Thursday, April 29, 2021

Full Speech : Shri Narendra Modi at the BJP National Council Meet, Delhi January 19, 2014

Full Speech : Shri Narendra Modi at the BJP National Council Meet, Delhi

January 19, 2014

Bharat Mata ki Jai..! Bharat Mata ki Jai..!


Most revered Advani Ji, our National President respected Shri Rajnath Singh Ji, Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha respected Sushma Ji, Shri Arun Jaitley Ji, Shri Venkaiah Ji, the Chief Ministers who have made Bharatiya Janata Party proud, Shri Shivraj Ji, Shri Raman Singh Ji and Vasundhara Ji, all the senior leaders of the party present on the dais and all the dedicated party workers of Bharatiya Janata Party who have assembled here from every corner of the nation..!


We are discussing in detail the national concerns, the political concerns and our concerns and are also planning for the organizational programs of Bharatiya Janata Party since last two days. There have been many elections after independence. From the time of Jana Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party, we all have experience of working in the elections, but if we look at all the elections of past, we will find that 2014 elections are completely different. We have not ever seen such plight in the country..! The world’s largest democratic country stands leaderless, strategy less and even its intentions are doubted, the country has never seen such a day, which we are living in today. The ghastly form of corruption that the country has witnessed in the last decade, was never seen before. Farmers committing suicide, the youth astray for employment, women worried for their honour, the children dying of inflation… such plight is unprecedented. And thus the elections of 2014 are not only the elections of change but they are the elections of hope and aspiration for the millions of people..! The elections of 2014 are the elections to realize the dreams of the heights that we were shown by Atal Ji and Advani Ji in the beginning of 21st century and even of surpassing them..!


Friends, National Councils of two major parties have been held at Delhi, if we analyze them then we will clearly see that in the Congress conclave that was held two days back, there was a struggle evident to save the face of party in 2014 elections. How to save their party, how to save Congress, how to keep a crumbling party together, these were their primary subjects. Friends, there they were trying to save the party, whereas here we are struggling to save the nation, this is the basic difference of the 2014 elections..!


Friends, the Congress party workers assembled very hopefully here in Delhi, as they were told that on 17th, the announcement of Congress’s Prime Ministerial candidate will be done. They were very anxious with lots of hope and expectation that they will go back with the name of their Prime Ministerial candidate. As our Arun Jaitley Ji said that Congress party workers from across the nation came here to take their Prime Minister, but went back with three bottles of gas, with three gas cylinders..!


Friends, I find it essential to mention the points that were raised there. They took excuse of democratic practices for not announcing the name of Prime Ministerial candidate, is it the truth..? I thought that the people who discuss night and day subjects like this will definitely discuss this, but no discussion took place, they might have their own respective reasons but the country wants to know that after independence, when the first Prime Minister was chosen, what happened to the democratic tradition at that time..? Entire Congress party unanimously wanted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to be the Prime Minister, what were those democratic traditions because of which even after wish of every member of Congress, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did not let become the Prime Minister. Such people talk of traditions..! I want to know that when on 31st October 1984 Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Rajiv Gandhi was in Kolkata at that time, he came running from Kolkata, went straight to the hospital and within moments Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister. I want to ask the Congress party which is referring to traditions that at that time in 1984, whether any parliamentary party meeting took place..? Did the party elect their Prime Ministerial candidate..? Are there any notes, minutes and agenda of it..? Nothing happened, just a few people gathered and got the oath taking done in haste and you are giving us lessons on traditions..?


After this, elections were held in 2004, UPA had to come in power. Friends, I can say this with full confidence that, in UPA-1, no one in the parliamentary party elected Dr. Manmohan Singh for the post of Prime Minister, as their leader. The parliamentary party of Congress selected Madam Sonia Gandhi as their leader, but later Madam Sonia Ji nominated Dr. Manmohan Singh and he was made to take the position of Prime Minister, and these people talk of parliamentary traditions..! We can’t save ourselves talking like this. Yesterday, respected Sushma Ji, Rajnath Ji, Venkaiah Ji and Arun Ji, all have said this in their own way that they may have their own reasons to run away from elections, but I can see a very humanitarian reason to it, there is definitely a political reasons, but there is also a human element, and that is, when the defeat is certainly clear, when the havoc heading is clearly evident, will any mother be ready to sacrifice her son..? Which mother will sacrifice her son on the political path, at last a mother’s heart decided to save her son..!




Friends, these days the tea vendors are being treated very well, every tea vendor of the country is walking with pride. There are two more reasons for them to run away from elections. First that the culture in which they are brought up, the way they have established themselves as an elite family, friends, the people who live in such lives, their mental setup becomes of a type that they become feudalists, they feel that General elections are important, Congress should win as well, but this is a matter of insult to compete against a tea vendor..! They are feeling ashamed, there is no equality..! They are ‘Naamdar’ (big named) and I am a ‘Kaamdar’ (worker)..! Such big names find it insulting to compete with a worker, they find it to be a shame, how can they fight a worker..? Not only this, sometimes this feeling of conventional discrimination, the venom of racism, the felling of superiority, all these are a matter of concern for the people born in high societies that we are born in such a high family who has been respected for ages and the person in front is one from a backward caste, one whose mother used to work as a domestic help and used to daily chores like cleaning, washing etc, and I should compete against a man who was born in a backward caste and used to sell tea in trains..?


Friends, there are also reasons beyond political periphery. The elections of 2014 are heading and when we meet people in the villages, on the roads, we ask them. On 27th October, when innocents were worshiping their motherland with their blood, the mass that was struggling then, that inspires me to think that in the era of our struggle for freedom, what was the motivation that Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were so excited to sacrifice their lives..? The fire that was there in people’s heart for freedom, that people were ready to dedicate their life behind bars just to attain freedom, these elections of 2014, after so many years of independence, have brought back that rage. People got a chance to immolate their lives for independence, then they had given their life for ‘Swaraj’ (self governance), and today the new generation is raging for ‘Suraaj’ (good governance)..! The youth of the country is feeling that though they did not get a chance to sacrifice their lives for the country’s freedom, but they have got a chance to live for good governance in free India; the inspiration of these elections is this feeling, this is the feel evident in these elections..! That is why the people who have no connection with Bharatiya Janata Party at all, those who have not even been a party worker with BJP, those who are simply untouched from politics; lakhs of such people reach BJP office, write letters to me, write to me on Twitter and Facebook, that give us some responsibility, we want to do something..! This spirit of 2014 elections, the spirit of good governance movement in 2014 elections resembles the spirit of independence movement..!


Friends, more than 60 years have passed since India got independence. We have heard a lot about concern for the poor, about development,; just for a moment keep the map of India in front of your eyes and try to analyze that what was the problem in our strategies, our policies, our actions, because of which when we look at western part of the country we can see slow but steady development taking place, it seems as if something is changing but what is the reason that when we look from the center towards the east, entire area seems to be struggling for development. Why is there such situation, such imbalance..?


Friends, today I want to assure all the countrymen that when you will give Bharatiya Janata Party a chance to serve India in May 2014, then our party’s first priority will be to uplift this lagging part of the country, which is still quite left behind in the journey of development, we first of all want to develop it, so that it at least reaches where western India already is..! How is our Bharat Maa be like if its one arm is strong, while the other is weak, this can’t be our motherland..! Our vision is that whether it is Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, North East, Odisha, entire eastern part, eastern UP… we want to move ahead with a dream of balanced development in all the parts. Friends, if we want to strengthen the nation then we should not see regional aspirations as a threat..! In the last four decades the leaders have taken regional aspirations as if the center has been burdened heavily with them. Friends, regional aspirations can also be a great opportunity for development. They are opportunity and not challenge, because the desire of progressing that every state has developed, if it gets linked with Delhi then I have full faith that we can walk at a much faster pace..!


Friends, our country has a federal structure which can’t be limited to the clauses of constitution, we will have to respect it in letter and spirit, we need to be proud of it. Friends, it is a matter of joy for me that I have been a Chief Minister and now the party has selected me for a new role, but as a Chief Minister I completely understand and realize the importance of federal structure..! I have experience to work under Vajpayee Ji’s supportive government and in the current contradictory atmosphere in Delhi as well, and being experienced myself, I can understand the difficulties of the Chief Ministers very well and understand the importance of federal structure. Bharatiya Janata Party takes interest in empowering the federal structure and we want to strengthen it further..!


Friends, these days there is a big brother attitude. We are the Delhi regime, we give aid to the states, but this does not look good..! We promise to change this situation, there is no younger or big brother, the attitude should be that both the brothers are together taking the country ahead with equal efforts and strength..! Today it is considered that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers will take the nation ahead together. I have a different opinion, I believe that the Prime Minister and all the Chief Ministers should together be a team which should take the country ahead..! Not only this, the Central Council of Ministers and the State Council of Ministers should together form a comprehensive team. The bureaucracy of the state and the center come together, and all these work together as a huge team, if we can create such environment, then we can take our country ahead by bringing these forces together facing all the challenges that lie ahead of us..!


Friends, good governance is a must for the nation, the root cause of all the problems of the country is bad governance, and if we want to get rid of it then we will have to focus on good governance..! Friends, this good governance is not a must for the rich, they can buy the governments, good governance is for the poor, is for the common man, it is for the exploited, suffering and the oppressed..! If there is good governance then the government schools will function properly, the underprivileged kids will have good studies, but if there will not be good government then the poor man’s child will be left there itself, and this is why good governance is needed. Friends, we want to move ahead with good governance, and these days we get to hear many things, we heard such talks for several days now, we have to decide that now we have to believe on the same age-old tape records or we want to trust the track records..! The same old record has already played enough, the country should now decide on the basis of track record that in whose hands do they see the nation safe..!


