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Archives for August 2018

BJP to suffer major losses in 2019: Kejriwal

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said people are unhappy with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which will cause it to suffer major losses in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) head also said the common man is angry with the BJP for “creating hurdles” in the works of the Delhi government under him.

“The public is not very happy with the BJP MPs. They are all the more angry with the party as it has created hurdles in the works of the Delhi government. The BJP will suffer major losses in 2019,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Four killed, six injured in lighting in West Bengal

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Four persons, including two schoolchildren, were killed and six others injured in three lighting strikes in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Sunday, police said.

Two schoolkids and a fisherman died when lightning struck them while playing football in Mahishmari area of Sagar island. Five others were battling for their lives in serious condition in a rural hospital.

One fisherman was killed in the Patharpratima community development block.

Another person sustained serious injury in Raidighi community development block when he was struck by lightning.

4,225 people rescued in flood-hit Kodagu amid rains

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A total of 4,225 marooned people have been rescued so far in Karnataka’s flood-hit Kodagu district even as incessant rains continued to hamper relief work, said an official on Sunday.

“Though the intensity of rainfall has reduced, the rainfall remained unabated. As of 3 p.m., 4,225 people in Kodagu district have been rescued and brought to safety through joint operations by state and central agencies,” a statement from the state disaster management authority said.

Of the rescued, 3,601 are staying in 36 relief shelters in the district.

The unabated rains, leading to flooding and landslips, have claimed eight lives so far in the region, the statement added.

The authorities, however, did not reveal the number of people stranded across the hilly district as communication lines were snapped due to landslides and damage to networks.

Several hundreds are suspected to be stranded in the district’s towns and villages on hilltops, which have been cut off due to landslides and damaged roads.

Located in the Western Ghats mountain ranges, this coffee-growing district, about 270 km from Bengaluru, is the worst-hit due to the south-west monsoon rains since June first week.

About 123 km of roads are estimated to be damaged due to the rains, while more than 800 homes have been destroyed. Most of the district’s arterial roads have been damaged due to landslides, delaying the rescue operations, officials said.

The heavy rains in coastal district of Dakshina Kannada have claimed one life, forcing nearly 800 people to live in temporary shelters, the statement added.

Over 60 people have been stranded in Mukkodlu village of Kodagu district, but airlifting them has not been possible due to the bad weather, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had earlier said.

About 50 Dogra Regiment soldiers, 12 expert naval divers, 62 officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 750 fire services officials and Home guards with boats and hundreds of volunteers have been carrying out relief work in the district.

In all, 1,194 specialised rescuers from state and central agencies are on job.

“Bread and other dry eatables and rations have been airdropped in the inaccessible villages of the district,” the statement said.

The Chief Minister on Sunday toured across the district and visited relief camps and affected villages in the district.

Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister H.D. Revanna and district in-charge minister Sa Ra Mahesh visited the villages and towns severely affected by the flood.

About 300 people were rescued on Saturday, including 30 senior citizens and 50 children.

Hundreds of volunteers from state capital Bengaluru and across the state have been gathering relief material, including dry food, water, milk, clothing, medicines, etc., which are being sent to those in the temporary shelters.

Over the last 24 hours, the district received an average rainfall of 5.4 cm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Few parts of the district received rain upto 11.5 cm.

The rainfall, however was “moderate” from the earlier “very heavy” rains the district received till Friday, the IMD said.

The water being released from Harangi reservoir in the district across Harangi river, one of Cauvery’s tributaries, has been adding to the flooding of towns and villages in the region.

The state-run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Sunday resumed all its intra-state bus services towards Kodagu and Mangaluru and inter-state services towards Kerala.

The bus services were suspended in the past few days to Kodagu, Mangaluru and flood-hit Kerala due to the landslips and damaged roads caused by the rains.

The South Western Railway’s (SWR) train services were, however, cancelled or partially suspended and diverted between Yesvantpur in Bengaluru and Kochuveli in Thiruvananthapuram, Mangaluru to Karwar in Uttara Kannada due to landslides and floods.

The SWR on Sunday transported relief material including water, food, milk and clothing for thousands of people living in shelters in neighbouring Kerala via train from Bengaluru.

PM assures flood-hit Karnataka help in rescue, relief works

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of help in the rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit Kodagu district, said an official statement.

