Volcano,Modi&Maoist

Dear all,
Welcome.
Volcano eruption: A volcano eruption at Central Japan had resulted in 40 people left injured with seven missing. Around 250 people got stuck due to it in hilly areas. The rescue team had been unable to reach affected area.
The disaster management official had stated that it happened at around 12 noon in Mt. Ontake situated near to Nagano city. Along with explosion, smoke & dust had arosen to southern sides of 3,067 m long hill. Many mountain trackers are also stuck up at high altitudes. The Fire prevention officials had stated that few flights had to change routes. However, Japan airlines and Hanoda airport officials had denied any such change in route.
With regards,

M.K.Pachraiya
Original_app_mssg(1) Modi

NEW YORK—Madison Square Garden thundered with applause as thousands rose to their feet and chanted the name of an unlikely celebrity: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The grand reception on Sunday, filled with dance and Bollywood tunes, was a reflection of the mood among much of the Indian-American community that sees Mr. Modi as a once-in-a-generation leader who can at last fix the entrenched problems that have held India back while other Asian nations have sped ahead.

"I live thousands of miles away, but I know the things that bother you," Mr. Modi said to them in colloquial Hindi. "I will make the India of your dreams."

Elected in a landslide victory in May, Mr. Modi has vowed to kick-start economic growth and modernize India by building much-needed infrastructure and removing bureaucratic hurdles to business. His message has stirred hope among large numbers of Indian-Americans and expatriates, from entrepreneurs belonging to Mr. Modi's Gujarati community to students and young professionals, many of whom watched from afar with frustration as India's economy slowed and corruption scandals dominated the headlines.

This group understands India's potential because they have been so successful abroad. Indians are among the best-educated and highest-paid group of migrants in the U.S.

To them, Mr. Modi is an embodiment of how they want India to be seen: ambitious and resourceful.

"Modi can set India on a completely new path, truly bring India into the 21st century," said Pradeep Khosla, the Indian-American chancellor of the University of California, San Diego, who moved to the U.S. over three decades ago.

Mr. Khosla lamented that the "India story" had fizzled out, saying, "It's not a good feeling when you're not proud of your country."

The event marked a dramatic personal moment for the Indian leader, who was banned from traveling to the U.S. in 2005, a few weeks before he was to arrive in Florida to address a much smaller gathering of Indian-American hoteliers.

His visa was revoked over allegations that he didn't do enough to stop deadly riots in the state of Gujarat in 2002 when he was chief minister there, which he denies. The riots left at least 1,000 people, the majority of them Muslim, dead. A court last year said there wasn't sufficient evidence to prosecute Mr. Modi.

The prime minister's Hindu nationalist credentials have made him an unpopular figure among some Indian-Americans who see him as a religious strongman and a threat to India's multiculturalism.

Protesters outside Madison Square Garden said they wanted to draw attention to the Hindu nationalist groups that back Mr. Modi's party and their fundamentalist agenda.

"We want to make sure everyone knows that those celebrating Modi do not represent the entire Indian-American community," said Shaik Ubaid, a 52-year-old neurologist who is part of a group called the Alliance for Justice and Accountability.

There are more than three million Indian-Americans in the U.S. and among their ranks are heads of big businesses, entrepreneurs, acclaimed artists and scholars.

In a more than one-hour-long speech, Mr. Modi asked them to participate in India's development, saying their contribution was part of his vision for a "people's movement for development," modeled, he said, on Mahatma Gandhi's mass movement for freedom from British rule.

Mr. Modi is hoping to tap the diaspora to propel his economic agenda. He was set to address a large gathering of Indian-American businesses in Washington later this week.

Outlining his image of India, he promised to fix the things that have long frustrated Indians living abroad, from unclean streets to unending official paperwork. He announced eased visa regulations that will allow members of the community to travel to India more easily.

"India was seen as a country of snake charmers. You have changed that," he said.

The event Sunday was a big show of force by the community. Organized by 400 groups under the umbrella of the Indian American Community Foundation, it cost $1.5 million dollars. Over two dozen U.S. elected officials turned up, and were seated alongside a cast of prominent Indian-Americans.

