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8 EDITORIAL DELHI

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022


THE HINDU
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Stepping back from an ecological abyss 
There is a need to balance India’s developmental needs with the sustenance of its ecological foundations 
tom  among  180  countries;  while dakh,  I  learnt  that  many  villages different from the top­down ‘pro­
flawed in many respects, including (e.g.  in  Zanskar)  are  being  aban­ tected area’ model. As advocated
Remission without reform how  it  lets  rich  countries  off  the
hook, it is nevertheless reflective
doned  due  to  water  shortages
caused  by  receding  glaciers.  A
by  the  United  Nations  Environ­
ment  Programme,  public  tran­
Premature release of prisoners must be done of  what  is  happening  on  the Lancet Planetary Health journal ar­ sportation, organic farming, land
ground. ticle  says  that  extreme  tempera­ and  water  regeneration,  renewa­
with discretion and wisdom 

S. RAMESH KURUP
tures in India are responsible for ble  energy,  community  health,

T
he release of 11 convicts sentenced to life for the Ashish Kothari
Favouring corporate access 7,40,000  excess  deaths  annually. eco­friendly construction, ecotou­
heinous murder of seven people and the gang­ All this evidence has still not pene­ The majority of these are likely to rism, and small­scale manufactur­

C
rape of three women during the Gujarat commu­ hipko. Silent Valley. Narma­ trated the minds of politicians and be  labourers,  farmers,  and  other ing  can  significantly  enhance  job
nal pogrom of 2002 is a questionable decision by the da.  Koel­Karo.  Growing  up economists  setting  development vulnerable  sections  who  have  to creation.  Linking  programmes
State. On the face of it, it also appears to be illegal, as in  the  1970s  and  the  early priorities. The obsession with eco­ materials  and  imports  of  toxic work, live, and commute in these such as the Mahatma Gandhi Na­
1980s, many of us who were pas­ nomic  growth  —  despite  growing waste, the issue of environmental temperatures  without  access  to tional Rural Employment Guaran­
their terms seem to have been remitted without the re­
sionate  about  environmental  is­ evidence of GDP being a very poor sustainability was relegated to the air­conditioning,  appropriate tee Act with such activities, as hap­
quired consultation with the Union government. It de­ sues  were  inspired  by  these  and indicator  of  human  well­being  — background. Mining projects crept clothing, etc. And we are not at all pening  in  some  States,  also  has
fies logic that those convicted for direct involvement in other movements. As the govern­ treats  the  natural  environment into  previously  safe  areas  includ­ prepared, with abysmally low bud­ huge potential.
the rape of three women, the murder of a three­year­ ment too responded with a series (and related livelihoods) as fodder ing  wildlife  protected  areas  and gets for adaptation measures. The
old  and  six  others  can  be  considered  candidates  for of forest, wildlife, environment­re­ for  exploitation.  Despite  public Adivasi territories, the oceans be­ Climate Action Plan got a meagre Needed, a mobilisation
premature release under any remission policy. One of lated laws and policies, there was posturing  about  the  Sustainable came a target for major commer­ ₹30 crore in the 2022­23 Budget. Such an orientation entails funda­
the convicts had obtained an order from the Supreme hope that India would be able to Development  Goals,  the  natural cial  extraction  (and  will  be  even mental restructuring of economy
Court in May, under which Gujarat, the State in which balance  its  development  needs elements without which we would more so with the new Deep Ocean Enabling sustainability and  governance.  It  will  mean  a
with the sustenance of its ecologi­ all be dead — land, water, biodiver­ Mission),  and  big  infrastructure So,  India’s  biggest  challenge:  can shift  away  from  large  infrastruc­
the crime occurred, was held to be the appropriate go­
cal  foundations.  As  India  cele­ sity, air — continue to be ignored became a holy mantra. ecological  sustainability  be  en­ ture and industrialisation, replac­
vernment to consider his premature release. The Court brates 75 years of Independence, or mauled.  sured while generating livelihood ing  mega­corporations  with  pro­
had asked the State to decide the application under its has that hope been sustained? In fact, the Government is dis­ security and dignity for more than ducer  cooperatives,  ensuring
1992 remission policy, as it was the relevant one on the mantling  environmental  and  so­ a billion people? Answers do exist, community  rights  over  the  ‘com­
date  of  conviction  in  2008.  However,  it  is  difficult  to An earth under stress cial security policies to favour cor­ in  thousands  of  initiatives  across mons’ (land, water, forest, coasts,
treat this as a waiver of the requirement under Section The prospects today seem far gloo­ porate access to land and natural the country, as documented in the knowledge),  and  direct  decision­
435 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which makes mier  than  they  did  in  the  1980s. resources, such as the latest pro­ Vikalp Sangam process. Five thou­ making  powers  to  gram  sabhas
Four  hundred  and  eighty  million posals  to  amend  forest  and  envi­ While wildlife and biodiversity sand Dalit women farmers of the and urban area sabhas while tack­
consultation  with  the  Centre  mandatory.  Further,  a
Indians face the world’s most ex­ ronment  laws,  and  the  Environ­ have  been  major  sufferers,  there Deccan Development Society have ling gender and caste inequities. It
Constitution  Bench,  in  2015,  held  that  ‘consultation’ treme air pollution levels. Accord­ ment  Impact  Assessment are  also  severe  socio­cultural demonstrated  how  organic, will entail respect for both human
meant ‘concurrence’ in this provision. The remission ing to NITI Aayog, “600 million pe­ notification.  Its  priority  pro­ costs. Over 60 million people have rainfed  farming  with  traditional rights and the rights of nature. But
also runs contrary to the spirit of contemporary think­ ople in India face high to extreme grammes include building massive been physically displaced by ‘de­ seed  diversity  can  provide  full since this will inevitably (and de­
ing on treating crimes against women and children, es­ water stress... with nearly 70% of physical  infrastructure  that  only velopment’ projects in the last few food security and sovereignty. sirably)  cut  into  the  profits  and
pecially rape combined with murder, as so heinous that water being contaminated; India is disrupts the natural infrastructure decades  with  very  poor  (if  any) Several  hundred  handloom consumerism of India’s ultra­rich,
the perpetrators should not be considered for remis­ placed at 120th amongst 122 coun­ we  desperately  need  to  protect. rehabilitation,  and  according  to weavers in Kachchh (Gujarat) have and reduce the centralised power
tries  in  the  water  quality  index”. For  instance,  the  2022­23  Budget the former Planning Commission, shown how dignified, creative live­ of  the  state,  it  will  not  happen
sion. It is not clear if the committee that recommended
Land degradation and desertifica­ has an allocation for highways that a disproportionately high percen­ lihoods  can  be  revived  based  on through government action alone.
remission had considered the disquieting effect the re­ tion are taking place over 30% of alone is 40 times greater than the tage of these are Adivasis and Da­ organic  Kala  cotton  and  a  mix  of It needs the collective mobilisation
lease  of  these  prisoners  might  have  on  the  survivors our land, according to the Indian Budget of the Ministry for Environ­ lits.  Ironically,  a  component  of traditional and new skills. Indeed, of  industrial  workers,  farmers,
and other members of the affected community. Space Research Organisation. Av­ ment,  Forests  and  Climate Prime  Minister  Narendra  Modi’s India’s crafts have sustained sever­ fishers,  craftspersons,  pastoral­
A life sentence normally means that a convict has to erage  levels  of  land  productivity Change. Of what use is faster and vision  of  Aatmanirbhar  Bharat al  hundred  million  people  in  the ists,  urban  and  rural  youth,  wo­
spend the natural life in prison. The Cr.P.C. does permit are one­fourth or one­fifth of what faster mobility, if at the end of the (self­reliant India) is new coal min­ past, and can do so again if the in­ men  in  all  sectors,  the  ‘disabled’
premature release in the form of remission or commu­ they  could  be;  pumping  in  artifi­ journey we still have air and water ing in central India, displacing al­ credible traditional and new skills and  LGBTQ,  and  those  speaking
cial fertilizers restores a bit, but at and food that are killing us? ready self­reliant Adivasi commun­ in  textiles,  footwear,  cleaning on behalf of wildlife, all of whom
tation, but it should be based on a legal and constitu­
the cost of pushing the soil further Given  the  hopeful  signs  of  the ities  and  rendering  them agents, vessels, pottery, furniture, are  marginalised  by  dominant
tional scheme, and not on a ruler’s whimsy. The power towards death. Food items in most 1970s and the 1980s, how did we dependent  on  government  and architecture and construction, wa­ elites. Then only will India finish
of remission has been conferred on the Union and State cities have pesticide residues well come  to  this  pass?  In  our  book corporations. ter­related  technologies,  and  a its  century  of  Independence  as  a
governments — apart from the sovereign power of cle­ above  human  safety  levels.  The Churning  the  Earth,  Aseem  Shri­ range of household items are given nation that has achieved genuine
mency enjoyed by the President and Governors — so World Bank — itself partly respon­ vastava and I analysed in detail a Extreme events priority.  Community­led  ecotou­ well­being — a real ‘amrit kaal’ and
that it can be used to temper the law’s rigours with an sible for pushing India into unsus­ significant turning point — the eco­ The  climate  crisis  severely  com­ rism,  such  as  homestays  in  Utta­ not  the  seductive  but  poisoned
element of grace. While the benefit of remission ought tainable  pathways  —  reported  in nomic ‘reforms’ beginning in 1991. pounds all this. This year’s super­ rakhand and Ladakh and Sikkim, chimera promised by Finance Mi­
not to be denied to anyone without a ray of hope that 2013 that India was losing 5.7% of With  greater  integration  into  the hot summer should be a warning, has combined increased earnings nister  Nirmala  Sitharaman  in  the
GDP  due  to  environmental  dam­ global economy, the entry of mul­ even if we have not yet learnt from with  ecologically  sensitive  visita­ Budget 2022­23 address.
they will be free one day, it is a power to be exercised
age. The latest global environmen­ tinational (and big Indian) corpo­ earlier events of extreme tempera­ tion. Community conserved areas
with discretion and wisdom. Further, any decision on tal ranking by Yale and Columbia rations  into  every  sector,  and  in­ tures, erratic rainfall, cloudbursts have  shown  a  democratic  ap­ Ashish Kothari is with Kalpavriksh, Pune.
remission should be linked to the convict’s expression Universities puts India at the bot­ creasing  exports  of  natural and cyclones. In recent trips to La­ proach to wildlife protection very The views expressed are personal
of regret and some promise of reform. It would be un­
justified if given for political considerations merely be­
cause of elapse of the minimum number of years they
have to serve. With an Assembly election due in Gujarat
at the end of the year, it is difficult not to read political
High points in science, technology and innovation 
significance into this decision. The sight of the released
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has undertaken its mission effectively since Independence 
convicts being greeted and feted on their release will finding  science  and  technology­ the generic pharmaceutical indus­ farmers’ incomes. For example, in
not sit easy on the country’s conscience. based solutions was the harmoni­ try in India also has a fascinating the 1950s, when solving the infant
sation of existing varied calendar history.  food  problem  appeared  impossi­
THE HINDU PHOTO ARCHIVES

Taking responsibility systems.  A  committee  under  the


Chairmanship  of  Meghnad  Saha
During  the  Green  Revolution,
the CSIR’s footprint could be seen
ble,  the  CSIR  successfully  deve­
loped technologies to convert buf­
Iran might not be directly involved in the was formed to address this issue. in the development of agrochemi­ falo  milk  into  powder  and
Shekhar Mande The  committee’s  report  was  pu­ cals and the mechanisation of agri­ commercialised it with the help of
attack on Rushdie, but it must revoke fatwa blished by the CSIR in 1955, which culture.  The  chemicals  industry Amul Industries. The Aroma Mis­

T
he Iranian Foreign Ministry’s comment, that only then  led  to  its  acceptance  as  the needed the necessary thrust for its sion  of  the  CSIR  in  recent  times

R
“Salman Rushdie and his supporters” were to be eflecting on 75 years of Inde­ national calendar, now one of the maturation  although  the  Bengal has been transforming the lives of
blamed  for  the  gruesome  knife  attack  on  the pendence makes one proud national identity elements. Anoth­ posing 25% export duty on semi­ Chemicals  and  Pharmaceuticals thousands  of  farmers  across  the
author in New York State last week, is yet another reiter­ of the socio­economic deve­ er example in the early years of In­ finished  leather  products.  These Ltd. had been formed by Acharya country. The cultivation of laven­
ation of the clerical establishment’s well­known regres­ lopments of our country. The long dependence  was  to  address  the decisions  were  a  major  turning Prafulla Chandra Ray long before der in the Union Territory of Jam­
period of colonial rule had robbed challenges  in  conducting  demo­ point as far as the development of Independence. Two public sector mu and Kashmir has been attract­
sive  position  on  the  Rushdie  affair.  The  1989  fatwa
India  of  most  of  its  wealth,  and, cratic  elections  —  preventing the  leather  industry  in  India  was companies were founded, post­In­ ing attention worldwide as India’s
against Rushdie, issued by Iran’s then Supreme Leader more  importantly,  the  skills  re­ frauds, including double voting by concerned. dependence,  based  on  technolo­ ‘Purple  Revolution’.  Thus,  there
Ayatollah Khomeini, because he believed the author’s quired  to  sustain  economic the  same  person.  The  CSIR’s  Na­ In  more  than  50  years  since gies developed in the CSIR’s labo­ are  many  examples  of  science,
The  Satanic  Verses was  blasphemous,  has  already growth.  Starting  off  as  a  poor tional  Physical  Laboratory  deve­ then, the leather industry now has ratories  —  the  Hindustan technology and innovation, which
wreaked enough havoc across the world. It was a rare country  in  1947,  with  its  GDP  a loped the indelible ink made up of a workforce of more than 4.5 mil­ Insecticides  Ltd.  and  Hindustan have allowed India to take defini­
instance of a leader of a country issuing an extra­territo­ mere  ₹2.7  lakh  crore,  and  food silver  nitrate  to  address  this  con­ lion,  a  large  percentage  of  them Organic Chemicals Ltd., the form­ tive steps towards becoming an At­
rial death sentence against an author who was living in grain production a meagre 50 mil­ cern.  The  indelible  ink  is  used being women, and a thriving mar­ er to make agrochemicals. Similar­ manirbhar  country.  True  Atma­
lion tonnes, the challenges of edu­ even today and exported to many ket  for  Indian  leather  products ly, production of anti­HIV drugs by nirbharta  will  however  emerge
another  country  by  invoking  his  pan­Islamist  beliefs
cating the people, feeding the pop­ countries, undoubtedly remaining around the world. Indian exports processes developed in CSIR labo­ only if we remain at the forefront
and clerical authority. Dozens were killed in riots. The ulation,  implementing one of the prized gifts of the CSIR in  this  sector  are  close  to  $6  bil­ ratories  provided  the  necessary of  futuristic  technology  develop­
book’s  translators  and  publishers  were  attacked.  It democracy,  promoting  industry to the nation. lion.  The  CSIR’s  footprint  in  this impetus to the growth of generic ment  —  a  task  clearly  cut  out  for
drove  Rushdie  underground  for  years.  Thirty­three and trade, and ensuring the coun­ sector  has  been  transformative. pharmaceutical companies. These the CSIR.
years  later,  Rushdie  was  attacked  by  a  24­year­old try’s security remained daunting. The leather story First,  when  the  CSIR­Central indeed represent fine examples of Even as we attribute the grow­
American  citizen  of  Lebanese  descent,  whose  social It is against this backdrop that the At  the  time  of  Independence,  In­ Leather Research Institute (CLRI) academia­industry  interactions ing  affluence  of  Indian  society  to
media accounts are reportedly filled with pro­Khomeini responsibility  of  developing  the dia  did  not  have  well­established was  established  in  1948,  it  deve­ from  the  early  days  of science,  technology  and  innova­
science,  technology  and  innova­ industries in many sectors. The in­ loped  technologies  for  finished Independence. tion­led  developments,  the  chal­
and pro­Iran content. Iran has denied any role. It is as­
tion ecosystem fell upon the Coun­ formal work sector was also highly leather products, such as the first The  mechanisation  of  agricul­ lenges  for  the  future  remain  inti­
tonishing  that  Iran could  not  even  issue  a  statement cil of Scientific and Industrial Re­ unorganised  without  their  skills ever  indigenous  manufacture  of ture was achieved through the in­ midating.  Reducing  dependence
condemning the attack and the attacker. Worse, pro­ search  (CSIR),  which  had  been being developed for any particular leather  chemicals,  making  the digenous development of the Swa­ on  natural  resources,  making  all
state media in Iran applauded “the courageous and du­ founded in 1942. industrial segment. A key mandate transition  from  semi­finished  to raj  tractor  at  the  CSIR­Central industrial  processes  circular  so
ty­conscious  man  who  attacked  the  apostate  and  de­ The  immediate  priority  of  the of the CSIR was, therefore, to help finished leather possible. Further, Mechanical Engineering Research that no footprint of human activity
praved Salman Rushdie in New York”. CSIR was to establish a number of develop local industries by making the  CSIR­CLRI  routinely  trained Institute  (CMERI),  leading  to  the is  left,  making  technologies  envi­
In the past, Iran’s government had stayed away from national laboratories under its um­ contemporary technologies availa­ the next generation manpower for formation of Punjab Tractors Ltd. ronmentally  friendly,  providing
brella,  and  also  promote  similar ble  and  training  requisite  man­ the  leather  industry.  As  a  result, in  1970.  Notably,  the  technical sufficient  opportunities  to  all  for
Khomeini’s fatwa. In 1998, Kamal Kharrazi, Foreign Mi­
organisations independently. The power.  A  prominent  example  of more  than  40%  personnel  em­ team of CSIR­CMERI shifted to this living either in cities or in villages
nister  in  the  government  of  reformist  President  Mo­ CSIR started five of its own labora­ the  CSIR’s  contributions  in  this ployed  in  the  leather  industry company,  presenting  one  of  the will  remain  priorities  of  science
hammad  Khatami,  announced  in  New  York  that  Iran tories  with  support  from  the  go­ context has been in developing the have been trained directly or indi­ first successful models of a spin­off and technology. Moreover, the an­
would not attempt to kill Rushdie. As it was generally in­ vernment and industry and raising leather  industry.  The  making  of rectly in the CSIR­CLRI. Human re­ company  from  academia  in  the cient  wisdom  of  integrating
terpreted as an informal revocation of the fatwa, the resources through crowdsourcing. finished  leather  products  had  re­ source development across all sec­ country. science and spirituality by enhanc­
U.K. normalised ties with the Islamic Republic. But har­ Similarly, in collaboration with the mained elusive in the absence of a tors,  dominantly  that  in  science, ing our understanding of nature in
dliners tightened their grip on Iran’s institutions once Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Go­ well­established  leather  industry technology  and  innovation,  has Path to self-reliance association with that of the human
Khatami’s  two  terms  came  to  an  end  in  2005.  In  the vernment of Bombay, the Govern­ and relevant technologies. Conse­ been the hallmark of CSIR. A significant impact of the CSIR is mind  and  spirit  will  be  the  fond
ment of India (through the CSIR) quently, the leather industry em­ also seen in the food and nutrition hope of the science and technolo­
same  year,  Ayatollah  Khamenei  repeated  Khomeini’s
started the Tata Institute of Funda­ ployed less than 25,000 people at Successes in technologies industry, in the aerospace sector, gy community of India.
position — that Rushdie was “an apostate whose killing mental  Research,  with  the  CSIR the time of Independence. In the The  Green  Revolution  has  been in  the  health  and  biotechnology
would be authorised by Islam”. In 2019, the Ayatollah’s providing  substantial  financial 1970s,  the  Government  took  the one  of  the  crowning  glories  of industry, in protecting India’s tra­ Dr. Shekhar Mande is former
Twitter account was briefly suspended after he said the support in the initial years. decision of banning the export of science,  technology  and  innova­ ditional  knowledge  systems,  and Director­General, Council of Scientific and
fatwa was  “solid  and  irrevocable”,  The  edict  clearly Among  the  first  examples  of raw hides and skins, and also im­ tion.  Similarly,  the  emergence  of in promoting crops for enhancing Industrial Research (CSIR)
made matters worse for Rushdie, but it did not stop him
from writing. He wrote some of his finest fiction and es­ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to letters@thehindu.co.in must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials.
says  during  this  period,  disproving,  as  Christopher
Hitchens put it, “Orwell’s fine but fallacious dictum that To read more letters
India at 75 ■ The issue dated August 15, and aged 104, was invited to the issue carefully.  Manmohan Singh was online, scan the QR code
‘the  imagination,  like  certain  wild  animals,  will  not The issue dated August 15, 2022, dedicated to India’s unfurl the tricolour flag at a V. Balasubramaniyan, insightful. The balanced view
breed in captivity’”. Rushdie continued to live under with the page of 1947 in 75th year of Independence, function in Chennai.  Chennai on the state of present­day ‘Nehru worship’? There are
the Ayatollah’s sword, but remained a champion of the black and white and in a was inspiring in many ways. R. Sivakumar, affairs is worth pondering quite a few events and
freedoms he believed in, something which those who vintage font, made one feel It had enlightening articles Chennai ■ The reprint from 1947 and over. developments that occurred
bayed for his blood never managed to reconcile with. both proud and nostalgic. It by eminent writers, a rare articles by luminaries were S. Krishnan, much after the passing of
is remarkable that our photograph or two such as ■ I am 76­plus and the special fresh air. I congratulate the Hyderabad Nehru such as economic
Iran may not have a direct role in the attack. But as the
freedom fighters achieved ‘The Second Round Table edition was a delight. The daily for maintaining its liberalisation and the digital
fatwa issued by the leader of its revolution has hunted
the goal of Independence. Conference in 1931’, and front page was a surprise. I chequered tradition. ■ It was disappointing to revolution. Why this focus
down  this  harmless  man  of  words  for  over  three  de­ The memories of their importantly, the facsimile of was able to retrieve a copy of J. Anantha Padmanabhan, read some of the articles, and on the Congress’s
cades, Iran has the moral responsibility, at least now sacrifices must remain the iconic page of August 15, the full issue of The Hindu Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu especially “The temples that viewpoint on a momentous
when he is recovering from serious wounds, to revoke evergreen.  1947. The day was also (August 15, 1947) preserved at Jawaharlal Nehru built” occasion?
the fatwa and unequivocally condemn the attack. Tushar Anand, special as a close relative, home — it is in a poor state — ■ The article by former (Editorial page, August 16). S. Sudhir Kumar,
Patna, Bihar who was a freedom fighter, and was able to go through Prime Minister Dr. Why was there so much of Hyderabad

CM M ND-NDE
YK
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THE HINDU DELHI

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022


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OPED 9

A probe into the Nehruvian pledge  The coming 75 years 
The inequality of opportunities which Nehru wanted to eradicate has only systematically widened  A higher standard of living is possible if India shifts its focus
to science and technology 
so on. This could have substantially
expanded India’s opportunities and system to disburse research grants to scien­
freedom.  The  country  that  once tists through their institutions, it is mired in
chose a socialist pattern of society is inefficiencies. Inadequate staffing at funding
not  even  a  good  social  democratic agencies,  lack  of  transparency  in  fund  dis­
variant now. bursal, lack of a rigorous international stan­
M.A. Oommen dard review and feedback process, excessive
The practice of democracy BINAY PANDA delay in fund disbursal, and an outdated ap­
With  growing  social  and  economic praisal  system  are  holding  our  scientists
Bliss was in that dawn to be alive, But inequality,  Indian  democracy  is back. Everyone knows about the lacking, but
to  be  young  was  very  Heaven!  O emerging into what Shankkar Aiyar As  India  celebrates  75  years  of  Indepen­ what is the way out? Part of the solution is to
Times” —William Wordsworth calls the “Gated Republic”. His book dence, it is apt to imagine what the next 75 bring and implement best practices from the
Bliss was the night when I, along under this phrase narrates why the years will look like. Can our nation, obsessed industry  and  some  of  the  best­run  science
with the hostel students of St. Berch­ privileged classes do not demand key with politics, Bollywood, and cricket, aspire grant  administrations  abroad.  The  involve­
mans  College,  Kerala,  proudly  don­ public goods such as drinking water,
AP

to  make  the  next  75  years  an  enviable  era ment of the IT major, Tata Consulting Servic­
ning Gandhi caps and carrying crack­ electricity,  and  law  and  order;  it  is with a higher standard of living for every citi­ es, and technology use in transforming pass­
ers, waited to ring in August 15, 1947. mortality ratio (MMR) in 456 out of disparities in gender, caste and class because  they  have  bottled  water, zen? Yes, India can, and will, provided there port services across the globe gives us hope.
With no radio around, we missed the 640  districts  is  above  140  per  lakh coexist. There are constitutional gua­ storage tanks, water purifiers, inver­ is a shift in focus to science and technology. This is not to hand over the crucial decision­
historic speech of Jawaharlal Nehru, live births; in Assam, it is 215. That it rantees  of  reservation  in  employ­ ters,  private  security  and  the  like. But how will India make this happen, given making process of science grant administra­
who said: “Long years ago, we made is  eminently  better  in  the  southern ment and education for historically Many  of  the  avoidable  deaths,  and that it spends a meagre 0.7% of its GDP on re­ tion to the industry, but to facilitate the pro­
a tryst with destiny and now the time States shows not only the vast dispar­ marginalised  communities  to  ex­ disease, that happen in India are due search and development (R&D)? It needs to cess  of  paper  submission  and  to  make  the
comes  when  we  shall  redeem  our ities in the health systems of States, pand  their  opportunities,  but  be­ to the public failure in providing wa­ make some fundamental policy changes to decision­making process easier, faster, and
pledge... of dedication to the service but also the loss of freedom of mil­ cause these groups have had to con­ ter,  public  hygiene,  education  and facilitate  the  transition.  These  include  in­ with complete transparency.
of  India  and  her  people  and  to  the lions  to  live  long.  Considering  the tend with powerful groups with great the rule of law. It is paradoxical that creasing  the  R&D  budget  to  4%  of  the  na­
still larger cause of humanity... The global  Sustainable  Development initial  endowments  and  an  early India,  which  successfully  launched tion’s GDP, ensuring that individual institu­ Science for the masses
service of India means the service of Goals target, all countries are expect­ start, these guarantees have proved the  Mars  Orbiter  and  Chandrayaan tions implement processes to accommodate Third, it is time to bring the fruits of science
the millions who suffer. It means the ed to have a MMR that is below 70. to  be  largely  ineffective.  Moreover, missions,  could  not  eradicate  mass the large budget, encouraging individual en­ and technology closer to the masses. There
ending of poverty and ignorance and Reducing the inequality between India  has  failed  to  seriously  imple­ poverty,  especially  of  the  Adivasis, trepreneurs and linking science with society. is no better way to do this than by promoting
disease  and  inequality  of men and women in their access to re­ ment land reforms. The resounding fisherfolk and Dalits. The Economic and  facilitating  individual  entrepreneurs.
opportunity.” sources and opportunity is an impor­ slogan ‘land to the tiller’ of the pre­ Survey 2021 (Chapter 4) asserts that Strengthening infrastructure This has received increased attention from
Seventy­five years on, it is instruc­ tant metric of civilisation. The Global Independence  struggle  has  quietly economic growth and inequality will First,  spending  4%  of  the  national  GDP  on the  government  with  many  positive  policy
tive to ask how far we have redeemed Gender Gap Index, produced by the vanished.  While  the  property­own­ converge in terms of their effects on R&D is required to drive science and innova­ changes. However, without proper nutrition,
the  pledge.  Economists  in  general World Economic Forum, with a sta­ ing  class  have  been  winners,  the socioeconomic outcomes. The trick­ tion.  Israel  and  South  Ko­ the  plants  cannot  produce
have not examined this question. But ble  methodology  using  four  sub­in­ landless Dalits, Adivasis and the poor le­down  thesis  is  an  insult  to  the rea  are  prime  examples greener  leaves.  There  are  no
three books by Jean Dreze and Amar­ dices — economic participation, edu­ have not been able to go forward. poor. Only the rich who finance the that drive their respective better cradles for creative ideas
tya Sen, written over 18 years, com­ cational  attainment,  health  and In  a  2019  paper,  Thomas  Piketty political parties can have their quid economies  by  spending than  our  university  labs.  A  ro­

THE HINDU ARCHIVES


prehensively examined the transfor­ survival, and political empowerment and Lucas Chancel trace India’s jour­ pro  quo,  while  social  rights  get nearly 5% of their GDP on bust system to link the labs with
mative  process  within  their — based on 14 indicators, provides a ney  ‘From  British  Raj  to  Billionaire drowned. Look at the promotion of R&D. However, an increase the entrepreneurs to funnel in­
freedom­capability  perspective snapshot of where men and women Raj’  and  show  that  the  egalitarian electoral  bonds  on  the  grounds  of in the science budget to in­ novative  ideas,  products,  and
keeping in mind the larger context of in India stand globally. In 2006, In­ achievements up to the early 1980s ‘donor’s anonymity’ while the Elec­ novate  must  precede  ap­ solutions  to  our  society  needs
the demands of democracy and so­ dia’s rank was 98 as against 13 for Sri have been lost following the liberali­ tion  Commission  and  other  demo­ propriate macro­level poli­ to be in place. To make this hap­
cial  justice.  This  article  reviews  the Lanka and 91 for Bangladesh. India’s sation  turnaround.  They  estimate cratic institutions get throttled? Cor­ cy  changes  on  how  and pen,  the  universities  must  en­
pledge of ending inequality of oppor­ position fell to 135 in 2022, whereas that the top 1% earners captured less ruption is pervasive and undermines where the money needs to be spent. A part courage scientists to innovate and place stan­
tunity made at the time of Indepen­ Bangladesh improved its position to than  21%  of  the  total  income  in  the democratic practice. The moral tur­ of this increase needs to be earmarked for dardised  procedures  to  take  ideas  out  of
dence under three broad heads: gen­ 71. Comparisons with Pakistan’s 145 late 1930s, 6% in the early 1980s and pitude of the Opposition makes ad­ building physical and intellectual infrastruc­ labs. Entrepreneurship will only succeed in
der inequality, social inequality and or  Afghanistan’s  146  can  offer  only 22%  in  recent  times.  On  the  other versarial politics toothless and timid. ture across the country, especially in the un­ India if it is backed by a funnel of ideas and a
the  practice  of  democracy.  Let  me cold  comfort.  In  the  sub­indice  of hand,  the  share  of  the  bottom  50% The  local  democracy,  heralded  30 iversities. A first­class infrastructure must be liberal process of taking those ideas out of
hasten to add, I do not berate India’s economic  participation,  India  fell remained below 14%. This is but inev­ years ago with great hopes to build accompanied by well­trained, globally com­ our university labs.
achievements as an economic power, from  110  in  2006  to  151  in  2021. itable because the share of the bot­ India on a plank of economic deve­ petitive institutional administrators and pro­ Where does India find $125 billion or near­
its  progress  in  literature,  science, Worse,  in  health  and  survival,  it tom 50% income group grew 90% in lopment and social justice from the cesses.  India  cannot  compete  on  a  global ly ₹10 lakh crore to fund science? India can­
technology, knowledge diffusion, in­ slipped  from  103  in  2006  to  155  in the  1980­2015  period,  while  that  of grass­roots level, faces utter neglect. stage unless the dwindling infrastructure of not do that by taking money away from so­
novation achievements, distinctions 2021. That the reported Indian Penal the top 10% grew 435% (Review of In­ The  Mission  Antyodaya  project  to its universities is upgraded. cial  infrastructure,  rural  development  or
in  music,  films,  market  sophistica­ Code (IPC) crimes against women as come and Wealth, Series 65, Number eradicate mass poverty is in the back­ Second, before any policy changes take ef­ important welfare schemes. This is only pos­
tion, and so on. But the compulsions a proportion of total IPC crimes in­ S1, 2019). We cannot forget that the burner.  fect, individual institutions must implement sible if India cuts the defence budget. No na­
of our history and public reason de­ creased  steadily  between  1990  and number of billionaires in India grew After  75  years  of  Independence, processes to accommodate the large budget. tion can claim to win wars in the 21st century
mand  clarity  regarding  objectives 2019 is an ominous portend. It does from 102 in 2020 to 142 in 2021, while the  inequality  of  opportunities, This  requires  standardising  procedures with increased defence spending. Even the
and instruments, ends and means. not  speak  highly  of  our  democracy the  share  of  the  bottom  50%  in  na­ which  Nehru  wanted  to  eradicate, across  institutions  and  borrowing  the  best mighty U.S., with an excess of $750 billion
that this happened despite 20 States tional wealth shrank to a low 6% in has  only  systematically  widened. practices  from  some  global  counterparts. dollars in the defence budget, could not de­
Men, women and equality reserving 50%, and others one­third, the worst pandemic times (Oxfam). When will the “soul of a nation, long For example, when the government encour­ feat  the  Taliban.  We  must  realise  that  the
At midnight, we shouted the slogan, of  local  government  seats  for These  striking  numbers  clearly suppressed” find “utterance”? ages public­private partnerships, each grant­ next generation of war is economic, not mil­
‘Bolo  Bharat  Mata  Ki  Jai’,  blissfully women. prove that the sustained gains of eco­ receiving institution must have internal pro­ itary, and only a science and technology­dri­
unaware  of  the  unfreedoms  of  wo­ Unless  serious  public  interven­ nomic  growth  have  not  been  chan­ M.A. Oommen is Honorary Fellow at CDS cedures to handle their scientists’ requests ven economy can prepare us for that.
men in those days. Today, one will be tions are made, inequality of oppor­ neled to widen the access to educa­ and Distinguished Fellow at GIFT, to facilitate effective academia­industry col­
Thiruvananthapuram
shocked  to  find  that  the  maternal tunity  will  only  widen  where social tion, health care, social security and laboration. Although there is a well­defined Binay Panda is a Professor at JNU, New Delhi

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DATA POINT
Questioning a colonial legacy  FROM THE ARCHIVES
FIFTY YEARS AGO AUGUST 17, 1972
It is hoped that the constabulary will go back to
Many States oppose kissing in films 
policing instead of running errands for officers 
New Delhi, Aug. 16: While the inquiry com­
S. Vijay Kumar Sub­Inspectors  without  vehicles. mittee on film censorship has recommend­
This  leads  to  allegations  that  they ed liberalisation of censorship rules a num­
As the country celebrates 75 years of force  complainants  to  hire  private ber  of  States  have  strongly  opposed
Independence,  the  Madras  High vehicles for investigation purposes. introduction of “passionate kissing and exhi­
Court  is  seeking  to  rid  the  police When the High Court took up the bition of nudity” in Indian films. This is dis­
force  of  the  colonial  legacy  of  em­ issue of the orderly system in 2018, closed in a statement showing the principal
ploying police personnel as orderlies the then DGP gave an affidavit claim­ recommendations  of  the  committee  and
at the homes of senior police officers. ing that it has been abolished. With views  received  from  the  film  industry  and
“Such uniformed trained police per­ the  court  bracing  to  pronounce  its State  Governments  thereon  which  was  ta­
sonnel are performing the household verdict, incumbent DGP C. Sylendra bled in the Lok Sabha to­day. The committee
work  and  menial  jobs  in  the  resi­ Babu  recently  called  for  an  urgent observed that any law dealing with film cen­
dence of higher officials at the cost of meeting  of  senior  police  officers  in sorship should merely state that films must
the  taxpayers’  funds.  Public  has  a Chennai  and  urged  them  to  send not be repugnant to Article 19(2) of the Con­
right to question the mindset of the back police constables, head consta­ stitution. It is not necessary to have a long
higher  officials,”  observed  Justice bles and other rank personnel work­ catalogue of general principles. The above­
S.M. Subramaniam in his recent inte­ ing as orderlies in their camp offices mentioned Article of the Constitution safe­
rim orders. The court had taken suo or residences for police duties. He al­ guards the sovereignty and integrity of In­
motu cognisance of the issue. so  asked  police  officers  above dia, security of the State, friendly relations
Last  month,  the  judge  had  di­ the rank of SP to give an under­ with foreign countries, public order, decen­
rected the State Home Se­ taking that there are no order­ cy and morality, contempt of court and defa­
cretary  to  take  steps  to lies at their residences. mation and incitement to an offence.  The
remove uniformed per­ However, officers engaged in States which have opposed introduction of
sonnel engaged law­and­order duties may be per­ kissing and nudity in Indian films are And­
as  ‘orderlies’. mitted to have a couple of police hra Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Pun­
The  court  has constables at the camp office to at­ jab and West Bengal. Kerala and Pondicher­
said  the  “slavery tend  phone  calls,  visitors,  etc.  A ry  are,  however,  in  agreement  with  the
system”  must  be three­member  committee  com­ recommendations of the committee. Other
abolished,  failing prising the Chennai Police Commis­ States have “no comments” to offer.
which  it  will  take sioner,  ADGP  (Administration)  and
some  other  course  of ADGP (Armed Police) has been con­ A HUNDRED YEARS AGO AUGUST 17, 1922
action. It has posted stituted  to  study  the  issue  and  take
the  case  for  August suitable action at the earliest. Mr. Sastri 
18. Rights  activists  have  also  argued
The  orderly  system  was  officially that the use of uniformed personnel Vancour, August 16: Mr. Sastri has arrived on
banned  in  1979.  Yet,  it  is  common and police vehicles for personal use a three week tour to Canada to investigate
practice to see men in khaki trousers amounts  to  criminal  misconduct  as the  status  of  Indians  and  will  speak  at  va­
and  white  crew  neck  banians  run­ the  officers  draw  an  allowance  of rious places. In a speech here, he said: ‘We
ning  household  errands  for  senior ₹10,000  for  engaging  servants  at seek the full recognised British citizenship
police officers and their family mem­ home  without  actually  engaging for the native of India domiciled in any part
bers. In some instances, even retired them.  Their  contention  stems  from of  the  Empire.  I  am  here  to  support  that
top officers have retained orderlies. Section 13 of the Prevention of Cor­ principle. There is not now nor can there be
Going  by  rough  estimates,  a  few ruption Act, 1988. This states that a any influx of Indians here, or to any other
hundreds of police personnel are de­ public servant is said to commit the Dominion without that Dominion’s consent
ployed  in  the  residences  of  serving offence of criminal misconduct if he/ under the 1928 policy of mutual consultation
and  retired  police  officers.  They she dishonestly or fraudulently mis­ and agreement. India does not intend and
don’t  perform  any  police  duty,  but appropriates  or  otherwise  converts does not desire to reopen that phase of her
get a travelling allowance and extra for his/her own use any property en­ Empire status.’ Mr. Sastri declared there was
time  remuneration.  These  extra trusted  to  him/her  or  any  property a feeling in India that the rest of the Empire
perks without performing any partic­ under his/her control as a public ser­ regarded Indians as inferior people and the
ularly  difficult  chores  keep  them vant or allows any other person so to latter asked why should we cling to the Em­
happy. do or if he/she intentionally enriches pire if we are evermore to be looked down
But  the  orderlies  are  technically himself/herself illicitly during the pe­ upon  and  exploited.  Mr.  Sastri  added  that
on the rolls of police stations, armed riod of office. It is hoped that on the his desire was to be able to report to his Go­
reserve  or  battalion  strength.  Their court’s watch, the constabulary will vernment that there is no disposition on the
absence  from  official  duties  only go back to doing its job of policing in­ part of sister Dominions to look down upon
adds to the burden of the already un­ stead of running errands for officers. citizens of India. It was the Indian Govern­
derstaffed police force. The use of a ment’s policy to discourage emigration and
few  hundreds  of  vehicles  for  perso­ to stop absolutely the system of indentured
nal  use  again  leaves  Inspectors  and vijay.kumar@thehindu.co.in labour. 
CM M ND-NDE
YK
DELHI

10 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022


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Easing trend Mounting debt Milk prices hiked National flag campaign Bihar cabinet

13.93 60 61 2.36 31
In %, the wholesale In trillion Pakistani rupee In ₹, the cost of Mother Dairy’s In crore, the number The number of Ministers who
price­based (PKR), the country’s debt in full cream milk up from ₹59 of national flags took oath in the newly formed
inflation in July fiscal year 2021­22, a new per litre. Leading milk worth over ₹60 crore Bihar cabinet. Among the
which eased to a high. The gross public debt suppliers Amul and Mother procured by different Ministers who took the oath,
five month low due stood at 49.2 trillion PKR by Dairy will increase milk prices government 16 were from RJD, 11 from
to the softening of food prices and the end of the last fiscal year, by ₹2 per litre with effect from departments from the public buying Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U),
manufactured products. The according to the State Bank of Pakistan Wednesday on account of rising input portal Government e­Marketplace two from Congress, one from ex­CM
WPI­based inflation softened for the (SBP). An additional 9.3 trillion PKR costs. This is the second hike by Amul (GeM) from July 1 to August 15. These Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam
second consecutive month in July, was added in just one year. The central and Mother Dairy in nearly six months. procurements were carried out for the Morcha (HAM) and one Independent.
raising hopes of further decline in the bank’s latest debt bulletin for the fiscal In the beginning of March, both had ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. The Prime The number of Muslims in the new
months to come. Inflation of food year 2021­22, which it released on increased milk prices by ₹2 per litre. Minister had given a call on July 22 to cabinet is five, up from only one in the
articles in July eased to 10.77% from Monday also showcased that the debt The Gujarat Cooperative Milk strengthen the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ previous NDA government that fell last
14.39% in June. The rate of price rise in burden increased in terms of the size of Marketing Federation has said that movement by hoisting or displaying week after the Chief Minister severed
vegetables declined substantially to the national economy, indicating that Amul full cream milk will be available the national flag at homes. As many as ties with the BJP. The RJD has,
18.25% in July against 56.75% the Pakistan is at its worst and under a at ₹62 per litre in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, 4,159 sellers had registered on the predictably, given a significant number
previous month. PTI heavy load of unbearable debt. Delhi­NCR and Mumbai. PTI GeM platform to supply the flags. PTI of seven berths to the Yadavs. PTI
compiled by the hindu data team
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EXPLAINER

Understanding ethanol blending


How is ethanol extracted? What are the environmental concerns with respect to this process?

THE GIST
K. Bharat Kumar

The story so far: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi announced that India has achieved its
target of blending 10% sugarcane­extracted
B Blending ethanol with ethanol in petrol, ahead of schedule.
petrol to burn less fossil Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on
fuel while running vehicles
the 76th Independence Day, he rooted for
is called ethanol
blending. Ethanol is an
energy independence stating that, “we need
agricultural by­product. It’s to be Aatmanirbhar (self­sufficient) in our
mainly obtained in the energy sector”. India is one of the world’s
processing of sugar from biggest oil importing nations. 
sugarcane, but also from
other sources such as rice What is ethanol blending?
husk or maize.  Blending ethanol with petrol to burn less
fossil fuel while running vehicles is called
B The auto industry has ethanol blending. Ethanol is an agricultural
committed to make all by­product which is mainly obtained from
vehicles E20 (20% ethanol the processing of sugar from sugarcane, but
in petrol) material compliant also from other sources such as rice husk or
by 2023. This means that
maize. Currently, 10% of the petrol that
the petrol points, plastics,
rubber, steel and other powers your vehicle is ethanol. Though we
components in vehicles have had an E10 — or 10% ethanol as policy
would need to be compliant for a while, it is only this year that we have
to hold/store fuel that is achieved that proportion. India’s aim is to
20% ethanol. increase this ratio to 20% originally by 2030
but in 2021, when NITI Aayog put out the
B While ethanol blending ethanol roadmap, that deadline was
can reduce CO2 emissions, advanced to 2025. 
inefficient land and water Ethanol blending will help bring down
use for ethanol extraction as our share of oil imports (almost 85%) on
well as food security which we spend a considerable amount of
concerns still remain.  our precious foreign exchange. Secondly,
more ethanol output would help increase
farmers’ incomes. 
The NITI Aayog report of June 2021 says,
“India’s net import of petroleum was 185
million tonnes at a cost of $55 billion in
2020­21,” and that a successful ethanol
blending programme can save the country
$4 billion per annum. 

What are first generation and second
generation ethanols? 
With an aim to augment ethanol supplies,
the government has allowed procurement of
ethanol produced from other sources
besides molasses — which is first generation
ethanol or 1G. Other than molasses, ethanol
can be extracted from materials such as rice
straw, wheat straw, corn cobs, corn stover,
bagasse, bamboo and woody biomass, which
are second generation ethanol sources or
2G. 
While inaugurating the Indian Oil Even though the industry is recovering almost 63,000 cars annually on our roads. 3.65 crore litres a year. The 2021 Ethanol
Corporation’s (IOC) 2G ethanol plant last from the economic losses bought on by the However, it does not reduce the emission of Roadmap forecasts that an additional 800
week, Mr. Modi referred to not only the pandemic, it is bound to make some change another key pollutant — nitrous oxide.  crore litres of ethanol is needed annually to
prospect of higher farmer income but also to comply with India’s promise for net­zero The Institute for Energy Economics and meet the target. He points out that
dwelt upon the advantages of farmers selling emissions by 2070.  Financial Analysis (IEEFA) in a report in “assuming the other 11 planned farm waste
the residual stubble — left behind after rice is March talks about the inefficient land use in distilleries have similar rates of production,
harvested — to help make biofuels. This What are the challenges before the ethanol production. The report’s author their combined input would barely produce
means lesser stubble burning and therefore, industry when it comes to 20% ethanol Charles Worringham said that we can use 5% of the additional annual ethanol
lesser air pollution.  blended fuel?  land far more efficiently by generating requirement.” 
The Niti Aayog report points out that the renewable power for EV batteries. For
How have other countries fared?  challenges before the industry are: example, to match the annual travel distance What about food security concerns? 
Though the U.S., China, Canada and Brazil “optimisation of engine for higher ethanol of EVs recharged from one hectare Mr. Worringham also flags the impact on
all have ethanol blending programmes, as a blends and the conduct of durability studies generating solar energy, 187 hectares of crop output meant for food and fodder.
developing country, Brazil stands out. It had on engines and field trials before introducing maize­derived ethanol are required, even “There are already indications that more
legislated that the ethanol content in petrol E20 compliant vehicles.”  when one accounts for the losses from sugarcane is being grown and that the
should be in the 18­27.5% range, and it finally CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
electricity transmission, battery charging Government of India encouraged more corn
touched the 27% target in 2021.  and grid storage.  production at the India Maize Summit in
Ethanol blending will help bring The water needed to grow crops for May, with its use for ethanol production
How does it impact the auto industry?  down India’s share of oil imports ethanol is another debating point. An cited as a reason for this push. Sugar and
At the time of the NITI Aayog report in June (almost 85%) on which the explainer in The Hindu in May states that for cane production that end up in the petrol
last year, the industry had committed to the government spends a considerable India, sugarcane is the cheapest source of tank cannot also appear on the dinner plate,
government to make all vehicles E20 amount of foreign exchange. ethanol. On average, a tonne of sugarcane in animal fodder, be stored in warehouses,
material compliant by 2023. This meant that Secondly, more ethanol output would can produce 100 kg of sugar and 70 litres of or be exported. As was evident in India’s
the petrol points, plastics, rubber, steel and help increase farmers’ incomes ethanol — meaning, a litre of ethanol from wheat harvest earlier this year, climate
other components in vehicles would need to sugar requires 2,860 litres of water.  change­induced heatwaves are a worrying
be compliant to hold/store fuel that is 20% Sources say that the auto industry is in There has been, therefore, a move toward factor and can lead to lower­than­expected
ethanol. Without such a change, rusting is an talks with the government to plan this waste­based extraction, such as through harvests with little notice,” he says. 
obvious impediment.  transition. There are multiple issues at stake coarse grains. But supply may still be a Global corn, or maize, production is
Rajesh Menon, director­general of the for this endeavour. Storage is going to be the problem, though the Niti Aayog report down, and this adds an incentive for India to
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers main concern, for if E10 supply has to sounds sanguine on this count — “the try and export more. In France, the corn
says that the industry has committed to continue in tandem with E20 supply, storage roadmap estimates ethanol production from harvest has dipped 19%, and reductions in
becoming E20 engine compliant by 2025, would have to be separate which then raises domestic grains will increase a whopping forecast production have been seen for at
which means that engines would need to be costs.  fourfold by 2025.” The abnormally wet least seven other countries in Europe. U.S.
tweaked so as to process petrol which has monsoon seasons may have helped in recent production expectations have also been
been blended with 20% ethanol.  What have been the objections against years to raise grain output, but in its August revised slightly downward. 
this transition?  2021 analysis The International Council on “Given the uncertainty about future
Are there other alternatives?  Ethanol burns completely emitting nil Clean Transportation (ICCT) is sceptical that production, India may not find it easy to
Sources in the auto industry state that they carbon dioxide. By using the left­over those production increases can be sustained.  simultaneously strengthen domestic food
prefer the use of biofuels as the next step, residue from rice harvests to make ethanol, Mr. Worringham states that sugar cane supply systems, set aside adequate stocks for
compared to other options such as electric stubble burning will also reduce. The 2G would likely continue to be the primary lean years, maintain an export market for
vehicles (EV), hydrogen power and ethanol project inaugurated last week will source for ethanol even with the 12 planned grains, and divert grain to ethanol at the
compressed natural gas. This is mainly reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to about farm waste — or 2G ethanol — distilleries. expected rate in coming years, and this is an
because biofuels demand the least three lakh tonnes of CO2 emissions per The first, inaugurated last week, has a issue that warrants continued monitoring,”
incremental investment for manufacturers.  annum, which is the same as replacing capacity to produce 100 kilo litres a day, or he warns. 
CM M ND-NDE
YK
DELHI

& Context
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022
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Text | 11

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MURALI KUMAR. K
BIBLIOGRAPHY FROM THE ARCHIVES

The literary trail of Know your


English
independence “Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning.”

