Defeat brings need for introspection, correction and acceptance of one’s faults. Normally, policies are corrected, new blueprint is made and people move forward with fresh discourse and leadership.
But as usual, India’s Prime Opposition Party (till now) is an exception for this cliche. After Rahul Gandhi’s leadership proved to be ineffective and costly for the party in not one, but two elections, coupled with Priyanka being disappointment at large with her dismayal performance in UP elections, there was a hope for a total revamp of the India’s Grand Old Party that led us through our freedom struggle, won us three important wars against Pakistan, but all in vain, instead of moving forward and ending the hegemony of Gandhis over the party which would tantamount to end of dynastic politics paving way for a competent and deserving leadership, Congress chose to take step backwards and ‘elect’ 72 Year old Matriarch Sonia Gandhi to again lead the dying Party as Interim President.
Although many think, this will revive Congress as it did after Sitaram Kesari was ‘demoted’ (or thrown out?) as Congress President and Sonia Gandhi was brought in as Party President when Congress faced a tough time. But such a scenario seems ambiguous now.
First of all, with energetic, ruthless and 24×7 Politicians like Modi-Shah, there is a need for equally competetive and young leadership. Sadly, owing to Sonia Gandhi’s age and her health conditions, her commitment to the revival of the party seems futile.
Secondly, BJP’s whole campaign in 2014 stretched to 2019, was based on anti-dyanstic politics. The fate of ‘dyansts’ in their own party is the testimony to the fact of how much the leading duo of the party at the power, abhor and despise dynasts. When PM Modi said, ‘Ab Raja ka beta Raja nahi banega’ it seemed like whole country took it as a resolution. PM Modi’s reelection is surely the end of dynastic politics in India. In such a time where dynasties are becoming irrelevant, Congress sticking to the family that cost them not one but two back to back election defeats (and many more in assembly elections) seems like haughty attitude or a severe mental illness that comes from decades of subserviance. The very fact that NO young and dynamic leader of considerable clout could challenge the Gandhis, implies the kind of power and hold the Gandhis have over the party. The case of Shehzad Poonawalla is textbook example of how dissent is supressed in the party.
The time when Sonia Gandhi was brought in political foray, was when nation was riding with high amount of sympathy for her. She projected this image of wailing widow vying for justice, sacrificing all comforts for the country, but this carefully crafted image over the years was shattered during PM Manmohan Singh’s 10 year long nightmare reign. People came to know the other rather dark side of the Femme Fatale! Social Media played a major role in shattering this image of the Italian turned Indian Lady and it still does. So Sonia Gandhi’s foray into mainstream politics again, will cost party even more instead of benefitting it. Atleast Rahul Gandhi had sympathy of being a man forced into something he never wanted. Sonia will not be given such a mercy.
Sonia Gandhi’s reelection is Congress again going back to outdated dynastic politics, the politics of corruption which cost us 10 good years. There’s a popular theory that every time BJP digs its iwn grave, Congress willfully jumps into it. Guess its really true!
Ever since Article 370 has been revoked and Jammu and Kashmir have been given a Union Territory status similar to New Delhi and Ladakh being another territory, finally getting freedom from hegemony of the valley, everyone in the country seems to be happy and pleased. While everyone is lauding PM Modi and BJP for this audacious decision, the reaction from Congress, a party with glorious history of being forefront in Indian Freedom Struggle, a party that has ruled this country for 7 decades, a party during whose reign country fought 3 wars with Pakistan and won was rather a shocker. With Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary shooting himself in foot with the ‘Kashmir is not an internal matter’ gaffe to Ghulam Nabi Azad’s desperate defense of the separatist leaders, Congress Party gives an impression of a club of all that is wrong with the ideology that lies on the left of the spectrum. But, to call a party that has ruled this country for 7 decades, seditious, would be too far. There are many sane voices with in the party like Jyotiraditya Scindia, Karan Singh, Milind Deora etc that have gone against the Party lines and supported the government on this issue.
But implying this reactions and decisions as ‘rebelling’ and drawing conclusions of a possible ‘split’ and rebellion against Congress’s first family, The Gandhis, might be over the top. Not being an optimist over here, but just trying to be querolous and ambiguous over the current developments with in the grand old party.
All is true that currently Congress is at its worst stage with a leadership vacuum and this situation could not have made Congress’s misery any good. Ever since Rahul Gandhi has left, the Congress seems directionless, desperate and diffident. That doesnt mean, Congress’s agenda and stand was right during Rahul’s time, but whatever stand it took, it was firm on it.
Taking a different stand in parliament and then gainsaying it after CWC press release doesnt only seem as an effort to mitigate the impact of negative public sentiment but also highlights the upheveal the party is going through not only on the current issue, but ever since its humiliating loss to BJP in 2019 elections and the statements and direction taken by its senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, P. Chidambaram, Sam Pitroda, Manish Tewari arent doing the party any good.
May be it is time for this old gaurds to step aside and let the yonger leadership take the charge. It doesnt seem there is any challenge to the Gandhis from the party, but surely there are a lot of contradictions on what a Centrist Party’s stand should be on issue of National Importance, and if it is not with the majority public sentiment, then Congress needs to bid adieu to success in next two or three Loksabha Elections.
The hobnobbing with the left parties, appeasement of the radical elements, opposing popular majoritarian decisions just for gainsay has cost party a lot. Whoever takes charge needs to improve the image with the firm stand on issues of national importance.
In an age of social media, with apathetic opponents like Modi-Shah who go for the kill, the party needs serious competent leadership. Lack of predilection for the leaders other than that from the Gandhi family, dynastic politics and support for leaders accused of venality, needs to be thwarted.
May be there is a split on congress, may be there is not, but the party needs a serious introspection and a reset of ideologies and decisions if it has to survive in this great Jungle called Indian Democracy!
Serial faker and Hindu hater who masquerades as a journalist, Ms. Rana Ayyub doesnt miss to hit new lows everyday with her abnoxious behaviour and pathological hatred of anything and everything Indian.
Recently Modi Govt took historic decision to remove the temporary Article 370 from the Constitution of India as a conclusive step towards Integration of Kashmir with the rest of the country and to pace the efforts for development and peace in the valley, many leftists and disruptors of peace in India have come out in the protest against the move.
One of them is Rana Ayyub, who definitely has many skeletons in her closet, has been continuously spewing venom against the Government and has gone so far to declare India as a fascist country. If writing articles trashing India and its majority wasnt enough, she has decided to go further by abusing Armed Forces by indirectly calling them complicit in genocide.
But little does she know that Internet knows all and remembers everything. A few years back, the same Ayyub had tweeted in favour of removal of Article 370. Although now the tweets have been deleted, deligent twitteratis were clever enough to take the screenshots.
Recently Ms. Ayyub’s tell all and investigative book about socalled ‘Gujarat Riots’ was thrashed by Supreme Court of India by calling it fictional account and thereby questioning its veracity.
As the Monday opened a new chapter in India’s glorious history, integrating Kashmir with the country and truly fulfilling the Sardar Patel’s dream of ‘Unified India’ thereby undoing the Nehruvian Blunder over Kashmir, not all celebrated with as pomp and ceremony.
Many socalled ‘liberals’ and ‘custodians’ of Human Rights and Kashmir issue as a whole, were cried hoarse as their shops of self-righteousness and chauvinism were about to shut.
But its a given and clich`e for these so called ‘Anti-Right’ to act this way. But let us take a look at how our equally rattled and terrified neighbours have reacted to the issue :
On Monday 5th August, India passed a resolution in RajyaSabha which revoked Article 370, scrapping the special status given to Kashmir.
The Government also proposed its move to declare Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory with Legislative Assembly and Ladakh, without Legislative Assembly.
While parties like Congress, DMK, TMC etc opposed many parties including BJD, Shivsena , TDP and YSRCP supported centre on the same.
As usual Pakistan, the trouble-making neighbour of India, opposed the move, threatening legal actions in UN and ICJ, the International Leaders and Platforms are yet to comment on the same.
Meanwhile, popular Right Wing Dutch Leader, Geert Wilders has welcomed the decision tweeting about the same and condemning Pakistan calling it a Terrorist State.
With all the speculations and excitement among the Indians has finally come to rest, the thrilling saga going on since last two days, finally comes to its conclusion with Home Minister Amit Shah adressing Rajya Sabha at 11 A.M.
The Government has finally taken decision to revoke Article 370, a historic Nehruvian Blunder that wrecked havoc in Kashmir for past 70 years and cause bloodbath in the state and also the whole country.
What would have been quixotic otherwise, has now come to fruition, when Kashmir finally integrates with India fully, and Constitution of J&K Assembly stands scrapped.
It is interesting to now see how will the socalled ‘stake holders’ of Kashmir and the Congress Party, responsible for this nemesis will react. One thing is very clear, with this move, BJP has sealed the deal for 2024 and beyond.
Seems like the Right is here to stay, and Right is here to stay Stronger than ever!
The US administration blacklisted Huawei Technologies last month amid the escalated US-China trade war, accusing the tech giant of being sponsored by the Chinese state and spying on its behalf via its devices, thus forcing US firms to cut ties with the Chinese company.
US President Donald Trump’s restrictions on Chinese telecom giant Huawei can be likened to “murder”, said Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council on Tuesday, at CNBC’s Capital Exchange summit.
“If we want to keep it out of our network, it’s easy to do. Let’s just ban them. But putting them on the entity list and prohibiting US companies from dealing with them, it’s more like murder.”
“It’s trying to put an end to them,” said Allen, president of the US-China Business Council that represents about 200 US companies that do business with China.
“If a stranger knocks at your door, you don’t have to let them in, but do you have the right to take a gun and shoot them?”
“We are paying a short-term cost but the long-term cost would be yet greater”, Allen said. “Will China not invest in soybeans in Brazil, Argentina and Ukraine? Of course they will. Not everything is a transaction. We have to consider this over the long term. … At the end of the day, we have to deal with the Chinese if we want to get there.”
Thea Lee, president of the Economic Policy Institute, also on the panel, was vocal in condemning Donald Trump’s use of tariffs in negotiating a trade deal.
“Trump is using that tool (tariffs) too haphazardly, and in a way he’s not sending clear messages to either business communities or to trading partners,” Lee said at the summit.
Adding that in her opinion, the US President was burning bridges with many trading partners, Lee insisted this would cost the US over the long run.
“If a tariff is used strategically and surgically to address an unfair trade practice, you have this short-term disruption and short-term inconvenience and higher prices along the way, but ultimately in service of addressing a problem.”
“That’s what I don’t see this current administration doing … it’s more like a battle of egos and a battle of wills.
The US administration blacklisted Huawei last month amid the escalated US-China trade war, accusing the tech giant of being sponsored by the Chinese state and spying on its behalf using its devices, thus effectively halting its ability to purchase American-made chips and forcing US firms to cut ties with the company.
Several countries followed suit, with Australia, Japan and New Zealand last year banning the company from participating in government contracts over security concerns.
Huawei has repeatedly rejected the accusations of US intelligence agencies that it installs “backdoor” access to its devices at the behest of the Chinese government to help Beijing spy on users.
Huawei has filed a motion for summary judgement in its lawsuit against the US government asking that it declare the 2019 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) unconstitutional.
The trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies has continued to escalate as both sides have slapped tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of each other’s goods. China has threatened to cut off its rare earth mineral supply to the US and reportedly stopped ordering US soybeans.
After a rigorous Election campaign and equally painful waiting time, D-day is here and PM Modi is all set to be on India’s Iron Throne with even a bigger margin. India’s Grand Old Party now, a Gandhi Pvt. Ltd has failed to even open an account in many states. As Modi 2.0 is here lets take a look over the factors that contributed to PM Modi’s victory :
1. The Gandhis. Yes, India is finally done with the fake Gandhi family, their antics and their elite mindset.
2. Incompetent Rahul Gandhi : Time and again Rahul Gandhi has proved to be incompetent and a reluctant Politician. Its just right to say now that he is no match for even a competent BJP Karyakarta let alone the Political Giants that are Modi and Shah.
Amit Shah : Amit Shah’s herculean efforts in building the party towards what it is today has finally paid off. His Strategy and campaign should be up for Phd Studies to be fair. Chanakya Niti hasn’t faded , its here and blooming.
Bua-Bhatija non-starter : The politics of desperation by two old rivals SP-BSP coming together proved absolutely nothing. People felt betrayed by this two enemies coming together. In longterm politics, its not a good move, only helped BJP to make their campaign further agressive.
North-East outreach : It can be safely said now NE has played a huge part in making sure Modi gets aboard the Prime Ministral ship. NE has stood firmly behind BJP in this elections. All thanks to the development of BJP and the HIRA -Highway-Industry-Rail-Agriculture project of the government.
Tectonic Shift in Indian Politics : Era of Dynastic politics is finally over. People of India are voting on a person’s personal achievements than seeing the family he came from.
Hindutva Factor : PM Modi has finally managed to break all the caste-creed-tribal-urban barries and unite Hindus under one banner of Hindutva.
RSS -RSS has silent worked for BJP in mobilising the cadre and strengthening the party’s hold over country at ground level.
There are many more, but this according to me are major factors that led to BJP’s Massive win.
The Indian government’s “zero casualty” policy for cyclones and the pinpoint accuracy of the meteorological department’s early warning system have helped reduce the possibility of deaths from Cyclone Fani, according to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (ODRR). “They seem to have done a very good job in terms of minimising the possibility for loss of life”, Denis McClean, a spokesperson for ODRR said at a UN news briefing in Geneva on Friday. “The almost pinpoint accuracy of the warnings, the early warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department, allows them to conduct a very well targeted evacuation plan which resulted in 1.1 million people mainly moving to about 900 cyclone shelters”, he said. As of Saturday morning less than10 deaths had been reported from the 175-kmph cyclone that hit Odisha on Friday. India’s policy of minimising fatalities from cyclones has been proved by past performances as in Cyclone Phailin in 2013, when “famously the casualty rate was kept to as low as 45 despite the intensity of the storm”, McClean said. Clare Nullis, a spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), said that as a result of the lessons learned from the Super Cyclonic Storm BOB06 that caused more than 10,000 deaths, intensive precautions are being taken to protect the people. She also mentioned how as a result, Phailin’s fatalities were far less than in 1999. UN’s humanitarian agencies have met ahead of Cyclone Fani to take stock of preparedness measures, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at a briefing in New York. The UN’s relief organisations’ resources are already stretched bringing aid to countries in East Africa reeling from a double punch delivered by Cyclones Idai and Kenneth in the past two months.
India is opposed to a multi-billion-dollar connectivity link between China and Pakistan, which passes through Kashmir, a region both New Delhi and Islamabad claim in its entirety.
New Delhi has explained that its decision to forego April’s Belt and Road summit was prompted by security and territorial integrity concerns. It marked the second time India has boycotted the forum on China’s mega-project in the past two years.
“We feel that the infrastructure connectivity should be aligned with national priorities and should respect and follow certain well-respected or broadly accepted (norms) in the world, which include the elements of transparency openness, a level playing field, social, environmental and financial sustainability,” said India’s ambassador to China Vikram Misri, as quoted by The New Indian Express.
The diplomat added that initiatives in which India takes part “must be aligned with national priorities”.
“That is one basket. The other basket is that these initiatives can be sustainable and successful only in so far as they respect issues related to sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he noted, stressing that India’s absence at the Belt and Road Forum had not affected trade with China.
The second Belt and Road Forum was held in Beijing from 25-27 April; India refused to send its representatives to underscore its opposition to the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The CPEC, designed as part of Beijing’s much-advertised, trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, seeks to connect China’s western Xinjiang province with Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, and Gwadar Port in the country’s southwest through a network of roads, railways, and energy projects.
The corridor passes through a part of the disputed region of Kashmir which has been held and administered by Pakistan for the past seven decades. India has repeatedly stated that the CPEC compromises its territorial integrity and sovereignty.A retired Indian Army general said that the CPEC progress signals a “growing proximity” between China and Pakistan. He also voiced concerns that the recent deployment of Chinese troops close to the India-Pakistan border (ostensibly carried out to secure the safety of the project amid a wave of protests by locals) could be a pretext to the placement of a military base inside Pakistan.
April’s Belt and Road summit was the second such meeting to be blocked by India. In 2017, New Deli also sent no delegation to Beijing, saying that the summit did not meet the criteria of transparency and respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The 2017 conference gathered 29 heads of state and government, while this year’s summit was held on an even bigger scale, drawing together 37 world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Conte. Major global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund were also in attendance.
SpaceX finally confirmed Thursday that its crew capsule was destroyed in ground testing two weeks ago, noting that this is “not great news” as the company aims to launch astronauts this year.
Hans Koenigsmann, a company vice president, told reporters it’s too soon to know what went wrong during the April 20 test or whether the crew Dragon capsule’s test flight in March, excluding astronauts, contributed to the loss of functionality.
The capsule burst into flames a half-second before the launch-abort thrusters were to fire. SpaceX still cannot access the testing area at Cape Canaveral for safety reasons, Koenigsmann told reporters. He added that the company does not want to disturb any evidence that could provide clues as to what caused the failure.
Earlier SpaceX confirmed that the smaller, simpler cargo version of the Dragon capsule is safe to fly to the International Space Station. The company was on track to launch a Falcon rocket with station supplies early Friday morning in the US, although approaching storms threatened yet another delay. Earlier in the week, the flight was postponed by a major power shortage at the space station.
An old power-switching unit failed Monday, slashing the space station’s power by 25 percent and ruling out any deliveries. By Thursday, flight controllers had replaced the box and restored full power to the orbiting outpost. However, because the April 20 accident occurred so close to SpaceX’s landing site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the booster for the cargo launch cannot return there following lift-off. The first-stage booster was aiming for a barge stationed about 12 miles offshore, much closer than usual.
Another Dragon capsule is to be tested this summer, to see how the SuperDraco thrusters work in an aborted flight. There are more crew Dragons in the process of being built that can be used for this test, according to Koenigsmann. The Company vice president still hopes SpaceX can launch two NASA astronauts to the space station this year, adding that the impact to the schedule will depend on the results of the accident investigation.
NASA has contracted with SpaceX as well as Boeing to ferry astronauts to and from the space station, but for now, NASA will transport their crews via Russian rockets, which are expensive for the agency.
“It’s certainly not great news for the schedule overall, but I hope we can recover,” Koenigsmann said the company has been in touch with astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken — who will be on board for the crew Dragon’s next test flight to the space station.
Boeing also has encountered recent delays with its Starliner crew capsules, however, the company is striving to launch a capsule without astronauts to the space station by the end of August.
A cyclonic storm equivalent of a category 4 hurricane is gathering speed and is set to hit India on Friday morning as almost one million people are being evacuated in the eastern state of Odisha.
Cyclone Fani is forecast to be the worst storm since 2014. The Navy and the coast guard have deployed ships and helicopters for relief operations, according to a government statement.
Odisha is battered by cyclonic storms every year with some intense enough to damage crops, plantations, trees, mud houses and communication and electric poles, as well as disrupt road traffic and transportation of essential goods. Severe storms also affect operations at oil and gas fields in the region and threaten lives of people and animals.
Sea levels may rise about 1.5 meters above astronomical tide, said Madhavan Nair Rajeevan, secretary at India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences. Wind speeds will likely reach as high as 200 kilometers (124 miles) per hour at the time of the landfall in Odisha, he said.
The state was battered by a super cyclone in 1999 with wind speeds that were estimated to have reached a maximum 270 kilometers an hour leaving almost 10,000 people dead. The ensuing rains caused flooding and temporarily cut off the state from the rest of the country.
“We are on the job and have sufficient time to evacuate people from the coastal areas,” said Bishnupada Sethi, special relief commissioner with the Odisha government. About 150,000 people have already been relocated and contingency plans are in place to deal with heavy flooding, he said.
High Alert
The administration has stocked up medicines and food supplies in preparation, said N. C. Marwah, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. As many as 48 National Disaster Response teams are ready to be deployed, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held a meeting on Thursday to review the preparations, has asked top officials to take preventive measures as well as make preparations for relief and rescue operations, according to a government statement.
Heavy showers are expected in some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for two days through Friday, while rain is seen in West Bengal for two days through Saturday, the weather office said. Sea conditions are likely to be rough along the coast in some parts of these three states in the coming days, it said.
Fishermen have been asked not to venture into deep seas and those who are already there have been advised to return to the coast. Indian Railways has canceled more than 100 trains in the region and diverted several others to avoid damage to passengers and goods, a spokesman for the ministry said.
Neighboring Bangladesh also issued a weather warning. Mongla and Payra ports have been asked to hoist danger signal number seven on a scale of 10, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The country has suspended river transport on all routes, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said in Dhaka.
The trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, with Zanskar ranges in the south and Karakoram ranges in the north bordering both Pakistan and China, is strategically vital for India’s national security. It formed part of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir which acceded to India in October 1947, after J&K was attacked by Pakistan supported tribal raiders. Large parts of the region, including the strategic Gilgit which, during the Maharaja’s rule, formed the Frontier district, remain under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. Pakistan has divorced these areas from Pakistan Occupied J&K and refer to them as Gilgit-Baltistan (former Northern Areas), administered directly by the federal government of Pakistan. A part of the area, including Aksai Chin, has been illegally ceded by Pakistan to China. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China’s most important strategic initiative in this region, also runs through areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. It is a land-locked area comprising the trans-Himalayan ranges; Zanskar, Ladakh, Pangong and Karakoram Ranges. The area’s population is mainly Buddhist with Shia Muslims of Balti ethnicity dominating the Suru and Sankoo Valleys of Kargil. Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield with Saltoro Ridge as the vital ground, forms part of this region, further enhancing the area’s strategic importance. Occupation of Siachen provides the Indian Army a major strategic advantage. Despite many desperate attempts, Pakistan Army has not been able to secure a toe-hold on the Saltoro Ridge. Occupation of Saltoro Ridge enables the Indian Army to oversee the ambitious CPEC, the strategic and military exploitation of which by China and Pakistan is a major cause of concern for India. It also prevents the possibility of a pincer-move by combined forces of Pakistan and China to cut-off the Nubra Valley and subsequent capture of Ladakh. Ladakhis are a very proud race who take pride in being nationalists. They consider themselves the guardians of India’s northern frontiers. They have resisted Kashmiri hegemony from when the state administration was transferred from the Maharaja to Sheikh Abdullah in 1949. In the first state reorganisation, Ladakh was made a district of the Kashmir Division ignoring its ethnic, linguistic and cultural differences. Sheikh Abdullah’s first cabinet did not have any representative from Ladakh. The National Conference was the sole political party, comprising mainly Kashmiri Muslims. Ladakh had only two seats in the State Assembly. Thus, ‘majority rule’ virtually became ‘Kashmiri Rule’. Land reforms initiated by Abdullah did not exclude the Gompas and drew strong opposition from the Buddhist monks, who enjoyed considerable clout. It was at Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s intervention that the Gompas were exempted from the provisions of the Land Reforms Act. The situation became grave when Urdu was made compulsory for Ladakhis as well. The grant-in-aid given by the Dogra rulers to three primary schools run by Shias, Buddhists and Sunnis was unilaterally withdrawn. Separate allocation for the region began in 1961. Discriminatory policies of Kashmiri leaders pushed Ladakhis to demand separation from Kashmir to ensure development of their backward areas and maintain their religion and cultural identity. A major reason for the area’s under development was the Nehru government’s flawed policy of treating border regions as frontier regions. While frontier regions were supposed to be dynamic, temporary, and a buffer zone, border regions defined by a boundary line are fixed, sacrosanct and static. Since India had no expansionist designs, it should have concentrated on developing her border regions rather than keeping them underdeveloped under false pretext of denying readymade road axis to a potential aggressor. Neither the central nor state governments paid heed to development of infrastructure in this remote trans-Himalayan region, leading to anger and alienation among people. The region’s growing alienation led initially to the demand of a Central Administrator followed by demand of internal autonomy, regional autonomy, and direct central administration, done for a year after 1962, and finally veered around the demand for separate divisional status. An agreement was reached in October 1989 to form an Autonomous Hill Council on the pattern of Darjeeling Hill Council. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act was finally enacted by the central government in May 1995, granting an Autonomous Hill Council each for Leh and Kargil. Despite formation of the Hill Councils, they were not adequately empowered, remaining a contentious issue between the Ladakhis and Kashmir-centric state governments. The long pending demand of empowering the Autonomous Hill Councils was conceded when the Governor’s administration approved Ladakh Hill Development Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018, making the councils stronger administratively and financially. This was followed by establishment of a cluster university to provide better education. Finally, in February 2019, the government also conceded the demand for a separate Ladakh division, making it a separate administrative region, like Kashmir and Jammu. The region being vital for national security, it is essential that people there are kept satisfied to effectively serve as guardians of India’s borders. Population of border areas form an important centre of gravity for adversaries, who would prefer dissension in these areas. Such dissension can be exploited to threaten vulnerable lines of communication in case of conflict. Besides holistic development of the entire Ladakh region, particularly the border areas, connectivity must improve by building a direct rail link, road network including the much delayed Darcha-Padum-Neemo-Leh road and an airfield at Kargil. A strategic road linking Jammu region with Leh via Kishtwar is also needed. Widening and macadamization of Kargil-Zanskar road, opening of Panikhar-Pahalgam road should also be completed. Zojila tunnel is a strategic necessity. Till all weather road connectivity is established, airfares must be capped for local residents, particularly during winter months. Establishing professional colleges and higher education institutions, including a separate cluster university for Kargil, should be a priority. Inclusion of Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule is a long pending demand. Both Kargil and Leh should be developed as centres of excellence for religious research and education. The discrimination in recruitment of Ladakhis in government offices needs redressal. Attempts to disturb the demographic balance in Leh must be aborted and emphasis laid on communal harmony. The Kashmir-centric leadership in the past has depended on the formula of divide and rule by pitting Kargil against Leh. The tendency of the successive Kashmir-centric governments to treat the people of this region as second class citizens needs to be put to end. Ladakh was opened to tourists in 1974. Initially, tourism was limited to mountaineering and trekking. Gradually, with the Valley being disturbed, Ladakh has grown into a major tourist centre. While development of tourist infrastructure is required to improve the local economy, safeguards against environmental degradation are critical. The region also has hydro-electric potential, which can be utilised. Ladakh also needs administrative reorganisation. Carving out some new districts and fresh delineation of assembly constituencies should make up the development agenda.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom, in its latest report, has grouped India with the likes of Afghanistan, Iraq and Indonesia, infuriating social media users of all faiths in the world’s second most populous country.
New Delhi : Netizens in India are questioning the wisdom of a US Commission which placed India, the birthplace of four of the world’s major religious, alongside extremism-hit Afghanistan and Iraq in its religious freedom ranking.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report is prepared by the US Department of State and submitted to Congress; the State Department’s website claims that it “use multiple sources to increase comprehensiveness and reduce potential for bias”.
The USCIRF report stirred dissent among Indians on social media.
While saying that the US seems wary of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a netizen tweeted, “US is afraid of #56incher”, referring to a quip Modi allegedly made about the size of his chest.
A user called out the USCIRF for being a ‘paid news channel’ of the US.
“USCIRF report has no credibility,” said this social media user.
The USCIRF has placed India in its Tier-2 list of countries for allegedly violating religious freedom or tolerating such violations in a manner that is “systematic, ongoing or egregious”.
According to the USCIRF, these are standards under the International Religious Freedom Act for designating such a nation as a ‘country of particular concern’.
The USCIRF has alleged that the Indian government has repeatedly denied its staff access to India. It, however, said that an opportunity to openly and candidly engage with the government would be welcomed.
A depression over the Indian Ocean and the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified and moved further northwestwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Saturday.
It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and further into a severe cyclonic storm, the IMD said and warned fishermen against venturing into the sea on Sunday.
“The depression over east Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved further northwestwards, intensified into a deep depression and lay centered about 870 km east-southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 1210 km southeast of Chennai and 1500 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh,” it said.
“It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and further into a severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours,” the IMD said.
Further, the system is very likely to move northwestwards off Sri Lanka coast during the next 72 hours and reach near north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts on April 30.
On Sunday, gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph and very rough to high seas are very likely over southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining east Equatorial Indian Ocean along and off Sri Lanka coast, the weather office said.
There would be strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph along and off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and over Kerala, it said.
“Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas,” it said in its “Weather Warning”.
Earlier on Thursday, the IMD issued a red alert for Kerala and Tamil Nadu over approaching Cyclone Fani in the Bay of Bengal.
Rainfall as a result of the cyclone has been predicted in most places in coastal southern India, including Puducherry.
Rains will also hit southern parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Last year in November, Cyclone Ockhi had hit parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The cyclone killed over 80 fishermen in Kerala. Around 140 people were reported missing.
In November 2018, Cyclone Gaja made landfall in Nagapattinam’s Vedaranyam block and killed around 46 people.
India’s persistent efforts to designate Pakistani Islamic Terrorist, Maulana Masood Azhar have finally been successful. All of the countries have joined together to designate Maulana Azhar on UN list of Global Terrorists.
India had been consistently putting resolution in UN to designate Azhar who had been menace for the country being involved in various Islamic Terror attacks that occured on Indian Soil, Pulwana being one of them. Masood has backing of Pakistani Military and operates from Pakistani Soil.
In recent Balakot Air Strikes, that killed around 300 JeM terrorists, it is believed that Brother in Law of Azhar was killed.
The resolution had been kept of hold due to China’s objection on technical grounds. But this time China too, along with France, USA and UK came on board with India and India’s efforts became fruitful.
The move can surely be percieved as result of PM Modi’s successful diplomacy and World’s one voice criticism of Islamic Terrorism.
Dr. Kailasavadivoo Sivan, Secretary, DOS / Chairman, ISRO was felicitated with the Vigyan Ratna Award from Shri Venkaiah Naidu M, Vice President during the 68th Annual Convocation of Panjab University held in Chandigarh on April 28, 2019.
Dr. K. Sivan, born in Sarakkalvilai, near Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu state of India, is the Chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organization and the former Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Center and Liquid Propulsion centre. He is popularly known as the “Rocket Man” for his significant contribution to the development of cryogenic engines, for India’s space programme.
With financial constraints, something faced by most farming households in rural India, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology in 1980. Later on he got a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bangalore in 1982 and started working in ISRO. He earned a Doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 2006.
Sivan was appointed the chief of ISRO in January 2018 and he assumed office on 15 January, but his journey to the top was very systematic.
Sivan joined ISRO in 1982 to participate on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Project. He was appointed as the director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre on 2 July 2014 and on 1 June 2015, he became the Director of VSSC. He joined ISRO in PSLV Project and has contributed immensely towards end to end mission planning, mission design, mission integration and analysis. The mission design process and innovative mission design strategies perfected for PSLV has become the foundation for ISRO launch vehicles like GSLV, GSLV-MK3 and RLV-TD.
Apart from this he is the chief architect of 6D trajectory simulation software, SITARA which is the back-bone of the real-time and non-real-time trajectory simulations of all ISRO launch vehicle and developed and implemented an innovative day-of launch wind biasing strategy which has made possible rocket launch on any day of the year at any weather and wind conditions. Sivan Contributed heavily in the area of computational fluid dynamics, and developing self-reliance in wind-tunnel testing.
Novel strategies were evolved by him for launching India’s MARS mission endeavor through PSLV, ISRO’s work horse and led the RLV-TD development program, spearheaded its design, qualification, aerodynamic characterization and hardware development. He joined GSLV Project in April 2011 as Project Director with a mandate to demonstrate the robustness and reliability of GSLV as well as flight demonstrate the Indigenous Cryo Stage. His leadership led to the historical achievement of most successful GSLV flight with indigenous cryogenic stage.
It was Sivan’s expertise that gave ISRO the ability to send 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a world record on 14 February 2017. He was the key person who worked on the technicalities of how the satellites would be placed in orbit. The new ISRO chairman has also played a key role in developing the indigenous Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MK II, and was part of the team that ideated on the Swadeshi space shuttle (a reusable launch vehicle).
Sivan was appointed the chief of ISRO in January 2018 and he assumed office on 15 January.
India needs great men like Sivan, who can contribute towards the national security and research for the betterment of the society.
Javed Akthar and Shabana Azmi have over a period of time have been a part of the Pak sympathisers and the ‘award vaapsi gang’ . They talk about intolerance in India and polarise the crowd during elections by campaigning for the Congress and asking muslims to vote for the candidates.
It is dangerous when non political players come into the political fray try and to influence the mob. That to against the majority of the population. It is okay for a politician to come into politics, and then hold rallies and campaign for their party, but when non political players campaign for a certain party their campaign must be scrutinized.
Siddhu who is campaigning for the Congress party is setting new records of stopping low. What he doesn’t realize is that people have turned against him and it would be difficult for him to come back into the mainstream. The cricketer turned comedy show judge turned politician has truely became a joke in front of the nation.
The anti-modi club right now is being perceived as a Pro-Pakistan and anti Hindu club by the people of the country. Thus without any need of intervention, the 2019 politics will witness a polarised voting. When Yogi made the Ali – Bajrangbali comment towards the opposition, it set the counter attack for all those seeking muslim votes on basis of religion.
Erik Prince – the founder of the controversial private security firm Blackwater and a prominent supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump – has been pushing a plan to deploy a private army to help topple Venezuela’s socialist president, Nicolas Maduro.
Over the last several months, the sources said, Prince has sought investment and political support for such an operation from influential Trump supporters and wealthy Venezuelan exiles. In private meetings in the United States and Europe, Prince sketched out a plan to field up to 5,000 soldiers-for-hire on behalf of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, according to two sources with direct knowledge of Prince’s pitch.
One source said Prince has conducted meetings about the issue as recently as mid-April.
White House National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis declined to comment when asked whether Prince had proposed his plan to the government and whether it would be considered. A person familiar with the administration’s thinking said the White House would not support such a plan.
Venezuela opposition officials have not discussed security operations with Prince, said Guaido spokesman Edward Rodriguez, who did not answer additional questions from Reuters. The Maduro government did not respond to a request for comment.
Some U.S. and Venezuelan security experts, told of the plan by Reuters, called it politically far-fetched and potentially dangerous because it could set off a civil war. A Venezuelan exile close to the opposition agreed but said private contractors might prove useful, in the event Maduro’s government collapses, by providing security for a new administration in the aftermath.
A spokesman for Prince, Marc Cohen, said this month that Prince “has no plans to operate or implement an operation in Venezuela” and declined to answer further questions.
Lital Leshem – the director of investor relations at Prince’s private equity firm, Frontier Resource Group – earlier confirmed Prince’s interest in Venezuela security operations.
“He does have a solution for Venezuela, just as he has a solution for many other places,” she said, declining to elaborate on his proposal.
The two sources with direct knowledge of Prince’s pitch said it calls for starting with intelligence operations and later deploying 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers-for-hire from Colombia and other Latin American nations to conduct combat and stabilization operations.
‘DYNAMIC EVENT’
For Prince, the unlikely gambit represents the latest effort in a long campaign to privatize warfare. The wealthy son of an auto-parts tycoon has fielded private security contractors in conflict zones from Central Asia to Africa to the Middle East.
One of Prince’s key arguments, one source said, is that Venezuela needs what Prince calls a “dynamic event” to break the stalemate that has existed since January, when Guaido – the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly – declared Maduro’s 2018 re-election illegitimate and invoked the constitution to assume the interim presidency.
Maduro has denounced Guaido, who has been backed by most western nations, as a U.S. puppet who is seeking to foment a coup. Key government institutions – including the military – have not shifted their loyalty to Guaido despite increasing international pressure from sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies.
Guaido has stressed that he wants a peaceful resolution, and Latin American governments recognizing his authority have urged against outside military action. Senior U.S. officials, without ruling out armed intervention, have also emphasized economic and diplomatic measures to pressure Maduro.Slideshow (2 Images)
CLOSE TIES TO TRUMP
Prince was a pioneer in private military contracting during the Iraq war, when the U.S. government hired Blackwater primarily to provide security for State Department operations there.
In 2007, Blackwater employees shot and killed 17 Iraqi civilians at Nisour Square in Baghdad, sparking international outrage. One of the Blackwater employees involved was convicted of murder in December and three others have been convicted of manslaughter.
Prince renamed the Blackwater security company and sold it in 2010, but he recently opened a company called Blackwater USA, which sells ammunition, silencers and knives. Over the past two years, he has led an unsuccessful campaign to convince the Trump administration to replace U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan with security contractors.
Since 2014, Prince has run the Hong Kong-based Frontier Services Group, which has close ties to the state-owned Chinese investment company CITIC and helps Chinese firms operating in Africa with security, aviation and logistics services.
Prince donated $100,000 to a political action committee that supported Trump’s election. His sister, Betsy DeVos, is the administration’s education secretary.
Prince’s role in Trump’s campaign was highlighted in the report by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, released this month, on alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.
The report outlined how Prince financed an effort to authenticate purported Hillary Clinton emails and how in 2016 he met in the Seychelles islands, off east Africa, with a wealthy Russian financial official on behalf of Trump’s presidential transition team.
Prince spokesman Cohen declined to comment on the Mueller report.
TARGETING FROZEN ASSETS
The two sources with direct knowledge of Prince’s Venezuela plan said he is seeking $40 million from private investors. He also aims to get funding from the billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets that have been seized by governments around the world imposing sanctions on the OPEC nation, a major oil exporter.
It’s unclear, however, how the Venezuelan opposition could legally access those assets. Prince told people in pitch meetings, the sources said, that he believes that Guaido has the authority to form his own military force because he has been recognized internationally as Venezuela’s rightful leader.
Prince envisions a force made up of “Peruvians, Ecuadoreans, Colombians, Spanish speakers,” one of the sources said, adding that Prince argued that such soldiers would be more politically palatable than American contractors.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani signed a bill into law on Tuesday declaring all U.S. forces in the Middle East terrorists and calling the U.S. government a sponsor of terrorism.
The bill was passed by parliament last week in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s decision this month to designate Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist organization.
It was not clear what the impact of the new Iranian law might have on U.S. forces or their Middle East operations.
Rouhani instructed the ministry of intelligence, ministry of foreign affairs, the armed forces, and Iran’s supreme national security council to implement the law, state media reported.
The law specifically labels as a terrorist organization the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
“These two forces (Guards and CENTCOM) that are designated as terrorist groups reciprocally might confront (each other) in the Persian Gulf or any other region. The United States will surely be responsible for such a situation,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA on Tuesday.
The United States has already blacklisted dozens of entities and people for affiliations with the Guards, but until Trump’s decision not the organization as a whole.
Comprising an estimated 125,000-strong military with army, navy and air units, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) also command the Basij, a religious volunteer paramilitary force, and control Iran’s ballistic missile programs. The Guards’ overseas Quds forces have fought Iran’s proxy wars in the region.
Long-tense relations between Tehran and Washington took a turn for the worse in May 2018 when Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, reached before he took office, and reimposed sanctions.
Revolutionary Guards commanders have repeatedly said that U.S. bases in the Middle East and U.S. aircraft carriers in the Gulf are within range of Iranian missiles.
Rouhani said on Tuesday the Islamic Republic will continue to export oil despite U.S. sanctions aimed at reducing the country’s crude shipments to zero
On April 1, the prime minister had claimed that the Congress was scared of fielding its president from constituencies where Hindus are in majority.
The Election Commission has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s nomination from Wayanad district in Kerala did not violate the Model Code of Conduct, PTI reported.
At a rally in Maharashtra’s Wardha district on April 1, Modi had claimed that the Congress president had been forced to contest from seats dominated by minority communities – an indirect reference to Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad. His comments came a day after the Congress had announced the decision. Before these elections, Gandhi had always contested the elections from his stronghold Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.
Congress insulted Hindus…people have decided to punish it in election…hence, it is scared of fielding candidate from constituencies dominated by majority population,” the prime minister had claimed. According to unofficial demographic data, Muslims account for 45% of the electorate in Wayanad while Hindus comprise 41% and Christians 13%.
The Congress had approached the Election Commission seeking action against Modi’s “divisive speech”.
“The matter has been examined in detail in accordance to the extant guidelines/provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the Representation of the People Act and the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra,” a spokesperson of the poll panel said, according to PTI. “Accordingly, the commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed.”
There are several complaints filed against the prime minister with the Election Commission regarding alleged poll code violations.
Earlier, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Election Commission based on a Congress MP’s petition accusing the poll panel of inaction against Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah. All India Mahila Congress President Sushmita Dev has alleged that Modi and Shah have indulged in hate speech and have repeatedly used the armed forces for “political propaganda”.
The Chinese naval parade in Qingdao on April 23, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), showcased multiple indigenously produced Chinese warships and submarines. Most prominent of these were an upgraded Type 094 Jin-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine and the new 10,000-13,000 ton Type 055 guided missile destroyer. This event is the latest example of China flexing its maritime muscles and demonstrating to the region, and the world, that the PLAN is quickly developing into a powerful force.
A key question is whether this growth been matched with the emergence of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as a major bureaucratic force within the Chinese government. Does the PLA have the ability to significantly influence the decision-making process on events related to foreign and security affairs?
Possible evidence in support of this can be found in increasing PLA budgets, which this year rose by 7.5 percent, and a steady output of modern military equipment and naval platforms and submarines. While the PLA budget increase this year is slightly down compared to previous years, the budget has expanded rapidly since the start of this century. Specific budget allocations to various services in the Chinese military are not publicly available, but according to experts on Chinese security interviewed in China and the United States, the PLAN is believed to occupy between 25-30 percent of the overall Chinese military budget. Importantly, the expanding role and responsibilities of the PLAN (with former Chinese leader Hu Jintao calling for China to become a “great maritime power”) suggests increasing influence and clout in Chinese foreign Ministry.
Even though the PLA and PLAN have greatly increased their responsibilities and budgets, an examination of their representation in the formal channels of Chinese power casts substantial doubt on their influence in the game of bureaucratic politics and decision-making in Beijing.
A Declining Role
Since 1980, the PLA and, specifically, the PLAN, have seen their representation in Chinese formal institutions of power decline significantly. An analysis of the most powerful decision-making body in China, the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC), reveals that the PLA (and thus the PLAN) have been locked out of this committee since 1997, when Admiral Liu Huaqing was the last representative. China’s second most powerful formal political institution, the Politburo, has had only two Chinese military representatives since 1987, and the PLAN has not had a single representative on this body since 1997. As demonstrated in the chart below, military representation in general has declined enormously since the early 1980s, when the PLA constituted between two-thirds and one-half of the entire Politburo from 1980-1987. In fact from 1980-1982 (the 11th Party Congress) and 1982-1987 (the 12th Party Congress) the PLA constituted one-third or more of the PBSC.)
The absence of the PLA from the PBSC, at least officially, leaves the PLA out of the most important decision-making entity. One more measure of the PLA’s declining influence is found in its absence from the Secretariat since 2007. The Secretariat is the most important body for implementing the decisions of the PBSC and PB. It is composed of high-level state and Communist Party leaders.
Another important finding is that, at least as far as formal political institutions are concerned, since 1982, the PLAN has never garnered more than one seat on the Central Military Commission (CMC). Even as its responsibilities have multiplied over the past two decades, its representation has been less than 10 percent for most of this period and, as of 2019, the PLAN only occupies one of seven seats on the CMC (Admiral Miao Hua). Likewise, the PLAN has not had any representatives in the Politburo since 1997.
The inability of the PLA to withstand the anti-corruption purges of Xi Jinping is further evidence of its limited influence. Since reforms in the PLA were announced in 2015, more than 100 senior PLA officers have been charged with corruption and Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, both previous vice chairmen of the CMC, were taken down in the anti-corruption campaigns.
It is possible that the PLA and PLAN are influencing policy through informal channels based on personal connections with China’s top leaders. However, this is very difficult to ascertain as there is limited evidence. In the past, PLAN leaders, including Liu Huaqing, were rebuffed by Chinese leaders in their attempts to procure various weapons systems, including aircraft carriers in the 1990s. Interviews with Chinese security scholars indicate that the PLA is firmly under the control of the CCP and does not deviate from civilian control. While informal politics play a significant role in China, if the PLA were able to utilize its informal network, one would expect to see it gain greater representation on the formal decision-making bodies as well as insulating itself from the anti-corruption purges.
Conclusion
Despite being relegated to the fringes of power, the PLA and, especially, the PLAN have seen their budgets and overseas activities increase enormously over the past two decades. However, while their warfighting capabilities have greatly expanded, their roles in the formal channels of power in China have been substantially reduced. This may have significant implications for defense policy as well as for China’s foreign relations. A PLA that is more focused on China’s national defense, and less on politics, will likely be a more professional military.
