Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CXXXXXVII 52 (S)
O
mounting caseloads is noteworthy. The year 2023 geopolitical matters and do not view Chinas belligerence from the same prism. n Sunday, 2023 will
saw a commendable surge in case disposals, a hopeful come to an end. In the
signal amid the daunting reality of an 80,000-case back- last week of this year,
log. Yet, the question lingers. Will this record-breaking most of us will end up
feat suffice in taming the relentless beast of pendency? making resolutions, wish for a
pair of wings, and draw up lists
A retrospective glance reveals the harrowing impact of
of what could have been, what
the pandemic on the judiciary’s efficiency. The abrupt was, and what will be. With time,
halt in 2020, coupled with subsequent experiments in remorse will set in once we
online and hybrid models, led to an alarming spike in realise that we haven't done
pending cases. The judiciary, grappling with the surge, enough; haven't been good
faced a PIL in 2022 suggesting the doubling of judges' enough; haven't eaten right; or
strength to alleviate the burden. However, the court, lost enough weight; or even
citing systemic challenges, rejected the plea. Enter 2023, laughed out loud. In spite of
a year marked by a ray of optimism. Technological inte- regret being a wasted emotion,
gration emerged as a steadfast ally in the judiciary's many of us will still end up list-
ing failures, hoping for our
battle against backlog. E-filing systems received a pumpkins to change into car-
facelift, promising faster processing, while automatic riages while the minute hand
listing and 166 Special Bench sittings were introduced marathons towards midnight.
to expedite urgent cases. The numbers reflect this con- On a pragmatic note, if we
certed effort ~ case disposals surged from 39,800 in 2022 were to pinpoint our desires, if
to an impressive 52,220 by 24 December 2023. Yet, the we were to become like goal-
narrative is nuanced. keepers (with multi-sensory
The laudable initiative to enhance accessibility focus), what would be our wor-
paradoxically led to a surge in case filings, with 53,753 thiest score of all? Would we
want to stay fit?
cases in 2023 compared to 36,565 the previous year.
Let's face it. Eating less and
In other words, the backlog remained. Chief Justice battling calories have been pains
D.Y. Chandrachud, cognisant of the widening access, of the highest order. But little do
expressed concern that it was reaching a point of we know that our minds have
dysfunctionality. This apparent contradiction raises a everything to do with our
crucial question. Are the reforms inadvertently fuelling appetite. In the early 1950s, a
the cycle of backlogs? The statistical terrain offers a man called Henry Molaison had
glimmer of hope. Unlike the sharp incline witnessed brain surgery to treat epilepsy.
in previous years, the increase in pending cases from But the procedure damaged his
2022 to 2023 was a modest 1,549. This becomes more hippocampus, meaning that he
T
couldn't form memories, which
striking considering the Court’s decision to include wo days after the mass rural healthcare and various No wonder Kishida has put of Japan-ASEAN cooperation ultimately led him to dwell per-
miscellaneous applications, unregistered cases, and resignation of ministers development projects, while a special focus to make Japan’s and friendship, Kishida resolved manently in the present.
defective matters in its official pendency count from involved in a fundraising both countries pledged to con- ties with Asean broad-based and to build a partnership between
November 2022. The Court, in essence, managed to scandal, on 13-14 Dec- solidate their comprehensive hopes that Asean can serve as a Japan and ASEAN and co-create
dispose of nearly as many cases as were filed during ember 2023, an event that cau- strategic partnership. touchstone for building a rela- the future of the Indo-Pacific
the year. sed Prime Minister Fumio Kishi- The pledge came during a tionship of trust between Japan based on trust anchored in his- Strangely, since he had no mem-
Institutional reforms, however, are not swift reme- da’s popularity rating to plum- meeting between Cambodian and developing countries in tory and reflecting the vitality of ory, Molaison ended up con-
dies. They demand time, persistence, and stability to met below 20 per cent and cause Prime Minister Hun Manet and other parts of the world. the region and the importance stantly eating. He ate plate after
take root. The Chief Justice’s tenure offers a window political turmoil, the Japanese Kishida on 18 December held on Since becoming Prime Min- of the relationship to its future plate as his mind, without mem-
leader hosted a special Japan- the side-lines of the Commemo- ister Kishada has visited several security and prosperity. ory, refrained from sending any
for the institutionalisation of these changes, but the Asean summit on 16-18 Decem- rative Summit and the AZEC Asean countries, the most recent Kishida observed that since cues of satiety or hunger.
baton will pass to two Chief Justices in 2025, each with ber, commemorating the 50th Summit. trip being to Malaysia and the he became Japan’s foreign min- Therefore, for those of us
a brief six-month tenure. The responsibility then falls year of Japan-Asean Friendship Japan and Cambodia up- Philippines. In each of his visits, ister and then Prime Minister, he with memories, we need to
on their shoulders and those who succeed them to and Cooperation. graded their bilateral ties to a Kishida has tried to strengthen has visited Asean countries 32 remember that while we can't
stay the course and ensure the sustainability of the ini- Kishida was supported by comprehensive strategic part- people-to-people connections, times and was impressed that really turn a lettuce leaf into a
tiated reforms. Foreign Minister Yoko nership this year, on the 70th hereby honing the cultural com- Asean has become a global full feast, we could train our
As the judiciary navigates this intricate path, it must Kamikawa who had retained her anniversary of the establishment ponent of the relationship with growth centre. minds to have the cake and eat it
strike a delicate balance between accessibility and effi- job having taken over in Sep- of their diplomatic the region. Among the main points too! After all, it's all in the head.
ciency. Technological advancements, while crucial, tember 2023. While Kishida relations. As mentioned, made by him was (1) trust built Exercise doesn't just pump
must not inadvertently foster a surge in litigation that hailed the next 50 years of Japan- Japanese FDI enhancing cooper- over the years has become the extra blood to our brains, it also
Asean relations, Kamikawa high- has played a signif- ation on the securi- hallmark of the Japan-Asean activates our skeletal muscles
outpaces the system’s capacity to dispense justice. The lighted women’s role in conflict icant role in the ty aspect with like- partnership; (2) people-to-peo- that secrete a potent mix of hor-
courtroom is a dynamic arena where each innovation prevention at the Tokyo summit. economic deve- minded countries ple and heart-to-heart connec- mones and other proteins, which
requires careful calibration to ensure it serves the cause Though the economic com- lopment of Asean has emerged as a tions; (3) Trusted Partners travels to our brains and brings a
of justice rather than adding to the burden. Ignoring ponent in Japan’s ties with the member countries. new dimension in through many challenges such smile to our faces. This mix rep-
for a moment the quality of justice, the numbers show Asean bloc has been constant, Over the past de- Japan’s foreign pol- as the 1997 Asian currency cri- resents "hope chemicals" which
that the Court still has a long, long way to go. there is a security dimension, in cade, Japanese FDI icy focus. This is in sis, the 2004 Sumatra earthquake positively influence our behav-
particular maritime security, in ASEAN coun- line with the secu- and Indian Ocean tsunami, the iour and also give birth to new
that has taken centre stage. tries totalled $198 rity strategy adopt- 2011 Great East Japan Earth- brain cells.
Easing up? The Asean group is very dif-
ferent from, for example, the
billion, behind
America’s $209 bil-
RAJARAM
PANDA
ed by Japan in
December 2022.
quake, and the Covid-19 pan-
demic from 2019; (4) facing chal-
Therefore, in order to have
smarter brains, we need to do
A s we stand on the cusp of 2024, the global eco- European Union which is more lion but beating The main driver of lenges together such as the what we enjoy the most and also
The writer is former Senior
monolithic. As members of the China’s $106 bil- this policy is to pre- Ukraine crisis, South China Sea, work out. I, for one, have set a
nomic landscape seems to be navigating uncer- Fellow at Pradhanmantri
group, they hold a diverse range lion. For Japan, the Memorial Museum and Library vent China from Myanmar and North Korean goal to trek. My children laugh
tain waters, with the fate of interest rates hanging of views on geopolitical matters ASEAN market is
(PMML), New Delhi. Earlier he
was ICCR Chair Professor at unilaterally chang- threat; (5) stability and prosperi- when I say that trekking is going
in the balance. The rallying cry for rate cuts echoes from and do not view China’s belliger- very attractive. The Reitaku University, Japan, and
ing the status quo ty of ASEAN; (6) Shared Princi- to be easy for me. Having not
Senior Fellow at the MP-IDSA,
financial hubs like London to Lyons to Los Angeles, ence from the same prism. region’s overall New Delhi in the Indo-Pacific ples, Asean support for the real- moved much throughout my life,
painting a hopeful picture for investors, economists, Some members such as GDP is expected to by force. ization of a Free and Open Indo- my resolution to be challenged
and everyday consumers alike. However, the road Cambodia and Myanmar (the overtake Japan’s by around Capacity building in the Pacific or AOIP; and (7) Relation- by heights seems implausible. To
ahead is fraught with complexities, and the big question latter was not invited to the sum- 2030. Asean is also part of the maritime domain is a priority in ship and Young leaders. most, I may also appear delu-
looming is whether the anticipated “Big Ease” will mit because of the coup in Feb- Global South, which is increas- the changed situation. With this The joint vision statement sional. But it certainly doesn't
materialise or if rate-cut hopes are destined to be ruary 2021) are perceived to be ing its influence. in mind, Japan offered a grant of highlighted areas of future coop- hurt to have a dash of an opti-
dashed. The narrative is shaped by a recent flurry of beholden to China for its eco- Japanese cuisine has gained $2.8 million to boost Malaysia’s eration, such as maritime securi- mism bias. Many of us have had
nomic support to these coun- immense popularity in many maritime defence. Kishida also ty and supply chains. The word- difficulty spotting the source of
policy meetings by major central banks, culminating tries. This has not deterred the Asean countries. For example, in applauded the elevation of the ing of the statement was rather our depression. Some have even
in a collective decision to pause the aggressive rate group in general from choosing 2022 there were more than 5,000 Japan-Malaysia relationship to a vague in order not to upset blamed it on the sun. With win-
hikes that have characterised the economic landscape a friendly approach towards Japanese restaurants in Thailand “comprehensive strategic part- China from whom some of the ter setting in and the sun setting
since 2022. The Bank of Japan, remaining an outlier, Japan. alone. nership”. Asean members receive large early, it goes that without expo-
maintained its negative rates policy, signalling a reluc- In fact, Japan is the region’s Interestingly, Japanese beef A similar arrangement was amounts of financial assistance sure to sunlight, we end up get-
tance to shift away from this stance. most trusted and familiar out- bowls are localised with Thai reached recently with the Philip- and are seen as holding a pro- ting depressed. As a result, the
The pivotal factor influencing this shift in mone- side partner. Japan has won the spices and seasoning. Similarly, pines. The country has placed an China stance. In particular, sale of Vitamin D3 has gone up.
tary policy has been the favourable turn in inflation hearts and minds of Southeast like the highly popular Indian order for coastal surveillance while Cambodia’s cosiness with Imagine I will end up play-
Asians through cultural exchan- rice and curry dish on the Japan- radars, paid for with Japanese China is well known, Vietnam is ing the piano, learn to swim,
over the course of 2023. From starting the year with
ges, official development assis- ese plate, Thai chicken rice money. Since Ferdinand “Bong- seen as “in-betweener”. The fact retrain my vocal chords for
inflation rates significantly exceeding the 2 per cent tar- tance, foreign direct investment stores in Japan are making roar- bong” Marcos became president that Vietnam’s PM Pham Minh music, climb mountains, write at
get shared by major central banks, the pace of price and soft power. These aspects ing business as demand for Thai of the Philippines in May 2023, Chinh arrived in Tokyo for the least a hundred pages of a book I
increases has now slowed, providing breathing space make the special Japan-Asean food continues to grow. The its coast guard has conducted Summit just a few days after have been planning for the
for central bankers. Yet, the battle against inflation is far summit significant. trend towards fusion dishes joint exercises with Japan and China’s leader Xi Jinping was in longest time ever, etc. All within
from over. Central bankers, cautious not to declare pre- Japan pledged to provide in Asian restaurants has added the US. Hanoi could not be overlooked 2024. This list of mine is natural-
mature victory, find themselves delicately placed with $170 million in financial assis- another dimension to the rela- Commemorating the spe- in assessing Vietnam’s Japan ly a figment of my extreme imag-
financial markets. tance to Cambodia to improve tionship. cial anniversary of the 50th year policy. ination.
The pledge to hold rates high for an extended peri-
od or to raise them again if necessary is met with scep- editor@thestatesman.com
ticism, with the latter increasingly seen as an empty LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
threat. The crux of the matter lies in the relationship unwavering support of the Unit-
Doublespeak
between inflation rates and the initiation of rate cuts. ed States and its allies in spite of INSINCERE
Contrary to conventional wisdom, inflation doesn’t “democratic” protests by sub-
necessarily need to drop all the way to 2 per cent for rate stantial segments of their popu- SIR, Apropos the report
cuts to commence. In a world where handling inflation lations as well as by some “Rahul to undertake
rates might become the norm, central banks face the SIR, Krishnan Srinivasan in the edition has insightfully brought other countries in the European ‘Bharat Nyay Yatra’ from
delicate task of calibrating their moves to strike the article “Opinions that the West out the reality that Israel’s atroc- Union such as Spain, Belgium Manipur to Mumbai” in
right balance. has shut its eyes to” in today’s ities in Gaza continue due to the and Ireland. today’s edition, the
While the same Western Congress Party has cate-
The significance of the current situation extends
alliance justifies its stance by gorically stated that it
beyond economic theory. Holding rates steady as infla- spouting Israel’s right to defend would be a non-political
tion rates slow further is a form of policy tightening that itself, it portrays Vladimir Putin venture.
might not be sustainable for much longer. Some Feder- as the incarnation of evil. Undoubtedly, one
al Reserve officials openly discuss rate cuts in the com- How much more hypocriti- should take its state-
ing year, citing the need for a “soft landing” for the US cal can the West be? Just as Israel ment with a pinch of
economy. The risk of keeping rates restrictive for an vindicates its actions due to the salt. When an event of
extended period is a potential rapid slowdown in eco- supposedly existential threat this magnitude is so
nomic activity, an increase in unemployment, and the posed by Hamas, Russia has close to the general election, it makes no sense to speak
looming threat of recession. upheld its invasion of Ukraine about a disinterested initiative to get in touch with ground
citing the grave danger to its sur- realities.
The economic sectors sensitive to interest rates, vival posed by the possibility of This attitude is no different from Rahul Gandhi's pretense
such as housing and manufacturing, have already borne Ukraine joining NATO. that he is not interested in becoming prime minister but mere-
the brunt of higher rates for over a year. While services It is high time that the ly to be an agent of healing and affection.
activity continues to expand, there are signs of relief in world woke up to the reality of Last but not least, this disposition reminds one of the ten
manufacturing activity, hinting that the worst might be this blatant doublespeak by years when Mrs. Sonia Gandhi manipulated the actual prime
over. As we look forward to 2024, a chicken and egg sit- the so-called upholders of minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, with a supposedly selfless and
uation unfolds between market expectations and cen- morality. neutral attitude.
tral bank intentions. Projections from Federal Reserve Yours, etc., Yours, etc., Animesh Rai,
officials indicate a certain path, but market positions Animesh Rai, Noida, 28 December.
Noida, 24 December.
anticipate a more substantial policy easing.
NEW DELHI, 31 DECEMBER 2023
order by destroying it T
he vexing query I encounter rou-
tinely after retirement from 35-
years' service is: “How do you pass
your time?” Near and dear ones
keep advising me solicitously to “keep your-
self busy”. The social myth that ‘unless you
are busy, you are bored’, is deeply
entrenched in our psyche. To quell the
incessant quizzing, I am penning here a
ANDREW SHENG note stating my position.
