.5 kms instead of 3.5 kms which is the circumference of our beloved lake. I decided to fractionalize this 19.5 kms into small stretch of 1 or 1.5 kms and give them to each volunteer groups. Speaking of Volunteer Groups, Except for us 9 crazy people we had none at the moment. Only consolation was that I had 14 days to plan instead of just 3 days during the previous Lake Cleaning Project.
Survey of the Road. GPS marking, feeding the data into laptop, Marking the Zones with High Visibility Paint. People think we are crazy, what has laptop got to do with Cleaning Drive. 🙂
During the course of coming weeks we made 5 such trips, carefully marking the spots taking their GPS locations. On one of the later trip we went in our cars with Paint and Brush and marked the Spots. Labelled as Simple, Medium and Severely littered only in our file, and not on roads, anticipating that may cause resentment among volunteers, on what group got what spot.
Road Marking done
With this site survey we had already exhausted 6 days of our 14 days of planning. Even with Big Hoarding flashing across the town we had limited volunteers registration. Everybody in town thought it was such a crazy and too ambitious of an idea, that it couldn’t be done in weeks, let alone we were planning to do this in a single day. Usually Swacch Bharat Abhiyan across the country involved cleaning a campus, or park or beach, or any small spot. Nobody thought of cleaning a 19 kms of highway that too in a single day event.
Final day of the survey, Some lighter moment with friends, my core team !! Thanks to them who have always been very supportive for my madness without any question, unconditionally!
Finally we decided to involve military, CRPF and Air Force and sent them formal invitations. They were so happy to be part of the event when they heard the details about it. Now message was loud and clear that it was our town, and we have to keep clean. If people who had transferable job and in our town for limited period of time are so eager, why not the locals. Within two days we had registrations of more than 800 people. SDM Mr Surana was kind enough to call a general meeting in our towns Public Library to discuss the planning with interested volunteers.
Me not being the Public Speaker kind, hesitantly headed the meeting chaired with Mr Surana, SDM Mount Abu and Mrs Meena, Asst Director Rajasthan Tourism.
By this time there was lot of press coverage of the event, and calls started to pour in such frequency that, throughout that week I hardly slept for even 2 hours. Each one was eager to support the event, many offered me with monetary help which was refused straight away. Instead we asked for essential stuff, like gloves, sanitizer, Soap, refreshments, drinking water and things of that nature.
Rajasthan Patrika decided to do a story on the Event.Dainik Bhasker did a report of what i said in the Meeting.
The event had grown so big and the work load was so much that I decided to create a few sublet core group and distribute work among them. The group used to meet 2-3 times a day to discuss the plans and any new ideas.
Later that day few volunteers who happen to be my staff from office went and marked the roads with FLAGS, Flag cloth was donated by Shri Bhawar Bhai, a local cloth merchant, whose staff even stitched it for flag pole. The painting on flag was done by Shri Dhawanji, a local hoarding painter who recently passed away. Water bottle were donated by Rotary Club. Lunch for all the volunteers were committed by Hotel Hillock, a 4 star luxury hotel, The director Mrs Geeta Agarwal being our family friend.
Our guys worked through out the night to install Marking Flags based on GPS readings taken in our surveys.
Since the planned event would start at 6 AM in the morning, we had to start with breakfast and tea and same was committed by Hotel Association of Mount Abu, one of the two Major Hotel Association of our town. Mr Bhasker Agarwal and Yusuf Khan the Chairman and Secretary being a personal friend and also my clients. With so much overwhelming support from 90% of the population, I had yet to hear from few associations whom I had high hopes for but were somehow not keen, the reasons best known to them.