In the years ahead the PLAN will take on a greater and more visible role in China’s foreign affairs, especially in the Indian Ocean Region where six to eight Chinese warships are deployed at any given time. But likely future naval bases in the Indian Ocean Region, in addition to the current one in Djibouti, will be better viewed as the result of decisions made by Chinese civilian leaders, as opposed to a nationalistic PLA/PLAN forcing its agenda for a more assertive China. Finally, it is important for policy analysts not to overestimate the role of the PLA in China’s foreign policy. Perceptions (real or imagined) of an increasingly assertive China, may be the result of Chinese leaders flexing their newfound power, as opposed to a clique of military leaders pursuing their own narrow PLA centric policies.
Clashes broke out in the morning in West Bengal’s Asansol as voting was held in the fourth round of the national election. The vehicle of BJP candidate and Union Minister Babul Supriyo was vandalised outside a polling station in Barabani when a fight erupted between workers of the BJP and the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress.
Visuals showed Babul Supriyo sitting in a car with the rear windows smashed. He said he would be on the road and visit every polling station where trouble was reported. “I will take central forces with me. People are saying give us central forces, let us vote,” he alleged.
The police used batons to control clashes that started at a polling booth after Trinamool workers insisted on continuing the voting process while BJP activists demanded that central forces come to the spot first.
The 48-year-old leader had a heated argument with polling officials inside a booth, following which Trinamool Congress supporters attacked his vehicle.
Babul Supriyo, who represents Asansol in parliament faces the Trinamool’s Moon Moon Sen in the constituency. Moon Moon Sen, who defeated nine-time lawmaker Basudeb Acharia of the Left in Bankura in 2014 to earn the name of “giant-killer”, has been moved to Asansol this time as the Trinamool tries to snatch the seat from the BJP.
The eight constituencies voting in Bengal today are in the most violence-prone belt of the state, which is voting in all seven phases of the national election
Long-running tensions between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir took a new turn in February after a deadly suicide bomb attack on an Indian security convoy that was allegedly claimed by a Pakistan-based terrorist group.
Retired Indian General VK Singh, who now serves as Minister of State for External Affairs, told a Saturday press conference that if New Delhi ever considered Pakistan as a friend, it would become the country’s “biggest weakness”.
“I was informed about opposition candidates in the border areas of Rajasthan claiming that Pakistan was not a threat to India and hence it should not be treated as an enemy nation. But a country which has been triggering proxy wars against India besides being a terrorist hub can never be treated as a friend. Treating Pakistan as a friend will be the biggest weakness of India”, he said.
Addressing the claims that Indian strikes on an alleged terror camp in Pakistan’s Balakot killed 250 terrorists, Singh said that the numbers were based on different reports, and were not the actual figures.
“According to the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), around 300 phones were active in the area at the time of the air strike. Assuming that 250 of the cellphone users were terrorists, we estimated that around 250 militants were killed”, Singh added.
The long-lasting conflict between the two nuclear arms wielding neighbours was exacerbated by a suicide bomb attack reportedly claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e Mohammad on 14 February that killed some 40 Indian troops.
Modi Warns Pakistan Against ‘Threats’: India Has ‘Mother of Nuclear Bombs’
New Delhi accused Islamabad of providing a safe haven for terrorists and struck back by carrying out an air raid on a suspected terror camp in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on 26 February that allegedly killed hundreds of terrorists and destroyed a number of facilities.
Pakistan, for its part, has disputed these claims, insisting that the Indian aircraft didn’t target any terrorist infrastructure.
On the next day after the strikes, Pakistan claimed it had downed two Indian warplanes over the Line of Control (LoC) – the de facto border – and captured an Indian pilot, who was released several days later.
New Delhi confirmed the detention of the pilot, as well as the loss of only one aircraft, having come up with a counter-claim that the Indian Air Force had shot down a Pakistani US-made F-16.
In a bid to corroborate its arguments, the Indian military displayed fragments of an AMRAAM medium-range missile recovered in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir that is said to have been fired by the US-built fighter jet. The Pakistani side has flatly denied scrambling any F-16s for dogfights or sustaining any losses.
In a not so shocking development into Srilanka’s Islamic Terrorist Attacks, it has been found that, one of the suicide bombers was infouenced by Zakir Naik.
Zakir Naik is an India Islamic Hate preacher, who is wanted in India on terror charges.
India’s then ruling party, Indian National Congress, had very close ties with Naik, and its also said that the donated to the party.
INC’s Senior leader and mentor to current President Rahul Gandhi, Digvijay Singh with Zakir Naik.
With less than 15 days to go to for the May 12 Lok Sabha elections in the national capital, thr BJP has intensified their poll campaign here.
Union minister Mr Vardhan, who is pitted against Congress’ J.P. Agarwal and the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Pankaj Gupta from the Chandni Chowk Lol Sabha seat, held meetings with the residents of the Kishanganj railway colony.
He kicked off his ‘padyatra’ from Kishanganj Mandal to Motibagh, Padam Nagar and Sadar Bazar.
Meanwhile, Vijay Goyal took out a cycle rally on Sunday morning with suspended AAP MLA Kapil Mishra in the capital city.
On the other hand, North East Delhi BJP candidate Manoj Tiwari, who is pitted against former Shiela Dikshit and the AAP’s Dilip Pandey, kicked off his roadshow from the Burari area in his constituency.
On Saturday, he held a 15-km long roadshow from Loni road to Shahdra which saw the participation of hundred of BJP workers and supporters.
The BJP’s West Delhi candidate Pravesh Verma interacted with the residents of Punjabi Bagh at the Veer Sawarkar park in the area.
Ramesh Bidhuri, who is re-contesting from South Delhi and is pitted against Congress’ Vijender Singh and AAP’s Raghav Chadha, met members of the resident welfare association in Saket, after which began his ‘rath yatra’ from the Bijwasan area in his constituency.
Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, who is contesting for the BJP from the East Delhi, kicked-off his roadshow from Seemapuri roundabout to Babu Ram School in Shahdra.
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Saturday to unite the Russian Northern Sea Route and the Chinese Maritime Silk Road and called upon the participating nations to join the initiative.
“We pay great attention to the development of the Northern Sea Route. We are considering the possibility of uniting it with the Chinese Sea Silk Road, thereby creating a global and competitive route connecting north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern Asia with Europe,” Putin said at the forum.
According to the Russian leader, this large-scale project implies close cooperation between Eurasia’s countries in increasing transit traffic, building port terminals and logistics centres.
“We invite the states [which take part in the forum] to join the initiative,” Putin added.
The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is Russia’s main Arctic shipping path, the shortest maritime passage between the Far East and the European part of the country.
China is hosting the second Belt and Road Initiative forum on April 25-27 in Beijing, attended by President Vladimir Putin. The forum marked the deepening of cooperation between Russia and China with the two nations launching a bilateral yuan fund as reported by Russian Direct Investment Fund.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a reference to the Silk Road Economic Belt, was launched by China back in 2013. The initiative says that its aim is to enhance “all-around connectivity through infrastructure construction,” explore “new driving forces for world economic growth” and build “a new platform for world economic cooperation.”
Sunday’s suicide bombings on churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka killed at least 359 people and injured roughly 500.
Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando has stepped down, taking responsibility for the Easter deadly terror attacks on the country, Reuters reports.
According to the minister, Sri Lankan security agencies were actively responding to the advance warning they had received about the possibility of attacks. “We were working on that. All those agencies were working on that,” he was quoted as saying.
Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has earlier asked for the resignation of Hemasiri Fernando and Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara.
The government conceded that there had been a “colossal failure in the communication of this intelligence” to the agencies who could have taken measures to prevent what happened.
A series of explosions ravaged Sri Lanka on Sunday, targeting several churches and hotels in the country’s capital Colombo and other cities. According to media reports, the attacks have claimed the lives of at least 359 people, while over 500 have been injured and hospitalised.
Daesh claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks on 23 April, but the country’s government had blamed them on a local Islamist group National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), with Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene suggesting that the rampage was a response to the mosque shooting in New Zealand’s Christchurch, which targeted Muslims.
*Daesh (aka IS/ISIS/Islamic State) is a terror group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.
Amidst the political scuffle among all the parties in India, one characters manages to stand apart from all. This 48 year old, seems to care too much about the people of our country, when out of power, but when in-power the same guy dupes the people of India by cores or rupees. People who use a bit of logic are able to see through his falsehood. The two stark contrasts in his character give him a dual personality one of a savior and other as a bandit. And as dual personality demands dual names, he goes by the names Rahul Gandhi and Raul Vinci.
But people fail to figure out who is the savior among the two and let this fool run loose in India. His vices mainly include spreading false propaganda, laughing in serious situations, binge watching Chota bheem and talk nonsense. With supreme court slapping him with notices over careless comments, Raul has successfully become a laughing stalk once again. Running a falsehood campaign seriously undermines the credibility of any person in public life. Seeing, the eminent defeat on 23rd of May, Raoul, is going bonkers now. Let’s hope a quick and a speedy recovery to him from the big defeat this year.
Reportedly 200 people have been killed and 400 have been injured in the blasts than took place in Srilanka on Sunday.
The terrorists identified go by name Zahran Hasim and Mohammed Islamil.
Reportedly 7 blasts occured in various places in the country where churches and hotels were targetted. The kill count may go up.
The bombings occurred at the Catholic church St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kotahena and three 5-star hotels in central Colombo, the Shangri-La Hotel, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, The Kingsbury Hotel and a hotel nearby the National Zoological garden, Dehiwala.
The Catholic church, St. Sebastian’s Church, Negombo, was bombed in the Katuwapitiya section of the majority Catholic city of Negombo.
The Zion Church in Batticaloa was also bombed. A hospital official in Batticaloa said that more than 300 people had been admitted with injuries following an explosion at a church in that town.
Many World Leaders have condemned this terror attack.
A former SC staffer on Thursday had levied sexual harassment allegations against CJI Ranjan Gogoi, station that he covered her waist and moved his arms all over her body and did not let go. The Staffer also alleged that her and her family were victimised and suffered as a result.
CJI however, has denied the allegations and called it a ‘conspiracy against judiciary’. He claims innocence.
On Saturday morning, SC bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna announced that it would hear a “matter of great public importance”, mentioned by solicitor general Tushar Mehta.
The CJI during the hearing said there was a larger conspiracy to destabilise the judiciary which has remained independent. “There is some bigger force behind the woman, with a criminal track record, making sexual harassment charges (against him)”, said the CJI.
CJI Gogoi said that after 20 years of selfless service in judiciary he has a bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh and Rs 40 lakh in his provident fund. “As the forces did not find anything against me, they have used this unscrupulous woman to level charges against me,” said the CJI.
Speculating the reasons behind the allegations, CJI Gogoi said that as he was to hear important cases next week and this was an attempt to dissuade him from hearing the important matters.
The accuser hasnt filed a formal complaint. Whether the SC or the Government will take action is unknown yet.
Baloch Raaji Aajohi-e-Sangar’s (BRAS) deadly attack in Southern Balochistan on 18th April 2019 left 14 people dead. The usually silent Pakistan’s mainstream media — both the print and the electronic — were compelled to report the gruesome killings in the coastal town of Ormara near Gwadar. The Dawn newspaper had to deviate from the original report on the killings of “14 civilians” to “11 security among 14” killed. The umbrella organistaion of the Baloch freedom fighters BRAS in their official statement — released soon after the attack — affirmed all 14 killed were from the Pakistan Navy, Coast Guards, Air Force and the informers connected to the occupying state.
Baloch Khan — the codename of the official spokesperson of BRAS — also warned Pakistan and China to abandon Gwadar and rest of the Balochistan. The BRAS troika consists of Dr Allah Nazar Baloch’s Balochistan Liberation Front, the little known Balochistan Republican Guards and the Balochistan Liberation Army formerly led by the martyred commander Aslam Baloch — was fondly known as ‘ustad’ within the Baloch nationalist circles.
Who did it?
Prior to BRAS confirmation various theories were doing rounds on the Pakistani channels and the ISPR controlled social media activists furthering deep state’s disinformation campaign. Speaking before the Pakistani medium Muhammad Faisal from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry tried to lay the blame on India. Samaa News tried to join the dots with Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s earlier hallucinations of the possibility of an Indian attack on Pakistan between 16th – 20th April.
On Twitter F. Jeffrey (@natsecjeff) initially hinted at the possibility of IS Khurasan hitting the Pakistani security forces. Dr Farhan K Virk (@FarhanKVirk) was unable to hide his pro Punjabi inclinations; coming down heavily on the Pathans, the Baloch and other ethnic minorities in Pakistan. Punjabis alone make 52% of Pakistan’s total populace.
The Indian social media activists — some of them personally known to this scribe — also contributed by speculating the remote possibility of the false flag operation by the ISI. This may seem to be a wild conspiracy theory but it should not be brushed aside because in Pakistan’s current domestic situation nothing can be ruled out.
Recruits from Balochistan
Everybody missed out on the likelihood of the Baloch recruits serving Pakistani Army leaking BRAS the valuable information which may have contrubuted in latter carrying out the hit with perfection (much on that later).
The Baloch do not have a sizeable presence in the Pakistani Army. Lt Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch (retd) is the sole Baloch to have ever risen to the rank of a General in the history of the Pakistan Army. Christine Fair alleges Pakistani Army has moderately succeeded in winning over some Baloch recruits by relaxing the recruitment criteria to get in more Baloch youth. Shuja Nawaz thinks the Army is rather recruiting Punjabis, Pashtuns and Hazaras instead of the Baloch from the troubled province.
Pakistan sees the Baloch participation in the Armed Forces a way of doing away with the Baloch freedom struggle by ‘mainstreaming’ the disgruntled youth to the Pakistani state. The material available on the Baloch numbers in the Pakistani Army is scanty, as good as non existent. The Baloch activists in touch with this writer gave valuable inputs. Sultan Baloch (name withheld) deduces the Baloch hatred for the Pakistani state runs so deep in the Baloch psyche at the mass level that such token measures — undertaken by Musharraf regime — cannot overcome the friction. Zafar Baloch (name withheld) told this scribe some of the pro-establishment loyalists from the sub section of the Marris and Bugtis were recruited long time ago which hasn’t had a Balochistan wide impact that Pakistanis wanted. Zafar further said Pakistani Army was largely unsuccessful in attracting the foot soldiers from the Makran region which is basically the hub of the violent nationalist movement, and, most of those who initially did recruit for Pakistan soon walked out.
The possible infiltration
It can be safely concluded in the last two decades Pakistani Army managed to employ the Baloch youngsters however marginal they maybe in numbers. The token gestures hasn’t yielded the kind of results Pakistan hoped for.
It is highly probable someone from the ethnically Baloch serving the occupiers may have ratted on the deep state. The BRAS freedom fighters — wearing the uniforms of the Pakistani security forces — approached the multiple passenger coaches. Before offloading the Pakistani personnel their CNIC cards were checked to identify the targets and their affiliation to the Pakistani Armed Forces. Such a meticoulous planning and perfect execution cannot be done without the knowledge in advance of the target and some help from the insiders in the enemy camp. Islamabad’s inability to win over the Baloch masses in all probability could well be depositing on the smaller fraction of Baloch soldiers of the Pakistani Army.
Do the Baloch freedom fighters have sympathisers amongst the Baloch employed by Pakistani Army?
Pakistani Army’s history is replete with the soldiers and the officers turning rogue; be it the Mukti Bahini of East Bengal in 1971 or the failed assassination attempts on General Pervez Musharraf’s life in 2003 when the serving officers of the army were complicit with the Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists. With this backdrop it cannot be ruled out Rawalpindi’s investment on the Baloch youngsters may actually sink in the longer run. If Zafar Baloch’s assessment on some of the recruits from Makran region walking away from the Pakistani Army is to be believed (which this writer does) it doesn’t bode well for the Pakistanis. As stated earlier Makran is the main hub of the nationalist struggle. Some of the returnees may well have joined the armed Baloch struggle to liberate their homeland.
Pakistani Army woken up bit too late to make the Baloch fall in line. Those recruiting for the occupiers are more in it for employment than the love for the Pakistani state. Pakistan’s brutal repression, kill and dump policy, plunder et al simulatenously goes in hand with the mass protests of the Baloch men, women, elderly women, and little children. This is bound to prick the conscience of some the men in uniform from the Baloch land. The state repression was the trigger point for Mukti Bahini’s rise. Another Mukti Bahini is in the making.
The whole world watched the 856-year-old Notre Dame cathedral go up in flames earlier this week, with French prosecutors assuming that the most likely cause of the devastating blaze was an electrical short circuit.
Daesh* jihadists celebrated the near-demise of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris as a major fire ravaged the iconic basilica on 15 April, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported.
While the tragic incident has shocked Christians and others around the globe, some Daesh sympathisers have welcomed the news, viewing it as a good sign for Muslims and an ominous harbinger for the “enemies of Muslims”.
According to MEMRI, a Daesh-affiliated media outlet posted a photo of the burning cathedral and its collapsed spire, having captioned it, “A good day. It’s time to say goodbye to your pulpit of polytheism”.
The terrorist outlet cited a verse from the Quran, which is reportedly translated into English as a “fitting reward” or “an appropriate recompense” in relation to infidels suffering in hell.
MEMRI made references to several Facebook users who suggested that the Notre Dame blaze was punishment for driving out Daesh fighters from Syria’s Baghouz, the terrorists’ last stronghold in the war-ravaged country.
Another French-speaking supporter reportedly wrote on Facebook that “it’s thrilling” to see “800 years of history of paedophilia, worship of Satan and other diabolical rituals, all up in smoke in a few minutes… not mentioning the Crusades and the various wars led by the Church against the Muslims”.
“They bombed the Muslims in the cities of the Islamic State [Daesh] and eradicated them with the ugliest types of weapons, and they thought that they have won and defeated the jihad. They didn’t know that they brought death upon themselves. They didn’t know that they opened the gates of hell, which will close only on their burnt corpses”, MEMRI quoted another Daesh sympathiser as tweeting.
The Mideast Media Research Institute likewise translated a Telegram message from an “Islamist rebel commander in Syria” who linked the Notre Dame fire to the “collapse of the international order”.
“Far from foolish optimism, rather I sense it is an omen for great good. Likewise, the events that are happening, if we look at them in a comprehensive perspective, we will find them to be arrangements of Divine predestination laying the foundations for the collapse of the international order and beforehand, or at the same time, the agents of the American domain. All these are part of a recurring story in the annals of history, praise Allah. Today the oldest cross fell because of a fire in a church in Paris. By Allah, from the land of the den of lions [Syria] I read it as a great message, and see it as glad tidings”, he wrote.
Aside from MEMRI, the SITE Intelligence Group and Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium also reported about Daesh sympathisers’ online messages on the blaze, with one chilling warning reading, “Wait for the next”.
While French investigators believe that there’s no sign that the fire was set deliberately, Daesh has previously targeted churches in France.
Back in 2016, two terrorists, who pledged allegiance to Daesh, took hostages in a Catholic church in Normandy during Mass, having murdered an elderly priest.
A year prior, an Algerian was arrested in Paris on suspicion of killing a woman, but French police found that he had been in touch with a Syria-based French-speaking jihadist about committing an attack on a church in Villejuif, a Paris suburb.
A massive fire broke out at the Notre Dame Cathedral on 15 April, causing its spire and two-thirds of the roof to collapse. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze only on 16 April, with investigators saying the possible cause of the inferno was a short circuit. While the inspection work of the damage is still underway, the French government has pledged to rebuild the gothic cathedral within five years.
*Daesh, also known as ISIS/IS/Islamic State, is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.
A cutout from 2001 Boston International has been circulating on social media, where in the media outlet claims that an Indian Politician was arrested on Boston Airport by US Authorities for possessing Drugs and unaccounted cash.
Many bloggers have claimed prior to this that it was Rahul Gandhi who was the politician and that then BJP Govt under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee rescued the Congress President after his Mother, Antonio Maino aka Sonia Gandhi, pleaded to the Prime Minister.
Relations between India and Pakistan took a turn for the worse earlier this year. Tensions soared after a deadly attack in Kashmir on 14 February, when a suicide bomber attacked an Indian security convoy, killing over 40 troops.
Indian authorities announced in a press release on Thursday that they were suspending cross-border trade in Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan-based elements were using commercial routes to smuggle drugs, weapons and money.
“The LoC trade mechanism is therefore being suspended pending the introduction of a tighter regulatory system. This is to ensure that only bona fide trade takes place, for the benefit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, through this mechanism,” the government said in a document released.
This comes after earlier this month, a source in the Indian Foreign Ministry said that the state was ready to “respond firmly and decisively” to any provocations by Pakistan in the disputed region of Kashmir.
Relations between India and Pakistan took a turn for the worst earlier this year. Tensions soared after a deadly attack in Kashmir on 14 February, when a suicide bomber attacked an Indian security convoy, killing over 40 troops. Responsibility for the attack was later claimed by Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The tragedy led to heightened tensions between the two South Asian neighbors and an exchange of air raids.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting the militants and having a “direct hand” in the Kashmir incident. Pakistan, however, has rejected all allegations.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the famous Hanuman Setu temple here and offered prayers Tuesday, a day after the Election Commission barred him from electioneering for 72 hours for likening the ongoing Lok Sabha polls to a contest between ‘Ali’ and ‘Bajrang Bali’.
The chief minister who arrived in the temple to a rousing reception by his supporters amid slogans of “Jai Gorakhdham” and “Jai Bajrangbali ji” refused to take questions from the mediapersons, following the poll panel’s gag order.
Owing to the poll panel’s gag order, the chief minister also stayed away from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singhs road show Tuesday before he filed the nomination paper by him for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.
The chief minister also cancelled his rallies in Nagina and Fatehpur Sikri.
The BJP termed the chief minister’s visit to the temple “a personal one”.
The Election Commission Monday barred Adityanath from campaigning for 72 hours starting 6 am Tuesday for his “divisive” comments at a rally in Meerut.
“If the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the BSP have faith in Ali, we too have faith in Bajrang Bali,” he had said there.
While Ali is a revered figure in Islam, Bajrang Bali is Lord Hanuman’s another name.
The hallmark of a great culture and civilisation is the respect and dignity that it affords to women. As Indian economy crosses new frontiers in terms of transformative growth and its impact on people, the participation of almost one-half of the country vis-à-vis the economy becomes critical.