The event was "a tribute to the Indian-American community and their profound contributions," said Cory Booker, a senator from New Jersey, which has one of the largest populations of Indians in the U.S. "It is a day of pride for the Indian-American community, but also for Americans."

How Mr. Modi and India are seen in the U.S. has a big impact on the Indian community, said Khyati Joshi, a second-generation Indian-American who has written a book about Asian migration.

If the news coming out of India is upbeat, and if U.S.-India relations are seemingly important, Ms. Joshi said, that shapes how diaspora Indians see themselves. If the news is centered on rape, corruption and bad roads, it affects their self-esteem and sense of identity, she said.

"Whether they are first generation or second, Indian-Americans are seen as Indian at some level, even if they want to identify as American," Ms. Joshi said. "Whether they like it or not, their racial and ethnic identity hits them in the face."

Munjal Shroff, a 40-year-old Indian-American psychiatrist in Atlanta, who watched Mr. Modi's speech from home, said the Indian elections this spring had garnered a good deal of coverage in the U.S. and piqued the interest of his American friends and colleagues. Mr. Modi's visit, he said, is doing the same.

"The American government at the highest levels engaging with the Indian government puts out powerful images," Mr. Shroff said. "It makes the Indian-American community feel more comfortable, more confident."

Part of Mr. Modi's appeal among overseas Indians is his meritocratic rise through politics and his noncorrupt image. His supporters point to his beginnings as a tea-seller at a railway station, and admire his discipline and work ethic, virtues also associated with the American dream.

Mr. Modi also enjoys a frenzied fan following among devout Hindus in the U.S.

Lalji Goswami, a 39-year-old IT consultant in Tampa, Florida who left India 13 years ago to look for better opportunities in the U.S., said he disliked India's "pseudo secular" politics that he said had "made Hindus reluctant to even say they are Hindus."

"Modi isn't shy or embarrassed by his culture and religion," Mr. Goswami said.

Original_app_mssg(2) Maoist

The CRPF has sent a large unit of its specialised anti-Naxal force CoBRA into the dense forests of Abujmaad in south Chhattisgarh searching for the rebels, following intelligence inputs that the banned CPI(Maoist) was holding its much-delayed 10th congress near Orchha in their so-called “liberated zone”.

The 10th congress, if the reports were to be believed, was scheduled from September 10 to September 21.

Sources said the security forces had strong intelligent inputs about the organisation of the event and the movement of Maoists from across the country as well as abroad to the designated place.

The operation has been planned to trap the participants as the suspected gathering was seen as a big opportunity to strike a major blow to the Reds.

It has been gathered that the idea was to allow the delegates to converge at their venue and then encircle the location to prevent them from escaping.

CoBRA or Commando Battalion for Resolute Action has been chosen for the operation as it is one of the few units of the CRPF which is specifically trained in guerilla warfare.

The security personnel have moved in from different directions and penetrated deep into the forests in a carefully planned manoeuvre. Till Wednesday, no report of any major action have come barring a skirmish with a group of Naxals somewhere in Narayanpur along the border with Maharashtra.

It also has been learnt that the security forces were equipped with sophisticated gadgets, including drones, and had carefully zeroed in on the places where they had planned to make advancements.

With no action reported for the last three days after the possible conclusion of the Maoists’ congress, there were doubts that the event had taken place. The last congress was held in 2007 and the 10th had been waiting due to security operations launched in 2009 under Operation Green Hunt.

ADG (anti-Naxal operation), Chhattisgarh, R K Vij while talking to The Indian Express confirmed that they had inputs about a large gathering following which an operation was launched from three sides, but nothing substantial has happened. The operation is likely to end in two-three days.

Coalgate_scam

Dear all,

Welcome & pl. read on app. mssg.

Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision to quash allocation of 214 coal blocks which were alloted to various companies since 1993, the AAP today said it vinidcates the party's stand the allocations had been done in "lieu of huge pay offs".

Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai had observed a fast from July 26, 2012 to August 3, 2012 demanding investigation into the coal scam. The party had also carried out a protest at the residences of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

"The judgment will have long lasting impact and would discourage unscrupulous corporates and politicians, who abuse their position of power to plunder the natural resources of the country. These precious resources belong to the people of the country and not politicians and corporates. "The judgment vindicates Aam Aadmi Party's stand from day one that the allocations had been done in lieu of huge pay offs and not for country's growth and development, as claimed by successive governments led by the BJP and the Congress," the party said in a statement.

Commended its leader and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan for pursuing the matter in the Supreme Court, the party said it will felicitate Bhushan at a function tomorrow. "It was his tireless crusade for two years that brought the case to the logical end today," the party said.

The statement added that the Supreme Court has also accepted the finding of the Comptroller and Auditor General that the loss incurred by the government exchequer due the scam was Rs 295 per tonne.
With regards,

 

M.K.Pachraiya

MoM,Afghanistan,Transparency, Fiji&Media

Dear all,
Welcome.
MoM: The fourth Trajectory Correction manouevre (TCM) on Sept.24 & testing of space ship's liquid engine would be done for which it is being readied. The 440 N liquid apogee motor (LAM) had been in idle mode since past 300 days. It would be tested for 4 sec. It's testing would be encouraging for the mission. The engine testing would need 0.567 kg of fuel for 3.968 sec. at 2.142 m per sec. If any problem comes, plan B would be initiated. Under it, eight propellants would be sent for long term which would consumre more fuel & force vehicle to enter into the orbit. It is the first interplanetary mission of ISRO. It had been launched from Sriharikota on Nov.5, 2013 via PSLV C-25.

Afghanistan: The new President would be Ashraf Ghani who would share power along with CEO nominated by Abdullah Abdullah for which agreement had been made. A new post would be created hitherto. United Nations did make an effort so as not to have civil war like that during 1990s. The outgoing President had congratulated both of them. His spokesman had told that he would be sworn in within a week's time. His first job would be to sign an agreement under which foreign troops would be allowed to retain in Afghanistan even after 2014, though in small force. It is to note that by year end, US troops would be vacating Afghanistan.

Court ruling:
1. Transparency: Madras High Court had ruled that RTI applicants would have to mention the purpose of information sought at any cost as it would help registration office for knowing contents written in the file. Justice Bench had stated that the purpose of getting information must be told besides satisfying that it's purpose is as per law. Such information could create problems. But the decision is criticized by law specialists and social workers.
There is a separate clause Act 6(2) wherein it is stated that no reason is needed for getting information. High Court's order had not mentioned about it. Bhushan had told the ruling as illegal. It is against intention of RTI Act 2005. It is self imposed order prohibiting administrative transparency.

Fiji: The leader who had usurped power eight years prior in Fiji had self proclaimed himself to be country's PM. He had also promised for bringing real democracy. However, the election results are not completed. Initially, his party seems to have gained victory. The Ex-Army personnel had stated that at 88% of polling booths, they had got 59.1% votes. It could render them around 32 out of 50 parliamentary seats.

Media: Goa's CM had attacked media stating that transparency is better but media should be refrained from decision making as it creates confusion. The decision making should be done in closed rooms.
Speaking at "Knowledge connect project", he had stated that there are limits to transparency. Media should be apprised of only final decision. People simply say before media as they have to showcase. But later, they feel they had not put up their ideas. The actual conclusion is not made as participants dance to the tunes of media. Such churning should be in closed doors. He had also told about 75% of attendance compulsory for appearing in the exams.

With regards,

 

M.K.Pachraiya

HIndi_day&Modi

 

Dear all,

Welcome.

Ever since he spoke to lakhs of children on Teacher's Day, many are suddenly seeing reflections of Jawaharlal Nehru in Narendra Modi.

One of the reasons being that like Nehru, Modi was able to connect with the children all over the country. After his initial remarks, he suddenly came to life interacting with them, shedding fatigue, smiling, laughing — a visage not seen often — talking like a friend, philosopher and guide about a whole host of issues, including his pranks, bringing to fore a "cool" side (in the words of a child) of Modi.

And telling a Manipuri child who asked him how he could become prime minister — that he should prepare for 2024, for there was no chance till then, as Modi saw no threat to himself!
 