Capturing the essence of Indianness through books “Sir, is it correct to say ‘I’ll fix some lunch


for you?”
Soma Basu highlights the first war against the British, the gave hope and anxiety to political leaders and the
Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, the aftermath of it and how people in those times and how India transformed ‘”Fix in the sense of ‘make or prepare food
The road to independence was an incongruous it revolutionised the march to freedom and the significantly and anchored itself as a resilient, or drink’ is American. 
juxtaposing of sacrifices and aspirations, struggles political landscape.  democratic polity. 
and autonomy, sufferings and jubilation that In 2018, Kishwar Desai wrote Jallianwala Bagh, I’ll fix a drink for you.
characterised the complexities of a long freedom 1919, on the scars the massacre left when General A bend in the river Don’t go away. My wife is fixing lunch for
movement. Even as we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Dyer’s order turned into a death warrant for A God In Every Stone by Kamila Shamsie is an us.”
Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of freedom to peaceful protestors who had gathered against unusual story about a young Englishwoman “What’s the meaning of ‘I must have my ty­
resonate with the pulse of contemporary India, it British rule. In 1956, Khushwant Singh wrote Vivian Rose Spencer, an archaeologist who travels pewriter fixed’, sir?”
is imperative to remember the country's rich Train to Pakistan, a fictional account set in a town to Peshawar, Pakistan, after a brutal betrayal and “It means ‘I must have the type­writer re­
history, culture, people and diversity.  on the India­Pakistan border. Though the Qayyum Gul, a soldier in the British Indian army paired’, ‘fix’ here is used in the sense of ‘re­
Partition was a political fall­out, Singh talks about and his younger brother Najeeb who becomes pair’. 
Towards freedom several horrific local situations that increased the Vivian’s pupil. Through the three characters, the Can you fix my electric shaver? 
Thankfully, there are no dearth of writers who hostility between the Sikh and the Muslim. He story traverses from the First World War to India’s Can you fix the door? 
have documented India’s freedom struggle and gives a human dimension to the incidents for a independence bridging the gulf of several decades I’ll fix your sewing machine.
poignantly captured the essence of Indianness. sense of reality and believability. Aanchal and connecting the dots of changing history. ‘Fix’ has several meanings. You must use it
While highlighting different perspectives, the Malhotra delivers a poignant story about the Describing the socio­political unrest and violence with care. Otherwise you will be in a fix.”
narratives on the dawn of August 15, 1947, have a refugees of Partition through the objects they that changed the nation forever, Manohar “What is the meaning of ‘He buttonholed
powerful and lingering impact and also help to carried with them across the border in Remnants Malgonkar documents events in A Bend in the me on my way to my office’, sir?”
imagine and revisit moments in the long journey of a Separation. The belongings tell the Ganges that led to the civil disobedience “It means ‘He stopped me and forced me
of colonisation. fascinating stories of their owners and what they movement in the 1930s and eventually to the to listen to him’. A button­hole is a hole for a
If Jawaharlal Nehru’s Discovery of India traces experienced during their darkest days.  Partition riots in Punjab.  button. It was perhaps a custom in the past to
the history from the Indus Valley civilisation to CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
The Partition of India by Haimanti Roy puts hold a person by the button or button­hole
the establishment of the British Empire and tracks together contextual histories with a while conversing with him. Even now some
the rich cultural heritage of the country, While highlighting different perspectives, comprehensive account of the causes, people do it. When you are in a hurry, you
Anandamath by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the narratives on the dawn of August 15, experiences and consequences of the Partition. hate  to  be  buttonholed.  Don’t  think  people
set in the sanyasi rebellion of the late 18th century, 1947, have a powerful impact and also She reflects upon the multiplicity of meanings of won’t  buttonhole  you  if  you  are  without
offers the synonym of Indian integrity in the form help to imagine and revisit moments in 1947 that led to violence, migration and buttons!”
of Vande Mataram.  the long journey of colonisation rehabilitation in Bengal and Punjab. Unless we “What’s the meaning of ‘on the sly’, sir?”
Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre understand those experiences, we cannot “ ‘On the sly’ means ‘in secret’. It is used
and Larry Collins details the last year of the Salman Rushdie’s 1981 novel Midnight’s understand the challenges faced in South Asia when  something  is  done  unlawfully  or  dis­
British Raj, with the appointment of Lord Children is a classic post­colonial literature that today, is the underlying point.  honestly. 
Mountbatten as the last viceroy of British India. deals with the transition from British colonialism Even after 75 years, contemporary society He  says  he  has  given  up  drinking.  But  I
Filled with interesting stories, it is an evocative to independence with the Partition at the core of grapples with India’s history, memories and know he drinks on the sly. 
piece of historical literature that brings out the historical events. He narrates the story of Saleem legacies as much of it remains locked with families He is not straightforward. He does things
reactions of the princely states' to independence, Sinai, born at that magical midnight moment and individuals who lived through the trauma of on the sly.”
the pain of the Partition and travails of people when India became independent, and is gifted loss of home, life and work, uprooting and “What’s  the  difference  between  ‘foolish’
who were divided into territories on the basis of with a special power of telepathy which he uses to survival. When we talk about independence, there and ‘ignorant’, sir?”
religion, and the despondency following the death connect with other children born in that hour are also many books on the heroes of the “An  ignorant  person  is  lacking  in  know­
and funeral of Mahatma Gandhi.  between 12 and 1 am. Their conference is a independence struggle. The recently published, ledge. We are ignorant when we do not know. 
reflection of India’s post­independence issues Her Name Was Freedom, by Anu Kumar, is about I am ignorant of Greek. 
Taking stock pertaining to culture, language, religion and 35 women, many of whom have never met each A foolish man is one who is lacking in judg­
Another non­fiction tome, The Last Mughal: The politics. Gyanesh Kudaisya in A Republic in the other, but defended their country against tyranny. ment or a sense of proportion. 
Fall of A Dynasty, Delhi, 1857 by William Making: India in the 1950s looks at the Their fight for freedom was not only about ending It was foolish of him to criticise his boss in
Dalrympyle, looks at India’s independence momentous decade marked by dramatic events British rule but also about reforming the old ways public. 
movement by going back to when it all began. It and challenges; the uncertain trajectories that and changing it for the better.  It was foolish of him to offer himself as a
candidate. 
It would be foolish to buy such an expen­
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An ignorant man need not be foolish and a
THE DAILY QUIZ foolish man need not be ignorant.”
“What’s the difference between ‘examine’
A second quiz on Indian heritage and biodiversity as part of celebrating 75 years of independence  and ‘discuss’, sir?”
“When you examine something you ana­
lyse it closely and in detail in order to arrive at
Indian Ministry of Environment, F This man was an early member of the Asiatic Society. He is primarily known for a balanced judgement. The word ‘examine’
1 He is an American­Indian
herpetologist and founder of
the Madras Snake Park. He used
Forest and Climate Change
announced a project to boost the
what feat?    THE HINDU ARCHIVES *
comes from Latin ‘examen’ which means ‘a
balance’. You try to weigh the object of exam­
his Whitley Award to found the conservation of this species. Name
the project and the species. ination in a balance. ‘Discuss’ is from Latin
Agumbe Rainforest Research
Station in Karnataka. Who is he? According to Indian mythology and Please send in your answers to the dailyquiz@thehindu.co.in ‘discussus’ which means ‘to shake apart’. You
What was his focus of research in folklore, this deity is associated with discuss something when you talk about it in
the Agumbe Rainforest? this species. Name the deity as well. Questions (abridged) and Answers to the previous day’s daily quiz: 1. This World great detail with others. Discussion is verbal.
Heritage site of India is of mixed type. Ans: The Khangchendzonga National Park. It is Examination can be through discussion also.
2 Some bird species have gone
extinct in recent times. Some 4 The Archaeological Survey of
India made a momentous
discovery in 1896. This was
a mix of cultural and natural and is located in Sikkim
2. The day when the first stamp of Independent India was issued. Ans: November 21,
You can examine by reading, discussion, ob­
servation and reflection. We need not discuss
of them include Rhodonessa
caryophyllaceae and Ophrysia discovered by Alois Anton Führer. 1947. It shows the Indian Flag with the slogan, Jai Hind on the top right­hand the word ‘examination’ any further. Let’s stop
superciliosa. Name these species. What was the discovery? The corner here. Goodbye.”
A species of warbler, discovery also confirmed a historical 3. The four types of coin denominations issued in 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2019 by the RBI. “Thank vou. sir. Goodbye.”
Acrocephalus orinus, known fact. What was it?
Ans: Unity in diversity Series, Hasta Mudra Series, Series with the Rupee Symbol,
earlier from a single specimen
Grain Series. The latest commemorative coin series was in 2019 which featured the
collected in Himachal Pradesh
was rediscovered after 139 years. 5 This UNESCO heritage site has
the oldest­known rock art in
India. It was declared a world
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Who collected this single 4. This is a GI­tagged card game that is often associated with Persia and India. Ans:
specimen? Where was it heritage site by UNESCO in 2003.
Name the site. The site also contains
Ganjifa cards of Mysore. The first GI­tagged product from India was Darjeeling tea.  For feedback and suggestions for
rediscovered? 5. This is a serpentine dragon god associated with Manipur. Ans: Pakhangba from
a fossil of an extinct basal animal that Text & Context, please write to
lived during the late Ediacaran Meitei mythology  letters@thehindu.co.in with the
3 On the occasion of the 74th
Independence Day, the period. Name the animal. Visual: Identify this flower. Ans: Rafflesia, Sundaland subject ‘Text & Context’
Compiled by: Sindhu Nagaraj Early Birds: Ravindra Kumar Sahu| Vijayalakshmi. G 
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OPINION 11
STAY INFORMED THROUGH THE DAY @ WWW.BUSINESS-STANDARD.COM

Volume XXIX Number 88

Signs of twin troubles in China


NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 17 AUGUST 2022

Dwindling dividend
Demographic advantage will not last forever The adverse geopolitical developments are making China’s ening. The level of mistrust and the potential for mis-
calculation are rising in the wake of the ongoing

O
ne of the highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence
Day speech from Red Fort on Monday was the call to embrace Panch
economic slowdown more worrisome Ukraine war and the more recent crisis in the Taiwan
Strait. The latter crisis is more consequential for sev-
Pran, or five resolves, for the next 25 years when India celebrates 100 eral reasons. The Taiwan Strait is now a key channel
years of independence. First on the list was the resolution of developed for trade and energy flows to the major economies of
India. “… and now we should not settle for anything less than that,” Mr Modi Japan and South Korea. If there are repeated military
emphasised. This is a worthy goal and India must aspire to attain higher growth drills and the blockade of Taiwanese ports then both
to close the gap with the rich world as quickly as possible. One of the biggest shipping and air services may be forced to reroute,
increasing costs and complicating supply chain flows.
advantages in this context that India has had for some time is its growing work-
Taiwan is a key supplier of advanced semiconductors
force. Demographic dividend was expected to be a major driver of growth for to several countries, including China, and a range of
the Indian economy. However, things have not fared as expected in recent high-tech industries world-wide would be affected
years. Since the demographic advantage will not last forever, India will need to by supply disruptions.
capitalise on it quickly. ILLUSTRATION: BINAY SINHA China and Taiwan have an extensive investment
According to the latest projections, India will become the most populous and trade relationship. This cannot remain unaffected

T
country in the world by next year. Given the demographic composition, its work- he world has become so used to China as a driv- and so on in a continuous cycle. This is like a game of by continuing tensions between them.
ing-age population is expected to increase till 2045 and exceed that of China on er of global economic growth that the possibility musical chairs until the music suddenly stops. Which An important event later this year will be the con-
of the music finally stopping strains credulity is what has happened. The Chinese government’s effort vening of the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist
the way. However, if the present situation sustains, India will not be able to take
among economists, businesses and scholars alike. to start deleveraging the property sector and to limit Party where Mr Xi is likely to seek a further five-year
full advantage of its workforce to grow rapidly. Current labour market conditions, China’s weight in the global economy has been speculation have led to a downward spiral in property term as China’s top party and state leader. Chinese
to be fair, do not reflect a bright picture. According to the data compiled by the increasing steadily. Its nominal gross domestic pro- prices, bankrupting major property firms and leaving reactions to the Ukraine war and the Taiwan crisis
World Bank, the employment to population ratio in India is at 43 per cent, com- duct (GDP) of $19.9 trillion is around 15 per cent of a large number of buyers with expensive mortgages would no doubt play into the political dynamics leading
pared to the global average of 55 per cent. It appears that part of the working-age global GDP, making it the second largest economy in but no housing. In the 12 months since June 2021, prop- to the meeting. Mr Xi cannot afford to be seen as bend-
population is neither working nor looking for work because it doesn’t expect to the world. It has a similar share of global trade, being erty sales have declined by 22 per cent. According to ing to US pressure on Taiwan, which is a particularly
find any. This is also reflected in the growing percentage of the working-age the world’s largest exporter and the second largest another report, Chinese developers had started work emotive issue for Chinese people.
population in educational institutions. As Mahesh Vyas of the Centre for importer of goods. About 50 per cent of the consump- on over 6.6 million square metres of property construc- China is also facing challenges relating to the
tion of all metals in the world is accounted for by tion in the past three years but have been able to com- implementation of its ambitious Belt and Road
Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) noted in this newspaper on Tuesday, the
China, which is also the world’s largest importer of plete less than 50 per cent of the promised space. Initiative. Thanks to the disruptions caused by the
share of 15-24-year-olds in the labour force dropped from 17 per cent in 2016-17 oil. It is estimated that China accounts In China, property is also used as pandemic, the economic mismanagement manifest
to 13 per cent in 2021-22. And the percentage of the working-age population for over 30 per cent of global economic a means of saving since very few in several partner countries and the limitation of
identifying as students increased from about 15 per cent in 2016-17 to 23 per growth. China is a highly globalised investment outlets are available and resources, there is trouble on this front as well. Cases
cent in 2021-22. It can be argued that people are spending more time on educa- economy, densely interconnected to deposit rates are low. It is estimated like Sri Lanka have earned China a bad reputation of
tional institutions to acquire skills and this would increase productivity. all major markets of the world. The that as much as 59 per cent of leading partner countries into a debt trap. This rep-
However, that doesn’t seem to be happening, either. According to the CMIE, state of its economy and its economic Chinese household wealth is locked utation may not be well-deserved but it has led to a
the share of graduates and postgraduates in the workforce came down in recent and commercial inter-linkages with up in real estate. With property wariness across the developing world about Chinese
the rest of the world have major impli- prices falling for the first time in development assistance. China appears to be winding
years. The government data also suggests that finding jobs is more difficult for
cations for the global economy. recent years, there is a significant down the initiative and focusing more on projects
the younger cohort. Another problem is that of female labour force participation, The Chinese economy has been impact on consumption expendi- with a geopolitical payoff rather than presenting them
which is among the lowest in the world and has declined sharply over the past slowing for some time but, even after ture. It is reported that retail sales as an expansive harbinger of infrastructure develop-
two decades. The prime minister also talked about the contribution of Nari the global financial and economic crisis SHYAM SARAN fell by 11.1 per cent year-on-year in ment across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Shakti, or women power, which is encouraging. However, women would be in of 2007-08, it is the only major economy April this year and by 6.7 per cent in What are the implications for India?
a position to contribute to the extent desired only if the country is able to create to register a consistent 6 per cent GDP growth. Now, May, but recovered to 3.1 per cent positive growth in One, as US-China confrontation escalates, China
enough opportunities in an enabling environment. Thus, how fast India grows however, against a target of 5.5 per cent growth for 2022, June. China is facing weak demand, which is why its will become more allergic to any further increase in
it is likely to achieve only 3.5 per cent growth, the lowest inflation rate is low compared to other major econ- India-US security partnership and may increase pres-
over the next 25 years and beyond will crucially depend on how effectively it
in several years. More importantly, the longstanding omies, remaining in the range of 2-2.5 per cent. sure on India’s borders.
uses the labour force. What all needs to be done in this context is fairly well structural imbalances in the Chinese economy are com- Another sign of a slowing economy may be seen Two, Chinese profile in our neighbourhood may
known. India has not been able to create a base for low-skill manufacturing, ing to a head. Over the past four decades, it is the prop- from rising unemployment figures particularly among diminish somewhat creating opportunities for India
which could have helped absorb the increasing labour force, partly because of erty sector that has been the main driver of Chinese younger age groups. In the 15-24 age category, the to regain lost influence in the sub-continent.
restrictive labour laws and trade barriers. India has also underinvested over economic growth, constituting about 30 per cent of unemployment rate is as high as 20 per cent. And three, a continuing decline in Chinese GDP
the years in human resource development. Correcting these errors would be a GDP. The financing model for the property sector has China’s economy is also being disrupted by growth, will accentuate the slowing down of the global
good start to Amrit Kaal. been inherently unsustainable. Typically, property President Xi Jinping’s persistence with Zero-Covid pol- economy and this will mean a less benign external eco-
developers obtain the full sale price of an apartment icy, which is leading to frequent lockdowns and reduc- nomic environment for India’s economic prospects.
before starting construction. The funds thus collected ing China’s engagement with the rest of the world. Balancing these contradictory developments will pose

The Taliban factor may be used to buy land and to invest in other activities.
The sales proceeds collected on another project may
then be used to finance construction of the first project
What is making these economic headwinds more
worrisome are their interplay with adverse geopolitical
developments. The confrontation with the US is sharp-
a complex challenge for India’s foreign policy.

The writer is a former foreign secretary and a senior fellow, CPR


India’s outreach remains an open question

T
he returning Taliban regime recently completed one year of rule in
Afghanistan by spectacularly contradicting all the naïve hopes the
Western powers had invested in it. Like its extremist predecessor,
which ruled from 1996 to October 2001, the 2.0 version has proven
Unlocking the promise of blended finance
T
just as implacable in establishing its warped version of Sharia law that overrides he annual financing gap for India’s Sustainable mitments. Third, support mechanism structures As we explain in our recently published white
human rights and oppresses women. As Afghanistan’s democratically elected Development Goals, which was already large, is strengthen the quality, efficiency and financial sus- paper, it is worth addressing these gaps and having a
estimated to have almost doubled after Covid. tainability of development projects and the probability deeper dialogue on the relevance of blended finance
regimes discovered, rebuilding a country ruined by decades of war and lacking
According to the government, the funding for the of their financial close. Common forms include tech- interventions. There are various initiatives the gov-
basic institutions of governance is a tough ask, even with material support from social sector has grown to 30 per cent of nominal gross nical assistance facilities, design grants and project ernment can take to leverage blended finance in criti-
the US. The Taliban, which remains a guerrilla group that lacks a constructive domestic product but is still constrained by limited facilities to help cover transaction related costs. cal social sectors. In agriculture, we can set up a ded-
governing system beyond imposing its vague notion of an eighth century Islamic resources. This capital gap can be addressed through The final and potentially most interesting type of icated fund of funds for agri-tech investments or
state, is unlikely to be skilled in the art of state building. Nor does it, on current blended finance — the use of financial instruments to structure, results-based financing, is using innovative, technical assistance facilities to support adoption of
record, show any inclination in this direction. combine private, public, and philanthropic capital to outcomes-oriented or pay-for-success contracts that precision-agriculture. In education and healthcare,
This being the case, the problem for India has expanded manifold in terms of (i) increase the capital available for development and incentivise participants based on achievement of pre- the government can participate as an outcome funder
establishing diplomatic ties. After gratuitous attacks on Indians in Afghanistan (ii) allocate this capital efficiently towards achieving agreed, measurable performance targets. Such struc- in impact bonds to attract more commercial capital.
socio-environmental outcomes. Blended finance in tures are unique because capital is not deployed to In financial inclusion, we recommend setting up a
prompted India to close its embassy and withdraw all personnel, New Delhi had
India is now at an inflexion point and has tremendous satisfy the cost of inputs but to reward the achievement credit guarantee fund for impact-focused non-banking
signalled rapprochement by reopening its embassy in Kabul 10 months later in potential to address various market failures. of desired outcomes by end beneficiaries. Results- financial companies and interest subvention-rebates
June, becoming the 15th nation to do so at the time. The Indian foreign ministry’s It does this by (i) leveraging subsidised capital to based financing is becoming increasingly popular due for measurable impact creation. In climate change,
explanation for doing so was to closely monitor and coordinate the humanitarian unlock commercial funds available in to the accountability it begets. there is a need to incubate more early stage innovations
assistance there. India has long enjoyed a benign reputation in Afghanistan because global markets, and (ii) re-balancing Common forms include and set up a pooling vehicle to fund decarbonisation
of its traditional developmental role in that country. This position has been com- the risk–reward profiles of pioneering, social/development impact bonds, in hard to abate sectors.
plicated by the fact that the Taliban is a Pakistani client, and India had supported high-impact investments and public- conditional cash transfers, and out- The last few years have seen the emergence of a
the opposition alliance against Taliban 1.0. New Delhi now sees an opportunity in private partnerships that would other- come-linked interest rate loans. vibrant social finance ecosystem in India. We have
wise be too risky to fund. Blended Blended finance can strengthen also seen several examples of blended finance trans-
forging more durable ties, given the manifest tensions between Islamabad and
finance is a framework that operates the government’s efforts to support actions that have helped create financial returns and
Kabul. This has been evident in the Taliban’s refusal to accede to a Pakistani gov- across asset classes on the social the underserved sections of society social impact. Given this evidence, blended finance
ernment request to surrender Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan elements sheltering across finance spectrum ranging from envi- by promoting efficient use of the can clearly play a key role in the collective responses
the border. Reportedly Islamabad’s irritation on this key issue is one reason it ronmental, social, and governance limited resources and supporting of the government, foundations and investors to accel-
chose to inform the US about al Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri’s whereabouts. (market return) to impact investing long-term sustainability. For com- erate India’s socio-economic development. This
Af-Pak tensions, however, are unlikely to materially alter the self-interested (near-market return) to venture phi- KARTIKEYA N DESAI & mercial investors, wary of investing requires coordinated action among stakeholders and
dynamic between the two countries for the simple reason that their geo-strategic lanthropy (low return). RAMRAJ PAI in the development sector due to is thus greatly facilitated by government recognition
realities converge when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The fact that Blended finance structures can be unfavourable risk-return trade-offs, of social finance broadly and an enabling regulatory
categorised into four archetypes based on the mode blended finance reduces the risk involved in financing framework: From corporate social responsibility reg-
the Taliban was discovered to be sheltering al-Zawahiri, who was recently killed
of intervention, the nature of financing gap and capital social projects and increases the pipeline of relevant ulations that allow for outcome funding to the emerg-
by the US, and that a branch of the Islamic State attacked a gurdwara in Kabul market barriers that may deter funders from financing investment opportunities. The biggest benefits, ing standards on ESG to the budget announcements
only underline concerns that Afghanistan had become an assembly point for for social impact. The first type of structure is conces- however, accrue to India’s social sector, which is highly on a government-backed blended finance vehicles for
sundry extremist Islamic terror groups in need of employment. But this conveyor sional capital or catalytic funding from development underfunded and limited in its ability to drive large climate to the social stock exchange, with its enabling
belt of terrorists, however damaging to the region, complements Pakistan’s dis- organisations or government with the intention of scale impact. Blended finance structures can catalyse provisions for listing blended finance instruments.
ruptive 75-year territorial aims in the region. This much can be seen in the bearing below-market returns and/or absorbing higher the flow of capital into the most effective and well gov- It is heartening to see the increasing interest among
upsurge in terrorist activity along the border and reports of growing recruitment investment risk to attract risk-averse commercial erned non-profits and social enterprises, allowing policymakers, investors, and development profes-
among disaffected youth in J&K to the extremist cause. Ironically, the reading investors. The common forms include subordinate them to scale-up dramatically. sionals in using blended finance for funding India’s
debt, junior and first-loss equity and returnable grants. Despite this immense potential, the ecosystem is ambitious development goals. We hope the recom-
down of Articles 370 and 35A, which gave J&K its special status, and the impo-
Second, risk mitigation tools or guarantees act as still in its infancy in India, but growing fast. Building mendations outlined in the white paper can be taken
sition of direct rule from New Delhi have not changed objective conditions on insurance to cover downsides for commercial invest- an environment that is conducive to the designing, up for active consideration by the government, private
the ground in this troubled region. This makes managing diplomatic relations ments. Unlike concessional capital that is deployed structuring and execution of blended finance will investors and donors to truly unlock the potential of
with the Taliban tricky, forcing India to steer a narrow course between humani- hand-in-hand with commercial capital, risk mitigation require overcoming four main gaps: (i) lack of regu- blended finance.
tarian benevolence and military aggression. At any rate, India should not fall guarantees a portion of future losses on an investment, latory and financial reforms; (ii) greater standardisa-
into the Western trap of expecting a kinder, gentler regime in Kabul. helping augment market efficiency because capital tion of impact measurement metrics; (iii) fear of mar- Desai is founder of Desai & Associates.Pai is CEO of the Impact
only covers losses when they occur. Examples include ket distortion due to subsidisation; and (iv) complexity Investors Council. The white paper is available at
first-loss credit guarantees and advanced market com- and high cost in structuring. https://iiic.in/research-publications

Revolution and the freedom struggle “congratulated the leaders of the Russian
Revolution on behalf of 70 million Indian
Mussulmans”, then asked for Russian
assistance in “freeing Indians” from the
Communist University of the Toilers of
the East (KUTV) founded a year later.
Khan, who studied at KUTV, found it an
eye-opening experience because he
This book also challenges the notion
that India’s freedom struggle was
primarily a nonviolent one.
Revolutionaries from India who went to
his encounters with leftist activism in World War to the immediate aftermath British Raj. had never lived with people “of so many KUTV learnt how to use rifles, pistols,
Pakistan, and the subsequent desire to of decolonization…I chart the intellec- The author devotes several pages to diverse races and nationalities”. machine guns, revolvers, and hand
trace its antecedents in British India. He tual and political journeys of key indi- “Dada” Amir Haider Khan, who was Students belonged to different age grenades. They were taught map-
asks, “What was this past that was never viduals in revolutionary networks that born in northwest Punjab, travelled to groups and had different levels of making and military tactics. One of
acknowledged in the textbooks I read, a linked cities and villages in northern Bombay (now Mumbai), worked as a educational attainment. Some of them these students was poet Sarojini
past that remained alive only through India to North America, East Asia, lascar on ship decks, were illiterate. Naidu’s younger sister Suhasini
BOOK REVIEW the stories one passed on to another?” Europe and the Soviet Union.” He became a naturalised Revolutionary Was it a utopia Chattopadhyay. After returning to
His scholarly enquiry is as relevant for focuses on those who “do not feature citizen of the United Pasts where everyone was India, she became the first woman to
CHINTAN GIRISH MODI India as it is for Pakistan given that state prominently in scholarly histories of States, went to aviation welcome? No. There join the Communist Party of India.
persecution of communists is common communism or the Left in South Asia”. school, got introduced Author: Ali were rigorous Thankfully, the author does not fall
Raza

A
li Raza’s book Revolutionary to both nation states. He is interested in migrant workers, to African-American entrance into the trap of romanticising
Pasts: Communist In this book, you will meet exiled dissidents, peasants, religious political activism in Publisher: examinations and communist history. He points out that
Internationalism in Colonial communists who questioned the idea mendicants, and lascars, Indian seamen Detroit, and made up Tulika Books personal interviews. “class trumped gender”; as a result, the
India is a must-read if you are curious of freedom propagated by the Indian providing cheap labour on European his mind to go to the Pages: 287 People from issue of women’s emancipation never
about people who put their lives in National Congress. They saw it as a and American ships while facing racism. Soviet Union —a place privileged acquired the kind of importance that it
Price: ~995
danger to liberate India from British party that protected the interests of The Ghadar Party, previously called that assumed backgrounds were should have in leftist discourse. He also
rule. It focuses on communists whose capitalists and landlords. These the Pacific Coast Hindustan Association, centrality for sent back. A man talks about communists who ratted out
contributions often go unsung in offi- revolutionaries suspected that the and made up largely of Punjabis living in revolutionaries who named Hazara Singh their comrades while being
cial narratives about national heroes demand for swaraj would lead to a North America, appears prominently in wanted political and military training. Hamdam was asked to pack his bags and investigated by colonial authorities,
that circulate on Independence Day situation wherein the white this book. You will read about Sohan Dr Raza explains “the allure of leave when “he let slip that his father and communists who were so fed up of
and Republic Day. bureaucracy would be supplanted by Singh Bhakna, Lala Hardayal, Santokh Moscow” by pointing us to the owned 30 acres of land.” Khan made the being delegitimised by the colonial
The author is an Associate Professor brown sahibs. They knew that the Singh, and Rattan Singh, among others. institutional support that was available cut after he was able to give satisfactory state and the Congress that they
of History at the Lahore University of concerns of peasants, workers, and In this book, you will also meet Sattar for budding communists showing up responses to all the questions about his resorted to religious idioms to make
Management Sciences, where he works other oppressed people would be Khairi and Jabbar Khairi, two brothers from India and other colonised places socio-economic background, parents’ their ideas accessible. What an irony!
on the social, intellectual and anti- left behind. from Delhi who attended a meeting of in the world. He writes about the occupation, education, his involvement
colonial history of modern South Asia. Dr Raza writes, “I cover a period of the executive committee of the Soviet, Institute of Oriental Studies that was with political activism, and why he The reviewer is a Mumbai-based writer who
His interest in the subject is driven by four decades — from the eve of the First where they spoke in Urdu and founded in Moscow in 1920, and the left the US. tweets @chintanwriting
06 OPINION THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | WEDNESDAY | 17 AUGUST 2022

What we need to get ahead


THE TRIBUNE established in 1881
Resolve chronic problems relating to caste, religion and gender
dles to space launch vehicles.
But this success hides some major
chronic problems. While in 1950,

Goal of developed India 60% of India’s workforce depended


on agriculture for a living, today,
45% still do. This staggering figure
Modi envisions strategy for 25 years points to a major area of failure since

O
many of the people are unemployed
N the historic occasion of India completing 75 years of free- MANOJ JOSHI
or underemployed. And this is
dom from colonial rule, Prime Minister Modi, in his Indepen- DISTINGUISHED FELLOW, OBSERVER despite the fact that 26% of our GDP
dence Day speech, laid out the path envisaged by him to take RESEARCH FOUNDATION comes from industry and 54% from
the country ahead in its march towards progress. There is much that services. This black mark hides

O
remains to be done to fulfill the dream of the freedom fighters and a UR journey as a nation within it another blot. India has one
country envisioned by our forefathers, as laid out in the Constitu- began in 1947, not 2014, as of the lowest rates of female employ-
tion. Ambitiously aiming for a developed status for India by its cen- some would have us ment in the world — 19%. This is
tenary year of independence, he listed some key goals. Filtering out believe. India has lower than even Saudi Arabia. In
the jingoism from his utterances — that is by now predictably a tom- achieved a great deal in these 75 India’s case, it has actually declined
tomming of his government's schemes and a strong bias against the years. Most young people today in the last 20 years. What this reveals
regimes from 1947 to 2014 — an outline of the future strategy is vis- assume that on August 15, 1947, the HURDLE: India continues to struggle with illiteracy and unemployment, which is is that jobs are not being created in
ible. Not surprisingly, it rides majorly on the thrust of economic and British fled, Nehru hoisted the Tri- coming in the way of its rapid growth. PTI large numbers in sectors which can
colour, and bingo, India became an readily absorb the rural surplus,
education empowerment through the 'Make-in-India' initiative and
the 'New Education Policy', respectively. Fuelling them would be the
Independent nation. The reality was
infinitely more complicated. The
We must draw synergies from our diversities instead of especially women.
Another negative is India’s litera-
new-age buzzwords of technology and digitisation. future of India was not guaranteed using them to promote discord and division. cy and education. Universities in
To achieve this end, the PM has rightly sought the helping hand of even in 1947. At the time, ‘British large parts of the country provide
our demographic dividend: the youth, including from smaller towns India’ comprised 17 provinces and little by way of learning that can
and villages. After all, with 66 per cent of the population below the nearly 600 princely states. The over them on August 15, but they industrial facilities that are the foun- equip a person to earn a living in a
age of 35, India has the advantage of being home to the largest youth British had no particular commit- were less specific about how these dation of our nation. There were modern economy. Only 74% of the
population in the world. The ‘paanch pran’ that he enumerates for ment to help India emerge as a uni- states were to relate to the new secessionist threats in Tamil Nadu, population is literate. This may look
the citizens are geared towards a society collectively aspiring to bring fied nation. Indeed, in May 1947, the Dominions. Since most of them Punjab and the Northeast, but they like a huge achievement since it was
about change. The pledges include working for a developed India, Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, would be within or contiguous to were overcome. just 12% in 1950. But consider Chi-
abolishing slavery, taking pride in heritage and adopting unity and a received authorisation from London India, Jinnah added fuel to the India’s population was 340 million na, which has risen from 20% at the
sense of duty. While these are commendable, a lot remains to be set to devolve power to each of the eight flames by declaring that the states at the time of Independence. Only time to 96.8% today. India and China
right before the ground is conducive to fomenting such a spirit of uni- major provinces, with the princely had the right to declare independ- 41 million people — some 12% — had an R&D expenditure which was
states being free to join any of them. ence as well. were literate, and our life 0.7% of their GDP in 1999. Today,
ty in the increasingly polarised cultural and socio-economic set-up.
And they would then decide Two of them, Tra- expectancy was 34 years, China’s has steadily risen to 2.4%,
Significantly, in the bid to maximise the reaping of this large pro-
whether they wanted to be one India vancore and which was less than half while India’s has declined to 0.6%.
ductive pool of people, Modi's calculations foresee a critical role for or several Indias. Hyderabad, did so of the US, which was There is an important caveat here.
women. This is a heartwarming. For, it is an acknowledgement of Since he was to announce this in a shortly after the June 3 68 at the time. Today, India can be proud that its national
the fact that even 75 years after the right to equality was given to the few days, he confided the details to announcement, others India is 70, closer to the advance came through democratic
the fair sex, it continues to be treated unfairly, with the society fail- Jawaharlal Nehru who happened to contemplated it and Jodh- American 77. means. This is in sharp contrast to
ing to unshackle itself from misogynist and patriarchal tendencies. be his house guest in Shimla. Nehru pur even briefly consid- An early and major China, whose authoritarian govern-
At the same time, it is pregnant with the promise of opportunities went ballistic and bluntly told ered acceding to Pakistan. success story was in ment has, in the last 70 years, been
on equal terms for the women in every field. Mountbatten that this would never After an intense and difficult agriculture. In 1950, it responsible for the deaths of tens of
be acceptable to the Congress party. process, Sardar Patel, ably assisted accounted for 55% of India’s GDP, millions of its people through
Mountbatten abandoned the idea by VP Menon, persuaded most of today, it is around 14%. India is self- famine and violence.
and dusted off the Partition Plan, the states to sign an Instrument of sufficient in food, and even exports We have achieved a great deal, but

Speak up we must which he announced on June 3,


1947, through which the subconti-
nent was divided into two Domin-
Accession with the Dominion of
India. To compel the accession of
holdouts like Junagadh, Kashmir
some. The famines of the colonial era
no longer plague the land.
India’s economy is now set to
to get ahead, we will have to resolve
our chronic problems arising from
attitudes relating to caste, religion
Attack on Rushdie is an assault on freedom of expression ions of India and Pakistan on and Hyderabad, India eventually become the third largest by the pur- and gender. We have everything in
August 14/15. had to use military force. chasing power parity (PPP) measure our DNA — geography, talented peo-

S
ALMAN RUSHDIE has spent decades facing Islamist death But this was only the first act of the In the ensuing years, the princely and it is known all over the world for ple, resources — to become a great
threats since his controversial fourth novel, The Satanic Verses, drama. The second arose from the states were reorganised into the its information technology, pharma- nation, if we draw synergies from
was published in 1988. Ironically, the celebrated Mumbai-born deliberate vagueness with which the states as we know them today and ceuticals, chemicals and petrochem- our diversities instead of falling into
author was supposed to discuss the US as a refuge for exiled and per- British handled the princely states. the government created new educa- icals and textiles. India makes the trap of using them to promote
secuted writers when he was stabbed by a 24-year-old. The outpouring They withdrew their paramountcy tional, healthcare, scientific and everything, from the proverbial nee- discord and division.
of shock and sadness by the writers’ fraternity, along with messages
of support for the 75-year-old, calls out the attack for what it is — an

Himachal’s miracle man


assault on freedom of thought and speech. If the fatwa to kill Rushdie
issued by Iran’s supreme leader in 1989 was ghastly, the violent attack
on him some 33 years later bears testimony to the deadly net that
fanaticism casts and its horrific residual effects. In disbelief over her
son’s actions, the distraught mother of the accused said he turned
into a religious zealot after a month-long trip to the Middle East. Raj Kanwar For him, it was love at first sight for the proud parents of four sons and and partook of our meals with kaali
The rise of majoritarianism around the world is shrinking space the captivating cluster of villages three daughters. The eldest daugh- dal as a daily lunch delicacy.
for free speech and those holding a contrarian opinion. The felt
need to shut down voices of dissent and discourage the free flow of
viewpoints is a direct attack on democratic values. Maintaining
silence on the Rushdie episode is akin to an endorsement of the
M OST of us in India may not
today recall the name of
Samuel Evans Stokes, the
American Quaker missionary who
had come to India in 1904, at the age
that is immortalised by Rudyard
Kipling as the ‘Mistress of the
Northern Hills’.
Kotgarh became his karmabhoo-
mi. Even though the locals had
ter, Champawati, married my eldest
brother Manmohan Nath in 1936;
he was a lawyer in the post-earth-
quake Quetta. The marriage was
solemnised in Lahore.
Stokes spent at least two-three
winters with us in Lahore. Even
though he and my father were
poles apart in their habits and
rogue elements and their ways. India was the first country to ban nature, they were able to hit it off
the book three decades back, citing law and order concerns. Many of 22. His objective was to serve at a extended to him the due respect as In the mid-1940s, I had the privi- as great chums. He would invari-
leper home in Sabathu, Solan. How- a ‘gora saab’, there was no empa- lege of spending a few days with ably gift us bottles of homemade
books may still get banned, but the right to disagree has to be pro-
ever, finding his inability to speak thy. It was then that he took a life- Stokes at his residence in Barubagh. honey. One of his greatest contri-
tected. Death threats and physical harm must only elicit outright
the local language as a deterrent in changing decision, gave up his Numerous letters from Gandhi to butions towards eliminating pover-
condemnation and censure. reaching out to his patients, Stokes western lifestyle and decided to live Stokes were strewn about on various ty of the hill folks was the introduc-
The feisty novelist has paid a devastating price for his defence soon picked up pidgin Hindustani in a life of abnegation. But a strange side tables. Unfortunately, I had no tion of the Apple Revolution, which
of free expression. He is, fortunately, on the path to recovery, to give its Pahari dialect. thing happened. After converting inclination to be a journalist or a changed the very face of the hills.
us, as a fellow writer hoped, more of his extraordinary imaginative His mentor, Dr Carleton, then quite a few of the Pahari Hindus to writer then otherwise I would have He had imported apple saplings
intelligence. As for the assailant, he has only succeeded in return- sent him to Kotgarh — a pretty Christianity, Stokes himself collected a large number of those let- from the US, and even distributed
ing the world to the power of words. Salman Rushdie’s words. hamlet 50 miles uphill from Simla. became a Hindu, and married a ters. A special feature about Gand- them free of cost to the villagers.
He walked all the way since there local girl, Agnes, whom he had bap- hi’s handwriting was its illegibility. He also taught them how to plant
was no motorable road at that time. tised earlier. The Stokes’ became We all sat barefooted in the kitchen and nurture the saplings.