From the point of view of empowering women, it is important to ensure financial inclusion for them. After all, financial independence is a key part of enabling women to make their choices.
Particularly in the last 4-5 years, the government and the policymakers have ensured that women are provided the necessary policy climate and institutional support in order to help them achieve greater success in business and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Financial inclusion for financial empowerment
The Jan Dhan programme has been a world-record creating financial inclusion initiative. Its success in ensuring access to bank accounts and banking services are well known and documented. However, a lesser known part of Jan Dhan’s success is the gender composition of its beneficiaries. Out of the total beneficiaries of the programme, a staggering more than half are women.
These are not merely bank accounts but come with a host of other benefits. However, the most important benefit they bring to the table is that of possibilities. For someone who has finally entered the formal financial system, savings, financial security as well as formal capital are doors waiting to be knocked.
At a time when PM Narendra Modi has shifted policy discourse from women’s development to women led development, the biggest institutional impetus that women can receive is access to finance to start businesses of their own. The government has sought to earnestly address this concern through several initiatives. Out of the Mudra Yojana beneficiaries who have been sanctioned loans, more than 70% of the beneficiaries are women who are getting affordable and collateral-free loans to start their own businesses.
Through all these multi-pronged measures to financially empower women, from financial inclusion to access to formal finance, from market access to maternity benefits, crores of women have been positively impacted. Therefore, the financial empowerment of Indian women in last few years has given a new meaning to the idea of women empowerment.
In recent years, Facebook has had to deal with a myriad of scandals, from the Cambridge Analytica uproar over not protecting user data to accusations of spreading fake news, or censorship. The way the company handled them, has prompted discontent among shareholders, who attempted to oust its founder from the board’s top spot in 2017 but failed.
Facebook’s activist shareholders are making another bid to change the company’s share structure and force its founder Mark Zuckerberg from the key position on the board of directors, choosing an independent chair.
According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, investors made the proposals ahead of an annual shareholder meeting, scheduled for 30 May, and the social network confirmed they would be put to a vote. The document, however, does not mention who these shareholders were.
The rebellious stockholders support changing the company’s policy to ensure that the chair would be an independent member of the board. They stated that Zuckerberg’s position, when the current dual-class stockholding structure gives him 60% of Facebook’s voting shares, leaving the board with only a limited ability to check his power, weakens the company’s governance and oversight of management.
The investors argued that the lack of oversight has contributed to missing and mishandling, controversies like the alleged Russian meddling in US elections, sharing the personal data of 87 million users with Cambridge Analytica, spreading fake news as well as hate messages, promoting violence, and others.
Noting that other tech giants, like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, and Twitter have separate CEO and chairperson roles, the proposal also points out that Facebook rejected a the similar request earlier and ignored non-insider shareholders’ signals in 2017.
That particular proposal failed due to Facebook’s dual-class shareholdings where Class B stocks have 10 times the voting power of class A stocks, with Zuckerberg owning 75% of the class B shares. So, the proposal was voted down in 2017 even though it received the support of 51% of the votes cast when excluding the shares of 13 executives and board members.
Facebook has rebuffed criticism, saying that the current structure with the lead independent director, who has the responsibility of facilitating discussions and linking the independent directors with the chair, is enough. Its board of directors recommended voting against the proposal, claiming the leadership model whereby Zuckerberg, is both Chairman and CEO, is most effective. The board also rejected a suggestion to change stockholder voting procedure, giving each share an equal vote as well as electing directors by a simple majority vote.
The Supreme Court has reiterated that the consent for sexual intercourse obtained by a person by giving false promise of marriage would not excuse him from rape charges.
The Incident:
The case concerns the rape of a woman by a government doctor in Chhattisgarh in 2013. The prosecutrix, resident of Koni, Bilaspur and a Pharmacy student, was familiar with the accused, a Junior Doctor in the government hospital of Maalkharoda, since 2009 and was in a love affair. He had even proposed to her and their families were involved as well.
On 28/4/2013, he had expressed his desire to meet her. On 29/4/13, she boarded the Durg Danapur Express train and reached Sakti railway station from where he took her on a motorcycle to his home. She stayed there for a day during which, despite her reluctance, he tried to develop physical relations with her on the pretext of marrying her. The next day, he asked her to leave and told her that he will speak to his parents about their marriage. After this he dropped her off at her friend’s home in Bilaspur. Next morning, the prosecutrix boarded a train to Bhilai and just before she left, the accused demanded of her that she shouldn’t tell anyone about this incident until he speaks to his parents. The next 3-4 days she continuously tried to contact him regarding their marriage but she did not receive a reply. On 6/5/13, she informed her parents about the whole incident after which they all went to visit him in Kharod. There they informed his parents about the promises that their son had made and their marriage was fixed. After keeping the prosecutrix and her family in the dark for about 2 months, the accused refused to marry her and himself got married to another woman. On 21/6/13, she filed a complaint in the Maalkharoda police station stating that the accused had raped her in the pretext of marrying her based on which FIR (Ex.P4) for the offence under Section 376 of IPC was registered against the accused.
During the course of investigation, the investigating officer recorded the statement of the concerned witnesses including the prosecutrix. The investigating officer collected the medical evidence and other evidence. The accused was arrested. After completion of the entire investigation, a charge sheet was filed against the accused for the offence punishable under Section 376 of the IPC.
In his judgment for the Bench, Justice Shah observed that it was clear from the evidence that the man’s intention was to cheat the victim. She would not have consented to the sexual act had he not promised her marriage
.After a lot of pleading and denial of the judgements by the accused, he has confirmed the judgment and order of conviction passed by the learned trial Court convicting him for the offence under Section 376(1) of the IPC and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and to pay a fine of Rs.50,000/, as a fine or further undergo additional rigorous imprisonment for six months The accused has preferred the present appeal.
Rape is the most morally and physically reprehensible crime in a society, an assault on the body, mind and privacy of the victim. While a murderer destroys the physical frame of the victim, a rapist degrades and defiles the soul of a helpless female. Rape reduces a woman to an animal, as it shakes the very core of her life. The fact that both the accused and the prosecutrix have married different people and moved on cannot erase the fact that he has committed a crime. And someone who commits a crime will pay the price.
As the Elections are approaching, so are the oppositions fears of losing to Modi. The hysteria is making them do things that would’ve been termed illegal and called for action in a real world. But Democracy and Model Code of Conduct is just a one way street and actions are taken by our Honourable ECI only when the complaint is against the ruling party
Lets now learn about the top five fake news Opposition and its Ecosystem has tried to peddle and literally got away with it.
1. Army’s Letter.
This is by far the worst and one of the unforgivable things. A letter was ciculating on Social Media where in Army Veterans had complained to President regarding supposed ‘Politicization’ of Army by the ruling party. The letter was shared by many from the Congress’s ecosystem like Swati Chaturvedi, Sagarika Ghose, Rifiat Jawed etc. Later the letter turned out to be fake and President Office cateogorically denied receiving such later. Many of the Veteran Army men including former Army Chiefs denied writing such letter! Not one of this fake news peddlers apologised for this crime.
2. Rahul Gandhi Assassination Hoax.
Congress cried hoarse when a green light of camera was seen on Rahul Gandhi’s face (which was from phone’s camera of a congressman) to be of a sniper. The claim was busted by netizens in no time.
3. Rafale Judgement :
The Ecosystem tried to twist the Honourable Supreme Court’s judgement vis-a-vis Rafale and no one bat an eye. The claim was busted eventually.
4. Unam Khanum Case :
A law student from UP’s Meerut tried to play victimhood on Social Media by concocting a fake story of harassment. Since the claimant was from Minority community, Ecosystem’s blue eyed boy, Shashi Tharoor took no time to support the girl without any regard for checking the actual truth, and Ecosystem took up the story. Some independent Journalists like Swati Goel Sharma and Deepika Bharadwaj later investigated the matter and the claim turned out to be false..
5.Murli Manohar Joshi ‘s letter :
A letter was circulating on social media supposedly written by MurliManohar Joshi with ANI water mark on it. Where in he had claimed to be upset with BJP’s current leadership. Later, the letter turned out to be false and ANI denied possessing such letter so did MMJ’s Office writing such letter!
We are sure in coming days many such fake news will be peddled and no action will be taken. For sure, India may or may not be tolerant under PM Modi, but ECI of Modi’s rule is sure tolerant when it comes to taking action against the Ecosystem.
India is the sixth largest economy in the world, poised to become a $5 trillion economy by 2022 and aspiring to be a $10 trillion economy by 2030. Integration of digital technologies and innovation is bringing about disruptive transformation in the country making it a land of immense opportunities. India is among the most advanced countries in terms of development of Artificial Intelligence technologies for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), according to a survey done by Finnish AI-based solutions specialists Zyfra. The survey ranks the US first, followed by China, while India ranks 13th, just after Canada. The ranking is based on a study that examined the number and quality of scientific papers that have been published on various subjects, with 12,135 citable documents.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of a computer-enabled robotic system to process information, analyze it and produce outcomes in a manner similar to the thought process of humans in learning, decision making and solving problems. AI is one of the most significant technologies of our era. With machine learning, we can now build systems that are capable of improving their own performance by learning from data over time. ML systems try to mimic the learning processes of humans—that is, learning at scale from data and achieving levels of performance comparable to humans in processing it and arriving at certain outcomes.
NITI Aayog
Policy think tank of the Government of India, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, founded on 1st January 2015, by the NDA with the aim to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to provide crucial knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support to the country. They undertook the extensive exercise of measuring the progress of India and its States for the development of the first SDG India Index in 2030.
On 29th May, 2014, the Independent Evaluation Office had submitted an assessment report to PM Modi with the idea of replacing the Planning Commission which used the top-down approach with NITI Aayog which uses the bottom-up approach.
Its initiatives include “15 year road map”, “7-year vision, strategy and action plan”, AMRUT, Digital India, Atal Innovation Mission, Medical Education Reform, agriculture reforms (Model Land Leasing Law, Reforms of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act, Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index for ranking states), Indices Measuring States’ Performance in Health, Education and Water Management, Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development, Task Forces on Agriculture and op of Poverty, and Transforming India Lecture Series.
Other Developments:
Recently, IIT Hyderabad had introduced AI as a part of their syllabus. The have started offering a B.Tech. Course in Artificial Intelligence that will commence in the year 2019-2020.
Indian Railways now use ab AI-Robot to check if a train needs repair by procuring an automatic track detection machines to understand the conditions of rail tracks. This reduces the chance of human error and improves safety.
In the Defense sector, there has been an immense development. The government has started to incorporate the use of AI to improve the operational preparedness of the armed forces that would help equipping them with unmanned tanks, aerial vehicles and robotic ammunition. DRDO has established a separate lab called Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR). NETRA (Network Traffic Analysis) is a software used by the Intelligence Bureau and RAW for analyzing Internet Traffic using predefined filters. Airborne Early warning and Control System (AEWACS) is a project of DRDO for the Indian Air Force.
The Agriculture sector, has been traditionally dependent on rain and climate change and that has made farmers extremely vulnerable to crop loss. AI is trying to help and reduce uncertainty and risk in agriculture operations. Microsoft in collaboration with ICRISAT, developed an AI Sowing App that includes Machine Learning and Power BI. The app sends sowing advisories to participating farmers on the optimal date to sow. Pest Attack prediction is also done using AI.
AI in Healthcare sector is potentially developing. According to a report by the CIS India published earlier this year, AI could help add USD 957 billion to the Indian economy by 2035. State governments are also providing support to AI start-ups.
A list of six healthcare start-ups that are using Artificial Intelligence in India:
Niramai: Uses AI for pain-free breast cancer screening.
MUrgency: Helps people connect in need of medical emergency
Advancells: Provides stem cell therapy
Portea: Offers home visits from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and technicians for patients.
AddressHealth: Provides primary pediatric healthcare services to school children.
LiveHealth: Collects samples, manages patient records, diagnoses them and generates reports.
The Afghan Presidential Palace has lambasted the announcement by the Taliban of a new spring offensive, calling it “illegitimate”. The authorities urged the movement to engage in peace talks.
“The Afghan government is ready to defend every corner of the country but it once again calls on the Taliban leadership to stop the illegitimate and imposed war and nod to the unconditional invitation of the Afghan government and people for peace talks,” the statement said as quoted by the Tolo News broadcaster.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad also condemned the Taliban announcement on Friday, calling it “reckless.”
The aforementioned announcement by the Taliban said that it would undertake a spring offensive despite being part of the ongoing US-led peace talks for Afghanistan. The goal of the Taliban’s Operation Fath – “victory” in Arabic – is to cleanse Afghanistan from invasion and corruption, the movement reportedly said.
Crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has long been ravaged by war and political instability, but the two main opponents, the Afghan government and the Taliban, have been making efforts toward achieving peace by holding indirect talks.
The Taliban was ousted from power by a US-led coalition in 2001 and has since then been waging a guerrilla war against the Kabul-based government, and NATO forces in Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan.
According to Russia’s envoy to Afghanistan, the militants control at least 50 per cent of Afghanistan’s territory and their ranks include from 3,500 to 10,000 Daesh fighters, who regularly carry out terror attacks across the country.
Wherein she asked people to vote against Modi, citing that hatred killed the person mentioned in the tweet. Reality is that, Junaid was killed in a fight between his brothers. Its not the ‘Bhakts’ or ‘RightWingers’ who are saying this, its the Honourable High Court who has maintained what Modi supporters are saying.
But its nothing new, Mahesh Bhatt and all of his family has had a history of hobnobbing with Islamists, peddling fake news, supporting Pakistan and hating everything that is Indian.
Pooja Bhatt, daughter of Mahesh Bhatt from his first wife, whom he had a lip lock scene with in a film, is famous face in party circles of Pakistan.
Just some days back, Soni Razdan, the second wife of the B grade film maker had said, she would rather live in Pakistan, a country famous for terrorism, radicalism and conducting steady Hindu Genocide.
Rahul Bhatt, son of Mahesh Bhatt from his first wife had a very ‘friendly’ relation with David Headley, the chief facilitator of 26/11 Islamic Terrorist attacks which took life of more than 500 Indian citizens.
Mahesh Bhatt himself doesnt stay back when it comes to taking anti-India stand. He is a regular face in many Hardline Islamic gatherings. He supported Pakistan Artists when all of India called for their boycott. He was at the launch of the book ’26/11 RSS Ki Saazish’ where in reality his own son was friends with the chief accused. Mahesh Bhatt was one of the signitaries on mercy petition for Kasab.
After all this, the Bhatt family has audacity to lecture us Indians on tolerance and values.
May be Mahesh Bhatt should stick to making Soft porn films and making out with his daughters, rather than telling Indians what to do.
Smriti Irani right from prior to 2014 is continuously on hitlist of the liberals. Everytime, everything she does is turned into huge controversy by our Liberals or should I say media who are on payroll of 10 Janpath?
Smriti Irani is one of the few BJP Leaders who supported PM Modi’s candidency for the Prime Ministral Post. Every thing was all fine until she was declared to be a candidate against the Liberal’s blue eyed Prince Rahul Gandhi.
Then came the hitjobs, the name calling and worst abuses being thrown at Ms. Irani. She has been called worst things a woman could imagine. Has been trolled to the lowest degree by socalled humans who cry hoarse when they are trolled.
But all through these years, Smriti Irani has not once played the victimhood card, which is by the way a favourite of the slaves of 10 Janpath. She has maintained a dignified silence in worst of the cases.
Latest controversy being generated regarding her degree and being shamelessly trolled using uncivilian abuses by none other than a woman, one would have thought this time Ms. Irani might lose her cool, but instead she chose to work for people of Amethi, where she is contesting against The Prince, rather than entertaining this people.
Ms. Irani has indeed made a castle from every brick thrown at her. And now she’s all set to break the fortress if the Gandhis.
She’s indeed a force to reckon with, a real empowered woman and Feminist we should stan.
The newly leaked Google memo implies that the Silicon Valley giant is policing content, something that users have always suspected, cybersecurity analysts opined. The exclusively obtained documents cast doubt on Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s December 2018 testimony.
Citing exclusively obtained documents, The Daily Caller reported on 9 April that “Google does manipulate its search results manually, contrary to the company’s official denials”. The report contradicts Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who insisted that the company’s employees do not manually intervene in any particular search result during his testimony before the US Senate Judiciary Committee in December 2018.
According to the records, the high tech firm maintains a blacklist preventing certain websites from appearing in search results. In the process the “Ares manual review tool” is being used, the documents say, which means that Google employees make decisions about what to include in search results.
“The deceptive_news domain blacklist is going to be used by many search features to filter problematic sites that violate the good neighbour and misrepresentation policies… The purpose of the blacklist will be to bar the sites from surfacing in any search feature or news product. It will not cause a demotion in the organic search results or de-index them altogether”, the leaked papers read, as quoted by the media outlet.
“To suggest that Google is manually adjusting search results is not all that surprising”, Dr Binoy Kampmark, a senior lecturer at RMIT University in Melbourne and cyber security analyst, said. “Entries can be removed in terms of ranking in importance, and algorithms in searching can be modified — the suggestion that this can manually be done is not farfetched… Google searches, in short, can be revealing about inherent biases in a system”.
According to the cyber expert, Google’s “domain blacklist” may considerably affect the work of the barred sites.
“In short, this implies that Google is policing content, something we have always suspected”, Kampmark elaborated. “This also suggests the sheer power of the organisation as a gatekeeper of what is deemed appropriate or not to Google policies on misrepresentation, good neighbour policy or the like. What Google likes, goes; what it doesn’t, disappears into an obscure mass of data”.
He opined that “those who hold information are bound to ration or manipulate access to it”.
“Google’s influence is global, expansive and quite frankly dangerous”, the analyst warned. “It is a cyber-Orwellian creation able to alter narratives and perceptions, to shut out voices and bring others to the fore”.
Petri Krohn, a Finnish cyber security analyst, echoed Kampmark by saying that Google’s manipulations are nothing new.
“Google, according to their internal memo from last year, they want to be a good censor”, he explained. “What Google is now doing, and most technology companies are doing, partly because of government pressure…They are abandoning the ideals of free speech and creating a safe space”.
Commenting on the company’s motto, “don’t be evil”, Krohn noted that Google apparently has “a new definition of evil” now.
“What is evil? Free speech is now evil or is becoming more evil; political correctness and anti-free speech are the good things”, the cyber security expert underscored.
Citing the tech giant’s internal memo, he pointed out that “the two things that have turned technology companies for global censorship [were] the election of Donald Trump and the Russian interference hoax”.
Silicon Valley Giants’ Biased Views and Partisan Approach
The Daily Caller cited Google’s apparent partisan views by revealing that the tech giant’s blacklist included several right-wing websites, including the Gateway Pundit, Conservative Tribune, American Spectator, and others.
Google and other American high-tech corporations have repeatedly been lambasted for having an allegedly biased approach towards conservatives and Narendra Modi, in particular.
The question then arises to what extent Google is responsible for election outcomes in the countries where it serves as the main news aggregator.
“It is impossible to know, but it is clear that Google, being a platform used by electors to find news and search information, is bound to influence the way we approach information, notably in highly connected societies. This has been called the Search Engine Manipulation Effect (SEME) and might play out in some cases”, Kampmark responded.
For his part, Project Veritas’ James O’Keefe revealed how Twitter was shadow banning and down danking conservatives in a series of hidden-camera interviews with current and former employees of the company, in December 2017 — January 2018.
Meanwhile, The Daily Caller’s story on Google’s blacklist prompted criticism from the company’s communications department.
“In a set of three Tweets, Google’s team insisted that the company does not ‘manipulate’ search results ‘to fit a particular political ideology’, but admitted ‘we do not allow sites that have violated our policies'”, the media outlet wrote, stressing that “Google declined to refute the central tenet of the story, which revealed that Google maintains a manually-collated media ‘blacklist'”.
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump tweeted that even the Democrats were saying that the US southern border was “a crisis and a national emergency.”
Trump turned to Twitter once again on Friday to say that he was considering placing illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities only as, according to the US president, the Democrats were unwilling to change the US “very dangerous immigration law.”
Russia on Friday awarded its highest state honour to PM Narendra Modi for promoting bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership.
“On April 12, 2019, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was decorated with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle – the highest state decoration of Russia – for exceptional services in promoting special and privileged strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India and friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples,” announced a Russian government statement.
The award was extended on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin with whom Modi shares a strong chemistry.The award was established by Czar Peter I of Russia in the 17th century, but was abolished following the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. It was reinstated by the government of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin in July 1998, seven years after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
From 1998 to June 2018, the order was awarded to 18 people, TASS news agency said. Among these, the most prominent were Chinese President Xi Jinping, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn (who refused to accept it). Former President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and former President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev were other foreign dignitaries who received the award.
The world cup is set to take place in England and Wales from May 30. New Zealand is the only team so far to have announced their squad for the mega event. Remaining nine teams are yet to disclose their sides
ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2019, is set to take place in England and Wales, starting from May 30. New Zealand is the only team so far which has announced their 15-member squad for this big event and remaining teams still have to announce their line-up until April 23. The teams will be given the time till May 23 to make adjustments to their squads in case of injuries
India, South Africa and Pakistan have announced the date when they going to reveal their 15-member squad for the World Cup. Whereas, other participating teams are yet to finalise the dates.
India, World’s No. 2 ODI team and title winner of 2011 ICC World Cup, is going to make their big announcement on coming Monday. Team India has identified 20 players from which final 15 have to be picked.
As many as 20 states and union territories are participating in the first phase of Lok Sabha 2019 election on Thursday. While the day saw sporadic incidents of violence and some allegations of EVMs malfunctioning, polling so far has been peaceful and organised.
TDP worker S Bhaskar Reddy died in poll clashes in Tadipatri town of Anantapur on Thursday during the first phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019. The party alleged that YSR Congress Party workers are behind the incident. Ninety-one constituencies spread across 18 states and two union territories are voting in this initial phase. Thousands of voters queued up in front of their polling stations to cast their franchise. Reports of EVM malfunction is also coming in from several polling booths.
All eyes are on Cooch Behar where a fierce contest is expected between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
A sense of tension has prevailed in this north Bengal constituency since the transfer of Cooch Behar superintendent of police by the Election Commission.
The transfer left the TMC, which is in power in the state, red-faced.
