DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:00:59 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-amit-shahs-border-mission-set-to-become-new-political-moment-675780.html New Delhi May 31 When Union Home Minister Amit Shah set out to review and secure Indias international borders it may have appeared to be a routine exercise After all border security falls squarely within the Home Ministrys responsibilities But there is something different about this exercise In nearly eight decades of Independence India has rarely witnessed a government pursue border security with such intensity and political focus Previous governments spoke about strengthening national security The Modi government is attempting something far more expansive It wants to identify infiltration networks check illegal encroachments plug loopholes in the system and address what it sees as the longterm consequences of unchecked illegal migration across Indias bordersThat is why this mission deserves attentionAs the Modi government enters its thirteenth year in office it is taking decisions that affect not only external security but also internal stability For decades infiltration from across Indias borders particularly from Bangladesh and Pakistan remained a subject of political debate but rarely received sustained administrative attentionToday the issue can no longer be ignored The situation has reached a point where the government believes that illegal infiltrators are not only compromising national security but also placing pressure on public resources They are taking away employment opportunities from local youth and most worryingly contributing to a demographic shiftWhat makes the present debate unusual is the emphasis on demography Never before has a government at the Centre spoken so openly about demographic change as a matter of national concern For decades such discussions remained confined to academic studies census reports and occasional political speeches Today they are part of mainstream political discourse It is perhaps for the first time in independent Indias history that attempts to alter demographic balances are being discussed and treated as a matter of national concernCensus data shows that Hindus constituted about 84 per cent of Indias population in 1951 while Muslims accounted for 98 per cent By 2011 the Hindu share had declined to around 798 per cent while the Muslim share had risen to 142 per centThe debate over demography cannot be separated from the legacy of Partition The creation of Pakistan was justified on the basis of religion but millions of Muslims chose to remain in India and became equal citizens of the new Republic Over the decades concerns have periodically surfaced over demographic changes in certain regions particularly along Indias eastern border These changes cannot be viewed in isolation from illegal immigration from neighbouring countries The Muslim population growth rate remains higher than that of Hindus and several other communities This stands in sharp contrast to Pakistan and Bangladesh where the share of religious minorities has steadily declined over the decadesDifferent political groups draw different conclusions from these figures But they have undoubtedly become a major reference point in discussions on demography and migrationAddressing the Narendra Mohan Memorial Lecture in October 2025 on the theme of Infiltration Demographic Change and Democracy Amit Shah said that demographic shifts in several border regions were linked not only to fertility rates but also to decades of illegal infiltration from neighbouring countriesWest Bengal has emerged as the most prominent example in this debate Recent reports and investigations relating to undocumented Bangladeshi migrants forged identity documents and alleged infiltration networks have intensified political scrutiny BJP leaders have accused the Trinamool Congress of facilitating such networks for electoral gain They argue that resistance to complete border fencing under the Mamata Banerjee government must be viewed in this context According to this argument gaps in enforcement created conditions in which infiltration networks could flourish and eventually become part of a larger votebank ecosystemQuestions are now being asked that were rarely asked with such urgency before How did illegal entrants obtain documentation Who enabled them How widespread are these networks And why were corrective measures delayed for so longSimilar concerns have been raised in Assam and other parts of the Northeast Amit Shah has previously pointed to Census trends in Assam and argued that demographic changes in several districts cannot be understood without taking infiltration into account He has noted that the decadal growth rate of the Muslim population in Assam according to the 2011 Census stood at 296 per cent and argued that such growth could not be explained without considering illegal immigration He has made similar observations about districts in West Bengal and about demographic changes affecting tribal populations in parts of JharkhandThese developments have revived longstanding concerns that were often dismissed or treated as secondary in public discourse For decades infiltration was treated primarily as a lawandorder issue The Modi government is treating it as a demographic political and national security issue as wellThat shift explains the Centres decision to constitute a HighLevel Committee to study demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal factors Prime Minister Narendra Modis announcement of a Demography Mission in 2025 reflected the governments intention to place the issue at the heart of policymakingAs the Modi government enters its thirteenth year in office with a historic win in West Bengal the political ground is shifting beneath the feet of parties that relied on identitybased votebank calculationsFor the BJP border security is no longer merely an administrative responsibility It has become part of a larger political project The slogan of detect delete and deport has moved from campaign rhetoric to government policyWhether this approach delivers the results remains to be seen But it is increasingly finding resonance among a large section of the population who believe that infiltration demography and national security can no longer be discussed separatelyFor decades the issue of infiltration surfaced periodically in political debates and then faded from public attention Today it occupies the centre of national discourse Whether the Modi governments approach ultimately succeeds or faces resistance one thing is clear border security is no longer being discussed only in terms of fences and checkpoints It is now tied to questions of identity representation resources and the future character of regions along Indias frontiers After years of silence the country is having a conversation it avoided for far too longDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-amit-shahs-border-mission-set-to-become-new-political-moment-675780.html Sun, 31 May 2026 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-why-mamata-banerjees-defeat-resonated-beyond-india--673218.html New Delhi May 10 There was something unusual about the reaction to the Assembly election results this time State elections in India routinely produce celebrations accusations posturing and political drama But the outcome in West Bengal travelled far beyond Indias borders From Dhaka to Washington the result triggered reactions rarely seen after a state poll in India That alone suggested that what happened in Bengal was not being viewed merely as a regional political shift It was being read as something larger a strategic and ideological development in one of Indias most sensitive border states And the international attention it attracted was equally strikingUS President Donald Trump congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on what the White House described as a historic and decisive mandate in West Bengal Several international publications portrayed the result as a breakthrough moment for PM Modi in a state that had remained politically resistant to the BJP for yearsThe obvious question is why did a state election command such extraordinary global attention Victories in Haryana Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh do not evoke reactions of this scale abroad West Bengal however occupies a different place in Indias political imagination Geography and demography make it uniquely sensitive Sharing a long and porous border with Bangladesh the state has for years remained central to debates around illegal infiltration border security and demographic changeFor years the BJP has argued that the Mamata Banerjee government looked the other way while infiltration from Bangladesh continued unchecked The allegations are not newIronically Mamata Banerjee herself once raised similar concerns In 2005 as a Lok Sabha member she had dramatically protested in Parliament over infiltration from Bangladesh calling it a disaster for the country On the streets of West Bengal too she repeatedly accused the then Left Front government of using illegal immigrants as a political vote bankBut politics often reshapes positions faster than circumstances change After coming to power in 2011 Mamata Banerjees stand appeared to undergo a sharp reversal The issue that once formed the centrepiece of her political attacks gradually disappeared from her rhetoric Instead she became one of the fiercest critics of attempts to identify or deport illegal immigrantsThe sharpest example came during the Assam NRC exercise in 2018 While the Supreme Courtmonitored process sought to identify illegal immigrants in Assam Mamata Banerjee openly attacked the exercise warning of civil war and bloodbath if the Centre continued with the policy This opposition was aimed at protecting a political support base shaped over years of unchecked migrationThe BJP repeatedly built its Bengal campaign around this accusation Union Home Minister Amit Shah while speaking in Parliament during the debate on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill in March 2025 directly accused the Trinamool Congress government of enabling illegal immigration by facilitating the issuance of Aadhaar cards and voter IDs He claimed that many Bangladeshis caught in different parts of the country possessed documents originating from West Bengals border districts including the 24 ParganasInfiltration has remained a contentious issue in Bengal for decades Border districts have witnessed demographic shifts significant enough to alter political calculations Security agencies have repeatedly flagged concerns about illegal crossborder networks The issue is no longer viewed merely through the lens of economics or welfare distribution it is increasingly tied to questions of national security and internal stabilityThe reactions emerging from Bangladesh after the election have only added to these anxieties While sections of Bangladeshs political establishment reportedly sent congratulatory messages to the BJP leadership some Islamist voices reacted sharply against the Bengal verdictOne JamaateIslami leader reportedly made inflammatory remarks calling for resistance against Delhi and spoke irresponsibly about Bengals separation from India Such statements may represent fringe rhetoric but they underline why political developments in West Bengal are being watched so closely beyond Indias borders In Pakistan discussions were held on the development with many describing Mamata Banerjees defeat as a setback for the Indian oppositionThe intensity of these reactions reveals something important Beyond Bengal Mamata Banerjee had increasingly come to be viewed by many political and ideological groups as one of the strongest leaders capable of taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi nationally Her politics often seen as centred around Muslim outreach had earned her support among sections that viewed the BJPs rise with concernThat is why her defeat generated unusually sharp reactions outside India as well While vested interests and ideological groups in neighbouring countries may interpret the result through their