As this unique, never before tried, Swatch Bharat Abhiyan was not confined to a campus or area, we had 19.5 kms of Hilly Highway to clean. Our major concern was Transportation. Volunteers Registrations, by this time had swollen to nearly 1200+. Many didn’t had their own bikes or vehicle. A meeting was planned that evening and request were sent to concerned organisation. On final day we had 3 Buses given each by CRPF, Air-Force, Brahma Kumaris Organisation. Army was unable to commit due to reason I will explain later. Two of the 5 Taxi Union of our town were keen to help and they provided two of their Sumo and Tempo Trax. In our city we have Rent a Bike service, Thanks to Shri Narpat Charan, their Chairman , They Provided 15 Activas with Fuel to be used by Volunteers for essential material movement on event day.
Activas with fuel were parked at event Venue and keys handed over to our core group night before the eventLogistics Team
Essential Items like Gloves, Spade, Garbage Bags, protective safety Equipment, were provided by our Muncipalty. We had requested SDM for the Garbage Dumper Trucks. He obliged us with 5 smaller trucks and 2 Big ones. Later Forest Department guys were also keen to join the movement even with their limited man power.
All these list were carefully prepared by my office guys. Many amendments were done as the days progressed
Just, Night before the event interesting event happened. A call came at about 10 pm from Sub Sanjay Sir from Garwhal Rifles which is stationed in our town. Previously Army had denied to participate because the whole unit were in field exercise remotely. Only 25+ essential personal were stationed. Now the CO Col Deshmukh had a meeting with Sub Sanjay Sir that evening, and was anxious to participate because he said he felt left out when other Similar Organisation was participating in this Noble Cause.. He immediately ordered Sanjay sir to call me and gave me a list of 15 men, One Truck and one Gypsy. Leaving only few sentry for the day. Such was the level of Inspiration this event had caused.
Burning Midnight oil: Files being prepared to be given to each Team on the event Day. With every minutest details, Their allotted location, Various help Desk Numbers, Emergency contact team numbers etc.
Now the Final Plan!
Plan was very simple, We divided 19.5 kms Stretch into 18 Zones of 700meter, 1kms or 1.5 kms each. Depending on severity of litter, Terrain difficulty. Each locations was GPS market and Flag was hoisted at the beginning and end of each zones. Each of these Zones were given to Volunteer Organisation depending upon their capability and GPS location was shared on their Team Leader mobile. For Example severe spots were given to Army. Air Force, CRPF/NDRF. Mountainous Ghat section were given to Vivekananda Mountaineering Institute. Ladies organisation, were given less far areas. School Children were given section that had no Ghats.
Teams and their sector allotment for final day.
On the course of this 19.5 Kms we made 5 Help Desk, manned by 3 volunteers and an Activa was given. Each of this help Desk had Medical Essential, Garbage bag, Gloves, Mask. These essential were already delivered throughout the stretch of highway early morning by the Logistics teams. So if any volunteer group needed anything they just had to contact their nearest Help desk which was just 2 km either way. Two Vehicle were constantly roaming with PA equipment for any extra help and to coordinate between all these 5 help desk. Ambulance and two trained Nurses were provided by Global Hospital for the day. Mukesh Bhai, my old friend who is a sound engineers and a local DJ donated the PA equipment. With all this figured out and all loop holes checked, what could possible go wrong?
Help Desk, their Incharge and Areas of jurisdiction allotted to themHelp Desks: Devang Agarwal, now this guys is very young and a known family friends son, But I specifically gave him the main Coordination role to Manage the Main Desk with instinct, and what a fine job he did. This was his first big event and was very keen to work in future along with us.
And there were various sub team made to manage Breakfast, Lunch, Medical Emergency, each of whom did their work with military precision.
Break Fast and then Lunch being managed by my dear friend Salil Kalma.Support Team List
We started at 5 AM , Teams started to arrive at 6 AM, Enthusiasm was so much that we manage to clean the whole road before lunch, It didn’t even lasted till evening. We few members of the Core Group had to stay till evening, because we had to load the garbage, collect all equipment’s and deliver to organisation that had donated it for the day.
Volunteers at work!