Friends, only bills will not serve any purpose, now we need political will and the heart to act..! Friends, we have heard the incantations of acts enough now, the country has heard enough of it now, now it wants action..! Friends, they offer doles to win the elections, but the government is still imbalanced..! Friends, the doles are at its place but for urban development, growth is needed, delivery is needed, thus in good governance, we will have to move ahead and include the mantra of development and delivery. Friends, in last ten years, there would have hardly been a day when the Prime Minister has not constituted a committee, a committee for every issue. My fellow citizens, the country is chocking under the burden of committees, we do not want committees but commitment, commitment for the country..!


Friends, our country is such an immense nation, when I look back at the ancient India, I can see its outstanding quality. We say, “Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mit’ti nahi hamari…” i.e. there is something in us that we do not lose our existence, ultimately what is that thing..? 


Friends, there are seven colours in the rainbow, if we describe those seven colours, then those seven colours have been glorifying our motherland since centuries. The first colour of the rainbow is - the great heritage of Indian culture, our family system..! This family system has made us, held us and developed us since ages. How can we strengthen that family system, how can our strategies, our policies strengthen this great family system of India..!


The second colour of the rainbow is - our agriculture, our cattle, our villages..! Mahatma Gandhi used to call this country, a country of villages. It is a very vibrant and important colour of our rainbow, if we do not make it shine then whether it is agriculture, livestock breeding, villages, poor, thus it is important that we have the intentions to formulate strategies for their good..!


Friends, the point we can feel proud of, that is the third colour of our rainbow - the women of India, our maternal strength, a portrait of knowledge and austerity..! But where have we taken it today..? If we want to make the rainbow beautiful then our women should be empowered, there education and upbringing should be focused upon, we should emphasize on making them financially self dependent, and we should ensure their safety..!


The fourth colour of the rainbow is - water, land, forests and air..! These are our heritage and reverence, if we want to keep India in the race of development for centuries to come, then we need to nurture the fourth colour of the rainbow, we need to conserve it and make it stronger through modern technology..!


Friends, the fifth colour of the rainbow, which is the most important aspect today - our youth capital, the power of youth of our nation..! How fortunate we are, that India is the youngest nation in the world, 65% of our population is under the age of 35. Friends, the country which has such huge demographic dividend, such a huge strength of the youth, what is that we can’t give to the country..? In the coming days the entire world is going to face a crisis of the workforce, if we had prepared then the youth of India would not only have developed India, but would have had the strength to contribute in the development of the world, we should have worked for it. Friends, a few things are bothering a lot, is the colour of western influence making this colour of the rainbow dull..? When we get news of drugs, narcotics etc, then we get to know that this is spoiling our generations in some areas. Friends, this is a responsibility for us to rise above politics and refrain our youth from drugs and narcotics etc. We will have to develop an atmosphere of zero tolerance, we will have to safeguard our youth by legal systems, by putting a stop at the smuggling of such substances, we will have to fulfill this responsibility and saving our youth capital we will have to make India a world leader using this youth capital only..!


Friends, sixth colour of the rainbow also is a very cherished heritage - our democracy..! The country which has democratic dividend, it can move ahead the world with a great strength..! Thus our democracy is our most prized possession; we can look in the eye of the world because we are a democracy. Friend, we need to think of the measures that can strengthen this colour of democracy. We need to take our democracy from representative system to participative system, we need to move towards public participation from public representation. We are proud that we follow the tradition of a republic, but now it is need of the hour that even the common man feels the ‘Gunatantra’ (quality system) in ‘Ganatantra’ (the republic). We will have to work on filling in that essence through our attitude, by being proud of the democratic ideals..!


Friends, seventh colour of the rainbow is – knowledge, which is extremely important..! Whenever the human race has been in the era of knowledge, India has always leaded it. We are devotees of knowledge. When a mother here blesses her child, she says that son study well and become a great man, every mother just has these same words. This knowledge - the most important colour of our rainbow, we have to work towards strengthening it. Friends, we want to move ahead in order to make these colours more vibrant, to realize their concepts with new ideas..!


Friends, in the Congress conclave, it was aid that Congress party is an idea. We also believe that, there can’t be any party without an idea, there can’t be any movement without an idea, but today the problem is that the matter of concern is not whether the Congress has any vision or not, what is their vision, they are something to think about, but the country knows one thing for sure that the entire Congress party is in worry..! Friends, today I want to say this in front of you that we need to understand this mentality. I want to tell it to all that what is their thinking and what is ours. All the countrymen who are watching me on TV, I will also request them all to give ear to me..!


Their  mindset is - India is a beehive,


Our mindset is that India is our mother..!


Their mindset is - Poverty is a state of mind,


Our mindset is that the poor is Godly..!


Their mindset is - We do not enjoy till we talk of the poor,


Our mindset is that we can’t sleep at nights listening to the sufferings of the poor..!


Their mindset is - Money does not grow on trees,


Our mindset is that money grows in the fields and farms, and is nurtured by the sweat of labours..!


Their mindset is - Divide and Rule,


Our mindset is to unite the society and develop..!


Their mindset is - dynastic regime,


Our mindset is nationalism..!


Their mindset is - Politics is everything,


Our mindset is that national policy is everything..!


Their mindset is - How to save sovereignty,


Our mindset is that how can we save the nation..!


They have just declared that tickets will be given to only those who have Congress in their heart,


Their mindset is - The country will be run by those who have Congress in their heart,


Our mindset is that ticket will be given to those who have India in their heart..!


This is the difference of mentality..! Thus today when the elections of 2014 are heading towards us, when we are standing in election battleground, I want to say this to Indians that you have elected rules, preferred them and have given them the power. Today from this solemn stage of Bharatiya Janata Party, I request all my fellow countrymen that you have given 60 years to rulers, give 60 months to a servant..! The country does not need ‘Shasak’ (ruler), it needs ‘Sevak’ (servant). It is the need of the democracy that everyone gets a chance to serve the nation..!


Friends, today when we are drawing the blueprint of the coming time, then inflation is the biggest challenge in front of us. Poor does not get their daily breads to eat. Children sleep crying of hunger. Friends, can’t we control inflation, isn’t there any solution for it..? What is the situation of the country today..! We do not have any real time data that in the season of harvest, which crop is being grown where and in what quantity. Which grain, which pulse has been grown in what quantity, we have no idea of it. Our first priority will be to develop a real time data mechanism for the farmers and agriculture and the country will get to know in time that this crop has been sowed in this season and after harvest we will know that this much yield has been there of the given crop; this is need of the hour. There is a need of real time data of every area. We can decide on that basis that if there is this much demand, and the yield is this much, so what and how much do we need import, what and how much can we export. What is happening in the nation today..? What is needed in the nation is being exported by another route. The country starves and then the same commodity is imported. Don’t know what business is this..? Thus Friends, it is my appeal to you all and have full faith that prize stabilization fund should be raised in this nation so that the common does not have to bear the blow of inflation, so that the farmer is not exploited and through the prize stabilization fund, the government should ensure that the poor always gets his meals..!


In the same way, it is need of the hour that a national agriculture market is established. Not only this, special courts should be formed for black marketeers and by penalizing the black marketeers within a specific time limit, this trend should be put to an end in our country. If in this way, we take one step at a time then it would be good. Friends, if Atal Ji’s government can control inflation, if Morarjibhai Desai’s government could control inflation then the BJP government in 2014 can also combat inflation, this I would ensure you..!


Friends, the country which has such immense youth capital, but is yearning for employment, what kind of situation is this..! We have to strengthen the Center for Excellence to combat it, we need to emphasize on skill development and that too make it need based..! If a chemical factory is being established then what kind of skill development is needed in it, if an automobile industry is being set up, then how to equip youth with the skills needed for it, if these endeavors are tackled carefully then we can fight well against unemployment..!


Friends, we do not have any planning for human resource. If we ask in the country today that how many science teachers will we require in 2020, then the country will not have an answer to it..! If we start planning for human resource from today itself and start skill development accordingly then as soon as that person will be ready, he will get employment according to his need and skill. Friends, the youth capital of India is its strength, it should be equipped with skill, it should get the chance to work, we can’t have a better asset to increase the growth of India, and we want to nurture it..!


Friends, honorable Advani Ji has started a great battle against black money. It is a commitment of every worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party that we will realize the dream that Advani Ji has seen..! We will prepare whatever legal systems are needed, if we need to constitute a task force of expert in that area, we will do it, but every single penny looted from India that has been deposited in the foreign banks, will be brought back and will be used for the benefit of the poor..!


Friends, today is the era of globalization, and we can’t work as an isolated nation in this era, we will have to make a mark for us and continuously move on in the global competition. If we want to do this, then good governance is as essential as human resource and infrastructure are..! Friends, now India should not delay any further, we need to emphasize on next generation infrastructure, there should be roads, highways but in the coming days we will have to see that how the water grids should be envisaged, how the rivers can be connected, how can the agro infrastructure be strengthened, how the gas grid should be set up, if there is gas grid in the nation then this struggle for cylinders would come to an end..! Why don’t we develop an optical fiber network across the nation for next generation..! India has such huge coastal area, we should make a new image and position for us in the world by developing new infrastructure there..!


Friends, we have such a huge rail network, but it is our misfortune that no attention is paid to railways in the country. The change that Japan’s rail system has undergone, it deserves to be applauded. After all that change occurred because Japan introduced the concept of Bullet trains and got the country raised. China also followed that concept. We have such a long rail network, but we are not thinking about its modernization..! Why can’t there be four universities in the country, where we try to develop the manpower, and conduct the research and innovations to modify the railways..! Friends, this is a matter of mentality. Friends, you can’t imagine that how big a strength railway can be for India. If the present railway network is modernized, then we would be able to give a new pace to the developmental journey of the country..!