own political lens the verdict delivered by Bengals voters is clear and strongNow with the BJP forming the government in Bengal with a commanding mandate expectations will be enormous The party has promised a tougher stance on infiltration stronger border management expanded fencing and stricter enforcement against illegal residency networks Bengal has suffered enough through decades of political violence fear religious polarisation and uneven development This election was not merely a rejection of Mamata Banerjees 15year rule it was also an expression of exhaustion and aspirationThe people of Bengal have voted for security over violence and uncertainty development over appeasement and governance over perpetual conflict They want jobs for the youth better roads and infrastructure dignity in everyday life and the freedom to liveDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-why-mamata-banerjees-defeat-resonated-beyond-india--673218.html Sun, 10 May 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-smarter-wars-not-longer-ones-indias-lesson-for-a-restless-world-668004.html New Delhi April 5 As the USIran conflict drags into its second month unsettling markets testing alliances one thing is becoming clear the world does not need longer wars It needs smarter outcomes That is why it is worth revisiting a decision closer home one that at the time drew sharp criticism from the Congressled opposition When the Modi government chose to halt Operation Sindoor soon after achieving its objective the opposition was quick to call it hasty even shortsightedIn hindsight that criticism now feels more reactive and political than reasoned Because strategy especially in matters of national security is rarely about how things look in the moment It is about clarity of purpose and just as importantly about knowing when that purpose has been served Not every show of strength needs to be stretched out to prove a pointIndia could have extended Operation Sindoor May 7 2025 â May 10 2025 It had the operational capacity to escalate broaden the scope or extend the engagement It chose not to The objective was clear and once met the operation was halted Within days Pakistan had been pushed onto the back foot seeking relief and a ceasefire agreement That was the outcome India was aiming forAnd perhaps that is what made it uncomfortable for some there was no prolonged buildup no dramatic escalation no extended theatre Just a swift contained resultNow shift the lens to West Asia Despite repeated assertions of control the US appears increasingly caught in a conflict that is deepening widening rather than settling US President Donald Trump continues to project confidence but the ground reality tells a more complicated story Iran for its part has shown that it retains the capacity to respond The backandforth continues and with it the uncertaintyThe unease around the Strait of Hormuz says enough The disruption is sending ripples across global energy markets That is the problem with prolonged conflicts they rarely stay contained and their consequences travel far beyond the immediate theatreWhat is also becoming evident is the hesitation among Americaâs traditional allies There is support yes but not quite the kind that translates into deep involvement There is caution a degree of distance and in some cases visible discomfortFrench President Emmanuel Macron in his recent remarks articulated this shift rather clearly His call for a âcoalition of independenceâ reflects a growing sentiment that countries are no longer entirely comfortable being tied too closely to dominant power blocs Strategic space matters perhaps more now than beforeFor India this is not unfamiliar ground Strategic autonomy has long been part of its approach though the way it is exercised has evolved From nonalignment to a more flexible interestdriven engagement India has gradually built a framework where it can work with multiple partners without being locked into any single axisIn the middle of the current crisis New Delhi has largely stayed that course It has resisted the pressure to take overt sides while ensuring that its own interests particularly in energy flows are not compromised It is this approach that has allowed India to maintain steady movement through critical routes Several Indian vessels have continued to pass through the Hormuz Strait despite the prevailing uncertaintyDiplomatic engagement continues and where required support has been extended quietly without much noise And that quietness is easy to miss especially in a world that often equates visibility with effectivenessThe longer the conflict continues the sharper the contrast becomes Prolonged offensives tend to create more variables than they resolve They stretch resources test alliances and introduce risks that are difficult to anticipate let alone manage Swift clearly defined actions on the other hand tend to leave less room for escalationOperation Sindoor may not have been widely acknowledged globally but it demonstrated a principle that is hard to ignore effectiveness is not measured by duration but by whether the objective was achieved Staying longer in a conflict does not necessarily translate into a better outcome it often does the oppositeThe US and the rest of the world are experiencing this India understood this a long time agoIf the past few weeks have shown anything it is this drawnout wars rarely produce clean endings They create layers of uncertainty economic political and strategic that take far longer to unwind than the conflict itselfDecisiveness restraint and clarity are often underestimated in moments of high tension They do not make for dramatic headlines Ultimately wars are not won by how long they last but by how decisively they are concludedAnd that is where Indiaâs approach begins to stand out Operation Sindoor is perhaps its clearest recent exampleDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-smarter-wars-not-longer-ones-indias-lesson-for-a-restless-world-668004.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-no-lockdowns-no-rationing-india-stays-steady-amid-world-energy-crisis-667070.html New Delhi March 29 How does it feel to sit steady while everything around you seems to be on fire It is an unsettling image but it aptly captures Indias position in todays world At a time when much of the globe is grappling with the cascading effects of a conflicttriggered energy crisis India appears relatively stable The ongoing tensions involving the US Israel and Iran have sent shockwaves through global energy markets Countries across continents are scrambling to respond to sudden shortages and rising prices of oil and gas a situation few would have imagined before February 28 happenedThe Gulf region long considered the epicentre of global energy supply is itself under strain As disruptions ripple outward governments worldwide are being forced into emergency measuresAnd in the middle of this turbulence India finds itself in a comparatively comfortable position For a country of 140 crore people the availability of petrol diesel and piped natural gas PNG remains largely stable There are concerns around LPG in some pockets but much of it appears driven by panic buying and hoarding rather than any systemic shortageThe situation gives a sense of pride and places India high up During the Covid19 pandemic when many powerful nations turned inward shutting borders and guarding resources India stepped up both domestically and globally Through the Vaccine Maitri initiative it extended support to nearly 100 countries reinforcing its role as a dependable partner in times of crisisTodays situation though different in nature once again highlights contrasts across countries Several governments have had to take harsh measures that directly affect daily life Pakistan has sharply increased fuel prices introduced workfromhome measures and shut educational institutions Sri Lanka has cut down public lighting reduced airconditioning use in state offices and adopted a fourday workfromhome model Bangladesh has enforced fuel rationing and closed universities Vietnam has also moved to remote working The Philippines has declared a national energy emergencyEven developed economies are not immune Australia is witnessing fuel shortages with hundreds of service stations running dry exacerbated by panic buying Price increases and demand spikes are becoming common across marketsAgainst this backdrop Indias position stands out There has been no hike in petrol diesel or gas prices so far Supplies remain available and the government has maintained that the country has adequate reserves reportedly enough for over two months along with measures to boost domestic production and encourage alternatives such as PNGFor ordinary Indians this translates into a degree of normalcy that is increasingly rare elsewhere Vehicles continue to run fuel is accessible and daily life remains largely unaffected In contrast even in the US rising fuel prices have pushed up the overall cost of living contributing to inflationary pressuresAmid this the political discourse at home has been far from measured Criticism is an essential part of democracy but there is a thin line between questioning the government and fuelling unnecessary anxietyWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised concerns about a possible lockdown a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis scheduled virtual meeting with the chief ministers to discuss the fuel situation amid the ongoing West Asia conflict on March 27 Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi warned of compromised energy security attributing it to foreign policy failures Akhilesh Yadav spoke of widespread LPG shortagesThese are serious claims but they sit uneasily with the ground reality When the crisis itself is global and largely beyond the control of any single government the focus perhaps should be on constructive suggestions rather than amplifying fearsThe political heat may continue to rise but on the ground the picture remains steady Roads are busy fuel stations are functioning pipelines are supplying gas and households are managing their needsIndia has not stopped The country is witnessing hectic political activity revolving around Assembly elections in four states and one union territory and the inauguration of premier development projects such as the Noida International Airport the enthralling IPL tournament has also begun international halfmarathons are also being held in some states and Dhurandhar continues to make a dream runFor once in a world under strain India stands on relatively steady ground The road ahead may not be without challenges if the Gulf conflict escalates but this is hardly the time to panic A measured response and some trust in the governments handling will serve better than alarmismDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-no-lockdowns-no-rationing-india-stays-steady-amid-world-energy-crisis-667070.html Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-dhurandhar-isnt-just-cinema-its-indias-long-suppressed-anger-speaking-out-665958.html New Delhi March 22 Dhurandhar is not the kind of film you watch and move on from It lingers It provokes And more importantly it says something which a majority of Indians have felt for years but were rarely encouraged to articulate openly At its core the film taps into a sentiment that has existed for decades that Pakistans continued use of terrorism as state policy cannot be met with halfmeasures diplomatic niceties or intellectual hedging The urge to see its institutions ISI military establishment held accountable crushed and rendered incapable of bleeding India any further is not fringe sentiment It is mainstream real and Dhurandhar is the voiceSomewhere along the way a certain version of secularism took root one that often translated into silence on uncomfortable issues Speaking plainly about terrorism religious fault lines or historical grievances was quickly labelled as regressive or worse The result was a kind of selfcensorship where outrage had to be moderated and facts carefully packaged This didnt happen overnight It was built over decadesWhether it was the hesitation