I had nurtured a penchant for ‘writing’
C
overing the 1968 Vietnam ever since I passed out from university with
war, Associated Press jour- a PG degree in English Literature. Despite
nalist Peter Arnett quoted an paucity of time for writing while I worked, I
American major: "It became kept the literary flame burning by con-
necessary to destroy the town to save tributing to in-house magazines. After
it” and said “he was talking about the retirement I have devoted myself fully to
decision by allied commanders to writing – a vocation I had long kept in
bomb and shell the town regardless abeyance. Through writings, which capture
of civilian casualties.” The same and reflect my experiences and perspec-
quote could be applied to Israel tives, I am summing up my life.
bombing Gaza and more generally, Retiring at the age of 60 in 2019, I
the American attitude on the interna- embarked upon an ambitious mission to
tional order that she helped built in write 60 life stories. I increase the target by
the last eight decades. one, for every year after 60. Now that my age
The current international order is 64, the revised target is 64. I have already
was built out of two world wars in an written more than 40 pieces averaging 500
effort to reconstruct peace and avoid words each - mostly autobiographical in
the ultimate third world war, after anecdotal template. Backlog will be cleared
atomic bombs were dropped on in a couple of years when the number of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The victori- published pieces will draw level with my
ous powers at the end of the Second current age. Thereafter my goal would be
World War decided to divide the one piece per month.
world between the American-led Free Writing is the easier part or in other
World and the Soviet-led Communist words is less arduous than getting pub-
world. By 1991, the United States lished. I have however never let frequent
emerged as the unipolar power after rejections dampen my morale. A note of
the collapse of the Soviet Union. regret from the editor motivates me to
Instead of dissolving the North improve my writing. To maximise reader-
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ship, I upload published pieces on my social
after the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact that used her maritime power and GDP in 1950, increasing to near Affairs, the premier international over-stretched in defending its allies media handles and various WhatsApp
crumbled, the old rivalry was rekin- “divide and rule” political acumen to seven times of the former Soviet relations magazine, CNN commen- in Ukraine and Israel in terms of fund- groups. My acquaintances help amplify my
dled when Russia felt that she was master colonies comprising one quar- Union by 2003. tator Fareed Zakaria weighed the ing and supply of arms and munition. writings. Without an audience, written com-
excluded from Europe and treated as ter of mankind. The United States is a This winter, as Ukraine faces a options of the “Self-Doubting Super- In supporting Israel in its near genoci- position is as good as unwritten.
the enemy. continental giant guarded by two Russian assault and Israel fighting not power”, that America shouldn’t give dal destruction of Gaza, the United One idea or the other keeps lurking in
Shocked by the 9/11 attack in oceans with no credible neighbour- just the Palestinians but also Houthis up on the world it made. Hoover fel- States has lost all moral credibility the mind of a writer. On a good day, I sit
New York in 2001, the United States hood threats. Once the European and Hezbollah, the United States is low Philip Zelikow gave a realistic with the Global South. If the West down and write a draft of around 800 words.
spent the next two decades fighting in powers exhausted themselves fighting now confronting four fronts at the review of how American statecraft wavers in aid to Ukraine, which is cur- Then over the next 10 days or so, I chisel the
the Middle East. When Donald Trump each other in two world wars, the same time – Eastern Europe, Middle has atrophied, particularly in respect rently financially and militarily on life piece down to 500 words – the size that fits
emerged as President in 2016, neo- United States emerged as the undis- East, Taiwan Straits and internally of industrial capacity. Nobel Laure- support, then the Rest would know the appropriate columns I send my contri-
conservatives in the American mili- puted hegemon because she was fractious politics, united only by ate Paul Krugman gave the first hon- that relying on Western promises can butions to. Redundant text has to be
tary industrial complex identified guarded by two oceans. With superior bipartisan anger against China. est American self-review of how “The be fatal. In the last three years, Presi- removed; the piece has to be made coher-
China as the existential rival, thus set- industrial might and technology, In his masterly treatise, “The Rise American Way of Economic War” dent Joe Biden has abandoned ent. It takes almost a fortnight for me to
ting the stage for a multi-front con- America could fight two fronts with and Fall of the Great Powers”, Yale was made by overusing its most pow- Afghanistan, taken on Russia and now process a 500-word piece.
frontation for the unipolar power. By resources to spare. historian Paul Kennedy saw by 1986 erful tool, the US dollar. Harvard Pro- faces an impossible task in bringing Besides the project of summing up my
this time, the rise of China as the sec- In 1956, when President Eisen- that the United States faced the twin fessor Gordon Hansen reviewed Israel to heel on cessation of war. Next life, there are numerous domestic chores I
ond largest economy in terms of GDP hower forced Britain and France to problems of Number One in relative American trade policy by concluding year, he faces Trump at the polls. By happily attend to. Some bill or the other is
and largest trading partner meant that retreat from their occupation of the decline: first, the longevity of remain- “If Washington continues down the putting America First, the two Presi- always due. All the paraphernalia at home
the unipolar order had begun to shift Suez Canal, the United States ing top dog and second, whether she path of trade unilateralism, it will dents are dismantling the world order demands repair and maintenance off and
to a multipolar order. In this decade, became the unchallenged guardian can retain the economic and techno- destabilize the global alliances and that America built because they have on. Then there are social commitments I
this shift became evident with the rise of the oil-rich Middle East. By aiding logical bases of her power. In short, institutions that it spent seven weaponized every single foundation can’t excuse myself from citing ‘busy sched-
of India, today the most populous mujahideen fighters to kick the Sovi- America must address her strategic decades building.” of the existing order. ule in office’. I also devote at least one hour
country and the fastest growing econ- ets out of Afghanistan in 1989, Amer- overextension or “over-reach” in The Ukraine war unveiled all the The power game is always for the for the fitness of my body, on exercise and
omy in the world. ica created the conditions for the which resources cannot match the weaknesses of the neoliberal founda- Number One to lose, not necessarily walks. I browse social media and watch OTT
From the long lens of history, the collapse of the Soviet Union, burden of staying as top dog. America tions of free trade, finance, supply for rivals to take. So far, we don’t even in the time I am left with.
United States reached parity with the exhausted by internal corruption cannot fight forever wars with a mili- chains and international relations, know whether Number One knows All in all, presently my life is busier
United Kingdom as the largest econo- and over-burdened by its wasteful tary expenditure that is equal to her that no country can determine its own what the plot is really all about. than it was before retirement. The key dif-
my and industrial power in the world military expenditure. The Cold War annual interest burden on her bal- fate independent of its history, geog- ference is now I am busy with activities I
in terms of GDP as early as 1870. was never an equal contest, with the looning debt. raphy and demography. The West (The writer, a former Central banker, writes love doing.
on global affairs from an Asian perspective.)
Britain was a small island economy US having three times the Soviet In the latest issue of Foreign (United States and Europe) is already Special to ANN.
100 YEARS AGO
POLITICAL DIARY KALYANI SHANKAR EUROPEAN
ELECTORS IN
Temple marks culmination of long campaign BENGAL
To The Editor Of The Statesman
T
he grand Ram Temple in Ayo- SIR, - From the number of letters and
dhya is set to open to the pub- telephone messages I have received today
lic on January 22. This temple it appears that some members of the pub-
was constructed after the lic are under the impression that the elec-
demolition of the Babri Masjid in tors whose names were published in the
1992, fulfilling the BJP's "Mandir wohi Statesman on Sunday are all members of
Banayenge" pledge. The site is the European Association. I should be
believed to be the birthplace of Lord much obliged if you would make it clear
Ram and holds significant spiritual that the list is an exact copy of the Roll of
value for Hindus. Electors eligible to vote in the European
Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituency of Bengal as it exists at this
will consecrate Ram Lalla's idol. The stage, and that the various divisions, such
government has invited around 6,000 as Mymensingh, Chittagong, etc., are dif-
dignitaries from around the nation for ferent areas of the same constituency, and
the event. in no sense are they to be taken as branch-
The inauguration of the Ram es of the European Association. I shall be
Temple holds great importance in the glad to receive information from anyone,
BJP's campaign for the 2024 elections. whether a member of this Association or
The Modi government has fulfilled n o t, i n r e ga r d t o om i s s io n s , c o r re c t
two of its promises. They have con- spelling of names, etc., at the earliest pos-
structed the Ram Temple and revoked sible date.
Article 370, which granted special sta- L.I. LLOYD,
tus to Jammu and Kashmir. Imple- Asst. General Secretary, the
menting a uniform civil code is the Murli Manohar Joshi in 1992, and hya agitation. The Sangh considers Minister Narendra Modi's team tional attention when a mob of Hin- European Association.
third core issue that needs to be made today's temple possible. constructing the Ram temple a cru- completed the construction of a dus demolished the Babri mosque 17 Stephen Court.
addressed. Advani has openly admitted that the cial step towards establishing Hindu temple at the site. The Uttar Pradesh located in the disputed site. The inci-
The Ram Janmabhoomi move-
ment laid the foundation for the
movement aimed to gain the sup-
port of Hindus for political purpos-
Rashtra.
The Supreme Court, in 2019, in
Sunni Central Waqf Board was
offered five acres of land in Dhan-
dent led to widespread riots across the
country, resulting in many deaths. CALCUTTA LEAGUE
current dominance of the BJP. The
campaign was led by BJP leaders Lal
es. The Vishva Hindu Parishad, a
front organization of the Sangh,
its verdict, said that the disputed
Babri Masjid site belonged to Hindu
nipur village, Ayodhya, where they
could build a mosque.
The BJP claimed that the mosque was
built on the ruins of an ancient Hindu OF WOMEN
Krishna Advani in 1989 and Dr played a leading role in the Ayod- groups. In just four years, Prime In 1992, Ayodhya gained interna- temple.
WORKERS
To The Editor Of The Statesman
SIR, - As you are aware, the Calcutta
CROSSWORD NO-292650 League of Women Workers is undertaking
various much-needed pieces of work for the
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ACROSS be electrical (5) 28 Gospel backfiring 8 Genius, good man
welfare of the women of the community.
15 Badger used to on church body (7) inspired by old oath May I draw the attention of your readers to
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION rat, disconcerted (9) (7) one side of the work which has recently
DOWN
9 10 1 Excellent finishing, 18 Doctor gathering 14 Monotremes dicky been taken up? A Committee of the League
H A L F COC K E D S P A M not starting (7) clothes for later time? 1 Strikes hit workers ticker (9)
5 Eves birthplace (9) initially involved 16 Motherese
has been formed to investigate the condi-
E E E O M C R I tions under which women and girls live and
11 12 A GA I N L I B E L L I N G just before Jesus 19 Finish off with hair in courses (7) discombobulated
D R T WO E O A H born, in fashion (7) in beehive style? (3,2) 2 Notes praising triplets (9) work in Calcutta, to include in their survey
L ON E R R E DC A R P E T
9 Join together touring 21 Rate of workforces evolution of pangolins 17 Springier pants business girls, nurses and teachers. Such a
a region of South retirement? (5) (9) for putting on again
13 14 15 16 17 A E A A K I Y
East England (5) 23 Part of shell in 3 Juliets predecessor (9)
survey has for its ultimate object the gradual
M I D D L E D I S T A NC E improvement of conditions, an object which
10 Filling up again, 11 at sea (9) somewhere in Asia (5) 18 Detected without 1
P A A C N P could be a long ride? 25 Six on the table? Across (7) every citizen desires to promote throughout
4 Item designed for
18 19 20 T A SMA N I A ND E V I L
A S E P D E A
(9) Stir broiled meat (9) light switches 10 (9) 20 Drink upset duck the city. Such matters as the housing of girls,
11 Sort of tin can 26 Indian condiment 5 Measure big cheese (7)
F L U OR E S C E A P RO N or bottle, ultimately absorbed by chapati, (5) 22 Right, second right,
their technical and vocational training, their
21 22 23 24 F N I C G I G T K this? (9) a restaurateur 6 Nomadic tribesman then a left (5) attitude to work and their preparation for
R A D I CCH I O GU I L T 12 Relative peace recalled (5) controlling vital area? 23 Build boat (5) it, will come under the scope of this inquiry.
A E A W A E G O
25 26 Y A R N MA T T E RHOR N
finally found in 27 Most uninspiring (9) 24 Vessel a swine almost The Secretary of the Investigations Com-
European city (5) airport tax originally 7 Whisper main number capsized, circling river
13 Charge that may (7) of forty-five? (5) (5)
mittee will be glad to receive information or
answer questions which will further this
27 28 inquiry.
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required. (By arrangement with The Independent, London) BEATRICE LANGFORD-JAMES.
Calcutta.
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Then wherever you go, you add beauty and
bring comfort to others. WHEN YOU ARE CALM AND CENTRED,
CLOUDS ARE MAGICAL, RAIN IS LIQUID
When you are unhappy or tired, even sweet
6+$1.$5 things are nauseating, music is disturbing,
and the moon is irritating. When you are
ZŪǪÐÓ}¯+ÓÇÓ calm and centred, clouds are magical, rain is
liquid sunshine and even noise is music. So
SUNSHINE AND EVEN NOISE IS MUSIC. SO
it is important to take proper rest. But when
can you rest? Rest is possible only when you
IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE PROPER REST
have stopped all other activities. When you
stop moving around, when you stop work- desires or hankerings in you”. You can see for this, you have to merely come home to
ing, thinking, talking, seeing, hearing, this from your own experience; if you go to yourself.
smelling, tasting, when all these voluntary bed with some restlessness or agitation you Among all the planets in the solar system,
activities stop, then you get rest. In sleep, will not get deep sleep. Very ambitious peo- the earth is privileged to host life in so
you are left with only involuntary activities ple cannot have deep sleep because the many forms and among all the species,
like breathing, the heartbeat, digestion and mind inside is not free. Every desire or humans are the most privileged as they can
blood circulation. But this is not total rest. ambition is like a sand particle in the eye. host the knowledge. Again and again
When the mind settles down, it has come One way is to extend your desire or make it remember that you are peace and love and
back home. That is when one gets deep rest so big that it doesn’t bother you. A big stone that you are hosting the creator. Like birds
and this happens in meditation. or a rock can never get into your eyes. The returning to their nests, come back to your
Right now you are on the doorstep. You are other way is to remove it. Dispassion is source. Come back home.
locked out of your own house. Bang on your removing this particle of dust or sand from Make your home Divine’s home and there
inner door. Do not delay a moment. All your eye. will be light, love and abundance. Make
wealth is within you. When your inner door Just let go of everything. The best way to do your body Divine’s abode and there will be
opens, there is love, joy, peace and comfort. this is to feel that “the world is disappearing peace and bliss. Feel your mind as a toy of
As long as desires linger in your mind, you or dissolving…and feel that you are dead!” the Divine and you’ll watch and enjoy
cannot be at total rest. You cannot be at Unless you feel that, you cannot meditate or all its games. See this world as play and as a
home. feel complete rest. For many, the mind does- display of Divine Himself and you will
Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “You n’t settle even after death. Wise are those repose in the non-dual self, which is
cannot get into Yoga unless you drop the who can settle their minds while alive! And your home!
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Scaneasonal changes deeply
impact human life and
of spring. A holistic
approach should be
directly affect a per- adopted to tackle this
PSWTaT]RTP]S^eTaP[[WTP[cW^dcR^\TbaTbTPaRWTabUa^\0\XchD]XeTabXchUX]SPUcTaR^]SdRcX]VPbcdSh^] son's physical and mental problem, including
health. counselling, diet, light
cWTRWP[[T]VTb^UR^\\d]XchX]R[dbX^]^U_Tab^]bfXcWb_X]P[R^aSX]YdahB28X]cWT8]SXP]_^_d[PcX^] In Ayurveda, there is a therapy, medicines,
detailed description of and Panchakarma
he study “Barriers to the com- sive understanding of the injury's viduals with SCI. different foods and therapy.
T munity inclusion of individu-
als with Spinal Cord Injury”
impact and alleviating the psycho-
logical burden associated with it.