“Modi called up Kumaraswamy and assured him of all help in rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Kodagu district,” said the statement from the Chief Minister’s camp office at Madikeri, about 270 km from Bengaluru.

Kumaraswamy, who has been camping in the district since Saturday to supervise the operations, briefed Modi on the flood situation in the rain-hit district and how the Army, Navy and National Disaster Response Force were coordinating the efforts.

Modi earlier tweeted that he spoke to Kumaraswamy from New Delhi on the flood situation in the affected district.

“Extended all possible support in the rescue and relief operations. I pray for the safety and well-being of those in the flood affected areas,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Kumaraswamy also briefed President Ram Nath Kovind on the rescue work in the district when the latter called on him from New Delhi earlier in the day.

“The Chief Minister informed the President that the Indian Army, Navy and other state and central agencies have rescued over 3,500 people so far,” the statement noted.

Around 4,225 marooned people were rescued till Sunday evening from towns and villages across the district despite incessant rains hampering the operation.

Of the rescued, 3,601 are staying in 36 relief shelters in the district and efforts were on to reach others stranded on hilltops.

Located in the southern Western Ghats mountain range, the coffee-growing district is the worst-hit by the monsoon rains since June’s first week.

The incessant rains have caused flooding and landslips across the region, damaging the arterial roads.

Four held for killing man during brawl over petty issue

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Four persons, including two juveniles, have been arrested on charge of killing a man and injuring his cousin on Sunday in west Delhi, police said.

“The two had gone out of their house around 1.30 a.m. in Vijay Vihar and asked a group of youths about a shop. The four accused were drunk and picked up a fight with them,” a police official said.

He said that the victims were attacked with a knife. One of the two injured was declared brought dead at hospital.

Vajpayee cremated with full military honours

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Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away here at AIIMS on Thursday at age 93, was on Friday cremated with full military honours at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where people turned out in tens of thousands to pay their final tributes.

Vajpayee’s foster-daughter Namita lit the funeral pyre amidst the chanting of vedic hymns and firing of a 21-gun salute by soldiers.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a galaxy of political leaders cutting across party lines and foreign dignitaries joined the rest of the nation in bidding adieu to the departed leader at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a designated spot for the last rites of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers, on the banks of Yamuna river.

In keeping with the military honours, three service chiefs placed wreaths on the body of Vajpayee before leaders paid their floral tributes.

The tricolour that was wrapped around Vajpayee’s body was removed and given to his foster granddaughter Niharika after which the body was handed over to the family for last rites.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, veteran BJP leaders and Vajpayee’s long-time associates L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress President Rahul Gandhi were present at the funeral.

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai led foreign dignitaries including Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Sri Lanka’s Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in paying homage.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and Anand Sharma, Lok Sabha Deputy Speker M. Thambidurai, former Union Minister A. Raja, MDMK chief Vaiko and TMC leader Dinesh Trivedi were among who witnessed the performance of the last rites.

A few thousand people, some of whom chanted slogans hailing the late leader, thronged the Smriti Sthal as the last rites took place.

Earlier, tens of thousands of commoners joined Modi and BJP President Amit Shah in the final journey to bid adieu to Vajpayee as the former Prime Minister’s body was being taken to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.

Vajpayee, who passed away at AIIMS on Thursday evening, had a pan-India appeal and his flair for foreign policy and initiatives were acknowledged globally.

The country observed a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader was decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff.

After CWG setback, squash star Ghosal ready to hit top gear at Asiad

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After enduring a disappointing Commonwealth Games (CWG) singles campaign, India’s top-ranked squash player Saurav Ghosal feels he has recovered from the setback and is ready to put his best foot forward at the upcoming Asian Games.

Ghosal suffered a shock ouster from the second round in singles at Gold Coast earlier this year.

Although he made amends by winning his first CWG medal, a silver in mixed doubles with Dipika Pallikal, it was some controversial refereeing in the final that left both the players high and dry.

“Over the summer I have done a few things which are new to my game. I have gone to David Palmer (coach). So it’s helping me stay invested,” Ghosal told IANS in an interview.

“It’s like a mini-challenge whenever I go on to court, trying to execute stuff I am working on. So I am happy with my enthusiasm now, and if I can do that then I think it puts me in a good position to win matches. That’s what you really want to do,” he said.