in addressing longpending issues like Ayodhya Kashi or Krishna Janmabhoomi or the discomfort in acknowledging targeted violence the pattern was visible Even policylevel statements like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs 2006 remark about the Muslim minority having the first claim on resources reinforced a perception of selective prioritisationAnd in that space of hesitation Pakistan found confidence From crossborder terrorism to covert destabilisation its strategy remained consistent What also remained consistent was Indias tendency to respond cautiously not just on the ground but in the narrative space also There were always voices ready to contextualise to explain away or to urge restraint even when the provocation was undeniableThis is precisely the space Dhurandhar walks into and disruptsThe film doesnt pretend to be neutral It doesnt try to balance outrage with diplomatic correctness Instead it leans into a sentiment that has been building quietlyIt also calls out quite directly the ecosystem that shaped public discourse for years one that often found moral complexity where many saw none The same ecosystem that mobilised outrage in selective cases for instance on Afzal Guru and Yakub Memon but remained conspicuously muted when it came to victims of terrorismIt is this films power that lies in its refusal to sanitise this reality It does not pretend that anger is illegitimate It does not dilute the brutality of terrorism Instead it channels a sentiment that has long existed beneath the surface the desire for accountability for clarity and yes for retributionAnd this is where Aditya Dhars voice becomes significant Discomfort to some is definitely there because Dhurandhar does not shy away from anythingThere is also a personal layer to all of thisAditya Dhars background as a Kashmiri Pandit is not incidental to his storytelling His communitys experience since the late 1980s marked by violence fear and the eventual exodus from the Valley remains one of the most underdiscussed chapters in Indias recent history For years that story existed on the margins Acknowledged but not fully confrontedDhars films from Uri The Surgical Strike to Article 370 and now Dhurandhar series seem to be part of an attempt to bring those narratives back into the mainstream Not subtly not cautiously but directly Predictably critics have labelled this as propagandaBut that raises a fair question when one set of narratives dominates for decades it is called balance When another perspective emerges especially one that is blunt and uncomfortable it is quickly dismissedPerhaps the real issue is not the film itself but the fact that it refuses to stay within familiar boundariesDhurandhar also reminds us of the legacy of RN Kao the architect of Indias external intelligence agency Research amp Analysis Wing RAW Within a few years of its creation it played a decisive role in the events leading to Bangladeshs liberation in 1971 a moment when India combined strategy with resolve Dhaka may have forgotten the struggle today but they owe it to him Pakistan despised Kao and blamed the Kashmiri Pandits for its 1971 debacleIt is said that Islamabad always wanted revenge on the community and it was executed in the late 1980s when its terrorists targeted Kashmiri Pandits abducting torturing and killing many men including leaders doctors engineers businessmen teachers government employees judges and lawyers by labelling them as Indian Intelligence Bureau agentsMany critics are claiming that the movie is propaganda but those who have suffered directly or indirectly from terrorism know that it is true Dhurandhar is the truth that has been kept under wraps for decades especially after terrorism in Punjab and KashmirDhurandhar doesnt claim to be subtle and maybe thats the point It reflects a shift especially among younger Indians towards questioning older narratives and asking uncomfortable questions Why were certain truths downplayed Why were some tragedies pushed aside And why was anger even when justified treated as something illegitimateBecause anger when it comes from repeated provocation and unresolved history doesnt simply disappear It buildsAnd sometimes it finds expression not in policy papers or debates but in cinema Dhurandhar is that expression And it showcases what a government and its system can do provided the leadership is strong and clear in thoughts and actionsDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-dhurandhar-isnt-just-cinema-its-indias-long-suppressed-anger-speaking-out-665958.html Sun, 22 Mar 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/gender-equality-in-jampk-had-to-wait-till-articles-370-amp-35a-were-abrogated-665056.html Srinagar March 13 Whether or not the discrimination against women in terms of property ownership and other rights was intended or inadvertent in Jammu and Kashmir JampK till Article 370 remained in force the irrefutable fact is that gender discrimination was evident and encouraged Before Article 370 and Article 35A were abrogated by the Parliament of India on August 5 2019 women had very temporary rights of property ownership in JampKOnce a woman belonging to JampK chose her husband from outside the state she was disinherited from ancestral property and would lose her right of being the socalled âfirst class citizen of JampKâThe right to property ownership was defined by Article 35A which was added in 1954 The Parliament simultaneously abrogated Article 35A with Article 370The laws that became immediately applicable to JampK after August 5 2019 included those related to protection against child marriage domestic violence and equal property inheritanceWhat went away automatically with Article 370 abrogation was a legal architecture Women in JampK now enjoy full property rights regardless of their spouseâs place of birth and originCentral laws such as the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 are now fully applicable closing gaps where child marriages and child abuse were inadequately regulatedThe autocratic Ranbir Penal Code was replaced by the Indian Penal Code and finally by the three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam BSA that came into effect on July 1 2024 replacing colonialera statutes with a focus on justice technology and national securityKey changes include defining terrorism mob lynching and organised crime alongside provisions for digital evidence and electronic FIRs that replaced the outdated Ranbir Penal CodeJampK women can now access the National Commission for Women for grievances and dedicated womenâs police stations have been established in several districts Reservations and inclusive policies has come as a shot in the arm for women rightsThe abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A enabled the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions PRIs under the Tejaswini Scheme mirroring national standards The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 extends this to 33 per cent in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies a historic push for representationIn the 2020 District Development Council elections women secured significant seats with voter turnout among females reaching 60 per cent in some areas This contrasts with pre2019 figures where womenâs Assembly representation hovered below 3 per cent from 1952 to 2014 A 2025 analysis notes a rise in female leaders within parties like the BJP with women like Darakhshan Andrabi contributing to mainstream politicsWomen labour force participation climbed from 265 per cent in 201819 to 328 per cent in 2021 with further growth projected Over 300 womenled startups registered under the JampK Startup Policy 202427 spanning ecotourism handicrafts and digital servicesPM MUDRA Yojana sanctioned loans to over 2 lakh women accounts in JampK by 2025 amounting to Rs 47704 crore SelfHelp Groups SHGs under the UMEED Scheme empowered rural women especially during COVID19 by promoting incomegenerating activitiesThe tourism sector with 23 crore visitors in 2024 itself created jobs in womendominated sectors like handicrafts Platforms like Kashmir Box connect artisans to global markets enhancing earningsA 2024 study links improved safety and security widening entrepreneurial opportunities with 82 per cent of respondents noting positive impacts However tribal women still face disparities with literacy at 397 per cent versus the national 494 per cent hindering economic accessDespite progress women from Jammu and other mountainous districts are yet to be fully brought under the umbrella of economic empowermentFemale literacy was at 564 per cent in 2011 it improved with schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao providing scholarships and outreach Enrollment among girls surged post2019 supported by new institutions like AIIMS Awantipora and IIT JammuOver 14000 children including girls benefit from 46 Goodwill Schools run by the Indian Army under Operation Sadbhavana Vocational centres offered IT and tailoring skills to women with Rs 3 crore in scholarships aiding higher educationViolence came down appreciably after Article 370 was abrogated with an 81 per cent drop in civilian deaths enhancing womenâs mobility and safetyWomen Helplines 181 and Nari Adalats that provide grassroots justice became operational in 50 Gram Panchayats each in JampKHowever conflict legacy and stigma persist with 3069 dowryrelated cases in 201819 indicating ongoing social stigmaDemographic shifts postabrogation however raise fears of cultural erosion disproportionately affecting women A 2025 paper notes that while opportunities exist political representation stays low due to conflict legacy and corruption perceptions Economic disparities in tribal areas and rising crimes demand targeted interventionsThe biggest challenge to women empowerment in JampK is violence and corruptionWhile a concrete road with adequate en route facilities are on ground for women progress participation and empowerment yet the road blocks like violence and corruption continue to retard the speed of such forward looking women centric initiatives in JampK IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/gender-equality-in-jampk-had-to-wait-till-articles-370-amp-35a-were-abrogated-665056.html Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-the-irony-of-trumps-board-of-peace-that-overlooks-terror-sponsors-659648.html New Delhi Jan 25 It is hard to overlook the irony of the United States establishing a Board of Peace that includes Pakistan as a key member The visuals from Davos featuring US President Donald Trump engaged in a close dialogue with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were not merely symbolic they reflected a troubling disregard for important realitiesPakistans record is neither ambiguous nor disputed It is a country long accused of sponsoring crossborder terrorism against India that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced lakhsThe perpetrators of the 2611 Mumbai attacks emerged from its soil Osama bin Laden mastermind of the 911 attacks was found hiding in Abbottabad a stones throw from a major Pakistani military installationMore recently the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack once again underscored the persistence of this threat India has directly faced Pakistansponsored terrorism for decades and the US knows itBeyond terrorism Pakistans internal record offers little reassurance From the brutal suppression of dissent in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to allegations of rigged elections compromised courts military dominance over civilian authority and systemic persecution of minorities the country has struggled to uphold even basic democratic normsDespite this it finds a place of prominence on Trumps Board of PeaceTrump while announcing the board spoke of ending decades of suffering stopping cycles of hatred and forging a beautiful everlasting and glorious peace The sentiment may sound lofty but it raises a fundamental question can peace be built without first dismantling terror networks and holding state sponsors Pakistan accountableThe Board of Peace itself appears less like a multilateral initiative