❝ ❞
thought for the day letters to the editor
Each step in the right direction allows you to see
The miracle of India Much has to be done division of India for their selfish tant posts. Modi talked about the
further in that direction. — Tom Ziglar Apropos of ‘A miracle’, the amaz- Apropos of ‘Building a strong India’, gains. Both Nehru and Jinnah ‘loot’ by previous governments. His
ing diversity of India, both physical much has been done for the welfare wanted to occupy the PM’s chair. party has been in power at the Cen-
and cultural, with myriad lan- of the people and the State after Gandhi initially opposed the idea of tre and most states for the last nine
guages, religions, castes and cus- Independence, but much more Partition, but eventually went years, why no single Congress
on this day...100 years ago toms, and joined by a thread is needs to be done, especially for the along with them. Did they have no leader has been held responsible for
nothing less than a miracle. The BPL multitudes who are still reeling vision to foresee the horrors that any wrongdoing? Who stops the
British were unduly pessimistic under abject poverty and illiteracy. would unfold? We hold are past Prime Minister from taking action?
about the future of India. In spite of The government should draw a con- leaders in high esteem, but one Simply raising such issues here and
the many problems and obstacles, tingency plan to mitigate the suffer- wonders if they deserve it. there serve no purpose. Similarly,
the nation is doing well on most ings of the have-nots, and meticu- WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR the corruption issue should have
lahore,thursday,august 17, 1922
fronts. But it is disquieting that in lously execute schemes. All been resolved by the BJP, now that it
some quarters, the contribution of politicians from the PM to sarpanch Makes us patriotic? has been in power for long.
Pandit Nehru on Change of Programme. Nehru and Gandhi is being deval- should take questions and listen to All Indians celebrated the Indepen- BHUPINDER KOCHHAR, PANCHKULA
OUR attention is forcibly drawn to a very important speech which has just ued. We are a noisy and chaotic peo- people’s problems and find solu- dence Day by hoisting the Tricolour,
been made by Pandit Moti Lal Nehru in Calcutta. In the course of this speech, ple. Trying to change the basic tions. Politicians must at least be updating statuses on social media More western than Indian
Pandit, while repudiating any idea of a change in the principle of non-co- strands of our DNA is bound to fail. graduates, and those with dubious or by participating in parades and It is good that the present dispensa-
operation, admitted the possibility of a change in their programme or tactics. Let us celebrate what we are. credentials should be tried in fast- other such patriotic events. But is tion is thinking of including valour
Now the principle of non-co-operation, divorced from the programme and ANTHONY HENRIQUES, MUMBAI track courts. The police force needs this enough to imbibe the feeling of of soldiers in school curriculum.
interpreted in a political sense, is simply the principle of non-violent drastic improvement for better han- patriotism? Merely uploading a DP There should be an exclusive chap-
opposition to the existing order of things. Who can ask the non-co-operators Politicians have failed us dling of the law and order situation. with the Tricolour won’t stop our ter on the heroes of our freedom
to give up this principle? The cry in the country is only for a revision of the Refer to ‘A miracle’; an idealist is All government institutions must youth from migrating abroad. It is struggle who sacrificed their lives for
programme, and at the bottom of this cry there is nothing else than the one who helps other people to be work independently without any not just brain drain, but the coun- the nation. The present-day English-
conviction of a large number of persons who belong and have always prosperous. There is no dearth of political interference. The Election try’s essential youth resource is oriented education system is bereft
belonged to the advanced wing of the progressive party, that the programme such idealists in India, but ‘spon- Commission and judiciary should diminishing. Most people want to of our ancient culture and is making
is too exclusive. This drawback of the movement has so far made its effect felt sored’ violence and fanaticism look ‘nishpaksh’ in the public eye. leave the country for a better future the new generation more western-
that already two of the three items in the original programme have been have retarded their mission. The SUDERSHAN WALIA, AMRITSAR or life. How are we going to stop it? ised than Indian. The curriculum
virtually abandoned. The cry at present is for the abandonment of the third bane of democracy is that the voters MANGLA SAHNI, KAPURTHALA should be revisited and some stories
and most important item — the boycott of Councils. We do not know if the don’t decide on issues, but elect Partition horror from the Ramayana and Mahab-
C.D. Committee will make a definite recommendation in this behalf; we hope those who will decide on those Refer to ‘PM Modi pays tribute to All talk, no action harata, including the Gita, should
it will. What we do know is, first, that some of the witnesses before it have issues. This allows unfettered pow- victims of Partition’, I was 11 years PM Modi did not spare opponents be made a part of it. This will go a
pressed the need for a modification of this item with emphasis, and secondly er to politicians at the cost of the old at the time of the Partition, but even while addressing the nation long way in inculcating in students
that on no other basis is it possible for the party either to retain its internal common man and vital institutions. remember the agony we went from the Red Fort. If we talk about moral and spiritual values rather
cohesion or to take its part in the Swaraj movement which is about to enter Leaving politics to politicians alone through. The Partition wasn’t the parivaarvad, there are many lead- than getting them mired in material-
its last and final stage. Let there be no mistake. The only two possible is our undoing. brainchild of the British Empire ers in the BJP, too, whose family istic pursuits.
alternatives before the non-co-operators are Mass Civil Disobedience and the LALIT BHARADWAJ, PANCHKULA alone, our leaders too wanted the members are in politics or at impor- MAHESHWER SHARMA, BY MAIL
use of the Councils. The first is impracticable, even if desirable. The latter,
therefore, holds and must hold the field. Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com
THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | WEDNESDAY | 17 AUGUST 2022 OPED 07

Still many miles to go for ‘tryst with destiny’


which money and trade flow freely
across national borders, is vanishing. Gandhiji’s advice to everyone was to ‘be
The cold war for global hegemony has
heated up again. Global supply chains
the change you want to see in the world.’
and global flows of finance have broken Our Common Agenda recommends greater
down with Covid restrictions and US
sanctions against China and Russia. participation of youth in governance of
When the Second World War, in
ARUN MAIRA
which millions of people lost their
national and global matters. They must
CHAIRMAN, HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL lives, ended, the world's leaders become catalysts for movements of change
vowed: "never again". Global institu-

I
NDIANS proudly unfurled the tions were set up to maintain global in their own communities and places of
national flag on August 15 to cel- peace, to help countries rebuild their
ebrate the birth of their nation 75 shattered economies, and assist poor-
work. They should listen to people around
years ago. India has advanced a er countries to develop rapidly-the themselves and encourage people to listen
lot since then. But it has miles to go to United Nations, the World Bank and
achieve the "tryst with destiny" it set the IMF. They have failed to do so. to each other and to respect each other.
out to. The first stage of the journey India's tryst with destiny for Indian
for Indians' independence ended with citizens is the same as the UN's tryst PATH FORWARD: People wish to be heard and to participate
the departure of the British after a his- was for all the world's citizens. The in the decisions that affect them. PTI
toric non-violent struggle. The second UN needs urgent reforms. The Secre-
stage is to "poorna swaraj" (Mahatma tary-General presented recommenda- global economy. They would rather architecture is unquestionably up to shared resources-the rivers they ing have caused the problems that
Gandhi's vision) — when all Indian tions to the 75th meeting of the UN the world did not have meddlesome each society to determine. All soci- share, the routes of communication now need to be urgently solved, is not
citizens will have full political, social, General Assembly. The recommenda- national governments. Starry-eyed eties face and are affected by global between them, and governance of the way young people will bring about
and economic freedom; and become a tions, "Our Common Agenda", provide liberals also imagine a world pressures, while solidarity within trade amongst them. "Think global change in the world. Nor should young
country not divided into fragments by critical lessons for the improvement with a global government countries provides the and act local" is the only way that com- people scramble to climb up to the top
narrow domestic walls, where all of India's governance also for building directly elected by all foundation for our plex problems like climate change will of political parties, companies and gov-
minds are without fear and all heads India beyond India@75. citizens of the cooperation interna- be solved. National and regional insti- ernments to change the world.
are held high (Tagore's vision). "Our Common Agenda" emphasises world. For them, too, tionally." tutions of governance are essential Because the designs of the institutions
Sadly, many Indian citizens — who the need for leaders in institutions at nations are unneces- Tagore was a poet. intermediates for governance of the will have to be changed to conform to
belong to the so-called "lower" castes, the top to listen to common people. sary divisions of a univer- He disagreed with global commons. the principles that are affirmed in the
and those who follow "minority" reli- Global institutions (and many nation- sal brotherhood. Gandhi about Gandhiji's advice to everyone was to UN report for global governance. They
gions — are not yet assimilated as al governments) are run by people The report says, "One of the value of "be the change you want to see in the were also laid out in India's Constitu-
equal citizens. Also, fear of hunger who are experts about everywhere, the strongest calls emanat- nations for world." Our Common Agenda recom- tion, though, sadly, they have not been
and inadequate opportunities to earn but who don't listen to common peo- ing from the consultations on humanity. Gand- mends greater participation of youth in implemented in practice.
decent incomes haunt millions. Late- ple anywhere, even in their own coun- the seventy-fifth anniversary and hi was a practical governance of national and global mat- The 75th anniversary of India's
ly, even political freedoms are being tries. People wish to be heard and to Our Common Agenda was to man. He said the romantic ters. Young people must become cata- independence is an occasion to reflect
curbed in the name of national securi- participate in the decisions that affect strengthen the governance of our idea of a harmonious global village lysts for movements of change in their on the path it was pointed to and the
ty. Moreover, though India's gross them. Government by the people is global commons and global public would never be realised unless people own communities and places of work. fact that it has not yet been taken. We
economic growth (GDP) is amongst the essence of democracy. The Secre- goods. This does not require new learn to live together and to care for They should listen to people around must now turn to it. This path will
the fastest in the world, India is tary-General asks all governments to institutions. Rather, we need new their natural environment in the vil- themselves and encourage people to take us faster to our tryst with destiny
becoming one of the most unequal conduct exercises for "national listen- resolve and ways of working together lages and cities where they live. Self- listen to each other, to respect each oth- in India @100. Moreover, by walking
societies in the world. ing" and envisioning the future. that are suited to the challenges we governing communities must cooper- er, and take collective responsibility for the talk of our founding principles,
The world isn't in much better shape. Multinational businesses and many face." It also explains "the social con- ate with other self-governing their local commons. India will become a role model for
The vision of a boundaryless world, a economists see national boundaries tract originates at the subnational communities around them to demo- Demanding change from people on harmonious governance in a troubled
dream of international economists in as impediments to the growth of the and national levels, and its exact cratically manage their larger pool, top, whose ways of thinking and work- and divided world.

History of strategic thinking on the Indo-Pacific


I
N 1992, senior RAND analyst Hitler's assassination. German Cultural Politics in the Indo-
George Tanham touched a raw Karl Haushofer's ideas on the strategic Pacific Space." Haushofer envisaged
nerve in India by concluding that importance of the Pacific Ocean had Indo-Pacific as "an organic and inte-
India did not have a tradition of crystallised during his tenure as German gral space primed for political con-
strategic thinking throughout its histo- military attaché in Japan during 1909-10. sciousness" based on oceanographic
ry. His essay, prepared after a four- Haushofer stayed in India and Ceylon foundation "with novel evidence in
month visit to India was commissioned (Sri Lanka) for 10 weeks during his marine sciences, ethnography, and
VAPPALA BALACHANDRAN by the US Defence Department, during sojourns in this period which convinced philology, but also legitimated it as a
which he interviewed several top Indi- him that the "Monsoon Countries" such social and political space."
EX-SPECIAL SECRETARY, CABINET SECRETARIAT.
an security officials. as India, Ceylon and China had consti- This paper and his other works were
Tanham concluded that part of our tuted a geopolitical unit. He also saw the widely translated into Japanese and
problem was historical as Indian events in the Indian Ocean rim as con- circulated among security and aca-
thinking was dominated by "ethnic, nected to the developments in China, demic circles and became cornerstones
linguistic, religious, caste and internal Japan and the Pacific into an opportuni- of Japan's strategy for Pacific and Indi-
regional rivalries over national con- ty to throw out colonial rule to enable an Oceans before the World War II.
cerns." Political unity did not exist German influence over the region. In Europe, events during the pre-
despite cultural identity, except SEA SECURITY: India does not have a tradition of strategic thinking. PTI It is commonly understood that the Second World War days reveal that it
briefly during the Mauryan, Gupta or term "Indo-Pacific" had originated was Haushofer's writings that linked
Moghul empires. The British never of the trade of the Empire being inter- become Japan's naval strategy? I had from the late Japanese Prime Minister Japan with Germany and Axis powers
took Indians into confidence for their rupted, and the pilgrim traffic to Mec- read about Professor Karl Haushofer Shinzo Abe's speech at the Indian Par- which led to the conclusion of the 1940
strategic designs. As a result, Indian ca harassed by the Portuguese on his in American journalist Agnes Smed- liament in 2007 ("Confluence of the Two Berlin Tripartite Pact and secret
military thinking developed as a reac- coast." Aurangzeb realised this "only ley's 1943 book "Battle Hymn of Chi- Seas") and his later address in Kenya in agreements carving out zones of influ-
tive, land-oriented defensive strategy. when the Sidis of Janjira offered their na", wherein she had referred to her 2016 ("Toward a Free and Open Indo- ence along longitude 70 degrees east
In 1945, veteran historian-diplomat services against the growing Maratha long dialogue with Mao Zedong on Pacific"). This had paved the way for in which India came under the Japan-
Sardar KM Pannikar had said the same power on the sea." India in 1937 while she was staying in America to recognise the importance of ese area of influence. That map is still
in his book "India and the Indian However, regional satraps, like Shiv- the Yenan (Yan'an) caves with him, linking the two seas by renaming the available on the archives.
Ocean". He wrote this book on the eve aji, Hyder Ali or Kerala princes, were Zhu De and others. US Pacific Command as the US Indo- A near century after Haushofer's
of Independence, to guide our leaders aware of the importance of the sea. Ali Smedley, a close associate of Lala Pacific Command in May 2018. "For- "Indo-Pacific" thesis, one finds this area
into a diversified strategic thinking, cit- concluded his 1782 treaty with the Lajpat Rai in New York, was arrested eign Policy" (July 30, 2021) gave credit is still pivotal with the same players in
ing the importance of seas in our future famous French admiral, Suffren. After in 1918 by American agencies under to this renaming to Japanese official action but in different roles.
security architecture. Till the middle of Suffren departed in 1784, the British the Espionage Act for promoting Indi- Satoshi Suzuki and his American Haushofer's thesis did not help Ger-
the thirteenth century, the control of dominated the Indian Ocean till 1941, an freedom activities. Upon release, counterpart Brian Hook to "bring India many due to checkmates by other pow-
the Indian waters was entirely in Indi- when Singapore fell. she moved to Berlin, where she wrote in from the cold of its nonaligned Cold ers, including the Soviet Union. In
an hands. Even the Arabs, "who suc- Pannikar said that the use of the two works on Indian history for War stance and focus on China." 2022, Germany is nowhere in sight as a
ceeded to the supremacy of the sea, seas for area dominance was propa- Haushofer's "Institut fur Geopolitik", However, Harvard scholar Hansong military power in the Indo-Pacific
after the breakdown of Chola naval gated by other thinkers like Admiral which came under some notoriety as Li gives credit for this concept to Japan, which was the pillar Haushofer's
power, were only commercial naviga- Alfred Thayer Mahan of America and the incubator of Adolf Hitler's ideas Haushofer, as Pannikar wrote in 1945. thesis has aligned with the West. China,
tors", did not pose any security threats. German general-geographer-academ- on "Blut und Boden" (Blood and Soil). Li, in his Cambridge University paper which Haushofer wanted to pit against
"The unique glory of the Moghuls ic Haushofer, whose treatise "Geo Poli- However, Albrecht Haushofer, son of dated June 4, 2021, traces the origin of the West, is now an energised power
could not hide the fact that on the sea tik of the Pacific Ocean" was "a virtual Karl Haushofer was executed by this "Indo-Pacific" concept from his which keeps others guessing whether it
they were totally helpless, and Akbar textbook for Nippon's naval strategy." Hitler's SS on April 21, 1945, for being 1924 paper "Building Blocks of Geopol- would integrate Taiwan ahead of 2049
himself had to suffer the humiliation How did a German professor's work a part of the Kreisau Circle for plotting itics, Geopolitics of Pan-Ideas, and when the PRC completes a century.

quick crossword su do ku calendar forecast


ACROSS SUNSET: WEDNESDAY 19:02 HRS
AUGUST 17, 2022, WEDNESDAY
1 Introductory remarks in
book (8) 3 5 ■ Vikrami Samvat 2079
SUNRISE: THURSDAY 05:51 HRS

5 Counter-tenor (4) ■ Shaka Samvat 1944

6
9 Disprove (5)
10 Relentlessly competitive
struggle (3,4)
4 9 7 ■ Shravana Shaka

■ Bhadrapad Parvishte
26
1
Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy
CITY MAX
Rainy
MIN
Foggy

11 Seemingly from Chandigarh 36 27


5
■ Hijari 1444
nowhere (3,2,4,3)
13 Large amounts (6)
7 2 ■ Krishna Paksha Tithi 6, up to 8:25 pm New Delhi 35 26
14 In addition (2,4) ■ Ganda Yoga up to 8:56 pm Amritsar 34 26
17 Autocratic rule (12)
20 Narrow connecting neck of 2 9 1 ■ Ashwani Nakshatra up to 9:57 pm

■ Moon in Aries sign


Bathinda
Jalandhar
35
35
25
26
land (7)
21 Feel about blindly (5) Ludhiana 35 27
22 Reiterate (4)
23 To misuse (3-5)
9 8 6 4 MONDAY’S SOLUTION
Bhiwani 34 26
2 4 3 7 9 1 6 8 5 Hisar 34 26
DOWN
1 Determined (4) 3 1 6 6 7 9 2 8 5 3 1 4
Sirsa 36 27
2 Spring back (7) Dharamsala 28 20
3 Welcomingly (4,4,4) 5 1 8 6 4 3 2 7 9
Manali 26 15
4 Something seldom found (6)
6 South American pack
8 2 6 9 6 7 1 5 2 8 4 3 Shimla 24 17
animal (5) 6 Srinagar 26 20
4 2 5 3 7 8 1 9
7 Countermand (8)
8 Prima facie (2,5,5) 9 1 6 4 8 3 1 9 6 4 7 5 2
Jammu 31 23
12 Source of wealth (4,4) Kargil 32 18
MONDAY’S sOLUTION 1 8 4 5 3 6 9 2 7
2 5
15 Part of serial story (7) Leh 27 14
Across: 1 Oversight, 8 Upset, 9 Precise, 10 Abrupt, 11 Sewing, 12 Nameless, 15 16 Small piece of food (6)
Transact, 18 Even so, 20 Exodus, 21 Vis-a-vis, 22 Alien, 23 Tall order. 18 Unexpected 3 9 2 4 1 7 5 6 8 Dehradun 33 23 1
Down: 2 Verve, 3 Recoil, 4 Insignia, 5 Tumble, 6 Assumed, 7 Status quo, 11 Soft- disadvantage (5) Mussoorie 23 17
7 5 6 8 2 9 4 3 1
pedal, 13 Material, 14 Laconic, 16 Squint, 17 Repair, 19 Seize. 19 For fear that (4) MEDIUM TEMPERATURE IN OC
MUMBAI

4 THINK BusinessLine
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 17 • 2022

0
xyz

wednesday, august 17, 2022


Hedging wheat imports can pay off
With domestic wheat stocks falling and prices rising, it’s time to secure supplies through derivative contracts on foreign bourses
Fund of troubles
SHRIKANT KUWALEKAR has caused an around ₹1­lakh­crore
Increasing transparency and disclosing the current hole in the treasury. Sensing the im­

A
fter  one­and­a­half  dec­ pending  supply  tightness,  the
valuation can solve much of EPFO’s problems     ades, India may be head­ Centre  has  replaced  part  of  free
ing  to  become  a  net  im­ wheat with rice in some States.

T
he  recent  proposal  of  the  Employees porter of wheat this fiscal. The crisis began earlier this fiscal
This  can  be  attributed  to  climate when  the  government,  buoyed  by
Provident  Fund  Organisation  (EPFO)
change taking a heavy toll on food the 7mt record exports in the previ­
to increase the allocation of its assets production  across  the  world  and ous year, announced export of 10­12
to equity­linked instruments from the the pandemic triggered scheme of mt in the current year. The decision
current limit of 15 per cent to 25 per cent reflects free distribution of wheat for over a was  taken  in  haste  based  on  a  re­
the  dire  straits  the  government  pension  fund year to 80 crore Indians.  cord  crop  estimate  of  111  mt,  but
The  question  is  not  whether  In­ without  taking  stock  of  domestic
finds itself in. Though the interest rate declared dia would require to import a few granaries and assessing the current
for 2021­22 at 8.1 per cent is the lowest since 1977­ million tonnes of wheat to protect crop being harvested. 
78, the EPFO may find it difficult to meet its ob­ food  security  of  its  BPL  (below In  less  than  two  weeks,  severe
ligation given the sharp decline in interest rates poveerty line) families, but whether heat­waves significantly hit the rabi
the  country  should  plan  for  the output,  and  in  a  knee­jerk  reac­
and government security yields since the begin­ eventuality  of  back­to­back  failure tionthe government banned all ex­
ning of the pandemic and until recently. With 85 in the substitute staple — rice. The ports.  Since  then,  the  government
per cent of the corpus invested in fixed income, time  is  just  right  to  book  a  major has  been  allowing  overseas  ship­
it is obvious that the pension fund will have to part  of  potential  imports  through ments to only some neighbouring
options derivative contracts on for­ nations  and  others  having  severe Sifting exercise Securing the right financial options PTI
turn to the equity allocation in its portfolio to
eign  bourses  like  CME  Group­ food­security problems. 
provide the additional returns to make the an­ owned CBOT platform.  Meanwhile, the Centre has scaled lower  in  the  current  crop  year, modity  derivatives  market,  the Ukraine war, the key driver of food­
nual  payouts.  In  response  to  a  Parliamentary The situation is almost identical down  the  estimates  of  domestic which may lead to even rice stocks buyer, the Centre in this case, gets grain  inflation,  or  better­than­ex­
query recently, the Minister of State for Labour to  the  one  the  country  faced  in rabi wheat output by 5mt to 106 mt, plummeting in the rest of the year. the right to buy the commodity at a pected crops of wheat followed by
and  Employment  had  divulged  that  around 2006­07, when India ended the year while the USDA has pegged the out­ As  a  result,  the  free  foodgrains selected  future  date  at  a  pre­fixed kharif rice, then the call options can
importing 6.7 million tonnes (mt) put at 99mt and trade associations, scheme is unlikely to be extended price.  be squared­off at prevailing premi­
₹1.59­lakh crore had been invested in exchange of  wheat  (USDA  report).  At  that at 90­95 mt.  beyond September.  To  lock  the  purchase­price,  the ums, which may lead to some loss.
traded funds as of March 2022 which had a no­ time,  India’s  wheat  stocks  had However,  replenishing  the buyer  needs  to  give  a  small  one­ However, such an act can help the
tional value of ₹2.27­lakh crore.  The 42 per cent fallen to a paltry 2mt as on April 1 Domestic prices surge granaries remains a challenge due time  premium,  similar  to  that  on government manage a huge risk of
return  is  certainly  more  attractive  compared and  procurement  was  at  a  multi­ While the estimates will take time to the significantly higher prices in an insurance policy. If prices of the supply crunch, which has a poten­
year low of 9.23 mt. to be finalised, wheat prices hit re­ the domestic market. The probabil­ commodity  rise  significantly  to­ tial to hurt food security. The solu­
with the return from other assets, but it comes India’s exports had been at multi­ cord  highs  twice  within  a  span  of ity  of  importing  wheat  is  rising wards the expiry, the buyer gets the tion  to  overcome  the  potential
with  the  risk  of  equally  sharp  losses  in  bear year highs in the prior years — 3.7 mt two months despite the export ban. with every passing day. In this back­ benefit  in  the  form  of  increased wheat shortage lies in the derivat­
phases for stocks. Of concern is the fact that the in 2002­03, 4.1 mt and 2 mt in the While  global  wheat  prices  have drop, it would be worth revisiting premium. But if prices fall sharply, ives market. Though the Centre has
EPFO is also considering investing, albeit smal­ two subsequent years — that led to a fallen  35­40  per  cent  from  May some of the out­of­the­box steps fol­ only premium value is lost in part already  suspended  major  agri­de­
gradual  drawdown  in  inventories highs,  Indian  wheat  prices  con­ lowed in the previous crisis of 2006­ or in full.  rivatives on the domestic commod­
ler amounts, in other risky assets such as altern­
in the wake of lower output.  tinue  to  surge  amid  dwindling 07.  ity exchanges, it is aware of the be­
ative investment funds, InvITs and REITs too.   This  compares  with  the  current stocks.  Currently,  wheat  prices  are Hedging wheat import prices on Premium on call option nefits  of  such  platforms  in
Instead of declaring outsized and untenable buffer stock reaching a 14­year low hovering at a record ₹26/kg in some the US commodity exchange via call Currently,  wheat  is  down  over  35 managing  the  price  and  supply
returns and then accumulating high­risk assets of  28.5  mt  as  on  July  1,  only  1  mt markets against the minimum sup­ options  through  a  government per cent from its recent record high risks. 
to attain them, a shift in the accounting and dis­ higher  than  buffer  norms,  thanks port price (MSP) of ₹20.15/kg. agency was a step taken then, and it of $12.8 per bushel (1 bushel equals Hence,  the  government  should
to 7mt exports in the previous year Even the rice crop in the ongoing was  highly  successful.  While  de­ 27.2 kg). Accordingly, the premium not  hesitate  to  use  the  world’s
closure policy of the EPFO may be a better idea. and over 3mt in the first quarter of kharif season, which was expected tailed information was never pub­ on call option in November­Decem­ largest  derivatives  exchange,  the
This, combined with a better understanding of this  fiscal  before  the  government to cushion the decline in wheat, is lished, sources in the Food Ministry ber series, when imports are likely CME  Group,  to  lock­in  prices  of  at
the  funds’  portfolio  mix  and  risk­return  from banned exports on May 13. facing  a  severe  crisis  as  sowing  is had  revealed  that  some  180,000 to happen, has also softened signi­ least a significant part of the poten­
employee representatives, can obviate the need Apart from exports, the continu­ down a whopping 13 per cent even tonnes of wheat were secured in ad­ ficantly.  tial import. 
ance of the pandemic­time scheme as half of the four­month monsoon vance  via  call  options  at  a  much If the situation turns favourable
to  take  excessive  risk  in  retirement  portfoli­ of  5­kg  foodgrains  to  80  crore season is over.  lower price than the price that pre­ in the form of conducive weather in The writer is a columnist who writes on
os. The lack of ongoing and transparent mark­ people also led to a big drawdown The sharp rainfall deficit means vailed at the time of actual imports.  rest of this kharif and rabi sowing commodity markets and agricultural
to­market valuations on the EPFO’s portfolio is of central pool stocks. In addition, it rice production will also be much Under the call option in the com­ seasons,  or  with  the  end  of  the marketing 
also  an  issue.  The  interest  payments  are  being
done  from  the  profit  booked  during  the  year
and  interest  earned  on  fixed  income  securiti­
es.  The  past  practice  of  dipping  into  capital
or dormant accounts to shore up the return is
clearly  untenable.  The  market  value  of  EPFO’s
equity holding, gain or loss made in the equity
America is finally back at the climate table
portfolio and the average yield on its debt port­ President Biden’s $370­b plan is crucial; it is about US squaring up to threats of climate change, and promoting climate justice
folio needs to be computed and disclosed to in­
vestors  periodically.  This  will  help  prepare  in­ HISHAM MUNDOL then,  we  could  be  entering  a  new countries. This Bill is, therefore, just lead  to  softer  US  patent  steward­
age  of  sustainability,  with  struc­ the  tonic  for  once  sceptical  coun­ ship  of  frontier  technologies.  The

A
vestors  for  lower  interest  payouts  in  periods mid  the  convulsions  in tural  changes  that  place  clean  en­ tries  and  organisations  to  resume fact  is,  it  is  when  innovation  re­
when stock market returns are adverse or when US politics, a ray of hope: ergy,  electric  mobility,  energy  effi­ partnerships with the US. duces user costs and patent protec­
interest rate cycle is down and thus reduce the One  US  politician’s  im­ ciency and sustainable agriculture tions are eased that emerging eco­
pressure on the trustees. The employee repres­ placable  opposition  to at the heart of a refashioned US eco­ Paris Agreement nomies really benefit.
President  Joe  Biden’s  flagship  cli­ nomy.  This  is  a  robust  foundation Finally, the giddy geopolitics of cli­ At its root, this Bill also illustrates
entatives  in  EPFO  also  need  to  be  better  in­
mate  legislation  suddenly  dis­ and why even the delayed passage mate.  Under  President  Barack American enlightened self­interest.
formed  regarding  the  debt  and  equity  market solves. Why, is for others to dissect. of the Bill is such a positive augury. Obama,  the  US  was  central  to  the US  business  innovation  and  tech­
dynamics instead of bargaining for stable pay­ What  is  to  savour  is  the  resurrec­ Why  is  this  important  to  India orchestration  of  the  historic  Paris nology  have  already  taken  the
outs from volatile assets. The employee repres­ tion  of  Biden’s  domestic  pro­ and the rest of the world? Because Agreement.  His  successor  pulled country to a critical tipping point
entatives need to communicate the same to the gramme, which on Sunday won the this vast budgetary allocation of in­ the US out, Biden reversed the de­ on  electric  vehicles,  renewables
backing  of  legislators.  This  is  the centives  and  policy  tools  is  about cision on the first day of his admin­ generation,  battery  technology
labour  unions  which  in  turn  need  to  spread US’s most ambitious effort ever to squaring up to the immediate and istration.  Still,  America’s  standing and  green  jobs.  At  the  same  time,
A critical step forward
awareness  among  investors  so  that  return  ex­ address climate change — it is good longer­term  threats  of  climate had been tarnished. The world was the  highest  fuel  prices  in  living
pectations are tempered and are not out of sync for India and the world. change,  ensuring  climate  justice this Bill projects — is a bold marker left wondering about the (incalcul­ memory  are  a  daily  reminder  to
with the interest rates in the economy.  The  proposed  legislation and  calibrating  climate  geopolit­ of intent for the country, and a crit­ able) cost of the absence of the US middle America of the necessity of
provides  a  massive  $370­billion ics. It is also about the role of the US ical step forward for the planet. climate  leadership  at  home,  and homegrown green technologies to
The EPFO can also consider setting up an in­ spending  programme  to  poten­ in the issue of our age. What about climate justice? The the  potential  of  its  influence  bey­ safeguard  against  energy  tyranny
house asset management department that act­ tially  deliver  a  40  per  cent  reduc­ US is the No 2 emitter in the world ond its borders. engineered by distant conflicts.
ively  manages  the  portfolio,  booking  profits tion in US emissions by 2030. It in­ Global emissions (after China) in absolute terms and The  US  withdrawal  from  the These  real­life  pressures  will
when necessary so that returns are optimal. The cludes  incentives  for  renewable Let’s  start  with  the  environment. among the highest per capita emit­ Paris  Agreement  —  demanded  by hopefully  pull  Americans  away
energy  access,  tax  credits  for  elec­ The  US  currently  accounts  for  27 ter of any rich, industrialised coun­ domestic conservatives suspicious from  the  conspiracy  theories  that
current  practice  of  employing  fund  houses  to
tric vehicles, and imposing higher per  cent  of  global  emissions.  Cli­ try. US per capita emissions are 10 of globalisation and its agencies — have  convulsed  their  democracy,
manage the funds for a pittance is far from ideal. fees for methane emissions. It cre­ mate change is caused not just by times  higher  than  India’s.  Until additionally  raised  doubts  about and  instead  point  people  and
The EPFO also needs a department for carrying ates  economic  opportunities  and current  but  also  cumulative  emis­ now, the lack of a clear plan backed whether the US could be ever trus­ politicians towards real issues: The
out active risk management of the portfolio.   enhances competitiveness, acceler­ sions.  At  400  billion  tonnes  since by  substantial  investments  by  the ted as a reliable partner (thus Iran economy,  jobs  and,  of  course,
ating  energy­transition  of  the  US the  start  of  the  Industrial  Age US  meant  the  world  has  never found itself in bizarre comity with climate.
economy.  (about  two  centuries  ago)  the  US really had a chance to rein in run­ most of Europe.) It’s good to have you back at the
A new wave of green jobs is the has  pumped  out  a  quarter  of  the away  emissions.  No  amount  of President Biden’s Bill helps bring table,  America.  Now,  please  spare
hoped­for  outcome,  countering world’s cumulative emissions. A 40 speechifying  from  the  US  could the US back on track; it should add us any more roller­coasters.
OTHER VOICES the  gloomy  prognoses  of  influen­
tial  fossil  fuel  interests.  At  best,
per  cent  reduction  in  emissions
from current levels — which is what
cover up the credibility gap when
Washington  sat  down  with  other
renewed vigour to innovation and
reduce  user  costs  —  perhaps  even The writer is Chief Advisor, EDF – India

Building an economy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to hold a national dialogue LET TERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859­860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.
to develop consensus on a charter of economy is a timely step in
the right direction. Keeping in view the dismal condition of the Fighting corruption the  anti­corruption  bureau  needs set  is  required.  Besides  that  there propriate  seed  procurement, (August 16). Under­representation
economy the current government inherited from the PTI in April Apropos  ‘Prime  Minister  Modi to  be  reconstituted,  providing  it is  a  huge  disparity  between  the hassle­free  farming  through  sim­ of women on corporate boards is a
this year, it is of vital significance that there be some agreement calls for decisive fight against cor­ with enough teeth while fully en­ rich and the poor, which needs to plified  robotic  and  mechanised global  phenomenon.  This  dispro­
on the major and recurring issues of the economy. All ruption’ (August 16), one tends to suring its independence and oper­ be  bridged  systematically.  And operations,  protection  from  the portionate  gender  ratio  of  direct­
stakeholders must take the prime minister’s offer seriously and endorse  Modi  having  sought ational  freedom,  devoid  of  ex­ gradually  we  will  have  to  reduce vagaries  of  nature,  accessing  the ors signals bias and inequality em­
work together to transform Pakistan’s economy into a viable people’s  support  in  his  fight ternal  influence  from  any our  dependence  on  imported market  through  online  trading anating  from  the  deep­rooted
machine that can function without regular foreign aid or support against  corruption.  While  such  a quarters. It should be mandated to items.  Also,  in  healthcare  we  lag platforms for commodities.  social  ethos  being  practised  by
mechanisms. Pakistan should not be in a situation where it move  could  largely  be  aimed  at report to the PMO alone.  far behind WHO norms. So there’s Though the start­up incubators male­dominated  corporate
struggles with the real fear of defaulting on debt.  KARACHI, AUGUST 15 boosting the central agencies and SK Gupta a need  to  seriously  overhaul  our and  aggregators  provide  mentor­ boards. 
urging them to continue to carry New Delhi healthcare  infrastructure.  The ing support at the product innova­ Second, the notion that the pro­
out  the  probes  into  high­profile education  sector  also  requires  to tion stage itself, a majority of these gress of women should be decided
cases  involving  tainted  netas and Scaling up to a developed nation be scaled up.  entities are unable to access mar­ on the basis of meritocracy is im­
babus, how come none of the lead­ This  refers  to  ‘Modi’s  five­point Bal Govind kets for sourcing funds due to lack practical given the level of harass­
ers belonging to either the BJP or agenda  to  put  India  in  developed Noida of  financial  literacy  and  complex ment  faced  by  them  while  pro­
Covid is changing, and so are vaccines its NDA allies have thus far been in­ nation orbit’ (August 16). It is good investment terms imposed by the gressing  to  top  management
vestigated into by the so­called in­ to have an ambitious target to be­ Agri­tech, the right solution investors.  Setting  up  of  exclusive positions.  Hence,  it  is  imperative
Covid may be finally losing its sting after infecting 590 million dependent probe agencies?  come  a  developed  nation  in  the ‘Some financial tips for agri start­ guidance cells for agri start­ups by for  the  regulators  to  step  in  and
people and claiming 6.4 million lives since January 2020. We may What  about  the  rampant  cor­ next  25  years.  But  there  is  a  huge ups’ (August 16) is timely, and the Nabard­like  institutions  for mandate  gender  representation
be at the tail­end of the global health crisis that stopped us in our ruption that prevails at the grass­ gulf which is to be bridged in this guidance would immensely bene­ sourcing funds and ensuring com­ on boards to firmly deal with the
tracks two years ago, and sent countries into lockdowns. For roots level at various public utility­ span of time. While India’s per cap­ fit the sustainability of small entit­ pliances  will  help  scale  up  these social  stigma  and  break  the  glass
many, dealing with Covid seemed like an eternity, after the disease oriented  government  institu­ ita  income  is  around  $2,000,  our ies in the agri segment. The prob­ small entities. ceiling.  Hence  companies  should
stole their loved ones, leaving them to grieve in silence after death tions/departments  like  estate neighbour  China’s  is  $8,700. lem  of  mounting  unnatural Sitaram Popuri strive  to  increase  the  number  of
struck its heavy hand through a deadly pathogen whose origins offices,  transport/electricty  de­ Though  the  Prime  Minister  has deaths  of  debt­laden  farmers  can Bengaluru women  leaders  through  mentor­
remain unclear, though the first case has been linked to a wet partments, etc?  outlined  five  pledges  which  need be  addressed  by  the  innovative ing, engagement and recruitment
market in Wuhan. However, science came to the rescue, and If  the  Prime  Minister  really to be abided by one and all in letter support  and  solutions  given  by Breaking the glass­ceiling initiatives.
researchers produced an array of vaccines at record­breaking means  business  on  eradicating and  spirit,  for  that  to  happen  on agri­tech  start­ups.  These  include This is with reference to ‘Working P Sundara Pandian
speed — including the game­changing mRNA that was deployed corruption  from  public  domain, the ground, a drastic shift in mind­ AI­based  soil  supervision  till  ap­ women  still  at  the  receiving  end’ Virudhunagar, TN
to counter the spread of the deadly coronavirus.  DUBAI, AUGUST 15

Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai­600002 and Printed by N. Vaidyanathan at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No. 22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai­400701 on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai­600002. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).   ISSN 0971 ­ 7528

CM . ..... .... ...BM­BME


YK
MUMBAI

BusinessLine
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 17 • 2022 THINK 5

GST hurting key sectors


Infra and e­comm sectors are beset by a host of issues
India is up against a strident China
RAJESHREE SABNAVIS However, the lockdowns have pushed con­ China has opened a new front in Lanka after challenging India in the north. India has to play its cards carefully 
sumers towards online shopping. A small

T
he  infrastructure  sector  is  con­ seller or a large established chain all can sell ented  towards  expanding  Chinese  air­
sidered  the  backbone  of  the  In­ goods across India and e­commerce helped power in the areas around Ladakh,” said
dian economy. The strongest part to amplify the reach. There are a few key is­ The Warzone.
of the recent Union Budget was sues that need to highlighted, though: Should India be more aggressive or is
the  government’s  renewed  thrust  on  in­ Higher  compliance cost:  Under  GST, it crucial to stay reasonably quiet about
vestments in strengthening the country’s with the burden of TCS, e­commerce oper­ its  large  and  belligerent  Wolf  Warrior
infrastructure.  However,  this  sector  faces ators are required to undertake additional neighbour?  The  Chinese  have  become
certain  issues  under  GST,  which  are  dis­ compliances in States where their suppli­ increasingly assertive in recent years, es­
cussed below.  ers are located. This significantly increases PARAN BALAKRISHNAN pecially  since  Xi  Jinping  consolidated
Cost  of input  material:  The  sector  de­ the compliance burden on e­commerce op­ his  position.  Till  2020,  the  aggression
pends on several factors such as electricity, erators, as many of them have a large num­ THE WIDER ANGLE was mainly focused on the South China
logistics,  cement  and  consultancies. ber of vendors.  Sea but now it’s turned in our direction.

O
Higher tax rate on these sectors will have an Further,  matching  invoice  data  with n Tuesday morning, the Yuan India, by contrast, has always played it
impact  on  the  costs  of  construction.  A those  of  the  suppliers  and  deducting  ap­ Wang  5  belonging  to  the very cautiously with its powerful neigh­
higher  GST  rate  of  28  per  cent  imposed propriate  TCS  are  proving  to  be  difficult. People’s  Liberation  Army bour.  It’s  never  made  a  statement  on
upon cement would adversely impact con­ The  mismatches  are  mainly  due  to  mul­ Navy  sailed  into  Sri  Lanka’s minorities in Xinjiang, an extremely del­
struction cost.  tiple transactions occurring with a particu­ Hambantota  Port,  bringing  a  diplo­ icate subject for the Chinese. Similarly,
Ill tidings China's interventions can compromise India’s secuirty  AFP
Electricity is not within the ambit of GST lar  supplier,  and  communication  gap matic battle to an unsatisfactory end for when  it  comes  to  Hong  Kong,  India
and tax on the same is an additional bur­ between  e­commerce  operators  and  the India. On one side India, backed by the nearing $5 billion, we would have been backfoot.  China  has  been  building  all­ hasn’t uttered even a murmur. 
den.  Revisiting  the  GST  rates  for  the  de­ suppliers. It is hoped the government will US, threw all it had to prevent the soph­ left bereft of the bare necessities of mod­ weather barracks at strategic locations On Taiwan, it was relatively cautious
pendent sectors can reduce the cost for this ease these restrictions in near future. isticated surveillance ship from docking ern life, found tottering on the brink of like the Depsang Plains and the Galwan and simply said it stood by earlier state­
sector.  Registration concerns:  GST  law  man­ at the port. On the other, China moved famine, stranded on the economic high­ Valley  near  where  the  original  clash ments. However, India has stopped us­
Taxability of bonus on early completion dates e­commerce operators to get separ­ into arm­twisting mode, making it clear way without fuel.” between  Chinese  and  Indian  soldiers ing the term One China after 2008 when
of projects: In case of certain projects (such ate  registrations  for  TCS,  irrespective  of it would do its utmost to stop or stall Sri The  Sunday Times added  the  brutal took place in mid­2020. Until a few years the  Chinese  laid  claim  to  parts  of  Ar­
as  construction  of  highways, whether  they  are  already  re­ Lanka’s much­needed IMF loan. Caught truth that, “For India, Lanka is an ines­ ago,  both  sides  patrolled  areas  in  the unachal  Pradesh.  China’s  ambassador
dams) the project owner typic­ gistered under GST or not. Re­ in the middle, the Sri Lankans first asked capable  geographical  presence,  an  is­ Depsang  Plains  where  Indian  soldiers Sun Weidong posted on the embassy’s
ally  pays  to  the  contractor  a gistration  for  TCS  is  required the Chinese ship to stay away from Ham­ land that can be transformed into a ver­ are now shut out from.  website that India should reiterate the
bonus equal to a specified per­ in  each  State  as  collection  of bantota, then finally caved in. itable enemy aircraft carrier anchored The Drive­Warzone, an online public­ One China policy. The fact is India has
centage  of  the  project  cost  if TCS is compulsory on all sup­ A small diplomatic victory for India is on her doorstep, within strike range.” By ation  focusing  on  defence  issues,  says been forced to reorient its defence struc­
the  work  gets  completed  as plies.  that the ship didn’t moor at Hamban­ contrast, it pointed out that for China, Chinese tented quarters have now been tures in the last two years to deal with
per  schedule or  prior  to  the E­commerce  operators  are tota on the 75th anniversary of Indian “Lanka is a far­flung dispensable little is­ turned into “permanent all­weather en­ the  Chinese  threat.  In  2021,  the  army
due date of completion. Such in a dilemma about getting re­ Independence.  But  this  is  the  first land, mainly valued for being in the In­ campments”. Crucially, the Chinese are turned more forces to face China both in
bonus  payment,  although  a gistered  in  States  where  they Chinese  military  ship  to  use  the  port, dian  neighbourhood.”  There  may  also also building bridges and roads, partic­ Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
reward, is considered a part of the consider­ do not have physical presence. Since most run by the China Merchants Ports on a be  a  second  reason  why  the  Chinese ularly in the Aksai Chin region, which Similarly,  we  now  have  two  Rafale
ation for supply of works contract services.  players are discouraged to opt for market­ 99­year  long­lease,  since  two  submar­ value  Sri  Lanka:  it  could  be  a  kick­off will enable them to reach the frontline squadrons and the one in Ambala can
Providing tax exemption on bonus will place model to comply with registrations ines docked there in 2014. The Chinese point for an Antarctica mission at some much more swiftly. The Warzone reck­ reach the Ladakh border at a short no­
inspire the contractors. in multiple States, the registration require­ have  rammed  home  their  determina­ future point. ons the Chinese build­up in Aksai Chin, tice.  Similarly,  a  second  squadron  is
The benefit of zero­rated supplies avail­ ment needs to be relaxed. tion to use Hambantota at a time when “effectively puts it in a position where its based  at  Hasimara,  not  far  from  the
able  to  the  main  contractor  supplying Stock transfers between branches of a Sri Lanka was at its most vulnerable and Military exercise ability to project military power into the Bhutan­Sikkim­Tibet tri­junction. There
goods  or  services  to  an  SEZ  unit  or  de­ single e­commerce entity are deemed to be desperately needing the IMF loan to get Move  to  the  other  end  of  India  and disputed region is relatively uncontest­ have been air incidents where China has
veloper is not available to sub­contractors supplies,  subject  to  GST.  Though  the  tax its economy back on track. China looms large once again. For two able.”  ignored  the  agreement  not  to  come
supplying  goods  or  services  to  such  con­ paid is available as credit to the entity, this For India, what’s especially galling is weeks in October, India and the US will “Where China in the past maintained within 10 km of the LAC, largely to test
tractor.  may result in cash flow blockages. Tax liabil­ the Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota hold high­altitude military exercises at a logistics network that could support the speed of India’s responses. The two
This  results  in  blockage  of  funds/work­ ity would arise at first stage of stock trans­ even  though  we’ve  given  Colombo Auli, Uttarakhand, some 90 km from the the  presence  of  several  hundred air forces are now setting up hotlines to
ing capital for the contractor. Extending ex­ fer, which can only be offset at the time of fi­ loans in cash­and­kind of almost $5 bil­ Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Yudh Chinese troops on the frontlines of its ensure there are no untoward incidents.
emption  to  sub­contractors  shall  resolve nal  supplies  by  the  e­commerce  entity. lion,  including  crude  oil  transfusions Abhyas (war practice) exercises will take territorial claims in Aksai Chin, this up­ India has been lucky that Pakistan has
the  issue  of  blocked  funds  for  these Hence,  making  stock  transfers  between when the country’s petrol stations ran place at 10,000 ft heights. India and the graded infrastructure and support net­ not moved to take advantage of India’s
contractors. branches non­taxable can fix the cash flow dry. Also, the ship is due to stay for six US have held exercises in Uttarakhand work  now  allows  it  to  reinforce  many Chinese dilemma.
Deemed deduction of land value: The issues. days, far longer than required to carry before,  but  always  been  at  lower  alti­ thousands  of  troops  simultaneously,” India obviously has to play it super­
GST law does not provide for deduction of The  government  should  discover  the out what the Chinese say is “replenish­ tudes and at around 300 km from the says The Warzone. carefully with its powerful and super­ag­
actual  value  of  land,  thereby  making  de­ challenging areas and come out with resol­ ment”  of  essential  supplies.  The  Yuan LAC. China has only obliquely hinted at China is also strengthening airbases gressive  neighbour  which  has  an  eco­
duction  lower  in  cases  where  the  actual utions  on  the  issues  faced  so  that  there Wang 5 is what’s called a satellite­and­ its  displeasure  over  these  exercises. in Xinjiang and Tibet, some of which are nomy that’s about five times ours. Chi­
value  exceeds  the  deemed  deduction. would be more opportunities rather than missile­tracking ship. Chinese scholar Qian Feng remarked In­ for  both  civilian  and  military  use.  In na’s currently holding drills all around
Providing  for  actual  deduction  of  land challenges and the growth of these sectors Certainly, India’s timely assistance to dia  should  be  cautious  about,  “its  co­ Xinjiang, it’s hugely expanding facilities Taiwan.  It’s  also  not  giving  an  inch  in
value  can  reduce  costs  and,  thereby,  give is promoted. Sri Lanka has been noticed in that coun­ operative  activities  with  the  US  in  the at Kashgar and Hotan. Also, a completely Ladakh.  And  now,  simultaneously,  it’s
the sector a boost. try. Sri Lanka’s Sunday Timescommented region.” new  airbase  is  coming  up  at  Tashkur­ opened a new front in Sri Lanka. This is
The impact of Covid­19 has been hard on The writer is Founder, Rajeshree Sabnavis & colourfully that: “Without India’s steady On  the  actual  Ladakh  border  too, gan. The Hotan base, particularly, marks an enemy that must be kept at bay with
businesses  affected  by  the  lockdowns. Associates credit  lines  granted  since  March,  now there’s no question Indiais firmly on the “a  drastic  escalation  that  is  fully  ori­ the greatest skill. 