The Asian Games gold has always eluded Ghosal. He came close to winning it in the previous three editions of the quadrennial event but had to eventually settle for bronze at the 2006 Doha and 2010 Guangzhou Games.

Ghosal’s best chance was at the Incheon Games four years back. In the end, he settled for a historic silver.

In the men’s team event in 2014, Ghosal led India to gold.

“I have done what I have done in the last three Asian games and that is always going to stay with me. There is a lot to be proud of,” said Ghosal who reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 14 in February this year.

About the team’s chances, Ghosal said there are a lot of in-form players in the ranks and that should hold India in good stead.

“Winning the team title last time was not easy but we won it. Defending it is also not going to be easy.

“We have a strong team, but I don’t think we are going to be seeded No. 1. We are probably going to be seeded 2 or 3. Hong Kong will be seeded one. All the players in our team right now are really strong but it’s a question of them showing up in that week and playing to their potential.”

Ghosal, who celebrated his 32nd birthday recently, is not sure whether this would be his last Asian Games or not, but added laying a hand on the yellow metal has been the aim since the 2010 Asian Games.

“Of course I want to win the gold. Especially in the last two (Games), 2010 and 2014… that was the aim with which I went in.

“It’s no different this time around. I think I need to focus on the things I want to do and the way I want to do them. I need to take care of the process and the end result will take care of itself.”

After the personal low at the CWG, Ghosal has now decided to not just focus on doing well at the Asian Games but also for the rest of the season on the Tour.

“I think I can have a good crack at the PSA season moving forward. So I am quite excited about doing that as well. Hopefully, the results will come with the level of performance I think I can produce,” Ghosal signed off on way to Chennai.

The Indian team is to assemble in Chennai for a small camp before leaving for Indonesia which is hosting the continental games in Jakarta and Palembang.

Men: Saurav Ghosal, Harinder Pal Sandhu, Ramit Tandon and Mahesh Mangaonkar

Sidhu arrives in Pakistan for Imran Khan’s swearing in

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Former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived in Pakistan on Friday to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan.

Sidhu reached Lahore via Wagah border and will arrive here for the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Saturday.

Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Sidhu said: “I have come to Pakistan on my friend’s (Imran) invitation. These are very special moments.”

“Athletes and artists erase distances (between countries)… I have come here bearing the message of love, and prayers for Pakistanis,” he added.

“Hindustan jeevey, Pakistan jeevey!” Sidhu chanted as he welcomed the “change” in the country brought about by the advent of the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.

Khan is expected be sworn in as Prime Minister on August 18 after his party swept the July 25 general elections.

Earlier this week, former Indian captain Kapil Dev said he will not be attending the oath-taking ceremony, citing “personal reasons”.

Dev was one of the three cricketers from India invited to attend Khan’s swearing-in ceremony, along with Sidhu and Sunil Gavaskar.

Gavaskar had also conveyed to Khan that he would not be able to attend the event due to prior work commitments.

Agnivesh attacked on way to BJP office to pay his last respects to Vajpayee

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Swami Agnivesh was allegedly heckled and assaulted near the BJP headquarters here today by some people, who the social activist said were BJP workers when he was on his way to pay homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

A video of the alleged attack that circulated on social media showed some people heckling the 79-year-old social activist.

“I was attacked while walking towards BJP headquarters to pay my respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Around 20-30 BJP workers came and surrounded me and pushed me. My pagdi fell down and they started calling me a traitor,” Agnivesh told reporters.

“They pushed me towards the Vishnu Digamber roundabout and kept abusing me. Some policemen were standing there but these persons, including some women, carrying slippers, kept abusing me,” he added. The social activist claimed that he had informed BJP leader and Union minister Harsh Vardhan before visiting there and will be lodging a formal complaint with the police about the assault.

“The police have so far not reached out to me. I will be filing a police complaint. I was attacked earlier also and no arrests have been made in the case. There is an atmosphere of violence and intolerance,” he said. Last month, he was allegedly assaulted by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists, during his visit to Pakur in Jharkhand.

Vajpayee: The second reformer India needed, and got

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Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a member of parliament for almost half a century. Right from the start, he left an indelible impression on Indian politics through his fine oratory skills.