Additionally, the study underscored
the substantial impact of socio-eco-
lifestyles for six different
seasons so that we can
Light therapy proves
to be very effective in
by Dr Meenakshi Mohan and The study also highlights the nomic status on the patient- remain healthy in every this, under which the
Prof Roumi Deb, Department of paramount importance of patient provider relationship. The findings season. person is made to sit
Anthropology, Amity University, satisfaction and its role in sustain- demonstrated that individuals with But knowingly or 3AA
A???0A0B70A in sunlight or a cham-
Noida also provides significant ing the patient-provider relation- a stable socioeconomic status exhib- unknowingly, we violate 2WXTU<TSXRP[>UUXRTa0hdaeTSP ber with high-intensi-
insights into the concepts, inter- ship. ited more appropriate health-seek- the Ayurvedic principles <d]XRX_P[2^a_^aPcX^]^U3T[WX ty light in the absence
relationships among various fac- According to the authors, empa- ing behavior and reported higher of diet and lifestyle of sunlight.
tors, and challenges faced by SCI thy and holistic care emerged as satisfaction with their healthcare according to the season resulting in var- Additionally, practicing yoga and
individuals during community significant factors in the patient- professionals. ious types of mental and physical prob- meditation, exercising regularly, eat-
inclusion. 3A<
<44=0:B78< <>70= ?A>5AA>D<83 341 provider relationship and commu- Therefore, the study suggested a lems. One of these is seasonal affective ing healthy foods, and improving
The findings hold importance as 3T_Pac\T]c^U0]cWa^_^[^Vh 3T_Pac\T]c^U0]cWa^_^[^Vh nication within a clinical context, per vasive need to enhance disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression. daily routines prove to be quite help-
these shed light on how individ- 0\XchD]XeTabXch=^XSP 0\XchD]XeTabXch=^XSP indicating a significant relation- patient-centered care, incorporat- It is a type of depression, which is usu- ful. A person suffering from this prob-
uals with SCI interact with health- ship between relational empathy, ing a holistic approach and empa- ally seen in the winter season. In this lem should follow a moderate and
care systems within their respec- the patient's perspective. To ed out that coping strategies and holistic care, and the quality of life thy. “This not only enhances self- mental health disorder, a person feels healthy lifestyle.
tive socio-cultural, economic, and ensure participant ease, the scale facilitators like spirituality, reli- in SCI patients. awareness and self-confidence sad, lonely, tired, and less energetic. Herbs like Ashwagandha, Shatavar,
demographic contexts. was translated and validated in giosity, and support from family A positive association was found but also instills optimism in indi- The main causes of SAD include Mandukaparni, Brahmi etc. are used for
The authors noted that most of the Hindi. and friends played a vital role in between the quality of life and the viduals facing chronic disabilities changes in weather, lack of enjoying sun- its treatment. Ayurvedic medicines like
participants who sustained spinal The findings revealed that chal- reintegrating SCI individuals into patient-provider relationship. This such as SCI.” light regularly for long periods, lack of Brahm Rasayan, Ashwagandhadi
cord injuries were in the age lenges such as limited accessibil- the community. suggests that SCI individuals who Furthermore, it enables health- physical activity due to shivering weath- Avaleh, Shatavaryadi Churna, Saraswat
range of 18-40 years, i.e., the ity to local transportation, uneven Barriers and facilitators play reported positive and satisfacto- care professionals to gain pro- er, and changes in hormones like mela- Churna, Brahmi Ghrit, Jatamansyadi
period of 'prime of life’. “This age and narrow paths, inadequate contrasting roles in the lives of SCI ry consultations with healthcare found insights into how an illness tonin and serotonin in the human body. Kwath etc. are especially beneficial in the
group is significant as its members public toilets, inappropriate patients. professionals also reported a bet- affects a person's overall life and These changes can affect a person's treatment of this disease.
are highly productive and often wheelchairs, unemployment, Barriers represent weaknesses, ter quality of life, and vice versa. their unique requirements. By mood, performance, and sleep. Shirodhara therapy under Panchakarma
act as breadwinners for their fam- financial constraints, negative while facilitators represent However, these findings indicate promoting a balanced integration Symptoms of this disease may include treatment is highly beneficial. However,
ilies,” said Dr Mohan. attitudes, commiseration, and strengths, the authors said. room for improvement in various of the mind, body, emotions, and sadness, lack of energy, trouble sleep- it is necessary that after identifying the
The Consultation of Relational inferiority complex were com- The active involvement of indi- aspects of healthcare delivery, spirit within a dynamic setting, ing, irregular eating habits, and disin- symptoms of this disease, help and treat-
Empathy scale (CARE) was monly reported by individuals viduals with SCI and their fami- including consultation content, patient-centered care nurtures terest in social activities. ment of the patient should be started
employed to understand the with SCI. lies in the rehabilitation team is quality, and the overall patient- comprehensive well-being, said This problem starts from the beginning immediately so that the disease does not
patient-provider relationship from On the other hand, Dr Deb point- crucial for gaining a comprehen- provider relationship for indi- the study. of autumn and continues till the arrival progress further.
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Malayalam language flourishes. The
‘World Renowned Nose’ by Basheer
is a classic example of simplicity and
hort story is the world's most pop-
Sevolved
ular literary medium and it
TR^]^\XRX]U[dT]RTb^UcWT<P[PhP[P\bW^acbc^aXTbcWPcbWP_TS[XcTaPcdaTX]:TaP[P intellectual honesty. Written in
1954, the TWRN and Mr Mookken
alonFg with human civiliza- retain the charm and remains eter-
tion. But the first-ever recorded short stories begins in India with our years. Oduvil Kunhikrishna Menon, lection has stories by Karoor to sell Amul butter to the world. The nally fresh. Stories by Dev, Thakazhi,
short story is “The Two Drovers” own ‘Panchathanthra’ or ‘One Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar, Neelakanta Pillai, the doyen among campaign launched in 1966 remains Varkey, Kovilan, VKN, T
authored by Walter Scott and pub- Thousand And One Nights’ (Arabian Moorkothu Kumaran and the likes Malayalam story telling who initiat- as fresh and lively even after 57 years. Padmanabhan, M P Narayana Pillai
lished in a magazine by name Nights), folk tales from West Asia. wrote stories to entertain the readers. ed a revolution by writing about the This is how we can describe the sto- etc too would make it to any selec-
Chronicles of the Canongate in the Later in the short stories evolved The next generation storytellers like lives and times of the proletarian sec- ries by these veteran writers. They had tion of the best Malayalam stories
year 1827. This is what Scottish along with periodicals and publica- Keshava Dev, PC Kuttykrishnan tion, P Keshava Dev, the writer who the advantage of having first-hand ever written. The draw back with
novelist-cum-short story writer tions as this form of literature turned (Uroob), Thakazhi Shivasankara elevated the readers to new heights experience about life with which they VKN’s works is that though they are
William Boyd claims in the literary out to be an unavoidable ingredient Pillai , SK Pottekkad , M T Vasudevan of the possibilities of literature crafted short stories and novels. But of global standards, it is a tough job
magazine Prospect. in these publications. Renowned Nair (the last three were honored with through his novels and short stories. the later generation failed to deliver to translate the same to English
Even if the argument by Boyd has to magazines including Readers’ Digest Jnanapeetha Awards) Madhavi Kutty The stories by Karoor had artisans the kind of works which were done unless and until one is that fluent in
be debated and discussed, the fact promoted the short stories in a big (Kamala Das), VKN, Vaikom and lower primary teachers as its pro- by their predecessors. English. This has been proved
remains that the medium of short way. It is not an exaggeration to say Muhammed Basheer, M Sukumaran, tagonists while Dev wrote about the The ultra-modern stories are written beyond doubt in the story ‘Lunch’
story in its published form is a com- that the short story speaks a lot about Ponkunnam Varkey, and OV Vijayan members of the proletarian society. to sell and manage to win literary in which the protagonist Payyan
paratively new form of literature. the culture, customs and traditions of presented the readers with new expe- Dev’s characters were daily wage awards in contrast to the works of the says to himself “Ya don’t have to
People’s passion for listening to or the country of its origin. riences and stories that smell of the earners, porters, rickshaw pullers older generation. They wrote about laugh, madame, Ya don’t have to...”
reading real life experiences knows no In India, a country of 28 States and blood and sweat of the people con- and vegetable vendors. He was the pain and agony and disappoint- Those who are well-versed in
bounds. What started as recounting eight union territories with 22 offi- stituting the society in which they first writer in Malayalam to focus on ments and dejections which could be Malayalam as well as the unique
the unique experiences encountered cial languages, there are multitudes of lived. the trials and tribulations of this class. comprehended by those who could VKN touch may be able to make out
by people in their daily pursuit for traditions and art forms. It is quite Though the new generation writers Ponkunnam Varkey was a born rebel read and write. The same is not the what the author intends but to
food and clothing after each day’s natural that each region has their own categorize the above-mentioned and had staged a running battle with case with the new generation authors convey the idea through translation
hard job evolved into a popular cul- stories to tell. Publication of authors as representing the outdated the Church, clergy and the evil side who figure in this collection. They are is a tough task.
ture and it took the name of a short Malayalam short stories dates back to ones and pat themselves on their a bird’s eye view of the lifestyle and of capitalism. not writing stories, but performing For those who have not read these
story. Though described as a short the early half of the 18th century and shoulders as the spokespersons of character of the people constituting What made these writers and others some kind of jugglery with words and authors, the work by Thomas is an
story, it need not be short at all. In the from the word go, the pioneers in this post-modern/ultra-modern litera- the region. like VKN, MT Vasudevan Nair, sentences. The Malayalam literary opportunity to feel and experience
published form, it could be dozens of literature genre have not disappoint- ture, it has to be said that stories writ- “Greatest Malayalam Stories Ever Kovilan, is the power with which their world is undergoing a phase of stag- the Malayalam short stories as the
pages. ed the readers. While the earlier sto- ten by Keshava Dev, Thakazhi etc Told” is a collection of short stories works got engraved on our hearts. To nation. translator has done a reasonably
India’s contribution to the genre of ries centered on humor and real remain engraved in the mind while by the crème de la crème of writers put it more clearly, the stories and Coming back to some of the stories good job by not tampering with the
short stories could have its origin in human interest incidents, a marked the ultra-modern authors have dis- in Malayalam, selected and translat- novels authored by them remind us that Thomas has translated as great- originals. Let more and more trans-
Panchathanthra or Hitopadesha sto- change in style and substance stands appointed the readers. Short stories ed by A J Thomas, poet, editor and of the slogan “utterly butterly deli- est Malayalam stories, yes, they lations from other languages enrich
ries. The initiation into the world of out in stories published in later in each language and region offer us translator, all rolled into one. The col- cious”, coined by Sylvester daCunha will remain so long as the our literature.
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he history of Kurdistan is independent Kurdistan. This them quip that they are “no
T deeply intertwined with
the geography, polity, and econ-
treaty was replaced by the
Treaty of Lausanne, negotiated
man’s land” today. They are the
largest group of inhabitants,
CWTWXbc^ah^U
omy of West Asia, especially the with the Turkish Government, numbering almost 40 million :daSXbcP]Xb
sovereign countries of Turkey, which made no mention of the to date, without having a per-
Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The Kurdistan state. Since then, manent state. Shockingly, the X]caXRPcT[hf^eT]
Kurdish people are largely scat- Kurds across the five nation- four major states where the
tered across these four coun- states of Turkey, Syria, Iran, Kurds particularly live — X]c^cWTUPQaXR^U
tries in the region. For cen-
turies, people belonging to
Iraq, and Armenia have raised
the banner of revolt for an
Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria —
all of them have either failed or FTbc0bXP
numerous ethnicities have
migrated, settled, and many
independent homeland.
By January 22, 1946, Kurds in
not genuinely shown interest in
conducting an apolitical census
T]R^\_PbbX]V
have naturally inhabited West Iran established the Republic of of the Kurd population. CdaZTh8aP`8aP]
Asia, such as Persians, Arabs, Mahabad during the Second It is a matter of critical politi-
Turks, Armenians, Azeris, World War when it was under cal contestation in all these P]SBhaXP7^\Tc^
Chechens, etc. Unfortunately,
the Kurds are the only ones
the control of the USSR.
After the withdrawal of Soviet
states, and the successive
regimes in Ankara, Baghdad, cWT:daSbcWT
who have remained stateless to
date.
troops, Iran took control of
Mahabad in December 1946.
Tehran, and Damascus have
simply ignored the persistent
aTVX^]b[PaVTbc
The Kurds are sometimes
regarded as the largest nation
Mustafa Barzani, considered
the “Father of Kurdish nation-
attempts of the Kurds to estab-
lish themselves as a single
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without its own independent alism”, established the Kurdish political community for Va^d_cWTh]d\QTa
country. About 25-35 million of Democratic Party of Iraq on decades now.
them live in the mountainous August 16, 1946, while in exile Who is responsible for making Pa^d]S"$\X[[X^]
regions that straddle the bor-
ders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria,
in Mahabad. Later, it was
renamed the Kurdistan
the Kurds stateless? Can there
be a permanent solution? SXb_TabTSPRa^bbcWT
Iran, and Armenia. The Kurds
are probably the fourth largest
Democratic Party, becoming
the most dominant political
Frankly, the Kurdish dream of
an independent state needs
PU^aT\T]cX^]TS
ethnic group in the West Asian party among Kurds until the support and compromise from ]PcX^]b3Tb_XcT
region without a state. They are 1970s in Iraq. Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. It
one of the most widely known By 1961, under Barzani’s lead- is a very intricate issue because cWTXabXV]XUXRP]c
indigenous peoples belonging ership, Iraqi Kurds began their all these countries don’t have a
to the ancient Mesopotamian rebellion against the Baathist consensus on the demands of _aTbT]RT:daSb
Plains and Highlands. Today,
they are mainly scattered over
regime of Baghdad for not ful-
filling the demand for autono-
the Kurdish people and their
leaders over the decades. The aT\PX]fXcW^dcP
Southeastern Turkey,
Northeastern Syria, Northern
my. In 1962, Syria stripped
120,000 Kurds of their citizen-
Kurds have remained homeless
simply because of the initial
b^eTaTXV]bcPcT
Iraq, Northwestern Iran, and ship. Hafez al-Assad’s regime division of West Asia by the UPRX]VPR^\_[Tg
Southwestern Armenia. As a established an Arab Belt along European colonial powers and
result, they lay claim to all these the border of Turkey in 1973 by rebellion suffered a significant 1,80,000 Kurds. On March 16 Assembly in 1992. Since then, that someday, they will have an subsequent neglect by the WXbc^ah\PaZTSQh
territories currently under the displacing thousands of Kurds. setback. Following the collapse of the same year, he unleashed until the rise of the Islamic State independent land. regional rulers of their
occupation of five sovereign In 1974, the Kurdistan Workers of the rebellion, Kurdish fight- a mustard and sarin gas attack in 2014, Kurdish parties and The recent attack by Kurdish demands. VT^_^[XcXRP[
nations.
The history of Kurdistan traces
Party (PKK) was established
under the leadership of
ers were divided into two
groups: the original group
on the Kurds in the town of
Halabja, killing about 5,000 of
groups underwent massive
changes and faced upheavals in
rebels and the killing of near-
ly 12 Turkish soldiers in north-
Furthermore, the Kurds have
enough factions in all these PVaTT\T]cb
back to the historic Sykes-
Picot Agreement of 1916,
Abdullah Ocalan. It is a Marxist
organisation aiming to establish
under Barzani remained, but
branding him as a reactionary,
them. Even after the Iranian
Revolution of 1979, under the
Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey but
failed to achieve their inde-
ern Iraq have again highlight-
ed the continued threat from
countries, and they do not
have a coherent strategy to fight
d_aXbX]VbP]ScWT
under which West Asia was an independent Kurdistan in Jalal Talabani formed the leadership of Ayatollah pendent homeland. the outlawed PKK. In response the respective regimes. Today, T]SdaX]V`dTbcU^a
divided into separate zones of the southeastern part of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Ruhollah Khomeini, the Kurds Interestingly, the US fully sup- to the killings, the Turkish they are seen as a threat to the
British and French influence. Turkey. Since 1984, the PKK (PUK) in Sorani-speaking were tortured and completely ported the Kurds in its war Army launched massive territorial integrity of Turkey, Pdc^]^\h
After the First World War, the has been using violent tactics to areas of Central Iraq. sidelined in Iran. against the Islamic State in airstrikes and neutralised Iraq, and Syria, though they
Treaty of Sèvres was signed in fight the Turkish state. From 1970 to 1990, the Kurds With the US-led Operation West Asia, particularly in Syria around 26 PKK fighters. have been living there for
1920, proposing the creation of Thereafter, the Kurds found fought in both Iraq and Iran, Provide Comfort and later and Iraq. However, once the Subsequently, dozens of pro- decades. So, the road ahead is
an autonomous Kurdish state themselves in a disadvanta- but they could hardly force the Operation Northern Watch war came to an end and Kurdistan opposition activists long and arduous for the Kurds
as part of the dissolution of the geous position with the signing respective regimes to yield to against Saddam’s regime in President Assad regained con- were affected. The PKK has to attain their homeland in the
Ottoman Empire. However, of the Algiers Accord between their demands. The worst came Iraq, nearly a million fleeing trol over the major war zones been designated as a terrorist days to come.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Iraq and Iran in 1975. As US in Iraq when Saddam Hussein Kurds came back home from of Syria with support from group by Turkey, the US, and
new leader of Turkey, out- funding came to an end and launched the “Kurdish Turkey and Iran. They elected Iran and Russia, the Kurds the European Union (EU). (The writer is currently the
rightly rejected the Treaty of Kurdish territory in Northern Genocide” in 1988, resulting in their first Kurdistan Regional found themselves still fighting Almost anyone visiting and president of the Global Research
Sèvres and the demand for an Iraq was occupied, the Kurdish the killing of more than Government and National an endless war with the hope meeting the Kurds will hear Foundation)
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limate change is real, and speak. They are not receiving headquarters in Geneva. It is to encourage governments and
C humanity is facing a poten-
tial threat. It has the power to
what they urgently deserve.