The TMC called the removal of SP Abhishek Gupta biased and even asked the Election Commission to revoke its transfer order.
Security has also been heightened in Cooch Behar as residents fear violence on polling day. Poll personnel had earlier written a letter to the state chief electoral officer (CEO) and Returning Officer of the district to tighten security. They demanded deployment of central forces in view of the violence seen during the last major election held in West Bengal.
The panchayat elections held in June 2018 in West Bengal saw widespread violence and many poll personnel were seriously injured.
On Thursday in a brazen assualt on free speech, UK secret Police arrested Wikileaks founder Julian Assange from Eucador Embassy on an extradition request by USA which had placed charges of spying and hacking into classified information.
What remains a mystery and up for speculation is the timing of the arrest. Julian Assange was granted asylum at Eucador’s Embassy for 6 years.
Last Monday, Wikileaks published a documents on Vatican’s collusion with Dictators under ‘Kissenger’s cables’ which revealed much data and info on the Nazi Club.
His arrest comes days after this leak of classified informatiom of the Vatican. So is Julian Assange being punished for messing with the Nazi Club or is it just a co-incidence?
The arrest comes some 24 hours after WikiLeaks claimed that Assange had been subject to a sophisticated spying operation, with the obtained data presumably being transferred to US authorities.
UK police have officially announced that they arrested WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. The official statement from the police says Assange was arrested “for failing to surrender to the court” and was taken to a central London police station, where he will stay until he goes to the Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The police noted that they had been invited into the embassy by the Ecuadorian Ambassador after the country withdrew his asylum.
WikiLeaks has accused Ecuador of illegally terminating Assange’s political asylum in violation of international law, leading to his arrest by UK authorities. The whistleblowing website stated that “powerful actors” such as the CIA, had used “sophisticated” efforts to dehumanise Julian Assange.
Assange’s lawyer, cited by the whistleblower’s mother, believes that the WikiLeaks’ founder will face a court hearing within 24 hours. He reportedly added that British authorities will be demanding a maximum prison term of 12 months for his violations.
Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno has announced via his Twitter that the country withdrew Assange’s asylum over his alleged “repeated violations of international conventions” and daily rules. Moreno later added that his country had been assured by London that the WikiLeaks’ founder wouldn’t be extradited to a country with a death sentence.
UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has extended his gratitude to the Ecuadorian president for cooperating with London to ensure that Assange “faces justice”.
“Julian Assange is no hero and no one is above the law. He has hidden from the truth for years. Thank you Ecuador and President Lenin Moreno for your cooperation”, Hunt wrote in a tweet.
Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno has been considering terminating Julian Assange’s asylum in the country’s London embassy since 2018. Last week, the Ecuadorian president accused Assange of violating the conditions of his stay in the embassy by meddling in the politics of Ecuador’s partners, as well as other states.
At the same time, WikiLeaks reported, citing sources within the Ecuadorian government that Assange could be expelled from the embassy within “hours to days” and that his arrest had already been pre-arranged in talks between London and Quito.
Julian Assange has spent 7 years in the Ecuadorian Embassy after he was released on bail from UK custody where he had been arrested at Sweden’s request over rape charges in that country. Sweden later dropped all charges, but Assange remained in the embassy because he was under the threat of being arrested again, this time for violating his bail conditions.
The WikiLeaks founder feared that in the event of arrest by the UK authorities he could be extradited to the US, who is seeking to apprehend the whistleblower over publishing secret military and State Department cables related to the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Assange indicated that the charges in Sweden, which appeared soon after the cables’ publication and that led to his arrest in 2012, were politically motivated
The press event, which presented the results of this groundbreaking research to the public, is being held under the auspices of the European Commission, European Research Council, and Event Horizon Telescope project.
In a series of press conferences held simultaneously across the world, an international team of scientists have proudly presented to the public the first-ever photo of a black hole, procured via the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) project, allowing people to the hot, shadowy edges of one of these enigmatic celestial bodies.
As researchers explained, while the black hole itself cannot be seen because no light could escape its gravity, one can see a black hole’s shadow produced by a ring of light circling the event horizon.
The object of the astronomers’ attention is a supermassive black hole located in 50 million lightyears away in a galaxy known as M87.
The event, held on 10 April, was introduced by Carlos Moedas, the European commissioner for research, science and innovation, and other researchers who worked on the project.
The research was conducted by the Event Horizon Telescope project, an international collaboration begun in 2012 to try to directly observe the immediate environment of a black hole using a global network of Earth-based telescopes.
Yogi Adityanath in the news again for a controversy:-
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stoked controversy by dubbing the Muslim League a green virus and suggesting that Hindu and Muslim voters are in an Ali-Bajrang Bali contest.
Ali is a revered figure in Islam and Lord Hanuman is often called Bajrang Bali.
Adityanath had used the Ali-Bajrang Bali formulation last year as well after Congress leader Kamal Nath allegedly said the support of 90 per cent of Muslim voters was needed for the Congress to win the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls.
Adityanath recently attacked the Indian Union Muslim League – a constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala – for being the “same” organisation that had brought about Partition
Attacking the Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati for recently appealing to Muslims to vote for the opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath said now the Hindus have no option but to vote for the BJP.
The BJP leader said Dalit-Muslim unity is impossible, and in Bareilly, he accused Mayawati of hurting Dalit sentiments with her call to Muslim voters at a rally in Saharanpur’s Deoband
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister ‘Bhrasht Nath’ in an exclusive interview with News18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, the chief minister said the Centre was trying to destablise his government and the person found with cash in raids was a BJP worker.
Accusing the Prime Minister of “overlooking” the scams during the then Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, the Chief Minister’s Office in a statement said: “Modi is scared and has forgotten the Vyapam Scam, e-tendering scam and several other such scams. Nothing will be found in the raids as it is a political attack.”
Further, CM Kamal Nath’s office said that the accused Ashwini Sharma has already “admitted his links with the BJP”. “Modi government is self-corrupt and no one can accuse Kamal Nath who is a parliamentarian for the past 10 years. Even Kailash Vijaywargiya was aware of these raids as they are sponsored by the BJP,” the CMO added.
Meanwhile animal trophies, animal skins and 3 illegal weapons have been recovered from Ashwani Sharma’s residence in Bhopal in the Income Tax (I-T) department’s raids. Sharma is the associate of Pravin Kakkar, former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Kamal Nath.
Apart from the skins and trophies, huge amount of unaccounted cash was also seized during the raids.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is carrying out raids in Madhya Pradesh and so far it has recovered crores of uncounted cash.
Looks like its not just India which has record number of parties, our Jewish Friend Israel, a tiny little country (size wise) also has record number of parties!
These are the many parties that are running for elections. A ‘Khichadi’ Sarkaar Indeed!
Likud
The ruling Likud as founded in 1973, and was initally a joint list comprised of Herut, the Liberal party, the Free Center, the State List, and the Labor Movement for a Greater Israel.
In 1988, the parties merged into one under the Likud banner. A right-wing party, its former leaders include Menachem Begin, Yitzchak Shamir, Ariel Sharon and — of course — Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister.
Likud has long-supported the idea of an extended ‘Land of Israel’, although what this concept would entail in practical form isn’t clear.
For most of its existence, Likud has opposed Palestinian statehood and its leaders have frequently been regarded as the most hawkish on defence. However, this stance has softened, if only superficially, with Likud continuing the implementation of the Oslo accords and unilaterally disengaging from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
While its policies have often marked it out as the ‘hard man’ of Israeli politics, on religious issues Likud has consistently walked a secular line — although Israel’s religious parties are much more comfortable in coalition with Likud than any others.
Israel’s biggest and newest political grouping represents perhaps the biggest threat Netanyahu has ever faced since becoming Prime Minister again in 2009.
Named after the colours of the Israeli flag, the coalition is led by former Israeli Defence Force Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz, and has pushed ahead of Likud in some polls. Regarded as principled and patriotic, he’s a newcomer to politics, although to boost his electoral credentials Blue & White has brought together many former lawmakers and ministers.
The central tenets of the party’s platform include introducing prime ministerial term limits, barring indicted politicians from serving in the Knesset, amending the nation-state law to include Israeli minorities, limiting the power of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel over marriages, investing in early education, expanding health care, and re-entering negotiations with the Palestinian Authority for a peace agreement.
Labor is the successor of the Mapai party, and as such historically has (or, perhaps, had) a moderate Zionist-socialist ideology — formed in 1968 from a merger of Mapai, Achdut HaAvoda, and Rafi, it’s switched back and forth from running independently to as part of a list over the years.
Just as its UK counterpart is intimately connected with the country’s trade unions, Labor was closely tied with Israel’s General Federation of Labor (Histadrut), but in the mid-1990s its economic policies becoming less radical and more in line with European social democracy.
The party stands on the left of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and was the first major party to call for negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organisation and support the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Upon Israel’s foundation, Labor dominated politics, leading various configurations of governments for almost 30-years — five Israeli Prime Minister have hailed from the party in total. However, its fortunes have waned significantly ever since — in 2009, it gained a record low of 13 seats.
Kulanu (All of Us)
Founded by former Likud minister Moshe Kahlon in November 2014, the party’s security policies are stern, but otherwise its manifesto is socially centrist and economically redistributive — concerned with the cost of living, local and national corruption, and reducing socioeconomic inequality. Issues such as religion barely register.
Hadash-Ta’al
A joint electoral list of two Arab parties — Hadash and Ta’al. The pair were part of the four-strong Joint List alliance which competed in the 2015 elections, which disbanded at the start of 2019. Just before the deadline for submitting the lists, Hadash (led by Ayman Odeh) and Ta’al (led by Ahmad Tibi) agreed to run together. ·
Hadash has run in every Knesset election since 1977 — it began life as a merger between Rakah and other movements such as the Black Panthers (a protest group comprised of second-generation Jewish immigrants from North Africa and Middle Eastern countries).
At least at first, Hadash had a communist streak, and was perhaps the first Israeli party to stand on a platform of a ‘two-state solution’ to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today, the party still advocates the return all of territories currently occupied by Israel, including the Golan Heights.
Ta’al (Arab Movement for Renewal) was established prior to the 1996 elections, but failed to breach the representation threshold — it would take joining forces with a number of different parties — Balad in 1999, then Hadash in 2003, and Ra’am in 2006, 2009, and 2013 — to gain parliamentary seats.
A secular party, Ta’al supports an independent Palestinian state and a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees.
Shas
An acronym for Shomrei Sefarad (Sephardic guardians), Shas was established in 1984 by ultra-Orthodox Sephardic Jews in response to their perceived institutional disadvantage and under-representation in Israeli politics.
It stands on a platform of restoring the prestige of the Sephardic community, the promotion of Israel as a Jewish state and increased immigration of international Jews to the country, while also peaceful coexistence with Israel’s Arab neighbours.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the clue to the party’s primary policy concern is in its title — established by Avigdor Liberman prior to the 1999 Knesset elections, it sought to increase Jewish immigration from the former Soviet Union, and represent the interests of ex-USSR residents already resettled in the country.
Yisrael Beitenu’s platform is a diverse mix of hawkish foreign and security policies, extremely liberal economic stances, and support for a Palestinian state.
United Torah Judaism (Yahadut HaTorah)
A union comprised of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties Agudat Israe land Degel HaTorah — they’ve run together since 1992. The grouping promotes the interests of Israel’s Haredi community, and is determined to increase and preserve the religious character of the State of Israel. Such is their orthodoxy, in September 1999 United Torah Judaism left the ruling coalition government in protest over the shipment of a turbine to the Ashkelon power station on the Jewish Sabbath.
Nonetheless, the party is fairly dovish on defence and security issues, favouring diplomacy rather than military action, and de-escalation of Israel’s ongoing conflicts. For instance, UTJ was part of the government which disengaged Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Ra’am-Balad
A joint electoral list of two parties (Ra’am and Balad), like Hadash-Ta’al the pair were part of the four-strong alliance of The Joint List which competed in the 2015 elections. As with their former stablemates, the two agreed to run together just before the deadline for nominations — otherwise, neither may have passed the electoral threshold (although whether they will in tandem is also uncertain).
Zehut (Indentity)
Established in 2015 by former Likud MP Moshe Feiglin after he failed to win a seat — Zehut stands on a platform of preserving Jewish identity, personal liberty, and the creation of a Greater Israel (despite favouring separation of state and religion).
Magen (Shield)
Established in the run-up to the 2019 elections by Gal Hirsch, the Israeli brigadier general who commanded the 91st Division of the Israel Defence Forces during the 2006 Lebanon War. Hirsch places the security of Israel above all, and says if elected his group will “bring morality back to Israel”.
Union of Right-Wing Parties
A joint electoral list formed before the election by Jewish Home, National Union and Otzma Yehudit. The former pair have cooperated in several elections — before the 2019 vote, they was pressured to bring the latter into the fold, to give the party a greater chance of representation.
Gesher
Established in 1995 after the resignation Likud heavyweight David Levy, the party made much of its commitment to social justice and peace. The party would subsequently serve in coalition with Likud, until 1998 when Levy left the party and joined Labour. The party was dissolved in 2003 — but Levy’s daughter, Orly Levy-Abekasis, re-established Gesher to compete in the 2019 election.
Meretz
Founded in the run-up to the 1992 election as a joint list of parties Mapam, Ratz and Shinui, before becoming one party in 1997.
While a zionist party, Meretz is left-leaning, supporting social equality and the separation of church and state, granting Israeli Arabs equal rights, and a two-state solution. It also opposes settlement expansion. working toward peace by giving up the occupied territories and putting an end to the settlement enterprise.
Established in the run-up to the election by former Jewish Home MPs Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked. A dedicated Zionist party, it rejects the creation of a Palestinian State, and free market economy.
The Saudi Arabian Energy Ministry said on Monday that there would be no change to its policy of selling oil in US dollars after media reports suggested the move was planned to stop US Congress from passing a damaging antitrust law.
These reports “are inaccurate and do not reflect Saudi Arabia’s position on this matter,” the ministry’s statement seen by the Financial Times read, adding that the nation’s longstanding policy of trading oil in dollars “has served well the objectives of its financial and monetary policies.”
The statement comes after last week reports claimed that Riyadh had plans to switch its oil trade away from using the dollar to other currencies if the US passes the NOPEC bill, which would extend American anti-trust laws to foreign entities such as OPEC.
The No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act (NOPEC) aims to end sovereign immunity from the US anti-cartel laws. As the name suggests, it will crack down on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia is a founding member. US President Donald Trump has long accused the group of collusion to drive up oil prices.
Higher education is very costly these days. With everyone opting for MS in US, the fees of the universities have reached the height of skyscrappers. But no need to worry. Here are 5 countries where u can study with no or very less tuition fees and still avail one of the best education qualities.
“The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.”
– Edward Teller
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after he took over in 2014, has changed the scientific landscape to rethink it for tackling our financial issues through the intercession of science and innovation, which are Indian in soul and substance. He picked the topic “Reaching the Unreachable through Science and Technology,” and requested that the researchers convey science out of labs to make it devices of advancement – a change in outlook from hypothetical research to connected research to discover answers for a few issues confronting the nation.
Today India is driving herself to join the major class of countries in seeking after yearning super science ventures, for example, Second Moon Mission, cooperation in worldwide stargazing joint efforts like Thirty Meter Telescope, Laser Interferometer Gravitational– wave Observatory (LIGO), cutting edge radio telescope like the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), etc.
In bleeding edge science, our researchers are sub-par compared to none. Gravitational waves disclosure in 2016 has been hailed worldwide as a standout amongst the most major logical revelations in the ongoing occasions. It involves extraordinary pride, 37 Indian researchers from 9 Indian organizations were a piece of the LIGO-Virgo revelation paper in Physical Review Letters. The present government affirmed facilitating of the third LIGO locator on Indian soil to be subsidized by Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology for which the work is going full bore.
Amid the most recent four years, the administration has improved the portions for science and innovation to quicken logical research, advancement and innovation improvement. Spending designation for Department of Science and Technology for 4 money related years beginning from 2014-15 to 2018-19 was Rs.19764 Cr which is an astounding 90% expansion over the previous 5 years (2009-10 to 2013-14). Essentially, there was an expansion of 65% for Department of Biotechnology; practically 43% increment for Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; and 26% expansion for Ministry of Earth Sciences amid this period.
In 2017, India became an associate member of European Organization for Nuclear Research.
2014
This year marked the beginning of a new era in the field of Science and Technology.
GSAT-14, an Indian communications satellite, was launched on 5th January from Sriharikota using GSLV-D5 launch vehicle.
No one got the Mars right on the first attempt. U.S., Russia, the Europeans, no one could do it. On Sept. 24, 2014, Mangalyaan, developed by the Indian Space Research Organization, entered the orbit around The Red Planet. The cost of the mission was just $74 million, less than the budget of the film Gravity.
2015
PM Modi launched the Digital India program in July which efficiently connected the Government services to the citizens of the country electronically by improved online infrastructure and Internet connectivity.
India stepped forward into the future by launching and test firing of the Agni V which is an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the DRDO, Astra which is a BVR air-to-air missile and placed Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 1-D satellite in orbit by PSLV C-27 launch vehicle.
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) revealed the Polar Remotely Operated Vehicle (PROVe) which will be used to study the monsoon.
2016
In January’16, Netflix came to India giving Indians a chance to watch everything from old favourites to the classics on one platform. In December, Amazon followed suit by introducing its video streaming platform.
Bharat Biotech, an Indian biotechnology company, was the first to discover a vaccine for Zika, which is a disease spread by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. They also patented it. This proved that Indian Scientists can also be explorers in global scientific research.
The decision to cease the building of coal plants from 2022 was taken by the Indian Government to endorse the development of renewable energy sources instead, which will help control the climate changes.
Google and India’s Ministry of Urban Development made possible for the people to look for over four thousand communal and public restrooms on Google Maps to improve sanitation.
ISRO launched 20 satellites into the orbit on a single rocket which is the highest number that it has sent at once.
2017
The Goods and Service Tax (GST) was approved by the government to boost the GDP rate.
ISRO achieved an unprecedented feat of launching 104 satellites, Cartostat-2 along with 103 other co-passenger satellites, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in one go.
Delhi Metro became the only completely green metro in the world for cohering to the green building norms for its 10 residential colonies from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
WaterHealth India, a company that provides scalable, safe and affordable drinking water solutions to the underserved populations of the, installed 450 Water ATMs that run on automated water purification system in 1800 villages.
2018
In March, Vikas Sathaye, a Pune-born engineer, was a part of the team that won an Oscar for Science and Technology. They were honored for the concept, design, engineering and implementation of the Shotover K1 Camera System, which has the capability to capture shots while looking straight down and filming mid-air sequences which was used in movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy.
In August, the world’s first ever battery plant, manufactured by Bharat Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Private Ltd., was revealed in Andhra Pradesh. It was aimed at encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy that can be used in remote areas like hills or islands.
2019
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) is planning to utilize solar energy in powering electric vehicle charging stations to ensure clean transport is driven by clean energy.
Mission Shakti, led by DRDO, was a project that successfully test-fired an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile by shooting down a live satellite in 3 minutes. Through this, India became the 4th nation in the world to be a part of the elite super-power club.
ISRO launched the latest satellite EMISAT along with 28 other satellites.
On 21st March, Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) has launched IoT controlled smart garbage bins made of stainless steel for effective waste management. It has Gazelle sensors which will indicate the fill-up position of the bin to the garbage collection vehicle.
India’s lunar mission, Chandrayaan II, which is scheduled to be launched in April, will carry NASA’s laser instruments which will help the scientists make accurate and precise measurements of the distance to the moon.
With rapid revolution in the techological scope and capabilities, sky is the limit for our country. At this point of time, the country stands on the verge of making history which will be remembered for years. We as Indians should feel proud of respect we command in the world today. We should aim at innovation as the future possibilities of how human life can be alleviated lies on it.
The bottomline is its easier to accuse Modi by making fun of the cultural identity of India that he promotes, taking us back to our roots that he believes in by taking disgusting jibe like ‘Gaumutra, Gobar’ etc etc but neglecting the technological strides our country took under his rule, is not just disservice to your nation but your own integrity.
Intelligence agencies are considered as the most essential security pillar of any country. They protect their nation from cross-border terrorism; they monitor the proceedings of foreign governments; they advice policymakers to apt the best available path; they whack away ill-natured folks back to their domain; they do everything to protect their civilians but whatever they do, they do behind the curtains. Here we go with our secret list which brings up the ten most far-famed intelligence agencies of the world. And yeah, after reading this list, if you discover a cigar exploding somewhere in or out then make sure a “real life” James Bond was there to bolt down a potential threat in your vicinity.
10. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India:
The most lethal weapon of India’s security, RAW was formed on September 21, 1968, under the premiership of Indira Gandhi with R.N. Kao as its first director. The elementary tasks of this intelligence agency are fighting against terrorism, monitoring the movements of foreign governments and advising the Indian policymakers to root-out potential threats. Agents of RAW are known for their “ethically flexible” trait along with keeping a constant barrier between themselves and the rest of the world.
9. Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), France:
A bit controversial yet extremely soundable in counterintelligence and paramilitary operations abroad, DGSE is the guardian of France’s dignity. Widely appreciated for the successful accomplishment of some much-talked objectives, this intelligence agency has a unique modus operandi. The analysts and operatives of DGSE are expert in playing risky games with deadly actions. DGSE has also gained notability in information warfare.
8. Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Germany:
Successor to the Gehlen Organization, BND trespasses other intelligence agencies in the areas of electronic surveillance and wiretapping. Since April 1, 1956 – the day of its establishment, BND has regularly conducted espionage operations, successfully breaching the security and authenticity of number of foreign governments. On several occasions, BND has alerted the German government on the issues of terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) proliferation and others.
7. Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), Australia:
Working under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, ASIS has some unique parameters to gather information from various countries overseas. Established on May 13, 1952, under the supervision of contemporary Prime Minister Robert Menzies, this intelligence agency is highly instrumental in tackling international terrorism, drug trafficking and counter-revolutionary activities. ASIS is also known for its technological advancement among other secret agencies across the world.
6. Ministry of State Security (MSS), China:
Counted among one of the most fierce intelligence agencies of the world, MSS is an epitome of espionage along with being a potent firewall of People’s Republic of China. Holding a monolithic pool of sophisticated and highly-trained agents, MSS is involved in counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, surveillance and border security. It collects and analyses information on a variety of areas and prevents threat to Chinese interests from foreign countries.
5. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan:
Responsible for national and international counter-terrorism efforts, ISI is best known for not missing even the pocket-sized clue about potential threats on Pakistan. ISI was formed in 1948 and since then it has played a significant role in endorsing the Pakistani policies on global level. Agents of ISI have been stationed in different areas where they work aggressively to ensure the safety of Pakistani people as well as protecting the economic and political interests of the nation.
4. Military Intelligence, Section 6 (MI6), United Kingdom:
An inspiration for James Bond movies, MI6 is reckoned as the secret frontline of United Kingdom’s security. Formed in 1909, as the Secret Service Bureau, this intelligence agency is known for its cool yet deadly agents who are notable for executing sensational operations over the years. It is said that the agents of MI6 operate in different parts of the world masquerading themselves as journalist, teacher, entrepreneur and often an apparent nobody of society. Comprising a long track record of success, MI6 is one of the most highly funded secret agencies out of the top 10 of this list.
3. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), United States of America:
If United States is a superpower then one must know that the main driving force behind its supremacy is the CIA. The fortified defensive structure of this intelligence agency is endorsed by ultra-sophisticated secret agents, state-of-the-art technology and out-of-the-way modus operandi. Founded on September 18, 1947, under the presidentship of Harry S. Truman, CIA is now a household name across the world. Ever since its inception, this secret agency has played an effective role in preventing the potential threats upon the integrity of America, lives of citizens, and the national and international interests of the United States.
Best known for implementing some of the deadliest intelligence mechanisms and executing them aggressively, GRU holds a prestigious position in the list of best espionage agencies across the world. Agents of this intelligence agency are known for killing thwarters in a silent yet fierce way along with confronting any situation immediately that possesses threat to the nation and civilians anyhow. Apart from being a professional equipment in fighting against international terrorism, GRU has an appreciable track record in forecasting and neutralizing the monstrous intentions of foreign countries.
1. Mossad:
Also known as the “world’s most efficient killing machine”, Mossad is way ahead of rest of the intelligence agencies mentioned in this list. Established on December 13, 1949, as the Central Institute for Coordination, Mossad is known for its remorseless covert operations around the world. Since evolution, this agency has scored stack of perfect-than-best coups, demonstrating their potency to the entire world. The daredevil agents of Mossad are fully licensed to kill anyone, anywhere – when it comes about the security of Israel.
Indian Journalism is as free as a cow tied to a rope around a fence. It has as much freedom as its masters in 10 Janpath allow it to have. No matter how much ’emminent’ journalists make us believe their so called honesty and integrity, truth is otherwise.
Funny thing is, these species of ‘secular’ , ’emminent’ journalists who are always first one to pass judgments , throw dirt and peddle fake news against Hindutva Forces?n which they view as ‘communal’ are the first ones to cry hoarse and chicken out if the real skeletons in their closet comeout.
Make no mistake, this isnt about peddling fake news or targetting a particular religion which our ’emminent’ journalists are masters in, this is a real news about one of Delhi’s master conman journalist being officially caught his pants down in a scam.
Augusta Westland, is one of the many scams of the Gandhi (first family for their slaves) Family that rocked the country. The uniqueness about this case is that its one of the only few where the Boss Bitch or the Italian Lady has been directly named by middleman Christian Michel. Now that is another story. But Michel also names three ‘neutral’ journos involved in the scam.
One of the big names of them, is Shekhar Gupta. Yes, the very Shekhar Gupta who peddled this fake story about an imaginary coup by then Army Chief Gen. V K Singh against then government, thats his masters, the *Italian* Congress. And he got away with it! Here is the infamous story in IE and the Journalist’s tweets who exposed him.
Shekhar Gupta was also instrumental behind the press conference of socalled dissenting judges, one of whom is now CJI.
After getting named in scam, all Guptaji did was to cry victimhood. The card that never expires!
So after many *coincidental* *ignorant* gaffe’s my Gupta, its upto us to decide, and ask questions. Its about time, not just politicians but Journalists are also asked questions and held accountable . For they are the fourth pillar of these Great Theatre called Democracy!
With the recent news around the Congress Manifesto, our team at Hindustan Analytics has managed to do a thorough analysis of all the power points of the Congress Party Manifesto.
As pappu has promised minimum of one year of onsite to software engineers, the deal breaker move has created a new buzz in the IT sector of India. When we asked Ramesh, an IT Engineer, he said, that it was a 10 year long dream of his to go onsite. Ramesh is in the same IT company from 10 years and is yet to receive an on-site opportunity. With the congress putting this in their manifesto, it will be getting a majority of votes from the office going IT crowd of India.
The manifesto also boasts a minimum income scheme for the poorest of poor people in the country. Pappu claims, that with this descision of giving NYAYA to the people, they plan on doing a surgical strike on poor in the country by cheating them once again, and despite various lies and failed promises from Congress party, people believe that this scheme by them must be true. Congress now in responsible hands, led by Pappu and pappi duo, are in for the biggest win in their political career.
The manifesto on page ४२० and clause number ९२११, claims to give special status to all the states. This has made all the states happy. The states which wanted special status are satisfied as they have got it and those who didn’t want it are satisfied as well as all having special status implies ‘special status’ will be the new general status. Good move by Pappu. We at HA never imagined he had a mind so creative to create a policy with the nation at interest in such a manner.
With general elections coming up we will continue our focus at what the Pappu-pappi duo can do in UP and also create a larger impact on the 2019 elections. Recent news has claimed that the revised version of manifesto will be re-launched in 2 days as some say the current manifesto had ‘made in Pakistan’ written on the last page of the book. Also Sonia Gandhi has advised some changes in the colour of the manifesto. The earlier had the tricolour, but the Congress president has advised the design team to create a green cover page with stars on it. Still we, being a unbaised organization don’t doubt their intentions whatsoever.
When it comes to Bollywood, even the sneezes of the Khans get reported. Their so called ‘Humanitarian’ gestures cause a lot of ripples and claps. But there are some unspoken heroes in Btown who do much than these Khans and yet demand no publicity or accolades. One of them is Vivek Oberoi.
Vivek Oberoi has recently been in news and has also faced certain criticism from usual suspects which tow down to the ‘First’ family of India for his film on India’s current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While his role is being appreciated, there is also some other work of his that needs to be appreciated. Mr. Oberoi has been vocal supporter of our Army, the current government and its policies. While he makes no news or press conferences over the social work he does, so people know little about this side of him.
Mr. Oberoi had donated 25 flats to the families of CRPF jawans who were martyred in Naxal Attack. He was also awarded the Good Samaritan Award from Rotary International for his work with Project Hope and the Red and White Bravery Award in 2006 for helping re-build a village which was hit severely by tsunami. He has also founded Yashodhara Health Care Foundation. He serves as WHO’s anti-tobacco campaign spokesperson.
Mr. Oberoi has been involved in projects such as Project Devi, Cancer Patients Aid Association and Banyan, which works towards rehabilitating mentally challenged homeless women.
With all the media coverage around the socalled philanthropist Khans, there are the unsung heroes like Vivek Oberoi, whose work needs to be acknowledged and appreciated
Its often a debatable topic when it concerns to anything even remotely related to Islam. Many of the ‘Islamic Scholars’ claim Islam to be a peaceful religion so does the left. The people especially non-muslims who are now compelled to research this Arabia-originated faith owing to the current scenario, are generally frowned upon by Islamic Scholars and apologists of Islam shunning them down, even mocking their intellect. But still, in the times of universal deceit, standing by our ground is a prerequisite and equally courageous. So, lets discuss the most important part of Islam the ‘Sharia’.
What is Sharia?
Sharia or ‘Allah’s law’ as it is called are a set of laws which are the most important part of Islam, or to be precise ‘They complete Islam’. Sharia is totally based on principles of Koran.
Islamic Scholars on Sharia: “Islamic Law (Sharia) is perfect; eternal since its based on ‘Mohammed’s deeds’. No other law is as perfect as Sharia.”
If you were to ask any believing and practicing Muslim to denounce sharia no one will ever do that.
The topics covered in Sharia are: How to eat, what to eat, how to live, how to pray, how to discipline your wife, how to punish a child, contract law, family law; basically every aspect of life!
Here are some examples of demands by Muslims with Sharia being the basis of them:
1. Prayer rooms at airports, workplaces etc.
2. Media should not be allowed to criticize Islam
3. Prohibition of Cartoon, joke on Mohammed.
4. Outrage on any critical content pertaining to Islam and Muslim Invaders.
Non-Muslims and Sharia:
Non-Muslims are often described as ‘Kafir’ in Koran. The argument is often made by various Islamic Scholars that ‘Kafir’ is the word described for a ‘non-believer’. Since Islam considers only Allah to be the God, once can easily conclude what ‘Kafir’ stands for. Under Islam every non-Muslim; be it Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew or any other faith but Islam is a ‘Kafir’. There are not much laws devoted to Kafirs in Sharia because basically Kafir has very few rights under Islam.
There’s a reason why Islam is so controversial, Islam devotes a lot of energy on Kafir. About 64% of Koran is devoted to Kafir, neraly 81% of Shaira is on Kafir also the Hadith devoted 37% of text to Kafir. Overall the Islamic Trilogy devotes 51% of its content to Kafir. So; why should Islam terrify the Kafirs? Well if all the Islamic Trilogy is closely looked at one can infer that there are two types of Islam:
1. Political Islam
2. Religious Islam.
Political Islam should always worry us because thats what Mohammed did to Kafirs and now his Progeny aspire to.
Sharia References about Kafirs:
‘Al Walaa Wa Al Barra’:
Hatred for the sake of Allah and love for the sake of Allah. It is the fundamental principle of Islamic Doctrine and Sharia. A Muslim is to hate what Allah hates and to love what Allah loves.
Koran 40:35- “They (non-Muslims) who dispute the signs (verses) of Allah without having reached them are greatly hated by Allah and the believers (Muslims). So Allah seals up every arrogant, disdainful heart.
The above verse explains the hatred of Allah for those who do not believe in him. This verse is foundation of hatred for non-Muslims or more popularly ‘Kafirs’.
There are in all 109 verses in Koran devoted to Kafir; 6 of them are as follows:
1. Behead the Kafir:
Koran 47:4 “When you encounter Kafirs on the battlefield, cutoff their heads until you have thoroughly defeated them and then take prisoners and tie them up.”
2. Mock the Kafir:
Koran 83:34- “On that day the faithful will mock the Kafirs; while they sit on Bridal Couches and watch them; Should not the Kafirs be paid back for what they did?”
3. Terrorise the Kafir:
Koran 8:12- “Then your lord spoke to his angels and said, “I will be with you. Give strength to believers. I will send terror into the hearts of Kafirs, cut off their heads and even tips of their fingers.”
4. Muslims shouldn’t befriend Kafir:
Koran 3:28- “Believers should not take Kafirs as friends in preference to other believers those who do this will have none of Allah’s protection.”
5. Kafir is evil:
Koran 23:97- “Oh my lord I seek refuge with you my lord from their presence. I seek refuge with you from the suggestions of the evil.”
6. Kafir should be disgraced:
Koran 37:18- “Tell them, “Yes! And you will be disgraced.”
7. Kafir is cursed:
Koran 33:60- “They will be cursed and whenever they are found they will be seized and murdered.”
There are 109 verses like this in Koran invoking Muslims to slaughter all the non-believers. No atheist; free speech advocate is safe under Islam.
Jihad and Sharia:
Jihad is the war Muslims are ordered to wage on non-Muslims until Sharia is established.
There are various references to Jihad in Koran:
Koran 2:26- “You are commanded to fight although you dislike it. You may hate something that is good for you and love something that is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not”.
Koran 4: 89- “They would have you become kafirs like them so you all will be the same. Therefore, do not take any of them as friends until they have abandoned their homes to fight for Allah. But if they turn back find them and kill them wherever they are.
Islam basically advocates submission. Terrorism; Slaughter, Beheading are considered sacred in Islam. Yeah it does guarantee peace but only then when you have submitted to Alllah!
Among the rise in speculations over facing a defeat to Smriti Irani in his own home, Rahul Gandhi has decided to Contest from Wayanad in Kerela along with Amethi.
Amethi has a popuation of around 91% Hindus according to 2011 census where as Wayanad is mostly Muslim and Christian dominated area. This again has given rise to debate of the Gandhi family’s and subsequently Congress party’s ignorance towards Hindus.
Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) wants to revive the defunct Khalistan movement, which calls for a separate Sikh state to be created in India’s Punjab. Pakistanis think formation of Khalistan will land them Kashmir. Managing full blown secessionist militanices in multiple Indian states, simultaneously, is not an unknown territory for Pakistan. They’ve done it in the past. India must draw lessons from the past to shape the future strategy to overcome the foe from hell.
Origins of Khalistan
As a counterweight to Jinnah’s Pakistan scheme, Dr Vir Singh Bhatti floated the idea of independent Sikh state Khalistan in 1940(1). The Sikh leaders Master Tara Singh and Baldev Singh only paid a lip service to Khalistan from behind closed doors — not publicly — to thwart Jinnah’s designs(2) in Punjab. They never led a mass movement for the purpose. By 1946 this was evident. In his meetings with the Cabinet Mission Master Tara Singh explicitly said, “We are for a United India; but if Pakistan was conceded, I am for a separate Sikh state with the right to federate either with India or Pakistan”(3). The Sikh members in Punjab Legislative Assembly convention of 1947 opted for India. All Sikhs joined Hindu members supporting Punjab’s partition plan(4) striking a crucial blow to Jinnah’s wish to have all Punjab in his Pakistan. Jinnah’s half hearted last ditch attempt to cast a spell over the Sikhs came to nothing(5), he had to settle for a “moth eaten” state. After independnce the call for Khalistan was not heard until 1971; not even at the time when Sikhs agitated against New Delhi for the Punjabi speaking state, conceded in 1966.
Jagjit Singh Chohan was Punjab’s former Finance Minister who left India following his defeat in 1969 elections. Two years later Chohan was in Pakistan and in the same year he managed to place an advert in the New York Times in support of Khalistan(6). The timing of Chohan’s actions leaves no doubts who were pulling the strings. To avoid digression I won’t go into what was happening in 1971 at India’s borders, how Nixon was trying to intimidate India prior to the war and coming to Pakistan’s rescue at the Western Front after the fall of Dhaka. After 1971 Pakistanis were in no position to stir troubles in India. Most of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s five years in power were spent battling the Baloch freedom fighters in the mountains of Balochistan. Zia Ul Haq’s Pakistan would later come back to fish in the troubled waters. In 1970s the support base for Khalistan was amongst the Sikh living in England and Canada. The Gurudwaras in England were funding the Khalistani protagonists.
In India, the Sikh political outfit Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) sought more autonomy from New Delhi. Indira Gandhi was unwilling to give more concessions. SAD stood against Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. Congress were defeated in the Lok Sabha and Punjab elections of 1977; SAD came into into power in Punjab. Mrs Gandhi thought of SAD as soft separatists, she wanted to cut down their wings in Punjab. The way her younger son Sanjay Gandhi and Giani Zail Singh(8) handled the situation only ended up fueling the movement that only ever existed on paper. Sanjay Gandhi and Giani Zail Singh’s search for the charismatic Sikh religious leader — to minimise the impact of SAD — led them to the fiery 30 years old preacher from the important Sikh shrine Damdami Taksal, who until then was an unknown nobody.
Frankenstein
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was the man Congress chose to outmanouvre SAD in Punjab, they couldn’t have picked a worser guy. Bhindranwale was not a politician, he was a religious preacher with an extremist bent.
Bhindranwale came to limelight following the Sikh–Nirankari clashes(9) of 1978. His vitriolic attacks on Nirankaris — minority sect within Sikhs — should’ve warned Congress of the man’s divisive nature. Initially Bhindranwale returned the goodwill of his handlers by lending support to the Congress backed candidates in the local elections(10). As Bhindranwale’s popularity grew he became more erratic, his followers moved throughout Punjab with AK47s, his gun wielding hotheads were easy on the trigger. By the time Congress came back to power in 1980 (in New Delhi and in Punjab) Bhindranwale was already a star. Before Congress can think of how to take control of things in Punjab, Bhindranwale’s critics and rivals started getting killed by the gun wielding youngsters; who were either inspired by or directly linked to the man. Bhindranwale was arrested in connection to Lala Jagat Narayan’s murder but Congress allowed him to get away it without charging him. After that he never looked back. His popularity soared to a level that even less radical Sikhs started giving into him. He decided to lock horns with his makers by teaming up with SAD, the group against whom the Congress wanted to use Bhindranwale. The roles of Congress and SAD were now reversed, this time former was in power and the latter were in opposition. SAD always championed the Sikh causes, they revived the Anandpur Sahab Resolutuon of 1973 again and came into contact with Bhindranwale. SAD was not for Khalistan, they feared becoming irrelevant amongst the Sikh masses in the face of Bhindranwale’s rising popularity. Bhindranwale and SAD combined in 1982 to take on the Congress. SAD were more concerned in reaching a settlement with New Delhi but the radical Bhindranwale clearly lacked the political wisdom, his cockiness ruled out the chances of any agreement though SAD were willing at one point. Reign of terror was let loose in Punjab, civilians were taken off buses and shot after checking the religious identity. Hundreds of people were killed in the communal tensions. Bhindranwale’s derogatory remarks on Hindus was seen as an encouragement for violence by his followers who were killing in his name and even at his behest. Bhindranwale’s speeches contained hatred for the government, Nirankaris and Hindus. His men managed a high profile victim from each section. Gurbachan Singh (Nirankari) and Lala Jagat Narayan (Hindu) were killed but the most shocking murder was of DIG Punjab A S Atwal on the footsteps of the Golden Temple in April 1983. Yet Punjab Police could not muster the courage to pick up their slain officer’s body for few hours. Chief Minister Darbara Singh had to make a phone call to Golden Temple to seek Bhindranwale’s approval for Punjab Police to take A S Atwal’s remains in their custody. The state authority virtually collapsed in front of Bhindranwale’s terror. From 1978 there were plenty of warnings for the Congress to review their decision banking on the bigoted young cleric, they glossed over everything.
Khalistanis & Pakistan make a comeback
Bhindranwale moved into Golden Temple in latter half of 1982, set up his headquarters from the sacred shrine. Pakistanis started sending arms into Punjab; which were then smuggled into the Golden Temple. Bhindranwale was getting ready for the ultimate showdown. Pakistan’s military regime under Zia Ul Haq capitalised on the fault lines within India in 1980s. Creating an unrest in JK was already a part of their plans. Tensions between Punjab and New Delhi turned out to be a godsend opportunity for Pakistanis, they grabbed it with both hands. India’s diplomat G Parthasarthy was witness to many things as he was in Consul General in Pakistan from 1982 to 1985. Mr Parthasarthy says “Zia Ul Haq started upping the ante in Punjab…Jagjit Singh Chohan and Ganga Singh Dhillon met personally with them (Pakistanis in Pakistan)…worked out strategies to incite”.
Listen to Mr Parthasarthy for 6 minures between 29-35 mins in the link given below👇👇👇…
Jagjit Singh Chohan by 1980 had established himself in England. He had set up Khalistan Council and was printing Khalistan’s currency. By then Bhindranwale had become a blue eyed boy for the West based Khalistan ideologues. In his lifetime Bhinranwale’s impact on Punjab did not last more than 6 years but in the short span of time he managed to ride along with the Congress, SAD and Khalistanis in the West, which in many ways is self explanotary why he was so successful in winning over the segment of Sikh population to his side. Once he joined Khalistanis his game was up. Bhindranwale never asked for Khalistan but did say he won’t turn it down if it was offered to him by the Congress government in New Delhi.
Indian Prime Minister Mrs Gandhi finally acted. The events of June 1984, –Operation Blue Star with considerable damage to the Golden Temple — and Novemeber 1984, — Indira Gandhi’s murder at her Sikh bodyguards hands and anti Sikh riots — remain amongst darkest moments in India’s history. Bhindranwale and his terrorists were eliminated in June 1984 by Indian Army commanded by Maj General Kuldip Singh Brar. The terror in Punjab was far from over. Bhindranwale’s loyalists held the state at gun point for more than a decade. Tens of thousands perished including India’s former Army Chief General Arun Shridhar Vaidya and SAD leader Harchand Singh Longowal. It took a daring DGP of Punjab Police KPS Gill(12) to finally put the ISI backed Khalistani terror to bed in India for all times to come.
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was dubbed “security risk”, spoiling ISI’s Khalistan gameplan was the biggest charges levelled against her. Bhutto in her lifetime credited herself for contributing towards the end of Khalistan militancy👇👇👇…
…”If anyone kept the word, it was I, not Rajiv (Gandhi)….How can anyone say I have not kept my promises when the single biggest result of that meeting was the end of the Sikh insurgency”…(11)
The jihadist General Hamid Gul was the ISI head during Bhutto’s first term in the office. Under his watch Pakistan were engaged in formenting the religious extremism not only in Afghanistan and JK but also the Sikh insurgency in Punjab. Gul never forgave Bhutto for the steps she took at that time, she probably gave too much away for ISI’s liking. Speaking to Shahid Masood on Pakistani channel Gul gives some insight to the attack on the Shri Harimandir Sahab.
Gul alleged Bhindranwale and General Shabeg Singh compelled Indian government to attack them in June 1984 after they’ve fortified the Golden Temple. Gul further argued Bhindranwale and General Shabeg Singh felt the attack on the holiest place of Sikhism would mobilise the Sikh masses against India. Gul had penchant for wild conspiracy theories, I believe for once he was not off the mark. There are 4 good reasons to believe Gul’s input.
A) Sikh militants received arms from Pakistanis. Gul was not ISI chief at the time but he was still there at the top. He knew much more than most ever did. Satish Jacob in Shekhar Kapur’s Pradhanmantari series says Bhindranwale disclosed to him that should army attack the Golden Temple he’ll escape to Pakistan through Khalrha and launch a guerilla war against India. Satish can be heard saying this between 37-39 minutes of the link given below👇👇👇…
B) The manner in which Shri Harimandir Sahab was fortified before Indian Army went in. According to Brig Israr Rahim Khan (who was Lt Col back then) Indian Army never lost as many soldiers — 83 of them — in one single night even in wars against Pakistan. At the end of the day Shabeg Singh was the product of Indian Army, he had Bhindranwale’s men well prepared. General Brar had to alter his plans due to the resistence offered. General Brar is a Sikh himself and nobody would want to be in such a position he found himself on that fateful night. A Soldier’s first loyalty lies to his nation and he did not fail in that.