The event was huge success. We anticipated two Dump Trucks would suffice, later we had to recall two more trucks for the aggregated garbage. All in all it was 4 truckloads of Garbage with 1200 volunteers working just till 2 PM.
Hoping this article will inspire many! The formula can be used as a template to perform any big or similar task. With this event I tried my best how put an idea into motion, by mobilizing large section of like minded people, how to use government resources efficiently and in a very cost effective manner. The event was covered by many news channel and papers later, each one had their own version, because with such work loads for planning the gigantic event we did not had time to give any media bites.
I tried my best to prove no task is bigger, if you have will power to do so. And friends and people will always follow suit for a good cause.
Closing this article with an old saying which best describes my every project….
मैं अकेला ही चला था जनिब-ए-मंज़िल मगर लोग साथ आते गाए और करवां बंता गया:…
There is a widespread claim that the British took over governing India from the Mughals. This is not correct. The British took over most of India by force, by trickery, vile and devious methods from Hindu Kingdoms, largely Marathas.
Contrary to popular belief that Mughal Rule continued till 1857, the reality is that it had got over for all real purposes in 1804. After that, the Mughal ruler, on a British pension and controlled by British residents, had jurisdiction only within the walls of Lal Quila in Delhi.
Even in 1804, the Mughal Ruler had authority only in Delhi to the Agra region, and he was under the protection of Scindia. He had no army of his own.
Let us do a quick recap on the major interactions between the East India Company and the Mughals.
1608 -1613: Thomas Roe visits Jehangir and asks for permission to trade a ‘firman’but is allowed limited approval to set up a factory (warehouse Cum office) in Surat.[i]
1664: The British fire at Mughal Ships near Bombay. An Enraged Aurangzeb cancels trade privileges, and restoration is done by apologizing and paying indemnity.[ii]
1690: The lease of three villages in Calcutta is obtained by the British from the local Mughal governor. This becomes Calcutta. A few armed skirmishes take place, but the matters get resolved.[iii]
1716: Farrukhsiyar grants the Company ‘firman’ and ‘Dustak’, which is the ability to transit goods duty-free within the Mughal rule and allied areas.[iv]
1764: Battle of Buxar takes place where Nawab of Avadh and Mughal ruler jointly fight on behalf of deposed Nawab Mir Jafer with British. In this battle held near the then Allahabad, the British won and get Diwani of Bengal in place of Nawab in exchange for payment of £272,000 [v] to the Mughals annually.
1803-1804: British general Lake attacks Mughals. He Starts from Kanpur, which the British had earlier wrested from Nawab of Avadh, and occupies Aligarh, Agra, and Delhi in quick Succession, defeating Scindia armies who were the protectors of Mughals.
The Mughal ruler is taken prisoner by the British.
In his treaty with Scindia, called the treaty of Sarji Anjangaon, the British under Governor-general Wellesley agree to give the Mughal Rs 10.8 Lakhs a year and leave him with jurisdiction inside Red Fort palace walls only with no territorial jurisdiction.[vi]
So this marked the official end of the Mughal rule In India. The Mughal ruler was called ‘ Tinsel King ‘ because he ruled primarily over women of his harem and household, had no influential role anywhere.
The British policy at this time was not to kill but to retire the native rulers with a pension till they faded from memory.
1806: When Shah Alam II died, Lord Hastings, the governor-general, requested his successor Akbar II to waive any ceremony that ‘might suggest that he exercised any authority over the Company’s empire.[vii]
In 1857, Bahadur Shah, the last Mughal, had his rule therefore limited within the walls of Lal quila, where he lived as a virtual prisoner with every aspect of his life monitored by the British Resident of Delhi, who was the effective ruler.
As is well known after the first war of Independence in 1857, Bahadur Shah, now a frail old man, was imprisoned in Burma, where he died. His sons had all been killed by the British officers. Lal Quila was taken over and converted to an army barrack.