One of the real dangers emerg-
also focusing on 22 countries of
high concern until 2026.
other entities to invest in envi-
ronmentally sustainable public
reshape the planet Earth in the ing from environmental chaos To tackle the climate refugee services for these displaced
days to come, and we, as is the problem of “climate issue, the UNHCR is working individuals.
humans, are solely responsible refugees” in many parts of the towards a vision for the year C. People forced to flee, state-
for these unnatural changes. In globe. It is affecting people 2030. This vision is firmly less individuals, and their hosts
April 2021, when the UN High from Mongolia to Mexico and rooted in the UNHCR’s should be able to prepare for,
Commissioner for Refugees from Iceland to South Africa. Strategic Directions of 2022-26 withstand, recover from, and be
(UNHCR) released data, it No one is left untouched. It has and aligned with the United protected against the impacts of
highlighted that the number of become a pandemic by now. Nations Framework climate change. This under-
people displaced by climate The impact of climate change Convention on Climate scores that the UNHCR col-
change-related disasters since on migration is evolving each Change (UNFCCC). The laborates with host nations to
2010 has increased to 21.5 year. One such region experi- vision states: “By 2030, an ensure the protection and well-
million. Furthermore, the encing significant changes is increasing number of forcibly being of climate refugees,
Ecosystem Threat Register the US-Mexico border, where displaced and stateless people, enabling them to lead safe
(ETR) released in September thousands of migrants arrive fleeing from climate-fueled lives.
2018 by the Institute for after traversing the “Darien crises and/or living in climate- D. The UNHCR aims to min-
Economics and Peace (IEP), an Gap”, risking their lives in the vulnerable countries, find solu- imise its own negative impacts
Australian think tank, stated journey from Central America tions, are protected and on the environment. To reduce
that by 2050, around 1.2 billion to the US. This route is con- resilient to the impacts of cli- carbon footprints, the UNHCR
people will be displaced by sidered one of the world’s most mate change, and have the utilises solar panels at its offices
these climate-related threats. perilous migration paths, means to live self-sufficient and endeavours to make its
In 2018, when the UN adopt- where many migrants, includ- lives.” This vision is based on fleet entirely green. Its use of
ed the Global Compact on ing the weak, elderly, children, the Strategic Action for Climate renewable energy resources
Safe, Orderly, and Regular and women, lose their lives due Action launched in 2020 by the aligns with the UN’s broader
Migration, it clearly stated that to treacherous pathways and UNHCR itself. However, the commitment to “Greening the
one of the factors causing large- various natural hazards. new Strategic Plan for Action Blue”.
scale migration of people is the Consequently, many of these 2024-30 provides a clear Thus, the UNHCR is taking
adverse impacts of climate migrants find it challenging to roadmap to address the issue of numerous steps to mitigate the
change and environmental realise their coveted “American climate refugees. These objec- impact of climate change on
degradation. Again, in March Dream” in reality. tives are: environmentally displaced peo-
2018, the UN Human Rights Media reports and migration This underscores the serious member states and 22 associ- the climate crisis. Indeed, the tion in the future. A. People who are compelled to ple worldwide. However, joint
Council adopted an outcome experts have been issuing consideration of the Darien ate states designated as SIDS by recent call for a “loss and dam- What kind of policies could flee across borders due to per- action is crucial, as the UNHCR
document that strongly focused warnings about the substantial Gap by migrants seeking a the UN constitute a unique cri- age” fund established at the alleviate this issue? The realis- secution, violence, and human alone cannot achieve this.
on cross-border movement of increase in migrants to the US brighter future in their home- sis, termed a “sink or swim” COP-27 summit in 2022 could tic solution is to ensure that we rights violations arising from Migration is a global phenom-
people brought about by cli- from poor, impoverished, and land. paradox, unlike other poor be one way to address climate no longer pollute and produce the adverse effects of climate enon, with climate-related dis-
mate crises from the angle of rapidly climate-changing Another group of nations espe- developing nations. disasters in developing nations, goods and services. However, change disasters are protected placement being the most trag-
human rights protection. Central American nations. The cially vulnerable to climate Environmental scientists and including SIDS. The issue of this is not entirely feasible. and safe. The UN High ic. People leave their native
The term “climate refugees” trend since 2010 is particular- change is Small Island climate experts note that these loss and damage is crucial for What we can collectively do is Commissioner for Refugees lands and indigenous resources
refers to climate-related migra- ly alarming. In 2022, almost Developing States (SIDS) such states collectively contribute many developing nations, as reduce the level of consump- (UNHCR) aligns with govern- to go to either completely
tion. However, it is not ade- 2,50,000 people made the as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Fiji, to less than one per cent of they bear the brunt of envi- tion and, ultimately, our greed ments, civil society organisa- unknown distant lands or,
quately defined by global gov- crossing, driven by economic etc. These countries face a global carbon emissions. ronmental damages caused by in all aspects of life. tions, academia, regional bod- again, to some inhabitable
ernance agencies like the UN or and humanitarian disasters — daunting task in adjusting to Despite their minimal contri- advanced or developed nations. The UN High Commissioner ies, etc, to safeguard individu- lands. It is certain their future
migration-related forums in nearly double the figures from the dynamics of climate bution, the catastrophic effects Loss refers to irretrievable loss- for Refugees (UNHCR) has als who are victims of climate is not secure. They are more
the true sense of the term. The the previous year and 20 times change, particularly during and of abnormal environmental es such as human lives or the been working with a long- change. vulnerable than before. It is
term was first coined to the annual average from 2010 after the COVID-19 pandem- changes render them virtually loss of species, while damages term vision to address the B. Forcibly displaced and state- time to shift our focus from
describe the growing large- to 2020. Early data for 2023 ic. The economic slowdown in uninhabitable. indicate things that are harmed issue of refugees, especially less people, along with their reaction to action. Climate
scale migration and cross-bor- indicates a six fold increase, SIDS is compelling more peo- Therefore, SIDS are seeking but can be repaired or restored, climate-displaced people. hosts, should have access to ser- change is making our lives
der mass movement of people with 87,390 people making ple to migrate or abandon avenues to raise awareness of such as roads and sea walls. Currently, the UNHCR is vices promoting the sustainable vulnerable.
affected by natural disasters. the trek from January to March their native places, exacerbat- their plight and gain global This fund is expected to have engaged in 130 country oper- use of natural resources and a
Climate refugees are now the compared to 13,791 the previ- ed by changing environmental support, particularly financial a significant impact on climate ations, with regional wings clean, healthy environment. (The writers are Research
world’s forgotten victims, so to ous year (Walsh et al., 2023). conditions. Therefore, the 38 assistance to urgently combat refugees and their rehabilita- spread across the world and its The primary objective here is Assistants at GRF)
EDIT
DECCAN CHRONICLE | SUNDAY | 31 DECEMBER 2023 | COIMBATORE
pg 6
Subhani
31 DECEMBER 2023
Shreya Sen-Handley
Off the beaten track
PUTIN INVITES PM
bureaucracies, continued to leech us of every penny, growing fatter on their
spoils. As if 2023 would have us believe that ‘death and taxes’ are indeed life’s sole
certainties!
Amidst all this doom, and climate gloom, can nothing lift our spirits?
A
the mercy of the elements, and calling it a s December com- President on advice of a with a literal assault on issues. However, India has
“lifestyle choice”, has been twice appoint- There’s reason, after all, es to an end, one committee consisting of the life than the 2,000- India’s democracy. On
rupee currency note. not yet condemned the
ed to high office and twice sacked. to celebrate the year can but cast a Prime Minister, Leader of December 13, 2023, the 22nd
Russian invasion of Ukraine
Sadly, she’ll be back, like an unvan- that’s dwindling. Good regretful gaze Opposition, and the Chief anniversary of the terror
quishable virus, and oh, haven’t we had a
reason to toast those upon the porten- Justice of India. In absolute attack on Parliament, two and it has been maintain-
bellyful of that! With Arnie, let’s say tous litany of tragic events disregard to this judgement, into a modern nation. The intruders entered into the ing that the crisis must be
“hasta la vista, baby” to this I-can’t- who discharged their that underscored the year the government passed a reasons for this shift are Lok Sabha and released
believe-she’s-not-fiction villain, as we duties well. Everyday 2023. No wonder Cambridge bill in the Parliament which still abstruse for the old smoke canisters. Despite resolved through diploma-
raise our tipples to a few Suella-free folks like you and me, Dictionary has announced replaces the Chief Justice structure still stands tall the intruders entering cy and dialogue. Notably,
months. who strove to do better “hallucinate” as its Word of with a minister, thereby radiating vibrancy, mys- Parliament on a pass recom- the ties between India and
Talking of Republicans, their clown the Year. Though the con- providing the government tique and an aura of mended by a BJP MP, no
quartet — DeSantis, Haley, Christie and
these 52 weeks. text of the word “halluci- a carte blanche in appoint- unblemished dignity. action has been taken Russia remained strong
Ramaswamy — has been grandstanding nate” was in reference to AI ing officials to the Election In October, the world saw against him so far either by notwithstanding Moscow's
on their quadrennial parade, aka. GOP presidential debates. The ringmaster, tools generating false or Commission, and complete- the horrific terror attack the presiding officers or the invasion of Ukraine. India's
however, hasn’t put in an appearance, as if further proof was needed of Trump’s misleading information as ly subverting electoral unleashed by the Hamas on police for that matter.
dangerous contempt for democratic processes. Despite that, he’s a shoo-in for the facts; it remarkably mirrors superintendence in the hapless Israeli citizens that On the contrary, in order
import of Russian crude oil
White House (again), and that’s no laughing matter. the broader narrative of the country. left hundreds dead and to save itself any further has gone up significantly
To take the edge off our terror, let’s roast these US presidential no-hopers for the year gone by — a year char- In May, horrific ethnic scores taken hostage. The embarrassment and exoner- despite increasing disquiet
rogues they are in their own right. We might even allow ourselves the smallest of acterised by the augmented violence erupted between Israeli retaliation has been ate itself from any public over it in many Western
smirks, a half-raised glass, at the startling fact that two of their batch are as desi distortion of truths and the the Meitei and Kuki-Zo com- both brutal and dispropor- scrutiny, the government
as dahi-vada. blurring of lines between munities in the state of Ma- tionate with entire popula- suspended 146 Opposition countries.
Another spectacular slither this year down the gilded ladder came from the the perceived and actual. nipur. Despite being a BJP- tion of the Gaza strip being members of Parliament for Ibne Farooq
slimy Elon Musk. His takeover of Twitter, its ludicrous rebranding and welcom- The unnecessary Russian ruled state with a no imme- subjected to the most med- demanding accountability Chenna
ing back of fake-news peddlers, right-wing rednecks, and primitive zealots, lost it aggression on Ukraine en- diate action was taken to ieval and barbaric form of from the home minister
billions in advertising revenue. Big business has never had a conscience, but tered its tenth month as the restore normalcy. On the collective punishment that thereby setting a terrible
Musk’s megalomania and wooing of sinister sociopaths may’ve been a creep too year turned over. In those contrary attempts were still continues unabated precedent for India’s parlia-
far for even them.
Sidesplitting pratfalls from tycoon tricksters in 2023 included those by
ten months the Russian
casus belli for the unprece-
made to restrict the flow of
information from the state.
with women, children and
even the wounded being
mentary form of govern-
ment. In the middle of these CRUSADER
Theranos’ Elizabeth Holmes, caught red-handed hawking miracle blood-testing
machines that didn’t exist, and Sam Bankman-Fried, who burnt his fingers
dented assault on a sover-
eign nation in violation of
Even after being urged by
the opposition to explain the
subjected to systematic and
clinical extermination.
suspensions, important
bills such as the telecom AGAINST GRAFT
siphoning billions from FTX, his cryptocurrency exchange. Funny how no-one the Budapest Memorandum on-ground situation in In November, eight retir- bill, Chief Election Commis- Ramana catapulted Vijayakanth’s
clocked how closely his setup’s name resembled that of an eighties smoke-and- of 1994 and the Minsk Manipur, the Prime Min- ed navy personnel were a- sioner and the three crimi- career where he played the role of a
mirrors flick! Accords of 2014-15 stood ister refused to do so. Even warded the death penalty by nal law bills were passed crusader against corruption.None of
The other S(c)am, Altman, ChatGPT creator, was hurled off his godlike AI pedes- fully exposed. However the now, the facts on ground re- a Qatari court. Though this with zero opposition, with us can forget the scene where a hos-
tal, but back on top within days, boosted by Microsoft’s Satya, and now nearly om- assault continues shorn of main shrouded in ambigui- has since been commuted, scenes from the Parliament pital treats and bills a patient already
nipotent. Originally fired for his questionable ethics, I smell toast smouldering. the perceived bogey of ty with the Supreme Court the details of the charges ag- drawing eerie parallels to declared dead or his rendering of TN
And dare we even mention certain desi businessmen whose monikers end with Nato’s eastward expansion. having to monitor the slow ainst them remain un- an Orwellian dystopia remi- statistics. Though his own health was
I and start with A, much less name them? Similarly the Chinese trans- march to an uneasy calm. known. I had raised this niscent of authoritarian bad he still attended Dr Kalam's
There’s a place in hell for all of ‘em, and X marks the spot! gression across the Line of May also witnessed the issue in December 2022 in regimes. funeral.
Further cause for hilarity is the haunting of the British royal family. Ghosts Actual Control into Indian Reserve Bank of India with- Parliament; despite that ten In the train of seminal T.S. Karthik
from Christmases past themselves, in how archaic an institution they are, they’ve territory entered its thirti- drawing the 2,000-rupee months later our “decorated events that underpinned Chennai
been laid low in 2023’s dying days by yet more scandal. As antiquated as their own eth month. note. No denomination in veterans” continue to suffer 2023, the resonance of “hal-
raison d’être, these rumours are old hat. The stories swirling around Diana’s trag- The year in India also the history of independent ignominy in a Qatari lucinate” extends beyond
ic death amongst them, newly dredged up by hit TV series The Crown. Not only
have the theories been revived (you could argue they never died down), but Diana
began with a frontal
onslaught on what is left of
India’s currency regime has
had a shorter shelf life than
prison.
Early December saw the
linguistic semantics. It
becomes a metaphor for a BABRI'S SHADOW
herself has been resurrected on the show as a ghost flitting from Buckingham to the freedom of the press the 2,000-rupee currency pronouncement of Article year where the boundaries As the consecration ceremony of the
Balmoral, confronting her in-laws. with the Union government note. This clearly illustrates 370 judgement. Its deleteri- between reality and illusion Ram temple is around the corner, one
If that doesn’t spook Charles, he’s also been revealed in the new Scooby Dooby proscribing a BBC’s two- how abrupt and short-sight- ous impact on the federal blurred, leaving citizens is compelled to reminisce about the
Doo book on the royal family feuds, Endgame, to have aired concerns, alongside part documentary by dub- ed the government’s policy structure of our country grappling with distorted unmerciful demolition of the Babri
the sainted Kate, Her Royal Smugness, about Harry and Meghan’s mixed-race bing it as Faustian. was in 2016, and how noth- should concern us all. The versions of the truth. The Masjid three decades ago in this
baby’s less-than-ghostly-pale skin colour. Moreover, BBC offices in ing was learnt from that court refrained from global slide tilt towards town. The construction of the Ram
Nor have stars of stage and screen gone unrepresented in this year’s shame India faced harassment tragic decision with all the answering the question of right wing populism, and temple is yet another contrivance to
pageant. Russell Brand and Puffy Dud (whatevs) have had historic charges from the coercive instru- overtones of a dark comedy. whether the Parliament can non-adherence to democrat- consolidate polarisation and reap
brought against them for assault and harassment. If found guilty, 2024 might serve mentalities of the state, a In September, Parliament convert a state into two ic principles and constitu- electoral dividends by the ruling BJP
them their just desserts. Finally. recurring tactic employed was compelled to shift into a Union territories which was tionalism underscores a dis- ahead of the 2024 general elections. It
There’s reason, after all, to celebrate the year that’s dwindling. Good reason to by the government with new premises by forsaking a sine qua non of the dis- turbing pattern of gover- is highly unfortunate that the legal
toast those who discharged their duties well. That’s ne’er our insincere, incompe- even greater leeway this its historical seat. The origi- pute. The apex court also nance that prioritises con- system bent backwards to give the
tent ‘leaders’ (for whom a day of reckoning must loom in 2024?). But everyday year to squelch all dissent. nal Parliament building allowed for the reorganisa- trol over transparency and verdict based on “faith”, and failed to
folks like you and me, who strove to do better these 52 weeks. And most of all — In early March, a five- was converted into a tion of Ladakh into a Union power over accountability. punish those who orchestrated the
Karma and Comeuppance! bench judge of the Supreme Samvidhan Sabha or territory on the grounds demolition of the mosque.