and more like a personalised political instrument one driven by a desire to bypass postwar international institutions and replace them with a USdominated authority History suggests that when peace becomes political caution is not just advisable but necessaryIndias scepticism is not born of cynicism but experience In recent years New Delhi has watched instability unfold across its neighbourhood Bangladesh Sri Lanka the Maldives and Nepal often amid external influences and selective global interventionsPeace forums that claim neutrality frequently carry hidden agendas shaping narratives through soft power moral pressure and media amplification rather than democratic legitimacy or accountabilityThe danger lies not in the pursuit of peace but in how it is defined and enforced Many such boards operate outside established multilateral frameworks presenting simplified versions of complex conflicts where historical context becomes inconvenient Accountability more often than not is demanded primarily of those willing to engage in dialogue not those who actively undermine itFor India this asymmetry is particularly troubling Decades of crossborder terrorism proxy wars and efforts to internationalise internal security challenges have repeatedly tested its restraintThe late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees historic bus journey to Lahore in 1999 was a genuine gesture of peace The Kargil conflict that followed was a brutal reminder of the risks of misplaced trustIt is therefore legitimate to ask how a Board of Peace can include a state that has consistently compromised peace Has the US forgotten the lessons of Abbottabad or has strategic convenience overtaken memory The visible warmth between Trump and Pakistans military leadership only deepens these concernsIndia which gave the world the philosophies of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi does not need lectures on peace It understands peace not as a spectacle but as a responsibility That is why New Delhi must approach Trumps invitation to join the Board of Peace with measured cautionThe boards stated mandate overseeing the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction has already expanded in ambition with Trump suggesting it could replace the United Nations in resolving global conflicts Such aspirations without institutional checks or inclusivity should concern any serious democracyWith Pakistan attempting to position itself as a key interlocutor the risk of it leveraging such platforms to revive its Kashmir narrative is real India has consistently countered these attempts in the United Nations and other forums and its diplomacy is capable of doing so again Yet vigilance remains essentialPeace that ignores history excuses terror and rewards duplicity is not peace it is merely an illusion Pakistan is a terror monster and it is unfortunate that the US has chosen to overlook this realityDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-the-irony-of-trumps-board-of-peace-that-overlooks-terror-sponsors-659648.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-a-year-of-perfect-signals-for-rahul-gandhi-and-congress-655941.html New Delhi Dec 28 As 2025 draws to a close Rahul Gandhi finds himself confronting perhaps the most unsettling phase of his political career The Congress leader has weathered many storms before but the developments of this year carry the potential to force a serious internal reckoning within the grand old party one that strikes at the very heart of its leadership structure Rahul Gandhi may never have imagined that a routine foreign trip and his absence from a Parliament session could trigger turbulence not from political opponents but from within his own party His frequent overseas visits have long been a point of criticism but this time the consequences have gone beyond predictable BJP attacks and entered the far more dangerous territory of internal comparison and open questioningGandhi travelled to Germany on December 17 even as Parliament was in session for a threeday visit at the invitation of the Progressive Alliance a network of 117 progressive political parties worldwide Predictably the Bharatiya Janata Party accused him of engaging with elements holding an antiIndia agendaThe Congress and its allies rushed to defend him insisting that foreign travel was no crime and that global outreach was part of opposition politicsThat defence however missed the larger point Rahul Gandhis physical absence from Parliament created a political vacuum and nature especially politically oriented abhors a vacuum Into that space stepped Priyanka Gandhi Vadra inadvertentlyPriyankas presence during the Winter Session did not go unnoticed The buzz around her has always existed but this time it was sharper louder and more consequential Her conduct inside and outside Parliament sent subtle but unmistakable signals Unlike her brother she appeared relaxed approachable and politically agile in her interactions even with BJP leadersHer decision to attend the customary tea hosted by the Speaker after the session ended was particularly striking While Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders had earlier chosen to boycott such gatherings Priyanka participated without hesitation Images and videos of her sharing tea and laughter quickly went viral Seated next to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh alongside Speaker Om Birla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi she looked every bit the insider comfortable confident and visibleThis optics mattered And all took the necessary noticeSoon after the Congress leaders began saying the quiet part out loud Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood known to be close to Rahul Gandhi publicly described Priyanka Gandhi as a potential prime ministerial candidate and compared her to Indira GandhiIf that was not enough veteran leader Digvijaya Singh delivered a far more direct message On December 27 during a meeting of the partys Working Committee Singh shared a blackandwhite photograph of a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor near LK Advani at a public event in Gujarat reportedly from the 1996 swearingin ceremony of Shankersinh Vaghela as Chief MinisterSinghs accompanying message was unambiguous He praised the organisational strength of the RSS and BJP noting how grassroots workers could rise to occupy the highest constitutional officesThis is the power of the organisation he wrote signing off with Jai Siya RamFor a Congress leader of Singhs stature this was nothing short of a political grenade lobbed at the partys high command The message echoed the longsuppressed frustrations articulated earlier by the G23 group and later by Ghulam Nabi Azad who had openly questioned Rahul Gandhis leadership and hinted that Priyanka Gandhi might be better suited to steer the partyThat Singh chose this moment was no coincidence The Congress was simultaneously celebrating its 140th Foundation Day At the party headquarters in Delhi Mallikarjun Kharge Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi stood together smiling for the cameras and greeting workers The public display of unity however could not conceal the undercurrent of discontent Remarks like Singhs inevitably lingered in the air unspoken but deeply feltThe larger question now confronting the Congress is unavoidable Will 2025 finally force a genuine course correction Among supporters and political observers there is little disagreement that the party is in deep trouble And increasingly the blame is being laid not at the door of Mallikarjun Kharge the nominal president but squarely at Rahul Gandhi and his leadership styleElectoral failures continue to pile up The Bihar Assembly elections and the muchhyped SIR activism have exposed the partys strategic emptiness Rahul Gandhi launched the SIR campaign with dramatic rhetoric alleging massive vote chori after a fiery press conference in Delhi The campaign was meant to be backed by sustained ground mobilisation in Bihar Instead it collapsed spectacularlyThe Congress not only suffered a humiliating defeat but also contributed to a significant setback for its ally Tejashwi Yadavs RJD The Opposition now has just 35 MLAs in the state with the Congress reduced to a paltry six What was projected as a revival moment turned into another selfinflicted woundYet the most troubling aspect is not defeat it is denial There is little introspection no admission of strategic failure and no willingness to course correction Instead the leadership continues to deflect blame targeting election authorities and the ruling party while refusing to confront its own shortcomingsRahul Gandhi and his inner circle appear intent on constructing a parallel reality one where accountability is optional and electoral rejection is always someone elses fault Following the SIR debacle the party has now latched onto the MGNREGAâG RAM G issue hoping to manufacture momentumWhether this will resonate with voters remains doubtful What is clear however is that 2025 has exposed a leadership crisis that Congress can no longer ignore The question is not whether the party needs a change but whether it has the courage to confront itDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-a-year-of-perfect-signals-for-rahul-gandhi-and-congress-655941.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-the-politics-of-selective-secularism-653446.html New Delhi Dec 14 It becomes impossible to ignore when a centuriesold Deepam lighting ritual in Tamil Nadu is projected as a threat to communal harmony while political attempts to resurrect the Babri Masjid narrative in West Bengal are met with studied silence as an uncomfortable truth What is being played out is not a defence of secularism but its selective application The contrasting responses to these two issues expose how secularism in contemporary Indian politics has increasingly become a matter of convenience invoked ignored or weaponised depending on electoral needsThe Deepam lighting controversy at Thiruparankundram is a case in point Lighting lamps during Karthigai Deepam is a cultural practice deeply embedded in Tamil Hindu life observed for centuries and referenced as far back as the Sangam era The ritual symbolises devotion and collective identity and the Thiruparankundram hill has traditionally witnessed the lighting of the Deepam as a beacon of faithWhen the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court permitted the lighting of the lamp on December 3 the political reaction was swift but disproportionate Instead of facilitating the smooth implementation of a judicial order the state machinery appeared hesitant even obstructive Suddenly it became an issue of communal disharmony The opposition expressed concerns and a sitting judge found himself accused of ideological biasMPs from the opposition went so far as to seek impeachment proceedings an extraordinary response to a ruling that merely upheld an established religious practice within the framework of lawThe message was unmistakable a Hindu cultural ritual even one sanctioned by a constitutional institution could be framed as provocative if it fell outside the oppositions ideological comfort zone Faith in this narrative becomes suspect not because of its conduct but because of its identityThis reaction becomes even more revealing when contrasted with developments in West Bengal There attempts to revive the Babri Masjid discourse decades after the dispute was conclusively settled through judicial process have not attracted comparable outrage from the same political voicesA Trinamool Congress legislators actions led to a token suspension but the larger political ecosystem around him remained largely supportiveThe INDIA bloc usually vocal on questions of communal sensitivity and jumped on the Deepam lighting issue chose silence Apparently there was no danger to harmony in reopening a chapter that once deeply polarised the nationThe inconsistency is glaring If lighting a lamp atop a hill is capable of disturbing public order how does resurrecting the Babri narrative escape scrutiny Why does secular sensitivity awaken selectively and only in certain