50

Empowering The Nation

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Vol. xV, No. 19-20, Delhi, 14-20 April 2024

Congress‘ Decreasing Numbers in Lok Sabha

1984 405
www.udayindia.in, editor@udayindia.in,

1989 197
1991 232
1996 140
1998 141
1999 114
2004 145
2009 206
2014 44
2019 52
Published on 13th APRIL 2024, Released on 15th APRIL 2024

Why Congress is
COVER Mass Exodus
STORY
inside 20 APRIL, 2024

The perception or reality of a lack of internal

democracy within the Congress perhaps is a sig-
nificant factor driving leaders to leave. What
internal democracy means is the healthy environ-
ment where the party members, including lead-
ers, have a meaningful say in decision-making
processes, candidate selection, policy formula- Milind Deora R.P.N. Singh

tion, and overall party direction.

PAGE- 16
MARKET FAILS IN JOB CREATION
Reserve Bank's DIGITA Initiative: A Step Towards
The report emphasises on the broken link between
education and employment. “A large proportion of Curbing Illegal Lending Apps in India
highly educated young men and women, including
the technically educated, are overqualified for the
job they have”. It is a reflection on the education
system and the New Education Policy (NEP) that
stress on an extended four-year-undergraduate
degree course and high qualifications of PhD.
P-08

HIMACHAL POLITICAL TURMOIL

AFTERSHOCKS IN BJP TOO
The BJP leadership in Delhi see the P-12
admission of Congress rebels (also three
independents) as an opportunity for
growth and expansion, especially when
the congress government in the state has
A MICROSOFT WARNING : GROWING THREAT
been reduced to a minority. P-10 OF AI INTERFERENCE IN ELECTION BY CHINA

UNRAVELING THE
KATCHATHEEVU
ISLAND DISPUTE

P-38
CATALYSTS OF GROWTH P-34
Maize production in India
regular Feature Challenges, opportunities and ways forward
06 right aNglE

UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024

44 Eco-watch
50 Editor’s NotE
Published on 13th April 2024
Released on 15th April 2024
P-14 Total No. of Pages+Cover=52 P-40