SHORT TAKE 
BusinessLine
New drug prices in TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY
US at record high
August 17, 2002
D rugmakers are launching new
medicines  at  record­high
prices this year, a Reuters analysis
Coke to shed 49 pc in Indian subsidiary
The Coca­Cola Company's Indian arm, Hindustan Coca­Cola
has found, highlighting their pri­ Holdings Private Ltd. (HCCH), today announced that it
cing  power  even  as  Congress would divest 49 per cent of its equity in its wholly­owned
moves to cut the $500 billion­plus subsidiary — Hindustan Coca­Cola Beverages Private Ltd.
annual bill for prescription drugs (HCCB) — through a private placement. The company’s
in the US. decision on its disinvestment came on the eve of the August
At the same time, some pharma­ 17 deadline set by the Government, after HCCH's application
ceutical  manufacturers  are  dis­ for waiver was rejected three times — in October 2001 and
closing less information about the then again in May and July this year. 
pricing of those treatments, which Norms for banks funding PSU bidders eased
have come under greater scrutiny Bank financing for PSU disinvestment will now be outside
in recent years, Reuters found. the five per cent ceiling on capital market exposure. The
“In the US, we allow drug manu­ relaxation will, however, be subject to RBI clearance on a
facturers to freely set prices for all case­by­case basis. If a bank's capital market exposure in
brand­name drugs,” Dr Aaron Kes­ relation to its total advances exceeds the five per cent cap,
selheim, professor of medicine at the RBI will, on a case­by­case basis, consider a relaxation of
Harvard  Medical  School  and this ceiling subject to adequate safeguards regarding
Brigham  and  Women’s  Hospital, margins, the bank's exposure to capital market, internal
told Reuters. control and risk management systems, according to the
The  median  annual  price  of  13 new guidelines issued today. 
novel drugs approved for chronic Monsoon revives — at last
conditions  by  the  US  Food  and Finally, the monsoon has really arrived, even if somewhat
Drug  Administration  so  far  this late for the kharif crop and a trifle too early for the coming
year is $257,000, Reuters found. rabi sowing season. The week ended August 14 has actually
They  were  in  good  company: witnessed excess rainfall, with the aggregate area­weighted
seven other newly­launched drugs precipitation of 79.9 millimetres (mm) for the country as a
were  priced  above  $200,000. whole being 25 per cent higher than the historical long
Three  other  drugs  launched  in period average (LPA) value of 63.9 mm for the week. During
2022 are used only intermittently the week, as many as 17 out of the country's 36
and were not included in the cal­ meteorological sub­divisions received 'excess' rainfall. 
culation. Last year, the median an­
nual price rose to $180,000 for the
30  drugs  first  marketed  through
mid­July 2021, according to a study
published recently in JAMA.
While the Reuters tally does not
completely  replicate  the  work  of easy  bl two­way crossword 2095 not so easy
that study, it shows that the direc­
ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN
tion of new drug prices continues
1. Wedding (8) 1. Sheep meat (6) 1. Union meeting may spoil the 1. Meat, leg of which may be sleeved (6)
to be on the rise. 
7. Removes skin (5) 2. Can be counted on (8) anger one was involved in 2. In drunken reel embraces
The  JAMA  study  also  excluded
3. Flag; part of eye (4) (8) bail­breaker one can depend on (8)
drugs that are used intermittently. 8. Working the land (7)
4. Suppressed laughter (6) 7. Nod off in reverse order as 3. One gets the schoolmaster up for a
It included an adjustment for the 9. Arm movement expressing
fact  that  drugs  for  very  rare  dis­ one strips off (5) girl (4)
something (7) 5. S American nation (4)
eases have higher prices, which Re­ 8. I'll get in metal on 3rd August 4. One­night performance with broken
10. By mouth (4) 6. Agreement (6)
uters did not. if I'm working the land (7) leg makes one laugh (6)
7. Overtaking (7) 9. An army manoeuvre? Sure: 5. Country for each that reaches a posh
The  pharmaceutical  industry 12. Seeming (7)
11. Garden structure with get knotted! (7) conclusion (4)
says  that  prices  for  new  drugs, 14. A gift (7) crossed bars (7)
many of which now treat rare dis­ 10. No written examination can 6. Arriving the way it was posted, it
17. Animal foot (4) 13. One to send goods abroad (8)
eases for which there are no ther­ be righteous when topless signifies agreement (6)
18. Push back attack (7) 14. Die (6) (4) 7. Such a thought as the motorist
apies,  reflect  their  value  to  pa­
tients,  including  the  ability  to 21. Easily broken (7) 15. Boy's singing voice (6) 12. I'd been taken in by woman, pulling out may entertain (7)
prevent  costly  emergency  room 22. European national (5) 16. Hurt one's sensibilities (6) not heartless, as may be 11. Garden structure made to hold
visits and hospital stays. 23. Became corrupt, 19. Feeling of hurt (4) seen (7) about fifty litres (7)
Drugmakers  also  stress  that suppurated (8) 20. Produce coins (4) 14. It's a gift to be in the here 13. An outlandish sort of businessman?
they do not determine what US pa­ and now (7) (8)
tients  end  up  paying  for  the 17. On the which meat is bought 14. He rips around, but will go no
medicines. SOLUTION: BL Two­way Crossword 2094 living (4) farther (6)
Congress  last  week  passed  the 18. Ward off attack that is 15. Increase threefold his output in the
landmark  $430  billion  Inflation ACROSS 7. Misconception 8. Barrel­organ 12. Horrid 14. Grated 16. concerned with beater (7) choir (6)
Reduction Act that includes a cap Pro tem 18. Stream 19. Standardise 23. Paterfamilias 21. British Rail, head lost only a 16. Break the rules, not being on at the
on  annual  drug  price  increases DOWN 1. Limb 2. Scar 3. Indeed 4. Belong 5. Stag 6. Moon 9. Airport bit, is liable to break up (7) finish (6)
and  allows  the  Medicare  health 10. Actress 11. Edam 12. Hope 13. Ice 15. Rot 17. Modify 18. Scrimp 19. 22. Landlocked European whose 19. What one may suffer if one is in the
programme for seniors to negoti­ Sham 20. Ales 21. Ills 22. Élan Guard guards the Pope (5) pot (4)
ate prices for up to 20 of the drugs 23. Trees, fed wrongly, went bad 20. To coin a phrase, it is flavoursome
on  which  it  spends  the  most. (8) (4)
REUTERS

CM .. .... .... ...BM­BME


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4 EDIT DELHI WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST 2022

LETTERS
Tech emerges a great leveller in India A great initiative by Hans on I-Day
I NDIA’S celebration of 75 years of Inde-
pendence showcases many success stories
that the country has achieved in more than
With $178 billion worth of exports, this con-
tributed to 51 per cent share of India's services
exports in FY22. Meanwhile, the domestic
origin and educated professionals occupy the
corner offices now. So, technology industry
is carrying the flag high for India as a nation
ecosystem in the world with more than 100
unicorns (companies with a valuation of one
billion dollar or more). Such a spirit of en-
W e, the readers of Hans India, were thrilled and drenched in pa-
triotic sprit on August 15 aer going through the contents in
the editions distributed with the main paper. e pains and research
seven decades. emerging as a technology technology market is pegged at over $50 bil- in the post-independence India. entrepre- trepreneurship indicates that most critical done by your staff in bringing out such huge editions are commendable.
powerhouse of the world is one of those rare lion. Such contribution in all aspects indicates neurs like NR Narayana Murthy, Nandan problem of India will be market-driven than e details of various movements organized by our freedom fighters
feats that the South Asian nation has the importance of Indian IT-BPM industry Nilekani, Azim Premji, Shiv Nadar and many being dependent on any government system. in kindling the national sprit among the then Indians accompanied by
achieved. for the country. Moreover, the country is re- more are the architects of such technology Such development augurs well for India as a a number of photographs and the brief histories/biographies of some
undoubtedly, the IT-BPM industry is the garded as the largest talent market in the revolution that has given the country a differ- nation. As market forces are unleased with freedom fighters with their photographs reflected the efforts you had
crown jewel of the Indian economy. During world. From the uS to europe, most global ent identity on the world stage. entrepreneurship at its core, this will ensure taken to present such a memorable issue on the pious occasion of
last financial year, Indian IT industry crossed enterprises have opened their global captive Post-independence, India as country had the emergence of meritocracy in Indian sys- India celebrating with fervor ‘Vajrotsavaalu’ exhibiting with pride flying
the $200 billion mark in revenue, creating a centres in India. is is because of the engi- been written off by many western experts tem. Moreover, the fissures created in name national flag on each and every house and commercial establishments
watershed moment for India's technology neering talent base of the country. given the dire state of Indian economy and of various divisive elements will not be able remain a milestone in the journey of Hans India. I extend my special
services sector. According to a report by IT India is base to 1,700 GCCs (global capability multiple fissures seen in the Indian society. to sustain as market will ensure the survival gratitude as many readers absorb themselves in studying the editions
industry body Nasscom, the sector has centres) of these MNCs, which are building However, proving the skeptics wrong, India of fittest. Technology acts a great enabler without any deviation that truly filled the hearts and minds with national
emerged as the largest private sector employer products and solutions from the country for has not only existed as one nation; but is also with the gap between rich and poor, urban sprit and respect for the countless freedom fighters who laid their lives
in India with over five million direct jobs. If the world. Importantly, Indian engineering growing to be a power to reckon with. and rural, being bridged. is process of for country resulted in the freedom we are enjoying today.
the indirect jobs are accounted for, the impact talent is such that most global Ceos in tech- With startup ecosystem maturing in the wealth creation will make India a vibrant Rama Krishna M, Kakinada
of technology industry on Indian socioeco- nology firms are of Indian-origins. From country, the future of India as a nation seems democracy through raising standards of lives
nomic life is stupendous. Google, Microso, Twitter to IBM, Indian- bright. At present, India has the largest startup of millions.
It's time to pave way for Bharata Varsha
T He way forward from here consists in learning to adopt infallible

The COVID lab leak theory is dead


strategies to secure the original ethos of Bharata Varsa and to safeguard
Her Bharatiya quintessence from an further wanton violation. e feeling
that "India is my country and all the Indians are my brothers and sisters"
will go a long way in maintaining a broad minded outlook and brother
feelings. We learned to fight and win freedom and it is up to us to make
Here's how we know the virus came from a Wuhan market our dreams come true and achieve the star status in the world well and
truly started by the new dispensation. Aer all, we all work together to
EDWARD C HOLMES of Virology. Not from gene sequence data- enjoy the spirit of freedom in the best way possible and make hay when
For the lab leak theory to be true, bases, scientific publications, annual reports, the sun shines.

M
Y colleagues and I published the student theses, social media, or emails. even CK Subramaniam, Mumbai
most detailed studies of the earli-
SARS-CoV-2 must have been the intelligence community has found noth-
est events in the CoVID-19 pan- present in the Wuhan Institute of ing. Nothing. And there was no reason to Bureaucrats must not kowtow to politicos
Virology before the pandemic
demic last month in the journal ‘Science.’
Together, these papers paint a coherent evi-
dence-based picture of what took place in
started. But the inconvenient
keep any work on a SARS-CoV-2 ancestor
secret before the pandemic. To assign the
origin of SARS-CoV-2 to the Wuhan Insti-
I T is not only astonishing, but agonising too that the bureaucrats are
also sailing on the same route, where our political leaders do. e
difference between the party functions and the government programmes
truth is there's not a single piece
the city of Wuhan during the latter part of of data suggesting this. There's no tute of Virology requires a set of increasingly or meetings has been just wiped out. Such a situation is not healthy for
2019. e take-home message is the CoVID implausible “what if?” scenarios. ese even- true democracy/good governance. In every government programme or
pandemic probably did begin where the first evidence for a genome sequence tually lead to preposterous suggestions of meeting, the political cadre of the ruling party do share the dais and also
cases were detected – at the Huanan Seafood or isolate of a precursor virus at clandestine bioweapon research. the proceedings of the meeting. Top bureaucrats do remain as a silent
Wholesale Market. At the same time, this the Wuhan Institute of Virology. e lab leak theory stands as an unfalsifi- spectators, unable to set the things right, for the reasons best known to
lays to rest the idea that the virus escaped Not from gene sequence able allegation. If an investigation of the lab them only. ey should realise that they are the servants of the Constitution
from a laboratory. databases, scientific publications, found no evidence of a leak, the scientists and the government and not for the political cadre. It is more surprising
An analysis of the geographic locations involved would simply be accused of hiding that they do not make any little effort to correct the wrong doings. It is
of the earliest known CoVID cases – dating annual reports, student theses, the relevant material. If not a conspiracy not understood as to what made them to be puppets, against their legiti-
to December 2019 – revealed a strong clus- social media, or emails. Even the theory, it's a theory requiring a conspiracy. mate functions, as per the laid down provisions. If this continues like
tering around the Huanan market. is was intelligence community has found It provides a convenient vehicle for calls to them, the meaning and existence of democracy will be at stake.
true not only for people who worked at or nothing limit, if not ban outright, gain-of-function TV Nageswara Rao, Visakhapatnam
visited the market, but also for those who research in which viruses with greatly differ-
had no links to it. Although there will be ent properties are created in labs. Whether
many missing cases, there's no evidence of “variants of concern” (what we call Delta, – the Wuhan Institute of Virology. or not SARS-CoV-2 originated in this man- KCR continues to disrespect Governor
widespread sampling bias: the first CoVID
cases were not identified simply because they
were linked to the Huanan market.
omicron and so on).
e first split in the SARS-CoV-2 family
tree – between the “A” and “B” lineages –
Death knell for lab leak theory
e lab leak theory rests on an unfortu-
ner is incidental.

Wounds that may never be healed


I T is indeed shocking that while 75 years of Independence has promoted
unity amongst diverse communities of Indians to a single platform, our
TS CM and his team mates could not attend the 'At Home' organised by
e Huanan market was the pandemic occurred very early in the pandemic. Both nate coincidence: that SARS-CoV-2 emerged The acrid stench of xenophobia lingers the Governor at Raj Bhavan in connection with Independence celebrations.
epicentre. From its origin there, the SARS- lineages have an epicentre at the market and in a city with a laboratory that works on bat over much of this discussion. Fervent dis- is clearly shows the party's deliberate stand against the Governor un-
CoV-2 virus rapidly spread to other loca- both were detected there. Further analyses coronaviruses. Some of these bat coron- missals by the Chinese scientists of any- doubtedly. Are the Independence Day celebrations an ideal time for the
tions in Wuhan in early 2020 and then to suggest the A and B lineages were the prod- aviruses are closely related to SARS-CoV-2. thing untoward are blithely cast as lies. Yet TS CM to continue his tirade against the Governor? People should give
the rest of the world. e Huanan market is ucts of separate jumps from animals. is But not close enough to be direct ancestors. during this crucial period these same sci- due recognition to posts created in the Constitution and they can always
an indoor space about the size of two soccer simply means there was a pool of infected Sadly, the focus on the Wuhan Institute of entists were going to international confer- fight against such creations in future but then they have to follow basic
fields. e word “seafood” in its name leaves animals in the Huanan market, fuelling mul- Virology has distracted us from a far more ences and welcoming visitors. Do we hon- etiquettes as long as they are there. At least since national level civil
a misleading impression of its function. tiple exposure events. Reconstructing the important connection: that, like SARS-CoV- estly believe they would have such a service officers are there in the county, IAS, IPS, IRS officers attended the
When I visited the market in 2014, a variety history of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 1 (which emerged in late 2002) before it, pathological disdain for the consequences 'At Home' party and who knows what would be the position if TS imple-
of live wildlife was for sale including raccoon genome sequence through time showed the there's a direct link between a coronavirus of their actions? The debate over the origins ments State-level civil officers employments in future?
dogs and muskrats. At the time I suggested B lineage was the first to jump to humans. It outbreak and a live animal market. of CoVID has opened wounds that may Katuru Durga Prasad Rao, Hyderabad
to my Chinese colleagues that we sample was followed, perhaps a few weeks later, by Consider the odds that a virus that leaked never be healed. It has armed a distrust in
these market animals for viruses. Instead, the A lineage. All these events are estimated from a lab was first detected at the very place science and fuelled divisive political opin-
they set up a virological surveillance study to have occurred no earlier than late october where you would expect it to emerge if it in ion. Individual scientists have been as- AP government targeting teachers
at the nearby Wuhan Central Hospital,
which later cared for many of the earliest
CoVID patients.
2019. Claims that the virus was spreading
before this date can be dismissed.
What's missing, of course, is that we don't
fact had a natural animal origin – vanish-
ingly low. And these odds drop further as
we need to link both the A and B lineages to
signed the sins of their governments. The
incessant blame game and finger pointing
has reduced the chances of finding viral
T He Andhra Pradesh government is subjecting its employees, partic-
ularly teachers, to unreasonable tension with very harsh regulations.
As per the new instructions, teachers are supposed to mark their attendance
Wildlife were also on sale in the Huanan yet know exactly which animals were in- the market. Was the market just the location origins even further. History won't judge exactly by 9 am through a face recognition app. As many government
market in 2019. Aer the Chinese authori- volved in the transfer of SARS-CoV-2 to hu- of a super-spreading event? Nothing says so. this period kindly. schools are in interior rural areas which do not have proper internet facil-
ties closed the market on January 1 2020, mans. live wildlife were removed from the It wasn't a crowded location in the bustling Global collaboration is the bedrock of ities, it is going to be a nightmare for teachers. It may lead to many practical
investigative teams swabbed surfaces, door Huanan market before the investigative team and globally connected metropolis of effective pandemic prevention, but we're problems too. Government should reconsider this rule.
handles, drains, frozen animals and so on. entered, increasing public safety but ham- Wuhan. It's not even close to being the in danger of destroying rather than building D V Seshasai, Narasaraopet
Most of the samples that later tested positive pering origin hunting. e opportunity to busiest market or shopping mall in the city. relationships. We may even be less prepared
for SARS-CoV-2 were from the south-west-
ern corner of the market. e wildlife I saw
find the direct animal host has probably
passed. As the virus likely rapidly spread
For the lab leak theory to be true, SARS-
CoV-2 must have been present in the Wuhan
for a pandemic than in 2019. Despite po-
litical barriers and a salivating media, the
thehansreader@gmail.com
for sale on my visit in 2014 were in the through its animal reservoir, it's overly op- Institute of Virology before the pandemic evidence for a natural animal origin for
south-western corner. is establishes a sim- timistic to think it would still be circulating started. is would convince me. SARS-CoV-2 has increased over the past
ple and plausible pathway for the virus to in these animals today. e absence of a de- But the inconvenient truth is there's not two years. To deny it puts us all at risk.
jump from animals to humans. Animal finitive animal source has been taken as tacit a single piece of data suggesting this. ere's
spillover SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into an support for counter claims that SARS-CoV- no evidence for a genome sequence or isolate (Writer teaches at University of Sydney,
array of lineages, some familiar to us as the 2 in fact “leaked” from a scientific laboratory of a precursor virus at the Wuhan Institute Australia; Courtesy: e Conversation)

Beware! Insta, FB keeping tabs on you


Instagram, Facebook stalking you on websites accessed through their apps. What can you do about it? Congress ready with road map for 2023
DAVID TUFFLEY Krause published his findings
polls, war room set up
online on August 10, including BeNGAluRu: e Congress party in the state which has decided to give
SoCIAl media platforms have samples of the actual code. In re- tough competition to the incumbent BJP in the state has launched itself
had some bad press in recent sponse, Meta has said it isn't do- into one of the biggest election preparation drives in the state. e party
times, largely prompted by the ing anything users didn't consent unit has constituted a professional war room and campaign managers.
vast extent of their data collec- to. A Meta spokesperson said: e initial reports of the professionals in the field has been reviewed by
tion. Now Meta, the parent com- “We intentionally developed this the top leaders of the Congress on Tuesday under the watchful eyes of
pany of Facebook and Instagram, code to honour people's [Ask to Randeep Singh Surjewala the national general secretary of the party. e
has upped the ante. Not content track] choices on our platforms party chiefs in the state have gone through the PPT presentation done by
with following every move you […] The code allows us to aggre- Sunil Kanugolu and former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthil who resigned as
make on its apps, Meta has re- gate user data before using it for Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada and plunged into politics.
portedly devised a way to also targeted advertising or measure- is in-depth study made by the professionals has given the party a road
know everything you do in ex- ment purposes. The “code” men- map and a blueprint for taking the party's ‘commendable’ levels of the re-
ternal websites accessed through tioned in the case is pcm.js – a vival of its positioning in state politics.
its apps. Why is it going to such script that acts to aggregate a
lengths? And is there a way to user's browsing activities.”
avoid this surveillance? ‘Injecting' Meta says the script is inserted 8.34 lakh visitors attend Lalbagh flower
code to follow you Meta has a based on whether users have
custom in-app browser that op- given consent – and information Instead of using the Instagram or Facebook app, visit the sites by en- tivities through its in-app show, revenue hits `3 crore mark
erates on Facebook, Instagram gained is used only for advertis- tering their URL into your trusted browser's search bar. This should browser is to simply not use it; BeNGAluRu: e lalbagh
and any website you might click ing purposes. So is it acting ethi- also solve the tracking problem. I'm not suggesting you ditch Facebook make sure you're opening web flower show, which was con-
through to from both these apps. cally? Well, the company has or Instagram altogether. But we should all be aware of how our online pages in a trusted browser of ducted aer a two-year hia-
Now ex-Google engineer and done due diligence by informing movements and usage patterns may be carefully recorded and used in choice such as Safari, Chrome or tus because of Covid-19,
privacy researcher Felix Krause users of its intention to collect an ways we're not told about. Remember: on the internet, if the service is Firefox. Another option is to ac- was incredibly well at-
has discovered this proprietary expanded range of data. However, free, you're probably the product cess the social media platforms tended. According to lal-
browser has an additional pro- it stopped short of making clear via a browser. So instead of using bagh Joint Director K M Ja-
gramme code inserted into it. what the full implications of do- jecting a tracking code into third- that all apps hosted on the Apple the Instagram or Facebook app, gadesh, 1.56 lakh visitors
Krause developed a tool that ing so would be. People might party websites opened through app store must get users' explicit visit the sites by entering their visited the gardens on Sun-
found Instagram and Facebook give their consent to tracking in the Instagram and Facebook permission to track and collect uRl into your trusted browser's day alone, bringing in Rs
added up to 18 lines of code to a more general sense, but “in- apps. At the same time, Meta's their data across apps owned by search bar. This should also solve 78.07 lakh in income. is
websites visited through Meta's formed” consent implies full business model is being threat- other companies. Meta has pub- the tracking problem. I'm not year's performance had a Dr
in-app browsers. This “code in- knowledge of the possible conse- ened – and events from the recent licly said this single iPhone alert suggesting you ditch Facebook or Rajkumar and Puneeth Ra-
jection” enables user tracking and quences. And, in this case, users past can help shed light on why is costing its Facebook business Instagram altogether. But we jkumar theme. Covid cases in January of this year caused it to pause, but
overrides tracking restrictions were not explicitly made aware it's doing this in the first place. It uS$10 billion each year. Apple's should all be aware of how our as soon as things were better, the Independence Day flower display prepa-
that browsers such as Chrome their activities on other sites boils down to the fact that Apple Safari browser also applies a de- online movements and usage pat- rations got under way quickly. Compared to the 2020 Republic Day, the
and Safari have in place. It allows could be followed through a code (which owns the Safari browser), fault setting to block all third- terns may be carefully recorded show this time received better feedback, according to Kusuma G, the
Meta to collect sensitive user in- injection. Google (which owns Chrome) party “cookies.” and used in ways we're not told deputy director of lalbagh. By August 15, there were 8.34 lakh visitors in
formation, including “every but- Why is Meta doing this? Data and the Firefox browser are all How can I protect myself? on about. Remember: on the inter- all, and Rs 3.33 crore revenue was collected, according to Kusuma.
ton and link tapped, text selec- are the central commodity of actively placing restrictions on the bright side, users concerned net, if the service is free, you're
tions, screenshots, as well as any Meta's business model. There is Meta's ability to collect data. last about privacy do have some op- probably the product.
form inputs, like passwords, ad- astronomical value in the amount year, Apple's ioS 14.5 update tions. The easiest way to stop (Writer teaches at Griffith Read more at
dresses and credit card numbers.” of data Meta can collect by in- came alongside a requirement Meta tracking your external ac- University, Australia) https://epaper.thehansindia.com (Bengaluru edition)
06 NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST 2022 Vol. CXXXXXVI 192

Incorporating and directly descended


from THE FRIEND OF INDIA - Founded 1818
Ecological marvel A MEMBER
OF THE

Engineering interventions led to the successful emergence of an upscaled sewage-fed ASIAN VOICES
Biden's victory ecosystem whose foundations were laid by Bengali entrepreneur Bhabanath Sen as early
Cheaper
S unday’s passage by the US Senate of legislation as 1880. The Dhapa Square Mile in the outskirts of Calcutta, where Sen began his garbage
that envisages the most significant federal invest-
ment in history to counter climate change and re-
farming and fish growing initiative, formed the template of an expanded ecosystem medicines
duce the cost of prescription drugs, is doubtless a after he lived no more. Dhapa was the place from where vegetables and fish produced
watershed development. Democrats banded together at a low cost were supplied to the city. Besides sewage being available at no cost and for all

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to lend impetus to two major pieces of legislation, crit- he long-held dream of having
ical facets of President Biden’s domestic agenda, over serving as a nutrient for production, organic material, plentifully recovered from the vital medicines that are afford-
unified Republican opposition. The measure, large ele- solid waste collected from the city, was used as manure for vegetable production able to most Filipinos may yet
ments of which appeared irrelevant just weeks ago in be realized following the
the midst of Republican divisions, would inject more meeting of minds last week between
than $370 billion into programmes relating to climate President Marcos Jr. and Prime Minis-
and energy. Overall, the bill could allow America to ter Narendra Modi of India, one of the
world’s biggest manufacturers of
cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 40 per cent pharmaceutical products.
below the 2005 levels by the end of the decade. It In a brief phone conversation on
would also achieve the Democrats’ objective of slash- Aug. 5, Modi expressed his desire to
ing prescription drug costs. For the first time, the bill further expand longstanding bilateral
will allow Medicare to negotiate prices of medicines relations between the two countries.
directly and cap the amount recipients pay out of poc- At the same time, he assured Mr Mar-
ket for drugs each year at $2000. The initiative will also cos of India’s “full support in his plans
extend larger premium subsidies for health coverage and projects for the Philippines’ devel-
for the low and middle-income segments under the opment,” which includes the local
Affordable Care Act for three years. It would be paid for production of generic drugs.
This is a welcome overture as Mr
by substantial tax increases mostly on large corpora- Marcos had declared that he wanted
tions. This will mean a 15 per cent corporate minimum to deepen ties with the South Asian
tax and the introduction of a new tax on company nation known for its expertise in the
stock buybacks. Initially pitched as “Build Back Better”, manufacturing of medicines, particu-
it generally referred to a multi-trillion dollar “cradle-to- larly their more affordable generic or
grave” social safety net plan. The Democrats scaled unbranded versions. These, he said,
back the legislation in recent months and renamed it are suited for a developing nation like
as the Inflation Reduction Act. It was projected to re- the Philippines where 23.7 percent of
duce the federal deficit by as much as $300 billion over the population is considered poor.
Pharmaceuticals is one of the
a decade. It is open to question though whether it will
main economic drivers of India, the
counter inflation or lower costs for Americans in the world’s sixth largest economy. For
long term. Passage of the measure has been a major generics alone, it is the world’s largest
victory for President Biden and Democrats, who are
struggling to maintain their slender House majorities

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in November’s midterm congressional elections. Fac- and their habitat, it soon evolved fish growing initiative, formed habitants do not demand regu-
ing unanimous opposition from Republicans, who orty years ago, an engi- to making ‘wise use’ the corner- the template of an expanded lar employment from the core manufacturer, accounting for one of
have used filibusters to block several elements of their neer-ecologist in-the- stone of its deliberations and this ecosystem after he lived no more. city. Sadly, the fault lines of mis- every five generic drugs sold in the
domestic agenda, the Democrats took full advantage of making started a seren- formed the core of its under- Dhapa was the place from where perception, especially by the global pharmaceutical market.
dipitous journey mandat- standing of conservation. Today, vegetables and fish produced at a learned, are jeopardising the sur- “We could go into partnership so
the Senate’s special budget rules to force through as ed by his government to enquire Ramsar’s definition of wise use low cost were supplied to the vival of this tutorial ecosystem. we could have [drug] production here
much as they could with the support of all 50 members into the possible uses of city was- stands thus: “Wise use of wet- city, saving food miles in the When the Central Wetland in the Philippines,” said Marcos, “I
of their caucus. The final tally was 51 to 50, with Vice- tewater. He had just completed lands is the maintenance of their process. Rules came into existence in have no doubt that our manufactur-
President Kamala Harris casting the vote to break the his Ph.D from the University of ecological character, achieved Besides sewage being avail- 2010, they forbade the entry of ers can also do it, but we will get
tie. The House planned to interrupt its summer break Calcutta, to become the first civil through the implementation of able at no cost and serving as a sewage into any wetland. This led advice from India because of [its]
to reconvene briefly to clear the measure, and then engineer to choose ecology as the ecosystem approaches, within nutrient for production, organic to a long innings of official corre- experience.”
advancing it to President Biden for his signature. The subject of his doctoral degree. the context of sus- material, plentiful- spondence between the state In his first State of the Nation
Senate vote was the culmination of more than a year of Without a clue about what to do tainable develop- ly recovered from government and the Centre reg- Address, the President also called for
hard-fought negotiations between the party’s progres- to find the answer that his supe- ment.” It was this the solid waste col- arding East Calcutta Wetlands. the development of a domestic gener-
riors wanted, he did what was wise-use criterion lected from the When the amended rules ratio- ic drugs manufacturing sector, and a
sive core, which demanded a transformational plan
usual to do in those days. He that led to the iden- city, was used as nalised this in 2017, much mis- level playing field in the industry to
that would touch every aspect of American life, and a used his common sense. tification of the East manure for veg- understanding still remained and prevent cartels among drug compa-
conservative-leaning flank that sought a much na- Dr Dhrubajyoti Ghosh start- Calcutta Wetlands etable production. the Dhapa dumpsite was frown- nies.
rrower package. Those talks played out against the ed walking along the outfall ca- as a Ramsar site. All this was dis- ed upon. Mr Marcos’ ambitious plan to
backdrop of a 50-50 Senate. nals of the city to check where In 1985, after covered in the Opinion was expressed that bring down the high cost of medicines
the city’s sewage was going. Lo completing the ma- course of an imm- this dumpsite should go outside is soothing music to the ears of Fil-
and behold, he stumbled across pping of the wet- ersive learning the ambit of the Ramsar site, ipinos who believe that life-saving
Digital clash the largest contiguous set of pon-
ds functioning as the sewage
lands, Dhrubajyoti
Ghosh visited Lima,
DHRUBA
process. Little wo-
nder then, that
without once attempting to un-
derstand the integrated nature of
drugs in the country are more expen-
sive than they should be.

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DASGUPTA
ermed the “most important United Nations ag- treatment plant of the city of Cal- Peru as a World Ghosh named Cal- resource recovery from waste in A 2019 Pulse Asia report in fact
ency you have never heard of”, the International cutta; an engineered landscape Bank consultant The writer is Project Fellow cutta ‘an ecologi- this total ecosystem. reveals that 99 percent of Filipinos
at Department of Civil
Telecommunication Union or ITU will be hold- that both treated sewage and and was asked by Engineering, IIEST Shibpur, cally subsidised Today, the cost saving of who need prescription medicines are
kept treatment costs at zero for experts to visit their and has been associated with city’. these wetlands for the city ad- unable to buy all of what they need
ing its quadrennial conference in Bucharest, Roma- the Calcutta Municipal Corpora- respective countries
these wetlands for more than
two decades Long before ministration is given no impor- because of the high cost, leading to
nia, from 26 September to 14 October. The plenipoten- tion. This unique ecosystem he to deliver lectures sophisticated for- tance, much less it is attempted unnecessary deaths or prolonged pain
tiary conference is scheduled to elect the ITU’s new named the East Calcutta Wet- on this wetland. He proudly eign scholars had begun to talk to improve their health by gen- and illness.
secretary general. What makes this poll so consequ- lands. It was to become his muse invited them to Calcutta if they about smart cities and urban cir- erating real-time data and moni- How much more expensive? At
ential, say experts, is that it is not just about who occu- till the end of his time. wanted to understand ‘unique- cularity, Calcutta’s frugal inno- toring. As usual, the wetlands one time, branded drugs cost as much
pies the secretary general’s plush office in Geneva but Dhrubajyoti Ghosh worked ness’. Hundreds of international vators had woven sustainability face urbanisation pressure that as 22 times more, while generics are
the fact that, to quote Tom Wheeler of the Brookings tirelessly for its preservation, scholars visited the wetlands for into city survival in their own is chipping away at their vitality. priced four times more than the inter-
Institute, “lurking behind the scenes in this election is a innovated as best as he could more than two decades. In the backyard by utilising its waste. Legal provisions were put in national reference prices for branded
competition between two visions of the internet: An and, when he passed away in bargain, Ghosh earned endless Today, we have forgotten place to ensure the continuity of and generic medicines, according to a
2018, he was the only environ- brickbats on his home turf. these lessons, banking on our this ecosystem by dedicating an separate survey commissioned by the
open internet, or a kind of state-controlled internet
mental thinker in this city who Ironically, as these wetlands culturally inherited pride in the entire Act for its governance. But Department of Health (DOH). Such
that resembles Russia’s and China’s.” Invariably, given had twice been honoured by the gained international recognition, built environment and dumping in the face of political and exter- price gouging is nothing short of crim-
the New Cold War thesis currently in vogue, the elec- United Nations for his efforts to they hit the impregnable wall of our living heritage. Ghosh’s task nal interference, the East Kolkata inal.
toral race has boiled down to one between an Ameri- name, map and take to the world apathy of the very city whose cit- was simple: he re-discovered this Wetlands (Conservation and A separate 2019 report by global
can and a Russian and the worldviews their respective the sustainability chronicle of izens of yore had engineered a living heritage as he, with his Management) Act 2006 has health insurer Mercer Marsh Benefits
backers represent. The ITU, founded in 1865 as the In- these wetlands. His single-mind- masterful transformation of a uncanny wisdom, discarded the proved quite ineffective. shows that, appallingly, drug prices in
ternational Telegraph Union for the purpose of facili- ed pursuit, with support from saline ecosystem endangered by typical Bengali bhadralok’s ‘cog- Evolving a sustainable and the Philippines are the second high-
tating cross-border operations of the new technology, unexpected allies, got East Cal- the death of the once-flourishing nitive apartheid’ and upheld the climate-friendly governance est in Southeast Asia.
has since been the primary standard-setter for tele- cutta Wetlands the Ramsar river Bidyadhari. Integrated sew- true value of these wetlands. model demands that the produc- This, despite the passage of the
recognition on 19 August 2002, age and solid waste management The local community learnt tivity of this ecosystem be ramp- Universally Accessible Cheaper and
communications networks. The ITU asserts that every
as a Wetland of International were central to this innovative to preserve this integrated waste ed up on all counts and by all av- Quality Medicines Act of 2008 meant
time anyone in the world makes a call on their mobile Importance, that the government effort. management ecosystem for pur- ailable pathways. to promote and ensure access to
phone, accesses the internet, or even sends an email, would have to be committed to Engineering interventions poses of their own survival. They Engaging innovative capa- affordable quality drugs and medi-
they are benefitting from the work of ITU. As the stan- protecting. As we complete two led to the successful emergence developed knowledge of the lay bilities of the wetland communi- cines.
dards for fibre-optic cable and mobile networks are a decades of that recognition, it is of an upscaled sewage-fed eco- of the land and the plentifully ty and experts, together with “It is unacceptable that a country
part of the ITU process, adds Wheeler, this claim is germane to ask what lessons we system whose foundations were built engineering structures such institutional and informal financ- like the Philippines, which is not even
substantially correct; the issue, however, is that when it have learnt for ourselves and for laid by Bengali entrepreneur as lock gates and siphons, to faci- ing initiatives, are the key to the a high-income country, will have med-
comes to the internet, the ITU has played a less det- posterity. Bhabanath Sen as early as 1880. litate the spread of sewage as survival of this ecological marvel. icines as expensive as those in Euro-
erminative role. For, the internet grew apart from the Though the Ramsar Conven- The Dhapa Square Mile in the widely as possible. After all, we should not be prose- pean countries,” Anna Melissa S Guer-
ITU and not from it. The standards by which the inter- tion began as an international outskirts of Calcutta, where Sen This led to the nurturing of a lytising sustainability while actu- rero, head of the Pharmaceutical Divi-
covenant to protect waterfowls began his garbage farming and stable urban fringe, whose in- ally facilitating destruction. sion of the DOH, lamented in 2020.
net operates are not ITU standards but were devel-
oped by a multi-stakeholder process in which techno-
logists, companies, civil society, and governments rea-
ched a consensus. The vehicle for such internet stan-
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@thestatesman.com
dards is the Internet Engineering Task Force, one of se-
veral voluntary institutions that together maintain and
run the internet. Wheeler and other Western experts Tough tasks ticularly your esteemed daily.
It is expected that as a repre-
sentative of the tribal people who
in their empowerment.
Though time will tell, it may
be asserted that since she has been
BSF ROLE
SIR, The arrest of TMC's Anubrata Mondal, Birbhum strongman,
argue that now Russia and China are seeking to move
internet governance to the ITU where “bottom-up SIR, Droupadi Murmu ~ the first have been oppressed and sup- selected and supported by the by the CBI in a cattle smuggling case has brought home the fact that
president born in independent pressed since ages, she will protect political party governing the coun- the BJP is up in arms about how a skilled mobiliser, an able organis-
design” of internet standards could be replaced with
India, first tribal president, the sec- the interests and uphold the try, it is doubtful she can act er and an ace election-manager of Mamata Banerjee can be subdued
“top-down decisions” based on the politics of its mem- ond woman president and the virtues of the tribal community - against the will of the government, to gain political mileage.
ber nation-states. So, when the top item on the agenda youngest president of India ~ has particularly the Santhal. As a rep- because barring a few exceptions, Mention may be made as to how the BJP government at the
of the Bucharest conference ~ the election of the new made history. Consequently, there resentative of the women she will the role of the president has large- Centre is maintaining a stoic silence about the lapses of the BSF
ITU secretary general ~ is taken up, there will be much are high expectations from all and also protect the interests of ly remained a “rubber stamp” ~ a under the Union home ministry to stop the cattle smuggling across
at stake. The American candidate, Ms Doreen Bogdan- sundry reflected in the media, par- women and play a significant role puppet in the hands of the govern- the border. Surprisingly, no action has been taken against the BSF.
Martin, is an ITU veteran and the first woman to head ment. On the one hand, the rights The ultimate objective of the BJP government as Mamata has
one of the agency’s three major bureaus. The Russian and livelihoods of the poor, indige- rightly remarked is to destabilise her government.
candidate, Mr Rashid Ismailov, is a former deputy min- nous and minor communities are Yours, etc., Arun Gupta,
ister in the Russian Ministry of Telecom and Mass violated every then and now. On Kolkata, 15 August.
the other hand, a person repre-
Communications, and an ex-Huawei executive. Inter- senting such a vulnerable commu-
national tension over internet policy first came to the nity has taken oath to the high soon session of Parliament four sion, but managed to pass only
fore at the ITU-sponsored 2012 World Conference on office. Undoubtedly, the hon’ble days ahead of schedule after more seven in the Lok Sabha and five in
International Telecommunications when a majority president will have a tough time than 50 per cent of the time had the Rajya Sabha.
of nations voted to increase ITU’s authority over the walking on the double-edged been wasted by disruptions. It As the Houses sat in the
internet but the USA refused to sign the resulting sword. seems the government did not absence of the Opposition and
treaty. Ms Bogdan-Martin is thought to be in sync with Yours, etc., have proper planning to run the passed these Bills hurriedly, it was
Washington’s stand. In June 2021, Russia and China Samares Kumar Das, proceedings till the scheduled date a sad reflection on the state of
signed a pact to ensure “all states have equal rights to Peren, Nagaland, 16 August. of August 12. Indian democracy. This clearly
The Parliamentary Affairs shows the Executive has usurped
participate in global-network governance, increase
Minister’s version that the session all the powers of the legislature.
their role in this process and preserve the sovereign ERODED was not adjourned four days in With time for discussion severely
right of states to regulate the national segment of the SIR, The accountability and super- advance but by two days as two of curtailed, legislations are being
internet”. This is the position Mr Ismailov represents. vision of the actions of the execu- these four days were holidays, is railroaded through
The ITU conference is all set to be the venue for this tive were severely eroded by the untenable. The government listed Yours, etc., S K Khosla,
clash of cultures in the digital age. sine-die adjournment of the mon- 32 Bills to be taken up in this ses- Chandigarh, 10 August.
NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST 2022 07
Haphazard restructuring of
100 YEARS AGO

OCCASIONAL NOTE

armed forces will not work


Different countries have different ideas
as to what constitutes professionalism
in sport, and in different forms of sport
in the same country ideas also vary, so
that in some games, as in Association
football, the professional is dominant,
in the sense that the game is run primar-
ily in his interests; in others, such as
HARSHA KAKAR including units deployed in critical cricket and golf, he is in a position of
locations, as the government stopped equality, while from Rugby football and

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he appointment of the first recruitment. lawn tennis he is rigidly excluded. The
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) On the contrary, a steady reduc- ideal would of course be that such a
with a mandate to create the- tion in manpower could enable plan- thing as professionalism, or playing a
atre commands, failure to ning and readjustment of troops game for money, did not exist. As pro-
appoint his successor, introduction ensuring it does not impact opera- fessionalism, however, has obviously
of the Agnipath scheme and finally tional preparedness. While the come to stay, the natural tendency is to
directions to shed manpower by two strength of an infantry battalion, a regularise its status, and make the divid-
lakhs, the government is going all mechanized company, or a tank or a ing line between it and amateurism as
guns to alter the structure of the gun detachment cannot change, clear as possible. It is around the ques-
armed forces. The failure to appoint other reductions could be considered. tion of what constitutes out of pocket
the second CDS for over eight months In the current scenario, the axe would expenses that discussion has always
sends the message that either the fall on administrative and logistics centred. Judged, for instance, by English
government considers the CDS to be echelons. standards, the different teams of Aus-
a failed model or that it seeks to push Seeking to reduce companies in tralian cricketers who have visited the
through further changes with divid- Rashtriya Rifles, which have success- Home country were professionals, as
ed services, rather than united under fully contained terrorism in the val- they participated in the profits of the
a CDS. Any claim of still hunting for ley, solely to meet reduction criteria, tours. Another factor which is coming
the right individual as the CDS does currently under consideration, could into prominence in view of the increas-
not ring true as the government has be an error. They have restricted the ing popularity of games is the making a
already amended its own rules to space available to terrorists, which living out of trading in the implements
choose almost anyone. The longer it could be reversed in case manpower of a game. W.I. Hunter, an ex-amateur
takes, the further it pushes its is reduced. British golf champion, is, however, offi-
announced agenda of theaterisation Scope for reduction is not in the cially debarred from entering for the
away, despite statements that this armed forces alone, but a horde of American amateur championship on the
remains its goal. civilian employees in multiple orga- ground that he is travelling for a firm of
The Agnipath scheme, fought nizations paid from the same defence tailors who specialise in golfing suits.
tooth and nail by the forces, is now budget. There is no mention of them.
being implemented. Numbers apply- A collection of studies have recom- NEWS ITEMS
ing for joining the armed forces are mended reducing Military Engineer-
not a measure of acceptability of the
scheme, though it would be projected
ing Service manpower and outsourc-
ing the majority of their tasks. Similar BIHAR AND
as such, but an indication of rising
unemployment within the nation and
through Agnipath, it would reach the
magical figure of reduction of two lacs
establishments faced difficulties in
enhancing facilities to cater for addi-
same. The Indian context is vastly dif-
ferent. India has no desire of project-
has been a call for other organiza-
tions. Unions belonging to civil gov- ORISSA COUNCIL
desperation by the youth for any in the next few years. However, by tional inductions. Strengths returned ing military power beyond its shores, ernment employees are powerful In the Bihar and Orissa Council today,
opportunity to earn their livelihood. bulldozing it within two years the to normal. unless specifically requested and that enough to impact government deci- Babu Nirshu Narayan Sinha moved a
What would be the scenario when government will ensure its imple- The other aspect which needs to too for a short duration. India’s battle sion making, something which the resolution that the Government cancel
trained soldiers are pushed onto civvy mentation prior to the elections in be considered is whether these figures with its neighbours is for land and in forces lack. Hence, the armed forces the order directing the realisation of
street with no source of income is 2024. could have been better achieved with most disputed areas defences are are the easiest to hit. compensation for Chowtarwa Factory
anybody’s guess. Promises from all There is no doubt that there is the creation of tri-service logistics and physically held on the watershed. The haphazard manner in which and to refund the money already
quarters for their subsequent employ- always scope for reduction in num- repair echelons under theaterisation. Manpower in each defensive position the government is acting in pushing realised. The debate lasted the whole
ment continue to flow, more aimed bers, especially as technology-inten- This would imply implementing the- is normally the minimum needed to changes, stalling where it is essential, day. Those in favour of the resolution
at quelling voices of discontent sive equipment is introduced. How- atre commands first and pushing ward of attempts at land grabbing or as the case of the CDS appears to be, said that Section 15A of the Police Act, in
against the scheme rather than as an ever, reductions should be based on manpower reduction later or simul- infiltration. Post Ladakh, the Indian indicates lack of long-term vision, accordance with which the compensa-
assurance. internal assessments, rather than taneously. But with the government public has displayed anger at any loss planning and even strategic foresight. tion was realised, was applicable only in
The current announcement of political and bureaucratic directions. in a hurry to push through changes of territory. With the manner in which directions the cases of damaged done after procla-
reduction in manpower also needs to It should never be rushed. Currently the scenario is the opposite. Reduc- In Kargil, shortfall of manpower are flowing, it is possible that there mation. In the present case the factory
be considered in the same light. It the armed forces are following a con- tion figures are given, and forces com- and increased deployment in counter would be more changes forthcoming had been burnt before the proclamation.
had been the government’s intent for cept of save and raise. To create new pelled to implement. Solutions must insurgency led to reduced troops as the bureaucracy within the govern- Discussion centered mainly round the
the past two years, which is why it establishments to meet induction of be found internally because the gov- being deployed along the LOC. Gaps ment and the National Security Coun- legal interpretation of the section. The
blocked recruitment on the specious technologically advanced equipment, ernment is unrelenting. There are were exploited by Pakistani intruders, cil have suddenly become experts on Hon. Mr. McPherson, replying for the
grounds of the pandemic. The aim they are cutting manpower else- strategic thinkers who give examples compelling India to launch opera- bulldozing the armed forces. Yes, the Government, refused to accept the reso-
remains to reduce salaries and pen- where. of China or other nations which have tions to evict them. Subsequently forces need to change, but the same lution and said the Government had
sions. Retirements annually are A similar political direction was reduced manpower. The Chinese PLA additional troops were moved in to must be considered and then imple- acted according to what they considered
around 55,000 to 60,000. By stopping given in the late 1990s. The army manpower reduction was sidestepped prevent a similar situation, partially mented, rather than directed. to be the correct interpretation of the
recruitment, the army’s manpower reduced its strength by 50,000 almost to meet requirements of a growing impacting counter insurgency opera- law. The resolution was lost.
shortfall is already around 1,20,000. overnight. All changed with Kargil. navy and its strategic support force. tions. Currently, reduced manpower The writer is a retired Major-General of
By recruiting 15-20,000 less every year Recruitments jumped and training The combined force levels remain the has impacted all arms and services, the Indian Army.
PAGODA TRUSTEES
The amnesia of Western violence & BURMA'S NEW
GOVERNOR
ISMAIL PATEL decades of the war on terror have any British host housing a Ukrainian. RANGOON, AUG 16
raised a new generation steeped in Britain has also temporarily blocked There may be some significance attached