directionsWest Bengal offers a broader illustration of this pattern Over the years Hindu festivals such as Ram Navami processions or Durga immersion ceremonies have frequently been subjected to heightened restrictions heavy policing and administrative caution Other religious gatherings however often proceed unhindered When tensions erupt responsibility is rarely fixed on administrative bias or political appeasement Instead blame is conveniently shifted to provocationWhat unites the Deepam controversy in Tamil Nadu and the Babri rhetoric in Bengal is not religion it is about power in the vote bank For several opposition parties selective secularism has become a familiar political crutch By portraying Hindu cultural expression as something that must be constantly regulated explained or restrained they exhibit an outdated narrative where the majority is expected to prove its restraint repeatedly while minority politics is insulated from comparable scrutiny This approach has less to do with protecting harmony and more to do with preserving and boosting vote banksThe Constitution of India does not endorse such asymmetry Article 25 guarantees all citizens the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess practice and propagate religion subject only to public order morality and health It does not rank faiths nor does it authorise the state to selectively interpret harmony based on political useDr BR Ambedkar the principal architect of the Constitution was unambiguous in his understanding of secularism He had cautioned against the misuse of constitutional principles for partisan endsTrue secularism as Ambedkar envisioned was never about suppressing religious expression but about preventing the state from becoming an instrument of religious favour or discrimination And this is exactly what is happening in West Bengal or Tamil NaduA secular state cannot fear a lamp being lit nor can it keep historical disputes alive on political life support It treats all religions with equal respectThose who are vocal on the Deepam issue and silent on the Bengal Babri mosque need to recognise that cultural practices are not conspiracies and that the majority faith need not be curtailed disproportionately for harmony to prevailVoters today are far more alert to double standards than they once were They can distinguish between neutrality and bias between inclusion and appeasement Attempts to selectively moralise faith no longer go unquestioned instead they have started to invite scepticism and resistanceThe Deepam lighting issue in Tamil Nadu and the Babri Masjid episode in Bengal have exposed the hollow core of much of todays secular rhetoric and the electorate is beginning to see through itDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-the-politics-of-selective-secularism-653446.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-strategic-significance-of-transparency-649957.html New Delhi Nov 23 A democratic order is the best form of governance because it promotes transparency that makes it possible to fix accountability Accountability is necessary to run a corruptionfree system that was primarily dependent on right decisions and transparency helped the scrutiny of the decisionmaking process Execution of a decision can be marred by inefficiency neglect or corruption and here also transparency of the processes including adherence to timelines and rules could prove to be of great importance Further performance at any level involved effective supervision the role of supervisors often goes unscrutinised and transparency was required to make it possible to examine this aspect of the organisational functioning too Anticorruption bodies themselves fail to produce deterrence if their performance was not subjected to scrutiny from outsideAn independent highpowered watch body outside of the political executive was necessitated because of the growing perception that there was a politicalbureaucratic nexus as brought out by the Vohra Committee report way back in 1993 The reports of the numerous Administrative Reforms CommissionsARCs on delegation of decision making restricting the number of levels through which a file would pass for reaching the final decision and creation of interdisciplinary teams to address crosscutting issues in a transparent way had not been implemented It goes to the credit of Modi regime that inter ministerial coordination had vastly improved and preceded the placing of any matter before the cabinet according to a timelineThere is an inherent contradiction between confidentiality and transparency and the former has to be practised within rules that gave it legitimacy The RTI Act 2005 deals with this matter and strikes a balance between transparency and confidentiality for the sake of the nation the society and the individual There is a provision in the Act saying that notwithstanding anything in the Official Secrets Act or any of the exemptions permissible in RTI Act a public authority may allow access to information if âpublic interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected interestsâThe 1967 exemptions from disclosures granted by OSA stand in the RTI Act as well since they related to matters pertaining to âsovereignty and integrity of Indiaâ security of the State or friendly relations with other countries Maintenance of secrecy of information requires âSecurity Classificationâ which in turn defines the âRestrictive Securityâ or the âNeed to Knowâ parameters for accessing it It may be mentioned that a job that called for handling of secret information required a certain amount of mental strength and it did not belong to people who were credulous who lacked selfdiscipline or who did not have the ability to distinguish between an authoritative opinion and gossip All of this highlights the strategic significance of transparency in the context of the governance of a democratic stateThis is the era of proxy wars and one way of damaging a target country without recourse to an âopenâ warfare is to attack its economic strength and assets Warren Christopher Bill Clintonâs Secretary of State famously said in 1993 that â National security was inseparable from economic securityâ Pak ISI chose Mumbai for 2611 attack for it is the economic capital of India It follows therefore that any enterprise that gave economic strength to the country must have a set up of professionally trained people to safeguard its security and handle what is termed as âinsider threat managementâThe latter is what brings together the functions of Vigilance and Security because a corrupt employee can fall for the enemyâs designs more easily Both these functions are now to be integrated with the mainline management because the source of âinsider threatâ may be hibernating in any part of the enterprise making it incumbent on Vigilance and Security to have a thorough knowledge of how the organisation was run and how were its operations conducted This validates the principle that Security and Vigilance must derive their authority from the person at the top These functions depend for their success on the ability and outreach of the handlers who were required to convince the senior supervisors of the mainstream that the latter had to act as the âeyes and earsâ for the former in various segments of the enterpriseThe work of Vigilance and Security begins with a look out for members who seemed to be âvulnerableâ to the adversaryâs influence Vulnerability is universally ascribed to ânotable addictionâ âgreedâ and âdisgruntlementâ Security and vigilance staff trained in Intelligence trade craft like surveillance and secret enquiries can check out on such individuals and also counsel them against their âweaknessâ in suitable casesThe increasing importance of these functions is reflected in the new areas where the security executives may be asked to extend their helping hand Back ground checks reverification of antecedents of those who handled âsensitiveâ work and even âdue diligenceâ tasks may come to them They may be required to help in the interviews for recruitment formulation of the organisationâs Doâs and Dontâs and building up of the information security system of the enterpriseThey would give special attention to this last mentioned work in view of the fact that a subverted insider was likely to make an unauthorised communication with an entity outside Above all vigilance and security set up should perform the role of a mentor by organising formal or informal programs to promote the organisational culture of ethics loyalty and honesty of purpose that should drive the execution of tasks assigned to members of the organisationTransparency in governance has emerged as a new challenge facing the people because of the tendency of the political rulers to hide their shortcomings and their reluctance to punish corrupt insiders on one hand and the social media campaign of the opposition to pull down the regime through an âinfluence warâ on the otherThe universal adult franchise of India is an ideal for democracy but the prevalence of caste creed and regional divides in the backdrop of poverty and limited education encouraged recourse to undemocratic means by all parties for winning an election Indian electorate has proved its democratic credentials and retained its trust in nationalism and peace even in a situation of personal economic problems facing themIndia has to specially rely on its youth and its women power for judging the rulers on merit The foreign and domestic policies of the Modi government based on mutually beneficial bilateral relations without India getting aligned with any world power promotion of infrastructure for the benefit of all Indians as well as encouragement of digital connectivity for economic empowerment of youth are the hallmarks of this regime and they have served the democratic state well A conscientious judiciary a strong social media and a constructive opposition are symbols of a transparent and viable democracy and citizens of India can derive satisfaction from the fact that they were all in place in IndiaThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-strategic-significance-of-transparency-649957.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-importance-of-being-well-informed-648870.html New Delhi Nov 16 There is a paradigm shift in what brings success the need to know and know quickly is the key factor dominating professional and personal domains This is because knowledgebased decisionmaking is a prerequisite for progress in any field Instant communication of information across geographical boundaries as soon as any of it comes in public domain makes it important that one has a global mindset for withstanding competition since a competitor could spring up from anywhere in the world Being wellinformed is not a onetime event since as information was always coming inDow Jones News World Wide is as current as 30 seconds âInnocence is a bliss no moreâ and we are in an age where as Frederik the Great said âit is pardonable to be defeated but not to be surprisedâ Information by definition is â an intelligible data or fact that tells you what you did not know beforeâ and obviously in a given context someone else may turn out to be better informed which would give the latter a competitive advantagefor whatever worth it might be Right decisionmaking requires that one has the right information at the right time and that this information made a difference between a âdecisionâ and a âguessâ and hence between success and possible failure Knowledgebased decision making implies that right decisions cannot be attributed to personal âcharismaâ of a leader or his or her âinheritanceâThose who are successful today are also likely to be informationsavvy They share some common characteristics They do not shy away from new information they like to categorise information as they go through it they have curiosity born out of a spirit of inquiry they have a healthy interest in human psychology and behaviour since all business is human activity and since even life is lived through human interactions and finally they prefer an authoritative opinion to gossip Such people have a certain ability to distinguish more useful