3
 Shri Hanumate Namah
Editor-in-chief: Prakash Nanda
Editor: Deepak Kumar Rath
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UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
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The contents of this publication reflect the views of writers and
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MAILBOX
06 APRIL, 2024
e-mail: editor@udayindia.in
I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent developments sur-
√दुआओं में याद रखना _
rounding Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as reported in your
cover story. Arvind Kejriwal, a former
civil servant turned social activist,
gained widespread recognition for his
relentless efforts against corruption
and his commitment to transparency
in government. However, the recent
allegations of corruption and mal-
With Best Compliments
practice against key members of the
AAP, including Kejriwal himself, are
deeply troubling and warrant seri-
ous attention. The allegations of
corruption in the implementation of
the liquor policy in Delhi, leading to
the arrest of Deputy Chief Minister
Manish Sisodia and the involve-
ment of other AAP leaders, paint a
grim picture of the state of politics
in our country. The subsequent
arrests of prominent AAP mem-
bers, including Sanjay Singh and
K Kavitha, further underscore the magnitude of the issue. As citizens, we
place our trust in our elected representatives to uphold the highest standards
of integrity and ethics. However, these allegations of corruption within the
AAP raise serious doubts about the credibility of our political leaders and the
functioning of our democratic institutions.
-Bhavna Sampat, New Delhi
***
It is imperative that a thorough and impartial investigation be conducted to
uncover the truth behind the allegations of corruption. No individual or party
should be above the law, and those found guilty of wrongdoing must be held
accountable for their actions. Furthermore, it is essential for Arvind Kejriwal
to step down from his position as Chief Minister of Delhi and cooperate fully
with the investigating agencies to ensure a fair and transparent investigation.
His decision to continue running the government from custody is not only
unethical but also undermines the principles of democracy and accountabili-
ty. Moreover, the targeting of opposition parties by investigating agencies
while turning a blind eye to corruption within the ruling party raises serious
concerns about the impartiality and independence of these agencies. It is
imperative that they carry out their duties without fear or favor, regardless of
political affiliation.
-Hemant Nayak, Pune
Urgent Need for Civility in Political Discourse
I am writing to express my concern regarding the rising trend of
inappropriate language in political discourse, as highlighted in the
SURVEY NO 171/& 171/7, Antiawad, village Dabhel,
recent article published by your esteemed publication. In the run-up Nani Daman Dadra & Nagar Haveli and
to the Lok Sabha elections, the level of rhetoric and language used by
politicians has reached alarming levels. Instead of engaging in mean- Daman & DiU -396210
ingful dialogue and presenting their electoral issues effectively,
politicians are resorting to derogatory remarks and inflammatory Tel. 0260 3927100
language to undermine their opponents. This not only undermines
the integrity of our democratic process but also sets a dangerous Website : www.templepackaging.com
precedent for future political discourse.
-Arvind Rane, Kolhapur
4
 RIGHT ANGLE
Kejriwal no longer an
Aam Admi; he is Special
D
elhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, now in jail, is naturally
in national headlines. Whether he would be under pro-
longed judicial custody remains to be seen as one has to
keep one’s fingers crossed as our Supreme Court at
present is perceived by many to be the real poll- rival of
the Modi regime in the on-going electioneering for a new
Lok Sabha.
I am not going to enter the debates over the wisdom
of our apex court in deciding to declare the electoral
bonds illegal with retrospective effect (
a rarest of rare judicial pronouncement
anywhere in the world), in suspending
the conviction of Rahul Gandhi that
would have denied him to contest elec-
tions( though poor Lalu Prasad Yadav
was denied this privilege and he spent
more than half a decade in jails, apart
from being denied any political office)
Prakash NaNda and in suggesting in many a case that
the “executive” ( meaning the Modi
government) is either not doing enough
for the people or is doing things against the spirit of the
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
constitution ( exactly the same that almost all the opposi-
tion parties are saying).
In fact, Kejriwal’s biggest defence is that some of the
witnesses against him in his alleged involvement in liquor
scam had bought electoral bonds for the BJP, though the
then prevailing law had guaranteed the donors’ privacy.
06
Therefore, I will not be surprised if the Supreme Court
sets Kejriwal free tomorrow, though going by the estab-
lished legal norms, many lawyer friends of mine consider
that possibility highly unlikely. Imagine, if Kejriwal is set
free by the apex court, tremendous impact it will have in
favour of the opposition parties in this election-season.
Kejriwal will turn out to be the real big hero, courtesy our
Supreme Court, and he may revive his long-cherished
dream of replacing Modi as the country’s next Prime
Minister.
Kejriwal is too talented a person not to understand
that Delhi is not a full-fledged State and that it remains
essentially a Union Territory, despite having an elected
Chief Minister, a la, Pondicherry. For him, the issue is not
simply bureaucratic or legalistic. It has serious political
dimensions. In fact, it is essentially political. Therefore,
one sees a discernible pattern in what Kejriwal has been
focussing on, ever since he became the Chief Minister.
He is simply not interested in his job as the Chief
Minister; he wants to use his present position in such a
way that the country starts looking at him as India’s next
Prime Minister. His ultimate aim is to rule over Delhi, not
as the Chief Minister but as the Prime Minister.
Kejriwal says that it is important that the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) loses every election and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi is demonised on every possible
opportunity. Kejriwal tries to reach every trouble-spot in
the country to carry out his “hate politics" against Modi.
Kejriwal is far ahead of others in mastering the art of
remaining in the limelight through the help of the media. I do
not think that there has been any one in independent India’s
mainstream politics who can come anywhere nearer to
Kejriwal in the game of abuses and character assassinations
of the rivals.
Few can match Kejriwal today in the art of hugging the
limelight – portray yourself as a victim and target your rivals
on the basis of unproven and unprovable charges. Credibility
for Kejriwal is not at all a virtue. He may be a Chief Minister,
but Kejriwal is always in the mode of agitation. And effortlessly
he changes his ideals and political agendas if that ensures
him good media coverage and takes him to nearer his ulti-
mate goal.
Few people remember that in his NGO-days, in an inter-
view to a leading business daily, he had said that “India’s
ablest Prime Minister so far has been Rajiv Gandhi”, who, in
his opinion, understood India the best. That he respected the
Gandhi family became all the more evident from the revelation
by the Congress leader Digvijay Singh subsequently that
Kejriwal once had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi, requesting
her to make him a member of her National Advisory Board
during the UPA regime. That Sonia could not accommodate
him was a different matter. In any case, it is an open secret in
Delhi that Kejriwal was one of the best friends of Sandeep
Dikshit, the son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
But see the way he ditched the Congress and Dixit family; in
fact, he replaced Sheila as the Chief Minister.
It is often not realised that the AAP became a phenome-
non in Delhi only because people rebelled against the estab-
lished political parties making politics the family fiefdoms or
exclusivist dens where money, muscle and passions for com-
munity (be it religion and caste) play a huge role. In fact, the
most positive features of the AAP’s victory in 2013 was that its
candidates proved that one could win elections without
money, muscle, caste and religion. That trust of the people in
the AAP has been belied by the AAP over the last 11 years.
In fact, one may argue that people of Delhi did not vote
for the AAP to necessarily form a government. What the peo-
ple of Delhi did was that by giving AAP respectability and the
hype, they gave a notice to the established political parties
that they were not happy with them. They warned the estab-
lished political parties that they may no longer be allowed to
continue with business as usual by their usual politics based
on money, muscle, caste and religion.
Ironically, however, the AAP, now that it has become a rul-
ing party in Delhi and Punjab, has failed to live up to expecta-
tions. And that is precisely because, AAP is neither a coherent
party; nor does it have a reasoned vision for India. Just look
at the persons who are today leading AAP and supporting it.
Today, the APP can hardly be distinguished from any
other political party. It has resorted to the age-old practice of
identity politics on the basis of caste, community and reli-
gion. Like any political party, the AAP is no longer a party of
a common man; all of its leaders have become too fond of
luxuries, palatial houses ( see how Kejriwal has spent nearly
100 crores in refurbishing his official bungalow) , foreign
07
As we have seen, Kejriwal is no longer
an “Aam Admi”. He claims himself to be
special. He must have special
privileges. He must have a special
residence, better than that of even the
Prime Minister. For him laws of the land
must be special. Because, getting spe-
cial treatment is his special right.
trips and mind- boggling perks. In fact, a senior IAS officer,
who was in Delhi government , told me the other day as the
health Minister Jain ( he is in jail too now ) used more than
25 official cars( both at home and office) in sharp contrast to
his predecessor Kiran Walia(health minister under Sheila
Dixit) who used only two official cars. Kejriwal has also made
the MLAs of Delhi highest-paid elected representatives -
drawing a salary of Rs. 3.2 lakh plus various allowances.
There have been plenty of instances of the AAP ministers,
including Kejriwal, employing irregularly their relatives and
followers in the Delhi government.
Importantly, Kejriwal hardly talks of the evils of corrup-
tion these days, even though his entry into politics was via
the movement called India Against Corruption (IAC). In this
task, he attracted not only veteran social activist and crusad-
er Anna Hazare but also some of the brightest young men
and women of India. However, against the wishes of Anna,
he formed a political party. But here too, soon after capturing
power, he threw out all other famous co-founders like
Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav.
A self-proclaimed crusader against corruption, he has
campaigned in Bihar for the party of Lalu Yadav, India’s first
major politician to have been convicted of corruption and
ineligible to fight election for six years. A politician who
claimed to be fighting the evil influences of caste and religion
in politics, these days Kejriwal only talks in casteist or com-
munal terms as “a secularist” – see his support for caste-
based reservations in government jobs and his total silence
on ethnic tensions initiated by extremists among Muslims.
How many of us have tried to bother over the implemen-
tation of Kejriwal’s 70-point agenda that was promised when
he became the Chief Minister? What has been the progress
in the fields of health, transport, roads and sanitation, the
areas which clearly are under the jurisdiction of the Delhi
government? Is there free Wi-Fi in market places? He has
kept, of course, his words on the subsidies on electricity and
water, arguably cheapest in the whole country.
But then, as we have seen, Kejriwal is no longer an
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
“Aam Admi”. He claims himself to be special. He must have
special privileges. He must have a special residence, better
than that of even the Prime Minister. For him laws of the
land must be special. Because, getting special treatment is
his special right.
(prakash.nanda@hotmail.com)
 EDUCATION WATCH
Market Fails in Job Creation: ILO
CHANGE NEP, STRATEGIES
n SHIVAJI SARKAR
A
s the country gears up for one of its most interesting elec-
tions, the economy requires significant improvement to
address the challenges, as highlighted by the International
Labour Organization and official indicators, which reveal a
deteriorating situation concerning jobs and official stats of a
31 percent decline in foreign direct investments (FDI).
Ambitious government projections of $ 3 to 5 trillion econ-
omy and other figures apparently are not in sync. A rise in the
stock market is not supported by strong indicators else FDI
cannot fall so drastically at a critical political juncture.
The country is receiving short-term fly-by-night foreign
portfolio investments at stock markets. The FDI indicates the
investor confidence in the system. It is promised but is not
actually flowing in. There are UNCTAD studies that show
interest in India but the actual flow has usually been weak.
India’s inequality is attracting attention of world powers.
The Inequality Report 2022 brought out by Institute of
Competitiveness on the basis of Periodic Labour Force
Survey (PLFS) 2019-20 finds that monthly salary of Rs
25,000 puts a person among the top wages earned. It is inter-
preted as a challenge to securing development with dignity to
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
all and actual growth.
The ILO report is vocal about the employment challenge
that cannot be left to the markets alone. Production in manu-
facturing is becoming capital intensive. Without high manu-
facturing growth , employment generation might continue to
disappoint. Is it for that reason the government investing in
08
the construction and real estate? It is internationally accepted
that about two-thirds of infra investments are frittered away in
various kinds of cuts. Be it Southeast Asia or any other region,
infra investments have resulted in severe meltdowns.
India’s youth employment profile suggests country pass-
ing through a difficult phase. Share of youth who are not in
employment, education or training has averaged 29.2 per-
cent between 2010 and 2019, the highest in the subconti-
nent. There is high proportion of unemployed educated youth
even as industry complains of a shortage of skilled jobs.
The report emphasises on the broken link between edu-
cation and employment. “A large proportion of highly educat-
ed young men and women, including the technically educat-
ed, are overqualified for the job they have”. It is a reflection
on the education system and the New Education Policy
(NEP) that stress on an extended four-year-undergraduate
degree course and high qualifications of PhD. This is a com-
mon phenomenon across the country as youth with such
unusually high qualifications pine for blue-collar public sector
jobs in the hope of job security. About 3700 PhDs applied for
the post of a peon in UP police where class 5 was the eligi-
bility criterion,
Its unsavoury comment on the education system and the
private sector, which have thrown even the basic labour laws
to the wind. The ILO report stresses on 1) promoting job cre-
ation; 2) improving employment quality; 3) addressing labour
market inequalities; 4) strengthening skills and active labour
market policies; and 5) bridging the knowledge deficits on labour
market patterns and youth employment. The NEP does not
answer these queries.
It flags the challenges of addressing inequalities, improving
quality of jobs and fixing asymmetries in the labour market. A
State Bank of India study on women’s collectives brings out the
gains through aspiring lakhpati didis. However, on income,
employment and human capital there is still a distance to cover.
The ILO report calls for giving primacy to labour intensive
manufacturing employment to absorb the unskilled labour. A
comparison with China’s shortfall in infrastructure funding prom-
ises to SE Asia on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) may be a lesson
for India, as per study of Syndey’s Lowy Institute. It is a pointer to
the huge gap in funding and long gestation period. Only 35 per-
cent of infra projects seen through completion. The funding is
falling through by $ 50 billion. The Lowy report is a caution for
India for desisting from investing in infra projects. Poor quality of
constructions of bridges and other infra, including too many roads
in Maharashtra, Gujarat of Bihar are testimonies for the failures.
Women are often not preferred for jobs as these entail
maternity and child care benefits. About 53.3 percent of the
female workforce was self employed in 2019. It rose to 62 per-
cent in 2022. Many of them are employed but paid low or no
wages.
The weak consumption data in the GDP numbers indicate
that over the past decade inflation-adjusted earnings of regular
salaried and self-employed persons declined. Possibly, it is the
post-demonetisation syndrome that devastated the small and
medium entrepreneurs.
An issue that the reports have not discussed is the margin-
alisation of the public sector companies and gradual disinvest-
ment. A fall out is testified by the electoral bond donations. The
Rs 12000 plus crore donations are grim pointers that the private
sector functions on the principles of giving donations and in
return getting back expensive projects.
These are dependent on the government doles at the cost of
PSUs. A real private sector has not yet emerged in this country.
This has been the pattern in the licence-permit raj as well and
continues in era of liberalisation. Why should a country foster
such unethical business model? Much of the failings underlined
by the ILO or PLFS are grim reminders of poor consumption and
a failing business system.
The nation needs to ponder why it should dip into high debts
which has annual repayment of over Rs 10 lakh crore exponen-
tially squeezing the actual budgetary allocation to around Rs 37
lakh crore, far away of from $ 3 trillion target. A policy review
is called for the entire financial system, manufacturing,
employment and New Education Policy.
The country is on experimentation spree and has yet to
stabilise its policies. The high prices are obstructions.
Parliament is unnecessarily busy in making laws or redrafting
the old ones. No wonder the chief economic advisor, the high-
est think tank, says the government can’t solve the problem of
unemployment. Post poll all national and regional parties and
institutions must come together to redraft the sustainable
growth path and manufacturing policies, including revival of
PSUs for proper quality job creation, a strong ILO suggestion.
09
The report emphasises on the broken link
between education and employment. “A large
proportion of highly educated young men and
women, including the technically educated,
are overqualified for the job they have”. It is
a reflection on the education system and the
New Education Policy (NEP) that stress on an
extended four-year-undergraduate degree
course and high qualifications of PhD.
Even as the country goes to the one of the most interesting
elections being held, economy needs a lot to brighten up for
providing a comprehensive solution to the challenges as indi-
cated by the International Labour Organsiation and the official
indicators showing a worsening situation regarding jobs and
31 percent shrinkage in foreign direct investments (FDI) infra-
structure funding promises to Southeast Asia are falling short
by more than $50 billion, according to a new report, with
megaprojects undertaken under the Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI) stagnating or failing due to poor planning, the global
clean energy transition, and political lurches in recipient coun-
tries.
The report, released today by Sydney’s Lowy Institute,
found that China remains “easily” the region’s largest infra-
structure funder, involved in 24 out of the region’s 34 infra-
structure megaprojects, which are defined as those costing $1
billion or more. At the same time, “there is a significant gap
between China’s promises and its implementation, between
what Beijing commits to and what it delivers.”
According to the Lowy report, this shortfall totals more than
$50 billion, more than half of which is “allocated to projects
that have been cancelled, downsized, or otherwise seem
unlikely to proceed.” Currently, only 35 percent of China’s
infrastructure projects have been seen through to completion,
compared to 64 percent for Japan and 53 percent for the Asian
Development Bank (ADB).
Of the 24 megaprojects mentioned above, eight worth
about $16 billion have been completed, including high-profile
railway projects in Indonesia and Laos. Another eight, worth
$35 billion, are on track, though two have been “substantially
downsized.” Meanwhile, “five projects worth $21 billion have
been cancelled, while another three projects worth $5 billion
seem unlikely to proceed.”
The report puts this funding gap down to three factors. The
first is China’s “almost exclusive focus on financing ambitious
megaprojects especially prone to problems and delays.”
Impressive megaprojects have always been a hallmark of
Beijing’s BRI, but the greater cost and complexity of these proj-
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
ects means likely that they are more likely to run into political or
financial hurdles.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher
and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 STATE SCAN
Aftershocks in BJP too
Influx of 6 congress rebels, 3 independents--- a boon or bane for saffron party?
The BJP leadership in Delhi see the admission of Congress rebels (also three independ-
ents) as an opportunity for growth and expansion, especially when the congress govern-
ment in the state has been reduced to a minority. If the BJP strength in the House, cur-
rently 25, increases after the bypoll, the party can easily destabilise the Congress govern-
ment—a real time political gain, a perceived "operation lotus".
n ASHUTOSH SHARMA FROM SHIMLA
T
urmoil and internal strife in the ruling congress, which
plunged the Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu government in crisis,
seems to have also cast its shadows on the larger political
landscape of the mountain state, so far, not affected by
“Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram” politics.
In the cool climate of Himachal Pradesh, a fresh storm
has started brewing in the Bharatiya Janata Party diluting its
ideological stance – a party with difference actively engaged
with its grassroots base.
There are visible, rather open signs of discontent in the
cadres over the party's decision to admit six Congress