Friends, BJP developed a golden quadrilateral and that gave India a place in the world. Friends, it is need of the hour that after 7-8 years when 75 years of Indian independence, and the time of diamond jubilee will come, isn’t it need of the hour that we give a new colour to the vision of Atal Ji and prepare a diamond quadrilateral of bullet train..? And when we observe 75 years of independence, then at least we start the bullet trains in at least four directions of the country, and you will see that the world will see India from a new perspective..!


Friends, I am saying this today that we can’t think of an isolated India in the world today. I am not discussing that who is responsible and who is not, but as a civilized, cultured and humane society, we are not eligible to face the world because of what is going on with women in our society. It is a responsibility of us all that the women should be respected, dignity of women should be our social responsibility and we will have to create that atmosphere, we will have to strengthen our social systems along with the legal system. We have to move ahead on the front of mission ‘Beti bachao, Beti padhao’ i.e. save and educate the girl child. There can’t be a greater stigma than female feticide in the 21st century..! Lives of lakhs of girls/daughters are brought to end in the mother's womb only and it is our onus to save and educate the girl child..!  (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao) We will have to think that how can we move ahead with this mission. Friends, we will also have to change our attitude towards women. The women whom we perceive as home maker, now the time demands that we start seeing the women of our country as nation builder, if we will see her as nation builder then our mentality will change and we will be able to evolve as a new power in front of the nation..!


Friends, it has been a misfortune of our nation that, at the time when urbanization should have been treated as an opportunity, it got considered to be a problem, a challenge and this wrong viewpoint is the reason of all our problems. Friends, urbanization should be taken as an opportunity, its importance for growth should be accepted, and strategies should be formulated accordingly. Why should not there be 100 new cities in our country, modern cities, in accordance with the concept of walk to work, smart cities, health city, sports city and many other such specialized cities as per the need..! Friends we can realize the dream of 100 new cities for this country..!


Friends, as there is need of 100 new cities, in the same way for two adjacent cities, the concept of twin city should be developed..! The way there are New Jersey and New York, we should work on the concept of twin city and we can get a new model for development..! In the same way, a network of satellite city should be developed near the big cities, and it should be taken as an opportunity. You can imagine that when work on such large scale would start then how much iron ore, how much cement factories, how many men will be needed and it will generate employment for many a people. We can get an answer to the concern of the GDP of the country. Friends, after so many years of independence, shouldn’t the poor have house to live in..? Why should he be compelled to live without shelter..? Let us start with a dream of building millions of houses and start a mission bringing the state and central governments together, so that even the poorest man has house to live in and we can progress..!


Friends, the country can’t sustain without water, land, forest, cattle and agriculture..! How the strategies should be encouraged to modernize the agriculture, to increase productivity, to realize the concept of per drop, more crop, to improve the yield with every drop of water, for drip irrigation, for sprinklers, for aligning modern science with agriculture..! We should work on the mode of waste land development which is essential for the agriculture and India on a whole as well..! Friends, today we need to specially focus on agro infrastructure, and along with it, we also need to work on the dream of Atal Ji to connect the rivers and realize it..!


Friends, Amul dairy is running in Gujarat since so many years, can’t there be white revolution in the big states of India..? Can’t the farmer of other states can’t be so powerful that they can meet the demand of milk..? Friends, we will have to move ahead in this direction and ensure that our farmer never has to face the problem. That is why I say that if we want growth in agriculture, then we need to work one third on farming, one third on animal husbandry and one third on tree plantation..! But look at the bad luck of the nation that even the land has not been measured here as yet. We should take an exhaustive account of the lands of the farmers and its measurement immediately through satellite..! If the farmer plants trees in place of the fence that he builds around his farms, then we will be able to avoid the timber import that we need today..! Thus, if we want to refrain from timber import and strengthen our farmer then we will have to focus on it and move ahead in this direction. I have full faith that if we take these measures then we can change the circumstances. In the same way there is power crisis in the nation, and power generation units with the capacity of 20,000 megawatt are closed, because there isn’t any fuel as the coal mines are closed..! Can’t we aspire for ‘Power on Demand’..? If the states take initiative and the center cooperates then every house can have 24 hours electricity, and life of the common man can be changed..!


Friends, if we want to stand tall in front of the world in 21st century then we should not compromise in the field of education at al..! Our primary education needs more attention and along with it, why don’t we develop IIMs, IITs and AIIMS in every state of India..! It is our dream that there should be an IIT, IIM and AIIMS in every state of India and we want to take ahead the effort of taking education to a new level in India..!


Friends, today when a disease strikes someone in a poor or middle class family then that family gets completely ruined, his financial condition gets paralyzed, and thus we need to change the approach..! As in education we need to move on to learning approach from teaching approach, in the same way in health sector instead of addressing sickness, we should start addressing wellness, we care more of diseases and less of health..! Thus things like preventive healthcare and paramedical forces need to be connected and we need to emphasize on finding ways for it. Friends, health insurance has been talked a lot about, now in the 21st century, we need to promise Health Assurance moving from Health Insurance..!


Friends, can’t we fight against poverty..? Will the poor just remain being a subject of slogans..? Friends, I am saying this with full faith that through financial policies, through public participation, by joining small scale, cottage and all these sectors we can eradicate poverty..! To fight against poverty the poor should be empowered..! We have to give them opportunity, and we have got results wherever we have given them opportunities, we have to take this ahead and eliminate poverty..!


Friends, there is one more thing in addition to this that to stand strong before the world, the country also needs branding..! We all know that many years back when we used to purchase any commodity, there used to be a tag on it – ‘Made in Japan’, and we used to buy it seeing that. Friends, isn’t it high time that we should also emphasize on Brand India..? When I am talking of ‘Brand India’, then I talk of ‘5-T’ - Talent, Tradition, Tourism, Trade and Technology..! These are the 5-Ts based on which we can make brand India stand tall in the world markets. India should produce and sell to the world, but for that we need to upgrade the technology, use our talent to its best, and introduce the world with our tradition. Friends, tourism has a great strength. Friends, terrorism divides and tourism unites..! Friends, let us move ahead with technology, trade, tourism and tradition..!


Friends, these days a new terminology has come in front of us, today I want to discuss it. Some people are saying, My Idea of India..! There can be idea of India by 125 crore citizens of India, it can’t be one man’s manor..! It can be yours, it can be theirs, it can be of people sitting here, it can be mine also. Idea of India can’t be restricted. Today I want to present My Idea of India in front of you all..!


My Idea of India : Satyameva Jayate

(Truth alone triumphs)


My Idea of India : Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

(The whole world is one single family)


My Idea of India : Ahimsa Paramo Dharma

(Non-violence is the prime duty)


My Idea of India : Aano Bhadra Kratvo Yantu Vishwata

(Let good thoughts come from everywhere - from all the world)


My Idea of India : Sarva Pantha Samabhāva

(Equality towards all paths)


My Idea of India : My Idea of India -    Ekam Sad Viprā Bahudhā Vadanti

(The Existent is one, the learned express it variously)


My Idea of India : Sarvey Bhavantu Sukhin, Sarvey Santu Niramaya

(May all be happy, May all be healthy)


My Idea of India : Saha Nāvavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Vīrya Karavāvahai

(May we all be protected, nourished and may we work together with great energy)


My Idea of India : Na Tyahan Kāmayē Rājyam, Na Svarga Na Punarbhavam, Kāmayē Dukhtaptānām Praninamārtinashnam(Happiness does not lie in the desire for state, nor in the heaven or reincarnation, it lies in dousing the pain and suffering of all living beings)

My Idea of India : Janani Janmabhoomishcha, Swargādapi Gariyasi

(The mother and the motherland are superior even to heaven)


My Idea of India : Paudho me bhi Parmatma hote hain

(The Gods resides even in the plants)


My Idea of India : Vaishnava jana to tene re kahiye, jey peed parai jaane re

(Devotees of Vishnu are those who feel the pain of others,)


My Idea of India : Vaach kaach man nishchal raakhe, Pardhan nav jhale haath re

(The one who is not tinted and does not touch other’s money)


My Idea of India : Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devta

(Where women are honoured, the divinity blossoms there)


My Idea of India : Naari Tu Narayani

(Woman is a veritable Goddess)


My Idea of India : Daridra Narayan Ki Seva

(Service of the poor)


My Idea of India : Nar karni kare toh Narayan ho jaaye

(Man can become God by his deeds)


Friends, when I am talking of My Ideas of India and when we are going to contest 2014 elections, then will you recite a slogan with me..? Raise both your hands and say after every line with full force, Vote for India..!


For freedom from dynastic rule …..         Vote for India..!


For liberation from nepotism …..              Vote for India..!


For eradication of corruption …..              Vote for India..!


For controlling the inflation …..                Vote for India..!


For freedom from bad governance …..    Vote for India..!


For protecting the country …..                   Vote for India..!


For the safety of people …..                       Vote for India..!


For house to live …..                                     Vote for India..!


For food to eat ..…                                         Vote for India..!


For medicines for the ill …..                       Vote for India..!


For well being of the poor …..                    Vote for India..!


For improvement in education …..           Vote for India..!


For employment to the youth …..             Vote for India..!


For dignity of the women …..                      Vote for India..!


For the welfare of the farmer …..               Vote for India..!


For self-dependent India …..                       Vote for India..!


For a strong India …..                                    Vote for India..!


For a prosperous India …..                          Vote for India..!


For a progressive India …..                         Vote for India..!


For unity of the nation …..                           Vote for India..!


For Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat …..         Vote for India..!


(One India, Great India)


For politics of good governance …..         Vote for India..!


For politics of development …..                Vote for India..!