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he response in Western-cen- violence as a means of resolving con- other overseas aid payments because to the telegram from the trustees of the
tric countries to the Russia- flict. The war on terror era has also of prioritising Ukraine. Shwe Dagon Pagoda, congratulating Sir
Ukraine crisis displays assembled structures — the military While the racist nature of Harcourt Butler on his appointment as
duplicity, racism and complex, security industry, snooping hu--manitarian aid and refugee poli- first Governor of Burma, to which Sir Har-
supremacy. The conflict is also pre- technologies, think tanks and political cies is unquestionable, the pra-ctice court Butler replied saying that he hoped
sented as unusual. institutes — geared to legitimise vio- of dif-ferentiating between the soon to see the Pagoda again. It may be
Since the crisis started, journal- lence. deserving and the worthy of killing is remembered that at the height of political
ists from the US to Europe have been However, each time in Europe a legacy of the war on terror. It is also tension the Trustees closed the Pagoda to
at pains to point out that the violence renditioning is accepted — there is a reformulation of the European fas- those wearing footgear. This regulation
on European soil is unexpected. It is the whitewashing of extrajudicial cination with creating purity of race. excluded European visitors effectually, as
common to hear questions about why killings; imprisonment without trial Now, the early 20th-century scientific the long flights of stairs could scarcely be
the violence is taking place in a is sanctioned; the creation of refugees practice of eugenics is giving way to undertaken barefooted by those unused
‘civilised European […] city’ and to normalised; carpet bombings cele- sociopolitical strategies. to it. It has always been thought there
‘people with blonde hair and blue brated; coups championed — the Binarism is also visible in the would be a rapprochement between the
eyes’. The sentiments of journalists barbarity in the periphery boom- marking and treating of political Pagoda trustees and Government accom-
echo the mood of politicians and the erangs to corrupt the metropole. activists within Eurocentric metrop- panied by the rescinding of the order and
public in the West. How can it be Three violations are particularly oles. Many groups/communities that the telegram to Sir Harcourt Butler sug-
happening here is the bewilderment! pertinent: of law, human rights and expose state violence, Islamophobia, gests something of the sort.
The emotional shock is because construction of the enemy. social injustices, unequal pay, envi-
of centuries of indoctrination by
Eurocentrics that violence is the pre-
The practices of ignoring inter-
national law, bypassing the UN and
ronmental degradation, Israeli colo-
nial practices and racism are labelled SOUTH AFRICA'S
serve of non-Europeans. Hence, the
violence of blue-eyed on blue-eyed
democratic mandate in the war on
terror are coming home to roost.
as deviant. These groups and individ-
uals are subjected to political vio- WIRELESS PLANS
and blonde on blonde in Ukraine- When the thin line of law is trans- lence by stripping them of their citi- The basis of the Marconi Company's offer
Russia shatters the myth of Euro- gressed ‘out there’ routinely, the ugly zenship, freezing their assets, rendi- to the Union Government of South Africa
peans as peaceful, progressive, and practice became a means ‘internally’. tioning, deporting, imprisoning and is the formation of a South African Wire-
modern. The Eurocentric construc- It is now being exercised in the even denying them the right to less Company for the purpose of erecting
tion of non-Europeans as unreason- Ukraine-Russia crisis. protest. and working a high-power station capa-
able and dangerous has also justified The war on terror also remains At one level, Eurocentric pundits ble of communicating direct with Great
the mantra of ‘war for peace’. From have impacted pra-ctices in the Euro- ism. If the ‘Rest’ have become an infamous for differentiating between are shocked by the violence amongst Britain, four-fifths of the capital required
colonialism to the ‘war on terror’, vio- pean metropole. This is not a claim unrestricted hunting ground for the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Muslims. The bina- Europeans because of the amnesia of to be found by the Marconi Company in
lence has taken centre stage, the first to a direct correlation between the West, those practices have eventually rism of the Muslim figure is practised Western violence. On another level, London, the remaining hundred thousand
instrument in resolving a dispute with stru-ctures, attitudes and practices of reared their ugly heads in its midst. in the heart of Europe to mark out they never thought about their dirty being open to public subscription in South
non-Europeans. Violence on the Eur-o-pean colonialists being repre- The European-initiated wars of refugees. The UK has given France practices in the periphery of coloni- Africa. Under the scheme the Government
‘Other’ in the periphery is under- sented in the metropole. There are 1914-18, 1939-45 and the Holocaust £54 million in an attempt to stop sation, occupation, starving, looting, give to the company created the right to
standable and necessary. However, complexities; nevertheless, one can- are savage examples. Unfortunately, refugees from non-European coun- raping and killing becoming their way build and work the wireless station for a
this rationale has repercussions. not deflect from Western modernity the resort to violence is not only part tries. At the same time, it is spending of solving problems everywhere. period of ten years, at the end of which
There is a wealth of evidence — as a social thought and political of a colonial past but also came to the nearly £2m on welcoming Ukrainian period the Government has the option to
suggesting atrocities on the colonised structure — as a product of colonial- fore in the war on terror. The past two refugees and paying £350 a month to Dawn/ANN. purchase at a price to be mutually agreed
upon or to be determined by assessors.
CROSSWORD NO 2920163
HIGH BIRTH-RATE
IN BRITAIN
In the eighty-third annual report of the
Registrar-General for England and Wales
ACROSS given up, for some, what to do if one’s promotional material 7 I travel uphill to find summer flowers (7)
the bottle (4) going to be late (6,4) for electrical unit (5) native (5) 19 Is some misbehaving dealing with the year 1920 has been
1 Create air from
Beethoven in
14 Hard to see through 25 Title cash disbursed in 2 This rogue reforms – 8 Aimless role conflated getting one issued the number of births recorded is
recollection? Unable to
devious sort sporting event (9) becoming _________? with half of next (9) imprisoned? That’s an the highest number in any year since
apprehended by US 26 Confess it hurts having (9) 13 “Macho man may understatement (7)
recollect things (9)
lawman (7) wordplay rejected 3 Curse the amount finally behave like 21 That woman will civil registration was instituted. The
6 Traveller turned on
15 Use up a colour in (3,2) senior manager gets? adult, ignoring support American birth-rate equals 25.5 per thousand, the
lunatic (5)
9 Unreliable parachute,
middle of neon (3,4) 27 Time to avoid backing (10) women”: researchers family in American number being 857,782. The death-rate
not opened (5)
17 A British silver (not US railways – there’s 4 Stupid articles probing (5,5) story (5) of 12.9 per thousand was the lowest
English) – get away! (7) fate to be suffered (5) passing craze (7) 14 Recollection of showy 23 Flower in prominent
10 Use action mistaken as
19 Decorum in fashions? 28 Pointlessly hard – hard 5 Crescent shape clear in defender (9) position? Nothing recorded. The number of marriages also
firm (9)
Totally gutted (7) and, yes, pain’s stringed instrument 16 Cine scene revolutionary about constitutes a record, being at the rate of
11 They stop game
animals getting to
20 A lot of sound about involved (9) (7) reconstructed in that (5) 20.2 per thousand. Behind these cold
openings around rear
Uruguay’s initial medal
DOWN
6 European city not very ignorance (9) 24 Geographical feature statistics lie many interesting facts con-
tally (4) European? This one is! 18 Stops enclosing unchanged with halves
of forest (10)
22 Quick statement about 1 Inaccessible (4) excellent source of switched (4) cerning post-war life in England and
12 Full of life, having Wales. The death-rate of men on active
service continues to be made up by the
exceptional preponderance of male
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required. (By arrangement with The Independent, London)
births. Boy babies in 1920 numbered
490,970, as against 466,812 girls.
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DUJXHGWKDWLI6UL/DQNDLVRND\ZLWKWKHWULSZHFDQ·WRSSRVHLW%XWZHFDQ f the five pledges that
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O Prime Minister Modi
set out for the country
in his ninth Indepen-
dence Day address to the nation,
two stood out particularly, for
FOHPHQWRI,QGLD7KHH[HUFLVHLVDOVRLQWXQHZLWKWKHPXOWLSURQJHGDFWLRQE\ their relative newness. The rest
&KLQDWRHPHUJHDVDDQGWKHQWKHJOREDOKHJH of the speech was on expected
PRQ,WEHOLHYHVWKDWWKHZRUOGVKRXOGEHJLQDGDSW lines – his customary denuncia-
tion of corruption and the cor-
LQJLWVHOIWRWKHHPHUJLQJUHDOLW\VRRQ6DWXUGD\ rupt, nepotism, dynasticism and
LWDVNHG,QGLDWRUHLWHUDWHLWVVXSSRUWIRUWKH2QH calls for development, self-
&KLQD3ROLF\DJDLQVWWKHEDFNGURSRIWKHFULVLVLQ reliance, pride in our legacy,
WKH7DLZDQ6WUDLWZKLFKZDVWULJJHUHGE\86+RXVH unity, and cooperation, and
equality for all across ethnic,
RI 5HSUHVHQWDWLYHV 6SHDNHU 3HORVL·V WULS WR regional, and religious diversi-
7DLZDQ 7KDW LV 1HZ 'HOKL VKRXOG DVVXDJH ties. As always, there were sub-
%HLMLQJ·VEUXLVHGVHQVLWLYLWLHVEXWH[SHFWQRUHF tle nuances that hinted at things
LSURFDWLRQ+HQFHWKHDUULYDORI<XDQ:DQJ to come. But before that, the two
standout points.
7KHDUULYDODOVRXQGHUOLQHVWKHLQFRPSHWHQFHRI First, he alluded to the hun-
RXUIRUHLJQRIILFHLIZHFRXOGQ·WSUHVVXUH&RORPER dreds of years of servitude and
HYHQDWWKLVSRLQWRIWLPHLQWKHZDNHRIELOOLRQV dependence, Ghulami, that has
RIGROODUVRIDLGWRWKHFULVLVKLWQDWLRQWRGRVRPHWKLQJWKDWVXLWVXVWKHQZHZLOO distorted our mentality and
emphasised forcefully that the
QHYHUEHDEOHWRWKDWLQIXWXUH7KH0LQLVWU\RI([WHUQDO$IIDLUV·LQFRPSHWHQFHVHHPV last vestiges thereof must be
PRQXPHQWDOZKHQYLHZHGDJDLQVWWKHEDFNGURSRIWKHUHVLVWDQFHWKDW<XDQ:DQJ removed from the recesses of our even when our Army had entitlement. The common reminders to the audience of
IDFHGIURPVHYHUDO6UL/DQNDQSROLWLFLDQV6UL/DQND·V7DPLO3URJUHVVLYH$OOLDQFH minds. India no longer needed, brought Pakistan to its knees man must have been touched the actual contrary reality.
OHDGHUDQG&RORPER·V0HPEHURI3DUOLDPHQW0DQR*DQHVDQVDLGLQDVWDWHPHQW he said, certificates of validation and 93,000 POWs were bar- to the core, tired and weary As in previous years, the
from the world. It was a bold, ricaded in our cantonments. as he is of the shenanigans of PM mixed freely and joyful-
WKHFRPLQJRIWKH&KLQHVHVS\YHVVHOWR/DQNDQZDWHUVZDV´VLPSO\ZURQJµ+H unvarnished statement, one that Secondly, the PM was the political brats. ly with children from all
ZHQWRQWRKLJKOLJKW,QGLD·VFRQFHUQVSRLQWLQJRXWWKDW,QGLDLVWKHFRXQWU\ZKLFK no previous Indian PM had categorical that everyone, These two pledges apart, regions who responded spon-
KDV´SURYLGHGQHDUELOOLRQWRXVLQRXUWLPHRIFULVLVµ7REHIDLUWRWKH6UL/DQND articulated, more so on such an including Chief ministers and he exhorted the states towards taneously with “pure delight
*RYHUQPHQW LW GLG UHTXHVW &KLQD WR GHIHU WKH DUULYDO RI <XDQ :DQJ  DW WKH occasion and venue. It was as if, even the Prime Minister him- healthy, cooperative, and on their faces” as one TV
the soul of a nation long sup- self, must follow the duties of competitive federalism, a far commentator put it. Folk
+DPEDQWRWDSRUW´XQWLOIXUWKHUFRQVXOWDWLRQVµRQWKHPDWWHU,QW\SLFDOGLSORPDWHVH pressed was finding utterance, to citizenship. That his focus cry from some leaders play- artists, from different states,
([WHUQDO$IIDLUV0LQLVWHU6-DLVKDQNDUGRZQSOD\HGWKHLQFLGHQW,QDQLQWHUYLHZWR borrow Nehru’s mellifluous was on politicians is borne ing off one against the other. broke into their traditional
DQHZVSDSHUKHVDLG´:HQHHGWRWDNHFDUHRIRXUQDWLRQDOLQWHUHVWVEXWFDQ·W phrase, in Modi’s compelling out by his mentioning “CMs His call against nepotism dances rapturously when
FODLPH[FOXVLYLW\LQWKHUHJLRQ7RVD\WKDWWKLV>WKHSHUPLVVLRQWRDOORZWKH&KLQHVH oratory. With the spare, somber and PM” to illustrate his included fields other than Modi reached them through
ramparts of the Red Fort in the point. This has wide ramifi- politics – sports, for instance; the throng. The enthusiastic
YHVVHOWRGRFNDWWKH6UL/DQNDQSRUW@LVDIODVKSRLQWEHWZHHQ,QGLDDQG&KLQDZRXOG background and the forgettable, cations for the Indian polity. his stress on meritocracy was hoisting of the tricolor at Lal
EHLQDSSURSULDWHµ$QHFKRRIWKHLQIDPRXVVWDWHPHQWE\1HKUX´1RWDEODGHRI poignant medieval past of the Thus, it cautions the politi- C74?A8<4<8=8BC4A refreshing in a country long Chowk, Srinagar by a motley
JUDVVJURZVWKHUH«µ" country that it evokes in a major- cian to be honest and law- riven by caste-based reserva- bunch of different ethnic and
ity of Indians, the moment was abiding; to keep national F0B20C46>A820; tions in education and jobs. religious backgrounds was a
rich in historical irony. interests paramount instead C70C4E4AH>=4 He paid homage to the lead- welcome surprise. It was
?82D1<; It was testimony to India’s
newfound confidence and the
of compromising them in
the pursuit of short-term 8=2;D38=627845
ing lights of our freedom
struggle cutting across party
Modi’s favourite slogan –
sabka saath, sab ka vishwaas
Narendra Modi government’s electoral gains; to avoid the and ideological lines includ- or everyone’s support, every-
resolute will to not play to the Revadi or freebies culture <8=8BC4AB0=3 ing, interalia, Nehru, JP, and one’s trust– writ large on the
gallery, both foreign and domes- that he had spoken of recent- 4E4=C74?A8<4 Lohia. He repeatedly spoke of TV screen. India, it seemed,
tic. It is this single-minded pur- ly and that had drawn adverse “my 130 crore countrymen”, was truly on its way.
suit of India’s national interest, comments from the Supreme <8=8BC4A78<B4;5 “unity and integration”, “col- Blurb:the PM was cate-
oblivious to international bou- Court also; to rein in the <DBC5>;;>F lective conscience”, “no one gorical that everyone, includ-
quets or internal brickbats that hubris that makes for a wan- mine, no one other” and ing Chief ministers and even
have enabled the revocation of ton disregard of propriety, C743DC84B>5 India’s diversity is its biggest the Prime Minister himself,
article 370, as also our bal-
anced, nonpartisan approach to
probity, and ethics in public
life. It was a statesman’s
28C8I4=B78? asset. Clearly, no group is left
out in Modi’s scheme for
must follow the duties of cit-
izenship
the Ukraine-Russia conflict. No admonition to a delinquent India 2047. For a leader who (The writer, a former
more is India prepared to cave lot known more for financial was branded “India’s Divider- banker, has turned in his
into international pressure as it scams, mafia links, criminal in-Chief ” in a hallowed inter- mellow years to column-
did in July 1972 when it signed background, nativist dema- national magazine not so writing out of his love for
the Shimla agreement without goguery, casteist manipula- long ago, his unifying person- nonviolence, social harmony
settling the Kashmir dispute tion, nepotism, and dynastic ality and speech were telling and universal brotherhood.)

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DQ[UQgQicVb_]@=c94Qic`UUSX
ARcZhRcgRRUgdU`degRRU
Sir — The occupation of Afghanistan by c^dbT^dabTaeXRTb
the Taliban with Lightning speed triggered :TT__^[XcXRbPbXST
a political and humanitarian crisis. The X]\P]dUPRcdaX]VSTUT]RTT`dX_\T]c^aTeT] DbT^dabTaeXRTb
W^bcTSP\P]dUPRcdaX]VdcX[XchVTccX]V_aX^aXch h^dfT "Ra
7KH3ULPH0LQLVWHURQFHDJDLQWRRNDMLEHDWWKH*DQGKLVZLWK Taliban made soothing statements about
not victimizing women so long as their ^eTaP]Tg_TaXT]RTSP]SaT_dcTS_[PhTaX]cWT 8]SXP]bfX[[c^VTcWTa
SDULZDDUYDDG%XWLVWKHUHDSDUW\IUHHIURPLWWKH%-3LQFOXGHG lifestyle is within the purview of Sharia Law UXT[S]P\T[h70;P?BDc^Q^^cX]QTX]VR^ X\_a^eTP[[bRW^^[b0[[6^ecb
inter alia men’s slaves. They regard the ^_cTSPbP]^UUbTc_Pac]TaU^aAPUP[T.BX\X[Pa[h BcPcTbfX[[S^Xcc^VTcWTa0]S

7
KH3ULPH0LQLVWHURQFHDJDLQIURPWKHUDPSDUWVRI5HG)RUWUHPLQGHGWKH Sharia as Divine Law but most are unaware cWTBaX;P]ZP]>UUXRXP[5TaSX]P]S^P[[TVTScWPc bc^_RP[[X]VcWXbPUaTTQXT
WXbR^d]cahfPb_dcd]STacaT\T]S^db_aTb 3T[WX2<
QDWLRQWRURRWRXWG\QDVW\DQGFRORQLDOPLQGVHW7KH¶SDULZDUYDDG·ZKLFK it’s a document imposed by Khalifas for
bdaTQh?<<^SXc^PfPaSP$<FaT]Tf ¯0aeX]S:TYaXfP[
WKH3ULPH0LQLVWHUKDVWDONHGDERXWVHYHUDOWLPHVLQKLVVSHHFKHVRQFHDJDLQ selfish reasons replacing the Holy Quran.
PQ[T T]TaVh _a^YTRc c^ X]SdbcaXP[Xbc 6PdcP\
The Quran decrees no earthly punish-

8
ILJXUHGLQKLVVSHHFKRQWKHWK,QGHSHQGHQFH'D\,WZDVLQGHHGDEULOOLDQWVSHHFK ment for blasphemy or apostasy, nor does ]WXbcWXaS[^]VTbc'"\X]dcTbb_TTRW?aX\T 0SP]X CWTbT cf^ PaT X]bcP]RTb ^U RaTT_X]V AdbWSXTbc^^SU^a
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<X]XbcTa=PaT]SaP<^SXUa^\cWTaP\_Pacb ]T_^cXb\B^cWXbcX\TcWT<^SXV^eTa]\T]c d]XeTabP[aXVWcb^U
FRORQLDOPLQGVHW:KLOHRWKHUPHVVDJHVZHUHORXGDQGFOHDUIRUWKHSHRSOHKLV ^UcWTATS5^acR[TPa[hbW^fTScWPcWTfPb WPbc^U^Rdb^]?P]RW_aP]UXeT_a^\XbTb¯ UaTTS^\^UTg_aTb
crime, condone female circumcision, or ]^cX]P\^^S[XZTcWT_aTeX^dbTXVWchTPabc^ 5Xabcc^\^eTU^afPaSfXcWQXVVTaaTb^[eTbP]S bX^]
PHQWLRQLQJRIWKHG\QDVW\LQKLVVSHHFKZDVLQGHHGDYHLOHGDWWDFNRQWKH1HKUX support banning art and music. It does not WPeT_PX]cTSRPbc[TbX]cWTPXaU^a8]SXP]e^c aTb^[eT^USTeT[^_TS8]SXP*bTR^]Sc^TaPbTP[[
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*RYHUQPHQWKDVGRQHDQGSODQVWRGRIRUWKHEHWWHUPHQWRIWKHSHRSOH7KHSROLWL venting them from going for higher edu- P]]^d]RT\T]cbP]STeT]SXS]^cb_TPZPf^aS [TVPRh*U^dacWU^Rdb^]^dabcaT]VcW^Ud]Xch* DBBTRaTcPah^UBcPcT
cation and even joining any profession. PQ^dc WXb _a^\XbTb U^a !!! P]S ]^f ]Tgc P]SUXUcWUd[UX[[cWTSdcXTb^URXcXiT]bfXcWW^] ¯C^]h1[X]ZT]
FDOPHVVDJHVKDYHQRWEHHQSDUWRILWDQGDWWDFNLQJWKHRSSRQHQWVIURPWKHUDP Taliban’s misinterpretation of Sharia has STPS[X]T Xb !#&¨ ZTT_ R^d]cX]V cWT hTPab TbchcP[ZXbUX]TQdcfWPcXbcWTbcPcdb^UcW^bT
SDUWVRI5HG)RUWGRHVQRWDXJXUZHOOIRUDKHDOWK\GHPRFUDF\)RUDWWDFNLQJWKH become a synonym with a draconian and 8]bcTPS?<<^SX[Pd]RWTScWT_^[XcXRP[RP\ fW^ [^^cTS 8]SXP P]S \XVaPcTS c^ 19? [XZT >da8]SXPbcP]SbcP[[
2SSRVLWLRQWKHUHDUHQXPHURXVSODWIRUPVDYDLODEOH inhuman Islamic legal system. Even after _PXV]U^a!!#^]cWTbTcfX]RWP[[T]VTb^U°R^a 7T\P]c 1XbfP BWPa\P P]S ^cWTab fWXRW fXcWcWTbcaT]VcW^U
WRWKH3ULPH0LQLVWHULQFOXGLQJ3DUOLDPHQW%XWVLQFH one year of rule, the Taliban remains ad_cX^]±P]S°]T_^cXb\±¯b^\TcWX]VcWPcWT bW^d[SQTS^]TQhcWT?aX\T<X]XbcTaP]S2WXTU ^daaT[T]c[Tbb
WKH3ULPH0LQLVWHUFKRVHWRVSHDNDERXWLWWKHUHDF brutely subtle. WPbdbTSX]cWTad]d_c^cWT! #VT]TaP[T[TR <X]XbcTabPbfT[[3T_T]SX]Vd_^]cWXb<^SX STUT]bTU^aRTb
Seetharam B | Telangana cX^]b P]S Z]^fb cWPc Xc bcX[[ WPb aTb^]P]RT X]WXbb_TTRWVPeTPQa^PSSXaTRcX^]U^acWT]Tgc CWTaTbb^\dRW
WLRQDOVRFDPHIURPWKH2SSRVLWLRQVXUSULVLQJO\QRW P\^]VcWTT[TRc^aPcT `dPacTa^UPRT]cdahcW^dVWXcPbbd\TbcWPcWT P]S\^aTc^[^eT
IURPWKH&RQJUHVV 5DKXO*DQGKLUHIXVHGWRFRP <?>7B?14D?´45F5<?@549>491 8bcWTaTQXVVTa]T_^cXb\cWP]PVaTT]W^a] fX[[]^cQTcWTaT QT_a^dS^UP]SRT[TQaPcT7TaTb
PHQWRQLW EXWIURP$DP$DGPL3DUW\ Sir — It refers to " India, a developed [XZT0]X[0\QP]XfW^WPb]^_aX^aTg_TaXT]RT 1XShdc:d\Pa2WPccTaYTTk5PaXSPQPS c^^da8]ST_T]ST]RT9PX7X]S
0DQLVK6LVRGLDZDVTXLFNWRUHWRUWDQGUHPLQG nation". It is good to have an ambitious tar- 0Rc^a
WKH3ULPH0LQLVWHUDERXWKLVGHIDXOWHUIULHQGV0DQLVK get to become a developed nation in the ¯7aXcWXZA^bWP]
next 25 years. But there is a huge gulf that Though we attract a lot of medical tourism, unite. Break-up in the marriage occurs
6LVRGLDGLGQRWPLQFHZRUGVLQVD\LQJLI¶SDULZDU in terms of Doctor to the Patient ratio we more due to the lack of adjustability of a 0]bWd9PX]fPbP
is to be bridged in this span of time. While
YDDG·LVEDGVRLV¶GRVWYDDG·6LVRGLDZDVFDWHJRU India's per capita income is around $ 2000 lack far behind WHO norms, so we need married girl with her in-laws, perpetra- UaXT]SP]SP]PeXS
LFDOLQSRLQWLQJRXWKRZWKH3ULPH0LQLVWHUZDYHG to seriously overhaul our healthcare infra- tion of the cruelty by in-laws and husband RaXRZTc[^eTaDbTS
while our neighbour China has $ 8700.
c^b_TPZ]^]bc^_
RIIPLOOLRQVRIORDQVKLVIULHQGVRZHGWR,QGLDQEDQNV Though the Prime Minister has outlined structure along with the education sector. on the woman, greed for dowry, illicit rela-
RaXRZTc^]_W^]T
Bal Govind | Noida tionships, etc. Courts must dispose of
¶'RVWYDDG·LVWKHQHZZRUGFRLQHGE\KLP.HMULZDO five pledges which need to be abided by one
RP[[bU^aW^dab
and all in letter and spirit but for that to cases expeditiously when there is a unan-
DOVRLQVLVWHGWKDWORDQVDQGWD[HVWRWKHWXQHRICODNKFURUHRIFRUSRUDWHIULHQGV happen a drastic shift in mindset is E>G?B;12<5=1BB9175C 2aXRZTcTa
imous decision between the husband ¯EXaT]STaBTWfPV
DUHEHLQJZULWWHQRII$VWKH\VD\ZHFKRRVHRXUIULHQGVZKLOHIDPLO\FKRRVHVXV required. This pandemic has exposed the Sir — The Kerala High Court has held that and wife to avoid uncertainty in the future.
:HGRQ·WOLYHLQDSHUIHFWZRUOG'\QDVW\DQGQHSRWLVPLVEDGIRUGHPRFUDF\LWLV vulnerabilities of a developed nation like the preservation of unworkable marriage The judgment of the Kerala High Court CXaP]VPXbU^aT
WKHZD\WKLQJVDUHLQ,QGLDDQGRXWVLGH7KH.HQQHG\VDQG%XVKIDPLO\LQ$PHULFD the USA, so we Indians must take pride in causes great misery. The Court has has come in the case 13 years after the \^bcPbh\Q^[^U
<DGDYVDQG5HGG\VLQ,QGLDDUHDFDVHLQSRLQW(YHQQXPHURXVLQVWDQFHVRI¶SDUL being Indian. It is not to suggest that we observed that nothing is gained by trying marriage was consummated. It would have ^daX]ST_T]ST]RT
should not become a developed nation but to keep the parties tied forever to a mar- Ua^\1aXcXbWad[T
ZDDUYDDG·FDQEHFLWHGLQWKH%-3LWVHOI3L\XVK*RHO$QXUDJ7KDNXU3DUYHVK9HUPD we need to be mindful of our trajectory. riage that in fact has ceased to exist. If the
an adverse effect when both are hell-bent
P]SUaTTS^\Ua^\
on securing a divorce. In any case, delayed
ZRXOGKDYHDYHU\GLIIHUHQWWDNH1RPDWWHUKRZKDUG\RXWU\EXWVWLOO\RXFDQQRW Besides that, there is a huge disparity married couples cannot function as a \^]PaRWhP]SUTd
disposal of cases is no better though it has
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tal, physical and cognitive, regardless of gen-
der, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or BD224BB5D; making. It is regarded as a critical together, hence, it advocates the use nerships, providing teacher train-
geographic location”. Its goal is to prepare
students for the challenges they are likely 8<?;4<4=C0C8 ability in education, as it enables stu-
dents to untangle and work within
of collaborative learning at all stages
of education. In collaborative learn-
ing, creating local learning oppor-
tunities, and implementing inno-
to face later in their lives. >=>5=4?!! the complexities of life on Earth. ing, students in small groups work vative pedagogies.
We now realize that education alone will Integration of education for together on a common goal to seek Teaching ESD requires knowl-
not lead to a sustainable future, therefore, ;0A64;H sustainable development (ESD) into understanding and solutions. It edge of several disciplines that is
learning about sustainable development 34?4=3B teaching and learning can help in fulfills the primary purpose of edu- generally beyond teachers' expertise.
(SD) is necessary. Target 4.7 in the 2030 the realization of quality education, cation – nurturing responsible cit- Therefore, re-organisation of teacher
Agenda for SD emphasizes the importance >=C746>>3 which is critical to fulfilling many izens who can work together to education is crucial to re-organis-
of transformative education that promotes
global citizenship, sustainable develop-
B?8A8C0=3 of the sustainable development
goals (SDGs) such as breaking the
solve complex ecological, social
and economic issues.
ing the study environment. It also
entails research and development to
ment, human rights, gender equality, peace A867C cycle of poverty, reducing inequal- Thus, working on collaborative identify best practices of pedagogy.
*HQHUDOO\PDQ\LQYHVWRUVJRE\WKHUDWLQJSURYLGHGWRGLIIHUHQW and cultural diversity. 8=C4=C8>=B>5 ities, achieving gender equality and learning projects at an early age can Reforms of this magnitude, howev-
PXWXDOIXQGVFKHPHVDQGLQYHVWXQGHUGLUHFWVFKHPHV:KLOHPDN The Brundtland Report coined the term improving agricultural productivi- boost confidence and help in devel- er, will not be possible without effec-
LQJLQYHVWPHQWXQGHUGLUHFWHTXLW\LWLVSRVVLEOHIRUDQ\LQGLYLGXDOWR “Sustainable Development” and defined it C74?>;82H ty. It is also essential for addressing oping critical thinking, positive tive policies, operational frame-
as "development that meets the needs of the other key issues, including wasteful interdependence, diverse under- works, political will, financial assis-
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present without compromising the ability <0:4ABF7827 consumption, biodiversity conser- standing along with various other tance and stakeholders' cooperation.
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of future generations to meet their needs”. F8;;=>C>=;H vation, natural resource use, climate social skills such as leadership, National Education Policy 2020
It is a holistic approach and is often change, energy, freshwater, health, decision-making, communication, is the first education policy of the
WKRXJKEURDGLQYHVWPHQWSKLORVRSK\DQGEHQFKPDUNLQJDUHDYDLODEOH depicted as three overlapping circles: eco- 38E4AB85H sanitation and waste management. trust-building, conflict manage- 21st century, which aims to align the
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FDQ·WGHFLGHVROHO\EDVHGRQWKHUDWLQJVDYDLODEOH find lasting prosperity. But we generally
have a unidirectional approach towards sus-
0;B><0:4C74 natural and man-made processes
interact with each other and ulti-
stakeholders and various other
sectors such as economics, environ-
inquiry-driven and experiential
which can transform India into a
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example from an ecological, economic or
social viewpoint, which often results in BHBC4<0C?0A the planet. Its goal is to discover
novel and sustainable ways of living
It will facilitate students to engage
with real-life issues and gain the
and global knowledge superpower.
Our collective responsibility to
SURYLGHWKHLURZQUDWLQJVEDVHGRQWKHLULQKRXVHUHVHDUFK trade-offs. F8C7C7414BC and managing natural resources to practical knowledge and skills improve the quality of education is
5DWLQJPHWKRGRORJ\0XWXDOIXQGVDUHUDWHGPRVWO\RQWKHSHU The interconnected nature of the chal-
8=C74F>A;3 protect vital ecological systems and needed to build long-term sustain- essential for achieving the ambitions
IRUPDQFHRIWKHIXQGVRYHUGLIIHUHQWSHULRGV7KHUDWLQJVDOVRWDNH lenges the world faces today cannot be enhance long-term prospects for able solutions. of ‘Agenda 2030’ and ensuring con-
LQWRDFFRXQWWKHIXQGDPHQWDOVRIWKHIXQGKRXVHVDVVHWDOORFDWLRQ understood in isolation. For instance, human prosperity. Conventionally, ESD has been tinuity in the quality of human life.
every year, climate change like extreme Adopting a wide range of par- considered a separate component Governments, teachers, education-
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ORVVRUSURILWVPDGHE\DQLQYHVWPHQWSRUWIROLRDVDUHVXOWRIDFWLYH without addressing the other. with the knowledge and skills they types (informal, formal, non-for- the roads in Robert Frost's familiar
To comprehend basic principles of ecol- need to shape a sustainable future. mal) of education. This requires a poem, they are not equally fair. The
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These methodologies will allow
6FDOHVRIRQHWRILYHVWDUVDUHGHFLGHGRQWKHEDVLVRISHUFHQWLOH tionships, connectedness and context to them to develop problem-solving, textbooks, including science, math, deceptively easy, a smooth super-
LQZKLFKWKHIXQGVDUHSODFHGLQWKHRUGHU*HQHUDOO\ILYHVWDULVDVVLJQHG realize the intricate interdependence and interdisciplinary and systemic social sciences, humanities, etc. It highway on which we progress
WRWRSSHUFHQWIXQGVDQGWKHERWWRPSHUFHQWLVJLYHQRQH often unpredictable dynamics of ecologi- thinking skills, which will help also requires significant reforms in with great speed, but at its end lies
VWDUUDWLQJ cal, social, and economic systems. This shift them learn 'how to think' rather the educational system, including disaster. The other fork of the road
$Q\LQYHVWPHQWVKRXOGEHEDVHGRQRQH·VULVNEHDULQJFDSDFLW\ of focus from analytical thinking (parts) to than 'what to think' within the con- strengthening curricula, cogni- - the one less traveled by - offers the
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site for building a more resilient world, (The author is a retired Our sustainable future requires transforming learning environ- destination that assures the preser-
WXUQPXWXDOIXQGVFKHPHVFDQKDYHGLIIHUHQWLQYHVWPHQWSKLORVRSKLHV ensuring systemic decision and policy IFS officer.) societies and countries to work ments, establishing diverse part- vation of the earth.
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ir pollution is harming mothers, elderly people and having cascading impact in 75 million two-wheelers, having Transforming India – NITI tank of a bike of 11 litre, it costs It is high time not to miss

A the health of around 1.3


billion people in the vul-
nerable areas of India where an
patients having lung problems.
The latest research studies
of Energy Policy Institute at the
urban areas to an overall partic-
ulate matter concentration,
observed to be the highest in the
an average of about 250
km/month pacing on the road,
will collectively translate around
Aayog is chalking out a slew of
progressive set targets to miti-
gate and eliminate pollution by
about Rs 1100. So, this means
that a e-two wheeler owner can
get a full charge for less than that
an opportunity to preserve
the environment and warrants
more initiatives with individ-
average particulate matter con- University of Chicago observed world. 75m tonnes/year of carbon pushing the ambitious plans of of the cost of one-litre of gaso- ual approach too. An earlier
centration was 73ug/m3, far- that “at the current pollution On an average, each two- dioxide into the atmosphere, electrifying two-wheelers and line, with no tail-pipe emission, census had reported that mere
exceeding the WHO’s standard levels about 510 million people wheeler enriches greenhouse entailing emission of dreaded gradually phasing out the sale of no tormenting exhaust noise, 30 per cent of the trips to work
@B9D1=B8=67
prescribed limit of 5μg/m , who live in northern India, gases by adding around 300 particulate matter. ‘ICE-based tail pipe emitters’. i.e., noise pollution, compara- are made on foot and 17 per
catalysing the levels of car- representing nearly 40 per cent gms/km of carbon dioxide, The world’s fourth largest The government’s well set tively at much less maintenance cent by bicycle. Besides the
bonization. India is witnessing of India’s population, are on- besides (as per Bharat Stage-IV energy hungry India (yet behind delineations with full support of cost to govern mere 20-25 mov- government initiatives, here
rapid rise of two-wheelers, rep- track to lose 7.6 years of their standard prescribed limits China, US and the European corporates will undergo a sea ing parts in the vehicle’s assem- the powerful media must
resenting about 76 per cent of lives on an average”. under standardized conditions) Union), will according to IEA’s change by 2030 with e-mobili- bly in comparison to about shoulder its responsibility to
the total, which is over 210 mil- However, by all out efforts remarkable quantities of pollu- forecast will become the third ty as preferred mode of trans- 2000 parts in the ICV gasoline play its more constructive role
lion. Nearly 60,000 two-wheel- like two wheelers e-mobility and tants like (1.50 gm/km) carbon largest consumer, overlapping port by having an ambitious based two-wheelers.. for mitigating vehicular pollu-
ers per day are being registered gradual phasing out of ‘Internal monoxide (known as silent European Union by plan of electrifying around 80 In the race of new tech- tion in cities and make aware
in India, consuming 61 per Combustion Engine (ICE) killer) and (1.50 gm/km) 2030.Though indeed it is a per cent, say close to 54.4 mil- nologies, India is not legging the public about the grim pic-
cent of total sale of petrol. based tail pipe emitters’ for hydrocarbons plus oxide of Herculean task to achieve the set lion two-wheelers with eco- behind and gradually unveiling ture of vehicular pollution in
The two-wheelers account mitigating the pollution levels to nitrogen, etc. goal of IPCC by 2030, it is cer- friendly alluring all segments of its plans on the befitting occa- the years to come. Spreading
for almost 20 per cent of the the WHO’s prescribed levels These standard limits nor- tainly not impossible. e-two wheelers and setting up sions for widespread application the mission of greenery all
total carbon dioxide emissions would mean that an estimated mally exceeded because of fac- Realizing impending threat gigantic chain of about 6K- of fuel-cell technology as ‘new around and prefer trips to
and 30 per cent of the particu- 240 million people in the north tors like driving in frequent traf- to economies, India’s vehicular charging stations in the nook medium of energy’, replacing work on foot in urban areas on
late emissions in urban areas. Indian state - Uttar Pradesh - fic jams, road conditions, fuel transportation scenario is set to and corner, will certainly enable fossil fuels in public and private the lines of smartly populated
The worst sufferers are the vul- would gain about 10 years in quality, local environmental have a ‘sea change’ as the to get rid of routinely lining-up transport systems, railways, cities like Surat and Bangalore,
nerable sections of society such (The author is a life-expectancy. conditions, etc. Government’s think tank – at petrol pumps. power generation, data process- will bear fruits for morrow-
as growing children, expectant- policy analyst.) Two wheelers pollute more, Assuming broadly, around National Institute for Currently, to fill the gasoline ing stations, etc. generations.
EDIT
THE ASIAN AGE | WEDNESDAY | 17 AUGUST 2022 | NEW DELHI
pg 5

Subhani

17 AUGUST 2022

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka sends


confusing signals to India
T
he signals Sri Lanka is sending to India, one of its benefactors at a
time of acute economic crisis, are confusing to the point of bewil-
derment. Having allowed Pakistan’s built-in-China naval ship
Taimur to dock in Colombo last week, it permitted the Chinese spy
ship Yuan Wang 5 to berth in Hambantota from Tuesday for “replenish-
ment”. In between the visit of these two military vessels, India went ahead
with the handing over of a Dornier reconnaissance aircraft as a gift to Sri
Lanka.
The current President Ranil Wickremasinghe, a political survivor by def-
inition in a long career, is heading, by default, a government that is in deep
distress over its finances. It is a matter of conjecture whether such help-
lessness, to the extent of bankruptcy, precluded him from sticking to a
stand he had first taken in asking the Chinese to defer the visit of the ship.
The Yuan Wang 5, with a crew of 400 and its deck bristling with huge
antennae, lasers and radar is capable of monitoring satellites and missiles
and can even help in the launching of the latter. Its berthing in Sri Lanka’s
southern port, which China virtually owns on a 99-year lease, by itself can-
not be a major security threat as the ship was as capable of spying on India
when in the waters and sailing to its first port of
For India, the call after it left China on the day that Gotabaya
showdown is about Rajapaksa fled the island in July.
much more than a For India, the showdown is about much more
single naval vessel than a single naval vessel docking in its vicini-
Ukraine is a better fit for LETTERS
IMMORAL NATION

EU than Britain ever was


ty. It is China’s assertiveness in its promotion of
docking in its vicinity. infra projects in its Belt & Road initiative on When “nationalist” Indians
It is China’s land and sea that is worrisome as it fits the pat- were beating their own
assertiveness in its tern of behaviour befitting the aggressive out-
promotion of infra look of an authoritarian ruler. Strategically, trumpet on the 75th
China’s “string of pearls” connects Gwaddar in anniversary of our
projects on land Pakistan through Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, Ukraine is likely to play economic competitor, or
and sea that is the Kyaukphyu port on Myanmar’s Andaman even as a systemic rival, Independence, some of us
worrisome. coast, a naval base in Cambodia, and through Sunanda K. a much more active
role in deepening the
but not quite an enemy. hung our heads in shame.
Hong Kong to Shanghai. Hambantota in south-
ern Sri Lanka is a logistically crucial jewel in this “string of pearls”. Datta-Ray integration that the
Some anxieties about
Chinese investment have Nine-year-old Indra
China’s loud reaction to assumed pressure from India on Sri Lanka to get British saw as the not been allowed to pre- Meghwal had been beaten
the visit of Yuan Wang 5 deferred to a less contentious time than the pre- Brussels bureaucracy’s vent substantial inroads
sent when tensions are already boiling over Taiwan should be seen in
India as needlessly provocative. China’s moves on Taiwan as well as its
Reflections stranglehold. It might
into property, infrastruc-
ture and public utilities.
so badly by his teacher for
touching his pot of water
forcefulness in the Indo-Pacific may be owing to its internal economic help to change not just Europeans also know they while being a dalit child
problems caused by its strict zero Covid approach, towards which it also the EU’s character but must live with Russia: it is
that he succumbed to his

A
lowered interest rates recently. But the flexing of its military muscle in the leading Danish the military power of a ris- also its relations with not for them the bogey
Indian Ocean so close to home is more of a long-term concern for India. politician used ing China willing to use
other major players.
against whom the North injuries. The tragedy bears
Sri Lanka’s role in a strategic China-Pakistan-Lanka axis while seeking to say that force to further its global Atlantic Treaty Organi- testimony to the fact that
humanitarian aid from India and getting lines of credit close to $4 billion thanks to its ambitions cannot be ig- sation was created to, in
to buy food, medicines and fuel leads to suspicion over whether it is play- Indian experi- nored. The fireworks also the words of the first secre- despite the glitter of
ing clever games. Ranil’s role in this does little to assuage concerns in his ence, Britain was too colo- warned that the US and pened to be the mentor that tary-general, “keep the Vishwaguru and Digital
own people over whether he is a proxy for the Rajapaksa brothers. India’s nially cosmopolitan to be China are competing for China had outgrown and Soviet Union out, the
actions in dealing with Sri Lanka despite the provocations in its dealing comfortable as a part of spheres of influence all intensely resented. Americans in, and the India, the nation has hardly
with China and Pakistan have been even-handed. It is moot whether they Europe. Ukraine, in con- over the world, while the It’s a moot point whether Germans down”. North made any humanitarian
will remain so in the face of a naval vessel visiting the island after trast, has no international controversy over the dual- similar steps will now be Africa and West Asia have
eight years. dimension to speak of, so purpose Chinese naval taken again for less selfish also engaged Europe for
progress. The greater mis-
that the replacement of one research vessel, Yuan and more humanitarian centuries. fortune is that, far from
by the other in the Eu- Wang 5, docking at Sri reasons. The Covid-19 pan- Europeans with this her- acknowledging the preva-
ropean Union might make Lanka’s Hambantota Port demic demonstrated with itage may not enthusiasti-
for greater clarity in the reminds us that China is tragic vividness that only a cally support the US in eco- lence of such social and
Crack down in Shivamogga emerging world order.
Of course, it is not certain
that the EU will find that
embroiled in other rival-
ries as well.
What is not clear is how
collective effort can ensure
man’s survival.
That inter-dependence is
nomic and military strate-
gies to contain China. They
look askance at the Quad
moral crimes, the authori-
ties get busy sweeping
them under the carpet,
T
he latest round of tensions triggered by communal elements in the Ukrainian President Vol- far the US is prepared to go even more vital when it and its nuclear-armed in-
Shivamogga district of Karnataka highlights the fact that vested odymyr Zelenskyy’s belea- in opposing Chinese comes to controlling car- ner core, Aukus, which is because they needs must
interests can still vitiate occasions of national importance and turn guered government meets assertiveness. The first in bon emissions, sharing designed to reduce the
them into opportunities to spread hate. all the conditions for mem- several military show- resources, regulating mar- scope for Chinese opera- exhibit the glory of India.
Reason has nothing to do with communal hatred, and Shivamogga is no bership that the European downs over Taiwan was in kets or addressing the tions in the Indo-Pacific Kajal Chatterjee
exception. When one section of the people recently objected to a uniform Council stipulated in 1993. January 1950, three many challenges that region. They feel that even
prescribed for students, the other suddenly turned belligerent instead of But unlike Britain, Uk- months after the Com- obstruct sustainable the US can gain more by Kolkata
letting courts or the authorities decide the matter. They donned something raine, which feels that it munist victory in China’s growth. The nation-state is befriending than obstruct-
else calling it their own. has paid in blood for mem-
bership, sees Europe as its
civil war, when President
Harry Truman declared
a convenient political and
administrative entity; but
ing China.
Reports about the conse-
FUTURE IMPERFECT
The same game is being replayed now by the same set of players. When
one section wanted the portraits of their leaders to be part of the political and cultural that the United States it is not always the optimal quences of severing supply COMPARED TO his earlier speeches
Independence Day show in town, the others, objecting to it, brought out home. Russia’s brutal inva- would not intervene mili- unit for economic growth. chains for the semiconduc- on Independence Day, this year's
their own icons. The police had to intervene and remove even the national sion has only strengthened tarily to help the defeated South Asians have forgot- tor chips that run every- speech of the Prime Minister seems
flag to defuse the situation. that conviction. Even if Kuomintang forces which ten, for instance, that thing nowadays from dull and empty. The targets he has
It is not logic and fairness but one-upmanship and whataboutery that their survival owes much had fled to Taiwan. India, Pakistan and iPhones to cars to medical chosen to attack, dynasty and cor-
influence such discussions. It is not that those who advance such fallacies to British and American Mao Zedong, who was Bangladesh comprise a sin- devices warn that a mili- ruption, are not likely to enthuse
do not know they will not win the argument with them. They do not want military assistance, Ukrai- already preparing an inva- gle whole in matters like tary conflict between Chi- even the most ardent BJP supporter.
to win the argument at all in the first place. Instead, they want to please nians know they have sion, probably desisted water management. Nor na’s rapidly modernising The PM needs to be reminded of the
and instigate their own camp followers. more in common with only because the Korean would Britain have exulted People’s Liberation Army promise of doubling farmers' income
It is a zero sum game for a society to reduce its members to their religious their EU neighbours than war erupted that year, in Brexit if parochial con- and American forces could and assure housing for all by 2022. Is
identities. Such games will forever stop the right thinking people from with Britain or the US. prompting Truman to cerns had not taken prece- be devastating. Other sur- there a single promise he made
searching for solutions to issues that plague humanity. It is what the com- Ukraine is therefore like- change tack, backing dence over greater trans- veys show that without which has been fulfilled? The acche
munal elements on all sides want as then they get to set the agenda. The ly to play a much more South Korea and ordering national needs. Now, it cheap Chinese shoes, rea- din are nowhere in sight. Now the
government must put down such forces with an iron hand. active role in deepening the Seventh Fleet to defend seems that Europe, strug- dy-mades, plastics, electro- target is set to 2047 for India to
the integration that the Taiwan. Four years later, gling to rise above the limi- nics and other household become a developed nation.
British saw as the Brussels when Chinese forces tations of the Westphalian goods, American living Anthony Henriques
bureaucracy’s strangle- attacked some of Taiwan’s legacy of nation states, costs would go up substan- Mumbai
hold. Supported by former outlying islands, Ame- might become a play- tially, with horrendous
Warsaw Pact members like
Poland and being depen-
rican officials threatened
nuclear strikes to force
ground for American and
Chinese ambitions.
effects on all other costs.
With its multiple domes-
DIMINISHED HOPE
dent on agriculture and Mao to back down again. The US-China honey- tic problems, falling house- IN A SHOCKING turn of events, all the
manufacturing, Ukraine All this changed in moon soured years ago as hold income, trade deficit 11 convicts sentenced to life imprison-
presents a contrast to February 1972 when Beijing’s military might with the EU, overstretched ment in the Bilkis Bano gang rape and
Britain’s economy. It President Richard Nixon’s appeared to threaten US health service and high massacre that occurred during the
might help to change not seven-day visit to China global supremacy. The public deficit, Britain’s exit 2002 riots walked out of Godhra sub-
just the EU’s character and with Henry Kissinger and Taiwan Relations Act of may not be a great loss for jail on Monday after the Gujarat gov-
composition but also its their meetings with Mao 1979 was a first warning Europe. The loss is more in ernment freed them under its remis-
relations with the other and Zhou Enlai made his- since Washington severed quality. Nor may Uk- sion policy. A large number of con-
major players, notably the tory. But it was not any diplomatic ties with Taipei raine’s membership com- victs who have committed a less
THE ASIAN AGE United States, China and statesmanlike instinct that in 1972. Then came Presi- pensate in material terms. heinous crime than the Bilkis case
Russia, as European gov- produced that dramatic dent Donald Trump’s 2018 But at least it will not lead continue to languish in jails without
KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR ernments and the US look outcome. Far from being Taiwan Travel Act and vis- the EU into one military any remission. When a government
Editor Printer & Publisher
for fresh alliances for an inspired by any lofty con- its to the island by high US adventure after another in takes such a decision the hope of the
THE ASIAN AGE office is located at: uncertain future. cern for global harmony or state and commerce the wake of a United States victim in the system diminishes.
New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: China, too, is planning posterity’s welfare, they department officials. that simply cannot stop Sankar Paul
(011) 23211124. for the future. The furore sought only to isolate and Geography and history invading Asian countries. Chakdaha, West Bengal
Published and Printed on behalf of and for over the visit to Taiwan by neutralise America’s sole having endowed Europe
◗ Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New
US House of Represent- — and then formidable — with different interests in The writer is a senior Every Monday the best letter of
Delhi 110 002 at BFL Infotech Ltd., C-9, Sector-III, Noida -201301.
◗ London: Quickmarsh Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ. atives Speaker Nancy rival on the world stage. Asia, China may be seen as journalist, columnist the week wins `500. Email:
RNI Registration number: 57290/94 Pelosi is a reminder that The Soviet Union also hap- a partner for cooperation, and author asianage.letters@gmail.com.