Nehru's connect with children earned him the title of Chacha Nehru. Soon after he became prime minister, he opened the doors of Teen Murti House, his residence, to children, giving explicit instructions that they be allowed to use the spaces there to play. Even APJ Abdul Kalam used to encourage visits by children to Rashtrapati Bhavan during his presidency.

Catch 'em Young
 

When Nehru talked to youngsters, he would invariably use the occasion to educate.

So also seems to be the case with Modi, and some have questioned whether being a teacher is a role a prime minister should play when he has his plate more than  full. Others saw it as a far-reaching political move by the new PM. The senior amongst the children he addressed, and this is now going to be a yearly event, would become voters in 3-4 years time and are an important catchment area,
particularly for a prime minister who has already declared that he is looking at a 10-year term, at least!

I still remember, as a child, when Nehru had come to our school in Delhi to speak on our Founder's Day, and he had chosen to speak on the country's foreign policy.

Most children are unlikely to forget an interaction with the prime minister, though the children in the south had problems understanding Modi's conversation conducted in Hindi, and it might have
 been better had parts of it been translated into English, particularly when Modi would like to avoid a north-south divide, and his protege, now BJP president Amit Shah is under understood to be learning Tamil and Bengali!

Whether it was through the red and green turban he sported at Red Fort on Independence Day or his confident step on Japan's soil, Modi has given early signs of exuding a consciousness that he leads over a billion people today. Nehru, it is well known and documented, strode the Indian — and world — stage like a colossus for several decades.

 

Foreign Affairs

The other similarity between the two that has invited comment is about both taking charge of foreign policy. Nehru was his own foreign minister for all the 17 years that he was PM. It is early days for Modi, but many have been surprised at the ease with which he has taken to foreign policy issues, and the direction he is giving them, from the day he took over.

This was reflected in his decision to invite Saarc leaders, including the Pakistan PM to his swearing in, and this entailed a risk. Had Nawaz Sharif turned down his invite, it would have been seen as a snub by the hardliners in his own ranks — and therefore a less-than-confident start to his premiership.

Nehru's world view had been fashioned right through the days of the national movement, which was also a period between the two world wars, and he had acquired an international perspective through his travels to countries of Europe, the then Soviet Union, China and the US in the '30s and '40s. From the beginning he saw Indian independence in the larger context of an "Asian resurgence", and he
more than others in the Congress, came to fashion the policy non-alignment as the best way to go forward for a poor, yet large, country like India to acquire its rightful place globally , rather than to align with either of the two blocs.

Modi on the other hand has come to South Block from a regional capital with experience of running only one state of India. People expected him to take time to transit from a chief minister to a PM, particularly on foreign affairs. But Modi has taken to foreign policy, like duck to water.

Foreign policy is a continuum and does not change with a change of government. Just as Nehru left
his stamp on it, there are early indications of a nuanced shift being made by Modi. Unlike the UPA's America-centric focus, he has given primacy to the neighbourhood — his early visits to Bhutan and Nepal and his invite to Saarc leaders bear this out — then to Asia, Japan first and then to China, with which the relationship is more complex; and then to the West and America where he will meet Barack Obama.

The reason why the world is looking at India and Modi with new eyes is the transformed situation in the country. It is the clear mandate the people of India have given Modi, giving his own party a majority after 30 years of coalitional governance, and the political stability that it connotes, which is making world leaders beat a path to India's doors.

Dismantling Nehru's Legacy

The Nehru-Modi comparisons, however, are only at the superficial level. Both represent two contending ideas of India, though the Congress is too demoralized today — and at one level also confused on some of the ideological issues — to go to town on what it stands for.

If anything, Modi has hardly shown an enthusiasm for Nehru, and the BJP and RSS have an aversion to anything Nehruvian.

The PM did not even take Nehru's name during his first I-Day speech. He struck statesman-like notes when he talked of all governments having contributed to the development of the country and during the course of his speech referred to many a leader — Gandhi, Patel, JP, Lohia — who had taken the country to great heights. But he left out Nehru. Agree or disagree with him, Nehru was among the builders of modern India.