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
MLAs—who had rebelled against their party and cross-
voted for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha poll. The party high
command at New Delhi rewarded all of them by not only
granting BJP memberships but also tickets to contest
upcoming byelections.
The resentment among BJP cadres highlights concerns
10
about the potential erosion of the party's organizational
ethos and a perceived betrayal of party values for political
expediency.
Even three independent MLAs, who had also voted for
the BJP in Rajya Sabha, have been admitted in the party.
They had resigned from their memberships in the assembly
to contest bypoll—yet to be announced for them.Their resig-
nations are still on hold with the Speaker Kuldeep Pathania.
The BJP leadership in Delhi see the admission of
Congress rebels (also three independents) as an opportuni-
ty for growth and expansion, especially when the congress
government in the state has been reduced to a minority. If
the BJP strength in the House, currently 25, increases after
the bypoll, the party can easily destabilise the Congress
government—a real time political gain, a perceived "opera-
tion lotus".
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu admits that the
BJP wants to get power in Himachal Pradesh through undemo-
cratic means.Since, it could form the government through elec-
toral process, they are trying to oust a duly elected government.
“They (BJP) want to get power through notes (cash) as they
had failed to achieve via votes” he alleges accusing the opposi-
tion of horse trading. Till now, the BJP and congress were alter-
nating power after every five years but this time the BJP has
chosen to grab it within 15 months of the Congress forming its
government in December 2022. The opposition BJP has also
taken advantage of Sukhu's inability to take his flock together
and simmering discontent against his style of governance.
Byelections on six assembly seats having fallen vacant due
to their disqualification is scheduled to be held on June 1 simul-
taneously with Lok Sabha polls on June 1 in the seventh phase
of the general elections in the country. All six of them were elect-
ed to the House on the congress tickets and defeated the BJP
candidates but now they will be rubbing their shoulders with all
those leaders.
“It is a strange development. The party’s national leadership
did not think it proper to take the local cadres into confidence or
study what impact the same will have on the psyche of the party
workers, also those who had fought them in the 2022 assembly
polls to see that the BJP forms its government” said senior for-
mer BJP MLA.
The influx of the Congress rebels into the party has strong
murmurs of dissent. The High Command may have chosen to
enlarge its base and increase its strength in the 68- member
state assembly yet the move is definitely going to push its core
cadre to the corners, also creating a strong rebellion.
It appears the BJP central leadership has not learnt from the
wrong distribution of the tickets in the last assembly elections.
More than 22 rebels contested against the official BJP candi-
dates making the party to lose at least 10 to 11 winnable seats,
crucial in the formation of the government.
Since, the BJP national president J P Nadda hails from
Himachal Pradesh, he too seems to have overlooked the party
dynamics then and even now, says one of BJP rebels.
Those who have been admitted in the party and given BJP
tickets include Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala).He is a former
Congress minister and staunch loyalist of former Chief Minister
11
Virbhadra Singh. Rajendra Rana, a two-time MLA who shot into
limelight after defeating former Chief Minister Prem Kumar
Dhumal from Sujanpur—home district of Information and broad-
casting minister Anurag Thakur.
Rana, once a close confidant of Dhumal had indeed jeopar-
dised his estranged mentor’s chances to become Chief Minister
third time in 2017—an opportunity grabbed by five-time BJP
MLA Jairam Thakur. The congress had gone into celebrations
over Dhumal’s defeat. There were also cheers in some sections
of the BJP too.
But, life has taken a full circle for Rana. First thing he did on
returning to the BJP was to meet ex-CM Prem Kumar Dhumal
and touched his feet to seek blessings for a new inning in the
party, which he had deserted in 2017 in fulfilment of his political
ambition.
Other rebels entering the BJP are Inder Dutt Lakhanpal
(Barsar), Ravi Thakur (Lahaul-Spiti) , Chaitanya Sharma
(Gagret) and Devinder Kumar Bhutto (Kutlehar).
With the arrival of new members, the balance of power with-
in the BJP is bound to shift unevenly. The established leaders
are funding let down and wary of losing influence to the incoming
Congress rebels. Tensions have simmered as egos also clashed
–a sign not good for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Two time former BJP minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda has quit
the party and declared his plans to contest the poll from Lahaul-
Spiti. He had lost to Ravi Thakur (Congress) in the 2022 elec-
tions by a margin of 1,616 votes. Earlier in 2017, he had defeat-
ed Ravi by 478 votes.The total votes polled in Lahaul-Spiti were
17,121 against 18,801 in 2022.
In Dharamshala, Rakesh Chaudhary, who was the official
candidate in 2022 against Sudhir Sharma has resigned. Rakesh
Kalia, a three-time Congress MLA, who had joined the BJP in
2022, has also tendered his resignation.
The biggest crisis for the BJP is going to be at Kutlehar
where a party senior and former minister Virender Kanwar has
conveyed his strong resentment over Bhutto’s entry to the party.
Kanwar had lost to Bhutto in 2022 by 7,579. He has announced
to take a decision on consulting his workers in the constituency
even as state BJP president Dr Rajeev Bindal has met him to
dissuade him from an apparent revolt that could mar the party’s
chances to wrest the assembly seat—a fortress of the party for
a long time.
In the end, the decision to admit Congress rebels into the
BJP proved to be a transformative moment, not only for the party
but for the entire political landscape of Himachal Pradesh. The
mountains are set to witness a new phase of turmoil scripting a
new chapter in the state's history, marked by few bad prece-
dents.
Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has declared “when
Lok Sabha results will be out on June 4, two BJP governments
will be formed in the country—one under Prime Minister
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Narendra Modi at the national level and other in Shimla. The
Congress days are already numbered in the state”.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher
and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 CYBER WATCH
Reserve Bank's DIGITA Initiative
A Step Towards Curbing Illegal Lending Apps in India
n UDAY INDIA BUREAU
n response to the alarming proliferation of illegal lending
I apps in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is contem-
plating the establishment of a Digital India Trust Agency
(DIGITA). This proposed agency aims to tackle the men-
ace of unauthorized digital lending platforms by enabling
verification and maintaining a public register of verified
apps. The move comes amidst growing concerns over the
exploitation of vulnerable borrowers and the need for
stringent regulatory measures to safeguard consumer
interests in the digital lending space.
The rapid advancement of technology has revolution-
ized the financial landscape, facilitating greater access to
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
credit through digital lending platforms. While these plat-
forms offer convenience and flexibility, they have also
paved the way for the emergence of unscrupulous
lenders who exploit regulatory loopholes to engage in
predatory lending practices. Reports of harassment,
exorbitant interest rates, and misuse of personal data by
12
illegal lending apps have underscored the urgency of reg-
ulatory intervention to protect consumers from financial
exploitation.
The proposed establishment of DIGITA by the RBI sig-
nifies a proactive approach towards addressing the chal-
lenges posed by illegal lending apps. As a specialized
agency dedicated to overseeing the digital lending
ecosystem, DIGITA will play a crucial role in verifying the
authenticity of lending apps and maintaining a centralized
repository of verified platforms. By establishing stringent
eligibility criteria and conducting thorough due diligence,
DIGITA aims to weed out illegitimate operators while pro-
moting transparency and accountability in the digital lend-
ing sector.
One of the key objectives of DIGITA is to enhance
consumer trust and confidence in digital lending plat-
forms. Through rigorous verification processes and regu-
lar monitoring, the agency will ensure that verified apps
comply with regulatory guidelines and adhere to ethical
lending practices. By maintaining a public register of verified
apps, DIGITA will empower consumers to make informed
decisions and steer clear of unscrupulous operators.
Additionally, the agency will collaborate with law enforce-
ment authorities to crack down on illegal lending activities
and safeguard the interests of vulnerable borrowers.
The establishment of DIGITA reflects the RBI's commit-
ment to fostering a safe and inclusive digital financial
ecosystem in India. By harnessing technology and regula-
tory oversight, the agency seeks to strike a balance
between innovation and consumer protection in the digital
lending space. Furthermore, DIGITA's efforts align with the
broader objectives of the Digital India initiative, which aims
to leverage technology for the socio-economic empower-
ment of citizens while ensuring a secure digital
environment.
However, while the proposed establishment of DIGITA
represents a significant step towards curbing illegal lend-
ing apps, it is imperative to address the root causes of
financial exclusion and promote responsible lending prac-
tices. Initiatives such as financial literacy programs, con-
sumer awareness campaigns, and enhanced regulatory
oversight are essential to empower borrowers and mitigate
the risks associated with digital lending.
In conclusion, the Reserve Bank's proposal to establish
13
The rapid advancement of technology has
revolutionized the financial landscape,
facilitating greater access to credit
through digital lending platforms. While
these platforms offer convenience and
flexibility, they have also paved the way
for the emergence of unscrupulous
lenders who exploit regulatory loopholes
to engage in predatory lending practices.
DIGITA signifies a landmark initiative aimed at safeguard-
ing consumers and combating the proliferation of illegal
lending apps in India. By leveraging technology and regu-
latory oversight, DIGITA has the potential to reshape the
digital lending landscape, promoting transparency,
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
accountability, and consumer trust. However, sustained
efforts from all stakeholders, including regulators, financial
institutions, and consumer advocacy groups, are essential
to ensure the effectiveness and integrity of DIGITA in fulfill-
ing its mandate of fostering a safe and inclusive digital
financial ecosystem.
 FOCUS
Unraveling the Katchatheevu Island Dispute
A Historical and Political Perspective
n UDAY INDIA BUREAU
I n the tangled web of geopolitics and historical disputes lies
the enigmatic tale of Katchatheevu Island, a tiny piece of
land nestled between the shores of India and Sri Lanka.
The recent assertions by former diplomat and current
Union Minister of Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, have
reignited discussions surrounding this contentious issue.
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Puri's remarks shed light on a series of decisions
made by past Indian leadership, particularly focusing on
the pivotal roles played by Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru and his successor, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
According to Puri, historical records indicate that Nehru
and later Gandhi consented to relinquish the suzerainty of
14
Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. Furthermore, he
alleges that a clandestine agreement between Gandhi
and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Karunanidhi,
facilitated the transfer of Indian territory to a neighboring
nation.
The revelations made by Puri underscore a complex
narrative of diplomatic maneuvering and political expedi-
ency. They raise pertinent questions about the motivations
behind such decisions and the implications they carry for
national sovereignty.
At the heart of the matter lies the 1974 agreement
between India and Sri Lanka, which formally transferred
The Katchatheevu issue epitomizes the
complexities of managing historical
grievances within the context of evolv-
ing diplomatic relations. While the
decision to cede the island may have
been rooted in pragmatic considera-
tions at the time, its legacy continues to
reverberate in the present. The narra-
tive of betrayal and abandonment asso-
ciated with Katchatheevu underscores
the importance of fostering trust and
transparency in interstate relations.
control of Katchatheevu to the latter. The agreement, signed
during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's tenure, sparked wide-
spread controversy and protests, particularly in Tamil Nadu,
where sentiments ran high against the perceived betrayal of
territorial interests.
The assertion that Indian leaders acquiesced to the ces-
sion of Katchatheevu raises issues of accountability and
transparency in governance. Puri's reference to records
accessible through the Right to Information Act suggests a
potential discrepancy between public perception and official
narratives surrounding the island's transfer. It invites scrutiny
into the decision-making processes of the past and demands
a reassessment of the historical narrative.
15
A view of Katchatheevu island in Sri Lanka.
Moreover, Puri's remarks resonate against the backdrop
of contemporary geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean
region. The strategic significance of Katchatheevu Island
cannot be understated, given its proximity to vital sea lanes
and its potential implications for maritime security. The
island's transfer to Sri Lanka has implications for India's
geopolitical interests and its relationship with its southern
neighbor.
The Katchatheevu issue epitomizes the complexities of
managing historical grievances within the context of evolving
diplomatic relations. While the decision to cede the island
may have been rooted in pragmatic considerations at the
time, its legacy continues to reverberate in the present. The
narrative of betrayal and abandonment associated with
Katchatheevu underscores the importance of fostering trust
and transparency in interstate relations.
Moving forward, it is imperative for Indian policymakers to
engage in a constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, par-
ticularly the people of Tamil Nadu, to address lingering griev-
ances and chart a path towards reconciliation. The revela-
tions brought forth by Hardeep Singh Puri serve as a catalyst
for a nuanced reexamination of the Katchatheevu issue,
challenging conventional narratives and fostering a deeper
understanding of its historical and political dimensions.
In conclusion, the Katchatheevu Island dispute repre-
sents a microcosm of the complex interplay between history,
politics, and diplomacy. Puri's assertions prompt a critical
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
reevaluation of past decisions and underscore the impera-
tive of transparency and accountability in governance. As
India navigates its role on the global stage, confronting his-
torical legacies such as Katchatheevu with honesty and
integrity is essential for fostering trust and cooperation in
the region.
 COVER STORY
Milind Deora
Mass Exodus
Leaders leaving Congress has now become a chain reaction,
which does not seem to stop anytime soon
उस गली ने ये सुन के सब्र ककया, जाने वाले
यहाँ के थे ही नहीं - this couplet by
famous Urdu poet Jaun Elia perhaps
perfectly describes the current som-
bre mood in the Congress as it
watches its loyalists leave the big old
party one after another while the log-
ging outs does not seem to stop any-
time soon.
The hand (party sign) of
Congress that once was considered
a support (Congress ka Haath,
Aapke Saath), is off-late suggesting
Alok ShArmA a different meaning - Tata Bye Bye,
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
as a large number prominent and
known faces have decided to dump
the party citing various reasons
including ‘Lack of Democracy’, non-
inclusive Centralised Decision mak-
ing where not many have the free-
16
R.P.N. Singh
dom to air their opinion.
Thanks to the absence of internal
democracy in the Congress, the
grand old party is caught in a vicious
cycle where its prominent leaders
are leaving the ship even as the
party gears up to put up a brave front
in the Lok Sabha elections, while
there seems no enthusiasm left in
the intellectual class to represent the
Nehru-Gandhi family controlled polit-
ical party. Though political land-
scapes are dynamic, and such shifts
are not uncommon in the life cycle of
any political organisation, this
process seems to have stayed with
the Congress for little too long.
The perception or reality of a lack
of internal democracy within the
Congress perhaps is a significant
Jitin Prasada
The perception or reality of a lack of
internal democracy within the Congress
perhaps is a significant factor driving
leaders to leave. What internal democracy
means is the healthy environment where
the party members, including leaders,
have a meaningful say in decision-mak-
ing processes, candidate selection, policy
formulation, and overall party direction.
factor driving leaders to leave. What internal democracy
means is the healthy environment where the party mem-
bers, including leaders, have a meaningful say in decision-
making processes, candidate selection, policy formulation,
and overall party direction.
The Congress has faced criticism for its leadership cri-
sis, with some arguing that the party lacks strong and deci-
sive leadership. There have been debates about the effec-
tiveness of the leadership in terms of strategy, communica-
tion, and addressing internal party issues. Factionalism
within the party has been a longstanding issue, with differ-
ent groups vying for power and influence. This internal dis-
cord is hindering the party's cohesion and effectiveness in
presenting a unified front. As it prepares for elections many
17
Hardik-Patel
within the party are questioning its electoral strategy, cam-
paign effectiveness, and ability to connect with voters,
especially younger demographics and those in urban
areas.
There have been criticisms about the lack of a clear
ideological direction in the Congress party, with some per-
ceiving it as wavering on key issues and failing to offer a
distinct alternative vision to voters. The prominence of cer-
tain political families within the Congress, such as the
Gandhis, has led to accusations of dynastic politics. Critics
argue that this can stifle internal democracy and hinder the
rise of new leadership talent within the party.
When leaders perceive that their voices are not heard,
their contributions are undervalued, or the party lacks
mechanisms for meaningful participation and accountabili-
ty, they may choose to leave in search of a more democrat-
ic and inclusive political environment. In such cases, the
absence of internal democracy can indeed be a driving
force behind their decision to seek alternatives outside the
party.
The latest to be expelled or leave the bandwagon is
Sanjay Nirupam, who was expelled from the Congress for
a period of six years after he questioned the top leadership
over seat-sharing talks with Shiv Sena (UBT). Nirupam
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
attacked the state Congress leadership after the Uddhav
Thackeray-led party declared its candidates for 4 out of 6
Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, including the Mumbai North
West seat, perhaps he was contemplating to fight from the
seat.
Gourav Vallabh, a prominent Congress spokesperson
 COVER STORY
Jyotiraditya Scindia
known for his expertise in finance and economy, resigned
from the party citing its perceived lack of direction and fail-
ure to effectively communicate its policies and manifesto. In
his resignation letter addressed to Congress chief
Mallikarjun Kharge, Vallabh highlighted concerns about the
party’s stance on issues such as caste census and its per-
ceived bias against the Hindu community, stating that the
party seemed to be moving away from its foundational prin-
ciples and losing touch with the expectations of ‘New India’.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Boxer Vijender
Singh, who quit Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elec-
tion, stated that he switched sides noting that the Congress
leadership is “not able to work properly and they
(Congress) do not understand what the people want, and
the message the common people want to convey.” The
Olympic medalist said, “We would like to do a lot of things
for the nation that we cannot do, remaining within the
Congress.”
In another setback, the party's former Bihar state pres-
ident Anil Sharma quit the party, claiming that it was stuck
in a "disastrous" partnership with the RJD. He also voiced
disgust over the recent induction, "with much fanfare", of
controversial former MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu
Yadav. Sharma also accused the party of double
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
standards.
Sharma alleged that Congress was claiming that
democracy was in danger but there was no democracy in
the party itself. “Even Congress's duly elected national
president cannot take any decision without the consent of
Rahul Gandhi or his close aide KC Venugopal.” Sharma
18
Shehzad Poonawalla
is the fourth former Bihar Congress president to have quit
the party in nearly a decade.
However, these are not isolated incidents when promi-
nent leaders have decided to raise their voice following
which they were either shown the door or they felt it was
not worth staying back in the party they had served and
seen it growing in the past. The trend, however, should
not come as a surprise for Congress, which has see a
series of exits including that of Milind Deora, Hardik Patel,
Ashwani Kumar, Sunil Jakhar, RPN Singh, Jyotiraditya
Scindia, Jitin Prasada, Alpesh Thakor, Anil Antony among
others.
Milind Deora
Former Union Minister Milind Deora, son of Congress
veteran Murli Deora, resigned from the Congress.
Hardik Patel
Gujarat Patidar leader Hardik Patel quit the Congress in
May 2022.
Ashwani Kumar
Ashwani Kumar, a former Union minister, resigned from
the Congress in February 2022, just days before Punjab
went to polls.
Sunil Jakhar
Sunil Jakhar, who had headed the Punjab Congress
unit, quit the party in 2022 after the leadership show
caused him for criticising then chief minister Charanjit
Singh Channi.
RPN Singh
Former Union minister RPN Singh quit the Congress in
January 2022.
Jyotiraditya Scindia
Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the Congress and joined the
BJP in 2020.
Jitin Prasada
Jitin Prasada, a former Union minister who was once
close to Rahul Gandhi, crossed over to the BJP in 2021.
Alpesh Thakor
Alpesh Thakor, a former Congress MLA, quit the party
in July 2019.
Anil Antony
Anil Antony, son of Congress veteran AK Antony, quit the
party in January last year.
Interestingly the sentiment is not a phenomenon
among senior party leaders, similar suffocation is felt by
even lower-ranking leaders, where they feel that they have
limited opportunities to participate in party activities,
debates, or policy discussions, it can create a sense of
alienation and disconnect.
The country prepares for its mega political event - the
Lok Sabha polls - it is expected from a matured party as
Congress that the process of seat allocation and seat shar-
ing be a transparent process or at least follow a standard
operating procedure. However, when the process is per-
ceived as opaque or biased, with decisions made based on
factors other than merit or popular support among party
members, it leads to resentment and internal strife. Which
is exactly what is happening inside the boundaries of
Indian National Congress’ - Indira House.
People in the know of things say that the party leader-
ship has consistently failed to address grievances or con-
cerns raised by members in a transparent and fair man-
ner, and this attitude is now eroding trust and confidence
in the party's internal mechanisms. The party still believes
in archaic dynastic politics where leadership positions are
dominated by individuals from a particular family or line-
age. Which is acting contrary to strengthen the party and
in fact creating barriers to entry for other members.
In most of the states where the party clearly dominated
state and lok sabha elections such as Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan
and others, the party is not even at the second place and
has slipped so low that it is now struggling to build cadre
and gasping for existence. Weak party structures, dys-
functional local units, actually hinders the development of
grassroots democracy and accountability within the party.
The Congress does not seem to learn from its mis-
takes and continues to extend party positions or
resources based on loyalty to individuals rather than merit
or democratic principles, it is undermining internal cohe-
sion and incentivises sycophancy over genuine participa-
tion.
Just after the general election in 2019, thinkers within
the Congress got together and formed a group that was
termed G23. The group wrote a letter to the central lead-
ership asking for stronger leadership and giving responsi-
bility to strong leaders in the party. The self-proclaimed
reformists within the Congress stepped up their demands
19
In another setback, the party's former Bihar
state president Anil Sharma quit the party,
claiming that it was stuck in a "disastrous"
partnership with the RJD. He also voiced dis-
gust over the recent induction, "with much
fanfare", of controversial former MP Rajesh
Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. Sharma also
accused the party of double standards.
and questioned the leadership as the grand old party is
struggling with high-profile exits and crises in State units.
Instead of listening and paying heed to what senior
leaders within the party were wanting to contribute in
strengthening the party, the G-23 members were lam-
pooned by the party loyalists after their letter became
public, which resulted in disintegration and resignations
of Azad and Kapil Sibal. However, Shashi Tharoor, M
Veerappa Moily and Mukul Wasnik made peace with the
high-command.
Interestingly it is not the opposition which is vocal
about the rational thinking within the party, even its party
workers are disgruntled with the functioning of the party.
Some of the key points that members cite are - ever
increasing disagreements within the party over leadership
style, decision-making processes, and poor electoral per-
formance in elections is instilling frustration among party
members, prompting some to seek alternative political
avenues.
Many insiders The Congress follows a ‘Centralised
Decision Making Pattern’, where the decision-making
power is concentrated in the hands of a few top leaders
without extending much scope for the party members to
share their input in key policies and decision concerning
the party, which has the potential to create an atmosphere
of authoritarianism and disenfranchisement. People criti-
cise it for its organisational weaknesses at the grassroots
level, with concerns about the party's ability to mobilise
support, conduct effective ground campaigns, and main-
tain a presence in rural and semi-urban areas.
The party is perceived to be declining in popularity and
losing relevance, while some leaders feel sidelined or over-
looked within the party hierarchy. Then there is no clear
ideology within the party and there are frequent shifts in
personal ideology or perception of the party's ideology.
These are just a few potential reasons, and often, a
combination of factors contributes to leaders' decisions to
leave a political party. It is yet to be seen as to when the
Central Leadership will apply itself and invite thinkers to
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
advise them on the way forward - even as they fight for a
lost cause in 2024.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher and
editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 COVER STORY
Dadabhai Nauroji Gopal Krishna Gokhale Madan Mohan Malviya
FROM FREEDOM FIGHTERS TO FRAGMENTATION
THE JOURNEY OF INDIAN
NATIONAL CONGRESS
he Indian National Congress (INC) was
T founded in 1885, by A O Hume, a retired
British civil servant, notable Ornithologist,
and British political reformer who worked
in British India. He is known as ‘the
Father of Indian Ornithology.’ He support-
ed the idea of self-governance by the
Indians. The Congress was formed to
create a platform for civic and political
dialogue with the British Raj. Its first
President W C Banerjee was an Indian
Barrister. In the first two decades of it's
formation, the party did not express
Manoj Dubey desire for independence from the British
PrinciPal (retD.) Empire. In 1915, Mahatma Gandhi’s
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Delhi Public SchoolS return from South Africa marked a pivotal
moment for the Congress. His leadership
and the philosophy of nonviolent resist-
ance, exemplified in the Champaran
Satyagraha movement against the
Britishers in 1917, galvanized the Indian
20
Annie Besant
freedom movement and he remains the
spiritual leader and icon of the country. In
1924, Mahatma Gandhi became the
President of Congress, his Satyagraha
art of resolution led him to the support of
popular leaders including Jawahar Lal
Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, C.
Rajagopalachari, Subhash Chandra
Bose, Khan Abdul Gafar Khan, Jai
Prakash Narain and many others. He led
the freedom struggle successfully and
India became independent in 1947.
Subsequently, Congress dominated
Indian politics for several decades.
The country has seen about 100
Presidents of Congress since its incep-
tion including W. C. Bannerjee, Dadabhai
Nauroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Madan
Mohan Malviya, Annie Besant, Maulana
Azad, Sarojini Naidu, Subhash Chandra
Bose, Motilal Nehru, K Kamraj, Jawahar
Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul
Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
This 139-year-old party has its roots in India’s freedom
struggle. It has seen every change in modern India’s political
landscape and itself been through several transformations.
Interestingly, it also appears to be the nursery for other political
parties, creating no less than 70 parties since independence.
The first one was Kisan Mazdoor Party led by Jivatram
Kripalani in 1951 and the last was Democratic Progressive
Azad Party led by Ghulam Nabi Azad in 1922. After P V
Narsimha Rao stepped down and was succeeded by Sitaram
Kesari as the Congress President in 1996, the following years
were difficult for the party. Kesari was removed by the
Congress Working Committee and Sonia Gandhi became the
President of the party in 1998. In 1999, Sharad Pawar, Tariq
Anwar and P. A. Sangma opposed the right of Italian born
Sonia Gandhi to lead the party and they formed the Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) popular mainly in Maharashtra. In 1998,
Mamata Banerjee quit the Congress and established the
Trinamool Congress (TMC). She won the West Bengal assem-
bly elections and became the Chief Minister in 2011. After the
death of YSR Reddy, a popular Congress leader of Andhra
Pradesh, his son YS Jaganmohan Reddy quit the Congress
and founded YSR Congress in 2012. The party contested the
assembly elections and formed the government led by YS
Jaganmohan Reddy, in Andhra Pradesh. Ghulam Nabi Azad,
former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and former Union
Minister left the Congress and established Democratic
Progressive Azad Party in 2022. Since 2014, when BJP led
NDA came to power at the centre, the INC has received blow
after blow. It has lost many states and the constituencies held
by the Congress stalwarts for decades. The party has not just
lost elections, both general and assembly, it has more worry-
ingly seen a steady drain of its members, some of whose par-
ents and grandparents were associated with the Congress.
They have left to join other parties, form their own parties or to
join the BJP, an ideological opponent to Congress. The last
decade has seen the party passively cede state after state
where it once reigned supreme. We have seen many Congress
stalwarts leaving the party in the recent past and most of them
are with the BJP.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, a popular Congress leader from
Assam joined the BJP in 2015 and is presently heading the
BJP government in Assam. Jyotiraditya Scindia, a popular
Congressman from MP, joined the BJP in 2020. Presently, he
is a Rajya Sabha member and Union Minister. The royal scion
is the son of Late Madhav Rao Scindia, a former Union
Minister. Capt. Amarinder Singh, former royal and Indian Army
veteran who served as Chief Minister of Punjab resigned from
the Congress in September 2021 and joined the BJP. Jitin
Prasad, a popular young Congress leader from UP and a for-
mer Union Minister, joined the BJP in June 2021. Ashwin
Kumar, a former Union Minister, quit the Congress in 2022.
Sunil Jakhar, a Congress veteran, and son of Balram Jakhar
former speaker of Lok Sabha, crossed over to the BJP in 2022
and assumed the office of state BJP president. RPN Singh,
Congress leader from eastern UP and former Union Minister,
21
It is felt by a section of political analysts
that Rahul Gandhi should take a break for
a few years and the Congressmen from
outside this family run the show. There is
no dearth of capable leaders in the party.
The exodus of senior and seasoned
politicians along with young energetic
leaders must be arrested.
joined the BJP in January 2022 and is now a Rajya Sabha
member. His father Late CPN Singh was also a Union Minister
from Congress. Gujarat’s popular young Patidar Congress
leader Hardik Patel switched over in 2022 and is now a sitting
BJP MLA. Anil Antony, young Congress leader and son of
Congress veteran A K Antony from Kerala left Congress in
2023 and is now contesting the Lok Sabha election on BJP
ticket. Milind Deora, a young Congress leader from
Maharashtra and former Union Minister broke his family’s
55year association with the Congress in January 2024 and
joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde). His father was also a Lok Sabha
member. Ashok Chavan, a strong Congress leader and former
Chief Minister of Maharashtra joined the BJP in February 2024,
and is now a Rajya Sabha member. Recently, Boxer Vijender
Singh and Gaurav Ballabh left Congress and Joined the BJP.
After the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, Sonia
Gandhi refused to be the President of the Congress and
Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister with Manmohan
Singh as the Finance Minister. They laid the foundation of the
liberalization of the Indian Economy which proved to be a mile-
stone in the history of independent India. I understand that too
much dependence on Nehru-Gandhi family is not desirable any
more. Sonia Gandhi was the Congress President from 1998 to
2017 and again from 2019 to 2022.Rahul took charge from
2017 to 2019. Kharge has been the President since 2022 but
the power remains with Rahul, Sonia, and Priyanka. Rahul
Gandhi has not achieved any success in politics in the last 10
years and the party spokespersons on TV debates struggle to
defend him.
It is felt by a section of political analysts that Rahul Gandhi
should take a break for a few years and the Congressmen from
outside this family run the show. There is no dearth of capable
leaders in the party. The exodus of senior and seasoned politi-
cians along with young energetic leaders must be arrested.
The grand old party does not look grand, it just looks old. For a
vibrant democracy strong opposition is the necessity. The
Congress has played a historic role in India’s journey to inde-
pendence and political development. The party must undergo
a transformation that transcends dynastic politics and
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
embraces a more inclusive and dynamic leadership in the inter-
est of the party and the country.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher
and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 COVER STORY
Rohan Gupta being inducted in BJP
Why are Congressmen
leaving in herds?
“Acquisition, acquisition, acquisition, merger! Until there was
only one business left in every field.” ― Vincent H. O'Neil
T he workers and leaders leaving
Congress are making headlines.
Media believes this is the impact of
poaching by the ruling party. Public
perception is that the Congress leader-
ship has failed to keep up pace with
the changing environment. The rebels
blame it on lack of dialogue and listen-
ing. The Prime Minister has a dream to
have Congress mukt Bharat. To know
the truth one has to dig deeper to find
out how congress came into existence
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Rakesh kumaR and how it flourished in the past and
why it is failing now. The history goes
back to 1857.
Post revengeful slaughtering of
Indian rebel sepoy as well as civilians
during 1857-58 swadhinta sangram,
22
Congress was formed to improve the
tainted image of the British rule. The
history itself has been cruel to report
this criminal act, therefore it is impor-
tant to share a few reports given by the
western media.
“Remember Cawnpore!' which
would become the British battle cry for
the remainder of the rebellion." Even
suspicion of sympathy for rebels could
mean hanging or being tied to the
mouth of a cannon and blown apart.”
-By Karl E. Meyer, May 12, 1996,
The New York Times.
The matter did not end here, tens
of thousands were killed yet ;
“Numerous villages that had given
support to the rebels were burnt to the
Ravneet Singh Bittu
ground. Others had punitive taxes imposed upon them for
years afterwards. The Indo-gangetic plain endured serious
famines in which millions died in 1857-59, 1861 and 1865. To
escape these conditions, hundreds of thousands migrated.
Many left India altogether, migrating overseas to work in colo-
nial sugar plantations as indentured labourers.
Despite all the above Indians were not ready to give up
their right to freedom and a confidential British report indicated
a growing discontent against the Raj. In a period of less than
25 years the Britishers were not ready to fight another battle.
The retired ICS officer A.O Hume submitted a proposal to
engage the Indian elite to provide a platform to share their con-
cern and diffuse the situation. Some scholars say it was a hoax
created by Hume. In May 1885, As per unconfirmed report,
Hume secured the viceroy’s approval to create an "Indian
National Union", which would be affiliated with the government
and act as a platform to voice Indian public opinion. Hume and
a group of educated Indians came together on 12 October
1985.
The basic idea behind forming congress was to have a dia-
logue and to diffuse the feeling of revolt. As a result whenever
any congress leader attempted to raise the issue of full free-
dom. The person was taught a lesson or he left the organiza-
tion. Let’s examine starting from the beginning.
Fight for freedom but do not expect it inside the Congress.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was the first to raise the issue of
Swaraj, Lala Lajpat rai in Punjab along with Vipin Chandra pal
formed the group of three members who were not against the
use of force to achieve the goal of full freedom. Tilak was
imprisoned many times and he was called "the father of Indian
unrest" by British author Sir Valentine Chirol. He declared
"Swaraj (self-rule) is my birthright and I shall have it."
Lajpat Rai was elected congress president in 1920.he trav-
eled west and met Sikhs settled there and encouraged them
23
Jaiveer Shergill
It might be essential to accept
Congressmen in states where BJP has no
foothold but it is essential to protect culture
and team spirit along with the value system.
It can not happen on its own. There has to
be a system to educate and train these
people to adopt the existing culture swiftly.
No trust without testing should be the
ground rule.
to join the freedom struggle. He was killed due to head injuries
inflicted by police while he was protesting peacefully against
the visit of Simon commision. He was so popular among youth
that Bhagat singh avenged his death by killing British officers
who were supposedly instrumental in ordering lathi charge on
peaceful protesters.
Tilak was already sentenced to six years imprisonment at
Mandalay Jail in Burma. Where he developed many health
issues.
Pre-independence
Mohammad Ali Jinnah: Opposed to Gandhi's noncoopera-
tion movement and his essentially Hindu approach to politics,
Jinnah left the Congress Party in 1920. His defection cost India
heavily leading to partition of the country.
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar : Hedgewar was active in the
congress in the 1920s, but he became disillusioned with their
policies and politics. He had been an active member of the
party's volunteer division - Hindustani Seva Dal. He also read
Mazzini and other enlightened philosophers. He considered
that the cultural and religious heritage of Hindus should be the
 COVER STORY
Naveen Iindal
basis of Indian nationhood. It is an irony that Jinnah left con-
gress for appeasement of Hindu and Headgewar left it for the
opposite reason. The fact is congress supported the wishes of
the British ruler decietly. Present day Rashtriya swayamSevak
Sangh has been founded by him and BJP takes inspiration
from its value system.
Arvind Ghosh: He left congress for spiritual reasons and
advised Gandhi to do the same.
Subhash Chandra Bose defeated Pattabhi Seeta
Rammaiya to become the congress president in 1939 . But
Gandhi took defeat as personal and made members of the
working committee resign using his aura in congress.Subhash
Chandra Bose left the congress.
Post independence
“Defections hurt parties’ reputation and can even endanger
their survival”. ( source unknown)
The list is too long which includes Ram Manohar Lohia, Jai
prkadh Narain, Kamaraj, Nijalingappa, Morarji Desai, Chandra
Shekhar, JagJivan Ram, Indra kumar Gujral VP singh and so
on. The exodus has been so forceful that congress got divided
67 times. Few of the important splits took place in 1969, 1978,
1998. Recently Gulam Nabi Azad left congress and launched
his own party. The declaration of election has opened flood-
gates of defection once again.
The reason
From inception congress worked on My way or no way.
Initially the reason was picking of Indians loyal to the Raj, who
were eager to work for small incentives to participate in gover-
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
nance. There was no plan to demand full freedom. As it grew
in size and popularity, people with ideas and dreams joined.
They were shocked to see the double standards. As discussed
above
Tilak declared freedom as his goal. It is unfortunate that
congressmen never got the freedom inside the party despite
24
Sanjay Nirupam
India getting fractured freedom due to division of the country.
Can one think of a country becoming independent yet
keeping the oppressor as first viceroy of India. The real reason
to form congress in 1885 was to safeguard British interests and
it paid dividends at the time of independence. The nation paid
a very heavy price as lord Mountbatten gave priority to British
interests over that of India. A few incidents are worth examin-
ing.
● India surrendered its right to reclaim the looted wealth from
the British government. As per Shashi Tharoor, British
museums are the depository of this loot.
● Deciding the date of independence without creating the sys-
tems and processes. It led to anarchy and millions died in
the violence erupted at that time.
● Advising Nehru to take the Kashmir issue to the United
Nations abruptly. Indian forces were about to clear Kashmir
from invaders. It was a matter of a few days, had not gone
to the United Nations voluntarily the nation would have been
saved from three wars and Kargil.
● India continued with inefficient and corrupt law enforcement
agencies like police and judiciary. 76 years of freedom is not
able to change these public servants . Indian courts still
enjoy winter and summer vacation making them the most
relaxed lot. Millions of pending cases don’t touch their con-
science.
The consequences.
“In partnership disputes, most of the partners will leave the
alliance but not their arrogance”
― Amit Kalantri.
This is the mantra congress has lived with, Nehru was the
epitome of this philosophy. He killed Indian democracy by
subverting the majority decision of the congress working com-
mittee which elected Sardar Patel,by using the aura of Gandhi.
He manipulated the name of Sardar patel to persuade
Vijender Singh
Rajendra Prasad not to stand for the post of president. He did
not respect the sacrifice made by Sardar Patel in withdrawing
his name despite getting elected. He wanted C
Rajagopalachari to be the president of India but could not work
with him despite making him home minister after the death of
Sardar patel. C Rajagopalachari resigned within two years.
Mrs Gandhi took it forward, her manipulation of the
presidential election to ensure defeat of congress candidate
Neelam Sanjeev Reddy had no match. Changing of the south-
ern state chief ministers at the drop of a hat, decimated con-
gress from the state of tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh.Recent state elections have brought it back in two
states.
Mrs Sonia Gandhi along with her son Rahul Gandhi has
done the remaining work to finish congress in northern states
as well.
Challenge before BJP
Most of the congressmen can not live without power. They
switch parties to enjoy power. In 1977 a similar exodus took
place to join the Janata party. While it helped in gaining power
however it didn't last. These people defected and chose to