C) Bhindranwale’s fiery speeches from the Harimandir Sahab provoking New Delhi, directly challenging government to lock horns with him.
D) Violence in Punjab. Murders of prominent figures. DIG of Punjab Police Avtar Singh Atwal was shot dead in the Golden Temple in 1983.
The Present
In the current times the Khalistan activists are mainly based in England, US and Canada, led by the Sikh diaspora holding nationalities of those countries. Back home, Punjab is as peaceful as other states in India save JK. Sikhs of Punjab and of other states have no enthusiasm for Khalistan that was witnessed 3 decades back. Sikhs For Justice’s Referendum 2020 rally in London was attended by the England based Pakistani activists and anti India elements hailing from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). British parliamentarian of Pakistani origin Lord Nazir Ahmed endorses Sikhs right to break away from Indian Union. He was present with the Khalistani gang on 12th August. Despite Indian objections, the British Government allowed the anti India rally to go ahead citing that anyone has a right to a peaceful protest. India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar registered India’s concern👇👇👇…
….”We expected the UK government not to allow a group, whose intention is to spread hatred, and impact our bilateral relations. It has been conveyed that the fringe elements were seeking to spread hatred and communal disharmony, propagate secessionism that impinges on India’s territorial integrity,”….(13).
Khalistanis held rallies with the Kashmiri separatists. In connivance with the Pakistani diaspora they conducted anti Modi demonstrations over Prime Minister’s recent England visit.
Pakistan believes the road to Srinagar goes through Amritsar. Navjot Singh Sidhu’s reception in Pakistan and how he was forced to sit next to PoK’s so called President pretty much sums up the Pakistani mentally. I’m not accusing Navjot Singh Sidhu as Khalistani. It is a case of mind games being played by the enemy nation. Pakistan wants to sell the theory of Sikh victimhood in India. Just few days back Pakistani Qamar Cheema on India Today tried to lecture Gaurav Sawant on how India stereotypes against Sikhs👇👇👇…
India needs to be alert but not too worried. Sikhs in the West hold nationalities of the countries they live in, they’re not Indian citizens, legally speaking the Sikh diaspora has no stake in Punjab. They will never come to live in Punjab (Khalistan of their dreams). The proposed Khalistan can only become an issue on hand if there was such a movement inside Punjab, that ain’t the case. Pakistanis and the Sikh diaspora can’t invent a movement. In 1980s the enemy and anti India rogues were partly successful more because of India’s mishandling than their own efforts. Bhindranwale was a Congress prop up who later turned Frankenstein. India should be careful with the activities of Sikh diaspora –those with links to Khalistanis– when they enter India. Another thing which we can do is gather intelligence how many foreign based Sikhs visit Pakistan every year.
Smart move
Pakistanis are wooing India they may allow Sikh pilgrims a visa free entry to visit Kartarpur Sahab. Pakistan’s ill intentions should not be lost on New Delhi and the Punjab government. The devil must be given his due. The year 2019 is very important for India –I don’t mean elections alone– it will be the 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Most of the Khalistani organisation will do it all to cash in on the occasion and that is Pakistan’s next move. Allowing visa free entry means more Sikhs are likely to attend the occasion at Shri Kartarpur Sahab; this will be a perfect platform for Sikhs For Justice and other Khalistani groups to create a mass hysteria in Indians Sikhs presence. Connecting with the Sikhs in India is the next goal of the Khalistanis and that is Pakistan’s gameplan.
Indian response
On the positive side Indian governemnt objected not only to England allowing Khalistanis the go ahead for the rally, we’ve also made it clear to Canada we won’t tolerate attacks on the national unity. Credit must go to Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for sticking to his principled stand against pro Khalistan bent of the West.
On the downside, India must not ignore the ISI’s ability to flare up the communal tensions even amongst the 2 non Muslim religious groups. The case of Jaggi Johal(14) indicates the enemies are trying to flare up religious hatred in Punjab to bring back the old days.
The best way to respond to the Pakistani mischief, India starts supporting the sub nationalist movements of that country. The second thing we can do is whenever Khalistan question is brought to India’s attention we should respond how can there be a Khalistan without Lahore and Nankana Sahab. George Galloway and Lord Nazir Ahmed could be paid back in the same coin, how about Khalistan in Birmingham or Southall? Galloway was seen supporting the calls for Sikh Referendum 2020.
….“I can co-exist with a pig but not with a Punjabi” (1)…even if the swine helps…is India such a demon….we’ll refuse their help….why(?)…to prove we’re good Muslims or good Pakistanis…neither applies (Al Jazeera)…. Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri
Pakistan is facing the its 5th militant insurgency in Balochistan — more deadlier than the previous 4 — that refuses to die down. This time around the Baloch movement is multi-faceted, making it much more effective👇👇👇…Armed struggle spearheaded by almost half a dozen militant wings spread all over Balochistan. Counter measures by Pakistani army.Women contribution to the struggle.Political parties openly pushing for independence. Human rights orgs and BNP_M.Domestic challenges of Pakistan, exploitation and fears of demographic inavsion.Karachi attack
The current insurrection against the Pakistani state spiralled out of control following the killing of the prominent nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation on 26th August 2006 by the regime of the then military dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf. (2). However the militancy — in its sporadic form — began lot earlier than Bugti’s assassination. Sushant Sareen implies — in Balochistan: Forgotten war, Forsaken people — the ongoing resistence started soon after Gen Pervez Musharraf came to power through military coup. The triggers may have been dismissal of Balochistan’s then Chief Minister Akhtar Mengal’s government before Musharraf took over and later implicating Nawab Marri in a murder case after the events of October 1999. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) rocked Quetta with 3 bomb blasts including one at the military cantonment July 2000 (3). That was hardly after 9 months of Musharraf’s coup d’état on 12th October 1999. This militancy is in the 19th year and we’re still counting👇👇👇
…The role of the women
For the first time the women have stepped forward playing their part in the freedom struggle. It appears the inclusion of the women was the brainchild of Dr Nazar, which is now bearing fruit. The women have not picked up the guns but they’re on the streets. Dr Nazar looks lot younger in this video. It is probable this was long before he took up the arms👇👇👇…
The contributions of Farzana Majeed, Sammi Baloch and Seema Baloch were highlighted in Tears of Balochistan. The seasoned campaigner Naila Baloch is best known for highlighthe Baloch case in India. Hafsa Baloch is member BSO-Azad’s South Korea cell👇👇👇…
The young activist Mahrang Baloch (4) — after losing her father — took to the streets for the recovery of her brother and succeeded. The prominent BSO-Azad leader Karima Baloch (5) was the chairperson of her party until 2018. In 2016 Karima was included in BBC’s list of 100 most influential women (6). Bibi Gul Jan and Tayyaba Baloch are chairperson and vice chairperson of Baloch Human Rights Organisation (BHRO) respectively (6a). Hooran Baloch — previously associated with BRP now with VBMP (7) — ridiculed Pakistanis on their faces on Indian channel Times Now.👇👇👇…
Looking at the present day violence only through the prism of forced annexation in 1948 and the subsequent military operations will be an understatement. The illegal occupation is equally matched by the 70 years of economic exploitation of the minerals and resources rich Baloch land for the benefit of Punjab at the expense of the locals. What Sana Baloch — from Akhtar Mengal’s BNP — is explaining below in the 17 minute long video is only the tip of the iceberg. The Urdu words ‘wafaq’ and ‘suba‘ stand for centre and province respectively👇👇👇…
Pakistan’s population is set to exceed 300 million by 2050 (8). Lack of resources, economic development and water shortages will eventually boomerang on the country over next 30 years or so. Sparsley populated Balochistan accounts for less than 6% of the Pakistan’s population but 43% of its total land. The Baloch people fear — justifiably so — they’ll be reduced to a thin minority in their own homeland with the influx of outsiders, mainly Punjabis. For example; the dominant Punjab makes up for 53% of country’s population but only has 25% of its land. What makes it more intriguing is the bulk of Balochistan’s population residing in the small pockets in the far flung areas means more than 90% of Baloch territory has no record of ownership (9). Outsiders purchasing land and displacing locals — with the blessings of Rawalpindi — is already happening in Gwadar (10). One can only imagine what the deep state will do with the undemarcated swaths of territory when they have the nerve to dislocate people from the settled areas. A Baloch friend connected to the nationalist struggle had this to say. 👇👇👇…
Non-violent front
This militant struggle is further legitimised by the mass support and on-ground political struggle. Let’s look at the outfits openly batting for the independence👇👇👇…Baloch Republican Party(11)(BRP) is chaired by Brahumdagh Bugti. Abdul Nawaz Bugti (12) is BRP’s face at United Nations Human Rights CouncilVoice for Missing Baloch Persons(VMBP) is run by Mama Qadeer. Farzana Majeed, Hooran Baloch & Seema Baloch are also associated with VMBP. It is rather a humantarian organisation just like Baloch Human Rights Organisation (13). Their sympathies lie with the freedom fighters.BSO-Azad was established by Dr Nazar in 2002. After him taking to the mountains this organsisation threw up the gems; Zakir Majeed, Zahid Baloch, Shabir Baloch, Qambar Chakar (14) and Sangat Sana (15). The first 3 are were abducted by ISI and are still officially missing. Qambar Chakar and Sangat Sana were brutally assassinated by the agencies.Balochistan National Movement(BNM) is led by Khalil Baloch (15a). Karima Baloch’s spouse Hammal Haidar represents the BNM in the western world. BNM’s founder Ghulam Muhammad Baloch (16) — the legendary martyr — was killed and dumped by the ISI in 2009.
World Baloch Organisation (WBO) had the Pakistani government reeling in 2017 with the ‘Free Balochistan’ adverts flying in London, Manchester, Geneva, New York and Washington. WBO is run by Javed Mengal (Akhtar Mengal’s brother) and his sons Bhawal Mengal and Nurdin Mengal👇👇👇…
The above mentioned parties outrightly reject any compromise with the Pakistani state. They have taken the struggle beyond borders; BRP, BSO-A, BNM, WBO & VMBP have made their presence felt in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, England, Canada, South Korea et al.
Balochistan Awami Party, National Party, Jamhoori Watan Party and BNP-M work within the federation of Pakistan. Needless to say they are collaborators with the enemy save BNP-M. The present Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan’s elders — the feudal lords of Lasbela (17) — were in cahoots with Jinnah at the cost of Baloch independence in 1948. A Baloch friend told this scribe, the 4 Chief Ministers of Balochistan came from this family alone. As mentioned earlier this writer does not subscribe to painting Akhtar Mengal with the same brush as the other quislings. Mengal is not in the parliament in the capacity of a “Pakistani patriot”. His alliance with Imran Khan is conditional👇👇👇….
Given how the deep state operates and Pakistan’s economic woes it is virtually impossible for the puppet Prime Minister Imran Khan living upto his promises even if he sincerely wants to do so. Pakistan Army’s repression — forceful abductions — and accountability over the dealings with Beijing is a no-go zone for the political dispensation. Despite the 18th Amendment (18) the federal government continues plundering the Baloch resources to feed Punjab and to please the Chinese. The generals will not risk the wrath of Beijing for the Baloch people whom they regard as subhumans. Balochistan becomes more significant in overcoming the impending population crisis and dwindling resources of Pakistan, and they’re already working on it. Afghan refugees help maintain demographic imbalance in Balochistan. Secondly, ISI wouldn’t want to upset the Pathans and the Afghan Taliban for their strategic depth. The military will not cave in.
Mengal is not too hopeful Imm the Dim will live up to his promises. Hardly 3 months into the alliance he has already hinted (more than once) at walking out on PTI should they fail in their commitnents. Then why is he in it? Due to lack of meaningful external support Mengal is rather pragmatic. He uses the political platform to vent his frusrtations at the Pakistani federation. He may not endorse the violence of the armed struggle but he sympathises to the idea of independence. BNP-Mengal openly endorses the right of self determination for Balochistan (19)👇👇👇…
The main difference between Dr Nazar and Mengal is the former openly calls for freedom without getting into a nitty-grity of plebicite, the latter chooses his words — “self determination” — carefully knowing fully well the public will vote for the independence. The approach and the choice of words may differ but the objective of Dr Nazar and Mengal remains same. Mengal approaches Pakistan’s “democratic” process anticipating it will serve the Baloch cause better in future should the international scenario ever turn in the favour of the Baloch. As discussed in Tears of Balochistan write-up, BNP-M’s leaders were spotted with the VMBP protests. Naseer Gichki asked for international intervention. Another BNP leader Lashkari Raisani said “Balochistan is not a province but our motherland” (20). On 28th November 2018 Mengal himself reached out to Mama Qadeer and Seema Baloch in Quetta👇👇👇….
The militant groups fighting for the liberation are; Dr Nazar’s Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). Aslam Baloch heads Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Harbiar Marri is often accused of leading BLA but the exiled leader has denied it, similar allegations were levelled towards his younger sibling Mehran Marri controlling United Baloch Army (UBA). Balochistan Republican Army (BRA), Balochistan Republican Guard (BRG) are Lashkar e Balochistan et al make up the violent face of the Baloch resistence. These groups operate thoughout Balochistan hitting at the Pakistan security forces, and, the Chinese interests regularly. Some interesting happenings of 2018 suggests the militancy has come a long way from the previous failures against the might of the Pakistani army. In the past the differences in between the armed wings hampered the progress. This seems to be changing on the ground. On 23 February 2018 BRA announced they have agreed to align together with UBA & Lashkar e Balochistan for the greater cause (21). The even better news came through on 10th November 2018; two of the biggest armed wings BLF and BLA — headed by Dr Nazar and Aslam Baloch respectively — along with BRG announced the formation of an umbrella organisation, Baloch Raaji Aaajohi e Sangar (BRAS) meaning Baloch National Freedom Front (22). The advantages of loose alliance allow the groups to come together when required while maintaining autonomy at the same.
Pakistani repression is not only restricted towards the violent militant groups. ISI’s counter insurgency strategy is multi-pronged. The security forces are guilty of killing and dumping the nationalist activists regardless of whether the victims were involved in militancy or not. Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, Qambar Chakar, Saba Dashtyari (23), Abdul Ghaffar Langov, Sangat Sana, Dr Manan Baloch (23a) and countless others were butchered in a cold blooded manner. None of them were involved in the armed struggle themsleves. In an attempt to weed out the secular nationalist liberation movement Pakistan played their old trump card of political Islam (23b) in Balochistan too. The charity wing of Hafiz Saeed Falah e Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) was encouraged — in the guise of social work — to establish religious schools in Balochistan following the 2013 earthquake. The buck doesn’t stops there. The state has acquired the services of the traitors within the Baloch. To name few Shafiq Mengal (24) and Balochistan’s former Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti (25) run the radical Islamist militant wings — aka death squads (26) — doing the dirty work for the masters in Rawalpindi. The death squads are involved in killing the nationalist activists with the nod of approval from the goons in khaki. These indoctrinated lot pass off as patriots in Pakistani circles (26). Siraj Raisani (now dead) was also on ISI’s payroll, his funeral was attended by Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa himself (27).
Despite Pakistan’s best efforts to render Balochistan an information blackhole the Baloch nationalists are succeding in taking their plight to the outside world (28). The mainstream Pakistani media channels operate in connivance with the ISPR. The media blackout not only allows the GHQ in hide the military excesses but also covering up the daily attacks on Pakistani security forces all over Balochistan by the above mentioned miltant groups (28a). In the age of social media and modern technolgy nothing remains a secret. The Baloch struggle is best highlighted by he nationalist newspapers Daily Sangar and The Balochistan Post. Daily Sangar produces brief videos every week documenting Pakistani atrocities👇👇👇…
The Balochistan Post has an English site for the international audience to benefit from (29). This writer has accessed the Urdu medium sites of the two papers. The political understanding of the activists connected to the papers is laudable. This is not a tribal movement as Pakistani critics of the Baloch movement allege. Daily Sangar even produced a literature on the renowned Indian freedom icon Subhash Chandra Bose (fondly known as Netaji)👇👇👇
….Current scenario
BLA’s attack on Chinese Counsulate in Karachi on 23rd November 2018 sent shockwaves in Islamabad, Beijing amd the world at large. Four days later the BLA chief Aslam Baloch and Dr Nazar warned to more attacks will continue on Chinese and Pakistani interests until the liberation of Balochistan (30). The high profile Karachi attack is the first time the Baloch freedom fighters carried out high profile hit on Pakistan outside Balochistan. 4 months earlier, on 11th August 2018 Rehan Baloch — son BLA chief Aslam Baloch — blew himself up on bus carrying Chinese workers on CPEC projects in Dalbandin, Balochistan — killing 2 Chinese citizens (31). China and Pakistan were more defiant in their responses. In reality, the CPEC is not about the economics but geo-strategic goals of China assisted by Pakistan. The attack on the Counsulate is unlikely to firce Chinese to re-consider its investments. If anything they’re likely to encourage the Pakistanis in stepping up the crackdown in Balochistan to secure the routes. The Karachi attack proves this much the insurgency in Balochistan is far from over. In 2011, (Al Jazeera) the guerilla commander Baloch Khan warned Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi could be the future targets of the Baloch freedom fighters. Has that time arrived? Only a time will tell but the signs are encouraging.
* International interests — particularly of India, China, Afghanistan, US and Iran — were supposed to be analysed but for the length of this article it’s best to skip it for now.
It is not a secret anymore that the planning and execution for demonitization was poles apart. Was it a success or a failure? Well, we won’t dwell into it today, but one thing is for sure, I know all the ATM’s near my areas by heart. Now is that a good thing? It’s pretty harmless actually. It’s funny though, that whenever you say DeMo DeMo repetitively, you hear Modi Modi. It’s like demonitization has become Modi’s second name.
After the 8:15 pm announcement which shook the nation, political parties with unaccounted black money were wiping their tears with the demonitized notes. With Modi’s sudden move all the political party supremos were caught red faced with their pants down .Sources tell us that Mayawati was seen emptying her elephant statues stashed with notes, Akhilesh was buzy fighting with his dad and missed the plot, Mamta was instigating the people of Bengal against Modi, and Rahul was watching “Chota bheem-the movie” on Cartoon Network.
The next day, all of the opposition parties were back to playing various characters of different movies. The most prominent acts was of Rahul Gandhi who played, the ‘Messiah of poor’ and reached at one of the bank to stand in the queue to feel the plight of the common man. The only uncommon thing was he arrived at the bank in a limited edition Range Rover. Talk about common. After all it is common for him to travel in a Range rover. The only uncommon thing he did was standing in the queue, which is a new thing for him. I am sure he must have enjoyed that once in a lifetime experience. When people standing in the queue were asked if this move had angered them, they seemed to welcome the move and were happy to contribute to a greater cause. Was the cause served? maybe not. But Modi’s effort and intention was known to people.
At the backdrop of all this..one gentleman in Mumbai was grinning from ear to ear. His recently lauched company was providing free services to millions of Indian.Yeah! you guessed it right. The name is Ambani. Mukesh Ambani.
India today tested ASAT Missile making it a part of elite club of Space Super Powers. While we rojoice having capability to showcase our force in space, lets find out which other countries have Anti-Satellite Capability.
1. USA :
The USA was finally successful to launch its first space satellite missile om 13th September 1985. The F-15 took off from Edwards Air Force Base climbed to 38,100 feet (11,613 m) and vertically launched the missile at the Solwind, a U.S. gamma ray spectroscopy satellite orbiting at 555 km (345 mi), which was launched in 1979.On February 21, 2008, the U.S. Navy destroyed the malfunctioning U.S. spysatellite USA-193 using a ship-fired RIM-161 Standard Missile
2. Russia :
The world’s first successful intercept was completed in February 1970 by Russia. The first successful test (the second overall) achieved 32 hits (each could penetrate 100mm of armor).
3. China :
On January 11, 2007, the People’s Republic of China successfully destroyed a defunct Chinese weather satellite, FY-1C. The destruction was reportedly carried out by an SC-19 ASAT missile with a kinetic kill warhead similar to that of USA.
4. Israel :
The Arrow 3 or Hetz 3 is an anti-ballistic missile, currently in service. It provides exo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles. It is also believed by experts such as Prof. Yitzhak Ben Yisrael, chairman of the Israel Spy Agency, that it will operate as an ASAT.
The Baloch people are observing the Black Day worldwide to mark the 71st anniversary of the forceful annexation by Pakistan on 27th March 1948.
The first war of independence led by Abdul Karim was fought soon after the occupation. Abdul Karim was the younger brother to the king of Balochistan Ahmed Yar Khan better known as Khan of Kalat. Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah after having initially secured Kalat’s independence from the British — in the capacity of Khan of Kalat’s legal advisor — then betrayed the Baloch trust in him by sending in the military to bring about Balochistan’s annexation against the will of the people. From August 1947 onwards Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s all attempts to coax in the Khan of Kalat came to nothing. The Upper and Lower Houses of the Baloch Parliament unanimously voted against the idea of merging into Pakistan in December 1947 and January 1948.
After realising the Baloch leadership’s unwillingness to surrender their country, the Pakistanis adopted divide and rule policy before the military invasion. Pakistan not only refused to return back leased areas of Balochistan which should’ve been done soon after the British departed; they also started dealing directly with the vassals of Kalat in Makran, Kharan and Lasbela by offering them the same status as that of Khan of Kalat thus breaking away the 300 years old state old by adopting unethical and illegal methods. The treachery of the feudal lords of the said 3 feudotories was no less than that of Jaichand and Mir Qasim in an Indian context. Balochistan’s current Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan is a scion of the feudal lords of Lasbela. The traitors are being rewarded till this very day. After dividing the Baloch with the help of the Quislings the Pakistanis moved in the troops forcing the Khan of Kalat to sign the accession document against the wishes of his people. The first war of independence was launched right away in 1948 followed by 4 more insurrections against the occupying force. The current ongoing uprising is in the 19th year; started in July 2000 in sporadic form and further intensified after Nawab Akbar Bugti’s martyrdom on 26th August 2006.