Friends, this is our dream of ‘Vote for India’..! Friends, we are going back to our areas after taking blessings of Advani Ji, and let us go with the resolution to win, not only we resolve to win, but we also make our colleagues resolved to win..! Friends, let us remember that the victory in elections is conceived in the polling booths..! Polling booths are the mothers of victory, and it is our responsibility to protect the mother..! Thus the polling booths should be protected, they should be a matter of concern, there should be a resolution to win the polling booth and we move ahead with this resolution to build a divine India, and to realize this dream we convert the strength of the nation in votes, with this hope I want to thank our national leadership that they have given this responsibility to a common man like me..! Friends, when a tea vendor contests the elections, then you can say that Modi Ji is a man who has nothing to himself and when you will say that, 10 crore families will give funds for sure. The poorest man will come to fund BJP with enthusiasm, and we decide that we will contest elections by the funding by the common man..! Our workers in Kerala have done this recently, in the 2012 Gujarat elections, the party workers of Gujarat BJP went to people and collected Rs. 5, 10, 100 and we raised funds for elections..! From last three terms we are in power in Gujarat, actually BJP has been in power in Gujarat seven times, but I have got the opportunity four times, and workers have contested the elections with funds raised with common man’s money..! We have to take this tradition ahead, and when son of a poor mother, a tea vendor is contesting, then the country will fund us by all means, I am confident about it. Thanks a lot to everyone..!

Friday, January 22, 2021

FARM LAWS - 11th Round Talks Failed

 చర్చల కథ సమాప్తం!


Jan 23 2021 @ 01:26AMహోంజాతీయం



చట్టాల వాయిదా ప్రతిపాదనకు రైతులు నో


11వ రౌండ్‌ చర్చలూ విఫలం.. మరిక చర్చలుండవని కేంద్రం సంకేతాలు


ఈ నిరసనకు పవిత్రత లేదు.. తోమర్‌ వ్యాఖ్యలు


రద్దు ప్రసక్తే లేదని స్పష్టీకరణ


సమావేశంలో మమ్మల్ని అవమానించారు


3 గంటల పాటు వెయిట్‌ చేయించారు


రైతు నేతల వెల్లడి.. ఆందోళన ఉధృతికే నిర్ణయం


రిపబ్లిక్‌ డే రోజు ట్రాక్టర్‌ ర్యాలీ ఆగదని ప్రకటన




న్యూఢిల్లీ, జనవరి 22: ఊహించినట్లే 11వ రౌండ్‌ చర్చలూ విఫలమయ్యాయి. సాగు చట్టాల అమలును ఏడాదిన్నరపాటు ఆపుతామని కేంద్రం చేసిన ప్రతిపాదనను రైతు సంఘాలు తిరస్కరించాయి. దీంతో  కేంద్రమూ మొండికేసింది. రద్దు డిమాండ్‌ను ఒప్పుకునే ప్రశ్నే లేదని, ఇక ఈ విషయమై చర్చలు జరిపేది లేదని స్పష్టం చేసింది. దీంతో ఆందోళనను  మరింత ఉధృతం చేయాలని రైతు సంఘాలు నిర్ణయించాయి.


 


శుక్రవారం విజ్ఞాన్‌భవన్‌లో ఐదు గంటలపాటు చర్చలు జరిగినట్లు కనిపించినా.. ముఖాముఖి కూర్చుని మాట్లాడిది కనీసం అరగంట కూడా లేదని సమాచారం. ఈ నేపథ్యంలో రైతు నేతలు కూడా ప్రభుత్వ తీరుపై మండిపడ్డారు. ‘సమావేశానికి పిలిచి మమ్మల్ని అవమానించారు. మూడున్నర గంటలపాటు వేచి చూసేట్లు చేశారు. ఆ తరువాత తోమర్‌ హడావిడిగా వచ్చి చట్టాల సస్పెన్షన్‌ ప్రతిపాదనపై ఏం చేశారని అడిగారు. మా సమాధానం విన్నాక ఇక చర్చించేదేమీ లేదని, ఇక మీదట చర్చలు జరపడం కూడా అనవసరమని మాతో అన్నారు’’ అని రైతు నేత ఎస్‌ఎస్‌ పాంథర్‌ చెప్పారు. కావాలంటే రెండేళ్ల పాటు వాయిదా వేస్తామని ప్రభుత్వం చెప్పినట్లు బీకేయూ నేత రాకేశ్‌ తికాయత్‌ వెల్లడించారు. చట్టాలను ఏడాదిన్నరపాటు వాయిదా వేయాలని చేసిన ప్రతిపాదన తమకు సమ్మతం కాదని రైతులు మంత్రులకు ముందే చెప్పేశారు. అయితే ఈ విషయంలో రైతులు ఆలోచించుకునేలా తోమర్‌ భోజన విరామం ఇచ్చారు. ఆ సమయంలో రైతులు తమలో తాము చర్చించుకున్నారు. వేరే గదిలో మంత్రులు సమాలోచనలు జరిపారు. చివరకు ప్రతిష్టంభన తొలగలేదు. 




బయటి శక్తులు ప్రవేశించాయి..: తోమర్‌


‘‘సమస్య పరిష్కారానికి మేం ప్రతిపాదించిన చట్టాల వాయిదా ప్రతిపాదనపైనా, ఉభయ పక్షాలతో సంయుక్త కమిటీ ఏర్పాటుపైనా శనివారంలోగా ఏదో ఒక నిర్ణయం చెప్పమని మేం అడిగాం. చట్టాల రద్దు వద్దంటే.. మెరుగైన ప్రతిపాదన చెప్పమన్నాం. కానీ వారు పూర్వవైఖరికే కట్టుబడ్డారు’’ అని తోమర్‌ మీడియాకు చెప్పారు. ‘‘ప్రతిష్ఠంభన తొలగలేదు. పరిష్కారం సాఽధ్యపడలేదు. మేం చాలా ప్రతిపాదనలే చేశాం. కానీ బయటి శక్తులు ప్రవేశించాయి. నిరసన కొనసాగాలని నిర్దేశిస్తున్నాయి. అలాంటి స్వార్ధపర శక్తులున్నప్పడు ఆ నిరసనకు పవిత్రత లేదు, పరిష్కారమూ సాధ్యం కాదు’’ అని ఆయన సూటిగా ఆక్షేపించారు. ‘‘11 రౌండ్ల పాటు చర్చలు జరిపినా సాధ్యం కాలేదంటే ఏం చేస్తాం. రైతుల సంక్షేమం అన్నది చర్చలు జరుపుతున్న వారి హృదయాల్లో లేదు. శనివారం వరకూ ఎదురుచూస్తాం.




పంజాబ్‌ సహా కొద్ది రాష్ట్రాల నుంచి వచ్చిన రైతులే ఈ ఆందోళన చేస్తున్నారు.. చట్టాల రద్దు సాధ్యం కాదు’’ అని ఆయన అసంతృప్తి వ్యక్తం చేశారు. ఇక చర్చల ప్రక్రియ ముగిసిపోయినట్లేనని, ఆందోళన ఉధృతం చేస్తామని రైతు సంఘాల నాయకులు ప్రకటించారు. కాగా- ఈనెల 26వ తేదీన రిపబ్లిక్‌ దినోత్సవం రోజున తలపెట్టిన ట్రాక్టర్‌ ర్యాలీ ఇక ఆగదని రైతు సంఘాలు స్పష్టం చేశాయి. ఇప్పటికే అనేక ప్రాంతాల నుంచి వందలాది ట్రాక్టర్లు రాజధానికి చేరుకుంటున్నాయని, ఇక ఈ దశలో ఆపడం సాధ్యం కాదని అవి కరాఖండిగా తేల్చి చెప్పాయి.







Monday, June 29, 2020

India External Affairs - Indira Gandhi

" ఇండియా పాకిస్తాన్ వ్యవహారాల్లో తల దూర్చితే అమెరికా నోరుమూసుకుని కూర్చోదు. ఇండియాకు తగిన గుణపాఠం చెప్పుతాం"
- రిచర్డ్ నిక్సన్, అమెరికా అధ్యక్షుడు.

" ఇండియా అమెరికాను స్నేహితునిగా పరిగణిస్తోంది. యజమానిగా కాదు. తన భవితవ్యాన్ని లిఖించుకోగల శక్తి ఇండియాకు ఉంది. పరిస్థితులను బట్టి ఎవరితో ఎలా వ్యవరించాలో మాకు తెలుసు."
- ఇందిరాగాంధీ, భారత ప్రధాని.

1971 లో అమెరికా అధ్యక్ష భవనం వైట్హౌస్ లో ఇరువురు నేతల మధ్య ముఖాముఖి జరిగిన సంభాషణల్లో ఇది చిన్న భాగం. దీని తర్వాత జరగవలసిన భారత-అమెరికా సంయుక్త పత్రికా సమావేశాన్ని ఏకపక్షంగా రద్దు చేసి ఇందిరాగాంధీ తనకే సాధ్యమైన ఠీవి తో వైట్ హౌస్ నుంచి బయటకు వచ్చింది.

వీడ్కోలు చెప్పేందుకు కారువరకు వచ్చిన అప్పటి అమెరికా విదేశాంగ కార్యదర్శి, జాతీయ భద్రతా సలహాదారు హెన్రి కిస్సింజర్ ఇందిరా గాంధీ కారు ఏక్కుతుండగా " మేడం అధ్యక్షునితో మీరు కొంత సహనంగా వ్యవహరించి ఉండాల్సిందని అనుకోవటం లేదా" అని అడిగినప్పుడు " మీ సలహాకు ధన్యవాదాలు. ఒక అభివృద్ధి చెందుతున్న దేశంగా అకృత్యాలపై పోరాడేందుకు తగినంత దృఢంగా నిటారుగా మా వెన్నెముక ఉంది. వేలమైళ్ళ దూరంనుండి ఏదేశాన్నైనా శాసించే రోజులు గతించాయని మేము రుజువు చేస్తామ"ని ఇందిరాగాంధీ అన్నారని హెన్రి కిస్సింజర్ తన ఆత్మకథలో రాశారు.