form a government with the help of congress only. BJP claims
to be a cadre based party wording for akhand Bharat and
sabka sath sabka vikas but inducting these power hungry con-
gressmen will not allow it to remain so.
● ‘Na khaunga na khane dunga’ will be under threat, Many of
these people have come with a tinted image and they have
only intention to escape investigations. The reckless inclu-
sion will erode the credibility.
● The incoming congress men taking over powerful political
assignments may frustrate those cadres who toiled and
worked hard to ensure success.
● It is very difficult to know who is a genuine Vibhishan who
has come to ensure the defeat of Ravana or the Ravana
25
Ashok Tanwar
himself has come as Vibhishan to jeopardize the cart wag-
ons.
Merger and acquisition rules learnt from management
practices
It might be essential to accept Congressmen in states
where BJP has no foothold but it is essential to protect culture
and team spirit along with the value system. It can not happen
on its own. There has to be a system to educate and train
these people to adopt the existing culture swiftly. No trust with-
out testing should be the ground rule.
Karnataka is a live example that BJP suffered on account
of corruption charges leveled against few leaders coming from
outside. The brand Modi is much bigger and valuable:
"The archetype he offers is of a strong, all-knowing father
figure who is unwavering," Santosh Desai.
It has already suffered with the likes of Shatrughn sinha,
Yashwant sinha, Babul supriyo and others. From Byju to
daiiChi, many acquisitions have failed on account of failure in
managing cultural issues.
Alliances with Shiv Sena, Akalis and Telugu desam parties
have already taken a toll. The author has written in detail about
the third home coming of Nitish Kumar in an earlier article.
Conclusion
Congress is on ‘shar shaiyya’ ( the death bed created for
Bhishma in Mahabharat). It has opted for ‘ichchha mrityu’ (
Bhishma himself told his secret to be killed by using Shikhandi).
It will be foolish to allow Dhritarashtra to give Bheema a hug of
death (Krishna placed a stone statue instead of Bheema whom
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Dhritraashtra turned to pieces using his killer hug).
The golden rule is, “Test first then trust”.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher and
editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 COVER STORY
Ashok Chavhan Gourav Vallabh
Exodus from Congress
Exploring the Ideological Crisis and Dynastic Dominance
Since 2020, a number of well-known leaders have quit Congress, including Jyotiraditya Scindia
and Amarinder Singh. After former chief minister Ashok Chavan resigned and other leaders left
the state organisation, the Maharashtra Congress struggled with internal discord. On January
14, former Union Minister Milind Deora also quit the Congress and became a member of the
Shiv Sena, which is currently in power in Maharashtra.
n recent years, the Indian National
I Congress, once the towering force
in Indian politics, has been witness-
ing a steady stream of prominent
leaders exiting its ranks. In the pres-
ence of BJP General Secretary
Vinod Tawde, former Congress
politician Gourav Vallabh recently
joined the BJP in advance of the
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Lok Sabha elections, which are set
to take place in seven phases start-
NILABH KRISHNA ing on April 19.
Since 2020, a number of well-
known leaders have quit Congress,
including Jyotiraditya Scindia and
28
Amarinder Singh. After former chief
minister Ashok Chavan resigned
and other leaders left the state
organisation, the Maharashtra
Congress struggled with internal
discord. On January 14, former
Union Minister Milind Deora also
quit the Congress and became a
member of the Shiv Sena, which is
currently in power in Maharashtra.
Deora's resignation highlighted
underlying conflicts inside the
Maharashtra Congress and sparked
concerns about the party's capacity
to hold onto important leaders in the
Naveen Jindal
midst of the party's attempts to mobilise support ahead of the
Lok Sabha elections.
Anil Antony, the son of former Kerala Chief Minister A K
Antony, resigned from all party positions due to differences about
his tweet against the BBC documentary on Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, causing internal instability within the Congress.
Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill's departure from the
party also demonstrated the party's growing disenchantment
with its existing leadership and decision-making procedures.
Shergill used the "dominance of sycophancy and self-serving
interests" within the party to emphasise the gap between its ide-
ology and the goals of today's young in India in a letter to Sonia
Gandhi.
The grand old party was taken aback by Kapil Sibal's resig-
nation from the Congress party in May 2022 and his subsequent
choice to run for the Rajya Sabha as an Independent candidate
backed by the Samajwadi Party (SP). His resignation brought to
light the Congress's effort to manage internal discord and bal-
ance divergent viewpoints, especially as it negotiated its place in
the Opposition against the BJP government. The political scene
was rocked by veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad's
exit from the party and his harsh criticism of its internal opera-
tions.
Azad bemoaned the breakdown of democratic procedures
within the party in a five-page letter to the then-president of the
party, Sonia Gandhi, pointing out the absence of organisa-
tional elections and the predominance of a select coterie of
inexperienced group in decision-making process of the party.
Internal conflicts and a perceived gap between the
party's leadership and grassroots were cited by sources as
reasons for the difficulties the Congress was facing in the
29
Jaiveer Shergill
face of the country's changing political landscape.
Everyone blames Rahul Gandhi for the situation
Congress is in. Rightfully so, it seems. Rahul Gandhi is
immature. He has been nicknamed Pappu by the Indian pub-
lic and he has also proved many times that the public is right
in judging him as a Pappu. Rahul has a reputation of not cor-
recting behaviours for which he has been humiliated in the
past and will continue to repeat those same mistakes time
and again.
Rahul basically goes abroad to lower his own image in
the eyes of everyone. There is hardly a foreign trip where he
went to in his entire political career in which he came back
with his status increased. His visit to the US in 2023 US was
no different. Rahul went there and attacked India's democra-
cy. Rahul even went and called the Muslim League a secular
party which along with British and Congress had effected
Partition of India on basis of religion. It was a big loss of face
for Rahul, when the US Congress released a statement prais-
ing India's democratic values exactly within 48 hours after
Rahul had made those vile comments.
All these activities of Rahul Gandhi has left no choice for
the all the stalwarts of Congress. They have to leave the sink-
ing ship and craft their own political future and this is what
happening and this what we are discussing in this article.
This phenomenon has sparked widespread debate and
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
speculation, with many attributing the departures to a combi-
nation of ideological erosion and the entrenched influence of
the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty within the party. As Congress
grapples with internal dissent and external challenges, it is
imperative to examine the underlying factors driving this exo-
dus and assess their implications for the party's future.
 COVER STORY
Vijender Singh
Historical Context
To understand the current state of Congress, it is essential to
delve into its rich historical legacy. Founded in 1885, the Indian
National Congress played a pivotal role in India's struggle for
independence, spearheading movements against British colo-
nial rule. Post-independence, Congress emerged as the domi-
nant political force, shaping the trajectory of the newly independ-
ent nation under the leadership of stalwarts like Jawaharlal
Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi.
However, the party's fortunes began to fluctuate in the post-
liberalization era, as it faced challenges from emerging political
players and ideological shifts in Indian society. Despite occasion-
al electoral victories, Congress witnessed a gradual decline in its
political clout, exacerbated by internal factionalism and leader-
ship crises.
The Exodus of Congress Leaders
The exodus of Congress leaders in recent years can be
attributed to a myriad of factors, including disillusionment with
the party's leadership, ideological drift, and frustration with the
lack of internal democracy. Several prominent leaders, including
veterans with decades of experience, have chosen to part ways
with Congress, citing various reasons for their departure.
One of the primary grievances voiced by departing leaders
is the perception of a leadership vacuum within Congress, char-
acterized by a lack of vision, direction, and effective communica-
tion. The centralization of power within the Nehru-Gandhi
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
dynasty has been cited as a significant impediment to the emer-
gence of new leadership and the rejuvenation of the party's
organizational structure.
Moreover, Congress has been accused of failing to adapt to
changing political dynamics and address the aspirations of
India's diverse electorate. The party's inability to connect with
30
Ravneet Singh Bittu
grassroots workers and mobilize support at the grassroots level
has eroded its electoral base and diminished its relevance in
many states.
Furthermore, ideological ambiguity and a perceived drift
towards opportunistic alliances have undermined Congress's
credibility as a principled political alternative. The absence of a
coherent ideological framework and the pursuit of short-term
electoral gains at the expense of long-term strategic vision have
alienated many party loyalists and eroded public trust.
Dynastic Dominance vs. Democratic
Renewal
A recurring criticism leveled against Congress is the domi-
nance of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which has held sway over
the party for generations. While the Nehru-Gandhi family enjoys
a storied legacy within Congress, its continued prominence has
sparked concerns about dynastic politics and the stifling of inter-
nal democracy.
Critics argue that the perpetuation of dynastic succession
within Congress has impeded meritocracy and hindered the
emergence of alternative leadership. The overreliance on a sin-
gle family for leadership has created a sense of entitlement and
complacency within the party hierarchy, stifling internal dissent
and innovation.
Moreover, the dynastic model of leadership succession has
been criticized for promoting sycophancy and patronage politics,
as aspiring leaders vie for favor with the ruling family rather than
building grassroots support and organizational strength.
However, defenders of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty argue that
its leadership provides continuity and stability to Congress, serv-
ing as a unifying force in times of crisis. They contend that the
dynasty's enduring appeal among party loyalists and the broader
electorate is a testament to its political acumen and connect with
Ashok Tanwar
the masses.
Nonetheless, the debate over dynastic dominance within
Congress underscores broader questions about the party's com-
mitment to democratic principles and institutional renewal. As
India's political landscape evolves, Congress faces the impera-
tive of striking a balance between honoring its historical legacy
and embracing the imperatives of democratic governance.
The Road Ahead
The exodus of Congress leaders and the debate over dynas-
tic dominance represent critical challenges for the party as it
seeks to reinvent itself and regain relevance in Indian politics. To
navigate these challenges effectively, Congress must undertake
a comprehensive process of introspection and organizational
reform.
First and foremost, Congress needs to foster a culture of
internal democracy and meritocracy, where leadership positions
are earned based on competence and commitment rather than
familial ties. This entails decentralizing power within the party and
empowering grassroots workers to participate actively in deci-
sion-making processes.
Moreover, Congress must articulate a clear and compelling
ideological vision that resonates with the aspirations of contem-
porary India. Whether it's social justice, inclusive growth, or dem-
ocratic pluralism, the party needs to define its core values and pri-
orities and communicate them effectively to the electorate.
Additionally, Congress must invest in building robust organi-
zational structures and leveraging technology to mobilize sup-
port and connect with voters across diverse demographics. By
revitalizing its grassroots machinery and embracing digital cam-
paigning strategies, the party can broaden its appeal and com-
pete more effectively in elections.
Furthermore, Congress must adopt a pragmatic approach to
coalition politics and alliance-building, forging strategic partner-
31
Sanjay Nirupam
ships with like-minded parties while retaining its distinct identity
and autonomy. By eschewing opportunistic alliances and priori-
tizing long-term alliances based on shared values and objec-
tives, Congress can enhance its credibility as a reliable political
ally.
Ultimately, the future of Congress hinges on its ability to
adapt to changing political realities, embrace internal democra-
cy, and reconnect with the aspirations of the Indian electorate.
While the challenges are formidable, the party's rich legacy and
reservoir of talent provide a solid foundation for renewal and
resurgence in the years to come.
Conclusion
The exodus of Congress leaders and the debate over dynas-
tic dominance underscore the formidable challenges facing the
party as it seeks to redefine its identity and regain political rele-
vance. From ideological drift to leadership vacuum, Congress
confronts a complex array of internal and external challenges
that demand strategic vision and organizational agility.
As Congress embarks on the path of introspection and
renewal, it must confront the uncomfortable truths about its past
failures and embrace the imperatives of democratic governance
and institutional reform. By fostering a culture of internal democ-
racy, articulating a coherent ideological vision, and investing in
organizational strength, Congress can reclaim its position as a
credible political alternative and champion of India's democratic
ideals. Only through bold and decisive action can Congress
overcome the obstacles that lie ahead and emerge stronger and
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
more resilient in the pursuit of its founding mission of serving the
people of India.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher
and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 COVER STORY
Rahul The Key Factor
In My Leaving Congress
Manipur Assembly's Former Speaker's Assertion
I India's political landscape, former Manipur Assembly
According to Singh, he advised against commencing the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from
Manipur, cautioning party leaders against trivializing such an endeavor. However, his
warnings were disregarded, and leaders descended upon Manipur in a chartered plane,
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
turning the event into what Singh described as a 'tamasha' or spectacle. Instead of
focusing on the purpose of the yatra, it devolved into what appeared to be a frivolous
road show, resembling more of a picnic than a serious political initiative.
32
n UDAY INDIA BUREAU
n a recent revelation that has sent shockwaves through
Speaker Hemchandra Singh pointed a finger directly at
Rahul Gandhi, citing his dissatisfaction with the party's
leadership as a key reason for his departure from the
Congress. Talking to News Nine, Singh's departure comes
with a string of criticisms, highlighting the internal chal-
lenges within the party and raising questions about its
leadership style.
Singh's departure from the Congress Party was not
merely a quiet resignation but rather a departure laden
with pointed criticisms, particularly directed towards Rahul
Gandhi. He cited the initiation of the Bharat Jodo Nyay
Yatra from Manipur as a pivotal moment that showcased
what he deemed as the party's mismanagement and lack
of seriousness.
According to Singh, he advised against commencing
the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur, cautioning party
leaders against trivializing such an endeavor. However, his
33
The incident in Manipur serves as a micro-
cosm of larger issues plaguing the Congress
Party. It highlights a disconnect between the
leadership and ground-level realities, as well
as a lack of cohesive decision-making and
strategic planning. If the party hopes to regain
its footing and pose a credible challenge to its
political opponents, it must address these
internal fissures and adopt a more inclusive
and effective leadership approach.
warnings were disregarded, and leaders descended upon
Manipur in a chartered plane, turning the event into what
Singh described as a 'tamasha' or spectacle. Instead of
focusing on the purpose of the yatra, it devolved into what
appeared to be a frivolous road show, resembling more of
a picnic than a serious political initiative.
Singh's criticisms shed light on deeper issues within
the Congress Party, particularly concerning its leadership
and organizational structure. The decision-making process
within the party seems to be flawed, with key voices such
as Singh's being sidelined or ignored. This raises ques-
tions about the ability of the party to effectively strategize
and execute political campaigns, as well as its overall
coherence in pursuing its goals.
Moreover, Singh's departure underscores the growing
disillusionment among party members with the leadership
of Rahul Gandhi. While Gandhi has been a prominent fig-
ure within the Congress Party, his leadership style has
often been subject to scrutiny and criticism. Singh's
remarks add to a growing chorus of dissent within the
party ranks, indicating a widening rift between the leader-
ship and grassroots members.
The incident in Manipur serves as a microcosm of larg-
er issues plaguing the Congress Party. It highlights a dis-
connect between the leadership and ground-level realities,
as well as a lack of cohesive decision-making and strate-
gic planning. If the party hopes to regain its footing and
pose a credible challenge to its political opponents, it must
address these internal fissures and adopt a more inclusive
and effective leadership approach.
In conclusion, Hemchandra Singh's departure from the
Congress Party and his scathing criticisms of Rahul
Gandhi's leadership underscore the pressing need for
introspection and reform within the party. The incident in
Manipur serves as a stark reminder of the challenges fac-
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
ing the Congress Party and the urgent need for cohesive
and visionary leadership. Whether the party can rise to the
occasion and navigate these turbulent waters remains to
be seen, but one thing is clear: ignoring internal dissent
and mismanagement will only further erode its relevance
on the political stage.
 TECH-WATCH
F riends, the last one decade has been the most fruitful
Catalysts of Growth
How Government Policies Have Fueled the
Exponential Growth of India's Tech Sector
Recognizing the critical importance of a skilled workforce in sustaining the growth momentum of
the tech sector, the government has prioritized initiatives for skill development and talent acquisi-
tion. Programs such as Skill India have focused on enhancing the employability of youth through
vocational training and certification programs in emerging technologies. Additionally, initiatives
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
such as Atal Innovation Mission have fostered a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
among students, nurturing the next generation of tech leaders and innovators.
34
n NILABH KRISHNA
decade for this country. In a paradigm shift, India which
was known for its brain drain, is now utilizing its own talent
pool to make the future of India glorious once again, as it
was in ancient era. In this last one decade many start-ups
came up and changed the way we see the world. They
have given so much new to this world and continue to pio-
neer in various technologies in this world. There are many
Indian companies which didn’t invested money in
Research and innovations have now started giving ample
focus in these areas and results are all the more better.
In this article we will tell you an inspiring thing, through
which an Indian company is trying to change the future of
the world. You all know Ola is an Indian multinational
ridesharing company that is headquartered in Bangalore,
Karnataka. It is India's largest mobility platform and one of
the world's largest ride-hailing companies. Ola serves
more than 250 cities across India, Australia, New Zealand,
and the UK.
Ola Electric has made public their self-driving scooter,
known as Ola Solo, on social media and on its official
YouTube channel. Ola Solo may be the first fully
autonomous scooter in history. The video was released by
the corporation on April 1, 2024. Because of this, a lot of
people assumed it would be an April Fools' hoax.
However, Bhavish Aggarwal, the CEO and co-founder of
the company, refuted this and stated that it is a real, func-
35
tional prototype. Calling it the "Future of Mobility," he also
posted the footage of the self-riding scooter on his X (pre-
viously Twitter) account. The Ola electric scooter is seen in
the video travelling through a closed space without a rider.
"Ola Solo" is a state-of-the-art addition to the electric
scooter market, billed as "India's first autonomous electric
scooter." According to Ola, the Solo is an entirely
autonomous, AI-enabled, traffic-smart electric scooter that
will revolutionise urban transportation. The Solo electric
scooter's whole component, including its hardware and
software, was "ideated, innovated, and manufactured" in-
house, according to the business. As the video of Ola Solo
driving without a passenger became viral, social media
users expressed a wide range of opinions about it. The
technology has pleased a lot of people, who hope to see it
released shortly.
In the past decade, India has witnessed a remarkable
transformation in its tech sector, evolving from a burgeon-
ing industry into a global powerhouse of innovation and
entrepreneurship. Central to this meteoric rise have been
the proactive policies and strategic initiatives undertaken
by the government, which have created an enabling envi-
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
ronment conducive to growth, investment, and innovation.
Today we will delve into the pivotal role of government
policies in catalyzing the exponential growth of India's
tech sector and explores the key policy measures that
have shaped this transformative journey.
 TECH-WATCH