Happy new year, my friends. Court unanimously ruled Constituent Assembly com- that the solicitor general The writer is a lawyer, MP R. Sivakumar
that the appointment of the pletely ignoring the seminal has promised that statehood and former Union Chennai
Shreya Sen-Handley is the author of the award-winning Memoirs of My Chief Election Commis- role it has played over the would be restored in the information and broadcast-
Body, short story collection Strange and travelogue Handle With Care. sioner and election commis- past seven decades in trans- remaining part of Jammu & ing minister. Twitter Mail your letters to
Her Twitter and Insta handle is @shreyasenhan. sioners shall be made by the forming an old civilisation Kashmir. An undertaking handle @manishtewari. chennaidesk@deccanmail.com
T
his year, just like every year, things are not much better. According media coverage to underscore this ter that suggests that femicides taking against Gender-Based Violence this
UN Women is commemorating to a UN report, almost 89,000 women point for the benefit of women living in place in countries like Pakistan are year should be to further a decolonised
16 Days of Activism against were killed last year. It said that 55 per the US. Focusing on the women ‘there’ endemic to the culture and are thus form of activism around feminism
Gender-Based Violence from cent “of all female homicides are com- allows the focus to be shifted from those ‘honour crimes’. which focuses on the common thread
Nov 25 to Dec 10. This annual obser- mitted by family members or intimate who should be working harder to pre- This is in contrast to when crimes that whether it is so-called honour or
vance is meant to focus renewed atten- partners…”. It is quite likely that these vent intimate partner violence and pro- that are remarkably similar in both cir- ego (which is inevitably behind inti-
tion on the fact that women live in a statistics do not even capture the full vide better security for women. cumstances and frequency are commit- mate partner violence) it is male vio-
Rafia Zakaria world that has been made unsafe large-
ly by men.
number of femicides. The number is
chilling because in the popular imagi-
This does not excuse men in places
like Kohistan or anywhere else in
ted in white and Western cultures. The
term ‘intimate partner violence’ is a
lence against women that is being
excused.
Naturally, the women that are at the nation few would think that the vast Pakistan where women are killed on sterilised one that even neglects to All cultures, because they are con-
forefront of global conflict face the majority of young women who die in the basis of dodgy viral videos that pur- mention that women have actually trolled by men, are complicit in the
direst circumstances. The UN has esti- the Americas, which means North and portedly go against the tribal code and been killed. The point of such sterilisa- deaths of women. Similarly, all cul-
mated that two-thirds of the casualties South America, die at the hands of men curbs that conservative societies have tion is to underscore the point that tures have the ability to stop excusing
EDITOR: KAUSHIK MITTER, PRINTER & PUBLISHER: K. SUDHAKAR; R. MOHAN RESIDENT EDITOR DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254750, 222547451 Coimbatore: No. 2/22 Sengalipalayam Road, N.G.G.O. Colony Post, Kurudampalayam
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THE
SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2023 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU 9
SCIENCE
Mumbai
The Hindu Bureau to a severe form known as ween elevated levels of gravidarum. Conversely, tallyderived GDF15 in the of hyperemesis gravida
hyperemesis gravidarum GDF15 and reported nau women with betathalas nausea and vomiting of hu rum: those who have lower
Researchers have found a (HG). The hormone sea and vomiting (includ saemia (a condition in man pregnancy, with ma initial levels of the hor
link between increased le growth differentiation fac ing hyperemesis gravida which GDF15 levels are ternal sensitivity, at least mone are more likely to ex
vels of a hormone and nau tor 15 (GDF15) has pre rum). chronically high) rarely re partly determined by pre perience sickness as the le
sea during pregnancy (in viously been implicated in Further analysis of pla ported nausea and vomit pregnancy exposure to the vels rise during the first
cluding morning sickness). morning sickness in pre cental and maternal sam ing in pregnancy. These re hormone, being a major in trimester. “What makes
The results published in vious literature; however, ples revealed that the foe sults suggest that those fluence on its severity. the study a major advance
the journal Nature shed the underlying mechanism tus is responsible for the with lower levels of GDF15 They also suggest mechan is that it goes beyond esta
light on these complex me has yet to be described. vast majority of the hor before pregnancy may be ismbased approaches to blishing a correlation bet
tabolic processes and offer Dr. Stephen O’Rahilly mone circulating in the more sensitive to the in the treatment and preven ween GDF15 and nausea
potential avenues for treat from the University of maternal plasma. The creased levels of the hor tion of hyperemesis gravi and vomiting in pregnan
ment going forward. Cambridge and others authors also found that mone during pregnancy, darum,” they write. cy, and provides genetic
The majority of preg
nancies (70%) are affected
measured levels of GDF15
in expectant mothers in
lower levels of GDF15 be
fore pregnancy are asso
and thus more affected by
the sickness that it triggers.
These findings suggest
there may be a causal rela
evidence for a potential
causal mechanism,” notes
Colouration may be more
by nausea and vomiting, their first trimester and ciated with a higher risk of “Our findings support a tionship between foetally an accompanying News & than skindeep for frogs
which can progress found a notable link bet developing hyperemesis putative causal role for foe derived GDF15 and the risk Views.
Colour variation in frogs and toads may help
protect them against environmental stress and
pathogens, according to a study of more than
high in sugar, salt, fat: study cost of higher vulnerability to pathogens and
UVB radiation. They found pathogen resistance
was of higher importance in the tropics.
e2213679
e2213679
The recommendation is an outcome of a study commissioned by Niti Aayog, which is studying the impact of imposing
health taxes and warning labels on food products to encourage healthy eating practices
A between 20% to
30% in addition
to GST can be
considered to be imposed
on sugar, sugar sweetened
times the WHO recom
mended threshold for free
sugar intake,” the paper
says. India is facing a sugar
epidemic with a rise in
beverages (SSBs) like colas sales of aerated drinks by
and juices as well as foods 22.5% and a rise in all soft
high in sugar, salt and
fat (HFSS), public health
drinks by 24.8% from 2016
to 2019. Also, HFSS food
Online searches increase the
researchers have recom products account for 10 veracity of fake news
mended in a study pu 30% of the average total ca
blished in Journal of Health loric intake in rural and ur People asked to evaluate the truthfulness of fake
Policy and Planning. ban households respec news stories using a search engine may be more
The recommendation is tively, the paper notes. likely to believe the misinformation as true. This
an outcome of a UNICEF Imposing a health tax may be due to the poor quality of information
funded project, and the on sugar and related pro yielded by the searches. The researchers also
authors hope that this stu ducts can help control present evidence that those who search online to
dy along with others will obesity, tooth decay, risk of evaluate news are more likely to stumble upon
influence policies aimed to type 2 diabetes, cardiovas corroborating evidence from lowquality news
reduce consumption of su cular disease and certain sources. Thus evaluating news via a search
gar and related pro cancers. Researchers say engine can increase belief in the accuracy of
ducts. Niti Aayog is inter that if people continue to news from lowquality news sources.
ested in understanding the consume sugar sweetened
impact of imposing health beverages yearonyear the
taxes and warning labels ta, confectionery manufac all other factors driving the are currently taxed diffe overweight and obesity
on food products for en turers purchase up to 55% demand remaining rently. While sugar cur prevalence is expected to
couraging healthy eating of annual sugar produced constant. rently attracts 18% GST, su rise from 39% to 49% from
practices in Indian in India. “However, for manufac gar sweetened beverages 2014 to 2023 and type 2
consumers. turers of sweets and con attract 28% GST and a 12% diabetes incidence is ex
Dr Beena Varghese, Price Elasticity fectionaries, who buy su additional cess, while high pected to rise from 319 to
health economist and con Currently, sugar is taxed at gar in bulk we are fat, salt and sugar products 336 per 1,00,000 in the
sultant, WHO and a co 18% GST, if an additional estimating a higher price only attract 12% GST. same period.
author of the study 2030% tax is imposed, elasticity, so by imposing “Taxing unhealthy Tax rate is tied to the
tells The Hindu that the stu this will take the tax to 38 an additional 30% tax to foods more is likely to re volume of sugars and ma
dy does not recommend 48%. Researchers have ap 18% GST, we estimate that duce demand while in nufacturers are encour
taxing households on pur plied the metric of ‘Price there could be a 1318% de creasing government reve aged to reformulate and re
chase of their regular ra Elasticity’ to determine if crease in demand for su nues for reinvestment back duce the amount of sugar
tion of sugar. “The study there will be any reduction gar,” Dr Varghese says. into public health pro in drinks.
insists that bulk consumers
of sugar such as confec
in demand if the prices of
the product go up. “Sugar
For sugar sweetened
beverages, a health tax of
grammes and policies that
may reduce obesity and
Up to 70 countries have
imposed a health tax on
Freeranging cats may be
tionery and sweet manu is a widely used product, 1030% could result in a 7 the incidence of noncom sugar, SSBs and HFSS in catastrophic for wild species
facturers may be taxed so on studying price and 30% decline in demand, municable diseases in In cluding Mexico, Chile, Sau
which may reduce their demand for sugar over while a 1030% health tax dia,” says Dr. Varghese. di Arabia, Argentina and Freeranging domestic cats around the world are
demand for sugar. When years from datasets availa for HFSS products would India is the largest con South Africa. In Mexico, found to eat more than 2,000 other animal
the higher costs are trans ble between 198485 to result in a 524% decline in sumer of sugar in the taxation on SSBs de species such as birds, mammals, insects, and
ferred to consumers, de 20112012 of Private Final demand. world, the paper notes. creased consumption of reptiles — including 350 species of conservation
mand for such products is Consumption Expenditure Researchers also noted “Global average consump taxed beverages (and in concern. The researchers found records of 2,083
expected to reduce,” Dr and Consumer Price In that additional taxes would tion of sugar is 22 kg per creased purchase of bot distinct species consumed, including 981 birds,
Varghese says. dex, we estimate that if the increase tax revenues for person per year, an aver tled water) in the first year 463 reptiles, 431 mammals, 119 insects, 57
According to Ministry of price of sugar is increased the government by 12 age Indian consumes 25 kg of implementation and re amphibian species, as well as 33 species from
Consumer Affairs, Food by 10%, demand for sugar 200% across different sce per year which includes duced mean BMI in youn across other groups of animals. At least 347 of
and Public Distribution da will be reduced by 2% with narios. Different products regular sugar, free sugar ger age groups. these species are of conservation concern.
T
impatient
crises involving great powers in 2023. Weakening Russia has been one of the declared China, the U.S.’s primary competitor, on the
Varghese K. George The Ukraine war, which began on
with the objectives of this coalition. other side, are trying to channel this anger by
February 24, 2022 with Russia’s current order The West’s approach was twofold: it sought offering support for the Palestinian cause.
The story so far: invasion of its neighbouring country, continued and pushing to cripple the Russian economy with expansive
ndia and the U.S. are often spoken of as the throughout 2023 with little changes on the for sanctions and wound Russia on the battlefield by What’s the Global South’s response?
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questions regarding national identity, roles and would go on for months, risks of a wider months after the Ukrainian counteroffensive, selfdetermination (meaning, an end to Israel’s
powers of the executive, legislature, and regional war are rising. As conflicts persist with Russian troops are now on the offensive, seizing continuing occupation of the Palestinian
judiciary, welfare and redistribution, and largescale destruction of global security and the Donbas town of Marinka earlier this week. territories). They also see the different positions
relations with the rest of the world. Other disruption of supply chains, the Global South, Ukraine and its allies are facing some reality taken by the West, particularly the U.S..
questions that are at the centre of political whose focus is on its own developmental checks as the war is set to enter its third year.
debates in both countries include pedagogy — challenges, is getting impatient with the current How does India look at the conflicts?
what to teach the next generation, history, the order and is pushing for alternatives. These Where does Israel’s war on Gaza stand India’s positions, which are largely aligned with
role of religion in public life, the rights and roles trends are likely to continue in 2024. now? those of the Global South, are driven by both its
of various constituent social groups, women’s If Russia is fighting a long war of attrition in the specific interests and the larger trends it sees in
rights, affirmative action, border management, What does the Ukraine war tell about the NATOsupported Ukraine, Israel is fighting a the global dynamics. In the case of Ukraine, it
relations between the federal and regional global order? blitzkrieg in defenceless Gaza. Israel’s attacks condemned the war and called for talks and a
governments, and the role of the media and civil What made the Ukraine war, the largest ground have practically turned Gaza uninhabitable, but ceasefire without naming any party. Even under
society. war in Europe since the Second World War, one the Jewish state is far from meeting its declared heavy pressure, it was careful not to let the crisis
In both countries, there are conflicts about of the most consequential conflicts of the objectives of the war — be it freeing the hostages, affect its multifaceted strategic partnership with
the election process. Democrats and postwar world was its great power involvement. dismantling Hamas or taking down the Islamist Russia. In the case of Gaza, it repeatedly
Republicans While the actual fighting is between Russian and group’s top leadership. As the war is set to enter condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, an
Both countries are question the Ukrainian soldiers within Ukrainian territories, its third month, Israeli generals and political important bilateral partner, while also
grappling with legitimacy of the the source of the conflict is the rivalry between leaders show no letup in fighting. While it’s too reiterating its traditional position in support of
fundamental questions elections that they NATO, a Cold Warera transAtlantic nuclear early to make a clear assessment of how Israel’s the twostate solution. When civilian casualties
regarding national lost, in 2016, and war on Gaza would affect West Asia, there are mounted in Gaza under Israel’s indiscriminate
2020, respectively. some signals on the geopolitical fallout of the attacks, India joined the global chorus calling for
identity, roles and
Allegations of war. Israel stands almost isolated on the global a ceasefire.
powers of the unfair means by stage despite its claim that Hamas brought this The U.S. seems less in control of the
executive, legislature, both sides have war upon Gaza after the October 7 attack. geopolitical developments unfolding in its
and judiciary, welfare cast a shadow on Israel’s war also drilled holes into the moral case spheres of interests — Europe and West Asia. Its
and redistribution, and the process of the West, especially the Biden administration, efforts to weaken Russia are not rewarding and it
relations with the rest elections. In India, had built around Russia’s Ukraine invasion to is unable to control a vengeful Israel, which is
of the world it is a onesided drum up global support. The total number of affecting its reputation in the Arab World, and
question — civilians killed on both sides of the Ukraine war the Global South in general. China is focused on
concerns regarding the integrity of electronic in 22 months is roughly 10,000, according to the its immediate periphery and is wary of risks.
voting, and the impartiality of the Election UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Russia is the weakest among the three great
Commission of India are on the rise. Selective (HRMMU). The total number of Palestinians powers. So India, itself a strong proponent of a
targeting of political opponents by investigative killed in Gaza in less than three months is multipolar world, sees the global order in flux. It
agencies is a common concern in both the U.S. 21,000, a vast majority of them women and appears to be careful not to align with any great
and India. children, as per the Hamasrun Gaza health power, while maximising its interest through
Conflict echoes: Smoke rises from the battlefield in the Gaza Strip, as seen ministry. The U.S., which is supplying arms and multiengagement and trying to be a voice of the
What are the visible trends in both from southern Israel on Saturday.AP money to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, Global South.
countries?
In India, all indications are of the continuing
popularity of Mr. Modi, though it is not even
across the country. Opposition parties led by the
Congress have come together as a putative
coalition — the Indian National Developmental,
What may 2024 hold for the economy?