తర్వాత ఇందిరాగాంధీ ప్రయాణించిన ఎయిర్ ఇండియా బోయింగ్ పాలం ( ఇందిరా గాంధీ అంతర్జాతీయ విమానాశ్రయం ) లో దిగంగానే ఇందిరాగాంధీ నాటి ప్రతిపక్షనేత అటల్ బిహారీ వాజపేయి ని తక్షణం తన నివాసానికి పిలిపించుకున్నారు.

ఒక గంట ఏకాంత చర్చల అనంతరం వాజపేయి హడావిడిగా వెళ్లిపోయారు. ఆ తర్వాత తెలిసింది ఐక్యరాజ్యసమితిలో భారత్ కు వాజపేయి ప్రాతినిధ్యం వహించనున్నారని.

బి.బి.సి ప్రతినిధి డోనాల్డ్ పాల్ " ఇందిరాజి మిమ్మల్ని బలమైన ప్రత్యర్థిగా భావిస్తారు కదా! అయినప్పటికీ ఈ ప్రభుత్వ విధానాన్ని సమర్థిస్తూ ఐక్యరాజ్యసమితి లో మీరు గొంతు చించుకోగలనని భావిస్తున్నారా?" అని వాజపేయిని ప్రశ్నించాడు.

దానికి " ఒక తోటలో గులాబీ ఉంటుంది. ఒక లిల్లీ కూడా ఉంటుంది. రెండూ తానే అందమైనదాన్ని అనుకుంటాయి. ఐతే తోట సంక్షోభంలో పడినప్పుడు మొత్తం తోట అందాన్ని కాపాడుకోటానికి రెండూ ఒకటిగానే ఉంటాయి. తోటను కాపాడుకొనేందుకు ఈరోజు ఇక్కడికి వచ్చాను. ఇదే భారత ప్రజాస్వామ్యం" అని వాజపేయి సమాధానం.

తర్వాతి చరిత్ర తెలిసిందే ! అమెరికా పాకిస్థాన్ కు 270 పాటన్ టాంక్ లు పంపింది. ప్రపంచ మీడియా ప్రతినిధులను పిలిచి తమ టాంక్ లు ప్రత్యేక సాంకేతిక పరిజ్ఞానంతో తయారు చేసినవని అందువల్ల వాటిని ధ్వంసం చేయటం సాధ్యం కాదని ప్రదర్శించుకుంది. అమెరికా ఆంతర్యం విదితమే ! ఇండియాకు మరే దేశమూ సహాయం చేయకూడదని ప్రపంచ దేశాలకు అదొక హెచ్చరిక.

అక్కడితో అమెరికా ఆగిపోలేదు.భారత దేశానికి చమురు సరఫరా చేసే ఏకైక అమెరికా కంపెనీ బర్మాషెల్ కంపెనీని సరఫరా నిలిపివయమంది. భవిష్యత్ లో కూడా భారత్ తో వ్యాపారం చేయరాదని శాసించింది.

తర్వాతి చరిత్ర ఎదురు తిరగటమే! ఇందిరాగాంధీ అద్భుత దౌత్యనీతి వల్ల యుక్రెయిన్ నుండి చమురు సరఫరా జరిగింది.

ఒకరోజు యుద్ధంలోనే 270 టాంకులు ధ్వంసమయ్యాయి. ధ్వంసమైన టాంక్ లను ఇండియా కు తెచ్చి ప్రదర్శించారు. రాజస్థాన్ లోని మండే ఎడారులు అమెరికా ప్రతిష్ట భంగ పాటుకు నేటికీ సాక్షీభూతంగా నిలుస్తున్నాయి.

పద్దెనిమిది రోజుల యుద్ధం 1.5 లక్షల పాకిస్తానీయులను యుద్ధఖైదీలుగా పట్టుకోవటంతో ముగిసింది.లాహోర్ జైలునుండి ముజిబుర్ రెహ్మాన్ విడుదలయ్యారు.

మార్చి నెలలో బంగ్లాదేశ్ ను స్వతంత్రదేశంగా గుర్తిస్తూ ఇందిరాగాంధీ పార్లమెంట్ లో ప్రకటించారు.

వాజపేయి ఇందిరాగాంధీని "దుర్గామాత" అని సంబోధించారు.

ఈ సంఘటనలు దీర్ఘకాలిక ప్రయోజనాలు కల్పించాయి.
- ఇండియా సొంత చమురు సంస్థ ఇండియన్ ఆయిల్ రూపుదిద్దుకొంది.
- ఒక బలమైన దేశంగా ఇండియా ప్రపంచానికి చాటి చెప్పింది.
-అలీన దేశాల కూటమిని ఇండియా ముందుండి నడిపింది. ఈ కూటమికి తిరుగులేని నాయకుడిగా రూపొందింది.

శక్తివంతమైన ఆకాలం , ఆనాటి సంఘటనలు కాలగర్భంలో కలిసిపోయాయి.

నిజమైన చరిత్ర ఇప్పటికీ మార్గదర్శిగా ఉంటుంది.

నాటినుండి ఇండియా ఏభై సంవత్సరాలు గడిపేసింది. ఒకవిధమైన అలసట స్వభావం గోచరిస్తోంది.

ప్రజాస్వామ్యం ఏకాకిగా నిఘంటువులో ఒక పదంగా మిగిలిపోయింది.

(నేటి) ప్రజాస్వామ్యంలో ప్రతిపక్షం ఇంకెంతమాత్రం భాగం కాదు.

తమకు వంత పాడని గొంతులన్నీ దుష్ట స్వరాలే !

(రాహుల్ బెనర్జీ ఎఫ్.బి ఆంగ్ల పోస్ట్ కు ఇది తెలుగుసేత.)

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Modi's 'No Intrusion' by China Claim Contradicts India's Stand, Raises Multiple Questions

Modi's 'No Intrusion' by China Claim Contradicts India's Stand, Raises Multiple Questions
After his assertion led to criticism, the PMO has sought to clarify that the prime minister had spoken of an attempted Chinese intrusion which had been successfully foiled by Indian soldiers.

Modi's 'No Intrusion' by China Claim Contradicts India's Stand, Raises Multiple Questions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the all-party meeting to discuss the India-China standoff in Ladakh on Friday. Photo: PTI

Devirupa Mitra
Devirupa Mitra
DIPLOMACYSECURITY
20/JUN/2020
New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “no one has intruded into our territory” – an assertion which contradicted government statements about the circumstances in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in combat with the Chinese army this week – the PMO sought to clarify that the reason he said there was “no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC” is because Indian soldiers had foiled an “attempted transgression” at Galwan.

Modi made his controversial statement at the all-party meeting called by the government on Friday to discuss the violence on the India-China border that has taken the relationship between the two countries to their lowest level in over five decades.

“Na koi wahan hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai aur nahi koi ghusa hua hai, na hi hamari koi post kisi dusre ke kabze mein hain (No one has intruded and nor is anyone intruding, nor has any post been captured by someone)”,  he said in closing remarks that were carried on television.


PMO India

@PMOIndia
पूर्वी लद्दाख में जो हुआ, इसको लेकर आपने रक्षा मंत्री जी और विदेश मंत्री जी को सुना भी और Presentation को भी देखा । न वहां कोई हमारी सीमा में घुस आया है और न ही कोई घुसा हुआ है, न ही हमारी कोई पोस्ट किसी दूसरे के कब्जे में है: PM @narendramodi

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Modi’s original statement that there is and has been no intrusion by the Chinese – which the government sought to play down by reacting the words “Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai (No one has intruded)” from its official summary – contradicted the government’s press note issued after external affairs minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Chinese counterpart, state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi:


“[The] Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on our side of the LAC [line of actual control],” the press release dated June 17 said. “While this became a source of dispute, the Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties. It reflected an intent to change the facts on ground in violation of all our agreements to not change the status quo.”

It is clear that if the Chinese sought to “erect a structure” on “our side of the LAC”, it would need to cross the de-facto border.

On Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement seeking to clarify what Modi had said and rejecting what it termed the “mischievous interpretation” given to his remarks “in some quarters”:

“Prime Minister was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In fact, he specifically emphasized that in contrast to the past neglect of such challenges, Indian forces now decisively counter any violations of LAC (“unhe rokte hain, unhe tokte hain”).

“The APM was also informed that this time, Chinese forces have come in much larger strength to the LAC and that the Indian response is commensurate. As regards transgression of LAC, it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on 15 June arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions.

“The focus of the PM’s remarks in the APM discussions were the events of 15 June at Galwan that led to the loss of lives of 20 Indian military personnel. Prime Minister paid glowing tributes to the valour and patriotism of our armed forces who repulsed the designs of the Chinese there. The Prime Minister’s observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces. The sacrifices of the soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment foiled the attempt of the Chinese side to erect structures and also cleared the attempted transgression at this point of the LAC on that day.”

However, the PMO clarification is likely to add to the confusion that Modi and the government have spread by their use of vague and imprecise phrases.

The PMO uses the words “just across the LAC” to describe the location of the spot where the Chinese side was trying to erect structures and later refers to the Chinese efforts as as “attempted transgression”, which implies all of this action happened on the Chinese side. Elsewhere, the PMO statement quoted Modi as saying, “Those who tried to transgress our land were taught a befitting lesson by our brave sons of soil” – which is a loose and inaccurate translation of his exact words in Hindi, “Ladakh mein hamare 20 jaanbaz shaheed hue, lekin jinhone Bhart Mata ki taraf aankh uthakar dekha tha, unhein vo sabak sikhakar gaye (In Ladakh, 20 of our braves were martyred but after they taught a lesson to those who dared look at (covet) Mother India)”.