Skill Recognizing the critical importance of a skilled workforce in sustaining the

growth momentum of the tech sector, the government has prioritized ini-

One of the fundamental pillars of India's tech sector growth has been the
Policy establishment of a robust policy framework aimed at fostering innovation and
entrepreneurship. Initiatives such as the Startup India campaign, launched in
Framework for
Development tiatives for skill development and talent acquisition. Programs such as
Skill India have focused on enhancing the employability of youth through
and Talent vocational training and certification programs in emerging technologies.
Additionally, initiatives such as Atal Innovation Mission have fostered a

Innovation and
2016, have provided a comprehensive ecosystem of support for startups,
including tax incentives, funding opportunities, and incubation facilities. By Acquisition culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, nurturing the
next generation of tech leaders and innovators.
incentivizing risk-taking and fostering a culture of innovation, these policies
Entrepreneurship have empowered aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their ventures with confi-
dence, driving the proliferation of tech startups across the country. Promotion of Foreign Conclusion:
In conclusion, the exponential
Investment and Collaboration growth of India's tech sector over the
Digital Infrastructure Development Promotion of Research past decade stands as a testament to
the transformative power of proactive
The government's emphasis on digital infrastructure develop- and Development government policies and strategic initia-
ment has been instrumental in democratizing access to tech- tives. By fostering an enabling environ-
nology and catalyzing the growth of India's tech sector. Investments in research and development (R&D) have ment for innovation, entrepreneurship,
Initiatives such as been pivotal in
and investment, the government has
Digital India, driving innovation
propelled India to the forefront of the
launched in 2015, and technological
global tech landscape, driving economic
have focused on advancement with-
growth, job creation, and societal trans-
expanding broad- in India's tech sec-
tor. The govern- formation. As India continues on its tra-
band connectivity, jectory of technological advancement,
promoting digital lit- ment has imple-
mented policies to sustained government support, coupled
eracy, and leverag- with collaboration between the public
ing technology for incentivize R&D
activities, including and private sectors, will be essential in
service delivery
tax breaks, grants, harnessing the full potential of India's
across various sec-
and collaborations tech ecosystem and unlocking new
tors. The rollout of
between acade- To further accelerate the growth of India's tech sector, the government has frontiers of innovation and prosperity.
initiatives such as
Aadhaar, a biomet- mia, industry, and actively promoted foreign investment and collaboration through conducive (The content of this article
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024

UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024

ric identification research institu-
system, and tions. Initiatives such as the National Innovation and
Unified Payments Startup Policy have provided support for technology
Interface (UPI), a real-time payment system, has facilitated the incubators, research parks, and technology transfer
digital transformation of India's economy, creating vast oppor- mechanisms, fostering a conducive environment for
tunities for tech-enabled solutions and services. breakthrough discoveries and inventions.
policies and regulatory reforms. Initiatives such as Make in India and Ease of reflects the views of writers and con-
Doing Business have sought to streamline regulatory processes, improve tributors, not necessarily those of the
investor confidence, and attract foreign capital into the tech sector. Strategic publisher and editor. All disputes are
partnerships and collaborations with international technology firms have facil- subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
itated knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and market access, bolster- competent courts and forums in
ing India's position as a global hub for innovation and technology. Delhi/New Delhi only)