Because of opposition to Nehru, the PM may have chosen to speak on Teachers' Day, and not on Bal Divas, which might have been a more natural occasion. But then using November 14, which is celebrated as Children's Day because it is Nehru's birthday, would have made the exercise a continuation of the Nehruvian convention.

The Planning Commission is not part of the BJP's scheme of things but the decision to "scrap" it was essentially because it was a Nehruvian relic. After all, if the country has to go for bullet trains, and smart cities, industrial corridors and new infrastructure, that cannot happen without planning.

The government proposes to create an alternative structure. But reforming an existing one is always easier than reinventing the wheel. By opting to do away with it, Modi was clearly making a political point about bring down another edifice of the Nehruvian period.

Many prime ministers have been their foreign ministers, whether or not they held the portfolio themselves. Like Narasimha Rao. He fashioned India's foreign policy in the crucial years following the breakup of  the Soviet Union when India opted to globalize in a world which had become unipolar, and moved from multilateralism to bilateralism, to a greater focus on economic relations in foreign affairs, and a "Look East" policy. Even the "weak" Manmohan Singh enhanced the relationship with the US with the Indo-American civil nuclear deal on which he staked his government.

Modi is not cast in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee mould.Vajpayee was the moderate face of the BJP, Modi is its hawkish face. Modi is hands on. Vajpayee used to leave most decisions to his principal secretary
Brajesh Mishra.
 

The Original Iron Lady

If Modi can be likened to a PM, in his style of functioning, it is not so much to Nehru or Vajpayee as to Indira Gandhi.  She may have started off as "gungi gudiya" but Indira came to be described as the "only man in the cabinet".

In just over three months, Modi is not just the "first amongst equals" that a prime minister in our scheme of things is supposed to be, but is already head and shoulders above his other cabinet colleagues. The home minister, for instance, was not allowed to have the secretary of his choice.
 

If reports — which have not been rebutted — are to be believed, the home minister is out of the process to decide the appointments as a member of the Cabinet Committee on Appointments, but is now informed about it afterwards, when the PM has decided. The PM undertook a highly successful visit to Japan which upgraded the relations between the two countries, but strangely Sushma Swaraj,
the foreign minister was not part of it, whatever the reason. This has raised questions whether we are functioning in a presidential form of government or a cabinet system.

 Like Modi, Indira was also a polarizing personality. Like Indira, Modi too has a style which likes to control. Like her, Modi too went over the head of the party to create a direct connect with the masses. Like Modi — who has bought his trusted people from Gujarat into the PMO — she used to preside over an all powerful PMO, that decided all major decisions, whether it was to do with bureaucratic  appointments, intelligence gathering, or the judiciary. There are early signs of all major decisions getting routed through Modi's PMO. Like Indira, Modi too has  a less-than comfortable relationship with the media.

One of the early but visible signs of change is a drying up of information sources. In the past, whether during the UPA or the NDA rule, BJP leaders were easily accessible and forthcoming about the goings on in government and the party. Today they give media persons a wide berth, unless authorized by the powers that be to talk to the media. The PM has been taking only the official media as part of his team when he has gone abroad.

 During Indira's time, or even in the first two years of the 415-MP-backed Rajiv Gandhi government, reporters had to hang around the Congress office for the one sentence that a leader coming out might utter about the goings on inside! In Indira's case, when the courts disqualified her from parliament in 1975, she went to the extent of imposing an internal emergency, leading to media censorship, and abridgement of basic freedoms. Ironically, it is coalition governments, and the "leaks"they encouraged, which increased media's access to information.

Every prime minister's style of functioning is bound to find some resonance in the past, by way of comparisons to his predecessors. But at the end of the day, Modi — as were Nehru, Indira or the others — is his own person.
With regards, 

 

M.K.Pachraiya

Civil_Nuclear deal,China,Coalgate_scam,Defam.suit,Italian_marines&Defaulter

Dear all,
Welcome.
Civil Nuclear deal: India had signed a deal along with Australia that would help it get nuclear fuel from Australia. It is to note that earlier US had recommended India for getting Uranium from Nuclear Suppliers group (NSG) as it had not signed NPT/CTBT. However, Australia would ensure that adequate safety measures are integrated prior to usage. Australia would stop selling Uranium to Russia.
Australia is rich in Uranium ore and exports around 7,000 tonnes of Uranium every year.