I
t is a year since the Taliban stormed Kabul to tion of virtue and the prevention of vice is back in Taliban want their obscurantist views to prevail becoming the centre of militant activities are com-
retake control of Afghanistan some two action. Besides, Taliban officials have also banned over international engagement, and in order to do ing true. The increasing frequency of Zawahiri’s
decades after the conservative Islamic regime women from travelling in taxis, unless a male fam- so, the radicals among them have no qualms about video and audio messages had reinforced suspi-
was routed by American forces following the ily member accompanies them, for a distance sidelining the more moderate Taliban elements. cions about his presence in the country. His killing
Zahid events of 9/11. It was a return of the old order
though with the promise of some moderation.
greater than 72 kilometres. Such actions remind
one of the strict rules framed and enforced by the
There seems to be little realisation among
Taliban ranks that the country’s problems cannot
has come as a serious blow to the Taliban govern-
ment which had given its commitment to the inter-
Hussain Unfortunately, the Taliban regime has fully
reverted to its old ways.
Taliban regime of Mullah Omar before 9/11.
Finding themselves under international pres-
be successfully solved while Afghanistan remains
isolated from the rest of the world which is not will-
national community to not allow any militant
activity on Afghan soil. It is apparent that a faction
While the war has ended and there is relative sure, the Taliban had earlier announced they ing to accept a retrogressive regime that thwarts of the Taliban refused to break its ties with the
peace, Afghanistan is witnessing a great leap back- would reopen high schools for girls but reversed fundamental human rights and equal rights for global terrorist network.
ward as fundamental human rights are severely their decision quickly, shattering the dreams and women. Besides Al Qaeda, there are militant groups like
curtailed. The international community may have aspirations of a million girl students who were In spite of some humanitarian aid from the inter- the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the East

1 year of Taliban remained engaged with the Taliban administra-


tion but there is no sign of their recognising them
formally.
excited about returning to their studies.
The rationale given by the Taliban’s education
authorities for their action was that a plan built on
national community, which helped to alleviate last
winter’s misery in Afghanistan, the crisis is far
from over. Increasing international isolation will
Turkestan Islamic Movement that continue to use
Afghanistan as a base for their cross-border opera-
tions and are a source of serious concern to
The Taliban’s own intransigence, fostered by the Islamic principles was to be drawn up to reopen the only worsen the regime’s predicament. Islamabad and Beijing, the two capitals which have
rule: Discontent hardliners among them, regarding women and
other human rights as well as their constant viola-
tion of the promises made have stood in the way of
schools; until such time, girl students would not be
able to access these schools. Some officials are even
said to have said that religion asserts that Muslim
With such scant regard for human rights, includ-
ing the Taliban’s U-turn on ensuring that girls
receive an education — a key condition of potential
been urging the international community to
maintain close contact with the Taliban
administration.

high, terror fear formal recognition by the international communi-


ty, besides being a cause of serious concern even to
those countries that had been in favour of a more
women receive limited education. There is no time
frame as to when these schools will reopen.
Clearly, this reversal of the decision to reopen
girls’ high schools shows that the hard-liners call
donors if Afghanistan is to receive foreign aid and
recognition — it is unlikely that donors will come
forward. The regime’s actions could cost it millions
of dollars in foreign aid.
There has been a marked increase in militant
activities attributed to the TTP in Pakistan’s for-
mer tribal regions and other parts of KP. It’s appar-
ent that the TTP is being protected by the Haqqani
lenient approach towards them.
returns to region Thus, a year down the road, the country contin-
ues to face international isolation as the Taliban,
who favour a strict interpretation of religious law,
the shots in the ruling administration and control
its leadership. The move came following a council
meeting. Meanwhile, in their ongoing attempt to
More worrying are reports of transnational mili-
tant groups resurfacing in Afghanistan and pre-
senting a serious threat to regional security. The
faction of the Afghan Taliban. The initial euphoria
among a section of the Pakistani ruling elite after
the Taliban took Kabul last year should have van-
have gone back on their pledges to moderate their stamp their conservative writ, the regime has also presence of Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in ished with the spillover effects of the conservative
stance on women’s education and women in gov- imposed restrictions on the media in the country Kabul, where he was apparently living under the regime in the country.
ernment offices, among other things. and have cracked down on peaceful protests. protection of the Taliban interior minister, means
The regime’s dreaded ministry for the propaga- Such moves only make one thing clear: the that the worst fears of Afghanistan once again By arrangement with Dawn
This PDF was originally uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) Subscribe now to get this edition before anyone else!! Backup channel:@LBSNEWSPAPER
CMYK

2
From
AHMEDABAD WEDNESDAY 17/8/2022
Editorial
Editor’s
Desk

Violence against Dalit student


in Rajasthan is stark reminder
of nation’s unfinished tasks.
Ashok Gehlot
government
must act swiftly
From the lack of enabling measures that
force thousands of SC &ST students to drop out
of institutions of learning every year to the per-
secution that can drive a young scholar like
Rohith Vemula to take his own life, the discrimi-
nation faced by Dalit youth is endemic and
deeply ingrained.
On Saturday, as the nation prepared to com-
memorate its 75th Independence Day, a nine-year-
old Dalit child from Rajasthan’s Jalore district suc-
cumbed to his injuries, allegedly inflicted by a per-
son who should have given wings to his dreams —
his teacher. The FIR in the case should be read as a
sobering reality check on the terrible inequalities
that continue to afflict and debilitate the nation as
it aims to become the “destination,” where as Prime
Minister Narendra Modi said from the ramparts of
Red Fort,“aspirations are met”.“Indra was a child. He
didn’t know that the matki (earthen pot) that he
drank from had been kept separately for the savarna
jati (upper caste) teacher”… “the teacher abused
him with casteist slurs and beat him up, resulting in
internal injuries”, the FIR says. These words should
prick the nation’s conscience, and remind
policymakers of unmet promises and unfinished
tasks, as India begins the “Amrit Kaal” to the cente-
nary of its Independence. The Ashok Gehlot gov-
ernment must ensure that due processes are rolled
out swiftly and surely to provide justice in this case.
That casteist violence is a grim lived reality — at
odds with India’s constitutional principles — for a
large section of the country’s Scheduled Caste (SC)
and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities is borne out
by numerous reports and surveys. National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB) data show that a crime was
committed every 10 minutes against a person from
an SC community in 2020. Rajasthan along with
Bihar, UP and Madhya Pradesh accounts for two-
thirds of such crimes though these four states con-
stitute about 40 per cent of the country’s popula-
tion. Cases registered in Rajasthan under the Sched-
uled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act went up from around 6,000 in 2018
to more than 8,500 in 2020. Worryingly, the convic-
tion rate in the state in such cases has gone down
in these four years — from 11 per cent in 2016 to
less than 8 per cent in 2020.
From the lack of enabling measures that force
thousands of SC &ST students to drop out of insti-
tutions of learning every year to the persecution
that can drive a young scholar like Rohith Vemula
to take his own life, the discrimination faced by Dalit
youth is endemic and deeply ingrained. Swift action
in the case of the atrocity at Jalore will signal the
state’s resolve to stamp out the oppression that
bedevils the aspirations of its young. That should
also be an urgent imperative for a nation aspiring
to be a knowledge hub. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 76th Independence Day

This country is grateful to Mangal Pandey, Tantya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaq
Ulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and countless such revolutionaries of ours who shook the foundations of British rule.

Get rid of ‘parivaarwad’ & give opportunities to the deserving: Modi


New Delhi: In a first, a made-in-In- war of independence and built the This journey of 75 years has been MAHOTSAV. On the first morn of 76th change in the thinking of the world, is among citizens.
dia gun was used fo the ceremonial country after independence. full of ups and downs. Amidst good year, I am filled with pride to see such the result of our experienced journey The need of the hour is coopera-
21-shot salute to the tricolour at the When we talk about the freedom and bad times our countrymen have an immensely endowed nation. of 75 years. tive competitive federalism. Let there
historic Red Fort on Independence struggle, we cannot forget to take made various achievements; they Every citizen of the country wants The world has started realising be a healthy spirit of competition
Day. This is a big day for the country as pride of our tribal society living in for- have made efforts and have not given to change things, wants to see things where the power to fulfil the expecta- among the states on progressing in
till now, only British guns were used for ests. There are countless names like up. They didn’t let the resolutions to change, but is not ready to wait. He tions actually lies. I see it as a feminine different sectors.
the ceremonial salute. For the Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu, get lost. wants these things to happen in front power. I see it as triple power or tri- When, I first spoke about cleanli-
unversed, the indigenous howitzer Alluri Sitarama Raju, Govind Guru, who The world was not cognizant that of his eyes and wants to do it as part shakti, i.e. aspiration, re-awakening ness during my first speech, the entire
gun that was used for the ceremonial became the voice of freedom move- India has an inherent potential of of his duty. And I believe whether it is and the world’s expectations. We are country embraced it. Everyone moved
salute on Monday has been designed ment and inspired my tribal brothers strong culture and values, a bond of the central government, state govern- aware that to fulfil it, today, my coun- towards cleanliness as per his capac-
by the Centre-run Defence Research and sisters, mothers and youth in the thoughts deeply embedded in mind ments, institutions of local self-govern- trymen have a major role in awaken- ity and there is now antipathy towards
and Development Organisation remotest jungles to live and die for the and soul; and that is – that India is a ment, no matter what kind of gover- ing this trust of the world in India. filthiness.This is the country which has
(DRDO). motherland. It has been the good for- mother of all democracy. And when nance system, everyone has to address 130 crore countrymen after several done it, is doing it and will continue to
In India, on Independence Day, a tune of the country that there have those who have democracy pulsating this aspirational society and we can- decades of experience have shown do so in future also. Freedom from
21-gun salute occurs after the national been many aspects of the freedom in their mind walk with determination not wait longer for their aspirations. the world the importance of a stable open defecation has become possible
anthem is played by a military band struggle. and resolve, it augurs doom for the Our aspiration society has waited government, the power of political sta- in India today. When the world was in
after the Prime Minister unfurls the From the last year, we are witness- most powerful sultanates of the world. for a long time. But now they are not bility, policies and how trust develops a dilemma, this is the country which
tricolour at the Red Fort. It is done by ing how the country is celebrating the This Mother of Democracy, our India ready to force their future generations in the policies. The world too is now crossed the target of 200 crore vacci-
the firings of cannons or artillery. This ‘Amrit Mahotsav’. It all began with has proven to all that we have this in- to live in wait and hence the first dawn able to understand it. And now when nations in a time-bound manner and
tradition has western roots. In the past, Dandi Yatra in 2021. The people held valuable strength. of this ‘Amrit Kaal’ has brought a huge there is political stability, dynamism in broke all the previous records. We are
western navies would fire guns at the programs in every district, every cor- In the journey of 75 years, in the golden opportunity for us to fulfil the policies, speed in decision making, dependent on the fuel from the Gulf.
port in a specific manner to show that ner of India to enlarge the scope of midst of hopes, aspirations, ups and aspirations of that aspiration society. ubiquity and universal trust, then ev- We had decided how to move towards
there was no offensive intention. goals of the ‘Amrit eryone becomes a part- bio-oil. The 10 percent ethanol blend-
Following are the highlights Mahotsav’ of Indepen- ner in development. ing seemed like a very big dream. Old
from his speech dence. This was perhaps We started our jour- experiences showed that it was not
Compliments to my dear country- for the first time in history ney with the mantra of possible, but the country has realized
men on the momentous occasion of that such a huge and Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, this dream of 10 percent ethanol
completion of 75 years of indepen- comprehensive festival but gradually the country- blending before time.
dence. Many congratulations to all! It for a single purpose was men have added more Providing electricity connection to
is heartening to see our tricolour be- celebrated. colours to it with Sabka 2.5 crore people in such a short time
ing unfurled with pride, honour and An attempt was Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. was not a small task, but the country
glory, not only at all the corners of In- made in every corner of So, we have seen our col- has done it. Today the country is rap-
dia, but also worldwide by our Indians India to remember all lective power and collec- idly providing water from tap to the
who love their country immensely. those great men who did tive potential. homes of lakhs of families.
All the countrymen are deeply in- not find mention in his- Azadi Ka Amrit Experience tells us that we can
debted to Pujya Bapu, Netaji Subhash tory for some reasons or Mahotsav is being cel- achieve our goals once we are deter-
Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar, who were forgotten. To- ebrated with the cam- mined. Be it the goal of renewable en-
Veer Savarkar, who devoted all their life day, the nation found out paign to build 75 Amrit ergy, the intention of building new
on the path of duty towards the na- all such heroes and great Sarovars in every district medical colleges in the country or cre-
tion. The path of obligation has been men from every corner of today. People from every ating a workforce of doctors, the pace
their sole life path. the country and paid trib- village are joining the has increased a lot in every field.
This country is grateful to Mangal utes to them for their sac- campaign and offering Brothers, how long will the world
Pandey, Tantya Tope, Bhagat Singh, rifices. It was an opportu- their services. With their continue to distribute certificates to
Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar nity to pay tributes to all own efforts, the people us? How long will we live on the cer-
Azad, Ashfaq Ulla Khan, Ram Prasad these great men during the ‘Amrit downs, it is with everyone’s effort that Recently, we have seen and expe- are running a massive campaign for tificates of the world? Shall we not set
Bismil and countless such revolution- Mahotsav’. we could reach thus far. And when in rienced one or two such forces and water conservation in their respective our own standards? Can a country of
aries of ours who shook the founda- Today, as we are celebrating the 2014, my countrymen gave me this that is the collective consciousness villages. Today, I am talking about the 130 crores not make an effort to ex-
tions of British rule.This nation is grate- Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is an op- responsibility, I was the first Indian renaissance in India. I think that this strength of 130 crore countrymen, wit- ceed its standards? Under no circum-
ful to those brave women, be it Rani portunity to recall the contributions born in free India, who got the privi- awakening of consciousness, this re- nessing their dreams and feeling their stances should we try to look like oth-
Lakshmibai, Jhalkari Bai, Durga Bhabhi, made by those who dedicated their lege to sing praises of glory to my dear naissance, is our greatest asset. Until resolutions from the ramparts of Red ers. It should be our temperament to
Rani Gaidinliu, Rani Chennamma, lives for the country during the last 75 countrymen from the ramparts of the 10th August, people would not even Fort, I believe we must focus our atten- grow with our own potential. We want
Begum Hazrat Mahal, Velu Nachiyar, years, those who protected the coun- historical Red Fort. be aware of the power within the tion on the “Panch Pran” for the com- freedom from slavery. The element of
who showed the mettle of women try and fulfilled the country’s resolu- From the farthest of latitudes and country. But for the last three days, the ing 25 years. You have to concentrate slavery should not remain in our mind
power of India. tions; be it the army personnel, police longitudes of India-east or west, north way the country has set about cel- on your resolves and strength. And we even under the distant seven seas.
Today is an opportunity to pay personnel, bureaucrats, public repre- or south, ocean beds or Himalayan ebrating the journey of the Tricolour, must take up the responsibility of ful- I look with hope the way the new
homage to countless such great men sentatives, administrators of the local peaks, I have left no stone unturned to even the leading experts of social sci- filling all the dreams of the freedom National Education Policy has been
like Dr. Rajendra Prasad ji, Nehru ji, self-government, state administration reach the corners and fulfil Mahatma ence can't imagine the power within fighters by embracing those Panch formulated with a lot of brainstorming,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shyama or central administration. Today we Gandhi’s vision of inclusion. I have my country which has been shown by Pran by 2047 when the country cel- with the exchange of ideas from vari-
Prasad Mookerjee, Lal Bahadur Shastri, must also recall the contributions committed myself to his vision of em- the Tricolour. The world is looking at ebrates 100 years of independence. ous people and is at the root of the
Deendayal Upadhyay, Jai Prakash made by the crores of citizens of the powering and uplifting the person sit- India proudly and with anticipation. The Panch Pran of Amrit Kaal- Goal country’s education policy. The skill
Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Acharya country who have done everything ting at the last mile. The world has started searching for so- of developed India, to remove any that we have emphasized is such a
Vinoba Bhave, Nanaji Deshmukh, possible to take the country forward We are embarking on the glorious lutions to the problems on the soil of trace of colonial mindset, take pride in power, which will give us the strength
Subramania Bharati who fought the despite various challenges in 75 years. years of 75 years today on AMRIT India. This change in the world, this our roots, unity and sense of duty to be free from slavery.

CMYK
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SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2020

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Psychological
Growth The
To live inis
anthe Impact
Rewards
only
empty of and
Patience
nestevidence Role
of life
End of dynasty of
politics
Jammu & Kashmir
in

04 Mental Health during Epidemics


IWhen
used tochildren
run after good ABBAS ALI
were grades
home, but slowly
we had I commenced
many chasing
things to knowledge. I used to memorise
ties and names. During these times, he
questions
OPED
www.kashmirreader.com must be patient and protect against
facebook.com/KashmirReader any
@Kashmir_Reader +Kashmirreader

T
his brief article explores the mean- TASADUQ tracesYASEEN
of self-love, pride, etc,ure
to as
seeCM,
higher
he did all the ground work for
without trulying,
understanding
forms, and benefits of pa-
what they implied, but gradually I began finding meaning in everything.
SUNDAY
phases. the22 MARCH 2020

CMYK
abrogation of the last vestige of Arti-

do. It now seems there’s nothing to do


tience. “Be persistent and patient, Patience from God: This concept relates
cle 370. Now beating the chest won't work
for Allah is with whom who main- to the stations of God’s lovers who, after
anymore. ex- are the best judges. This
People

Psychological Impact and Role of


SHAFIYA SHOWK AT
tain patience.” (Qur’an 8:46). periencing His tremendous place love, once must used en- to be the hub of tourism

T
According to Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq DR AJAZ AJAZ AHMAD SUHAFF
(a.s.),AHMAD SUHAFF here is dure separation from Him when and returning

W
DR a political buzz going secular brotherhood, but now eve-
e often wonder when patience
did weisgrow to faith what the head is to the
up. Here’s People often
People often do
do not
not understand
understand or
around to or do
do not
not agree
their agree with
with the
physical the realm. ofIt isrything
the mosthas chal-

W
miss your children badly when you fail to op- the Union Territory been gobbled up by dynasty
my story. It was a fine body.
when
up and as usual went to the washroom.
As thedawn.
pleasant
patience
body Idies
dies,
wokewithout the
so does faith.
head,
ee are
are continuously being
continuously being testedtested by by
erate your mobile, laptop, or some other elec- information provided by authorities
Jammu lenging and
and Kashmir experts.
information provided by authorities and experts. As the
Du’a Kumayl,
As the
of the regarding
stations. In the
“O my God, my
well-known
politics.
Master,
These families of Muftis and Ab-
and
the unpredictable
unpredictable powers powers of of na-tronic gizmo. Reality sets in. One of the most
na- the announcement of elections to dullahs became “conflict entrepreneurs”,
religion arethe community centres,
centres, schools,
With my hefty sleepyThe eyesfour I took pillars
a glance of at perse-
ture.
ture. New threats
New threats to to human
human health healthwonderful and fulfilling stages of your life has community schools, workplaces
form a stable workplaces are
my Lord!
are shut
shut in
democratic in the
How shall
the govern- I bear Thy devouring separation many a great lives.

Mental Health during Epidemics


myself in the mirror and abruptly verance,saw the conviction,
discrepancy justice, and struggle, emerge often without warning come to end. The proud builder that once-upon-
in ment. After the fall if ofI the
canunholy bear Thy PDP-BJP chastisement?” People's Imam Alliance for Gupkar Declara-
in my figure. Something wasImam Ali (a.s) said
transformed; my in body response
our environment. to emerge
environment. a ques- often without warning in
Infectious diseases diseases have have in- a-time swaggered around the hustle and bustle
in-
attempt to stop the transmission
alliance, the erstwhile of the infection
state and
attempt to stop the transmission of the infection and even
Ali (as) alluded even
remained to this un-supreme tionlevel was of Pa-
formed for a unified goal. But
tion regarding
wasn’t like mine. It was, somehow, unusual. I rubbed my faith. our
He said, “Patience Infectious tience.
creased over
creased over the the past
past century
century due due to to increased
increased of the nest, is now left spent, shocked, and shat- smaller social
der social interactions,
Governor’s
smaller interactions, such
such as
rule,
as visiting
visiting the
then
the home
home of
President’s
of
rule, questions were raised over the seat distri-
The patients
The patients confirmed
confirmed
eyes and scrutinised myself carefully, consists of all four
fractions characteristics:
of
global travel,
global
excite-
travel, urbanisation,
urbanisation, and and exploitation
exploitation of tered.
of and finally, Lieutenant Patience
Governor’s withrule. God is an bution idealinstate. the recent DDC elections. The
my body. My hair was slightlyment, lengthier,dread, my piety,
eyes were and
the
expectancy
natural
(of
environment. Initially there is un- In the life of a bird, the ‘fleeing-from-the- a friend, cease for fear of transmitting the
When aofperson disease, this
a friend, cease for fear of transmitting the disease, this
The untimely demise the then reaches
Chief the PAGD stage of solely Dr Farooq Abdullah, dis-
president,
or suspected
or suspected become
brighter, my skin healthier. I had become
death).”
noddedTherefore,
off as a juvenile thosethe natural
who are environment.
eager Initially there is un- nest’ comes sooner than the mother would prob- Minister, Mufti Sayeed, existing ledwithto rise God, he shapes
in spec- tributedhimself the ac- seats at his own will. On what
and woken up as an adult. for Paradise will resistcertainty certainty about the
about
evil temptations; the nature,
nature, spread,spread, and and impact
impact
ably care for, but it does happen. The mother snapping of
snapping of social
social support
support and
ulations that the cording and communication
communication may
PDP may may lead
lead to
to form to
Allah’s standards.
govern- meritsIt is was for peo- the maximum number of seats
fearful
No, this is not true, I am just when
fearful when they they
those who are
writing afraid
fiction. of of
That’s
of an
theanfire infectious
of Hell will
infectious outbreak that may
outbreak that may lead to epi- lead to epi-
either nudges its younglings or they get curi- ment with the Congress, ple who or have
opt forbeen a grand gifted given with to stability
the NC? One wonders if the PAGD
not how I suddenly grew up. I refrain grew upfrom committing demics
demicssins;and andthosepandemics.
DR AJAZ
pandemics.who AHMAD SUHAFF People often and do outrages
outrages and
constancy,
not and fear.
fear. andelec-
understand it can only wasor be do gained
able not agree with the
see medical
see medical staff
staff in
in like we all grow
An easilyepidemic is defined
defined as as aa widespread
widespread
ous and go it alone on their first flight. Soon, alliance to avoid going through the not to even do equal distribution

W
up; I didn’t change overnight. It’s practise
a longrighteousness
process; it tookwill An epidemic with-is the nest is empty and it’s now her lonely home. toral process again. through Those God’s Patience.
speculations of seats, what can one expect on bigger is-
spacesuits whosewhose faces
faces
stand the
me years to reach here at this juncture of life where I am challenges and occurrence
sufferings of ean
of are
this continuously
infectious or being tested by
non-infectious information provided
“Whoever among by authorities
the believers endures and experts. As the
spacesuits
capable of thinking like an adult life;
and those
acting who arean
like eager
adult
occurrence of an infectious or non-infectious
disease
for death in a will the
a community
community
hur- unpredictable powers time.
at aa particular
particular
Baby birds spend such little time in their nests
of na-
were proved wrong. To remain in power,
patiently a with
misfortune
sues in the future.
that befalls Thehim has
they cannot
cannot see.
see. The
The
disease in ture. New at
threats to human time.being nurtured compared to human babies. We
health
thecommunity
PDP formed an centres,
alliance schools,
the BJP workplaces main motive arebehind shut in the
the local body
they
or at least looking like one. I now ry tofeel
do good I amdeeds.”
prospering Pandemics are
Pandemics are large-scale
large-scale outbreaks
emerge often without
outbreaks of
warning
of in-
in-
humans
in that watch children spreading wings centres,
centres, schools,
– which
attempt
schools, paved workplaces
the earned
workplaces
to stop
wayare are
for shut
the
BJP in
salvation
shut the
theand
to enter
in
transmission
at-
at-and but
but they
the
of
reward must
elections
they must
ofthe
ofencompass
the
was the a
1,000
encompass
infection
much
much broader
arestructuringbroader area
and even
of the
area
every day, improving every day, my
wait forfor test
test results
results is
Nasir
is mind Althinking
Din Al Tusi, more fectious
a renowned
fectious disease
disease schol-that spread
that spread over aa wide
Infectiousover
wide geo-geo-
and
in- flying away someday--likening it to birds--
tempt
tempt to stop
stop the
further
to the transmission
its agenda
transmission martyrs.”
in the of the
valley.
of the infection
“The
infection believer of specialised
enters
political
specialised services
grave
structure
services including humanitarian
in Kashmir.
including humanitarian But the
wait
and more wisely. Entities that used ar, once
to amuse said:me “Patience
once feel
our environment.
involves
graphic
graphic area
area control-
and
and greatly
greatly
creased over the past century due to increased
diseases have
increase
increase morbidity
morbidity perceive it as a sort of cutting the ‘umbilical and even
and evenDespite
smallerthe
smaller
smaller social
socialvisit
socialwith of salat on such
interactions,
Congress
interactions,
interactions, his right
president
such as
as hand,
aid,
aid, zakat were
counselling
dynasts
such
counselling as onfor histhe
visiting
for given
the population
a free
populationthe affected
run
home withand
affected these
and of
dreary today. Theaccompanied by
People patients
accompanied by severe
whom I usedsevere
confirmed
ling one’s
to idolise excitement
in adoles- while
and
and
dealing
mortality.
mortality.
global
with
Pandemics
travel, Pandemics
urbanisation, can
can andcreate
create fear and
fear
exploitation and
cord’
of a second time, only instead of coming into visiting
visiting the home
Sonia
the home
Gandhi of a
of aand left,
friend,
other
friend, virtue
cease
senior
cease facing
for
for fear him,
fear
leaders of andelections,
of toat-risk
at-risk Patience
groups.
groups. Even shel-
and so
Even survivors
the whole
survivors will
will needpurpose
need pro-
pro- of
cence now only arouse in me the theemotion
undesirables.” of contempt.erratic Ithe natural
erratic behaviour
behaviour environment.among
among people people
Initially and
and there this of-
our
thisisof-
un- world, they’re leaving it, and taking a sub- transmitting
Ms a friend,
Mufti’sthe disease, cease
residence tering
thisat for
him.
snapping
that fear
When
time, of so-of
the
which
transmitting the disease, this snapping of so- longed mental health care when facing the tasktransmitting
two
longedquestioning
thesemental health
elections an- the
care
still disease,
when
remainsfacing the this
task
unfulfilled.
ormother
anxiety and
anxiety
used to look at my suspected
and ifif the
the disease
disease
with affection become
According only, tobutthenow famousten gnostic
Icertainty
leads to (Arif)
emotional distress, even among stantialin place
place
pieceand and
of our coordinated
hearts with atthem.
local,Unborn national cial cial support
support
fuelled and and
hope thatgels
communication these approach may
may lead
moves him,toPatience
might beof
of rebuilding
Peopletells need virtue,
their
theirto lives.
think out of the box. If any-
glare at her with lovefearful Khwajah Abd Allah ten
al-Ansari, leads toabout the nature,
emotional
“Patience distress,spread, even and impact
among in coordinated at local, national snapping ofThe social
communication
zakat, support
and salat
lead
to take
toand
care communication
rebuilding
of the
their friend;
lives. may leadpro- to
and compassion
is confirmed,
confirmed, then when
then
at they
the same time. those
of
those an who
infectious
who have
have not
outbreak
not been
been directly
that may
directly exposed
lead to
exposed and
epi- in
and
and the womb,
international
international an ‘umbilical
levels.
levels. The
The cord’
most
most is what
important
important outrages
outrages afoot and
and for weaning
fear.
fear. The the PDP
psychological
psychological away from
injuries
injuries the It
It one
is
is thehere is a politician,
responsibility
responsibility of he ensures
of mental
mental healththat
health pro-his
is
I used to ask for money from my is the ability
father for to allprevent
my crav- oneself
todemics
the from grum-
and pandemics.
disease. All pandemics of infectious sustainsstrategies our children----gives
to reduce the themofnourish-
spread infection sustained BJP by to people
form an duringif they
alternative cannot
epidemics help, shefessionals
government,
include would sontake carries
along care on
withoutrages
of the
other 'legacy'.
medical and
The fear.
Abdullahs
profession-
waiting
ings; now I flinch from seeasking
for medical
the bling staff
for it about
recovery even for in crucial
secret
my pain.”to the disease. All pandemics of infectious strategies to reduce the spread of infection sustained by people during
An epidemic is affect
defined as a widespread ment. It'sreduce
what keeps them alive. The first by cut- theofPDP still loneliness, himepidemics
remained herself,”
adamantaccording
include fessionals
on form-alstotoImam are
along
al-Sadiq
undoubtedly
communicate
with other medical profession-
the first political
awareness dynasty
waiting for the recovery The honourable
disease
disease
traditions show
potentially
potentially
numer- affect people
people of all
of all age
age are:
are: reduce transmission
transmission of infection
of infection by regu- feelings
regu- feelings of rejection,
rejection, loneliness,
(as).
alienation,
alienation, etc.
etc. als to communicate awareness about about the the risk
risk
requirements.spacesuits whose faces occurrence
groups. Infectious of an outbreaks
infectious have or non-infectious
shaped ting lar
the brings overwhelming
handwashing, cough joy,
and and
sneezethe etiquette,
second, ing government
Quarantine of with theor
confirmed BJP. Politically,factors
suspected of to Jammu
the and Kashmir,
population. More having remained
emphasis should
groups. Infectious outbreaks have shapedtime. the lar handwashing, cough and sneeze etiquette, Quarantine of confirmed or suspected factors to the population. More emphasis should
aggravates this
aggravates this anxiety.
I don’t recall a particular ous anxiety.
daydegrees
where all andthese
levelsup- of patience,
disease
psyche of in and
a
of humanity since
the
community since agesat a particular
ages and and affect
affect hu- heart-wrenching
hu- and and social
social distancing. sorrow.
distancing. patients the PDP-BJP
leads to their alliance Thehad
isolation world
memorise
frombeen issocie-
aan jail for
questions
un- be believers.
but
central
given on now Be
to that
vulnerable pa-I state's
the look
groupsback I
politics
and discover
for
finding over
peo- 80
heavals occurred. they
Whencannotactuallyreward
did see.bythat
all The
level, takedegree,
place, psyche
and
man
merithumanity
Pandemics
beings
vary.
in
are large-scale
different This
ways
outbreaks
never
and cause
of in-growth
halts,sig- The Infectious
constancy just never
of socialstops.
pandemics ties alsoin oldFrom age the
affect has beginning
de-
mental
patients
centres,
ty. This I’ve
easy leads
one, to
schools,
been
significantly
their
workplaces
simply
with the isolation
tient
two and
affects
arethat
parties’
the
from
forgiving
shut insocie-
actually
traditional
self-esteem
at-I be
the throughout
ple
given
but
haven’t theyits
long
with
onmustvulnerable
difficul-
wasted
years,
serious
encompass
even
but
distress
groups
there a much
a reactions
second
are and
now finding
broader
because
newattend-
and
peo-
area
political
Individuals who
Individuals
wait who are
without me having a sniff about According
for testAllah are
it? How didtoIImam
results is learn Ali man
to beings
(as),
fectious thedisease in different
Prophet that spread ways over and a cause
widesig- geo-
clined Infectious
or disappeared. pandemicsUnder ouralsoown affect
custom mental ty.
exceed of
This
tempt tosignificantly
stands stop onAthemany affects
ties by
transmission
contentious the of self-esteem
marshalling
the
otherissues infection
than at the
odds.allple with
ofyour
limitedparties serious
strength
specialised questions,
with distress
at I’ve
services
young reactions
including
learned
faces who and
every-
are attend-
humanitarian
challeng-
TAJAMUL
differentiate between HUSSAIN
right andofwrong? (PBUH)
How do Ideclared
antici-
heading
nificant
nificant
into that
graphic health,
the health,
there
area and
unknown...
economic,
economic,
are evolving.
greatly
Did
social,I and
social,
increase
I prepare
and
thought
him
politi-
politi-
morbidity health.
it’shealth.
neo-local precisely Psychosocial
Psychosocial
residence, mybride body impact
impact
and that’s
groom
can
canchanging
exceed
don’t live
the
the of
but of the
it’s
the
and notpeople.
even just
people.
The my
A
smaller person
dissidents body,
personsocial starts
starts
your
in
believing
believing
interactions,
PDP disposal.
thing
constantly such that
that
Stand
else. asuping
There’s
ques- ing
aid, to
to them
them
counselling
to another
difficulties
ing the
first.
first.
important
Mental
Mental
for
and
dynasties thething health
health
population
of boththat
professionals
professionals
affected
I’ve
Abdullahs re- and
and
quarantined, even
quarantined,
pate where toaccompanied even if
converse what, and if they
they
threebydifferent
even severe
if I am not types cal
theofworld?
for part and disruption.
Patience:
cal
of mortality.
WillPatience
disruption. he be Pandemics
every
successful can increate
aspectlife? A fear and
of my near
management capacity
management
character
either the is
capacity of
changing.
groom’s
of the
parentsThe
the affected
or the
affected popula-
only
popula- his
thing
bride‘s
his thoughts,
par-that Ivisiting
love
thoughts, the the
about
tioned
desires,
home
desires,
growing
rationale
wishes
of a wishes
friend,
disasters
behind
and
cease
and with
alised
most
forin
most
the fear
courageim-
these
alliance
should
im-of years: at-risk
should
and also
groups.
also
fortitude.
the thatMuftis.
look Even
iflook
I run
after
after
after
their
survivors
their own
own will
something
physical
need
physical
and
and
pro-
I and
A
erratic society
behaviour that experiences
among people a pandemic
and this of- tion. Increase in the incidence of mental disor- portantly
transmitting his life
the does
disease, notthis matter
snapping to any-
of so- mental
longed well-being
mental health during
care disease
when facingoutbreak.
the task
never become
become infected,
any conversation, how do I understand infected,
during times whatofpeopleaffliction,
terrible are Patience
A society
feeling regard-
of impending that experiences tation
doom of such
lingers a pandemic
and a highents,degree
tion. of patience.
Increase
but instead goin offthe the soul’s
incidence
to establish aofnew frailty.
mentalseparate They portantly
disor- weaken that resolve,
his life
their af-does
party hadnot Make
with mattersure
achieve
the BJP. you
to it, understand
any-I’ll lose
Earlier, mental that
interest The your
well-being
inlate it, in- during
orMufti disease
I won’tMuhammad
be able to outbreak.
getSayeed

W
discussing never
anxiety
about? When and did if the
ing
I learn disease
obedience,
to talk to and tugsPatience
numerous at the show
ten
show manyto
leads
regarding
many
heartstrings signs
signs ofof of
emotional
dis- theup isdistress,
individual
individual
‘Empty that
Among I see
and
and
Nester’. the things
collective
even among
Prophet’s
collective inders
residence ain
ders whole
(PBUH) and emotional
place
and
of their new
emotional
and
adviceown. light
to
With every
manifestations
coordinated flict
manifestations
increased atday.
the local,
mind, I am
depends
depends
life and
expec- able
national robto
on
on understand
one,
cial
one’s
one, even
support if it
personality
even
these if is people
itand
is
voices
not
of
not were
theternal
communication
the case in
case
muted,
in reality.
turmoil may and
reality.
better.
but then Like The
lead
The to Even
pain
when
follow- are
Even if
if they
ofIrebuilding
useless
was
createdthey
in high
communicate
their
against
communicate
an lives. I always
school,
alternative
from
fromtoaa distance
distance
the NC.be-
wanted
be-
The
kinds of people in can suffer
can
hen suffer profound
is
childrenprofound
confirmed,
several obedience
manners?
are born, then
It wasn’t
we (to Allah).
a specific And
The house panic.
those
the
panic.isThere
to why
There
who type
third is
have
a storyisofchaos
the the disease.
chaos
isnot and
one’sby
Allhas
beenconfusion
Abu
life.
and The
their
pandemics
directly
Dharr
pictures (RA)
mannersims,
confusion
of
regard-
exposed
was,
regard-
itsinfectious
tancy the
“If
theand
you
and
their
magnitude
international
can
magnitude
having
strategiestone act
and
toof
of
with
of the
only the
their
reduce
epidemic
levels.
epidemic
a child
the
Theand
stability
or two,
behaviour.
most
and and
the
spreadpersons
the
the
of
vulner-
important
dignity.
vulner-aremost
parents
There
infection
most
outrages
Patience
so
frequent
is
frequent
ing
many
sustained
andsecret
the
the things
by
immediate
fear.
immediate
communal
people
Themisery
that
during
mental
psychological
mental and
to hold
polarisation
epidemics
disorders
injuries save
disasters,
disorders the
between
include
cause
firstcause It
position of
is safety
that the
patriarch
fessionals
that they
they
of safetyin class,
are along
precautions,
responsibility
are
being
of buta
precautions,
NC,I never
with other
patients
of
late
mentalshould
patients
Sheikh
medical
healthfeel
did;should
I was Muham-
profession-
pro-
feel
day or a specificimagine month or what better
event. they’ll than
Everyday bethesomething
previous
hanginging ing
two.
on the walls
why the disease
tell you
disease has occurred,
ofaoccurred,
solid
the years conviction
spent
its contain-
contain- for the
survive ability
ability to of the
pleasure the
experience
of population.
Al-
an empty
population. Older
to opening
nest for
Older the
years
persons and toin
doors
to-
and in survivors
happiness
Jammu
survivors and are
and
are de- depressive
Kashmir part on
depressive of episodes
aepisodes
terrible
always
the issue and
embarrassment.
second
of beef
and or
thatthird.
mad
they It
are was
Abdullah,
being notheardjust
heard with
the
buoyed
with full
case attention
in
byabout
full hishigh
attentionconsecu-to
to
happened that mental health
waiting
mental health issues
eventually
like when issues that
formadetheme
they thatrecovery
“Patience
grow more up.me, is under
Iofguess.
twoone disease
ing
types:
I roof
ing strategies,potentially
Patience
together.
strategies,
groups. Infectious
and
and onteachers
The theaffect
the fear then
lah,
pictures
fear
outbreaks
taught
people
as
as welldoas
bring
well
have
of
as me:
so,”
a
shaped
all
social
socialthey
age
according
gether,
the
taught
are:
children
often
children
lar
reduce
to for
mayme
may
Imam
handwashing,
many to
be
beReza recognise
transmission
more
decades.
more cough
vulnerable
liverance
Old
vulnerable
and
alphabets,
of infection
parents
sneeze
than
at such
than
by
young
left
youngto
etiquette,
words,
regu- sentences.
feelings
transient
sensitive times.
transient
ofacute
rejection,
It
consumption,
Quarantine acutemakes Some
stress
stress
of
loneliness,
these reactions
Do not
dissidents
reactions
confirmed
alienation,
school;
or
and
grumble
andvoiced occa-etc.
about
everywhere
occa-
suspected
their
als
provide
God’s
provide
to communicate
I
factors
was
tive the
the
to
best
inescapable
the
thumping
the best care
second
care
population.
awareness
possible.
winsone
possible.
More
or
in Patients
third
elections,
Patients
emphasis
one.
the
should
I
had
should
risk
should re-
aggravates dothiswhat you
anxiety. loathe and implications
I’vePatience on what associated
you you with
(as). it. As
And As
ifmy the threat
you threat
cannot people.
do this,in The
practise patients pa- confirmed
itare easier ortosuspected
suspected
overcome sionally,
challenging an increase
increase
situa-most in violent
decrees andbehaviour.
orders. wasbe iteducated to cope with problems. Respect pri-
don’t remember
last long
the
What
ticed in myself soisfar, what
past
daywe
a new
the
I was
last long past the end of
we’dday
end
born
not
be
of but
imagine
appreciate,”
gives
like when
with what
birthremarked
smile
to atonew relive
no-
to
me.
your
implications
of
Imam
psyche
those
face
infectious
Ali
ofand
happy
humanitygive
associated things
outbreaktience
(as).moments.
an
with
since opportunity
grows,
You
that
it.
ages and the
people
under
walk down
family
affect themselves
hu-
start
challenging
taught
people.
themselves
and social
become
me,
The thedistancing.
fearful
situations
still
empty
like
patients
living when
since
how
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confirmed
tions,
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how
see medical
life-long
or
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to find
to
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staff
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sionally,
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in Late
reservations
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effects
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and
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ple electric
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person’s
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their quarantine.
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ourAtwenty-
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to of God
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masks, they made
benefit
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depression, of during
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by of
that originates their complete if they experience
collecting or hoarding masks, sanitisers, an-
nificant
tiseptics inner
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spacesuits
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whose
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taqwa
accompanied
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disorders,
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post-traumatic
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stress
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believing
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disorder,
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ing to
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considering
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ing
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medical children
accumulated were
supplies because being
in myself. cut off
I for
don’t
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testremembertheir
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ofanyone
is accompanied of
the affected a prover-
teaching popula-me
by severe Srinagar,
expressions;
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disorders, who defeated
that’swishes
desires,
post-traumatic Dr
stress first
Farooqbut
anddisorder, not
Abdul-first,
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Kashmir.be
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fear
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fear ofthings
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contagion.
about
do. In
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through
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such a situation
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aa
patience,
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pandemic including
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bial ‘having-been-thrown-away’.
tion.
anxiety Increase
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in the
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disease
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confirmed,
of
is confirmed,mental then then withgeneralised
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portantly
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and Karra’s
His
fear,
his
fear,
loveand
life
and
lutenot
anxiety.
apprehensions
does
anxiety.
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me about
matter going (God).
to till
the
any- Your
now.
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Doctors
mental
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good
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example
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during
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realisation been become
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show God
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many do.
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any purpose
functioning
individual andand spiritual
of of com-training.
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collective Traditionally,
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ders Itfor
and getsthe more
oldies
emotional recovery something
spent regarding
their final
aggravates
manifestations that this I guess
obedience.
years
depends anxi- on I one,
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key to being
liance
Psychosocial
even on
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itmycon-
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the big is that
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he
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ve- toplace
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if my
People's
they God’s
former
severe diary
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communicate mental and
from I was
Leaders
distress
a rela-
distance who
during fell
be-
er degree the safety and normal functioning of for
theacom- waiting for the recoverytent aggravates this anxi- Psychosocial intervention is needis of the to Then experience severe mental distress during
cisely my body
I understand thatthat’s changing
it requires but
equipping notwhen
it’schil- justlife they
my body,
now, can be content
beautiful memories and manageable
ofPeople
childbirth, avoid the person
living towith
bear hardships
the same group are in with
the divine
same set-destiny hourand decrees
hemently
not only during
during are
criticized sovereignty
the
the outbreak
outbreak tively
alliance
but also revealed.
stunned
with
after theto
and see out
afterofyour
how with
the many heart
dynasty
emergency mistakes parties
tasks I’ve made
after
are somein feel
completed. time
drenevery
with theaspect
can
of my character
necessary
suffer get
profound
skills to satisfied
is onchanging.
with in the soundsface only
The of of
munity
panic.
munity
adversity.
thewhy
is threatened.
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is threatened.
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pitter-patter
is chaos
of has
the
and
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and little
confusion
avoid
difficulties
feet run-
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going to
regard-
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tlement
ety.
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ety.
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magnitude
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if
or he ofpatiently
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ofwho
whothe
the same
epidemic
arehaving
quarantined,
house,
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quarantined,
patience
in which
even
the vulner-
even
in the face
most
hour ofnotfrequent
only
misfortune.
BJP
in epidemic.
survivors over
immediate
the
the depressive
are beef will
mental
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issue.
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few pages.
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ing
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like schools,
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the population.
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Mental health
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should be
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I love about
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ning things public
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ing
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of the
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social
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found calamities
spent mental their
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more lives
issues vulnerableorcan
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last
suffer
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than
long God:
their pro-
young
past This phrase
ventions leader
transient refers
within in PDP,
acute the to who
stress rything
framework is credited
reactions
of related
the
public mistakesbeto
tohealth
and one
occa- you’ll
started
ofcare lose
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provide
and all
decreasing
athe sense
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care at the
had
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responsibility. a voteend there
share
Patients
Professionals of more
should
mysteries oftoworship,
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forms ofgatherings. Societies are caught found mental inhealth issues that last long past ventions within the framework ofwere
public health care and a sense of responsibility. Professionals
in a whole
if possible, evennewlet light
them every
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coop I amon able
their understand celebrations an of
inrecognise
implications sin, and
God.
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associated well
birthdays,
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there As are difficulties
recit-
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whole
threat involved
that
lives.
people. IThere
ofThe just wor- tions
they
patients patience
without
maintained
confirmed inor the
truly the face
so-
suspected of evil
understanding tendencies
thewhat
sionally, founders (such
an they
increase implied,
of thevalue
inparty, in
violent this
Muzzafar world.
just
behaviour. aBaig,
fewshould
left. And
than
be educated 1that
lakh
to copetaught
votes
with mein an
theincredible
problems. last parliamen-
orRespect pri-
atlast longI get past thethe toneend of up extraordinary emotional confusion the end their quarantine. Anger outburst is epidemic preparedness measures, the training should not
not make
make any
any false
false promises
promises give false
own.people
But thenby their mannersims,
times, to their
the ways
question, of obedience
and their
als behav-
of songsup
in of in
terms an
infectious
observed
and extraordinary
of refrain-
school outbreak
and emotional
ship,
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lessons, grows, rituals,
reprimands, confusion
people
in andstart
myself. theI
cial the
don’t
ties end
bitterness
become of
remember
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hadthat
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when
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lying,
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slandering,
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throughout staff is
finding epidemic
inand avarice)
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meaning preparedness
effects
maintained and
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everything.
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I reported
silence the was
lesson.
but training
forbearance,
include
My own
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diary,and
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keep
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phrases is details
demonstrated
being seenofor the
as give
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person’s
saviour
which seems seems at at least
least for for aa time
time to to be be beyond
beyond another another issue issue among among due due to to abrupt
abrupt breakdown and the supervision of workers to provide
breakdown and the supervision of workers to provide psy- information but make people aware of what has psy- information but make people aware of what has
‘Wasiour.
it right
Thereto are
have their
so allowed
many ourquarantine.
things ing from
children
that sin
teachers to and obligations.
rebuttals,
taught me:which
collecting
refusals,
anyone orteaching
hoarding
defiance, sults
cries
me masks,
and from giving
sanitisers,
shrieks,
expressions; up
that’san-
their forbidden
spacesuits
lives,
something pleasures,
thatwhose
including I structures tiesattractive
faces
used tothey
get cannot
with the characteristics
infuriated see.ifThe (such
pathological as egoism, grief, have
depression, magnificentadjustment and mylovely
story forforms
confidential. inAnd thenow Behave appropriately by
anyone's control. ofwait
social support when theysurviv-
are need- someone
chosocial py with
rectified
support theme, leadership.
and but now health
mental reflection
care mayof growing
happened,
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Jammu
soul.
understand
understand
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overcome
especially
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it and a byre-the
re-
fly away?’ Whenme
they taught children irrevocably
to recognise alphabets,Amove
person to will
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couch
sentences. anyone's byand
tiseptics
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control.
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gluing
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learned
outbreak to cell
on all
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of
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so-
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done
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ed
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structures
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and I is
with
remain
individuals
when
hypocrisy,
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by of aschosocial
need-
severe
people
isolated
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give
as
disorders,
can
better
support
abstinence
The roleand
post-traumatic
instruct
results ofme
in
mental
universe
theand health
stress
National
controlling
and
reason
an
care tomay
bring
disorder,
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epidemic fightforthand considering
build
fair,
youngsters.
thattheirsimplelife.
the
abundant person’s
Though
reason is culture,
beset
learn, byto age
many
growandissues,
gen-
a place
Some like the USA,
things that the
my pain
family and adverse
of taught
separation me, like is conditions
howcialto eat,if
networks ofRecent
the
they flashfear of contagion.
outbreak
Ifirmly
through
used be-run
to theofLord
mind.
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novel such
good agrades
situation
coronavirus
Provider. their
but ed anxiety
the most,
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children.
slowly and
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com-Theyif
leaving the
gives disease
individuals
generally
correct from my is
had confirmed,
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faults. isolated
of want
I sons
guessthen and generalised
give
that’s better
affection
cannot
what we fear,
results
(suchbe as
call and
in
overlooked
growth. anxiety.
controlling
rewards.
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because will growth
NC's not der.is
rantbuild
whine Doctors
their
the the to life.
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only and other medical
Al-
Conference
evidence of life.stillstaff
sharesare likely
a bond
worldwide is other
creating and vulnerable. People often do not
notharam
understand asskipping
well as ensuring
ensuring effective changes in behav-
simplyhow overpowering.
to talk, how to walk, and most lieve of thatall,whatthey they madeAllwillme the
gain
worldwide
you can safety
in
seethe
menced and
is
in normal
creating
your
chasing mind aa are
up similar
functioning
its previous
similar
knowledge. haunting
worry.
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com-
uncontrolled
To
and
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memorise vulnerable.
daughters foror
condition
ques- theboth recovery
and
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avoiding
often
living do
nearby.
think this
understand
I’ve As theanxi- as
music,
squandered my Psychosocial
well as
about
life sleep
restoration
because intervention
inIeffectivemighty
couldn’t changes
of statehood is
aboutneedin the
and behav- the to experience
ofArticle
difficulties in life
with and severe
the and
the—shafiyawani33@gmail.com
people mental
unarguably distress during
represents
world after control
munity itsis infectious
threatened. spread Peopleis a very
avoid complex
going to or do
ety. not agree
Individuals with who the information
are quarantined, provided even ioural
hour patterns.
not only Mental
during the health
outbreak servicesbut should
also after and—Dr after Suhaffthe is Senior
emergency Resident,
tasks areDepartment
completed.
‘Empty-Nesters’ are growing in number at a death images resultscontrol
of yourfrom its
childtheir
infectious ac- spread
at various acquires inanhis/
is a very
stages enduring
complex upwardlyorluminous
do not mobileagree faculty.
with the
youth beganfavour
information
movingof night outprayers,
provided in and370
ioural eating
patterns.
& 35A sensi-
Mental difficulties
health
are sly attempts services youshould
to project face if you —Dr
them- have confidence
the Suhaff
aspirations is Senior andResident,
sentiments Department
of majority
geometric progression. You may find tions
them ineve-this life. herInstead, task,
public
life…precious where
such places sets
amemories like
person of schools,
measures
Heonly
that need
colleges,
has tomarkets,
a persistent
you and be put
put by if authorities
glowing
droves they
to the never
quality green and
become
that experts.
pastures, infected,
bly)As As the
when
the can community
suffer pro- in
engaging
traditional not
the beepidemic.
limitedas
self-purification.
selves toIntegrating
those who
'saviours' who are
inareGod
of directly
mental andhealth
Kashmiris, affected
think inter-
thatno
who of Psychiatry,
Mental
everything
of of the
Psychiatry, health
is SKIMS
in care
His should
valleyites...
SKIMS Medical be
It believes
Medical College
College in Bemina
provided with
empower-
Bemina
task, where sets of measures need to be by authorities and experts. the community not be limited to those directly affected
learns to be content with andtheirto public
challenges gatherings. Societies
elevates him are caught
above the found
level of mental
Patience health
to issues
On thethat last longroad
Beloved’s ventions
past is the denial within
of one’sthe frameworkgreat of public
hands. Instead, care
health you will gladly ac-and a sense of responsibility. Professionals
rywhere. For this wretched lot, the feelings of you alone possess. Unless you’re a social iso- simplicities buckled under the swagger of longer take them seriously, for they have ment and not impoverishment!
being able to be with children on a regular in performing
basis theirorheavenly
late
up in an
an Alexithymiac,
extraordinary
tasks. Histears well
emotional
various up and
confusion
additional
you higher
Yuburbia.
thespiritual
end of their
In its wake levels quarantine.
were identity. Anger
born the The outburst
wayfarers
‘Latch-
is epidemic
are been preparedness
in controlchanging of colours measures,
cept them, the training
like perform
chameleons. yourshould not makeand
obligations, any false promises or give false
which seems at least for a time to be beyond another issue among due to abrupt breakdown and the supervision of workers to provide psy- information but make people aware of what has