36 37
 TECH-WATCH

n UDAY INDIA BUREAU

I
n recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in
various spheres of life has brought both promises and perils.
Among the emerging concerns is the potential for AI to be mis-
used in influencing political processes, as highlighted by
Microsoft's recent warning. This report delves into Microsoft's
cautionary message regarding China's purported intentions to
disrupt upcoming elections in India, the United States, and
South Korea using AI-generated content.
Microsoft's Warning
Microsoft has issued a stark warning concerning China's
alleged plans to exploit AI-generated content to interfere with
democratic processes across multiple nations. Citing a trial run
during Taiwan's presidential election, where AI was reportedly
used to sway outcomes, Microsoft foresees similar tactics
being deployed in other nations' elections, including India, the
United States, and South Korea.
The Meeting between Bill Gates and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
a poignant reminder of the potential for AI to undermine
democratic processes by disseminating false information.
India's General Elections
As India gears up for its general elections, slated to
commence on April 19 and culminate on June 4, the vulner-
ability of electoral processes to AI manipulation becomes
glaring. Microsoft's assertion that China may exploit AI-gen-
erated content to further its interests during these elections
underscores the gravity of the situation.
Threat to Democratic Practices
The proliferation of AI-driven political advertisements,
including deepfakes and fabricated events, poses a formi-
dable threat to democratic practices. By misleading the
public and distorting candidates' statements and stances,
such tactics jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process
and undermine voters' ability to make informed decisions.
China's Experimentation with AI
While the immediate impact of AI-generated content
may seem limited, Microsoft warns that China's ongoing
experimentation with this technology could yield increas-
ingly effective results over time. Citing China's past
attempts to influence Taiwan's election through AI-generat-
ed disinformation, Microsoft underscores the evolving
nature of the threat posed by AI-driven election interfer-
ence.
Chinese Influence Campaigns
The report sheds light on Chinese groups' continued
efforts to conduct influence campaigns in the United States,
leveraging social media platforms to sow division and gath-
er intelligence on key voting demographics. Despite these
endeavors, evidence suggesting successful manipulation
of public opinion remains scarce.
Preventive Measures
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Election

A Microsoft Warning
The gravity of the situation was underscored by a recent
meeting between Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions revolved around
the potential applications of AI for societal benefits, including
women-led development, healthcare innovation, and agricul-
Commission of India (ECI) has already implemented guide-
lines and protocols for identifying and countering false
information and misinformation. Additionally, collaborations
between organizations like OpenAI and electoral commis-
sions aim to bolster defenses against AI-driven election

Growing Threat of AI Interference in Election By China

As India gears up for its general elections, slated to commence on April
19 and culminate on June 4, the vulnerability of electoral processes to AI
manipulation becomes glaring. Microsoft's assertion that China may
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
tural advancements. Despite these constructive dialogues,
the specter of AI-driven election interference looms large.
Global Implications
With at least 64 countries, accounting for nearly half of
the global population, scheduled to hold national elections,
the threat of AI-driven election meddling assumes global sig-
nificance. Microsoft's threat intelligence team has identified
Chinese state-backed cyber groups, possibly aided by North
Korea, as the primary perpetrators likely to target elections
interference.
Conclusion
The specter of AI-driven election interference looms
large as nations prepare for crucial electoral processes.
Microsoft's warning regarding China's alleged intentions to
exploit AI for nefarious ends underscores the urgent need
for robust preventive measures. By fortifying defenses and
fostering international collaborations, stakeholders can mit-
igate the risks posed by AI to democratic practices and

UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024

exploit AI-generated content to further its interests during these elections
underscores the gravity of the situation.
slated for 2024.
Incidents of AI Interference
The report highlights a disturbing incident during the
2024 New Hampshire Democratic primaries, where an AI-
generated phone call impersonating President Joe Biden
disseminated misleading directives. This episode serves as
safeguard the integrity of electoral processes worldwide.
In conclusion, the utilization of AI in election interfer-
ence poses a significant threat to democratic processes
globally. Timely intervention and collaborative efforts are
imperative to counteract this growing menace and preserve
the integrity of electoral systems.