information from the rest as they consciously or unconsciously follow Paretoâs principle that saidâ there are a significant few among the insignificant manyâThey are proactive about seeking information following the dictum âyou must find information information does not find youâ and tend to presume that information being sought was certainly available They check out on what information was already there within the organisation and then logically proceed to find out where else to look for it pursuing the What Why and Where of it In these times of social media being misused for producing misinformation and deepfakes well informed people liked to fact check or seek corroboration of the information before acting on it They do not get into the habit of collecting information for collection sake and like to swiftly act on information once its quantum was found adequate for decision makingIf information is basic to success then it is necessary to have some idea of how to enhance oneâs knowledge and make it completelooking It is essential to know that knowledge comes in âintegral packagesâ and its components must all be understood well A teacher of children should know not only about the curriculum but should also be well up on child psychology if she wants to be successful An employer engaging men and women should in addition to the knowledge of the business establishment be familiar with legal obligations about providing workplace safety to womenSecondly an organisation should be able to garner the âtacit knowledgeâ that todayâs employees carried with them Appropriately called âknowledge workersâ they should be encouraged to provide a feedback on the job for which a systemic arrangement should be made by the leadership the latter should be aware that ânobody knows everything but everybody knows somethingâ Further orientation programmes should be held to sharpen observation capacity of the members as good observation is a knowledge enhancerAlbert Einsteinâs famous dictum â imagination is more important than knowledgeâ should always be remembered as it referred to the ability to see the big picture behind the facts presented and not to âmiss the wood for the treesâ The 911 Commission in the US was said to have found fault with CIAâs lack of imagination in the context of the available information that the hijackers were interested in getting trained on âtake offâ procedures paying no attention to âtouch downâ part of the exerciseProf Walter Anders of Alabama University writing on The Political Economy of Terrorism held the view that Americans could not understand the phenomenon of âsuicide bombingâ wondering how ârational agents could carefully prepare and execute a plan that called for their own demiseâ Also flawless communications could be proactively used for knowledge enhancement The format for the feedback from the employees should be intelligently prepared keeping the requirement of âclarityâ of communication in viewOn reaching a level of knowledge adequacy there should be a determination of where information collection would stop and decisionmaking would be done Knowledge helps the decisionmaker to transit from a state of uncertainty to a state of certainty In the fast pace of all transactions âtimeâ has emerged as a new âresourceâ comparable to money manpower and equipment because faster delivery brings in competitive advantage Elimination of âtime stealersâ like the gap between a decision and its communication to implementers or the gap between the communicated decision and its execution adds to productivity and hence profitabilityKnowledge of the competitive environment including the strengths and weaknesses of rivals is particularly important for businesses and it spans across political legaleconomic sociocultural and technologyrelated matters Artificial Intelligence AI applications are fast coming into use for introducing costeffectiveness through automation and improving corporate governance on the wholeIt is becoming clear that an early insight into the needs environmental forces and trends that others had not noticed is what puts an organisation in the lead Reliable information that helps to know âwhat lies aheadâ indicating the risks and opportunities that were there is called Intelligence Crucial business decisions often require Intelligence not open information available to everyone else It can be seen that âall Intelligence is information but all information is not Intelligenceâ Leading business houses have an Intelligence Analysis division under the name of âStrategic Planningâ or âMarket Analysisâ to churn out Intelligence through analysis of information AIbased Data Analytics was aiding that process âKnowledge Workersâ are becoming âIntelligence Innovatorsâ who were using AI Agents for developing new lines of businesses enhancing customer outreach and improving inventory and supply chain managementSince Intelligence is âexclusiveâ information available only to the owning organisation it is to be handled on a note of confidentiality to preserve the competitive edge This has made the âinformation securityâ realm increasingly important for the Corporate world There is a convergence of the functions of Vigilance and Security in so far as âinsider threat managementâ was concerned as this was based on the presumption that a corrupt employee was also vulnerable to the machinations of the adversary Moreover at a conceptual level these functions were now being considered as a part of the organisational mainstream not a standalone duty as was the case earlier The Chief Vigilance cum Security Officer had to have knowledge of the processes functional divisions and personnel of the organisation to perform his or her tasks and this put the individual among the bestinformed members in regard to the corporate body concernedThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-importance-of-being-well-informed-648870.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-rahul-gandhis-gen-z-gamble-but-is-it-listening-647717.html New Delhi Nov 9 It is interesting to observe how Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is attempting to woo Gen Z towards his perspective on India the current Central government and the broader social climate Almost all his public rallies and massconnect events seem designed to stir the imagination of a generation that has grown up with access to the Internet smartphones and social media Gandhi has drawn inspiration from Gen Z uprisings in Nepal and a few other countries He seems to believe that this large group of young people can be fed with sustained information interspersed with dramatic data and visuals and can be influenced and mobilised towards a particular ideaHe may not be wrong in that belief The recent events in Nepal although they led to largescale destruction were indeed driven by young people who organised rapidly through online networksGen Z is known for its ability to mobilise people en masse around issues that affect their basic comforts and freedoms much like what was seen in Nepal Outraged by the governments ban on social media young people in Kathmandu took to the streetsWhat followed was a period of intense violence after security forces opened fire on the protesters The initial anger over the social media ban soon evolved into a broader movement targeting the government and ruling parties The protesters torched government buildings including the Parliament and courts attacked politicians and officials and ultimately on September 9 ousted the sitting governmentRahul Gandhi now seems eager to channel that same Gen Z energy in India to rally young people to rise and challenge the existing government Gen Z has demonstrated its power in about seven countries and in several others it has taken to the streets to voice its dissent The Nepal protests in September followed a similar youthled agitation nearly a year earlier in Bangladesh which eventually dislodged Prime Minister Sheikh HasinaIt seems that Gandhis advisors believe Indias Gen Z could similarly be galvanised This may explain why Rahul Gandhi has been directly addressing them on key issues most prominently his claim of vote theft aimed at discrediting the Modiled governmentHe first invoked Gen Z soon after Nepals violent unrest On X he wrote The youth of the country the students of the country the Gen Z of the country will save the Constitution protect democracy and stop vote theft I always stand with themIt was a carefully worded message that emphasised the Constitution democracy and voting rights values that deeply resonate with Gen Z They are known to be vocal about freedom rights and fairness So when Rahul Gandhi speaks of democracy being in peril and elections being manipulated its a message likely designed to catch their attentionHis focus on Gen Z became even more explicit on November 5 during a press conference at the Congress national headquarters a day before the first phase of polling in the Bihar elections In his opening remarks he addressed young voters directly I want Gen Z to take this seriously because your future is being taken away from you You are the ones being stolen fromThe presentation centred on his allegations of rigging by the Election Commission and the BJP in the Haryana Assembly elections He concluded by saying Indias Gen Z and youth have the power to restore our democracy with satya and ahimsa truth and nonviolenceSuch statements make it clear that the developments in neighbouring countries Sri Lanka Bangladesh and Nepal have become sources of inspiration for Rahul Gandhi and his team The sheer organisational power of the young networked spontaneous and emotionally charged is something every politician would envy And Rahul Gandhi seems eager to replicate that energy in IndiaBehind the idealism there is a clear political calculation Gandhis vote theft narrative his accusation that elections under the Modi government are being manipulated isnt just about questioning institutions Its a carefully chosen hook aimed at a generation that grew up believing in fairness transparency and the right to have a voice If democracy is being stolen as he says then Gen Z becomes both the victim and the saviour in his political scriptBut will it work Thats the harder questionLike their global peers Indias Gen Z is a hyperconnected generation They are techsavvy mobilefirst and use online platforms for learning shopping and socialising They are trendfocused rather than brandloyal and are heavily influenced by digital creators They are adept at spaving spending smartly by seeking discounts rewards and deals They value flexible work good pay and travel opportunities Most importantly they live in the present often prioritising shortterm experiences over longterm planningSo far Gandhis outreach hasnt produced a visible ripple The rallies are getting louder the social media content more tailored but the streets remain calm The Gen Z audience is watching scrolling and maybe even agreeing in parts but not mobilisingYet Gandhis persistence is notable His campaign for the Bihar elections was filled with Gen Z references digital cues and a tone designed to sound conversational rather than confrontational Hes clearly betting on longterm emotional investment rather than shortterm electoral gainThe real test will come on November 14 when Bihars results are declared For the NDA it will be a test of governance For the Mahagathbandhan a test of alliance arithmetic But for Rahul Gandhi it will be something more symbolic a verdict on whether Indias Gen Z is willing to buy into his promise of saving democracyRight now they seem intrigued but unconvincedDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-rahul-gandhis-gen-z-gamble-but-is-it-listening-647717.