China: Two fighter pilots got killed during take off and landing test of fighter aircraft carrier. Their whereabouts are not known.

Coalgate scam: Central govt. had filed an affidavit in matter related to 218 Coal blocks allotment being declared as illegal. In it, details of 40 Coal blocks are presented, which are fully operational. Also, six coal blocks are mentioned which are ready for use.

Defamation suit: AAP's Kejriwal had agreed for agreement in regard to defamation suit being filed against BJP Ex-President, Gadkari. His counsel had stated in response to Judge's query that there is possibility and process is under finalization. Further, Judge had stated that it is basically ego clash and it would be good, if matter is resolved. It is to note that upon not taking bail, he had been sent to Tihar on May 21. But later, he got bail following filling of bond.

Italian marines: Supreme Court had asked Central govt. after Italian marine had petitioned about his being suffering from brain stroke and desire to go Italy for treatment.
He had cited his illness for treatment therein Italy. He had also been granted two week's time for being present personally before the Police.
It is to note that he had shot two Indian fishermen folks on Feb.15, 2012 after which bilateral relations amongst India & Italy got tensed.

Wilful Defaulter: UB group Head and KFA promoter had stated that the group could take legal assistance against being declared wilful defaulter by United Bank of India's Grievance Redressal Committee(GRC).
He had denied the charges stating that they had not been given any chance to present their case. During Annual General meeting, it was stated that he has faith on judicial system and he would be taking those legal measure as are available. He had further stated that Bank's action against them are being discussed in the country. As & when the things surface, they would be dealt along with. It is to note that KFA promoter had been declared as "wilful defaulter" by UBI's GRC committee.
With regards,

M.K.Pachraiya

Delhi_govt.formation

 

Dear all,

Welcome.

BJP is likely to be invited to form a government in Delhi with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung sending a report to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking permission to call the single largest party to take a shot at power though it is well short of majority in the Assembly.

In his report, Jung gave a detailed analysis of the political situation in the city and underlined the need to have an elected government in the city which is under President's rule since February 17 following resignation of the Aam Aadmi Party government which was in power for 49 days.

The Lt Governor said though no party has staked claim to form government in Delhi, the BJP could be invited to take the reins as it is the single largest party in the Assembly.

Jung observed that all options for putting in place an elected government should be explored before contemplating holding of fresh polls.

Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said the party would examine if it was invited to form government.

Sources in BJP said almost all its MLAs and senior "Delhi leaders were not in favour of facing Assembly election immediately and have already conveyed their views to top leadership.

BJP, along with its ally Akali Dal's one MLA, has 29 MLAs in the Assembly and it will require support of five more legislators to prove majority in the House.

BJP had won 31 seats in the 70-member Assembly but the number of BJP MLAs came down to 28 as three party legislators Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pervesh Verma had resigned from the Assembly after they were elected to Lok Sabha.

Following resignation of the three legislators, the strength of the Assembly had come down to 67 and BJP will require support of at least five more MLAs to reach the majority mark of 34 to prove its majority in the House.

The Aam Aadmi Party had won 28 seats in its debut Assembly elections and had later formed the government with outside support from Congress' eight MLAs.

The government led by Kejriwal had resigned on February 14 after the party's pet project, the Janlokpal Bill, could not be passed due to opposition from BJP and Congress.

President's Rule was imposed in Delhi on February 17. The Lt Governor had not favoured dissolution of the Delhi Assembly as recommended by the Council of Ministers headed by Kejriwal and kept the Assembly in suspended animation.

Last week the Congress and AAP had cautioned the Lt Governor not to take any "unconstitutional move" by inviting BJP to form government.

Both the parties have been demanding immediate dissolution of the Assembly, saying keeping it in suspended animation will encourage horse trading.

 

With regards,

 

M.K.Pachraiya