38 39
 AGRO-WATCH
Maize production in India
Challenges, opportunities
and ways forward
aize, also known as corn, is one
M of the important crops cultivated
throughout the world. In our
country, maize is used as nutri-
tious grains as well as animal
and poultry feed, corn flakes,
starch, glucose, biofuels such as
rubber, engine oil, and other
products. More emphasis is
given to crop production that
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Dr. MaMtaMayi requires less water; in such a sit-
uation, maize cultivation is a
PriyaDarshini
good option. A good feature of
maize is that firstly it requires
less water as compared to other
crops, and secondly, it being a
40
carbon efficient, also reducing its
footprint. Maize is a CLIMATE-
RESILIENT CROP that can be
grown easily in changing cli-
mates and soils. The inclusion of
maize in mixed cropping sys-
tems can improve soil health and
pest management. For all these
reasons, the Government of
India has been laying great
emphasis on maize production
for the last several years.
India's maize production has
been continuously increasing in
the last few years, making our
country a leader in the global
India's maize production has been
continuously increasing in the last few
years, making our country a leader in the
global maize market. Maize in India is
cultivated on about 9 million hectares of
land across the country with Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and
Uttar Pradesh being the important
maize-producing states.
maize market. Maize in India is cultivated on about 9 million
hectares of land across the country with Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh being the
important maize-producing states. Maize production in India is
continuously increasing due to various government initiatives
such as the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and the
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), as well as the use of
new technologies in its cultivation. According to recent data,
India's maize production reached 28 million tonnes in the
financial year 2021-2022, and it rose to 34.61 million tonnes in
the 2022-23 financial year (July-June). As per NITI Aayog,
given the increasing demand for ethanol in India, the
Government of India aims to increase the production of maize
from the current 3.5 MT per hectare to 6 MT per hectare
through the adoption of improved agricultural practices, hybrid
41
seeds, and mechanization. According to a report, India's maize
production is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.34 percent this
year, which is slower than the pace of growth in consumption,
expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.82 percent during 2021-31.
Moreover, the share of maize used in animal feed is expected
to increase from the current 51 percent to about 54 percent by
2031. According to a report, poultry feed prices in the market
currently are around Rs 40,000 per tonne, which was Rs
36,000 per tonne three months ago. Market prices of maize
have increased by 20% from Rs 22,000 per tonne to Rs
26,500 per tonne in the last three months due to increasing
demand from the poultry industry and the government's focus
on ethanol production. Given the failure in sugarcane produc-
tion, the government is pushing for more grain-based ethanol
production, especially from corn. Today, maize prices are rul-
ing above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2090 per
quintal for the current crop year (2023-24), as the poultry sec-
tor is witnessing an annual growth rate of around 8%. The pro-
duction does not match the demand. The Government of India
has set a target of blending 20% bioethanol into petrol and
diesel by the year 2030. To achieve this target of blending, the
requirement of food grains for ethanol production will be
around 165 LMT. Globally, corn is a primary feedstock for
ethanol production because it consumes less water and is
easier to produce.
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
Maize production is continuously increasing in the country.
However, due to low demand for maize, farmers are not get-
ting a fair price for their produce. It is believed that the produc-
tion of ethanol from maize will increase the demand for maize
and this will give better prices to the farmers. Currently, due to
export demand, maize prices are high, but generally, the mar-
 AGRO-WATCH
Maize production is continuously
increasing in the country. However, due
to low demand for maize, farmers are
not getting a fair price for their pro-
duce. It is believed that the production
of ethanol from maize will increase the
demand for maize and this will give
better prices to the farmers.
ket price of maize remains below the MSP, reducing the area
under cultivation for the crop. The use of corn for ethanol pro-
duction will ensure better prices and continued demand for
corn will lead to more cultivation. Additionally, distilleries will
also be assured about the availability of feedstock in the mar-
ket, which will not only create a win-win situation for both dis-
tillers and farmers but will also be very helpful in conserving
water and the environment. That is why the Ministry of
Agriculture is continuously working to promote maize produc-
tion by developing high-yielding varieties.
GM Maize vs. NON-GM Maize
Due to the increasing demand for maize and the pressure
of higher production, today the discussion about genetically
modified (GM) maize is gaining momentum. GM corn varieties
are engineered for insect resistance and related trait value.
According to the people who support GM maize, GM maize
can play an important role in overcoming the agricultural chal-
lenges of maize. But The risks and apprehensions associated
are not entirely unfounded. Cultivation of GM crops may face
a myriad of problems such as biosafety, environmental impact,
farmer autonomy, and consumer preferences. Hence the com-
mercialization of GM maize continues to be debated on many
platforms in India. Let us assess the concerns surrounding GM
maize in India in more detail.
• Because GM corn has not been studied extensively, some
agricultural scientists believe it may have potential environ-
mental impacts, including risks such as genetic contamina-
tion, loss of biodiversity, and ecological imbalance.
• Further evaluation and regulatory investigation are still
needed regarding the bio-safety and potential health effects
of GM maize consumption.
• We need to understand that GM maize does not directly
increase production; instead, it addresses immediate pest
problems, thereby boosting yields in the short term.
However, GM crops tend to lose their pest resistance over
time.
• A major concern surrounding GM maize is that it may face
a fate similar to that of BT cotton. BT cotton is the only GM
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
cotton commercially cultivated in India. One of the primary
objectives of the government in promoting its cultivation
was to enhance farmers' profitability by increasing produc-
tion at a lower cost. However, contrary to expectations, it
escalated upfront costs for farmers and ended up bolstering
the prosperity of select seed companies. Furthermore,
42
India's reliance on seed companies producing BT cotton
intensified.
• It is important to remember that India has the largest num-
ber of small farmers in the world, so keeping the interests
of these farmers in mind is of paramount importance.
Similar to BT cotton, after the adoption of GM maize, its
patent and technology may become limited to the hands of
a few big companies, which could lead to the seed sover-
eignty of farmers becoming dependent on multinational cor-
porations in the future. This may have many far-reaching
consequences in the future.
• GM corn varieties have been engineered to combat insect
infestation issues in corn grown in the United States.
However, it is not guaranteed that the same insect species
causing infestation in US maize would pose a challenge to
corn crops in India. The pest species impacting corn pro-
duction in India may differ, necessitating the government to
develop distinct strategies for their control.
• Adequate regulatory framework and biosafety protocols are
required in India to control the cultivation and commercial-
ization of GM maize varieties, ensuring risk assessment,
monitoring, and stakeholder engagement with transparen-
cy.
• Maize production in major non-GM maize-producing coun-
tries like Ukraine and China is more than double that of
India. Therefore, India is still able to increase maize produc-
tion even without importing GM seeds by adopting best
agricultural practices.
• GM maize is grown only in 19 countries. The European coun-
tries have banned the cultivation of GM crops. Therefore, if
India also becomes a GM country, then the non-GM coun-
tries will stop importing from us, which can cause huge eco-
nomic losses to the farmers of our country. Besides, our
poultry industries will also become GM-based, which may
affect human health. There is a potential risk that GM maize
could also impact our other exports.
There are many hybrids of Indian maize, widely loved for their
distinct flavors and characteristics.
• Indian maize varieties contribute to the conservation of biodi-
versity by maintaining a diverse gene pool.
• Indian maize hybrids have been adapted to local agro-climat-
ic conditions, making them better suited for cultivation in
India.
• Non-GM maize is often preferred for its taste, nutritional
value, and suitability for local cuisine, thus contributing to
food security at the local level.
• Cultivating non-GM maize can improve the economic condi-
tions of farmers without compromising the sovereignty of
their seeds. Given the numerous industries reliant on maize
and the sale of maize grain and its by-products, farmers
can earn profits with reduced risk and lower costs, thereby
increasing their income.
• Maize-based industries include various agri-business oppor-
tunities including processing, storage, marketing, and distri-
bution. Value-addition activities such as maize milling,
starch extraction, and ethanol production create employ-
ment opportunities and stimulate rural economic develop-
ment.
Solution and Diagnosis
Maize production, area, and productivity have been contin-
uously increasing in the last several years. The government is
also laying great emphasis on maize production. Currently,
efforts are being made to promote the use of Non-GM maize
varieties. For this, the following steps can be taken:
• Investment in research and development is necessary
today to develop maize varieties that are high-yielding, pest
43
and disease-resistant, and suitable for the agro-climatic
conditions of India. India can become a world leader in
maize production through technology transfer via coopera-
tion between the government and private companies.
• Educating farmers about good agricultural practices (GAP)
such as proper land preparation, timely sowing, balanced
use of fertilizers, efficient irrigation methods, and integrated
pest management can increase maize yields.
• To increase maize production, it is important to ensure that
farmers have access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesti-
cides at affordable prices.
• To increase farmers' enthusiasm towards increasing maize
production, providing market incentives such as price pre-
miums or subsidies, loan facilities, and insurance cover for
the cultivation of Non-GM maize can be effective.
• Increasing the area planted with improved single-cross
hybrid seeds can result in greater maize yield compared to
utilizing hybrids like double crosses and triple crosses.
• To enhance the Rate of Hybridization in India - Presently,
the hybridization rate in India hovers around 65–70%, with
Bihar and Tamil Nadu achieving the highest levels at 100%.
• Improvements in rural infrastructure such as irrigation facil-
ities, roads, storage facilities, and market connectivity can
help farmers reduce post-harvest losses and ensure better
prices for their produce.
• Support for farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) and
cooperatives can also strengthen farmers' bargaining
power and market access.
• Governments should implement policies that promote the
conservation and sustainable use of non-GM maize vari-
eties, including regulatory measures to prevent the spread
of GM maize.
Conclusion:
Indian maize production plays an important role in the
growth and economic upliftment of farmers across the coun-
try. Today, when the adoption of GM maize remains a subject
of debate in our country, prioritizing the conservation, promo-
tion, and sustainable use of non-GM maize varieties is impor-
tant to ensure food and nutrition security, preserve biodiversi-
ty, and build resilience in India's agricultural systems. Efforts
to further improve non-GM varieties and support farmers in
adopting modern technologies and sustainable practices
while protecting genetic resources are essential for the long-
term sustainability of maize cultivation in the country. We must
also ensure that modern technology will not cause any far-
reaching side effects of genetically modified maize seeds. If
this were to happen, future generations would never forgive
us. We have also seen that Indian farmers are having a bitter
experience with BT cotton where we are falling prey to the
dual policies of multinational companies. Efforts should be
made to support Non-GM farming practices and empower
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
farmers to adopt sustainable farming methods suited to the
Indian context.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher
and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 ECO-WATCH
Not Heat Centers... Our cities
need to become Green Centers
A few days ago, a shocking report
was published for all of us. The
report says that nine cities of the
country are suffering from exces-
sive heat! Also, the report says
that not a single city in our country
has green cover as per the World
Health Organization (WHO) stan-
dards! Due to this, the heat center
area of the big cities of our coun-
try is increasing very shockingly.
Also, the average temperature of
nine cities of the country has been
viral desai
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
recorded from 42 degrees to 45
degrees and this increase in the
temperature is a direct threat to
the biodiversity and human life!.
These cities are Ahmedabad,
Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad,
44
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which have changed their heat
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If we want to understand the
seriousness of this subject, we WORKS: Survey No. 361/6,7 & 11, 362/11, 360/7
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WHO says that it is very important Shree Ganesh Indl. Est., Kachigam, Nani Daman (U.T.) -396 210.
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 ECO-WATCH
meters of green space per person, while Pune has only 1.4
square meters of green space per person!
And, this lack of greenspace figures isn't just related to
just heat. These statistics of Greenspace are directly related
to air pollution, the health effects of millions of people, and
also linked to water scarcity. As Bangalore struggles with
acute water crises, we are also getting the news that more
than fifty percent of the country's reservoirs have less water
than required. So now, with the reference of this case..what
point of view should we consider for the lack of green covers?
Are we waiting for a major disaster?
We all have to accept that less green cover has become
a red alert for our multi-million population. If we do not take
any steps in this direction now, a large population will suffer
from very big accidents or serious health related diseases. On
the other hand, in 'Uday India', we have seen in various
columns that there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding
green covers. I have observed that many state governments
do haphazard plantations to show green covers, in which they
give utmost importance to the non native or invasive species
of trees that grow fast. On the other hand, almost all native
trees of India take three to five years to grow!
Due to this, non-native species are planted in most of the
cities. The species that do not give us any benefit in green
cover but seriously damage our urban biodiversity. So what is
the solution to this serious problem? If the readers remember,
we discussed the need of an Urban Forest Policy once in our
article of 'Uday India' itself. There, I mentioned that all major
cities in India need an effective urban forest policy. The policy
also should have specific guidelines regarding
plantation.Under this policy, every city should also have a
fixed budget, and they should also have an entire policy to
protect the urban plantations! More importantly, like the inspir-
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
ing success of the implementation of National Clean Air
Program (NCAP), the Urban Forest Policy will also have to be
implemented on a national level, managed and monitored by
an agency of the Central Government.
Otherwise, if this entire policy planning is left to the states
individually, then each state will prepare their policy on its own
46
We have to look at some statistics. WHO says
that it is very important to have 50 square
meters of green cover per person in cities for
good health of people. But not a single city in
the country has such a green space of 50
square meters per person. If we look at the
four cities of the country, we will realise that
Delhi has only 10.41 square meters of the
green space per person. In Jaipur, this figure
is 6.67 square meters. Kolkata has only 6.61
square meters of green space per person,
while Pune has only 1.4 square meters of
green space per person!
account. Also, some states will turn out to be those for which
such a policy and implementation has no value at all, so they
will not make any such policy! This is high time now... As we
say in Hindi, 'Abhi Nahin to Kabhi Nahin', the time has come
for all of us... That, too, when we as a country we are leading
the world in the field of climate change!
I hope that the Central Government will work effectively in
this direction and surely bring and implement a Central Urban
Forest Policy. After all, this is the same government, which
has done the whole world proud in the field of renewable
energy. This is the same government, which has launched
what can be said to be the largest project in the world to clean
the river Ganga. Also, this is the same government, which has
set a target of zero carbon emissions by 2070.
(The author is a known Environmentalist and the pioneer of
Satyagraha Against Pollution movement, viraludayindia@gmail.com )
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers and
contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher and editor.
All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of compe-
tent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 ECO-WATCH
Himalayan lakes
under stress!
Despite the large dependence of the increasing population on Himalayan lakes, information on the
lakes continues to be limited thus hindering their sustainable management.
n STUTI SHAH n SUMIT SEN n DEBABRATA SAHOO
reshwater lakes in the Indian North Western Himalayan
F region (INWH) are unique and an important source of water
for the growing population in the region. The INWH region
covers the two states of Uttarakhand and Himachal
Pradesh and two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir,
and Ladakh in India.
Variable topographies expose the lakes in the region to
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
different climatic conditions making each lake unique
The topography of the Himalayas is characterised by
multiple levels of highly elevated mountain ranges extend-
ing up to a maximum elevation of 8848 m above mean sea
level (MSL). The lakes at different elevations are exposed
to different climatic conditions.
48
In the eastern parts of the Lesser Himalayas, the
Nainital and Renuka lakes receive rainfall during monsoon
months while those in the western parts receive most of the
annual rainfall during the winter season and those in central
parts remain relatively dry during the monsoon season.
Rainfall in the monsoon season is 2–3 times higher than the
winter rainfall and is responsible for a relatively drier climate
in western and northern parts of INWH.
The seasonal temperature range also varies for lakes in
different regions with warmer temperatures for lakes in the
Lesser Himalayas i.e., Renuka and Nainital Lake, and cold to
subfreezing temperatures for lakes at a higher elevation such
as Wular, Dal, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, and Chandratal Lake.
There is a limited understanding of hydrological process-
es of the lakes
Lakes are dynamic systems, store water and are sensitive
indicators of changes in rainfall, surface and groundwater
inflows, and water outflows in different forms such as evapora-
tion, seepage, and surface outflows. However, studies focused
on understanding the hydrological processes in Himalayan
lakes are limited.
Water quality of the lakes is deteriorating
Himalayan freshwater lakes are important sources of
water for local communities and the quality of water plays a
major role in the health and spread of diseases in the popula-
tion. Lakes in the INWH region are largely alkaline with a pH
value of 7.2 to 8.8 while slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
waters are found in a few high-altitude lakes such as Beni Tal
, Deoria Tal and Nachiketa Tal.
High-altitude lakes in INWH are in an oligotrophic state
(Hemkund, Prashar), while the rest of the lakes exhibit either
eutrophic (e.g., Surinsar, Tso Moriri, Ahansar, Anchar, Sattal,
and Wular) or hypereutrophic (Mansar, Tso Kar, Renuka, Dal,
Nainital, and Rewalsar) state.
The lakes are highly prone to sedimentation
Steep topography and substantially high catchment ero-
sion, potentially driven by high precipitation, deforestation by
anthropogenic activities, and highly unpredictable climatic con-
ditions make Himalayan lakes highly prone to sedimentation.
Land use land cover (LULC) changes are
shrinking the lakes
For example, intensive urbanisation in Dal Lake has result-
ed in decreased lake area and gradual deterioration in the
water quality of the lake. In Nainital Lake, intense construction
in the geologically fragile catchment due to increasing tourist
influx is leading to shrinking forest cover, enhanced sedimen-
tation rate, and lake pollution. In the Manasbal Lake catch-
ment, stone quarrying has led to land cover changes and sub-
sequent nutrient and silt load leading to death of fish and dis-
turbances in the lake ecosystem.
Population growth and tourism are damaging lakes
Several human settlements in the INWH have undergone
a huge spike in population over the last half century, including
settlements around freshwater lakes in the region, which are
presenting multiple challenges to lakes due to increase in
anthropogenic activities, urbannisation, catchment alterations
and increased stress on available water resources and the bio-
diversity of the lakes.
Climate change is taking its toll
Global warming has resulted in rising lake water tempera-
tures leading to eutrophication, decline in oxygen levels of the
lakes leading to algal blooms. In addition, global warming-
induced shifts in rainfall patterns in terms of magnitude, fre-
quency, and occurrence have led to decline in water levels,
which combined with pollution and lower oxygen levels can be
detrimental to lake ecosystems.
Climate change has been found to alter lake surface con-
ditions such as surface temperature, ice cover, water level,
and evaporation. Reduced and delayed winter ice cover and
increased lake surface temperatures have resulted in modified
49
lake mixing regimes and a spike in evaporation leading to a
drop in water levels and lake areal extent.
The study makes the following recommendations to deal
with different sustainability challenges in Himalayan lakes
• Establish a monitoring network for hydrologic and water
quality parameters in important freshwater lakes.
• Explore and develop a thorough understanding of hydro-
ecological dynamics and their drivers in different lake sys-
tems.
• Decisive actions from the municipal authorities and water
managers to reduce and reroute the human waste, and
enforcement of laws to prevent future encroachment and
illegal dumping into the lakes
• An integrated watershed management considering hydrol-
ogy and water quality with best management practices to
help strategise long-term action plans for lake water man-
agement
• Afforestation of hill slopes and installation of sediment traps
along the main inflow channel can control sedimentation
and nutrient loading to lakes bodies.
• District authorities need to revisit the construction laws and
by-laws to limit effluents from construction sites, especially
for densely populated lakes.
• Limiting the use of farm fertilizers and manure, and encour-
agement to practice agroforestry would help reduce the
nutrient loading to the lakes.
• The development of a buffer zone around the lake would
supplement the reduction of nutrient inputs from direct and
indirect sources to the lake
• Prohibition of activities such as bathing, use of detergents,
and washing utensils in the lake water
• Spread public awareness of the ecological and cultural
importance of lakes, especially among the tourists and to
promote
• Active participation of state and local governments is
required to establish proper legislation for lake conserva-
tion and ensure its implementation.
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
(https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/himalaya
n-lakes-under-stress)
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers
and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher
and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
 eDITOR’S NOTe
Turmoil Within Congress
n recent days, there has been a whirl-
I wind of activity within India's oldest
political party, the Indian National
Congress. While Congress is witness-
ing a rapid exodus of leaders and
workers to other parties, a similar influx
of leaders from other parties to
Congress has not been seen. The con-
stant departure of Congress leaders
has raised questions about the party's
ability to retain its members. Recent
departures, such as that of Sanjay
Nirupam, Gourav Vallabh, boxer
Vijender Singh and Rohan Gupta high-
light the growing frustration among
party members. Issues ranging from
dissatisfaction with leadership deci-
sions to concerns about the party's
direction have prompted these leaders
to seek alternatives outside Congress.
The decline of the Congress party in
India is a multifaceted phenomenon
rooted in a combination of internal
weaknesses and external pressures.
Unless the party can address its lead-
ership crisis, bridge internal divisions,
reconnect with voters, and adapt to the
DEEPAK KUMAR RATH changing political landscape, its
decline is likely to continue unabated,
further diminishing its stature as the
pre-eminent force in Indian politics. As
India marches forward into the 21st
century, the fate of Congress remains
uncertain, symbolising both the chal-
lenges and opportunities that lie ahead
for the world's largest democracy.
Against this backdrop, it is worth
mentioning that although Sonia Gandhi
and later Rahul Gandhi managed to
balance between leftist and grounded
thinking, Rahul has moved ahead. He
UDAY INDIA 20 April, 2024
seems to heed more to the advice of
his advisors. When he attacks BJP or
Prime Minister Modi, his language
often becomes erratic, and the original
issues get lost. But in the digital age,
where the pulse of society beats to the
50
rhythm of social media platforms, polit-
ical landscapes are not immune to its
sway. Hence, Rahul finds himself at
the centre of this whirlwind, where his
language and actions are often magni-
fied by his left-wing thinkers' agenda.
However, amidst this virtual cacopho-
ny, a dissonance arises within the
ranks of Congress's youth brigade,
who increasingly find themselves at
odds with the amplified rhetoric and
actions propagated online. Therefore,
it cannot be gainsaid that the present
leadership of Congress fails to assess
the correct steps at the right time. The
trend is not limited to senior figures,
even lower-ranking members feel mar-
ginalised within the party's hierarchy.
Limited opportunities for meaningful
participation and a perceived lack of
transparency in decision-making
processes have alienated many grass-
roots workers. The opaque process of
seat allocation and sharing further
fuels resentment and internal strife.
Allegations of favouritism and bias
undermine trust in the party's internal
mechanisms, eroding its support base.
Despite calls for reform, Congress
appears resistant to change, clinging
to outdated practices and hierarchical
structures. The sidelining of dissenting
voices, as seen in the treatment of the
G23 group, underscores the party's
reluctance to embrace internal critique.
As the 2024 elections loom over the
horizon, Congress faces an uphill bat-
tle to regain relevance. Without
addressing its internal challenges,
including the lack of democracy and
ideological clarity, the party risks fur-
ther decline. It remains to be seen
whether the central leadership will
heed the calls for reform and chart a
new course out for Congress, or
whether it will continue to falter in the
face of mounting discontent.
 RNI No. DELENG/2013/30442 Postal Reg. No. DL(E)-11/5317
Licenced to dispatch on Monday and Tuesday of every advance week at KNHO, Delhi-110051
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