While Modi and the PMO’s new formulation is vague about the location of the clash, the MEA had said on June 17 that the structures Indian soldiers objected to were “on our side of the LAC”.

Indeed, the first statement issued by the MEA on June 16 right after the Galwan incident said the “violent face-off” had “happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there.” (emphasis added).

The MEA’s reference to unilateral attempts to change the status quo at Galwan makes it obvious the territory in question either falls on the Indian side of the LAC or is in an area where Indian and Chinese claim lines overlap.

There are around 23 such ‘areas of differing perception’, or ADPs, along the entire length of the India-China boundary from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east but Galwan has not been one of them. Until now, when China has begun making sovereignty claims over the entire valley. Which is why Modi’s claim that Chinese soldiers had not intruded is being seen by the strategic community as not just wrong but also damaging.

Speaking to The Wire, former national security advisor Shivshankar Menon expressed his puzzlement over the prime minister’s choice of words, calling it “an ill-considered and inaccurate statement that concedes territory and the gains of aggression.” “If this is so”, he added, “why and where were our soldiers killed?”

Also Read: In Talks, China Takes Hard Line, Claims All of Galwan Valley, Chunk of Pangong Tso

Pravin Sawhney, editor of FORCE magazine said India would have to pay “a heavy price for the appeasement of China, and soon…. The Chinese see appeasement as a sign of weakness which they will exploit to the fullest.” Like Menon, he too saw the prime minister’s assertion casting a shadow over the clash at Galwan. “How did 20 unarmed Indian soldiers die?” he asked. “Why were 10 soldiers taken captive by PLA? If no one has intruded into our territory, did India transgress into Chinese territory?”

“I can’t figure out why [Modi] should have done this, contradicting his own army top brass and external affairs minister,” a former Indian diplomat with extensive experience dealing with China  told The Wire on condition of anonymity. “There will be a domestic political price to pay no matter how they try and spin it. So there must have been a bigger price to be paid to justify this utterly pathetic climb down. What is that? I can’t believe this was inadvertent.”



Satellite view of the Galwan valley and Shyok river. Image: The Wire/Google Maps

While the MEA has always rejected as “inaccurate” any suggestion that Indian troops had undertaken activity across the LAC – this was reiterated recently, on May 21 – the Chinese side has been repeatedly claiming that the violent clash took place when “Indian forces crossed the Line of Actual Control again, made deliberate provocations and even violently attacked the Chinese soldiers who went for negotiations”. This was reiterated by the foreign minister Wang Yi in his conversation with Jaishankar, as per the Chinese foreign ministry readout.

On June 16, the Chinese PLA western theatre command’s spokesperson, while claiming that Indian soldiers had crossed the LAC and “launched provocative attacks”, had also asserted Chinese sovereignty over the Galwan valley area.

The region is, of course, named after the Galwan river, which is named after a Ladakhi explorer, Ghulam Rasool Galwan who discovered a route through the region. His descendants still live in Ladakh. There is no Chinese name for the valley, with Chinese statements also using this nomenclature. The Chinese army claim is also controverted by China’s own maps which draw the boundary/LAC hundreds of metres short of the Galwan river’s confluence with the Shyok river, thus rendering a part of the Galwan valley on the Indian side of the LAC.

After the Chinese foreign ministry also reiterated the claim over the entire Galwan valley, the MEA spokesperson described this as “exaggerated and untenable”.

Also Read: ‘Chinese Behaviour Has Been Very Different From Anything in the Past’: Former NSA Shivshankar Menon

The LAC, the de-facto border, between India and China has never been demarcated or delineated. When India attempted to exchange maps for the western sector in 2012, China brought the process to a halt.

However, the Indian and Chinese sides have had a perception of each other’s claim line based on observing decades of patrolling patterns and border meetings. In the areas of different perception (ADP) on the LAC, where the claim lines of the two sides overlap, Chinese and Indian soldiers regularly come face-to-face, before withdrawing back as per an elaborate system of drills.

In Indian official language, when Chinese soldiers come into these ADPs, this is not considered an “intrusion” but a “transgression” of the LAC. The PM’s statement, however, does not use that term for Chinese actions either.

In any case, Galwan had not been part of this list of ADPs, as India had considered the LAC to be settled as per the withdrawal line of the Chinese after the 1962 war.

Incidentally, the Chinese side of the LAC here is also, officially, Indian territory. The LAC determines only effective control and therefore, India has still not withdrawn its claim to Aksai Chin, which has been emphasised repeatedly through parliamentary resolutions, government statements and more recently, the Indian home minister.


China’s traditional claim line stops short of the confluence of the Galwan and Shyok rivers, encompassing most but not all of the Galwan valley. IMap showing ‘Historical development of Western Sector Boundary’. Source: Neville Maxwell, India’s China War (Pelican, 1972)

China now wants India to keep off Galwan estuary

On Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry published a document that makes it clear Beijing’s claim over Galwan has extended beyond their withdrawal points as depicted in Chinese maps from 1962.

A few hours after the all party meeting where Indian PM made the statement no one had intruded into Indian territory, the Chinese embassy’s spokesperson tweeted a link of a publication that gave China’s “Step-by-Step Account of the Galwan Valley Incident”.

It began by stating that “Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of the China-India boundary”

Galwan’s strategic important is that its heights have a dominating position over the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road built by India.

China claims that the since April, India has been building infrastructure in Galwan, which led to “representations and protests on multiple occasions”.


On May 6, Indian troops crossed the LAC by night, China alleged, and impeded patrol movements by “building fortifications and barricades”, which led to the first confrontation. The Chinese foreign ministry’s account states that India agreed to withdraw and demolish its “facilities”.

A month later, the senior commander level meeting on June 6 reached a “consensus”, the Chinese foreign ministry claims, that Indian patrols “would not cross the estuary of the Galwan river”.

Also Read: China’s Galwan Valley Gambit is Attempt to Extend Official Claim Line, LAC Westward

This means that the Chinese have extended their claim upto the confluence of the Galwan and the Shyok rivers, near which India’s road to Daulat Beg Oldie passes.

While India has also repeatedly stressed that the understanding reached at June 6 should be implemented, Indian statements don’t provide further details and stated that the agreement was for a process of de-escalation.

Chinese deployments at Pangong lake

Among the three areas of contention in the ongoing tensions, Pangong Tso lake has always been the most volatile and is also in the list of ADPs.

The Indian claim line crosses ‘Finger 8’, one of the mountainous spurs jutting into the lake, while the Chinese states that the LAC lies at Finger 2. Previously, India has patrolled till Finger 6.

This time, the Chinese came down to ‘Finger 4’, where they scuffled with Indian troops on night of May 10-11. As per satellite images, China has changed the status quo at the Fingers and built “substantial’ structures.

According to Nathan Ruser of Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), the Chinese have constructed 500 structures, fortified trenches and a new boatshed over 20 kilometres between Fingers 4 and 5.

At Hot Springs, Ruser analyses that satellite imagery from late May shows that there are two dirt tracks that go into “Indian-controlled territory”. “There are no PLA positions on the Indian side of the LAC; however, these tracks suggest that PLA forces are regularly making incursions into Indian territory, at a remote part of the LAC that is 10 kilometres from the nearest Indian positions,” he claims.

Note: This story was edited to include details from the PMO’s press release issued at 1:40 pm on June 20.

Saturday, May 30, 2020

మేమిద్దరం మాట్లాడుకుంటున్నాం... మీ జోక్యం అనవసరం : అమెరికాకు తేల్చి చెప్పిన రాజ్‌నాథ్ సింగ్

మేమిద్దరం మాట్లాడుకుంటున్నాం... మీ జోక్యం అనవసరం : అమెరికాకు తేల్చి చెప్పిన రాజ్‌నాథ్ సింగ్

ఢిల్లీ : లడఖ్‌లో నెలకొన్న వివాదంపై చైనాతో చర్చలు కొనసాగుతున్నాయని కేంద్ర రక్షణ శాఖా మంత్రి రాజ్‌నాథ్ సింగ్ శనివారం ప్రకటించారు. భారత్, చైనాకు చెందిన సైనిక, దౌత్య స్థాయిలోని అధికారులు ఒకరితో ఒకరు మాట్లాడుకుంటూనే ఉన్నారని ఆయన తెలిపారు. రెండు దేశాలు కూడా ఈ వివాదాన్ని పరిష్కరించుకోడం వైపే మొగ్గు చూపుతున్నాయని, తొందర్లోనే సమస్య పరిష్కారమవుతుందని ధీమా వ్యక్తం చేశారు. ఈ విషయంపై ఆయన ఓ జాతీయ ఛానల్‌తో అభిప్రాయాలను పంచుకున్నారు.

ఈ విషయంపై ఇరు దేశాల ప్రతినిధులు చర్చలు జరుపుతూనే ఉన్నారని, అమెరికా జోక్యం అనవసరమని, ఓ పద్ధతి ప్రకారం పరిష్కారమవుతాయని ఆయన తేల్చి చెప్పారు. అయితే శుక్రవారం సాయంత్రం రాజ్‌నాథ్ సింగ్ అమెరికా ప్రతినిధి మార్క్ ఎస్పేర్‌తో సమావేశం అయ్యారు. ఈ సమావేశంలో కూడా మళ్లీ మధ్యవర్తిత్వం అన్న ప్రతిపాదన వచ్చినట్లు ఆయన పేర్కొన్నారు.