What nowThe for sea of knowledge


are suddenly things of the past....irretrievable, happiness surpasses feel like thesobbing.
suffering You ofwalk
the into asthehe exercises
room and Patience.
Key-Kids’ A person and becomes
the ‘Empty-Nesters’. this stage. The 'SHOW BOY' express
of gratitudepolitics
mainstream to Him for His blessings.

Farooq?
anyone's control. of social support structures when they are need- chosocial support and mental health care may happened, understand it, overcome it and re-
to boot. The goodbye of the childrenordinary is as if your individualpick upinthat theold face
Recent
of such
raggedy outbreak teddy bear moreand steady and
of novel hold it solid byed
coronavirus
encouraging vir- Patience with God: For a fervent
the most, leaving individuals feeling isolated give has betternever travel-
resultslet down hisAccording
in controlling masters an and
to always
epidemic
Imam Ali (as), someone
build their life.
“new life” felt much like when youchallenges. were new- He so becomes more
your attached
close toworldwide heartisthat to it’s tue
as and
though forbidding
you’re evil (Amr bil ma’ruf wa
creating a similar worry. To and vulnerable. People often do not understand as well
ler on the road of God, his sincere danced ibadat
to their
as ensuring
who changes
tunes.
effective
practises
After paving patience
in behav- way will always Thesuc- writer is a Kashmir-based socio-
God when things are bad. Nahi’ anil Munkar). and efforts result in such selflessness that ceed, even if it takes a while.

The Invisible
lyweds without children. Leaving home and holding that control beautiful
its infectious baby spread once again. is a very You complex or do not agree with the hoosyn50@gmail.com
information provided ioural forpatterns.
dilutionMental of Article health 370services
duringshould his ten- —Dr political
Suhaff isactivist. tasaduqy@gmail.com
Senior Resident, Department
The characteristics oftask, Imam whereHusayn’s sets of measures Whenneed faced to with
be put monetary loss, death,
by authorities and experts. he can As theexperience
community closeness
not bewith limited God on who are directly affected
to those of Psychiatry, SKIMS Medical College Bemina
(as) companions during the Battle of Kar- natural disasters, etc, anguish, worry, and rare occasions. His heart and perception —The writer is a Sr Lecturer in Econom-

contains
now formuch beside Influenceeducation
bala served as an example of the manifes- strange body motions are indications of are illuminated by the light of His quali- ics. Abbas42@rediffmail.com

Farooq has has been


been deceived
deceived

What Farooq? On Us
Farooq
more than
more than once;
once; last
last on
on the
the

Beware of social media’s impact The


on Invisible
mental health
eve of
of Aug
Aug 55 when
when ModiModi

The changing political dynamics in Afghanistan


eve
There are many sources and many means of gaining knowledge apart from books and personally assured
personally
Farooq has
assured them
been
them
deceived
MOHAMMAD IMRAN
MOHAMMAD IMRAN
and actions are commands, but most of
and actions are commands, but most of

Influence On itself
Us
them are habits of obedience.
that nono such
such plan
plan was
was afoot.
afoot.

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them are habits of obedience.
that hat a life we would have If we obey our parents or teachers,
textbooks; some knowledge is learnt from experience, some comes from the divine more than once; last on the hat a life we would have If we obey our parents or teachers,
One cannot
One cannot help
help suspecting if only we were left to do show respect for elders, refrain from
eve of Aug 5suspecting
ROHI JAN & FIRDOOS WANI if only we were left to do show respect for elders, refrain from
when Modi as we pleased! But as we smoking, follow customs, etc, it is be-
DR MUZAFFAR SHAHEEN that Dulat’s
that Dulat’s aim
aim was
was toto as we pleased! But as we smoking, follow customs, etc, it is be-
grow up, all of a sudden,
government in Kabul a cause is formed of the soon internalisation
after of these
personally assured them

W
grow
MOHAMMAD up, allIMRAN
of a sudden, a cause of the
and actions areinternalisation
commands, butof most
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PEERZADA WhatABDUL I have seen R ASHID with the persuade
persuade
that no such
Farooq
Farooq Abdullah
plan Abdullah
was afoot.
neither visible northe tangible
Taliban
neither visible nor tangible unknown habits,
unknown
enter
across the
the habits,
capital.
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them are
values
and The
values save and
policy
habits
actions.
andofactions.of
themselves
obedience.
This
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This does
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drowning.
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n March
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n March any
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Dr Farooq
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Abdullah
Being application,
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accommodate
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released
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tral seat Earlier
stress,
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might that he would ask the govern- Bukhari & Co, “Article 370 is gone; that’s now of several
its own of
right. us. But what makes it able to
of enlightenment
released from and despite
detention. the
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publicly statedinthat thehe entire
would ask the govern- Bukhari & Co, “Article 370 is gone; that’s now of several of us. of his associates It has in thebeengovernment,
seen that illiterate failing adults have also tre-
Feb 12, AG
A.S.
depression, NOORANI
Dulat met Farooq.
increase
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politicians across the board, an old story … let’s move ahead of it”. And
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Feb 12, toA.S.
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n March 13, Dr Farooq theAbdullah was launchedthat the status in Srinagar quo is fragile,
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Bureau. Dulat and Farooq
versely, a lack go a long way back. a as
week before Farooq’s release. It comprises mir are up against. Farooq has been deceived and customs. These may forcemy us to do
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someone
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ghanistan mental inwith known
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erate group
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only someone
mer ISI chief Asad Durrani. would statehood be restored”. No wonder imously resolved
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Asad that
Durrani. while
sign and ofhe himself
reprieve from this
would
the so-calledstatehood
warringApni Apni
militia. Party
be an
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wonder
for this [the [the
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imously identity,
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all
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origin 73.4
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experience a time-tested
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ways and atandsome
punish dam construction
places.
anyone Besides,
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violates them. through
was fullyThe day after
committed Farooq’s
to India release,
and With Dulat
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up
than(read: that
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percent the
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of Afghanistan Kashmiri
IB). The next leader
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knowledge
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the IB). Another
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attacks domestic
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Taliban so-called
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modification,
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Pakistan autonomy
of Articles
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minister of the AmitIB). The
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delimitationwhatsoever.or trifur-That not
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Amit
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370, unconstitutional delimitation against the
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knowledge
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identity, au-media
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By up
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collective
of this splendid
crossing
entity
maintaining creates
thisquote ashaheenzaffar123@gmail.com
Jiddu
equilib-so-Krishnamurti
the claims said,
consciousness. of this “There
invisible is nocollective
end to educa-
dom Day
the are
chickgone.
Bureau
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duck iconic
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Labor
knows Sher-i-Kashmir
howStatistics swimdata
tonamed tus
without restored
shows learning “at • anan early
bound opportunity”.
Depression to be and anxiety
knowledgeable, tonomy
as Farooq
good and usethe
company special
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has status ofof
a[Kashmir].”
itspsychological
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boat can best rium
byexplain
Earl this
Sweatshirt:
it. Two collective
of Social
them entity
“Everyone’s
were creates
tion.like aItaso-
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that you read a book, pass an examination,
International
dom Day are Convention
gone. The Centre,
Sher-i-Kashmir tus The fact that
restored “at this earlyvery assurance
opportunity”. was Will tonomy and Abdullah
the special take the Gupkar
status route
[Kashmir].” cial
rium structure.
this collective life appears
entity creates to usso- consciousness.
International Convention
people spend Centre,
more time named
on social The
media fact that this
• since Cyber very assurance
bullying was Will Farooq Abdullah
Nowadays from ait take has the Gupkar
been seen route
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lifeappears totous
the
International
after Shaikh same from
Convention
sahib, anywhere.
has had Animals,
Centre,
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dropped birds, given insects
The and
fact
repeatedly that own
this wisdom.
Augvery Even
5, assurance
2019, a clod
suggests was attained
orWill fragrance
the Farooq
Dulat Abdullah
route? rose
take the well
Gupkar educated thirdas a social
one,
cial being
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system media;
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Social person
or less starts
and
appears
deeply finish
rooted us with examination.
—The writer Theis awhole
JuniorofResearch
life, from the
after
afterShaikh
other sahib,
than
living onhas
beings some had
live ‘Sher’
everyday
their dropped
full activities.
lives given
Spend- repeatedly
divine • was since Aug
Self-absorption5,5,2019, suggests ororthe Dulat a useroute?social
time asmedia nar- as a no‘security blan- making asasanoise,
asystem andoftwo
ofmore
everyone’sororless deeply
like, rooted
‘Hey, —The to writer isisaaJunior youResearch
from Shaikh
its name. sahib,
Dulat ishas both had an ‘Sher’
operator andas per
dropped given
that this repeatedly
restoration tree
since anbyAug remaining
integral 2019, inofits
partsuggests thecompany theforDulat longroute? had education and was illiterate.
habits, The
system
values educated
more
and actionsless moment
deeply
correspond- rooted you are born
Fellow —The
(JRF). the
writer moment Junior
mohammadimran085@ die,
Researchis a pro-
from its name. Dulat is both anto operator and that restoration was an integral part ofof(RA)
the habits, values you and aactions correspond- Fellow
Fellow(JRF). (JRF).mohammadimran085@
from its
knowledge,
conciliator. Heing
name. too
Dulat much
responding
candidly is both
wrote,time an with
operator
the
“[T]he social
external
IB wasand media thatcan
stimuli
original restoration
and fac-—
plan This was
rated
bring round-the-clock
anby integral
Sheikh
Kashmiris part
Saidi
to theirhyper
the in one con-
Theofwriter
his ket’:
Persian
is anwhenever poems.
author andthey are made
a ones
lawyer inbased
social
fun of situ-
him onyeah!’ and
his being
ing tothen
habits, thevalues
illiterate.
needs got
and
When
of all whole
actions
ofthe bunch
us. Some cess of
correspond- of learning.”
values mohammadimran085@ gmail.com
conciliator. He candidly wrote, “[T]he IB was original plan of— —bring Kashmiris cantoto totheir The writer isisan author and a athree
lawyer based ing totothe needs of all ofofus.
us.SomeSomevalues gmail.com
theactually
central make you feel lonelier and more nectivity can prompt impulse control ations, feel anxious, they turn tothe
their
middlepeople making noise
boat at
conciliator. He candidly wrote, “[T]he IB was original plan bring Kashmiris their The writer an author and lawyer based ing the needs ofyou.”
all values gmail.com
a keying … to and avoiding any danger
government’s tohold
them. onSuch kneesexamplesand give them Thus,some people
crumbs also
ensure become wise and knowledgeable reached
in Mumbai of the river, the was about
a akey
key ……totothe
divine the central
isolated
central
knowledge andgovernment’s
exacerbate
government’s
are many andholdholdmental
all on onthem
of knees
health
knees and
cannot and givegive
problems,
be them
them in some
somethecrumbs
company crumbs
persistent
of totoensure
great ensure
alerts
people. and
We no- say
don’t phones.
no to acquiring to in in Mumbai
Mumbai
capsize. The boatman asked the other two to swim —The writer is a retired telecom engineer.
Kashmir”.
Kashmir”.The TheThe IB has been managing elec- that
that they
they acquiesced.
acquiesced. Amit
Amit Shah
Shah bluntly
bluntlytold told
told and fo- —Courtesy
—Courtesy Dawn
Dawn
Kashmir”. IBIBhas
problems hasbeen beenmanaging
such asmanaging
anxiety,elec- elec- that
stress and de-
they tifications
acquiesced. AmitaffectShah concentration
bluntly Social media —Courtesy isn’t all bad. Dawn It can be a —Both writers are PhD scholars.
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millenniumpost
NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 17 AUGUST, 2022 Editorial 7
EDITORIAL A route to reform
A matter of shame Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 — through delicensing of the distribution business

T
he celebration of India’s 75th Independence Day and incorporation of private players — can address the woes of the power sector

I
was preceded by a lament of losing a nine-year-
old Indian to the nation’s still thriving obsession was Secretary to the Chief experience in Uttar Pradesh
with caste. The pride of defying the global scep- Minister of UP in the late points to the fact that there are
ticism around Indian democracy, floated seven decades 1990s when there was some genuine issues regarding
ago, was overshadowed by the humiliation of carrying a a great sense of eupho- the entry of the private sec-
rotten baggage of the past that shouldn’t have any place in ria as the first major step had tor into distribution. They are
the 21st-century India. India’s Prime Minister announced been taken towards power willing to do cherry-picking —
from Red Fort the ambition to make India a developed sector reforms. The UP-state they want to take up distribu-
nation in the next 25 years. But of what use the tag will be
ALOK RANJAN electricity board was a huge tion in urban areas but avoid
if those intended to benefit from it continue facing atroci- organisation and had com- the rural sector where billing
ties in the name of caste and religion? In an utterly shame- plete control on electricity and collection of dues is a dif-
ful incident, a teacher in a school of Rajasthan’s Jalore generation, transmission and ficult task. I guess the only way
district beat one of his students for touching a pot meant distribution. It was running out of this is to have packages
for “upper caste people”. This was, however, just one inci- at huge losses and the gov- comprising both the urban and
dent. In March this year, Jitendrapal Meghwal, a Covid- ernment had to periodically rural segments and offer them
19 health assistant in Barwa village, was killed allegedly support it through budget- to the private sector also. If we
because of his “good looks and personality”. In the same ary allocations. The reforms want to have real competition
month, a Dalit was made to rub his nose in temple prem- focused on unbundling of the then we cannot leave the DIS-
ises for his post on Kashmir Files. In June last year, a Dalit power sector into three com- COMS straddled with poor
man of the Bhim Army was killed in Hanumangarh for panies, each looking after the revenue-generating areas.
putting up Ambedkar posters. Last year itself, two Dalit three main functions of gen- Moreover, unless all elec-
men in Nagaur district were brutally assaulted for alleg- eration, transmission and dis- tricity connections are covered
edly stealing money. It was reported that a screwdriver tribution. The reforms were by smart metering, and a sys-
dipped in petrol was inserted in the private parts of one of vociferously opposed by the tem is evolved where subsidies
the victims. There is no end to the list of such reported and electricity department unions The Centre and states need to cooperate to reform the power sector are paid directly to the targeted
unreported crimes. These incidents show that it was not having great blackmailing consumer, things are not going
the pot or the water that claimed the kid’s life in Jalore, it is power. Fortunately, the Chief rashtra and Telangana contrib- clearly gives a call for urgent service. It was visualised that to improve. The power sector
the absolutely flawed perception of Dalits being so much Minister at that time was an ute to 57 per cent of the total action at both the Center and if the state governments want in the states is highly politi-
down the caste-based hierarchical order that they can be astute administrator and could dues owed to the power gen- state levels. to give subsidies to any seg- cised. By just improving the
treated inhumanely. Any such crime against Dalits, hence- take a stand. The government eration companies, followed The new electricity amend- ment of the consumers, then governance and linking per-
forth, should be considered as a crime against human- The reality overcame the strike threat by by Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & ment bill is making a bold they should compensate the formance to postings and pro-
ity. A section of society — claiming itself to be “superior” is that the the unions, and the reforms Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh effort to resolve these issues DISCOMS from the state bud- motions, thereby holding the
than others — cannot be allowed to continue ripping apart were implemented. I was han- that account for another 26 per even as some of the measures get but as we have seen from officers of the department
humanity into pieces. Social changes, particularly those problem in the dling this sector in the CMO cent. The total dues stand at a may not be popular. This is the data quoted above most accountable, a huge difference
rooted in the history of caste and religion, are among the power sector and can recall how we all were staggering Rs 1,14,222 crores. particularly so in the light of of the states are not honoring to the position of the utili-
hardest to bring forth. It is true that such changes take excited that this will lead to a Government data till March populist steps being taken by this commitment. This bill is ties can be made. However,
time but 75 years is more than enough. It is not just the has become new era which will completely 31, 2022, show that states owe various state governments, being opposed by the states this is easier said than done as
complex layering of society that is taking its time to wither endemic and revive the power sector. Many DISCOMS Rs 62,931 crore like providing free electric- on the ground that power is in there are a lot of vested inter-
away, but also the failure of politics and governance — be other states also implemented for services and another Rs ity to farmers and other con- the concurrent list and amend- ests involved. It is also true
it under the Congress or the BJP rule. Reckless continu- the states on these reforms. The electricity 76,337 crores as cost of free- sumers. Debate is going on ments are encroaching on the that state electricity regulatory
ation of Dalit atrocities in certain Indian states is also an their own are act of 2003 was a further step bies announced by them. whether the promises are in principle of federalism. The commissions have not been
indicator that economic benefits are not trickling down to in this direction, which is now Amongst the states that have the nature of freebies which reality is that the problem has able to fully play their role as
the community properly. Economic backwardness is one not able to being sought to be amended by defaulted on payment to the are best avoided if the fiscal become endemic and the states envisaged, and most of them
among the reasons that prevent the upliftment of Dalits resolve it — the new electricity bill. How- DISCOMS, Telangana leads health of the DISCOMS and on their own are not able to still function almost like state
in India. Sadly, politics is interfering with society in an ever, it was a false dawn. More the way with the cumulative the state governments has to resolve it. The Government of departments.
extremely unfruitful way. The Rajasthan government is
attracting the than two decades have passed standing of Rs 11,915 crore, be maintained. India cannot be a bystander There is no denying that
failing badly in preventing atrocities against Dalits. It is intervention and the DISCOMS are fac- followed by Maharashtra at One of the main amend- and there is a rationale for it serious reforms are required in
reported that there has been an increase of 7.23 per cent in of the Central ing huge losses, and not mak- Rs 9,131 crores. The govern- ments proposed relates to to intervene. the sector otherwise no inter-
the cases of atrocities against members of Scheduled Caste ing payments to generation ment departments are will- delicensing of the distribu- Once again, the power sec- vention will succeed. I recall
(SC) communities in 2021 over 2020. The state govern- government companies on time — lead- fully delaying payments to the tion business and bringing tor employees and engineers that as Chief Secretary of UP
ment’s response that the increase in the cases is the result ing to poor maintenance of the DISCOMS despite provisions in the private sector apart are also agitating as they see in 2015, we implemented
of active registration of FIRs doesn’t help much. Equally power plants and low-capacity in the budget. Uttar Pradesh from allowing portability it as a step in the direction of the UDAY scheme where we
flawed is its argument that the government has been tak- utilisation. is a leader as far as not mak- and reducing entry barri- privatisation. It is pointed out cleansed the balance sheet
ing swift actions after the occurrence of Dalit atrocities None other than the Prime ing payments to DISCOMS ers. This is important as the that private sector companies of DISCOMS by taking over
over past few years. Such a case-by-case approach may be Minister of India has pointed for subsidies is concerned at earlier reforms, which I have will take advantage of the DIS- 50,000 crores of their dues but
inadequate in rooting out a problem of such depth. Where out that neither are DISCOMS Rs 18,946 crores followed by mentioned, have not suc- COM network created by the within a few years things have
the Rajasthan government is failing is in taking preven- making payment on time to Madhya Pradesh at Rs 16,240 ceeded because one monopoly public sector. This is an age-old gone back to ground zero as
tive actions and formulating stringent, vision-based poli- generation companies nor are crores. It is clear that this kind replaced another. Except for a debate on the role of the pri- the reform measures had not
cies in this regard. The situation had been no different the state governments pay- of a situation is not sustain- few states or some cities, the vate sector vis-à-vis the pub- been properly implemented.
with the erstwhile BJP government in the state. The NCRB ing subsidy amounts to the able; it is not only having an private sector has not been able lic sector. However, we cannot It is good that the bill has been
data in 2016 showed that Rajasthan ranked third in terms DISCOMS regularly. There is adverse impact on the power to enter into the power distri- turn away from the reality that referred to the standing com-
of number of cases relating to atrocities against Dalits. By a huge backlog in these pay- sector but also threatens to bution sector. The government the DISCOMS functioning mittee for detailed examina-
alternate mudslinging while being in opposition, both the ments. It is surprising to note derail the entire growth path companies continue to enjoy as a monopoly public sector tion from all angles. It is hoped
national parties are doing little to help the cause. The polit- that even states like Tamil of the nation. It is interesting the benefits of monopoly, and have not been able to deliver that the Center and states will
ical opposition to the death of the kid in Jalore appears to Nadu, which have controlled to note that not only the rela- the lack of competition leads the goods, and economic logic work together to reform this
be narrowed and election-centric. The opposition in the their line losses at 15 per cent tively backward states but also to gross inefficiencies which clearly states that if competi- sector which is otherwise mov-
state should put forth a comprehensive design to curb the against the Indian average of advanced states like Maharash- are manifested in large techni- tion is allowed then power dis- ing towards disaster.
regressive malaise, and create an urge for the government 21.6 per cent, have DISCOMS tra and Tamil Nadu are facing cal and commercial losses. The tribution will become much The writer is an ex-Chief Sec-
to accept it. The larger cause should not be undermined by defaulting hugely on paying these problems. Gujarat is per- consumer also does not get the more efficient, ensuring bet- retary, Govt of Uttar Pradesh.
political blame games. As Ashok Gehlot government will their dues. Tamil Nadu, Maha- haps the only exception. This benefit of low tariff or better ter public service delivery. My Views expressed are personal
face anti-incumbency in the upcoming assembly elections

Clinging on to ivory tower?


in 2023, he stands a chance to set a benchmark — through
bold and effective administrative actions — to ensure that
the issue of Dalit atrocities is not allowed to fall apart to
petty vote-bank politics. It may be the right time to initi-
ate a process of change that has been long waiting in the
pipeline. In failing to do so, the Congress may not only
lose big politically but also shoulder the blame for persist-
ing the problem. The blot is good for none. It needs to be
removed soon.
The DMC (Amendment) Act, 2022 was merely an eyewash to manipulate the electoral
process and deprive citizens of their democratic right of representative governance
DearEditor
E
ven three months payments made since 2004,
after the highly con- makes it clear that over the
tentious overhaul of last two decades, the BJP-run
DEMISE OF A TRAILBLAZER Delhi’s municipalities civic bodies were lax in reve-
RISHIKESH KUMAR was initiated, the move at best nue collection. Non-payment
This is in reference to the news report, “India’s Warren disappoints and at worst exas- of arrears to employees con-
Buffet Rakesh Jhunjhunwala dies at 62”. What perates. Among other things, tinues and threatens proper
distinguished Rakesh Jhunjhunwala from others the DMC (Amendment) Act, service of the most basic ame-
was that he was both a trader as well as a long-term 2022 unified the three MCDs, nities to the citizens. In a bid
investor, which are two different categories and require and postponed the election of to augment revenue, bene-
different attributes. For someone who started with councillors until the conduct fits such as rebate on lump-
of fresh delimitation exercise. sum payment of property tax,
Rs 5,000 in 1985, to reach Rs 29,700 crore in a span In the Parliament, the Home and rebate to senior citizens,
of 37 years requires huge perseverance, patience, Minister harped on adminis- women, differently abled per-
temperament and a fair bit of luck to succeed in volatile trative inefficiency and scarcity sons and retired soldiers have
markets. Such was his farsightedness and solid financial of resources as the rationale for been slashed. It is imperative
acumen that if he picked up a stake in any company, piloting the amendment. How- for the Union Government
retail investors followed him with the hope that it ever, the disconnect between to announce a financial pack-
would give them decent returns. He was such an eternal the purported objectives and age to resuscitate the Corpo-
optimist that positive could have been his middle While the Delhi the amended provisions has ration, instead of making it
Government’s become increasingly evident in The rehaul in MCD has had little to no impact on administration and finances increase taxes and cesses, par-
name. He never failed to believe in India’s potential the two months since the three ticularly when inflation and
and growth opportunities. He will be missed sorely by contribution to MCDs were reunified. well as Article 243U (3) of the have raised concerns over the Members to the Committee – fuel prices have squeezed peo-
markets and investors. May his soul rest in peace. With the curtailment in Constitution, which mandate delayed elections. an aspect that has been com- ple dry.
MCDs through powers of the elected govern- that election to the Corpora- The amendment, in com- pletely discarded in the present The lack of consultation
— BAL GOVIND, NOIDA via email grants and ment of Delhi, and abolition tion should have been com- plete defiance of reason and committee. and deliberation with any
FAIR PUNISHMENT? loans has of the post of Director of Local
Bodies, the MCD has been
pleted before the expiry of
its duration. The more egre-
without any explanation,
capped the number of munic-
As far as administra-
tive rehaul is concerned, it is
stakeholder is glaring in the
amendment. Proponents of
This is in reference to the news report, “Dhanbad Judge been on a brought under control of the gious aspect is a Special Offi- ipal wards to a maximum of becoming increasingly clear the amendment need to step
Murder: Such culprits need to be kept behind bars till continuous rise Union Government. On the cer appointed by the Union 250, as against the previous that the restructuring has had down from their ivory tower
other hand, the Delhi Govern- Government to act in place of 272, despite the growth in little to no impact on admin- and engage with the Delhi
end of life”. I fully endorse the view expressed by the since 2015, the ment has been prevented from the elected councillors. This population of Delhi. Since the istration and finances. A lean Government as well as the
CBI court judge Rajni Kant Pathak that the punishment
on attack of judges should be dealt with very seriously,
Corporations exercising legitimate supervi- has resulted in the 97 per cent next Census is pending and organisation was expected to civic bodies to understand
sory function, despite being population of Delhi being left the delimitation committee cut costs, but the new unified what actually plagues the
otherwise, it will likely send a wrong signal. Since were not able elected by the same elector- unrepresented in the civic has been given four months to body still has multiple officers local bodies. It is clear from
the attack on a Dhanbad court judge was deliberate, to augment ate as the MCD, being closer body. This is testimony to a submit its report, the exercise heading core departments. the recent developments that
the entire judicial fraternity was suffering from fear to the needs of the people of Union Government which would be done based on the Even with a rationalised the DMC amendment was
psychosis and therefore, no leniency was shown to him.
their resources NCT, and financing the MCD solely believes in accumu- 2011 census, which is redun- workforce, the savings on sal- merely an eyewash – a sinis-
But I think the fine of Rs 20,000 imposed by the court is with its state budget for which lating power, and obliterates dant as the previous delimita- ary payments would be far less ter attempt to manipulate the
too much for an autorickshaw driver to pay, considering it is answerable to Delhi’s resi- the elected councillors who tion exercise was also based on than the deficit that the Cor- electoral process, depriving
dents. The Delhi Government could have been instrumental the 2011 census figures. Fur- poration is struggling with. citizens of their democratic
the financial impact on his family. and MCD have overlapping in grievance redressal. Stop- thermore, contrary to Section While the Delhi Govern- right to govern themselves
— ARUN GUPTA, KOLKATA via email jurisdiction in several civic gap measures by the Corpo- 3, the Union Government has ment’s contribution to MCDs through representatives of
functions, which has been ration to address complaints not specified the total num- through grants and loans has their choice. It is a wake-up
millenniumpost.in completely neglected by the have not been popular either, ber of wards, which it should been on a continuous rise call for the Centre to stop
new law. as very few complaints have have at the time of establish- since 2015, the Corporations barking up the wrong tree.
Log on to write letters to the editor or send them to The dramatic delaying of been received at the 14 demar- ment of the Corporation. Dur- were not able to augment their The writer is Additional
letter2editor.mp@gmail.com. You can also send your comments to The Editor, MCD elections was in com- cated sites. It is not surpris- ing the last delimitation, five resources. The fact that several Standing Counsel of
Millennium Post, Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 plete contravention of Sec- ing that councillors across the MLAs and five councillors persons have been asked to the Delhi Government.
tion 4(2) of the DMC Act as aisle, even those from the BJP, were appointed as Associate produce proof of property tax Views expressed are personal
WHERE WORDS FAIL, MUSIC SPEAKS.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN MUSIC WASHES AWAY FROM THE SOUL THE
DUST OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

8 BERTHOLD AUERBACH

YUGMARG, CHANDIGARH, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022

EDITORIAL

When the past


matters
Monsoon seasons
he latest generation of climate mod-

f late, we have heard resounding complaints


T els projects an increase in severity
and frequency of very wet Indian

O about our history having been written by self-


serving,liberal, pseudo-secular historians who
write selectively to erase the contribution of great
summer monsoon seasons, a new study by
scientists from the Potsdam Institute for
Climate Impacts Research shows.
The South Asian monsoon affects the
Hindu rulers. There have been repeated appeals to res- lives of more than one billion people and a
cue Indian history from these wilful distortions and changing monsoon might have tremendous
remedy the injustice done so far.The following is my consequences for millions of people faced
response as a historian. with floods and landslides. The researchers
We cannot study historical events in isolation. We find that very wet monsoon seasons are
have to view the past in relation to its context. If we projected to occur 8 times more often in
arbitrarily dissociate the field of inquiry from its fram- 2050-2100 compared to 1965-2015 under
ing context, we dislodge its very foundations. unabated climate change.
We also need to realise that the past and the pres- With modest mitigation efforts, this is
ent, although connected, are distinct from each other. reduced to a factor of 6 in the future period.
It is important to identify the links between past and Besides, this increase in frequency and in-
present and also discern the obvious differences be- tensity of extreme monsoon seasons is ac-
tween the two. We often tend to blur these differences
to achieve designated ends in the here and now. The companied by a shift from days with light
historian’s job is to guard against this potential blur- rainfall to days with moderate or heavy
ring and suggest meaningful ways of studying these rainfall. Additionally, the number of wet
divergent, interrelated, time frames. days is projected to increase.
Tweaked narrative The particular character of the change
We cannot simply transpose our beliefs and per- depends on the determination of hu- crucial for crop yields and food security in tion in dry and wet biases in the Asian mon- sponds to 5.4 per cent of the current annu-
ceptions of the present to the past. This is what films mankind to reduce carbon emissions and the region as well as for numerous other as- soon region as well as to the model's ca- al rainfall. Thus, the rainfall of the ISM do-
and soap operas, claiming to be based on historical implement mitigation measures. pects of public and individual life, like wa- pacity in reproducing extreme precipitation main is more sensitive to rising global tem-
events, seek to do. For instance, in most cinematic and There have been numerous floods in re- ter management or the country's economy. (Dong & Dong, 2021). Nevertheless, other peratures than global precipitation. In addi-
television productions of Mughal rule, Hindu charac- cent years associated with the Indian sum- The data from various phases of Cou- dynamics as the relationship between the tion, an increase in the interannual vari-
ters,irrespective of their caste, gender and status, mer monsoon (ISM) as a component of the pled Model Intercomparison projects ISM rainfall and the Equatorial Indian ability of seasonal rainfall is projected,
speak in Sanskrit-glazed Hindi while Muslim charac- South Asian monsoon, for example, the (CMIPs) has been widely used to examine Ocean Oscillation are not yet fully captured raising the amount of rainfall in some sea-
ters use a smattering of Urdu to frame their conversa- Mumbai floods in 2005, floods in North- the projected changes in the global climate adequately in many models. Given this re- sons even further.
tions. Persian, the language of the Mughal court, finds west India and Pakistan in 2010 as a re- as well as its different components such as lationship's crucial impact on the interan- While the literature on the projections
no place here.This convenient trick manages to ac- sponse to a strong La Nina event or those in the ISM. In the last generation of climate nual variability of the ISM, also in this gen- of the ISM's interannual variability has
complish two things: it erases the historical impor- Kerala in 2018. models - which were the basis of earlier eration of CMIP, there still remains poten- been converging toward an intensifying
tance of Persian in the subcontinent and, simultane- Since the 1980s, there have been more studies on seasonal extremes - studies iden- tial for further improvements. tendency, the particular outcome for wet
ously, creates a forced dichotomy between Hindu and than 95,000 deaths associated with floods tified monsoon rainfall features that were There is a widespread agreement seasonal extremes had only drawn limited
Muslim subjects. and landslides in the countries of the Indi- not yet well represented in the CMIP5 among global climate models that the rain- attention until recent years, which was the
The historical knowledge that is available to us is an subcontinent. Hunt and Menon (2020) models. fall during the ISM will increase through- motivation for Kamizawa and Takahashi
not a given. It did not emerge on its own or on the found that the Kerala flooding event in Recently, the data from the latest phase out the 21st century. (2018) to use 22 CMIP5 models to address
strength of popular beliefs. Rather, it has been metic- 2018 could be 36 per cent more rainfall-in- 6 of CMIP (CMIP6) has become available Using 32 models of the latest climate this research question.
ulously built through rigorous research and inquiry. tense under an RCP8.5 climate. Almazroui and it was confirmed that they bring rele- model generation (CMIP6), Katzenberger In their study, the changes in the
This is not to deny that there are no blind spots in his- et al. (2021) projected an increase in the an- vant improvements regarding the ISM's et al. (2021) quantified the projected sum- wettest (driest) and second wettest (driest)
tory. They continue to exist and can be addressed only nual maximum consecutive 5-day precipi- characteristics. By updating deep convec- mer monsoon rainfall increase to be be- seasons between 2007-2031 and 2076-
through dedicated research, archival exploration and tation in the Asian monsoon regions and tive schemes, modifying the indirect effects tween 9.7 per cent and 24.3 per cent by the 2100 were examined under the Representa-
interrogation of a variety of historical sources. We derived a higher risk for extreme flooding of aerosols in cloud formation as well as end of the 21st century depending on the tive Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5).
cannot set out to balance history on the basis of what in the Asian monsoon regions. implementing finer resolutions, the models underlying emission scenario. Also, a lin- Most of the CMIP5 models projected that
we believe or wish to believe. For instance, an all-too- Given the agricultural yield's sensitivi- have undergone further improvements. ear dependence of the ISM rainfall and the the wet seasonal extremes expand over the
familiar discourse deployed in the Indian context in ty to the monsoon rainfall variability and The improved model capacity in cap- global temperature independent of the sce- Indian subcontinent, but it has to be noted,
the face of evident historical gaps relates to our civil- associated extremes, understanding how turing the meridional moisture flux conver- narios was found and estimated to be 0.33 that focusing on the maxima is a method
isation’s antiquity and greatness. the ISM responds to global warming is also gence might have contributed to the reduc- mm/day per degree Celsius which corre- highly susceptible to the bias of outliers.