Inclusive Alliance, but its capacity to consolidate
all antiBJP votes is challenged by several factors. Is the growth forecast for India on the upswing? What are the positive surprises? Which are the Asset Management India. Global voters’ mood
Mr. Modi’s grip over his party is total, while the amid an increasing shift to inwardlooking,
Opposition is unsure of its leadership and sectors that have performed well? Why are exports still sluggish? Is inflation under control? What protectionist polity in many countries, could
talking points. is expected in terms of policymaking in an election year? thus, impact trade deals and the broader
In the U.S., Mr. Biden is facing historically low direction of global economic engagement.
disapproval ratings for a sitting President. All
opinion polls show him trailing potential Vikas Dhoot ‘The Indian economy — construction, manufacturing, Are there higher hopes of rate cuts
Republican rival Donald Trump. At 81, Mr. Biden economy has financial and real estate services — are showing a occurring in 2024?
is the oldest President in the history of the U.S. The story so far: robust growth and even the trade, hotels, While most expect the RBI to start interest rate
left the
and his cognitive decline is no longer eeling from the aftershocks of the transport sector which had remained below its cuts in the second half of the year, the U.S.
unnoticeable. The total collapse of his
leadership in the wake of the RussiaUkraine war
and the unrelenting bombing of Gaza by Israel
has accelerated this trend. In the Republican
party, there are contenders who seek to
R UkraineRussia conflict, such as
elevated oil prices and high inflation,
2023 had begun on a sombre note
with worries of an economic slowdown leading
to a hard recessionary landing for advanced
COVID
shadow
behind and
negotiated
global
preCOVID level of 201920, has now fully
recovered,” said noted economist and chief
policy adviser at EY India, D.K. Srivastava. While
the domestic growth engine is pulling along,
risks to the growth and stability outlook mainly
Federal Reserve’s indication of a pivot from its
rate hike cycle has prompted hopes of many
other central banks following its cue. A Bank of
America report earlier this month said there will
be 152 rate cuts next year from central banks
challenge Mr. Trump but he remains the economies that would drag down growth in headwinds emanate from outside the country, the Finance around the world. If they materialise, demand
frontrunner for party nomination by a distance. emerging economies like India’s too. As it turned Ministry noted. Slack global demand has been for Indian goods and services may yet get a
well’
out, the year was kinder than expected and the hurting goods exports through 2023, and ITled bumpup in 2024. In the Indian context,
What are the manifestations of polarisation worst fears have not materialised yet, despite a services exports may feel greater heat in the industry and consumers also eagerly await
in India and the U.S.? fresh geopolitical flashpoint in West Asia and a coming year as developed economies continue changes on two more rates prices of petrol and
The ruling BJP in India adheres to what it calls few bank collapses in the West. While Indian to face challenges. The fresh disruptions like the diesel that have been frozen since mid2022 and
Hindutva ideology and its politics is most stock markets ended the year at record highs, attacks on shipping lines in the Red Sea the unwieldy multiple GST rates’ framework.
popular in central, north and western India. the economy has delivered positive surprises, corridors could pose challenges. Interest rate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the
Regions in the south, east and northeast are less with ₹1.6 lakh crore becoming the new normal cuts by central banks will be watched closely. recent Assembly polls’ campaign, hinted at a
hospitable to it, as are places where religious for monthly GST collections and GDP growth review of petroleum products’ retail prices.
minorities are a majority — Punjab and Kashmir, hitting 7.7% between April and September on What is expected on the policy and political Perhaps, some relief may be rung in before the
for instance. Some regions have political elites top of a 7.2% rise in 202223. economy front? Lok Sabha battle. The GST rate rationalisation
with the capacity to resist the BJP, for example, The first half of 2024 may see a lull of sorts, as exercise may only gather steam after the
Tamil Nadu and Telangana. But the On the cusp of the New Year, what are the the government gears up for the Lok Sabha elections but could figure as a poll promise.
consolidation of the Hindu votes combined with key things to watch out for? elections. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,
India’s firstpastthepost election gives the BJP a The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which had who will present an interim Budget on February Is inflation, and its impact on consumption,
big advantage in multiparty contests. Several earlier projected India’s real GDP to grow 6.5% 1, has indicated that there will be no spectacular no longer a worry?
States in India find the BJP policies with regard in 202324, has recently raised its forecast to 7%. announcements, just a voteonaccount to meet Despite intermittent spurts, India’s inflation
to education, health, and the role of the Hindu The Finance Ministry is more sanguine, public spending needs till a new government is trajectory seems to be under better control than
religion disturbingly centralising. indicating an uptick of over 6.5% for the year sworn in. But the last such exercise, before the a year ago. The RBI expects retail inflation to
In the U.S., the Democratcontrolled States ending March 31, 2024, in its review of the 2019 polls, had included a rejig of income tax average 5.2% in the first half of 2024 before
and Republican ones have divergent approaches economy published on December 29. Global slabs and the unveiling of the PMKisan scheme easing to its 4% target between JulySeptember
on various issues — abortion, gun control and agencies have also rebooted their growth math that put cash in the hands of farmers. The full and rising to 4.7% in the final quarter. However,
immigration for instance, which are among the for India. “Some of the key sectors of the Budget for the year, likely in July, will see a as its Governor has asserted, food prices remain
perennially contentious topics. States often larger armoury of policy tweaks at play. Most a concern. With Kharif crop estimates not rosy
conflict among themselves or with the federal investors looking for governance and reform and El Niño effects hurting Rabi sowing, the
administration on these issues. signals will have to wait till then, Ms. Sitharaman supply of several food items, including pulses,
has said. Policymakers will keep a keen eye on could remain under pressure and keep eating
Will executivelegislature relations change whether a private investment, which is into household budgets. Weaker farm sector
in both countries? beginning to rebound in sectors like steel, performance would also constrain rural demand
In India, the PM’s control over Parliament has cement and auto, will become more broadbased and feed into a trend of uneven consumption
grown in the recent past, with the BJP winning and allow the government to step off the public demand — with highend goods and services
absolute majorities in 2014 and 2019. In the U.S., capex pedal and focus on fiscal consolidation. booming while lowprice segments lag. Recent
the President’s tenure is not linked to a majority “Politics may also create turbulence and curbs on retail loans and weak hiring trends in
in the House of Representatives or the Senate, uncertainty, as there are 40 upcoming national sectors like IT services could also hurt urban
but his or her capacity to function is. While elections representing 41% of the global demand. Without a broader consumption boost,
India witnesses an erosion in the power of the population in 2024 alone. Russia, India, the private capex is likely to be limited to some
legislature, in the U.S., a fragmented legislature European Union and the U.S., will hold elections sectors, which may not suffice to kickstart the
causes governance stalemates. Elections in 2024 that will likely reshape the path of global affairs virtuous investment cycle necessary to create
could potentially influence the checks and in the second half of the decade,” noted Avinash more and better jobs that can drive up spending
balances built into both democratic systems. GETTY IMAGES Satwalekar, president of Franklin Templeton capacity and factory utilisation rates.
CM A BM-BME
YK
THE HINDU
12 Sunday, December 31, 2023
PROFILES
Mumbai
W
hen the Wrestling with her husband Satyawart Kadian After 12 frustrating days for
Federation of India and fatherinlaw Satyawan being India at the Rio Games as its
(WFI) showcaused Arjuna Award winners, Sakshi has a shooters and boxers failed
Geeta Phogat for life that always revolve around spectacularly, Sakshi Malik’s
indiscipline and barred her from wrestling. It is unsurprising that she bronze medal came as a
participating in an Olympic Games came out courageously when it was pleasant surprise on August 18,
qualifying event, scheduled in Istanbul time to fight for ‘justice’ earlier this 2016
in May 2016, followers of the sport year. Sakshi was one of the three most
believed it was a big blow to India’s recognisable faces, along with Worlds 쑽
chances of securing a quota place for and Olympics medallist Bajrang Punia She was later joined by shuttler
the Rio Games. and double Worlds medallist Vinesh, P.V. Sindhu, who won a silver,
Even though Olympian Geeta (58kg) who led the wrestlers’ protest over as the two women saved India
— who shot into fame by winning the alleged sexual harassment and other the blushes in the 2016
Delhi Commonwealth Games gold in charges against former WFI president Olympics
2010 — and her sister Babita (53kg), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
another Commonwealth Games and 쑽
Worlds medallist, were good Demand for safer environment Sakshi is a member of the
prospects, the WFI had to take strict Sakshi has been vocal about the exclusive club of ‘Magnificent
action for the embarrassing moment alleged harassment of women Seven’ Indian women who
e2213679
e2213679
India had to endure at the wrestlers in the country and in her have won individual Olympic
international stage. The two sisters had demands for a safer environment for medals. The club also
forfeited their inconsequential the girls who take to the sport. comprises weightlifters K.
repechage round matches after failing Snapshots of her tearful bytes to the Malleswari and S. Mirabai
to qualify for the Olympics in the press at a makeshift shelter at the Chanu, shuttlers Saina Nehwal
qualifier in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. protest site on Jantar Mantar Road in and P.V. Sindhu and boxers
However, a lessknown Sakshi Malik, Delhi, stonefaced interviews to media M.C. Mary Kom and Lovlina
who was Geeta’s replacement, and and march to Haridwar with an Borgohain
Vinesh, a cousin of the Phogat sisters intention to immerse her medals in the
who took the place of Babita, did not Ganga have shaken the conscience of a
disappoint by claiming two quota nation from time to time and have
places for the country. from a humble background with her Academy of Rohtak in Haryana, burst the men’s freestyle 74kg spot in Rio forced the authorities concerned to
Sakshi, who was not able to grab an father working as a bus conductor — into tears as she became the fourth and the eventual suspension of the take noticeable action against a
Olympics spot in a previous qualifier in did not stop here. After 12 frustrating woman from the country to win an former due to doping. powerful politician.
Astana, Kazakhstan, in March, grabbed days for India at the Rio Games as its Olympic medal. The picture of her Sakshi is a member of the exclusive Following the election of new
her second chance with both hands to shooters and boxers failed being carried on coach Kuldeep club of ‘Magnificent Seven’ Indian officebearers of the WFI earlier this
make it to her maiden Olympics. From spectacularly, Sakshi’s bronze medal Malik’s shoulders during a victory lap women who have won individual month, which was dominated by
beating the famous Geeta Phogat in came as a pleasant surprise on August on the mat remains one of the most Olympic medals. The others in the candidates from the Brij Bhushan
the 2015 Pro Wrestling League to take 18, 2016. iconic moments of India’s journey in club are weightlifters K. Malleswari camp, including the newly elected
her place in the team for the Olympics the Olympics. (2000) and S. Mirabai Chanu (2021); president Sanjay Singh, a tearyeyed
qualifier, Sakshi had come quite a Story of fightbacks “Before the Olympics, I used to shuttlers Saina Nehwal (2012) and P.V. Sakshi keeping her shoes on the table
distance. But she was determined to Sakshi’s success in Rio was a story of visualise myself on the podium in Rio. Sindhu (2016, 2021); and boxers M.C. during a press conference in Delhi
make it big in future. extraordinary fightbacks. She got the But the way my coach (Kuldeep Malik) Mary Kom (2012) and Lovlina while announcing her retirement from
In the Istanbul qualifier, Sakshi, better of some top wrestlers, including carried me on his shoulders was Borgohain (2021). international wrestling emerged as a
whose claim to fame so far was a silver Sweden’s World championships unexpected. I was in tears and went Sakshi carried forward a legacy, heartwrenching image. This moment
medal in the 2014 Glasgow medallist Johanna Mattsson, through mixed feelings,” Sakshi, which saw the legendary Master followed by the return of awards by
Commonwealth Games and a bronze Mongolia’s Asian medallist looking back at her achievement, said Chandgi Ram promoting women’s Bajrang and Vinesh raised the intensity
medal in the 2015 Asian Purevdorjiin Orkhon and the earlier. “It was my first Olympics and I wrestling and the Phogat sisters of the issue prompting the Union
championships in Qatar, defeated decorated Kyrgyzstan wrestler and the wanted to do well. But I surprised breaking the mould to popularise the Sports Ministry to take measures for
Spanish wrestler Irene Garcia and then Asian champion Aisuluu myself when I landed a medal.” sport in the traditional northern belt, the fair running of wrestling affairs in
Romania’s Kateryna Zhydachevska to Tynybekova (in the bronze medal Sakshi’s feat of becoming the first as she broke the barrier by claiming the country.
reach the lastfour stage. She fought match) to open the country’s account. Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic glory. Like her determined performances
back to tie the scores at 1010 with 2012 She was later joined by shuttler P.V. Olympic medal surprised all, including Coming back from her loss of form on the mat, the 31yearold Sakshi has
World champion Lan Zhang of China Sindhu, who won a silver, as the two several pundits of the sport. It also and a brief stint as a television expert been fighting forcefully for a cause
and win on criteria in the semifinals. women saved India the blushes in the brought cheers to the wrestling during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, closer to her heart. Only time will tell
Her entry into the title clash ensured 2016 Olympics. fraternity, which had seen an Sakshi again asserted her class on the how far she succeeds in her mission to
Sakshi a ticket to Rio. Sakshi, who honed her skills under unpleasant offthemat duel between mat by winning her maiden make wrestling arenas in the country
A gritty fighter, Sakshi — who came coach Ishwar Dahiya at the Chhoturam Narsingh Yadav and Sushil Kumar for Commonwealth Games gold medal in safer for women trainees.
T
ill 2008, Masarat the Muslim League.
O
n December 27, Kolkata class destroyers
the third of four and named after major ci Alam Bhat, chief of In 2010, Bhat faced a
P15B ‘Visakhapat ties from all four corners of the separatist Mus case of sedition for waging
nam’ class stealth guided the country — Visakhapat lim League Jammu and war against the state over a
missile destroyer was com nam, Mormugao, Imphal Kashmir, lived in the sha video message in which he
missioned into the Indian and Surat. The first two dows like many other se urged security forces to
Navy as INS Imphal at the ships, INS Visakhapatnam condrung separatist lead leave Kashmir. His release
Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. and INS Mormugao, were ers. He was catapulted into on March 1, 2015 by then
Imphal has the unique dis commissioned in 2021 and the limelight in 200809 J&K Chief Minister Mufti
tinction of being the first 2022, respectively. The last when armed insurgency in Muhammad Sayeed rocked
warship to be named after of the class, Surat, is ex Kashmir transitioned into the newly formed coalition
a city in the Northeast. In successfully completed the INS Imphal as a “conglom pected to be commis agitational politics. timing and dates on when and order problems in the government of the Peoples
addition, the time taken to firstever testfiring of the eration” of different sioned in 2024. He hit headlines again to shut down and when to Valley,” the dossier reads. Democratic Party and the
build Imphal and for her extended range BrahMos strengths of the nation. The design of Project last week when his party shop essentials during pro Bhat, who seeks acces BJP in J&K.