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/a-company-in-crisis-parliamentary-scrutiny-of-east-india-companys-finances-647750.html New Delhi Nov 9 In the years leading up to the renewal of its charter in 1813 the East India Companys financial conduct became a subject of intense and often contentious debate within the House of Commons Members of Parliament scrutinised the Companys balance sheets questioned its methods of raising money and challenged the very legality of its dividend payments The debates reveal a deepseated anxiety about the Companys solvency its relationship with the state and the complex entanglement of its commercial operations with its role as a territorial sovereign The core of the controversy revolved around three interconnected issues the payment of dividends in the absence of clear profits the escalating burden of debt and the opaque relationship between commercial enterprise and the costs of empireThe Dividend Controversy Profits Legality and BorrowingA central and recurring accusation against the Companys directors was that they were paying dividends to proprietors in direct violation of the acts of Parliament Parliamentarian Mr Creevey a prominent critic repeatedly brought this issue to the floor asserting that the foundational laws establishing the Company such as the acts of William III and Queen Anne expressly forbade the payment of dividends except from net profits He argued that the Company had no such profits and was in fact fifteen millions worse than nothingAccording to Mr Creevey and his supporters the Company had resorted to old devices and when these failed had borrowed 15 million from the government under the guise of funding its trade but had used the money to pay a dividend of 630000 Lord Folkestone reinforced this charge stating that the Companys own documents showed a deficiency of over seven million pounds after accounting for its capital stock making the payment of dividends out of net proceeds an impossibilityLord A Hamilton expressed pointed surprise that the directors could find no profits to pay the public as stipulated by law yet seemed to have quite enough to pay themselvesThe Companys defenders mounted a robust counterargument branding these accusations as unfair and unfounded both in the law and the fact Their defence rested on a crucial distinction between the Companys dual roles as a commercial entity and a territorial sovereign Mr Adam counsel for the Company insisted that under the Act of 1793 the directors conduct was perfectly correct in point of law He articulated what he called the grand fundamental principle that the Government of India was conducted by a commercial company and it was the right and duty of that commercial company to have their dividends paid out of the profits of their commerceSupporters like Mr Grant argued that critics made the mistake of treating the Company like a private merchant failing to account for its vast assets He contended that the whole territorial property of the company together with the assets and other property should be offset against its debtsFurthermore he claimed the Companys prospective resources were improving not worsening Others argued that territorial expenses naturally absorbed a portion of commercial profits but the Company was still bound to pay its dividend which in turn benefited the public service This defence however did not satisfy critics who saw the separation of accounts as a convenient fiction to mask overall insolvency and circumvent parliamentary statuteDebt Revenue and the Cost of EmpireBeyond the dividend issue Parliament grappled with the Companys everincreasing debt The East India Companys Bonds Bill sought to grant the Company authority to raise a further 2 million on its own credit This proposal was met with immediate opposition Critics highlighted the paradox that while the Companys revenue had soared from seven million to 15 million pounds it no longer had a surplus and its bond debt continued to grow They demanded a clear and intelligible statement of the Companys affairs before agreeing to such a measure with Mr Creevey pledging to prove that the company was six millions worse than nothingIn response Mr R Dundas President of the Board of Control argued that the bill was not designed to increase the Companys overall debt but was merely a transfer of debt from India to England This was presented as a prudent financial move to pay off creditors in India to whom the Company was paying interest rates of eight to ten per cent by borrowing in England at a rate of only five per cent He further defended the Companys financial state by pointing to several positive developments A recent surplus of 300000 to 400000 where a deficit had been estimated A reduction in the interest on the Indian debt from 810 per cent down to 6 per cent achieved under the management of Lord Minto which would create an annual saving of 500000 The fact that establishments in India had not been reduced due to ongoing military expeditions and disturbances the expenses of which fell largely upon the CompanyHowever some members like Sir H Montgomery were unconvinced attributing the Companys financial distress to its own extravagance in speculations of trade and their wasteful mode of raising money He warned that the directors would have to provide for 12 million pounds in bills within the yearThe Burden on the British PublicThe financial debates reached a climax when the broader relationship between the Company and the British state was examined Mr Creevey argued that ever since its transformation from a trading body to a territorial sovereign in 1765 the Company had become a constant burden and grievance to the nation He pointed to the agreement of 1793 which he portrayed as a complete failure for the public The key stipulations of that act had been ignored The Company was meant to pay 500000 annually to the public but had done so only once in 19 years Instead the public had been required to loan the Company 15 million The external debt in India which was supposed to be reduced from eight to two million had instead swelled to 30 million The bond debt had risen from two to seven million pounds A guarantee fund of 12 million intended to secure the Companys capital stock had not seen a single farthing contributed to itAnother longtime avid supporter of the company Mr Charles Grant defending the Company claimed that the 500000 annual payment had been more than covered by the various disbursements they had made on behalf of government This argument however only underscored the critics point the Companys finances were inextricably linked with and often subsidised by the state despite its charter obligations to the contraryThe financial conduct of the East India Company as revealed in these parliamentary records was marked by a fundamental conflict between its commercial mandate and its imperial responsibilities While its defenders argued for the legality and prudence of its actions within a complex and unprecedented structure its critics saw a mismanaged entity failing in its obligations and surviving only through creative accounting and the financial support of the British public These debates ultimately shaped the environment in which the Companys charter was renewed setting the stage for greater state control and the eventual erosion of its commercial monopolyConclusionThis parliamentary scrutiny served as the definitive public examination of the East India Companys structural contradictions The debate far exceeding a simple audit was a confrontation between the realities of costly imperial governance and the stringent constraints of commercial law The Companys inability to reconcile the soaring expenses of its territorial sovereignty with the statutory requirement to pay dividends solely from net profits exposed the inherent legal fictions and financial instability at the heart of its hybrid natureWhile defenders correctly cited the vastness of the Companys assets and the expenses it undertook on behalf of the Crown critics like Mr Creevey successfully demonstrated that the foundational promise of the 1793 Acta lucrative partnership for the British publichad failed replaced instead by persistent financial dependency The necessity of parliamentary intervention to permit further borrowing proved the critics point the Company was solvent only by grace of the British stateUltimately this intense scrutiny provided the political and legal rationale for the state to intervene more decisively The parliamentary inquiries of 1812 and 1813 did not lead to the Companys immediate dissolution but they served as a final judgment on its autonomy By exposing the financial entanglement and the scale of its debt the debates paved the way for the greater assertion of parliamentary control in the 1813 Charter Act setting the precedent for the eventual dismantling of the Companys commercial monopoly and the slow inevitable transition from Company rule to direct Crown administrationThe author is a researcher specialising in Indian History and contemporary geopolitical affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/a-company-in-crisis-parliamentary-scrutiny-of-east-india-companys-finances-647750.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/balochistans-struggle-is-human-rights-crisis-that-demands-worlds-attention-646724.html Quetta Nov 4 Balochistans struggle is not a fringe conflict it is a human rights crisis that demands attention The forced labour the disappearances the land seizures these are crimes against people who have asked for nothing more than control over their own lives and resources Several analysts reckon that the Pakistani military and government must be held accountable for what they have done to Balochistan For decades the Baloch have been told to be patient to wait for development to trust the State But patience cannot grow where injustice is the only harvest In 2025 Balochistan stands as a stark reminder of how power when unchecked becomes predation The world must choose to listen not to the Generals and politicians who speak of unity but to the mothers workers and students who speak of freedom Balochistan is not asking for privilege it is demanding humanity the experts highlightThe land where mountains meet the sea deserves more than military parades and hollow promises It deserves justice It deserves freedom from forced labour from land theft from the iron hand of an army that claims to protect but only oppresses The story of Balochistan in 2025 is the story of resilience against tyranny people standing tall even as the State tries to break their back One day perhaps Balochistan will no longer be the land where anything is possible for its oppressors It will instead be the land where freedom dignity and justice are finally possible for its peoplePakistan has done all kinds of oppression in Balochistan They seize land of the people and drive people to forced labour What began decades ago as marginalisation has transformed into a fullscale assault on the dignity and autonomy of an entire people In 2025 the scars of Balochistans exploitation are deeper than ever Behind the curtain of national security and development the Pakistan military has entrenched its power through fear coercion and the systematic dismantling of Baloch societyAcross the rugged mountains and deserts of Balochistan the story is tragically familiar Villages emptied overnight under the shadow of military convoys Families forced to abandon ancestral lands that generations had cultivated Men rounded up and compelled to work without pay on projects linked to army infrastructure roads and bases Women left behind watching their homes turned into outposts and checkpoints This is not just occupation by force of arms it is occupation of life itself The people of Balochistan have lived for decades under what can only be described as a slow grinding war against their existenceThe Pakistan military in the name of counterinsurgency and maintaining order has created an environment where dissent is crushed where journalists disappear and where the silence of the mountains is broken only by the sounds of helicopters and gunfire In 2025 reports from the ground reveal that entire communities in districts such as Kech Panjgur and Khuzdar have been subjected to forced relocations Farmlands are fenced off seized under the pretext of security zones and then repurposed for military or government use The same land that fed generations is now out of reach for those who tilled itThe forced labour system imposed by the Pakistan military in various parts of Balochistan is a form of modern slavery dressed up