‘‘భారత్, చైనాలు ఈ విషయంపై మాట్లాడుకుంటున్నాయి. ఏవైనా సమస్యలు ఉత్పన్నమైతే తామిద్దరమే పరిష్కరించుకుంటాం. మిలటరీ స్థాయి అధికారులు, దౌత్యవేత్తలతో పరిష్కారం చేసుకుంటాం. ఇప్పటికే చర్చలు కొనసాగుతున్నాయని నేను ఆ అధికారికి తేల్చి చెప్పాను’’ అని రాజ్‌నాథ్ వెల్లడించారు.

ప్రపంచ దేశాలన్నింటితోనూ భారత్ సత్సంబంధాలనే కోరుకుంటోందని, అది తమ ప్రభుత్వ విధానమని ఆయన తేల్చి చెప్పారు. ఇందు కోసం తాము శతధా ప్రయత్నిస్తామని, అయితే కొన్ని సందర్భాలు మాత్రం తద్భిన్నంగా ఉంటాయని పేర్కొన్నారు. చైనాతో సరిహద్దు వివాదంలో గతంలో కూడా జరిగాయని, వాటిని పరిష్కరించుకుంటామని రాజ్‌నాథ్‌ తేల్చి చెప్పారు. 

Friday, May 29, 2020

PM Modi's letter to the nation: Read full text here

PM Modi's letter to the nation: Read full text here
30 May 2020, 09:07 AM IST

Staff Writer
Modi govt was sworn-in for a second successive term on May 30 last year after leading BJP-led NDA a thumping majority in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Topics
PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written an open letter to the people of India as his government completes one year of its second term. PM Modi in his letter listed out several initiatives, achievements and big decisions taken by his government, while expressing confidence of victory in the country's battle against coronavirus.

PM Modi was sworn-in for a second successive term on May 30 last year after leading BJP-led NDA a thumping majority in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Here is full text of PM Modi's letter:

Dear friends,

A year ago, a golden chapter was added to the history of Indian democracy. After decades, the people of the country gave a second opportunity to a government elected with a full majority. You have played a major role in writing this chapter. Today presents an opportunity for me to bow to you and honour you for your commitment to India and Indian democracy.

Had the situation been normal, I would have been blessed to be in your midst. However, the circumstances brought about by the global coronavirus pandemic have led me to write this letter and seek your blessings. In the past one year, your affection, blessings and active participation have given me fresh energy and inspiration. During this period, you have shown to the world democracy's collective strength, which has become an example before the entire world.

In the year 2014, the people voted for a big change; you voted to change the policy and system (niti and reeti). In those five years, the country saw extricating itself from the quagmire of inertia and corruption. In those five years, the country inspired by Antyodaya has seen the change in governance in easing the lives of the poor.

In that tenure, on the one hand, the country's prestige before the world grew, and on the other, we raised the dignity of the poor by opening their bank accounts, making available free cooking gas and electricity connection for them; and by building homes and toilets for them. In that tenure, whereas there were surgical and air strikes, there were also works for one-rank-one-pension, one-nation-one-tax GST and fulfillment of decades' old demands involving procurement of crops under MSP for farmers. That tenure was dedicated to meeting several needs of the country.

In 2019, your blessings meant dreaming big for the country, for high hopes and for meeting the aspirations. The decisions taken in the last one year are the reflections of those big dreams. The people's power fuelled by the common man is effulgently shining as the nation's strength. In the past one year, the country had many dreams, many resolves as it also continuously took several steps towards realizing those goals.

In this historic journey, each community, each section and each individual has played one's part responsibly. 'Sabka sath, sabka vikas' with this mantra, the country is forging ahead in all directions -- social, economic, global or internal.

in the last one year, some important decisions have been in discussion, and that is why it is natural to for these achievements to linger on in our memory. Whether it was the topic of Article 370 for national unity and integrity, or the happy outcome of age-old conflict over the Ram temple construction, or the factor disrupting the modern social system, the 'triple talaq' or the symbol of India's compassion, the citizenship law – all these achievements you remember.

Amid these decisions which came in quick succession, there are many other decisions and changes that have given new momentum to India's development journey, have given us new objectives as we have strived to fulfill many expectations of the people. The constitution of the post of Chief of Defence Staff has led to increased coordination among armed forces. At the same time, India has accelerated its preparations for Mission Gaganyaan.

In this period, our priority has been to empower the poor, farmers, women and the youth.

Today, each farmer has been covered under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. In the last one year, under this scheme, over ₹72,000 crore have been deposited in the bank accounts of more 9.5 crore farmers.

To make available piped drinking water for the country's over 15 crore rural population, the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' has been initiated.

To ensure better health care for our more than 50 crore cattle, a massive campaign for livestock vaccination is under way.

For the first time in the nation's history, the government has decided to offer the facility of ₹3,000 monthly pension for farmers, farm labourers, small shopkeepers and workers belonging to the unorganized sector after the age of 60 years.

A separate department has been formed to strengthen 'blue economy' and increase the facilities for fishermen. Similarly, it has been decided to constitute National Traders Board to timely resolve issues concerning business enterprises. About 7 crore sisters associated with self-help groups have been given more financial assistance. Recently, the loan amount available without guarantee for self-help groups has been doubled to ₹20 lakh from ₹10 lakh.

Keeping the education of tribals' children in mind, a campaign is under way to build more than 450 Eklavya Model Residential Schools.

The government has also worked expeditiously towards making better laws linked with common man's welfare. Our Parliament has broken decades' old record in conducting legislative business. That's why several laws – the Consumer Protection Act, amendment to Chit fund law, and laws concerning more security for women and children – have been quickly enacted.

The government policies have led to bridging the gulf between the urban and rural lives. For the first time, the internet users in rural areas have outnumbered the urban counterparts by 10 per cent.

The list of historic works and decisions is very long. It is not possible to elaborate on all of them in this letter. But I would surely say that in the last one year, each day round the clock, the government has worked with full awareness, sensitivity, and has taken decisions.

Just when we were moving quickly towards realizing our country's aspirations, the corona pandemic surrounded India too.

On the one hand, there are countries with massive economies and most modern health services, and on the other, there is India with its huge population and so many challenges. Many people had expressed their apprehensions that when corona would attack India, the country itself would become a trouble for the world. Today, all countrymen have changed the way they look at India. You have proved that your collective capability and capacity are unprecedented in comparison with other more resourceful and prosperous countries.

You have shown that India alone holds the guarantee for a greater and better India – whether it was collective clapping or thali-beating or lighting the lamps, whether it was honouring of corona warriors by the armed forces, or following the Janata curfew or following the lockdown rules with sincerity.

In this crisis, no one can claim that nobody has been put to trouble or inconvenience. Our workers, migrant brother and sister labourers, those working in small industries, cart pushers and vendors, our shopkeeper brothers and sisters and those having small businesses have suffered immensely. We all are working together in an attempt to sort out their problems.

But we have to be careful that these inconveniences should not transform into a crisis of life. For that, each Indian has to follow all directives. We have to move forward with the same patience and courage that we shown so far. This is the reason why the situation in India has so far been manageable in comparison with other countries.

This battle will stretch on, but we are on way to victory and, to be victorious is our common resolve.

We can draw inspiration from those people who recently faced the Cyclone Amphan boldly. They worked hard to reduce the damage caused by the cyclone.

Under the given circumstances, there have been discussions as to how economies of India along with other nations will emerge out of the crisis. At the same time, there is this belief that the way India has surprised the world in facing coronavirus with its unity, the country can present the same example in the economic field -- 130 crore Indians can not only surprise the world but can also inspire it.

Today, the time demands that we must stand on our feet, and we will have to move on our own strength. And for this, there is only one path: a self-reliant India (atmanirbhar Bharat). The recent economic package of ₹20 lakh crore is a big step towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaign. This campaign will usher in a new trend of opportunities for every countryman – our farmers, workers and labourers, medium enterprises and the youth associated with startups. India will reduce its dependence on imports with the sweat of its citizens, with their hard work and skills, thus becoming self-dependent.

You have continued to bless me with your affection in the past six years. The country has moved ahead with unprecedented pace with historic decisions and development. But I know there is so much left to be done. The country has many challenges and problems before it. I am making all efforts day and night. I may have some deficiency, but the country does not have any. That is why I place more confidence in you, in your strength and in your capacity. You, your support and your blessings are the energy behind my resolve.

The global pandemic has brought about a crisis situation, but at the same time, for us Indians, this is also the time for determination. We have to remember that no calamity, no crisis can determine the present or future of 130 crore Indians. We will decide our present and, the future too.

We will move ahead, we will race ahead to progress and we will be victorious. It is said in our country: "Kritam me dakshine haste, jayo me savya ahita-h" – meaning, in one hand we carry our deeds and duties and in the other, sure success.

I bow before you yet again with a wish for our country's success forever. Best wishes for you and your family. Be healthy, be safe. Be aware and be conscious.