trials is the shortest for any supersonic cruise missile BrahMos cruise missiles 15B has largely maintained was banned under provi longed street agitations. sion of J&K with Pakistan Mufti backed Bhat’s re
indigenous destroyer, ac prior to its commissioning, have been installed on the the hull form, propulsion sions of the Unlawful Activ Security forces had to use invoking Islam, took over lease as a confidence
cording to the Navy. making it ‘weaponready’. ship by Brahmos Aeros machinery, many platform ities Prevention Act by the force to quell these street the reins of the hardline building measure for sepa
Describing the ship as a pace; torpedo tube launch equipment, major wea Centre for “supporting ter protests, resulting in the Hurriyat while he was in ratists to engage them in a
shining example of ‘Aatma Expansion of warships ers by Larsen & Toubro pons and sensors as the rorist activities and inciting death of around 200 civi jail, after the death of Syed dialogue over the Kashmir
nirbharta’ in defence, De The speeding up of the (L&T), rapid gun mount by Kolkata class to benefit people to establish Islamic lians between 2008 and Ali Shah Geelani in 2021. issue. Bhat’s supporters
fence Minister Rajnath construction process is es BHEL, and mediumrange from series production. rule in J&K”. 2010. Born in a family of rich were seen unfurling the Pa
Singh said at the induction pecially important as the missiles by Bharat Elec However, these ships have Unlike other top separa In one of the dossiers cloth merchants in 1971 in kistan flag and raising pro
ceremony: “INS Imphal is a Navy looks to expand its tronics Limited (BEL). In enhanced stealth features tist leaders such as JKLF prepared by the District Srinagar’s Zaindar Mohal Pakistan slogans during a
symbol of India's growing fleet of capital warships in addition, many startups over the earlier class result chief Yasin Malik, Hurriyat Magistrate, Kupwara, Bhat la, Bhat studied in Kash rally headed by Syed Ali
maritime power and it will line with its growing com and Micro, Small, Medium ing in a reduced radar leaders Syed Ali Shah Gee was portrayed as a seces mir’s prominent Christian Shah Geelani. Forty days
strengthen it further. It will mitments and engage Enterprises are involved in cross section through lani and Mirwaiz Umar Fa sionist who “would devise missionary school, the after his release, Bhat was
bolster our principle of ‘Jal- ments in the Indian Ocean its construction. The ship shaping of hull, plated rooq, who built themselves the strategy to disrupt pu Tyndale Biscoe, named af rearrested as the BJP wit
mev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ Region (IOR) and the larger boasts a high level of indi masts and use of radar on a volatile past and blic tranquillity and to ter a British missionary nessed a backlash. Bhat,
(One who controls the sea IndoPacific as also against genisation, about 75%, transparent deck fittings, emerged gradually on the create an atmosphere of and educator who served who has been in and out of
is all powerful) in the Indo the backdrop of a sharp in which includes indigenous which make these ships political scene in Kashmir, chaos, which suits their in Kashmir in the early jail frequently, faced at
Pacific region.” crease in Chinese naval equipment/systems, com difficult to detect. 52yearold Bhat’s rise to ideology”. “Kashmir Valley 20th century. least 49 cases and was
Imphal’s keel was laid presence in the IOR. “We bat management systems, INS Imphal measures steer the streets was quick. in general and Srinagar in booked under the PSA ev
on May 19, 2017 and the are on track to be a 170180 rocket launchers, torpedo 163 m in length and 17 m in As Kashmir fell into chaos particular have witnessed First arrest ery time the court granted
ship was launched into wa [ship] Navy by 2028. 66 out launchers and integrated breadth and has a displace due to a row over land that such strikes disrupt He was arrested for the him relief. According to his
ter on April 20, 2019. Im- of 68 ships presently under platform management ment of 7,400 tonnes. The granted to the Amarnath supply of essential com first time on October 2, lawyers, he faced a record
phal sailed out for her mai construction are also being systems. ship is propelled by four shrine in 2008, Bhat was modities, force closure of 1990 under the Public Safe number of detentions un
den sea trials on April 28, built at Indian Shipyards. The contract for con gas turbines, in a com believed to be the force be essential public service de ty Act (PSA), a law that der the PSA, for 39 times,
2023 and has completed a Further, 24 ships under struction of four ships un bined gas and gas configu hind the massive protests partments, including med deals with preventive de since 1990. He has spent
comprehensive schedule contract conclusion, will der Project15B was signed ration, and is capable of that shook the valley. ical departments, and stop tention, when he was 19 over 22 years in jail.
of trials, both in the har similarly be indigenous — in January 2011 at a cost of speeds in excess of 30 He popularised proaza- business activities. Educa years old. Bhat had joined Banning of the Muslim
bour and at sea, and was our aim is for the Navy to about ₹29,643.74 crore. knots. The ship has a total di (freedom) songs, includ tional institutions got para the Islamic Students League JammuKashmir
delivered to the Navy on be fully Aatmanirbhar by The ships have been de complement of 315 person ing ‘Aeyi Aeyi Azadi’ (Free lysed by programmes League, which wanted to and the JamaateIslami in
October 20, within a re 2047,” Navy chief Admiral signed inhouse by the Di nel, and is commanded by dom is about to come), framed and Alam was one replicate the 1979 Iranian Kashmir has brought cur
cord time frame of six R. Hari Kumar told The rectorate of Naval Design Captain K.K. Choudhury, a promoted antiIndia graffi of the main organisers. He revolution in Kashmir. Join tains down on key proPa
months — the “fastest for a Hindu recently. and constructed by Maza gunnery and missiles spe ti and set off mass protests. created circumstances ing the militant outfit, Hiz kistan political parties ac
ship of its size”. The ship Mr. Singh also defined gon Dock Shipbuilders, cialist. He issued calendars, with which led to serious law bullah, for three months, tive in Kashmir since 1990.
CM A BM-BME
YK
14 NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 31, 2023
Reflections
{ THE BIG PICTURE }
Navigating an uncertain,
polycrisis-riven world
Seven dominant geopolitical The US is primarily focused on containing ing, robotics, 6G, space and pharma with,
the threat from China. The middle powers say, the mRNA-type tech — the possibilities
and technological trends that are trying to reshape their own environ- are enormous. The biggest threat countries
shaped 2023, and are likely to ments with as much strategic autonomy as face is to get shut out from the new technol-
they can get. The Cold War parallels of yore ogies. India has a chance to avoid getting
be influential in 2024 are not useful, for as former US secretary of shut out if it acts decisively to partner with
state Condoleezza Rice wisely remarks, the US in this area and actively address its
O
ne always tends to overstate “Globalisation is a fact, not a policy, but no domestic research and development ecosys-
the present in comparison to country wants to risk core dependence on tem to become deeper and better. In this,
past periods, but I can’t find in any other country”. So, while trade between India’s digital public infrastructure is
living memory the combina- the US and China has increased this year, already challenging many mainstream busi-
tion of crises the world faces despite the rhetoric, each country is taking ness models (say UPI for payments, ONDC
today. We have wars in Europe vital steps to curb dependence on the other. for commerce) and creating opportunities
and West Asia, the threat of pandemics is a All countries and companies, therefore, for others. Companies need to keep a keen
lived reality, global warming is no more in need to incorporate geopolitical watch on emerging patents in their
the future, the demographics of many coun- opportunity and risk in their plan- area and recognise innovation as a
tries have forever changed, and develop- ning. Many countries are taking key competitive lever for survival.
ments in technology are such that they may the opportunity to fill the space Data and privacy: The develop-
change humanity for better or worse. created by the US shift away from ments in Generative AI have taken
Leaders, whether in politics or business, China. Apple revenues going up to the world by storm. It is one of the The United States is primarily focused on containing the threat from China AFP
must navigate a polycrisis-riven and uncer- $10 billion from India is one such first innovations that has come
tain world. The uncertainty embedded in illustration. Depending on their Janmejaya with so much potential and yet has future where Richard Baldwin notes that nies alike. will stay higher for longer. Both govern-
the environment is unlikely to go away and relative alignment with the US or Sinha caused so much alarm about the new globalisation is going to be around Demography: How does demography ments and companies need to be alert.
leaders must get comfortable navigating it. China, countries and companies machines taking over the world. services and a sharp rise in services trade. reshape society and business? The world Talent and upskilling: All companies
To help parametrise uncertainty, they must need to evaluate the extent of their India starts with a profound poten- Global warming: The climate crisis underappreciates ageing. Think Africa with need to evaluate whether their workforce is
create a framework within which to inter- dependence on say the Chinese market for tial advantage with its Aadhaar dataset with brings its own challenges on every dimen- an average age of 19, India at 29 and China fit for purpose and how to train the pilot
pret the seven dominant trends that affect their revenues, their production, their feed- over a billion people, its engineering and sion — be it the massive financing gap, con- at 39, developed Europe close to 44, and while they are flying what is “possibly” a
their environment. stock, the alternative availability of that developer talent, and its deep connections trolling emissions by cutting fossil fuel, (the Japan at 49. What happens in the future to new aircraft.
Geopolitics and dependence: It is clear, feedstock, talent and the interlinkages in with its diaspora on the West Coast. The proposed discriminatory carbon tax that pension payments and the nature of migra- Leaders need to incorporate these trends
the old order has passed but a new order their supply chain. potential for instantaneous language trans- will tax the Global South for the environ- tion? What business opportunities emerge in their strategic calculus. The winners and
has not yet been established. The United Technology and concentration: The lation further overcomes the English entry ment crisis that the rich countries have cre- due to ageing — for example, health care? losers of tomorrow are being decided by
States (US) appears unsure of the role it innovation and excitement around develop- barrier for the masses. The data philosophy ated, to help their own transition to green), What are the costs of poor education and actions today. There is no place for the
wants or can play in the world. Its influence ments in technology around a wide swathe of India to empower its citizens with their the creation of new business models for skilling? unprepared or the timid. Winners can’t wait
is contested not just by China, the super- of areas is again without precedent. I take data is distinct from China where the State recycling and circularity, managing water, Capital costs: The interest rate environ- for the waves to settle before they enter the
power contender, but by the five or six mid- data as a separate trend and so will address owns data, or the US where the companies regenerative agriculture, and nature-based ment post government Covid bailouts have ocean!
dle-power countries unhappy with the Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) under own data, or even Europe where the solutions. Overcoming the costs of transi- shifted to high. Add to that environment
power structure created post World War II it. But if one reflects on the developments in bureaucrats manage data. Effective use of tions and finding new opportunities must transition costs, financing wars and elec- Janmejaya Sinha is chairman, BCG India.
as it does not capture their current position. multiple technologies — quantum comput- data will be core for companies to win in the be the mantra for governments and compa- tions in half the world and it looks like rates The views expressed are personal
{ SUNDAY SENTIMENTS } right to be critical — even, if necessary, WHEN THEY WANT { ENGENDER }
aggressive although not, I hope, offensive
Karan Thapar — but I accept that occasional apprecia-
TO, INDIANS HAVE Lalita Panicker
tion and praise is essential. But more AN AMAZING WAY
importantly, the conversation opened my OF TELLING THE
Is there an Indian way eyes to something that’s often happened
before but which I never really noticed or
attempted to understand. Now that it hit
me straight across the face I couldn’t
TRUTH. AT THE
MOST SURPRISING
MOMENTS THEY
Women must be heard in
of telling the truth? possibly avoid doing so.
When they want to, Indians have an
amazing way of telling the truth. At the
LITERALLY BLURT IT
OUT. IT’S SAID WITHOUT
climate decision-making
most surprising of moments, they liter- ARTIFICE AND WITHOUT s we look back at 2023, it is the year billion annually. By 2050, the cost will reach
T
he phone rang horribly late at
night but, for reasons I cannot
fathom, I responded in an atten-
tive mood. Normally, the hour
and tone of the conversation would have
remember. “Being critical is no doubt a
popular or populist thing to do. But that’s
just being negative. What about the
things you admire? What about the
actions you want to praise? Why not
ally blurt it out. It’s said without artifice
and without care for political correct-
ness. Unvarnished it no doubt is but it’s
also refreshingly unalloyed. And even if
at times painful it’s almost always thera-
CARE FOR POLITICAL
CORRECTNESS. AND EVEN
IF AT TIMES PAINFUL IT’S
A that discussions on the climate cri-
sis intensified, in the lead-up to
COP28 in Doha. It was also a year
of extreme weather events that affected
people across the world, more so women
about $1.8 trillion. Extreme weather events
affect physical and mental health, they
impact safe drinking water, adequate nutri-
tion and shelter, putting women’s safety at
risk. Women face challenges in accessing
put me off. identify yourself by associating with peutic. It makes up for all the Uriah
ALMOST ALWAYS and girls. Traditionally discriminatory prac- reproductive and other health services, all
“I want to ask you a question,” the them? Stand up for something. Don’t Heepness and utter hypocrisy we’re THERAPEUTIC tices mean that women are more affected of which ultimately lead to inter-genera-
caller began but continued without paus- keep putting everything down.” equally capable of. by the climate crisis and have the least tional poverty and marginalisation.
ing for a reply. “I’m a regular reader of I started to defend myself and tried to In fact, no other country seems to have They do it because they feel they have to. resources and skills to cope with it. India, Despite vigorous efforts by women’s
your column and I notice that you are assure the caller that I am not a negative this incredible quality. The Brits are too The passion that moves them cannot be which has taken the lead in many aspects of groups and activists, only 38% of delegates
always criticising everything. Can’t you person but, after a bit, he cut me off. phlegmatic, the French too loquacious, diffused by etiquette or politesse or even the climate crisis, should focus on giving at the COP28 were women, a mere one per
ever find anything to praise?” “I’ll tell you what,” the voice said. No the Germans far too upright and the Ital- lack of opportunity. It just has to express women and girls a voice in climate deci- cent increase over COP27. It was, however,
The bold and blunt query took me longer did it sound agitated. A reflective ians simply muddle-headed. The Ameri- itself. sion-making. The government must sup- recognised at COP28 that women need
aback. I wasn’t sure what to say. But of calm seemed to have replaced the earlier cans wouldn’t know enough and the Chi- So, this morning, I want to compli- port the voice of women in the response to more economic power as countries begin
one thing I was sure — I had been put in impatience. “Let me give you a bit of nese would be horrified at anything that ment my late-night interlocutor for help- the climate crisis through increased partici- their shift to low-carbon strategies.
the dock and needed to defend myself. advice. Why don’t you write about what approximates the truth. ing me appreciate a quality I had not pation in policy design, and establishing Christopher Nial, climate expert and sen-
Banging the phone down might have you like about India? Give me three good Only in our country do strangers properly thought of before. It’s people opportunities for meaningful engagement ior partner at Finn Partners, who attended
ended the conversation — and there were reasons on a Sunday morning to feel march up — or ring late at night, heed- like you, Sir, who shake up a man’s com- in climate processes. COP28, says, “Women are still underrepre-
moments when I wanted to do just that happy and satisfied. Instead, you often less of the hour — and tell you to your placency and self-satisfaction. Your call India, with its vigorous Panchayati Raj sented at climate negotiation forums, a
— but it wouldn’t have answered the leave me feeling the other way.” face what they think. Furthermore, did me a world of good. system which has seen robust participation stark contrast to the disproportionate
question. And it certainly wouldn’t have I put the phone down somewhat per- they’re not a whit abashed by the fact Thank you and Happy New Year. from women, is ideally placed to lead the impact the climate crisis has on them.
dispelled the doubts that it arose out of. plexed but also in a strange way glad I’d their comment could be personal or it’s way in fostering gender equality in climate Women are often at the frontline of climate-
“You write as if it’s clever to be criti- had the conversation. To begin with, well past midnight or there are others Karan Thapar is the author of processes in the Global South. The success related challenges, so their voices are essen-
cal,” the voice continued. It did give me whilst not conceding the argument, per- listening. They don’t even care if they Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story. of involving ASHA workers in the Covid tial. COP28 made strides in weaving gender
its name but, alas, I can no longer haps the caller has a point. I reserve my end up making a spectacle of themselves. The views expressed are personal battle was a result of their adaptability and perspectives into climate discussions, but
resilience. They are ideally suited to spread there’s still a significant gap. Initiatives like
awareness of the climate crisis, especially in the Gender-Responsive Just Transitions
rural areas. The government must allocate and Global Climate Action Partnership
R. N. I. No. DELENG/2002/07317 ● Postal Reg. No. DL(ND)-11/6059/2018-19-20 ‘Licensed to post without prepayment’ LICENCE No. U(C)-249/2012-14 AIR SURCHARGE: Raipur and beyond by Rail or Road - Re 5/-, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Khajuraho, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 10/
PRINTED
PRINTED& &PUBLISHED
PUBLISHEDBYBYMANHAR
DINESH KAPOOR forand
MITTAL for andon
onbehalf
behalfof
ofHT
HTMedia
MediaLtd.
Ltd.18-20,
18-20,Kasturba
KasturbaGandhi
GandhiMarg,
Marg,New
NewDelhi-110001
Delhi-110001and
andprinted
printed
atatHT
HTMedia
MediaLtd.
Ltd.Presses
PressesatatPlot
PlotNo.-8,
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GreaterNoida,
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Nagar.(UP).
(UP).Pin-201306,
Pin-201306.
BOARD: (011)23361234 ● EDITORIAL: (011)66561234 Extn. 1254, 1268 ● CIRCULATION: (011)66561111 ● ADVERTISING: (011)66561389 ● FAX: (011)66561270.
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If you want a happy
ending, that depends on Orson
where you stop your story Welles
GLOBAL DISORDER
any of his predecessors to nurture the role in strategic diplomacy. However, in India is the world’s fastest growing econ-
party spirit in all parts of the nation. 2024 India will sit at the global high table omy. Year 2024 is expected to end with 7
The Modi cult is bigger than the BJP. to influence all strategic, economic and percent GDP growth. By all indications,
T
Over the past decade, his picture has be- diplomatic configurations. international and domestic supply chain
HE world is at an inflection point in time and events. As come omnipresent— he holds your gaze issues and inflationary pressures could
millions get set to flip the Gregorian calendar and usher with steady charisma at all airports,
An opposition on steroids stall incremental gains. With massive
in 2024, a confluence of emergent crises is triggering a POWER & POLITICS 70,000-plus petrol pumps and innumer- The seeds to harvest a credible political public investment and a surge in rural
spectre of angst and cynicism. The endlessness of wars PRABHU CHAWLA able bus stops. Over 880 railway stations alternative to the BJP were sown in 2023. demand, some sectors may do better—
and the redefinition of national interest haunt the pros- prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com will sport Modi selfie points to attract But in the end, ideological fissures and aviation, health, entertainment, tourism
pects of growth. There is a growing belief that the rules-based Follow him on X @PrabhuChawla millions of train travellers. The Modi leadership competitions developed. The and automobiles. GDP may experience
world order is unravelling seemingly into global disorder. connect means direct communion—a recent Congress defeats will compel all 7.2 percent growth. But a corporate boom
T
The context carries implications for India on how it propels yearlong choreographed chain of events anti-Modi forces to forge an uneasy un- is a sure bet if Modi returns with a com-
its potential as it navigates its way in an interdependent world. O any astute aruspex who di- spanning India’s cultural, religious, ion. The Congress has been agonisingly fortable majority.