The Baloch nation has come a long way since 1948. This not a tribal movement restricted to the mountains of the Balochistan. The network of the Baloch activists are spread their all over the world. The Black Day will be observed internationally in US, Germany, England, Australia, Canada, India, Australia and South Korea. This time the Baloch have friends from the other oppressed nationalities within Pakistan. Altaf Hussain the leader of the Muhajirs announced on 26th March 2019 that his MQM will be marking the occasion in solidarity with the Baloch. The Pathans connected to Manzoor Pashteen’s PTM are also sympathetic to the Baloch struggle. The Baloch organisations such as Free Balochistan Movement, Baloch National Movement, Baloch Republican Party, BSO Azad et al are all participating in taking their voice to all the capitals of the world. The Baloch leaders and activists Karima Baloch, Bibi Mahdim Baloch, Mehran Marri, Hammal Haider, Bhawal Mengal, Harbiar Marri, Brahumdagh Bugti, Farzana Majeed, Abdul Nawaz Bugti, Hafsa Baloch et al are contributing to the cause globally.
Domestically along with the armed outfits the flame of freedom is kept alive by Khalil Baloch, Mama Qadeer, Seema Baloch, Muhammad Ali Talpur and Hooran Baloch. Even Akhtar Mengal’s BNP calls for Balochistan’s self determination in their manifesto.
Pakistan’s selected Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan’s on the verge of discovering oil reserves in the Arabian Sea. More than 700 kilometres of Pakistan’s coast (out 900 km in total) belongs to Balochistan. Provided if Imran Khan’s claims turn out to be true this can have some serious ramifications for Pakistan’s neighbours especially India and Afghanistan. Regardless of what the bleeding heart liberals in India may say we should stop being humbugged by the oft repeated bumkum ‘stronger Pakistan means stronger India’. A stronger Pakistan both militarily and economically is not in India’s interests. Post Partition Pakistan was economically more viable than India until India liberalized its economy in 1991. In that period we got 3 wars and the Jihadist terror in the Kashmir Valley all initiated by Pakistan. Even in 1971 we waited for Pakistan to fire the first bullet which they did on 3rd December 1971.
Discovery of oil may force the International community to take more interest in the Baloch cause. India is world’s largest democracy and located in Balochistan’s vicinity should step up to play her role for the rights of the Baloch nation. Once New Delhi’s starts speaking up the world will have to listen to the Baloch plight as India’s renowned diplomat G Parthasarthy has said. India should adopt both covert and overt methods to assist the Baloch people to secure the lasting peace and stability in the region.
PM Modi on weďnesday announced that India is now a part of elite space super power club after successful test of ASAT Missile.
The mission is known as ‘Shakti’ and it has put us along the league of US, Russia and China making us emerge as the 4th Super Power in the world.
PM Modi said that #Mission Shakti was not against any country and the satellite had a predetermined target orbiting at around 300 km. Shooting down a low orbiting satellite is a rare achievement for the country.
The elusive mission was led by DRDO and it amied at strengthening the security of the country. In a press conference, during the 97th Indian Science Congress in Trivandrum, Director of DRDO, Gen. Rupesh had announced about the development of the said technology. The commencement of the mission had started on February 10, 2010. PM Modi said that Mission Shakti was a complex one and its success showed the dexterity of our scientists and our capability.
The difficult to achieve #MissionShakti was acheived in 3 minutes of its launch.
Anti Satellite weapon are specialised space weapons that have the capability of intercepting and destroying the satellites of another country during a conflict. Although till now no such system has been used in warfare, several nations have shot down their own satellites in a show of force.
India has long been in troubled neighbourhood, with surrounded by hostile expansionist super power like China and nuisance of terrorism like Pakistan. With this technology being acquired, India will be able to decimate satellites for pure military and strategic purposes. It will also strengthen our position in Geopolitical world, there by boosting our eligibility for UNSC membership.
This mission has fully strengthened India’s position as 4th superpower of the World, thereby putting all power playing of other nations to rest.
Hindus are facing genocide in Pakistan and not one International Organisation has talked about it. When partition happened Hindus were almost 20% in Pakistan, now they have been reduced to less than 2 percent.
This clear genocide of Hindus is happening right under the nose of International Organisations and no one bats an eye. India itself adressed this issue 70 years later when Sushma Swaraj, India MEA finally tweeted about fate of Hindus in Pakistan when two girls were abducted, raped and forcefully converted. This has caused an uproar in India as well as Pakistani Society. But this is not the only case.
There are millions of Hindus in Pakistan facing discrimination, harassment and silent genocide at the hands of state.
We know its too hard for you to take time from your schedule, but we insist, just for two minutes…watch this video and before u say India is mistreating its minorites, do watch, what real mistreatment of minorities looks like : https://youtu.be/FBFiHZHv4Bc
With the introduction of an “informal rule” by the BAI (Badminton Association of India) many of the Indian top badminton players are facing it difficult to find financial assistance and have to put up their own money to participate in international tournaments like the Super Series and Grand Prix.
According to the rule, only the top 25 of the BWF are eligible for the financial assistance. Due to this, many of the top players in the national team have written a letter to the BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma.
According to information received, most of the senior players have expressed their dissatisfaction for not receiving any financial assistance which is burning a hole in their pockets. What’s more interesting, is that the rule has been conveyed to them verbally and there is nothing in writing.
BAI says that they plan on abolishing this practice as they enter into a three year partnership with with the Reliance Foundation and the incoming money from the sponsorship will help all those second line of players who are affected by this top-25 ranking rule.
Just today Feminism in India featured this article on their site :
It all looked like giving a free passage to being obese and being proud about it. Although we have nothing against the respected lady who wrote the article, but for Feminism In India handle to promote it and call those genuinely concerned about obesity and its implications on health as ‘fatphobes’ is disgraceful to say the least.
Body Positivity sure must be encouraged. But to not only support and encourage obesity but also label others who warn about its hazards from an handle that claims to stand for rights of women sets a dangerous precedent. So there is a need to counter this factless argument of fatphobia.
Whether people like it or not, obesity is real and yes it has implications on health of people especially women in worst way.
Dr. Frank who is an MD has clearly stated adverse effects of obesity on a woman’s health in the following article :
In this article he states, “Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is central to the metabolic syndrome and is strongly related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. Obese women are particularly susceptible to diabetes, and diabetes, in turn, puts women at dramatically increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).” He has also stated all other worse implications of obesity on health of women as the article progresses.
According to National Family Health Survey 2005-2006, problem of obesity is acute among women than men. Around 23% of India’s ubran women are said to be obese or overweight. It is viewed to be double by coming years. In such a situation, where India is facing two contrast problems of malnutrition and obesity, it is expected of respected platforms like Feminism in India to be more vigilant and careful regarding the issues they support and promote.
It is a fact that obesity has direct effect on women’s fertility and also plays a catalyst’s role in development of conditions of PCOS. According to Middle East fertility Science Journal around 10% of women suffer from PCOS.
Although we agree that Body Positivity should be promoted. Every woman should be able to love the way she was born and embrace her sexuality and her body shape but that does not give a lisence to promote obesity. Obesity and anorexia both are worse and both should collectively be condemned making sure women are made known of their ill effects.
So dear, Feminism in India, if you call yourselves as torch bearer of Women’s issues, next time be careful of who and what you promote. To quote Uncle Ben, “With Great Power, comes Great Responsibility.”
Jaya Prada, Veteran top actress of Bollywood joined BJP on tuesday. Prior to joining BJP she was a Samajwadi Party member.
On Joining BJP Jaya briefed the media, “This is a significant moment for me. Be it cinema or politics, I have worked with all my heart and dedicated my life to it. Thankful to the BJP for this respect”.
She was inducted by BJP General Sectretary Bhupendra Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni and another veteran political leader.
Jaya Prada is likely to contest again Azam Khan of Samajwadi Party from Rampur of Uttarpradesh.
Today in a press conference held by Congress Party, Rahul gandhi, the President of the party, announced ‘Nyay for India scheme’, where in 5 crore of India’s poorest farmer families will receive 72,000 per year.
Although on the out it looks like an election lollilop, if scratch you it a bit, it has a very huge potential for setting a very dangerous precedent.
First and the foremost is that it will give rise to freeloading culture, there by making more and more people unemployed if they were to receive Rs.6000 per month by doing nothing.
Secondly, Rs.72000 to 5 Crore families, will amount to 15% of India’s GDP. Has Congress given us any plan how it plans to implement it? Taking out such a huge sum from country’s GDP at a stage where economy is booming and one wrong step will make us go back to 20 years before.
Making 15% of India’s GDP to go to nothing, will demand reducing India’s defence budget, which at this crucial juncture and taking into consideration the geopolitical scenario is suicide.
PPP will get reduced by around 8-9% reducing HDI , which will again put a large protion of population below poverty line.
If Congress were to implement this scheme, it will not only make economy stagnant, but will also produce a huge chunk of population doing nothing to fed by another huge chunk of Population doing everything
‘Nyay for India’ is another one of the ideas from a socialist mind that has huge potential to turn India into Venezuela.
Pakistan shot its own fighter jet on Sunday. The Chinese Air Defence system launched by Pakistan, detected an intrusion in its airspace and shot down a plane.
Sadly ,it was its own JF-17 Thunder, one of the fighter jets given by China to Pakistan. The incident happened in Multan killing its Pilot, PAF WC Mahmmod.
The story was broken on twitter by an handle called Intel Monk who put up a video of the incident.
Congress’s major alliance partner in Maharashtra, NCP, in a shocking development has put ‘Talks with Pakistan on terror’ in its election manifesto.
NCP Leader, Malik Rehman, when asked said, “”We will open talks with Pakistan during which we will insist on discussing terrorism. We will work to move Russia away from getting too close to China and Pakistan by frequent high level exchanges,”
Another NCP Leader, Majid Memon has also said that, “Retaliating to Pakistan can only escalate, to have normal relations we need to hold talks. Having talks does not mean we will surrender to them.”
In a situation, where in INC was claiming it did 15 ‘Surgical Strikes” without making a news about it, for its alliance partner to take such a contrast stand on the issue, is little surprising.
What would these complete opposite takes on an important issue of National Security would mean for both the parties in alliance, is up for speculation.
After two years of constant accusations against President Trump and following investigation, the Robert Mueller report is finally out.
U.S President Donald Trump, right from getting elected was accused of colluding with Russia to win the elections. After two years of constant criticism and speculations, the Trump has finally emerged victorious.
What would this conclusion mean to Liberals of America is yet to be known, but Trump’s eviction will surely be a boon to the Republicans.
US Attorney General in a letter to Congress has stated that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has found out that President Trump or any other officialls from the Trump campaign did not knowingly conspire with Russia.
We are muslims but it is not necessary…we should lose our freedom and merge with others. If the mere fact that we are Muslims requires us to join Pakistan then Afghanistan and Iran…should also amalgamate with Pakistan (1)… Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo (1947)
This part tackles the Baloch national question through the lens of the ideology of Pakistan and the first 4 armed conflicts between the Baloch and Pakistan. The current uprising which intensified after Nawab Akbar Bugti’s assasination will be dealt with in the second part.
Pakistan fits in the category of a state without a nation. What makes a nation? There’s no such thing as Pakistani culture, language, music, jewellery, clothes, music, poetry et al. The country lacks all the attributes of a nation. Pakistan’s lack of national identity is best summed up by the words of Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri; “in reality it’s (Pakistan) not even there” (2). Do the Baloch have sense of history to be the masters of their destiny? This is best answered by Akhtar Mengal’s father and Balochistan’s ex Chief Minister Sardar Ata Ullah Mengal👇👇👇…
Conflicting narratives
Pakistani nationalism rests on anti India hatred — especially for its Hindu majority — and, on the glorification of the Muslim invaders pillaging their way through India over 1000 years. In reference to the Hindu – Muslim divide Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 23rd March 1940 remarked, “very often the hero of one is a foe of the other (3).” Under closer scrutiny this line is more applicable to the Baloch – Pakistan relations than it were to the Hindus and Muslims in India. What do the Baloch think of Pakistani “heroes”? The Baloch and Balochistan book is a must read👇👇👇…
The Baloch nationalist Naseer Dashti (4 VL) — in the opening 8 chapters of the book — records all the resistence the Baloch tribesmen put up against nearly all the marauders the Pakistanis worship as saviours of Islam. From Muhammad Bin Qasim to the Mughals, the Baloch confronted most of them. They actually cherish their forefathers valour against the marauding hordes. In the eyes of the Baloch all Pakistani “heroes” are the enemies. The quote below is from a Baloch friend of this scribe👇👇👇…
The clashes with Persians, Arabs, Turks, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Afghans, Mughals, British and Pakistanis in the longer run reinforced the sense of belonging to the Baloch nationhood over the Islamist theocracy. This relatively less known history is often glossed over by the Pakistanis and mostly overlooked by the Indians following the Baloch movement.
During the foreign Muslim occupation of India, the country of the Baloch even in the worst of the times enjoyed autonomous status from the powers of days dominating India and Persia. The British control over Balochistan was not direct. Ata Ullah Mengal said “British were so behind the scene the common man couldn’t have noticed their presence”. The Baloch never participated in the Pakistan movement, they admired the Kalat State National Party’s anti colonial struggles instead of the polarization of the Muslim League. Ironically the political Baloch movement predates even the coinage of “Pakistan” (in 1933). Anjuman-i-Ittehad-i-Balochan-wa-Balochistan the first nationalist political party was established in 1930 (5). The early Baloch nationalists were educated in Indian institutions, they were inspired by Congress led anti colonial movement. Anjuman’s successor Kalat State National Party leadership were closely linked to the Indian National Congress not with the Muslim League in 1940s (6). If the world is to defy all the scholarly interpretations of a nation-state and agree to Pakistan’s distorted version of nationalism, the Baloch would still fail to fit in with the idea of Pakistan. The writing is on the wall. Pakistan’s own national narrative is antithesis to everything the Baloch nation stands for. Unlike the artificial entity created in 1947 the Baloch can refer to the 17th century state of Kalat as the historical basis of their claims.
Direct confrontation
Following the British departure Balochistan has remained in a continuous rebellion vis-a-vis Pakistani state. The Baloch rose five times against Pakistani occupiers since the forced annexation of 27th March 1948. The uprisings produced the heroes and martyrs for the cause. The names of Abdul Kareem, Nawab Nouroz Khan (7), Ata Ullah Mengal, Bizenjo, Nawab Marri, Asad Ullah Mengal, Sher Muhammad Marri (8) et al have become synonymous with the fast evolving liberation struggle. In the contemporary times Balach Marri, Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, Saba Dashtyari, Harbiar Marri, Brahumdagh Bugti, Aslam Baloch and Dr Allah Nazar Baloch (aka Dr Nazar) and many others taken over the mantle from the elder generation icons.
Saviours and tormentors
Pakistan’s tallest leaders and military dictators are despised to the core in Balochistan.
Abdul Kareem’s first war of independence in 1948 not only secured his position in the annals of Baloch history but also cemented Jinnah’s reputation as liar, backstabber and occupier (9). The double dealings of Jinnah were highlighted by this writer in Why Balochistan should not be equated with the Princely States (10). Two violent insurgencies (1958 and 1963) were triggered in Ayub Khan’s dictatorship; the legends of Nawab Nouroz Khan and guerilla commander Sher Muhammad Marri were the direct outcomes of the heavy-handedness of Pakistan’s first military dictator. Ayub Khan’s dictatorship also oversaw the founding of the politically motivated Baloch Students Organisation in 1967, best known as BSO, which set the stage for the future (11). Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto fares no better. Bhutto dismissed Balochistan’s elected local government in 1973 resulting in the 4th uprising that lasted 4 years and leaving thousands dead (12). In opposition to Bhutto the Baloch masses identified Nawab Marri and Sardar Ata Ullah Mengal the national heroes upholding the Baloch values. In the 1987 Channel 4 documentary Baluchistan: the gathering storm, the common tribesmen can be seen singing the ballads of the Baloch legends against Pakistani Army. Check in between 14-15 minutes and then at 41 minutes, with the English subtitles👇👇👇…
In the contemporary times Pervez Musharraf and his successors Ashfaq Kayani, Raheel Sharif and Qamar Javed Bajwa are the butchers of Balochistan and that’s exactly how they’re perceived by the people. No nation celebrates its butchers save Pakistanis. From 1948 the successive Pakistani rulers defined the Baloch mational heroes as turncoats and traitors. Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo is just one example of the many (13). The coward absconder Pervez Musharraf can be seen belittling Nawab Akbar Bugti’s character👇👇👇…
None of the national days of Pakistan are celebrated in Balochistan. 27th March (14) is observed as the day of occupation by the Baloch people. Balochistan’s independence date 11th August (15) differs from the 14th August celebrated by the Pakistanis, though Pakistan became independent on 15th August 1947. 6th September is annually observed as Defence Day by Pakistanis in ignorance of the imagined “victory” over India in the war of 1965. The Baloch Martyrs Day falls on 13th November (16) in remembrance of the fallen warriors went down fighting the British in 1839, including the Baloch ruler Mahrab Khan. Most of the Pakistanis are unaware who Mahrab Khan was. 26th August 2006 and 21st November 2007 (17) hold significance for the Baloch in tribute to the valour of Nawab Akbar Bugti and Balach Marri respectively. Both stalwarts gave the supreme sacrifice fighting Pakistan. The importance of 3 dates; 27th March 1948, 26th August 2006 and 21st November 2007 matters more because the adversary is none other than Pakistan itself. The artificial entities can not last forever. Nationhood can never be realised on the utopian ideas. The Baloch had set the ball rolling from 1948. Pathans and Muhajirs have joined the party. Sindhis are lurking in the shadows. Muhammad Ali Jinnah must be turning in his grave.
A 14 year old Hindu girl was forcibly abducted and converted in Mirpurkas city of Pakistan’s Sindh. Sonia Bhel was abducted from her house, raped and made to convert and marry her rapist.
Sonia’s family and many other members from Pakistan’s Hindu Community have staged protest. So far no action has been taken by Sindh Government against the perpetuators.
Naila Inayat, A Pakistan based journalist, took to twitter to report the alleged abduction and conversion.
Rahul Gandhi this time will contest from Wayanad apart from Amethi. This move is being perceived by many as a defensive due to fear of losing to Ms.Irani in Amethi. To make the contest far more competetive and nail biting, BJP is making arrangements to make Smriti Irani contest from Wayanad too.
Traditionally the seat was given to BJDS an alliance partner of the BJP in NDA. Now senior BJP leaders are hinting at talks being going on to get the seat to BJP Candidate. If everything goes as planned it would be Rahul vs Smriti in Wayanad too.
As 2019 Loksabha Elections come near, so the political commentaries and game-playing from both sides, BJP and Congress. With all the talks rounding around Farmers, Employment, Rafale, Patriotism debate and all the conundrums with counter and replies, one block which seems to be not talked of or conveniently ignored are the first time voters: the Millennials. Being from the widely ignored illustrious group I thought it would be good to speak and let my voice heard.
Most of us grew in shadow of talks and accusations of Congress’s corrupt nature and country desperately searching for an option to the corrupt, dynastic and nepotistic Grand Old Party, and when 2014 happened, country got the ‘Messiah’ in the form of Narendra Damodardas Modi, a leader with most humble background whose rise is testimony to fact of our rich democracy and country’s undying spirit to rise from the ashes like a phoenix. After five years of Modi, although I will agree we haven’t got all that was promised to us, but not one non-political person will deny the fact that that this government has been by far one of the most clean governments in India’s 70 years Independence history. The Opposition has been on back foot whirling around same old issues of farmers and unemployment. The opposition hasn’t been able to counter Modi on the real fresh issues. By far there are no serious corruption allegations against the current government. Rafale is almost dead and Modi’s popularity keeps on soaring.
PM Modi’s most successful project is the push for Digital India and Swacch Bharat Abhiyan. According to me these both projects are the most yielding and have reached the masses. Five years back, apps like BHIM, Digital Complaints etc were a dream. PM Modi’s interaction on Social Media is wonderful. People love how he is active on twitter, Instagram, Facebook totally contrast to his preceder, Mr. Manmohan Singh, whom we have almost never heard. People, especially youth identify with him, connect with him in a way, they haven’t done with any PM, except for maybe PM Nehru. With his “Mann ki Baat”, PM makes each n every Indian feel important, connects with them cultivates a sense of responsibility in regards to the Nation building.
Coming to the Foreign Policy, I think India has never been so much active on International forum. Visiting almost every country, PM Modi has made sure India had active diplomatic relations around the world. That was visible in current happenings regards to Masood Azhar saga, when each n every country supported India against Pakistan except for China and also during the aftermath of Pulwama attacks. Most illustrious win of this government according to me was when Sushma Swaraj was invited as ‘Guest of Honor to a fairly traditional and beaurocratic OIC, and Pakistan, one of its founding members, was left red-faced and ignored after threatening to withdraw as a protest against India’s invitation.
Coming to economy, Demonetization surely was a very bold move, but aftermath has been fairly yielding. Country’s economy is blooming at the rate of 7-8 %, the highest in the world, surpassing China. It was during this government’s tenure that we have surpassed France to be the fifth largest economy in the World. According to Spectator Index, India’s economy is all set to surpass that of U.S by 2030, if the current growth rate sustains.
In science and technology sector too we have seen wonderful growth. With ISRO’s high profile Mars Mission being a great success, there is surely going to be enormous boom in the space sector. Many new IITs and IIMs have been started, giving opportunities to many youngsters to be a part of the illustrious institutions. Literacy rate is growing and age old practices and societal evils are declining.
PM Modi has always projected himself as a tough man who gets shit done. So it is natural for him to be under continuous scrutiny pertaining to National Security. With two surgical strikes on his curriculum vitae and diplomatic offensive against our troubled terrorist neighbor, PM Modi has shown that under his rule, India is not going to take any attack on its soil lightly. The Balakot airstrike which became death warrant for Pakistan’s beloved 300 terrorists have put India’s image from being a soft power, to a strong and not to be messed with nation. It surely has strengthened the morale of Indian Armed Forces, which uptil now were restraining from replying to Pakistan in a language it understands due to lack of political will.
After all this achievements, I would have still considered looking for an option to Modi, had Rahul Gandhi, not questioned the surgical strikes, not one, but both of them. And how can I forget his hobnobbing with Chinese Diplomats during Doklam standoff when India was on verge of going to war with the Dragon. If that is not anti-national, I don’t know what is! And I don’t know about those confused souls who say, “Nationalism is the refuge of a scoundrel”, atleast I want my Prime Minister to be a nationalist, and if that means being a scoundrel, I will wear that tag as a badge of honor.
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