Your Pradhan Sevak

కరోనా కట్టడిలో మనమే స్ఫూర్తి

May 30 2020 @ 02:34AMహోంజాతీయం

ప్రజల మద్దతుతోనే సాధ్యమైంది..
20లక్షల కోట్ల ప్యాకేజీ ముందడుగు
370 రద్దుతో సమైక్యత
సీఏఏతో కలుపుకెళ్లేతత్వం
చెత్తబుట్టలో ట్రిపుల్‌ తలాక్‌
మందిరంపై సుప్రీం తీర్పుతో
చర్చకు సుహృద్భావ ముగింపు
తిరిగి అధికారంలోకి వచ్చి ఏడాది
ప్రజలకు ప్రధాని బహిరంగ లేఖ


న్యూఢిల్లీ, మే 29:  మనదేశాన్ని కరోనా మహమ్మారి తాకినప్పుడు ప్రపంచానికి భారత్‌ ఓ సమస్యగా మారుతుందని చాలామంది  కలవరపడ్డారని.. ప్రజల మద్దతుతోనే వైర్‌సను ఎదుర్కొన్నామని, దీంతో ఇప్పుడు ప్రపంచమంతా భారత్‌వైపే చూస్తోందని ప్రధానమంత్రి  నరేంద్ర మోదీ పేర్కొన్నారు. ప్రజల ఆశయాలు, ఆకాంక్షలను నెరవేర్చే దిశగా తమ ప్రభుత్వం సాగుతున్న సమయంలోనే ప్రపంచమంతా వ్యాపించిన కరోనా వైరస్‌ భారత్‌నూ చుట్టుముట్టిందని అన్నారు.

కరోనాపై పోరాడుతూనే ఆర్థిక వ్యవస్థ కోలుకునేట్లు చేసుకోవడం ద్వారా ప్రపంచాన్ని భారత్‌ ఆశ్చర్యంలో ముంచెత్తిందన్నారు. కరోనా మహమ్మారితో ఇప్పుడు నడుస్తోంది సంక్షోభ సమయమేనని..  దేశ ప్రజలంతా మరింత పట్టుదలతో వ్యవహరించాల్సిన సమయం కూడా ఇదేనని సూచించారు. లాక్‌డౌన్‌తో వలస కార్మికులు, చేతి వృత్తుల వారు, హస్త కళాకారులు ఎన్నో కష్టాలు పడ్డారని.. ఆ సమస్యను తగ్గించడానికి దేశ ప్రజలంతా ఐక్యంగా ముందుకు సాగుతున్నారని అన్నారు. కరోనా కట్టడి కోసం పోరాడుతున్న వైద్యులు, పోలీసులు, పారిశుధ్య సిబ్బందికి మద్దతుగా చప్పట్లు కొట్టినా.. దీపాలు వెలిగించినా, సాయుధ దళాలను గౌరవించినా , జనతా కర్ఫ్యూ, లాక్‌డౌన్‌ నిబంధనలకు కట్టుబడటం అయినా ప్రతి సందర్భంలోనూ ‘శ్రేష్ఠ్‌ భారత్‌’కు మద్దతుగా  ‘ఏక్‌ భారత్‌’గా నిలిచారు అని కొనియాడారు.


బీజేపీ ప్రభుత్వం వరుసగా రెండోసారి అధికారంలోకి వచ్చి శనివారం (మే 30)తో ఏడాది పూర్తయిన సందర్భంగా  దేశప్రజలను ఉద్దేశించి ‘నా సహచర భారతీయులారా’ అంటూ ఆయన లేఖ రాశారు. గత సార్వత్రిక ఎన్నికల్లో బీజేపీ ప్రభుత్వాన్ని కొనసాగించాలనే ఉద్దేశంతో మాత్రమే ప్రజలు ఓటు వేయలేదని, భారత దేశాన్ని సమున్నతంగా చూడాలన్న కల సాకరం కావడానికే కమలం గుర్తుకు ఓటు వేశారని మోదీ అన్నారు. రెండోసారి తమ పార్టీ అధికారంలోకి వచ్చిన తరుణం దేశ ప్రజాస్వామ్య చరిత్రలోనే సువర్ణాధ్యాయం అని ఆయన పేర్కొన్నారు. సర్జికల్‌ దాడులు, వైమానిక దాడుల ద్వారా భారత్‌ తన శక్తిని ప్రపంచానికి చాటిందని మోదీ పేర్కొన్నారు. వన్‌ ర్యాంక్‌-వన్‌ పెన్షన్‌, వన్‌ నేషన్‌-వన్‌ ట్యాక్స్‌, మెరుగైన గరిష్ఠ మద్దతు ధర లాంటివి సాకారం చేసుకున్నామన్నారు.


కశ్మీర్‌ నుంచి ఆర్టికల్‌ 370 తొలగింపు దేశ సమైక్యత, సమగ్రతా స్ఫూర్తిని మరింతగా పెంచిందన్నారు. అయోధ్య రామ మందిరంపై సుప్రీం కోర్టు వెలువరించిన తీర్పుతో శతాబ్దాలుగా సాగుతున్న ఓ చర్చకు సుహృద్భావ ముగింపు వచ్చిందన్నారు. క్రూరమైన ట్రిపుల్‌ తలాక్‌ విధానాన్ని చెత్తబుట్టలో పారేశామని, పౌరసత్వ చట్టానికి చేసిన సవరణ భారత దేశపు కరుణను, కలుపుకపోయే తత్వాన్ని చాటిచెప్పిందన్నారు. పీఎం కిసాన్‌ సమ్మాన్‌ నిధి రైతులందరికీ వస్తోందని.. ఏడాదిలోనే 9.5కోట్లమంది రైతుల ఖాతాలో 72వేల కోట్లు జమ చేశామని పేర్కొన్నారు. జల్‌ జీవన్‌ మిషన్‌ ద్వారా 15కోట్లకు పైగా గ్రామీణ గృహాలకు పైపుల ద్వారా తాగునీరు సరఫరా చేస్తున్నామన్నారు. దేశ చరిత్రలో తొలిసారిగా రైతులు, రైతు కూలీలు, చిన్న దుకాణదార్లు, అసంఘటిత కార్మికులు, 60 ఏళ్లపైబడ్డ వారికి రూ.3వేల చొప్పున పెన్షన్‌ ఇస్తున్నామన్నారు. స్వయం సహాయక బృందంలోని 7కోట్లమంది మహిళలకు ఇచ్చే రుణాలను రెట్టింపు చేశామని తెలిపారు.

2014-19 మధ్య భారత్‌ ప్రతిష్ఠ పెరిగింది

2014లో ప్రజలు మార్పును కోరుకొని ఓటు వేశారన్నారు మోదీ. తాము అధికారంలోకి వచ్చిన తర్వాత అవినీతిని దూరం చేసి.. పాలనను గాడిలో పెట్టామన్నారు. ‘అంత్యోదయ’ స్ఫూర్తికి కట్టుబడి లక్షల మంది ప్రజల జీవితాల్లో మార్పు తీసుకొచ్చామన్నారు. ఆర్థికంగా అందరినీ కలుపుకొని పోవడంతో 2014 నుంచి 2019 మధ్య దేశ ప్రతిష్ఠ గణనీయంగా పెరిగిందన్నారు. ఇటీవల ఆత్మనిర్భర్‌ భారత్‌ అభియాన్‌ కింద ప్రకటించిన రూ.20లక్షల కోట్ల ప్యాకేజీ క్లిష్ట దశలో కీలక ముందడుగుగా అభివర్ణించారు.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

After 31 top defaulters flee, India seeks to shut the gates

After 31 top defaulters flee, India seeks to shut the gates

Govt has compiled a list of people it is considering barring from leaving the country because of their involvement with companies that have defaulted on loans.
Bloomberg|Last Updated: Mar 15, 2018, 04.52 PM IST

By Shruti Srivastava and Anto Antony

From London to St. Kitts, India’s struggling to extradite businessmen it claims have fled the country after defaulting on billions of dollars of bank loans. Now it hopes to stop others from leaving.

The government has compiled a list of 91 people it is considering barring from leaving India because of their involvement with companies that have defaulted, said a person with knowledge of the matter.

The people were selected because of their roles as directors or owners of Indian companies which have been identified as so-called wilful defaulters, firms which refuse to repay loans despite having the means to do so, the person said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Some 400 Indian companies have been classified as wilful defaulters.

In addition he Governmebnt has asked Indian banks to provide passport details of a larger group of individuals who have signed applications or stood as guarantors for soured credits of more than Rs 50 crore ($7.7 million), the person said, declining to elaborate. Some individuals from that group may also be barred from leaving the country if they are found to have committed fraud or engaged in wilful defaults, the person added.

Mounting Anger
Pblic anger against the government is mounting after two prominent jewelers left the country just before their alleged involvement in the nation’s biggest bank fraud came to light. Less than a month after first details emerged, lawmakers introduced a bill that will give authorities power to impound the assets of fugitive offenders -- people who have fled the country after committing an economic offence involving 1 billion rupees or more.

Some 31 Indians have fled abroad to avoid prosecution, lawmakers were told in parliament on Wednesday. These include Vijay Mallya, the tycoon behind India’s best-selling beer, who’s becoming something of a fixture in London courts as he fights cases including extradition. Also named are Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi and brother Neeshal Modi, who’re accused in the Punjab National Bank fraud, and Jatin Mehta, another jeweler who allegedly fled to St. Kitts. The Modis deny any wrongdoing.

“It is logical that someone accused of an offence is not allowed to leave the country because extradition requires proof of criminal offence and it is difficult to establish this beyond doubt,” Aditya Puri, the chief executive officer of HDFC Bank Ltd., told the Times of India in an interview published last week. “Banks are custodians of public money"

With national elections due early next year, the government is under pressure to act against wealthy defaulters. India’s regulator has also stepped up efforts to clean up $210 billion of bad loans in the banking system, partly by tightening bankrupcy rules.

Tjhere is a lot of pressure on the industry right now,” said Arpinder Singh, a partner at EY who oversees fraud investigations across India and emerging markets. Finance Ministry spokesman D.S. Malik didn’t respond to calls made to his mobile phone seeking comment on the government’s steps.

"Those who had funneled money overseas hoping to flee if the recovery push comes to shove will be worried,” said Kranthi Bathini, director of Mumbai-based financial advisory company WealthMills Securities Pvt. “While some horses have already bolted to countries with tough extradition laws, it is not yet too late to close the gates.”