As we enter an intensely political year dotted by elections in vines the mysteries of time, martial and historical spectrum. He humbled by its own inflated arrogance. It The Sensex may not reflect India’s ac-
major economies, the asymmetries of geopolitics play out. In- omens often send mixed sig- doesn’t need to rediscover Bharat since lost states it had governed. Now it is will- tual financial health, but it indicates in-
dia will have to hedge and openly punt its options. nals. We can say 2023 was the he knows its multifarious facades well. ing to treat others as equals and discuss vestor confidence. The Indian market is
A useful lens to frame the circumstance for debate Year of Antipodes—with politi- Yes, he has fulfilled his Hindutva agen- seat allocations without preconditions. skewed, being controlled by a capitalist
is the tradition of New Year resolutions harking back to Baby- cal and religious confrontation, da, but in 2024 he must deliver more de- While the regional biggies will stick to oligarchy which has put in place an algo-
lon. The essence of the tradition is reflection, recognition and Centre-state standoffs, sports velopment. The Modinomics of welfare their turf and make few concessions, the rithm of glitter and affluence. During the
restoration. The key to success lies in the art of crafting a scandals, investigative agency intru- schemes at public cost would get him Congress will predictably project Rahul past 12 months, the Sensex jumped from
consensus—on issues of national import and in the geopoliti- sions and competitive welfare pitches votes, but can weaken long-term econom- Gandhi, the leader sans office, as its na- 61,000 to 72,000. The market capitalisation
cal arena on the challenges of preserving and leveraging the scarring the narrative on one hand, and ic sustainability. He must speedily cor- tional beacon. His second trip, the Nyay of listed companies rose almost 30 per-
rules-based order. a buoyant stock market, booming enter- rect income inequality and skewed yatra, begins early next month and will cent—from around $3 trillion in January
Here are a few resolutions, tainment industry, sporting triumphs wealth distribution end before the Lok to around $4 trillion by end-December,
beginning with reforms at multilat- and space leaps lacquering national to erase any impres- Sabha elections which is more than India’s GDP.
eral agencies tasked with scaffold- pride on the other hand. sion of encouraging dates are an-
ing the rules-based world order In- The dawning year looks ready to ag- capitalism. Modi’s nounced. RaGa will
Ramfication of Bharat
dia is invested in. gressively mimic the past. The first half only rival is Modi. cover 6,200 km, Politics has already been Modified over
Rally Global South for UN re- augurs to be uglier than its predeces- In 2024, he is guar- passing through 85 the past decade. Now comes the Ramfica-
forms, defang the veto ghetto: sor’s—more abusive and conflict-ridden, anteed to recon- districts of 14 tion of Bharatiya culture in 2024. On Jan-
THE THIRD EYE The United Nations is a rare institu-
tion which de-rates its relevance
as India’s political parties go for the kill
shot. Fakery and buffoonery will domi-
struct himself as a
Modi who is better
states. If the Bharat
Jodo Yatra’s pur-
uary 22 of 2024, the date for the installa-
tion of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the Sangh
SHANKKAR AIYAR regularly. There are over 30 conflict nate timelines on X, Instagram, Face- than his best. pose was to magni- will paint the length and breadth of
Author of The Gated Republic, Aadhaar: zones dotting the world. Nobody ex- book, Koo, LinkedIn etc, with a melee of fy his visibility and Bharat with images of Lord Ram along
A Biometric History of India’s 12 Digit
pects a winner in the war in Ukraine sycophantic and toxic posts. TV channels
A reconciliatory connectivity, the with Modi. For the next two months, BJP
Revolution, and Accidental India global Bharat
(shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com) and almost everybody wants the will resemble wrestling rings where new yatra aims to and RSS volunteers will visit 10 crore
war in Gaza to end. Peace is tangled slander lands the blows instead of cred- Will India get its rebur nish his households to persuade them to celebrate
in binding and non-binding resolu- ible views and news. Political parties and holy grail—a per- bruised image after a second Diwali on that date. The party
tions, and crippled by veto wielders who represent less than a corporates will deploy millions of social manent UN Security the recent Congress expects the event to get maximum global
sixth of the global population. India can rally the Global South media handles to disseminate informa- Council seat? Can it drubbing in three attention and reverberate nationally as a
as it did in G20 to forge an accord for equitable representation tion and promote fandom. Deepfakes will be the leader of the SOUMYADIP SINHA states. It is being raag of cultural renaissance. The opposi-
and reforms in the UN and rid the ghetto of veto. malign and mangle contrarians and ad- Global South? Will it billed as a political tion faces the painful challenge of choos-
Build shields for sticks, stones and words: India’s rise versaries. The year ahead is predictively improve strained relations with its grassroots movement to try and neutral- ing between faith and ideology. They are
naturally triggers scrutiny and threats as domestic politics ominous with biffos and bigotry. neighbours? Can it shed its American ise the gigantic Ram Mandir Wave. likely to lose the first round of the politi-
influences geopolitics. There is a need to rethink the template Here are the themes that will rever- Ally image? With Modi tied up with di- The opposition is hoping for a repeat of cal perception match even before the first
of actions and a calibration of responses. In the age of senti- berate through the year. recting poll strategy, it was left to foreign the 2004 results, when the immensely election nomination is filed.
ment analysis, sticks and stones will hurt bones and words can minister Jaishankar to meet Putin in popular Vajpayee government lost the
sully branding. India needs to expand the presence of its for-
Irreplaceable Modi Russia and signal India’s diplomatic elections. With no single leader to lead an
Republic of Bharat
eign service cadre across the globe to collaborate on and co- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reputa- equidistance to the watching world. Mo- all-India campaign then, the Congress Will India finally be renamed Bharat in
create definitions that matter. For instance, what constitutes tion of invincibility and reliability has di’s G20 gains must pervade all of 2024. staged a comeback and hijacked the gov- 2024? The process began with a presiden-
terrorism and an articulation of the distance between dissent been cemented in the recent state elec- India’s role in the Gaza strife looked mut- ernment. The architecture of opposition tial invitation last year. Soon after, Modi
and diabolical threats. This calls for setting up active shields, tions. His words are indubitably gospel ed. For the PM’s personal relationships unity even without a leader or effective invited his G20 guests as the Prime Min-
contesting shibboleths and exposing duplicity. truth for his groupies. ‘Modi ka guaran- with world leaders to yield results, he alternative slogan to ‘India shining’ de- ister of Bharat. Going by all indications,
Create a coalition to rescue WTO and multilateralism: tee’ is the BJP’s new password to poster- will have to outplay a belligerent China molished all psephological constructs. Bharat will cartographically replace In-
The World Trade Organization’s obituary has been written ity. Can the PM retain his unconquerable and a hostile Pakistan. Sonia Gandhi stitched together ideologi- dia. All Indian missions are likely to be
since the failed Doha ministerial. The idea of free trade has rizz for a 2024 sweep? His challenge is to During his third consecutive term, cal opponents and appointed a politically renamed High Commissions or Embas-
been abandoned by its evangelists who now pray at the parish score a hat-trick with an absolute major- his focus will be more on boosting his insignificant technocrat, Manmohan sies of the Republic of Bharat. All central
of protectionism. The WTO is paralysed by its structure—its ity. He must not just retain the seats BJP Vishwaguru status in the year’s second Singh, to run the country for a decade. government departments, PSUs, banks
appellate body has been dead since 2020 and arbitration is lim- won in 2019 but also add a few more from half with a flurry of foreign visits. In Come 2014, enter Modi—a person per- etc are working on using ‘Bharat’ in their
ited to cosy trading blocs. Like at the Cancun ministerial, India other states to compensate for the losses his second term, Modi spent 240 days secuted by the media and boycotted by communications.
needs to build a coalition of economies to revive WTO’s legiti- it may suffer in other states. abroad visiting about 120 countries. elitists. He breaks a three-decade record A decade of Modi Raj has tattooed
macy. A good first step would be to host the next ministerial The entire year will be devoted to Mo- Jaishankar earned diplomatic airmiles by gaining a single-party majority for the his imprimatur on the Bharatiya century.
and drive the agenda. di’s amplification as a prime minister in 290 days, landing in fewer nations BJP. The Congress will try to identify geo- As India’s identity leaves the shores
Lead the recast of IMF and World Bank: The Bretton who delivers more than what he prom- over the same period; his favourite des- graphical islands where anti-BJP forces of its conflicted past and sails towards
Woods twins founded in 1944 served the purpose of the time. ises. His visage will stare at citizens tination is the US. can catalyse possible victories to restrict the horizon of universal pre-eminence,
The roles need redefinition to suit new realities. India is a lead- from billboards and posters in every cor- India has made substantial progress in BJP’s gains. In this combative year, India Ramayana, Bharatayana and Modiayana
er in digital infrastructure, and is the fifth largest economy. As ner of the country. His presence will per- leading the creation of another diplomat- could get the cohesive opposition needed will point the compass of its passage
a voice for the Global South, it has the opportunity to collabo- vade the attention of voters physically, ic pressure group against the US bloc. In to keep democracy healthy. through Amritkaal.
rate and present a new architecture. The IMF needs to evolve
beyond bailouts, plot data to predict incoming crises and design
policies for resilience. The World Bank, the recast of which has
T
graphic bulge depends on reforms in labour laws and regula- he’s unwittingly going to run into some diately to mind. Both involved dates that suggest that climate disasters in unfore-
tions by state governments and alignment of policies such as HERE is a quote often ascribed to internecine problems because India’s are far into the future. seeable Black Swan-type events will rav-
PLI schemes with investment summits. And yes, a better map- Rumi which roughly translates prime point for local time calculations is Our penchant for reiterating our belief age countries like us the most.
ping of job creation, a task fit for Niti Aayog, will help. as, “Yesterday I was brilliant, so Mirzapur in UP. We have a non-western- in athiti devo bhava was omnipresent dur- For me, the most confusing and less
India is poised at the intersection of promise and I aspired to change the world; to- ised and rather imposing saffron-clad ing the year. We cheerfully announced our contentious aspect of the year has been
performance. Success rests on an agreement among parties day I am wise, so I attempt to Yogi who will not be very happy to see his willingness to host the COP32 summit in the display of India’s atmanirbhar hard
on what constitutes national interest. This requires the resto- change myself.” Something state lose status in this arena. India. Even more heroic was the offer of power. There’s no doubt that, on the
ration of dialogue in domestic politics—the spectacle wit- about these profound lines struck This worthy, whose name you will have hosting the Olympics in 2036. Speaking in world stage, a powerful new India has
nessed in parliament and the suzerainty of party interests are me as I sat down to write a riff on the year to pardon me from recollecting instantly, Mumbai, the prime minister said hosting taken centre-stage. So is this our collec-
worrisome. On November 4, 1948, B R Ambedkar observed that is just going by. In a world best de- has insisted that the global prime merid- the Olympics is an “age-old dream” for tive future or is athiti deva our theme
that if things go wrong it will not be due to a bad Constitution, scribed as VUCA—a term military strate- ian is merely another example of west- India. (If you’ve not been getting those song? Or are these fragments of a dysto-
but because “man was vile”. The good fellas in India’s political gists use to summarise situations of vola- ernisation that he intends to dismantle, Olympic dreams, then you clearly are a pian Metaverse dream? So the question
class must show up. tility, uncertainty, complexity and and by extension, he probably will want closet anti-nationalist.) now hangs: are you ready, Player One?
and say to all the world, “This was a man.” support from other parties. Making unnecessary gies, has hopped on the saddle so that he can call
R Pichumani, Kumbakonam comments against Modi is to be avoided because the shots in the Lok Sabha elections as far as his
The Ukrainian side presented a 10-point Istanbul that will only do more harm than good. state is concerned.
Haste hurts Temple stand V Venkitasubramanian, Coimbatore C V Aravind, Bengaluru
communiqué outlining conditions for a cease-fire, Ref: Bring back decorum in Kerala politics (Dec 29). With reference to the news item ‘Cong in a fix over
permanent Ukrainian neutrality and international What’s stated in the editorial was in the right per- temple’, the Congress party knows the reality. It Chennai repairs Kashmir assimilation
security guarantees... Putin tried to do everything spective and was timely. The chief minister’s haste will be difficult for the party to keep away from the It is heartening to know that the Greater Chennai Kudos to the Modi government for the bold step of
possible to conclude the agreement with Ukraine. in justifying the efficacy of the Kerala sadas kicked consecration of the Ram temple. It has to find a Corporation is likely to focus on the new and exist- abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution. The Su-
up too many controversies. This reminds me of way out and avoid falling into the trap of tarnish- ing storm water drains from January 2024. Though preme Court upheld the decision. It is ridiculous to
Oleksandr Chalyi, Ukrainian diplomat who participated in talks with Russia in
what Winston Churchill once said, “It is a mistake ing its image as being Hindu-phobic. At the same late, we sincerely hope that the mayor and the find that the Congress still opposes the abrogation
Spring 2022, at a Geneva security summit; he said the UK and US blocked the plan
to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of time, it can’t gloss over the attitudes of other INDIA councillors would keep their promise to complete of the article. The majority of sensible citizens of
destiny can be handled at a time.” bloc members on the matter. Really, its option is the work before the onset of the monsoon in 2024. this country are happy with court verdict.
We are basically almost landing on a star. This will be a monumental K Gopakumar Menon, Thrissur between the devil and the deep sea. This happens After that, they should concentrate on repairing BVK Thampi, Thiruvananthapuram
achievement for all humanity. This is equivalent to the moon landing of 1969. to parties that don’t have a clear-cut ideology. the state’s battered roads.
Captain magnanimous Jitendranath Guru, Padampur N Mahadevan, Chennai Grandmaster returns
Nour Raouafi, scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Captain Vijayakanth’s demise has left a great la- The 36-year-old mother and chess grandmaster
on Nasa’s Parker solar probe which will hurtle past the Sun a year from now cuna both in the movie world and the political Boldness required Power play known for her inimitable playing style, Koneru
world. He won innumerable hearts by being a clean The BJP’s target of capturing 400 seats at the Lok Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has tightened his hold on Humpy, became the runner-up at the 2023 Women’s
You give up any sense of privacy: of your body, of your mind, of your soul, of leader and actor. But people will remember him Sabha elections is over-ambitious, but there is the JD(U) by taking over as party president after World Rapid Championship at Samarkand on De-
more as a good Samaritan because of his generos- nothing wrong with dreaming big. All other politi- showing Lallan Singh the door. Speculation is rife cember 28. It was a splendid display from Humpy,
anything about you… it’s completely eradicated.
ity, rather than as a political leader or actor. To cal parties including the Congress should wake up that Lallan’s proximity to RJD honcho Lalu Prasad coming as it did after she took a gap of two years
Hanif Kureishi, 69-year-old British author, on the deeper effects of a fall last year quote Shakespeare, His life was gentle, and the ele- and take quick and bold decisions to face the BJP’s Yadav was his undoing. But Nitish, who is known to from international events. Congrats to her.
that had left him unable to use his hands, arms or legs ments so mixed in him that Nature might stand up challenge. The Congress should get unequivocal hanker after power and has never valued ideolo- R Sampath, email
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दै निक जागरण, राजस्थाि पत्रिका, दै निक भास्कर, ह द
िं स्
ु ताि, िवभारत टाइम्स, त्रिज़िस स्टैंडडड, अमर उजाला,पिंजाि
केसरी, उत्तम ह न्द,ू जिसत्ता, लोकसत्ता, ररभूमम, द पायिीयर,जागरूक टाइम्स, राष्ट्रीय स ारा, दै निक हरब्यूि, युवा
गोरव, भारतीय स ारा, स्विंतिंि वाताड, सीमा सिंदेश, दै निक सवेरा,एक्शि इिंडडया, मदरलैंड वॉइस, दे शििंध,ु ह माचल दस्तक,