In fact, his maiden speech in parliament impressed the formidable Jawaharlal Nehru so much that while introducing Vajpayee to a visiting foreign dignitary he reportedly said: “This young man one day will become the country’s prime minister.” When Nehru’s prophetic words did come true, he went on to become the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete an entire term.

His stint in office is remembered for a variety of reasons. Less than two months after he assumed office in 1998, he approved the tests that made India a nuclear weapons state. Another highlight of his tenure has been his indefatigable efforts to make peace with Pakistan despite repeated setbacks with the Kargil war and the 2001 attack on parliament.

But, a less recognised fact is that he was also India’s second economic reformer after P.V. Narasimha Rao, who had opened up the Indian economy in 1991 after decades of protectionism and state-control.

When the BJP came into power in 1998, there was widespread scepticism among investors about the new government reversing the economic policies of the Narasimha Rao government and becoming more protectionist in nature. These fears were not unfounded.

A few years ago, when Narasimha Rao had pushed for India’s membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent body of the BJP, had vehemently criticised the move, arguing that it would expose domestic firms to unmanageable competition. It went against the Swadeshi principles of self-reliance. According to this view, globalisation was perceived as a foreign invasion by multinationals.

But, Vajpayee hardly subscribed to these views. He made it clear at several points during his tenure that he favoured the path of reforms to higher growth. During his visit to the US, for instance, he acknowledged the crucial role that foreign direct investment had played in India’s economic development since it had opened up. This put him at odds with the economic viewpoint of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Nevertheless, Vajpayee continued undeterred on the path of reforms, consistently trying to balance the demands of the party’s parent organisation with the needs of the economy. Most importantly, Vajpayee’s contrarian stance created a sense of continuity in government policies and kept investor confidence in India alive.

Throughout its term, the government opened up various sectors like insurance, banking, telecom, pharmaceuticals, civil aviation and real estate to foreign investors. Simultaneously, all quantitative restrictions on imports were eliminated by 2002. But these were replaced with a system of tariffs to provide protection to domestic industries and, more importantly, keep the criticism from within the Sangh at bay.

Over the years, the Vajpayee government also initiated a litany of major reforms like the initiation of the value-added tax regime, dismantling of administered price structure for fertilisers and petroleum products, extension of capital market reforms that Narasimha Rao had missed, reduction in government equity in public sector banks and reduction in the size of the bureaucracy.

Vajpayee also played a vital role in fuelling the explosive growth in the telecom sector in the new millennium. Even though the duo of Rajiv Gandhi and Sam Pitroda are often credited with sparking the telecom revolution in India, their efforts did not materialise in the form of telecom penetration.

In the decade since Rajiv Gandhi left office in 1989, tele-density across India marginally rose from 0.6 percent to 2.8 percent in 1999. Vajpayee changed the trend. As soon as he assumed office, he set up a National Task Force on Information Technology and Software Development that included the likes of N.R. Narayan Murthy of Infosys and Azim Premji of Wipro.

The task force called for a complete overhaul of India’s telecom policy. It resulted in the New Telecom Policy (NTP) of 1999, which improved upon the policy introduced by Narasimha Rao in 1994. Telecom licensing norms were altered to make it more lucrative for private players to enter the market while a distinction was drawn between the government’s role in policy formulation and service provision, which effectively freed the sector from political interference.

Later, the government also effected favourable fiscal changes like reducing import duties on mobile devices

Such reform initiatives in the telecom sector drove the success story of the industry in the next decade. Against a tele-density target of 15 percent by 2010 in NTP 1999, more than half of India’s population was connected to a telecom device by the time. Most recent estimates show a tele-density has almost reached 90 percent.

The astounding growth of the Indian telecom industry and, especially mobile telephony, is a shining testament how political clarity and focussed reform can deliver favourable outcomes.

Vajpayee, thus, emerged as an unlikely leader who kept the flame of reform alive against all odds. He never reversed the reform process that Narasimha Rao had initiated as many feared when he first came to office. If anything, he only sped it up.

The easier path would have been to give in to the demands of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to adopt more protectionist policies. But, Vajpayee stood his ground, which poised the economy perfectly well to take off into its fastest growth phase in history beginning in 2003, his last year in office.

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