Depriving girls of secondary Iconic WTC displays animated POEM


education costs USD 500mn to Tricolour to celebrate India's I-Day
Afghan economy he iconic World Trade Centre in New
Freedom
T York displayed the Indian Tricolor on
the eve of August 15 to commemorate
the world's largest democracy, India cele-
Freedom from fear is the free-
dom I claim for you my moth-
brating 75 years of Independence.
The building was illuminated in the erland! Freedom from the bur-
hues of the Indian Tricolour to mark the
auspiciousness of the occasion. As India den of the ages,
celebrated its 76th Independence Day, the
Indian Flag was displayed digitally on one
bending your
of the iconic structures of America by South
Asian Engagement Foundation which or-
head, breaking
ganized the event. your back, blind-
The World Trade Center is the tallest
building in America that stands on the site ing your eyes to
of the 9/11 terror attacks.
It was lit up with the Indian flag on Au- the beckoning Rabindranath
gust 15, on the occasion of the 75th an-
niversary of India's Independence.
call of the future; Tagore
eeping girls out of secondary attendance for girls in primary school People in huge masses welcomed the Freedom from the shackles of
K school costs Afghanistan 2.5
per cent of its annual GDP, ac-
cording to a new analysis by UNICEF.
and increasing health costs related to
adolescent pregnancy. The estimates
also do not account for the broader
sight of the tricolour on the iconic Dubai
landmark. Several videos have been float-
ing on social media that showcased the Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the
slumber wherewith
you fasten yourself in night's
If the current cohort of three mil- benefits of education, including over- crowd cheering as a waving Indian flag ap- youth to dedicate the next 25 years of their
lion girls were able to complete their
secondary education and participate in
all educational attainment, reduced
child marriage and reduced infant
peared on the Burj Khalifa on Monday.
India celebrated 76th Independence
lives to the development of the nation and
highlighted five resolves to accomplish the
stillness, mistrusting the star
the job market, girls and women
would contribute at least USD 5.4 bil-
mortality. "The decision on March 23,
not to allow girls back to secondary
Day earlier on Monday with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi hoisting the Tricolour at
same. As part of the Mahotsav or grand cel-
ebration, several events and campaigns
that speaks of truth's adventur-
lion to Afghanistan's economy, the school was shocking and deeply dis- Delhi's Red Fort. have been organised over the last 75 weeks ous paths; freedom from the an-
UN agency said as the Taliban com- appointing. Not only does it violate Addressing the nation from the ram- to celebrate independence and the glorious
pleted one year of Afghanistan's girls' fundamental right to education, parts of the Red Fort on the occasion, the history of India's people, culture and archy of destiny whole sails are
takeover. UNICEF's estimates do not it exposes them to heightened anxiety, Prime Minister took aim at the twin evils of achievements. The official journey of Aza-
take into account the non-financial and greater risk of exploitation and nepotism and corruption and sought the di ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced on weakly yielded to the blind un-
impacts of denying girls access to ed-
ucation, such as upcoming shortages
abuse, including child trafficking, ear-
ly and forced marriage," said
people's cooperation to fight them.
While addressing the nation for the
March 12, 2021, which started a 75-week
countdown to the 75th anniversary of In-
certain winds.
of female teachers, doctors and nurs- UNICEF Afghanistan Representative, ninth time on August 15 from the Red Fort dia's independence and will end post a year Rabindranath Tagore
es, the ensuing impact on decreasing Dr Mohamed Ayoya. on the occasion of Independence Day, on August 15, 2023.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav


guests like High Commissioners that had we not been educated, we ty education only, the development my interests in football, today I 10 KG of dry food and educational
PUPUREN ORAM
and Ambassadors joined KISS in could not have felt the pride of this of the tribal people would be possi- could become a national-level aids to us through the teachers and
this celebration and encouraged us great day. ble. Even many of our parents and player and have become part of the staff of KISS.
oday is the sacred Indepen-
T dence Day celebration. On
this day, we became free
from the clutches of British rule
throughout. We remembered the
Father of the Nation Mahatma
Gandhi on this momentous occa-
sion. Thirty thousand students of
All the 40,000 brothers and sis-
ters who had passed out from KISS
and are engaged in different organ-
izations and serving the mother-
guardians are not educated. He es-
tablished KISS with a vision and a
clear thought that if one generation
of a family is educated others
national football team. Not only me
but if KISS were not there, thou-
sands and thousands of children
like me would have been facing a
I hope, it would have not been
possible for any common person to
think and act in this manner. Nowa-
days Central and State Govern-
and were made the ruler of our na- KISS from Class I to the PhD lev- land are also feeling equally proud would be educated automatically. life of misery and distress. ments have widened their scope to
tion. To mark the 75th year cele- el -- from 30 districts of Odisha and of their education and knowledge, If I would have not been part of ensure the development of various
bration of our independence, neighboring states are now study- they have gained from the alma KISS, then I would have been bur- For the last 30 years, the tribal communities.
AzadiKaAmritMahotsav is being ing on the campus; 40,000 students mater. dened with many difficulties and Founder of KISS has taken all For those who have love, re-
celebrated across the country. On had already graduated. Ten more Behind all our happiness and my association with the Maoist ac- steps to see us smile, and see our spect and regard for the tribal pop-
this occasion, HarGharTirangaAb- branches are likely to open very pride lies the contributions of KISS tivities. overall socio-emotional and aca- ulation, this type of difficult work
hiyan has also been launched. soon in various districts across the and the untiring efforts of our My pathetic tale is like this. demic growth. Even during the could feel doable.
As many as 30,000 students of State. Founder DrAchyutaSamanta. We When the Maoists captured me and time of calamities like cyclones, We always think the Founder of
the world's biggest tribal institution Today the entire Indian sub- are amazed and wonder how could took me hostage, I ran away from floods or pandemics, we were nev- KISS is our patron and visionary
KISS are actively involved in this continent is overjoyed with the cel- a person at the young age of 25 their trick, otherwise, I would have er ignored. Rather during the recent pathfinder. His sincere efforts over
celebration. I feel proud and privi- ebration of independence. We also during 1992-'93 could imagine an been forced to mingle with them. pandemic for two consecutive the last 30 years could make KISS
leged as a student of KISS while feel equally excited on this occa- institution like KISS. At that time, However, KISS has brought a years when we were in our vil- the biggest tribal university in the
participating in this unique pro- sion. Here, I would like to mention he could realize that through quali- wave of changes into my life. With lages, the KISS Founder had sent world.
gramme. Many distinguished
www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
Promoted by
Shree Cement Ltd.
PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022
04

OF ANUBRATA’S RELEVANCE IN-DEPTH

IT’S PERFORM OR

AND POLITICAL ‘CRISIS’ “What has Kesto done? Even


as he was locked in his house,
PERISH MOMENT
FOR NITISH KUMAR
& LALU’S SONS
we won the Assembly elec-
tions last year. The ED and
CBI ransacked his house at
midnight. If you arrest one
Kesto, we will create thou-
sands of them. We will hit the
streets from August 16 on the
‘Khela Hobe Divas’. There
will be ‘Khela hobe’, again
(Let the game start, again).”
Several TMC leaders, in-
cluding political analysts had

W
initially thought that Mama- ith the Rashtriya Ja-
ta would not stand by Anu- nata Dal (RJD) get-
brata as she did when anoth- ting the lion’s share
er TMC heavyweight Partha in Tuesday’s cabinet
Chatterjee was arrested. expansion the fear of
Chatterjee was removed from lawlessness returning to Bihar
the cabinet and was also sus- has been revived. Of the 31 in-
pended from the party. ducted, 16 of RJD have got min-
Blasting the BJP, CPI(M) isterial berths. Law and order
and the Congress, the CM was at its nadir under Lalu Pras-
said, “They all are comrades ad Yadav with kidnappings, ex-
in arms. They have no place tortions and murders, not to
in this state. They do not have speak of corruption, haunting
a place in the country either.” the people. The present coalition
(possibly) the “role” of other Popularly known as In a veiled attack against has Lalu’s son Tejashwi Yadav
politicians in the case. Mon- the BJP, she also claimed that as Deputy Chief Minister.
dal’s arrest came soon after “Kestoda”, Mondal is the West Bengal Police had Tejashwi’s brother Tej Pratap
ROBIN ROY former state minister Partha among the most saved the Jharkhand govern- Yadav is the new Environment
The writer is Senior Journalist and Chatterjee was arrested by ment following the arrest of Minister, a ministry which is
former Managing Editor, First India the ED in the SSC scam. Both trusted associates of three Congress MLAs with a regarded as a gold mine. Chief
are TMC heavyweights and Chief Minister CM huge cash haul. “They (BJP) Minister Nitish Kumar holds
it’s not tough to guess how would have toppled the the Home portfolio.
the arrests could have been
Mamata Banerjee. He Jharkhand government. Now The second coming of the

T
MC heavy weight and the major setbacks for the party. used to enjoy more clout, they called our officers to RJD-Janata Dal - United (JDU)
party’s Birbhum district Agencies like the ED and power and visibility in Delhi out of revenge. Why is alliance will have two-year ten-
president Anubrata Mondal, CBI had earlier stepped up the central government har- ure before it faces its first test in
who had evaded at least eight investigations into Ponzi West Bengal even than assing our officers” she asked. the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
CBI summons in the cattle schemes in Bengal ahead of ministers and many The 62-year-old “Kestoda” Nitish Kumar is aspiring for a
smuggling case, was taken the 2013 panchayat polls, the who hails from a farmer’s national role in 2024 and his po-
into custody on Thursday, re- 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elec-
MLAs. He used to be family, has been with the litical future will depend on the
portedly for “not cooperat- tions and the 2016 Assembly considered as the “betaaj TMC since the party was performance of the present gov-
ing” with the agency.
Popularly known as “Kes-
elections and made several
arrests too.
badshah” of Birbhum! launched in 1998. He is well
known for the Khela Hobe
ernment. In that respect, Lalu’s
two sons also face a perform or
toda”, Mondal is among the And now with the Lok Sab- slogan. He first hit the head- perish situation.
most trusted associates of ha polls barely two years span between December 19, lines during the 2013 pan-
Chief Minister CM Mamata away in 2024, the cattle smug- 2015 to April 22, 2017. The FIR chayat election.
Banerjee. He used to enjoy gling investigation may accel- also alleges that during Ku- It may be noted that Mon-
more clout, power and visi- erate, feel political analysts. mar’s tenure, the BSF seized dal has been named in a num-
SPIRITUAL SPEAK
bility in West Bengal even It may be noted that West more than 20,000 heads of ber of cases, including for
than ministers and many Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha cattle before they could be threatening people, murder
MLAs. He used to be consid- seats and the BJP in the 2019 transported across the bor- and those related to stone Conquer anger through
ered as the “betaaj badshah” parliamentary elections man- der, but the vehicles ferrying and cattle-smuggling, sand gentleness, unkindness
of Birbhum! aged to clinch 18 of them. It the same were not confiscat- but has never been tried. through kindness, greed
Mondal, who has never goes without saying that for ed and also persons involved Mondal’s clout can be through generosity, and
contested any election in his the TMC, given its national were not even apprehended. gauged from the fact that in falsehood by truth.
career so far, has always ambition, each of these seats February 2022, he was includ-
managed party affairs from will be important as the bat- CBI’S TAKE IN THE CASE? ed in the TMC’s national
—Buddha
behind the scenes. In the 2019 tle will go down to the wire. According to the CBI, Mon- working committee. He was
Lok Sabha polls, TMC won Investigators so far have dal is directly involved in the the only district-level leader
both Bolpur and Birbhum. found evidence of illegal case and was in touch with who managed to make it to
TMC repeated the act in the cross-border selling of cattle the main accused, Enamul the top TMC organisation.
and use of ill-gotten money. Both Partha and Anubrata
TOP TWEETS
2021 Assembly polls as it Haque, through his aide Sai-
managed a clean sweep in the According to the CBI, Mon- gal Hossain. The CBI also al- were heavyweights, but Par-
district, winning 10 out of 11 dal “procured huge number leged that Saigal had collect- tha was never a mass leader, Narendra Modi
Mondal’s clout can be @narendramodi
gauged from the fact that in seats – and the victory was of cattle” from the Ilambazar ed money which was part of but Anubrata was crucial to
February 2022, he was entirely credited to the booth Pashuhat and allegedly en- the proceeds from this illegal the party’s organisation in
included in the TMC’s management skills of the po- sured safe passage of the trade “in the name” of the western and central districts.
national working litical heavyweight Mondal! same to the border along strongman. Even as party leaders feel
committee. He was the only It may be noted that in both Bangladesh. that the top leaders’ silence
district-level leader who these elections, the Election WHAT MAMATA SAID? and maintaining a distance
managed to make it to the Commission had kept him ABOUT THE CASE West Bengal Chief Minister from every arrested leader
top TMC organisation. Both under hawkeye surveillance A case was registered by the Mamata Banerjee on Sunday could have a backlash from the
Thank you President Azali Assoumani
Partha and Anubrata were after the poll panel received CBI on September 21 way said she will stand with the workers on the ground, the
for your warm Independence Day
heavyweights, but Partha complaints that he could re- back in 2020 against four ac- strongman and announced to TMC is apparently planning a wishes. India will continue to partner
was never a mass leader, but portedly influence voters in a cused, including Satish Ku- “start a movement” against protest against the alleged ex- with Comoros on its development
Anubrata was crucial to the major way. mar, who was the Comman- alleged excesses of the CBI cesses of the central agencies. journey. @Beit_Salam
party’s organisation in With his arrest, the CBI is dant of the BSF’s 36 Battalion and the ED. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
western and central districts probing a bigger conspiracy in Malda during the time She told at a gathering, THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL Amit Shah
@AmitShah

SENA MLAs ARE BACK L


There’s a turf war
egislators belong- the legs of rivals is enough
ing to the Eknath encouragement for his fol-
Shinde camp have between the Shinde lowers. There’s a turf war

TO THEIR OLD WAYS


started showing and Thackeray camps between the Shinde and
their true charac- Thackeray camps and it is On Parsi New Year, I extend warm
ter just over a month after
and it is crucial for crucial for both the sides. Bal greetings to our sisters and brothers of
the Sena-BJP government in both the sides. Bal Thackeray’s legacy is at the Parsi community. May the coming
year be filled with joy, peace and good
Maharashtra was sworn-in. Thackeray’s legacy is at stake and so is the survival
health. Navroz Mubarak.
Amid differences between of Uddhav Thackeray. He is
the Shinde and Uddhav stake and so is facing the risk of being mar-
Thackeray camps over which the survival of ginalised the way he earlier l Vol 4 l Issue No. 71
faction is the real Sena,
Prakash Surve an MLA from
Uddhav Thackeray got his cousin Raj Thackeray,
leader of the Maharashtra
l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764.
Printed and published by
Magathane constituency, ex- Navnirman Sena, sidelined
Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of
horted his supporters to was to be distributed to la- to wrest control of Shiv Sena. First Express Publishers. Printed
“break their leg, I will come bourers as a mid-day meal Shiv Sainiks were probably at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B.
the next day to bail you out”, and did not buy the manag- on their best behaviour during Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk
apparently referring to er’s argument that it was go- the rule of Maha Vikas Agha- Road, Jaipur. Published at 304,
Thackeray camp’s leaders. ing to be disposed of. di, a three-party coalition of 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das
The other legislator, San- These incidents are re- Shiv Sena, Nationalist Con- Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001,
tosh Bangar went and minders of how Shiv Sainiks gress Party and the Congress. Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504.
slapped a private catering can subvert the rule of law With Shinde pulling the rug Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra
company’s manager for pre- now that their faction is in from under Uddhav’s feet, will Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan
paring sub-standard food. power with BJP’s support. they still remain disciplined responsible for selection of news
The food, Bangar claimed, Surve’s exhortation to break as before is difficult to say. under the PRB Act
EDITORIAL
Travel in all the four quarters of the earth, yet you will
6
z Wednesday z August 17, 2022
find nothing anywhere. Whatever there is, is only here.
-Ramakrishna

RECYCLING E-WASTE Why 'Modi' phenomenon works?


I
n present world, there is hardly any sector which is not
dependent on the information technology and using the „ ARVIND GUPTA elected government, with twelve subsidies and pensions to bene- providing a guaranteed mini- was launched to assure free

W
latest equipment for easing the works and meeting sever- ho should be a leader and a half years as Chief ficiaries through Direct Benefit mum monthly pension of LPG connections to millions of
al other requirements. Moreover, the electronic gadgets like and what should be the Minister of Gujarat and eight Transfer (DBT). During Rs.1000, Rs.2000, Rs.3000, households to get an access to
computers, laptops, printers have become an integral part of characteristics of a years & running as Prime COVID, the PMJDY accounts Rs.4000, Rs.5000 at the age of cooking gas cylinders without
any office, as almost all work is being done on these little leader? Right from the Minister of India. As Prime made it convenient to disburse 60 years based on the pension having to pay a deposit to fuel
inventions of science. Moreover, the telecom sector has wit- Academicians to Philosophers Minister, Modi dedicated his the relief among hundreds of amount chosen. retailers.
nessed a major a major boom in last few years and at present to Intellectuals to Writers to first eight years in office, to beneficiaries. Swachh Bharat Mudra Yojana: On April 8th, Such is the success of the
it would be almost impossible to find a person not using a Individuals to leaders them- country's balanced develop- Mission: The other most ambi- 2015, the Pradhan Mantri scheme that more than 80 mil-
smart-phone. There devices, where on one hand have eased selves has defined a Leader in ment, social justice and social tious and flagship scheme of Mudra Yojana (PMMY) was lion Indian women were made
our works in several ways, on the other hand result in creation their own way & manner. But security, which saw launch and Modi 'Swachh Bharat Mission' launched to provide loans of up to lead healthy lives and to get
of a huge e-waste, which is emerging as a major threat these whatever may be the definition successful implementation of was launched on 2nd October to Rs.10 Lakh to small entre- rid of smoky Chullahas from
days. The Government has taken a number of steps to for- best suited for an individual to several schemes providing 2014, to eliminate open defeca- preneurs. their kitchens.
malise the e-waste recycling sector of country. The e-Waste be a leader of all times is seen direct benefit to beneficiaries' tion from across India. Under The loans are given by Banks, Ayushman Bharat: On
(Management) Rules, 2016 provide for compulsory registra- and found in Bhai Narendra cross-sections of the society. the scheme more than 11.5 Non-banking finanve companies September 23, 2018, in Ranchi
tion of the recycling units and Central Pollution Control Damodar Das Modi, popularly To commemorate the achieve- crore toilets have been built by (NBFCs) and microfinance Jharkahnd, Prime Minister
Board (CPCB) has issued guidelines/Standard Operating addressed as Modi. Modi is ments of twenty years of Modi, the government. In the Union institutions. Narendra Modi launched the
Procedures (SoPs) for processing of e-waste. While replying name which you can hate for the path of his dreams meeting Budget 2022-23, the govern- On April 8th 2022, exactly biggest government sponsored
to a question in Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for the reasons best known to you delivery is very well pen-downed ment allocated Rs 7192 crore after seven years of its success- healthcare scheme in the world
Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar but you can't ignore him. For a by the personalities who have for the Swachh Bharat Mission ful launch, Finance Minister under Pradhan Mantri Jan
Choubey informed that CPCB and State Pollution Control common Indian he is not just excelled in different walks of (Rural), while Rs 141678 crore Nirmala Sitharaman told that Arogya Yojana (PM- JAY)
Boards (SPCBs) have been monitoring the units and neces- their leader and Prime life, in the recently realised will be spent during 2021-26 more than 34.42 Crore benefici- Ayushman Bharat. The aim is
sary steps have been taken to mainstream and modernise the Minister, they look up to him as book 'Modi@20 Dreams Meet for Swachh Bharat Mission aries have received Rs.18.60 to provide a health cover of
recycling industry with the help of Ministry of Electronics and their Dharam Guru, who can Delivery' but in this write-up we (Urban). Lakh Crore under the scheme. Rs.5 Lakh per family every year
Information Technology. The e-Waste (Management) Rules, sail our country once again as will focus on some of Modi's Insurance & Pension Scheme: More than 68 per cent of the to more than 10.74 Crore poor
2016 also provide for recognition and registration, skill devel- Vishw Guru. Since his emer- flagship schemes and how they Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti loans have been sanctioned to and vulnerable families.
opment, monitoring and ensuring safety and health, of work- gence on the national level in have changed India, from the Bima Yojana (PMJJNY) offer- women and 22 per cent of the In March 2022, the govern-
ers involved in dismantling and recycling of e-waste. 2014 as our Pradhan Mantri, view point of common Indian. ing life insurance cover of Rs 2 loans have been given to first ment told Parliament that no
Under the e-Waste Management Rules, provision for reduc- the view point of common Jan Dhan Yojana: The first Lakh and Pradhan Mantri time entrepreneurs. Pardhan beneficiary of the scheme has
tion of hazardous substances in manufacturing of Electrical Indian has changed on looking flagship scheme, Pradhan Suraksha Bima Yojana Mantri Awas Yojana: 'Housing been denied treatment due to
and Electronic Equipment (EEE) has been provided. It man- the things happening world- Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMSBY) offering accidental for all by 2022' under the aegis lack of funds.
dates that every producer of EEE and their components shall wide. Everyone, even including (PMJDY), was announced by death or total permanent dis- of Pardhan Mantri AwasYojana Kisan Samman Nidhi: In the
ensure that their products do not contain lead, mercury and some who for their political Prime Minister Modi in his first ability cover of Rs 2 Lakh and (PMAY) was launched in June Union Budget of February
other hazardous substances beyond the maximum prescribed reservations can't admit it in Independence Day speech in permanent partial disability 2015 by Prime Minister Modi. 2019, the Modi led government
concentration. public, look at him to lead the 2014 from the ramparts of Lal cover of Rs.1 Lakh, was For the successful completion of announced Pradhan Mantri
whole world post COVID. Qila and finally launched on launched in 2015. Settlement of this scheme, in the budget of Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-
Modi is a man with a purpose, 28th of August 2014. claim is a little bit of time con- 2022, Finance Minister KISAN) scheme for the farm-

OFF ‘D’ Language


who has a unique sense of The primary objective of the suming activity but still as announced allocation of ers. It assures financial benefit
understanding the pulse of scheme has been to ensure the informed by the government on Rs.48000 Crore for 80 Lakh of Rs.6000 per year to the eligi-

And Culture
every Indian. coverage of unbanked society to the floor of the Parliament that houses. Meanwhile, the ble farmer families, payable in
CUFF Whether he is in election cam-
paign mood, or addressing the
provide the financial products
and services at an affordable
512915 claims for Rs.10258
crore and 92266 claims for Rs
Economy Survey 2022 high-
lighted that 33.99 and 14.56
three equal installments of
Rs.2000 each.
The poet goes on to say that nation from the ramparts of Lal cost. Till July 27, 2022, the 1797 crore were disbursed Lakh houses were completed in The total amount provided

T
he 66-year-old the antiquity of any language Qila or floor of Parliament, the number of accounts opened under PMJJBY and PMSBY, 2020-21 and 26.20 and 4.49 under DBT has touched about
Vairamuthu, with a lit- can be gauged from how old words he speak become slogan under PMJDY stand at 46.11 respectively as of October 27, Lakh houses as on December Rs.1.80 Lakh crore.
erary innings of nearly its literature is, and in the case which turns out to be the flag- crore, with a deposit of Rs. 2021. 2021, under the PMAY-Gramin The brand 'Modi' is the world
50 years, says he has been of Tamil, since the first docu- ship program of the government 171616.70 crore. The number Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is and PMAY-Urban programmes outlook of a New India, because
interested in the Tamil lan- mented tome on Tamil gram- to be completed as a mission. of RuPay debit cards issued to another flagship program of respectively. Modi is a leader with difference
guage from the age of 12 and mar, Tholkappiyam, is at least On October 7, 2021, Modi com- beneficiaries stood at 31.90 Modi government to make low Ujjwala Yojana: In 2016, who has a solution for every
he started writing venpa, clas- 3,000 years old, its literature pleted 20 continuous years as crore. The benefits under income group people self- another flagship scheme problem, who reads the heart-
sical poetry, at the age of 16. is naturally even older, because the head of democratically PMJDY included scholarships, dependent in their old age, by Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beat and resolves with brains.
“Language is my life,’’ he “grammar cannot exist with-
says, “my life is entwined with
it.”
out literature. Just like oil
extracted from the seed, Showing respect to National Flag PROGRESSING J&K
My daylight working hours
are devoted to song-writing, to
grammar emanates from liter-
ature.” „ VINOD CHANDRASHEKHAR DIXIT the independence and republic day, par- distribution and display of plastic nation- Govt establishing State-of-Art
sports infra in J&K
I
lyrics. At night, I do literary Vairamuthu says the way n India, during Independence Day & ents must be very watchful in ensuring al flags. According to our Flag Code, The
work, he says. When does he western scholars have pre- Republic day there is a new trend of that the flag is treated with respect. National Flag of India shall be made of
sleep, then? He says he gets sented the story of the Indus selling flags made of paper and plas- The plastic or paper Flags that are held hand spun and hand woven Sports sector across J&K witnessing rapid
enough sleep in the afternoon Valley, is open to debate. tic, which is not fare. Ahead of in the hand on the 'Independence Day' wool/cotton/silk Khadi bunting.
when he takes a good nap and According to him, western Independence Day, the Centre has urged and 'Republic Day' with great honour Necessary action as per Mumbai High development under new Sports Policy,
at night, clocking in an aver- viewpoints say that when the all citizens not to use national flag made and love during the flag hoisting ceremo- Court's orders should be taken for pre- facilities being extended to Panchayat levels
age of seven hours’ sleep. Aryans came, their culture up of plastic and asked states and Union ny are seen lying on the streets, drains, vention of insult of national flags. All

J
What time does he wake up came to be known as that of Territories to ensure strict compliance of filthy places in the afternoon of the same heads of departments and other officials ammu and Kashmir Government is establishing state-of-
in the morning? “I wake up at the Indus Valley civilisation. the flag code. Our Prime Minister Day itself. should take care to ensure that the art sports facilities across Jammu and Kashmir with an
4:45 am and then from 5:30 “But even before that, the Narendra Modi has already called for Is this not an insult to the bold patriots national flag is used only in a manner aim of taking sports to Panchayat level for budding
am to 6:30 am, I do yoga, for Indus Valley civilisation had wide publicity and sensitisation of who suffered bullets of the British and consistent with the provisions of the flag sportspersons of the UT. Various steps have been taken by the
one full hour,” says the popu- reached its peak and those Central and state departments as well as the Portuguese on their chest to save the code. Our National flag is used in fes- LG's administration to create world-class sports infrastruc-
lar writer and poet who has people had moved on,” he the public to strictly use 'paper flags' honour of Flag ? Flag Code of India toons. After all the celebrations, people ture in J&K. Recently, sports policy has been introduced to
authored 37 books including says, alluding to the other instead of plastic flags and ensure that 2002, Section II, Point 2.2 (xiii) says just leave them there. The flags fall to the make J&K a powerhouse in sports. Every kind of support is
novels, written over 6,500 viewpoint that the Dravidians national flags are disposed in ways that that when the Flag is in a damaged or ground and are stepped on. Plastic flags being extended to the local sportspersons who strive hard to
lyrics (including Chinna chin- were already an advanced are consistent with the 'dignity of the soiled condition, it shall be destroyed as a are preferred by many political parties make UT and the nation proud in different sports disciplines.
na asai that features in the civilisation, who either flag'. Millions of patriots have laid their whole in private, preferably by respectful for the election campaign. The Model The sports activities are being conducted throughout the year
film Roja) and essays. He has migrated to other parts of lives to achieve freedom and our National burning or by any other method consis- Code of Conduct bans the display of any while infrastructure work is being executed on massive scale.
received several awards India from the Indus Valley, Flag is a symbol of their great sacrifice. tent with the dignity of the Flag. The banners or flags in public places. The The focus is not merely on activities like Cricket and Football
including the Padma Shri, especially to the south, or Every true Indian knows the importance Flag Code of India, 2002 containing the flags are not only environmentally but equal importance is being given to games like Volleyball,
Padma Bhushan, the Sahitya were driven out by invaders. of this flag and would make sure that it provisions of the Prevention of Insults to unfriendly, but also physically hazardous Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Water and Winter Sports which were
Akademi Award and several Vairamuthu says, “The continues to sway freely always.Our National Honor Act, 1971 governing the as the loose ends of the twine they are ignored in the past.
National Film Awards. Tamil script came thousands national flag is courage and inspiration guidelines for display of the national flag attached to, fluttering from lampposts Sports budget for Jammu and Kashmir is higher than
The trim and energetic of years ago as grantham, for us. It makes us remember about the of India clearly mentions that whoever in and buildings, pose a danger to two- biggest several states of the country and infrastructure is
Vairamuthu says he walks and then Tamil; the Sanskrit sacrifices of our great Indian freedom any public place shows disrespect to or wheeler riders and pedestrians. The being augmented to highest level and J&K government is keen
twice a week, on Saturdays script was popular in the fighters. It makes us remember that how brings into contempt the national flag burning of non-biodegradable waste, to provide platform to the youth. Recently, Bakshi stadium
and Sundays, for at least 45 south only during the Pallava tough that moment was for them. shall be punished according to the law. including plastic flags, releases dioxins which was in dilapidated condition duo to poor policies of ear-
minutes at a time. But regu- and Chola periods, supported Getting freedom was not so easy. We According to Section 2 of 'The into the atmosphere. lier regimes was dedicated to public after being upgraded and
larly does one hour of yoga, by those rulers, and their rock should always respect our flag and never Prevention of insults to National Honour We must uphold its dignity even if it is revamped at a cost of Rs. 59 crores. "Bakshi Stadium has been
every morning. And he never edicts reflect that. Then in a let it go down for our motherland. Many Act, 1971' - Whoever in any public place at the cost of our lives. Showing respect a central place of youth for decades, nurturing many dreams
overeats. “When you sit down bid to revive Tamil, Appar sacrificed their life to save the honour of or in any other place within public view for National Flag is a symbol for the and making local sportspersons famous all over the country.
to eat, you need to remember and Sambandar started the Flag by not allowing it to fall down on burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfig- moral values of the citizens of the coun- This Stadium infused the passion of sports into the lives of
three things: One half of your singing in Tamil.” Tamil cul- the ground. Unfortunately people have ures, destroys, tramples upon or other- try. Don't we think like the national millions of people and the legacy has been passed to the new
stomach can be filled with ture was progressive. forgotten to maintain the honour of the wise shows disrespect to or brings into anthem and pledge are printed in school generation", LG Manoj Sinha said. There were clear directions
food, one quarter with fluids, Vairamuthu points out that Nation. Abuse of national flags takes contempt (whether by words, either spo- textbooks, a message about national flags from the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to develop MA
and the last quarter is to be the Tamil word karpu for place on Independence Day and Republic ken or written, or by acts) the Indian can also be printed, our national flag Stadium in Jammu as per ICC Standards and Bakshi
kept free, when you complete ‘chastity’is gender neutral Day, due to use of plastic flags. National National Flag or any part thereof, shall should not be used as a festoon, rosette or Stadium in Srinagar as per FIFA Standards. Sports sector in
your meal.” He goes on to say whereas in Sanskrit, the word flag is used by people in every corner, be punished with imprisonment for a bunting or in any manner for decoration. the UT is witnessing rapid development. World class facilities
that when you travel, your for chastity, pativrata, applies every crossroad, every shop, and every term which may extend to three years, or It should be hoisted on important nation- and coaching is being extended to the youth at grass root level
suitcase and stomach should only to the female gender. vehicle. Some proudly places by pinning with fine, or with both. al, cultural and sports events. to showcase their talent in various sports disciplines. The offi-
be half empty, because you He points out that Tamil up on the clothes. Some oneeven set on There have been complaints that after The paper flags should not be thrown cials are redoubling their efforts to make J&K sporting hub of
never know what you may poet-philosopher Valluvar vehicles but it is painful to see our nation- Republic Day and Independence Day, on the ground or discarded after the the country.
have to put into either. said, don’t classify people al flat in Garbage next day. Many uncer- flags made of plastic are often found event and should be disposed of in priva- Recently Manoj Sinha inaugurated sports infrastructure
Vairamuthu’s latest book, according to their occupa- emoniously dump the national flag to the lying on roads and gutters. It is observed cy with the dignity of the flag, Efforts projects worth Rs 18.10 cr and dedicated the new sports facil-
titled Tamizhatrupadai, pub- tion, as that creates superior dustbin while some thrown it on the road that paper and plastic national flags are should be made to educate, and spread ities to the local youth. The projects inaugurated include
lished in July 2019, has and inferior hierarchies, or in gutter. The feelings of patriotism found strewn all over roads and even in awareness to the people of the country Synthetic Football Turf at Khel Gaon Nagrota worth Rs 5 cr;
already sold more than 30,000 because, by birth, we are all and loyalty to a country are entrenched gutters right from 26th January and it through advertising, in print and elec- Mini Stadium at Bhour Camp, Chatha costing Rs 1 cr and
copies with five reprints. Its equal. In Tamil, marriage is in the minds of individuals, right from takes time to dispose of plastic flags. tronic media, so that the proper usage Playfield at Purmandal at a cost of Rs 2 cr. The Mini Stadium
publication coinciding with the called Vazhkai Thunainalam, the time they start going to school. While The government has already passed and dignity of national flag should not at Bhour Camp will benefit 5000 youth by accommodating
latest controversy over the that is, a partnership of com- each child enjoys carrying a paper flag on orders banning the manufacture, sale, suffer in any manner. games like Cricket, Volleyball, Kabaddi etc. Funded under

Enchanting Manimahesh Yatra


antiquity of the Tamil lan- panionship that promotes CAPEX, JKIDFC, Khelo India, and PMDP, the inauguration
guage vis-à-vis Sanskrit, has mutual wellbeing. Valluvar and foundation lying of these projects marks the beginning of
generated huge interest in the referred to the wife as next phase of modernization of sports infra in J&K. Moving
subject. The book features 24 vazhkai thunaivi, life partner, ahead towards developing state-of-the-art sports infrastruc-
Tamil writers, poets and a companion — so women „ G L KHAJURIA The lake is of immense importance and is believed to ture in the UT, the government is creating modern facilities

T
activists starting from were seen as equal partners he lure of mountains has always attracted man since be second to Lake Mansrovar in Hindu religious signif- and developing sports culture even in remote areas for talent-
Tholkappiyar, Kapilar, and respected accordingly. time immoral. In our country, Himalayas have always icance. The natural beauty of the lake has an enchant- ed sportspersons of the UT.
Avvaiyar, Thiruvalluvar and Whereas in Sanskrit, reflect- been associated with Bhagwan Shiv and his divine con- ing attraction. The wafting clouds in their milky out- LG administration is working with a mission to take sports
Caldwell to Subramania ing Aryan culture, marriage sort Parvati. No wonder then therefore that Himalayas are look kiss the azure skies and the sacred and most mag- to Panchayat level and provide opportunities to the youth liv-
Bharati, Periyar, Annadurai, is all about kanyadaan, giv- replete with places associated with Gods and Goddesses. nanimous reflections of the lake haunt the souls, minds ing in far-flung areas. With better training and modern infra-
Karunanidhi, Kannadasan ing away the woman. There Manimahesh Yatra is as such as arduous but enchanting pil- and hearts of all in their entirety, least leaving any structure, our youths now represent the country in interna-
and Abdul Rahman. are many such examples to grimage to the abode of lord of mountains. Nestled in shadow of ambiguity. tional events. The Government is providing sports infrastruc-
“Tamil is the oldest living show Tamil reflects a pro- Himalayas, Manimahesh has always attracted to pilgrims for 'Manimahesh Lake' is an immensely spiritual splen- ture and facilities to the young budding sportspersons of the
language. There are others gressive society, says the ages around the world. The sanctum sanctorum lake of dor sanctorum surrounded by cliff, peaks and pinnacles UT. Now, it is the responsibility of the coaches and officials to
like Hebrew and Greek but poet. While revolutionary Manimahesh is situated at an elevation of 13,500 ft from reflecting over the most sacred and revered Shiva's hone the talent and improve J&K's medal tally in national and
they are not alive. Granted, activists and rationalists like Mean Sea Level (MSL). Doubtlessly, a piece of heaven in Lakeover centuries past. international level competitions. Government of India has been
Sanskrit is part of our culture. Periyar EV Ramaswamy greater Himalayan range, the lake is of far greater size than It is just like bejeweled crown amidst the greater liberal in providing funds for Education and Sports in Jammu
To understand south India campaigned to bring the Kailashkund atop Bhadarwah, the abode of Shri Vasuki Nag Himalayas, an adobe of 'Shiv Shakti' the supreme, and Kashmir. The combined budget of education and sports of
and its culture, you need Tamil language out of its Devata of immersive importance. which gets every human wonderstruck, enthralled and Jammu and Kashmir is Rs 2386 crore, which is way more
Tamil and you need Sanskrit, antiquity ‘and into the There are twin routes of Yatra to the sanctum sancto- enchanted by his benevolence. Manimahesh beckons us than various bigger States and UTs across country. In last few
to understand north India. streets’ to evolve along with rum lake of Manimahesh. One is on foot from to come and partake divine nectar in the form of serene months, J&K Sports Council has emerged as a powerful vehi-
Creative mythology says advances in science and tech- Bhadarwah town itself which is arduous one and takes and crystal-clear water of Kailash Kund. The peak of cle for identification of platforms for young talent. Time-
Tamil and Sanskrit are nology, to make language pretty long time to transverse. And the second one is Manimahesh presents itself a huge Shiv-Lingam whose bound targets are being fixed for the coaches in different dis-
ancient languages, like the two more contextual, Tamil free- motorable covering around (499 Km) via Jammu reflection is reflected in the placid-waters of Kailash ciplines of various games. Government has asked Sports
sides of Shiva’s damaru, the dom fighter Subramaniya Bhadarwah Jammu (200 Km), Jammu-Pathankote Kund. Council to work strategically, identify such places where youth
story goes that when Shiva Siva, editor and publisher of (100 Km), Pathankote to Chamba (HP) (120 Km), The Yarta is of a symbol of devotion and faith that are performing well and develop them as a Special Sports Hub.
struck one side of the damroo, the monthly Gnanabhanu, Chamba -Bharmour (65 Km) and Bharmour -Hadsar makes pilgrims to travel over high valleys and moun- The Sports Council can also work with other departments
Tamil was born and when he campaigned to preserve the (14 Km). After Hadsar, there is a foot-track of around tains to have a Darshan of Manimahesh. such as Rural Development, Police, and Higher Education
struck the other side, Sanskrit purity of the Tamil language. 15 Km to the last reach of the sacred lake of (The author is former Department for professional services and technical know-how
was born.” -N
Narayani Ganesh Manimahesh. Deputy Conservator of Forests, J&K). in the form of convergence in the field of sports.
4
mail us at >> desk@thegoan.net

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The dilemma of Har Ghar Tiranga


The people must �nd substance in the �ag in their everyday lives
What would be le� of our tragedies if an insect
and interactions with all, notably the marginalized of Indian society
were to present us his?
Emil Cioran >The writer
is a political
commentator
and civil liberties

AIFF ban a self-goal,


activist

defeats the spirit of RANJAN SOLOMON

football in India “
I want to hoist a �ag. I have a �ag.

F
I only need a house!”
When Prime Minister Naren-
ootball enthusiasts in Goa and the rest of India were shocked dra Modi called on the nation to hoist
when the world governing body of football, FIFA, suspend- two National �ags at each home and
to change mobile DPs to display the acutely unjust State. The top 10% of few years, 543 members will be elect-
ed the All India Football Federation (AIFF), citing reasons of national �ag, there was frenzied activ- Indians have grabbed 77% of the cu- ed to Parliament based on rules and
“undue in�uence from third parties.” The decision deals an ity on the part of BJP followers and its mulative wealth. 4.6 crore people have regulations according to the Varna
instant blow to football and comes at a time when Goa, along adherent organizations. Even the RSS fallen into severe poverty as of 2020. system. India’s capital will shi� to
has replaced its traditional sa�ron �ag The fortunes of billionaires’ increased Varanasi. A new Constitution rooted
with Bhubaneshwar and Mumbai, were gearing up to host the wom- with the tricolour on social media. A ten-fold over a decade. Their com- in a Hindutva compass will exclude
en’s U-17 World Cup from October 11-30 this year. truthful survey would reveal that all bined wealth has surpassed the entire people of non-Indic religions (Chris-
displays were not voluntary initiatives. Union budget of India for the �scal tians and Muslims) who will forfeit
The ban has not only upset hosting plans of the premier world Some tagged-on out of fear and need to year. A minimum wage worker in ru- the right to vote. 250 million peo-
event but has also closed doors for Indian players and teams with conform. ral India would take 941 years to earn ple will be practically de-citizenized
international �xtures lined up, besides throwing a question over the A short recap of the emergence of the what the top paid executive at a lead- in one stroke of the pen. In another
National Flag is in order. The �ag was ing Indian garment company earns in variation of a communally divisive
international player registrations for ISL. The FIFA ban would also adopted at the Constituent Assembly on a single year. overture, Yati Narsinghanand wants
mean that no Indian team can participate in international matches. 22 July 1947. The �ag had several prec- Social justice is not even remotely Hindus to boycott the PMs ‘Har Ghar
With that, even ATK Mohun Bhagan’s chance of playing in the inter- edents. It was only a�er the 2nd Inter- around the corner for most Indians. In Tiranga’ campaign fearing it will pro�t
national Socialist Congress in Germany this context, the notion of independ- a Muslim-owned company.
zonal semi�nals of the AFC Cup in September looks doubtful. An where Bhikaji Rustom Cama, a promi- ence lacks gist and core. A weighty At a time when raw facts demon-
immediate fallout would be felt on Indian out�t Gokulam Kerala nent �gure in the Independence Move- cartoon on social media wraps up this strate our absolute lack of egalitarian-
which was to participate in the Asian Women’s Club Championship ment, compellingly spoke on the polit- social argument. A common man en- ism, we must ask when the apt time to
ical struggle for independence that the ters a government o�ce, and states celebrate our Independence is. That
next week. Also, all international friendlies, including the upcoming notion of a national �ag gained force candidly: “I want to hoist a �ag. I have will require a time when true freedom
matches against Singapore and Vietnam, will have to be canceled for and clarity. a �ag. I only need a house!” Eight arrives -- there is no hungry soul, no
In 1921, Gandhi commissioned Ping- years of BJP rule has not brought us slave labour, no unemployed person,
now because of the development. ley Venkayya, a veteran freedom �ghter the promised ‘Ache din’. Politicians, homelessness vanishes, education
The suspension is unfortunate and exposes the chinks in the sports to design a national �ag for the Free- past and present, and their failed is accessible to all, gender justice is
administration and the deep-rooted links of those at the helm, links dom Movement. Gandhi stipulated that pledges have aborted the meaning achieved, women and children are
the �ag should have a ‘Charkha’ as it and intent of the �ag. not tra�cked, health is accessible to
that could even disrupt any given system. represented self reliance, progress and In the build up to Independence all, and caste/ethnic discrimination
Our shortcomings It is more like India scoring a self-goal. the common people. The �ag became Day this year, teeming public spaces are prohibited, illiteracy eradicated,
and power plays have Football has become a culprit here because a unifying symbol and was known as saw thousands of children and street and no religious discrimination.
the ‘Swaraj �ag’. But it was Mountbat- workers pan out to sell the tricolour The Har Ghar Tiranga Movement
resonated across the sports bodies in the country continue to ten’s pronouncement to free India that to any passer-by just to earn a decent has had little by way of interpretation
global football fraternity be in�uenced and governed by mighty launched an urgent search for a repre- For the poorest, meal. For the poorest, the sales of the of the values contained in the design
so loudly that it has political �gures instead of sports icons. sentative �ag. Dr Rajendra Prasad head-
the sales �ags in a highly competitive tra�c of the �ag. If such a movement were
become a cruel joke on ed a high-powered committee where the signal or risky street corner are not to evolve, it would need rootedness
FIFA has called out an infringement, and, Charkha replaced the emblem of the of the flags their way of celebrating Independ- in the people’s aspirations while they
those devoutly pursuing sadly, the fallout is on players, coaches Ashoka pillar. None of the colours had in a highly ence Day and freedom. It is about sur- struggle to actualize the meaning of
the sport. The FIFA ruling any communal signi�cance. The colour competitive vival. Flag marches for pre-primary the �ag. The people of our land must
is not only a blemish on and allied sta�, and football lovers who had sa�ron in the top band indicating
tra�c signal
school children captured in photo-ops �nd substance in the �ag in their
the AIFF and our football not only revere the sport but have also strength and courage. White signi�ed
purity and innocence; and blue signi- or risky street
tantamount to imposing celebrations
minus the substance of the spirit of In-
everyday lives and interactions with
all, notably those who are excluded
but also a slap against remained heavily invested in it, devoting
their time, energies, and monies.
�ed vigilance, perseverance, and jus- corner are not dependence. and marginalized of Indian society.
those trying to play tice. The white middle band also indi- their way of President Radhakrishnan once Many Indians have not displayed the
sneaky politics It was on May 18 that the Supreme Court cated peace and truth with the Dharma alerted citizens to work for a free, Tiranga. They are loyal citizens but
Chakra. The last band, green in colour, celebrating compassionate and democratic socie- refuse to be compelled into display-
ruled against AIFF President Praful Patel Independence
illustrated the fertility, growth and aus- ty where people of di�erent religious ing their loyalty on their sleeves. Their
and the executive committee, asking them piciousness of the land. Day and a�liations live in a safe space and in conscience, rather, directs them to
to step down, and a 3-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) Contrary to the egalitarian vision
freedom. It is meaningful pro-existence. Contrast busy themselves to make true patriot-
contained in the design of the Nation- this with what a group of 30 eminent ism operative with e�ective initiatives
was put at the helm. It was on August 6 that FIFA had threatened to al �ag, India has degenerated into an about survival seers and scholars has forecast. In a for a just and equitable society.
suspend the AIFF warning over “third-party in�uence,” following
which the CoA had moved the Supreme Court with a contempt
petition against Patel. The former president has been accused of
interfering with the administration of justice. THE INBOX >> I
The ban was on the horizon, yet the situation could not be salvaged.
Challenges for Chief Justice same. The noise pollution from blaring
This is nothing short of betrayal because when the apex court
in assuring speedy justice Promote production of traditional clay idols music around the coastal belt goes on
unabated. Once again, the Goa Police
directives are clear, one cannot expect any parallel body or group It is learnt that the Excise Department in Goa has reportedly di- says they are not aware of any such
of individuals to decide on the course, no matter the authority or The CJI to be has got o� on a right note rected all its inspectors at the borders to take action to prevent
by stressing that every obstacle in deliv- violations. Truly the Goa Police must be
the entry of vehicles carrying Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols awarded a prize for being ‘unaware’ of
position one wields outside the domain. It’s time “manipulation” in ering speedy justice to the masses must into the State. Ganesh idols from neighbouring areas such as happenings that a�ect their duties.
sports administration must stop. be consciously removed, a mechanism Kolhapur, Sawantwadi, Pune in Maharashtra and Belagavi and This fact a�ects the lives of the law abid-
to weed out avoidable litigation which Karwar are normally imported into Goa during Ganesh Chatur-
Our shortcomings and power plays have resonated across the global consumes precious time of the court ing public. The public must refrain from
thi. However the Goa government has banned immersion of commending them for any other works
football fraternity so loudly that it has become a cruel joke on those should be put in place on priority basis. PoP idols as these idols when immersed do not dissolve or
Also costs must be imposed on litigants because this is unacceptable. Further,
devoutly pursuing the sport. The FIFA ruling is not only a blemish on disintegrate fast, thereby causing irreversible environmental ef- many times the police resorts to public
bringing frivolous cases to courts. The fects on the coastal ecology or the ecosystem of any water body.
the AIFF and our football but also a slap against those trying to play primary function of the Supreme Court Studies have linked POPs exposures to decline, diseases, or
relations by interacting with school kids
for tra�c regulation, etc. Goans must
sneaky politics. The development has le� a bitter taste at a time when as mandated by the Constitution is to lay abnormalities in a number of wildlife species. It is pertinent to learn not to compromise over issues that
the nation is basking in the glory of the Commonwealth games, and down the law and decide intricate con- note that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has banned
stitutional issues, a permanent 5 judge a�ect their lives just like FIFA.
the use of Plaster of Paris, thermocol and single-use plastic to
our political leaders continue to make monumental promises. bench should be set up for this purpose. make or decorate idols. The Goa government needs to promote R FERNANDES, Margao
The SC has devised the concept of public the production of clay idols which is a dying art kept alive by
interest litigation to enable a public spir-
ited person to bring to the court’s notice
family traditions. Taxi counter at Margao
violation of fundamental rights of the ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco charging arbitrary fares
poor and deprived who do not have the The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must
OPEN SPACE >> wherewithal to approach the judiciary for please check into fare arbitrarily charged
redressal of their grievances. But over the at the taxi counter at Margao railway
Welfare schemes are not last decade there has been a tsunami of lihood that temperatures in the area will
station under the guise of government
chronic PIL filers rushing to the court with break a record set in 2010 has increased
approved rates. It is Rs 750 for a short
from once every 312 years to once every
always �nancially viable
any issue. There are far reaching judicial distance of 6 kms to Dandeavaddo. The
reforms required and the incoming CJI has 3.1 years. By the end of the century,
driver states that meter is not opera-
to be the first off the blocks if the Augean the experts predict that this will rise to

I
tional for tonight. The Railway AC and
t is unfortunate that a hornet’s nest has been stables are to be really cleaned. once every 1.15 years. For farmers, con-
ordinary ricket from Mangalore which are
stirred over the contentious issue of doling out struction workers, and street vendors,
VINAY DWIVEDI, Benaulim reserved tickets cost Rs 700 and Rs 300
freebies at election time by political parties, in the severe heat is very detrimental. In
respectively. The taxi fares are a pain in
the hope hope of luring voters and seeking their some regions, India has also reported a
votes. We have seen this happening in every elec- Heatwave 30 times more 10–35% fall in crop yields. Wheat yields
the neck and tourists complain about
drivers fleecing them.The receipt issued
tion, and Goa is no exception , where hard cash
continues to �ow, along with freebies of house-
likely due to climate change declined to the point where India was
forced to abandon plans to increase
should be signed by the travellers with
The fatal heatwave that swept through remarks and only then he should be
hold gadgets and appliances. This is probably wheat exports to supplement supplies
Pakistan and India in March and April Send your paid. I was asked to pay directly to the
what our Prime Minister Narendra Modi refers to reduced by the conflict in Ukraine.
taxi driver and receipt is for my record,
as ‘revadi’ culture, that needs to be stopped, as it is detrimental to the state’s was 30 times more likely due to hu-
ALVARINHO LUIS, Via email letters to us then where is the security check? The
man-caused climate change. In March,
�nancial health. However, we have the manifestos of political parties promising
temperatures started to rise sooner
at editor@ booking clerk is ignorant of desired loca-
free water, free electricity up to a certain number of units, free education and
a host of healthcare and welfare schemes for women and the poor. These are than usual, breaking records and killing Goa Police seems unaware thegoan.net. tion and charges for destination 4 kms
away saying the fare up to Panzorkon is
found to be necessary by some political parties, and therefore cannot be catego- at least 90 people. India experienced of certain blatant violations Letters must the same. The booking clerk advised me
rised as ‘freebies’ or bribes. A line has therefore to be drawn between freebies temperatures in March that were consist-
The helmetless rallies conducted by be 150-200 rudely to look out for a private taxi. Is the
ently 3–8 deg C above average, with a
and welfare schemes. Surprisingly, even welfare schemes promised in the man-
high of 44 deg C, the warmest March on Ministers on August 15 are a blatant words and booking counter authorized to fleece
ifestos can turn out to be a �nancial burden and loss for the state.
record going back 122 years. India expe- violation of the MV Act. No one was mention the the customers? The taxi monopoly needs
booked. Why? Because, as stated by the to be dismantled immediately.
AF NAZARETH, Alto Porvorim rienced 71% less rainfall in March than
Tra�c Police they were not aware of the
writer’s name
normal. Due to climate change, the like- and location NELSON LOPES, Chinchinim

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