in patriotic rhetoric Local men are ordered to construct roads carry supplies and dig trenches for military bases They are not paid fairly often not paid at all and refusal brings punishment In areas around Gwadar for instance fishermen have been pushed into menial labour for military and Chinesebacked projects after being barred from their own fishing zones Their boats are seized their movement restricted their livelihoods destroyed The military calls it development the Baloch call it survival under chainsThe year 2025 has seen an escalation in such practices partly driven by the militarys increasing economic control in the province Balochistan is rich in resources natural gas coal copper gold and deepsea ports yet it remains the poorest region in Pakistan The armys corporate arms and allied companies have carved out concessions over mines land and infrastructure projects while the indigenous people see none of the benefits Billions flow through Balochistan but barely a drop reaches its peopleThe irony is bitter a province that fuels Pakistans industries is itself left in darkness with children walking miles for water and schools without roofs The Pakistani government complicit and silent plays its part in the oppression by dressing exploitation as progress Every promise of integration and development becomes another mechanism of control Laws meant to regulate the province are wielded as weapons to confiscate land Antiterror legislation is used not to combat extremism but to silence activists students and intellectuals who dare to speak of freedomThe state media paints them as traitors the military brands them as insurgents and their voices vanish into the black hole of enforced disappearance Forced disappearances remain the most chilling signature of Pakistans rule over Balochistan Thousands of Baloch men and boys have vanished over the years abducted from their homes workplaces or checkpoints Their families search endlessly their photos held up at protests that the state calls unpatriotic In 2025 the number of missing continues to rise despite repeated pleas for justice Mothers march under the scorching sun carrying portraits of sons who may never returnThis culture of disappearance has become an instrument of terror one that ensures silence compliance and despair The pattern is unmistakable The Pakistan military does not just dominate Balochistan it extracts from it Every mine every port every socalled development zone is secured through coercion and maintained by intimidation People are forced to work for the very institutions that occupy their lands The militarys projects in Gwadar Lasbela and Turbat rely heavily on local labour but this labour is neither voluntary nor fairly compensatedIn many cases families report being threatened with detention or the loss of their homes if they refuse to work This is forced labour institutionalized under the banner of nationalism In rural areas especially around Khuzdar and Awaran soldiers have been accused of forcing locals to assist in building camps and transport logistics during operations Villages are cut off communication networks jammed and movement restricted People live under constant surveillance and fear It is the kind of oppression that erodes the human spirit slow methodical and devastatingBalochistans tragedy is compounded by the deliberate destruction of its culture and identity The Pakistan state has systematically tried to erase the Baloch language and heritage from education and administration Local teachers who insist on teaching Balochi or Brahui face harassment or dismissal Textbooks portray Baloch resistance as rebellion never as struggle for justice Universities are watched student leaders are monitored some abducted some found dead in remote valleysIn 2025 student movements across Quetta and Turbat have been met with raids arrests and curfews The youth who demand books instead of bullets are treated as enemies of the state Yet despite this suffocating repression the Baloch spirit endures Across the province people continue to resist sometimes through protests sometimes through art sometimes simply by refusing to be silent Women have become the conscience of this struggle Mothers of the disappeared march from Quetta to Karachi holding pictures of their sons and chanting for justiceThe Pakistan government and military present Balochistan as an ungrateful province one that must be pacified and tamed But it is not ingratitude it is the cry of a people who refuse to be stripped of their dignity The Baloch do not reject progress they reject progress built on their suffering They do not reject Pakistan out of hatred they reject oppression out of love for their landWhat the Pakistani State refuses to understand is that peace cannot be imposed at gunpoint and loyalty cannot be extracted through labour camps and disappearances The forced labour and land seizures of 2025 are not isolated incidents They are part of a long continuum of state policy one that began with the annexation of Balochistan in 1948 and has evolved into a militarydriven colonial project The faces change the slogans change but the machinery of control remains the same Every new government promises reform every general promises peace Yet the boots remain on the ground the land remains occupied and the people remain chained It is time for the world to look beyond Islamabads rhetoric IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/balochistans-struggle-is-human-rights-crisis-that-demands-worlds-attention-646724.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html New Delhi Oct 26 India remains on the forefront of the drive to ensure that Artificial Intelligence AI was transparent oriented to public good and governed by international regulations As the Lead Chair of the Global Partnership on AI GPAI India organised the Global India AI Summit in Delhi in July 2024 which focused on key pillars of AI ecosystem including Computer Capacity Data Sets Application Development Start Up Financing and Safe and Trustworthy AI India will now host the AI Impact Summit in Delhi in February next year where the theme will be the harnessing of AI for addressing realworld challenges such as health care education agriculture climate change and governance Prime Minister Modi has taken a personal interest in promoting advancement of AI he had foreseen the transformative role of AI for humanity He has already earned the credit for putting India on the world map of digitisationMeanwhile India has moved ahead with measures to fight misuse of AI on social media for producing deepfakes videos with synthetic voices and manipulated images and tightened IT Rules 2021 in this regard On October 21 the Centre released amendments to the Rules and invited public feedback on the same within a fortnight This is a timely step considering the fact that a perceived unfair government control on social media was known to have evoked strong protests from youth in many areas in Indias neighbourhoodThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY in its official notice said that with the increasing availability of generative AI tools and the resulting proliferation of synthetically generated informationcommonly known as deepfakes the potential for misuse of such technologies to cause user harm spread misinformation manipulate elections or impersonate individuals has grown significantly and added that it is on recognising these risks and following extensive public discussions and parliamentary discussions that MeitY had drawn up the amendmentsThe framework of amended rules enjoins on the companies offering AI generation tools to embed permanent visible watermarks or metadata identifiers on all synthetic content prescribing coverage of at least 10 percent of the display area of images and videos Likewise audio content must carry identifiers during the first 10 percent of playback duration The amendments formally set out to define for the first time a synthetically generated information as content artificially or algorithmically created generated modified or altered using a computer resource in a manner that makes it appear as authentic or trueSignificant social media intermediaries large platforms designated under the IT Rules will be prohibited from enabling users to suppress or remove the identifiers making it harder to disguise the origin of AI generated material The platform is obligated to ask the users to declare whether uploaded content is synthetically generated before publication and deploy automated detection systems to verify such declarations The rules of course apply only to publically available content and not to private or unpublished materialIn a further move the government has brought all digital services that use mobile numbersfrom WhatsApp and payment apps to food delivery platformsunder telecom cybersecurity regulations and empowered the concerned authorities to order suspension of user accounts across multiple services The TelecommunicationsTelecom Cyber Security Amendment Rules notified on October 22 establish a governmentrun mobile number verificationMNV system and mandate database checks before buying or selling used phonesThey are meant to deal with the cybercrime surge based on stolen or forged mobile connections MNV platformthe centrepiece of the new rules will verify whether phone numbers provided by users corresponded to legitimate telecom subscribersThe government seeks to bring AIgenerated material under the same due diligence and takedown obligations that currently apply to unlawful online information MeitY says the rules aimed at promoting user awareness enhancing traceability and ensuring accountability while maintaining an enabling environment for innovation in AIdriven technologies A new provision clarifies that platforms removing synthetic content through grievance redressal mechanisms will retain their legal protection from liability over such contentThe government has introduced new procedural safeguards into the content takedown rules restricting the power to senior officers The rules limit content removal powers to officials at Joint Secretary rank and above and Deputy Inspector General or higher in Police Previously even junior officials sometimes of rank as low as Section Officer could send removal notifications Further all notifications must now include specific legal basis statutory provisions and detailed reasoning A Secretarylevel officer will review all orders on a monthly basis to ensure necessity and proportionality It maybe mentioned that Social Media Platform X had recently challenged the government arguing that thousands of officials were allowed to issue arbitrary orders without judicial oversightThe tightening of rules for online content removal is prima facie a good move as it compels serious application of mind at a senior level before sending an order to the intermediary The order will have to define the legal basis and statutory provision being invoked the nature of the unlawful act and the electronic location of the content India has taken this initiative at a time when potential misuse of AI is attracting attention worldwide The European Unions AI Act to come into effect in 2026 mandates labelling for synthetic audioimage video or text content Chinas labelling measures which came into force recently were even more detailed and strict The Indian approach is to address concerns of misinformation false political narratives and deepfakes without discouraging innovation and creative expressionA balance between regulatory penalties under the IT Act and the safe harbour provisions for intermediaries has been attempted by MeitY and this is a welcome step India leads the world in adoption of AI applications and MeitY has taken a timely initiative to help the AI based economic advancement of the country The new rules for strengthening telecom cyber security have also come not a day too soon as they ensure compliance with data protection laws and thus check the widespread malady of data theftThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-emerging-importance-of-the-pak-afghan-belt-643871.html New Delhi Oct 19 Afghanistan once described as the geographical pivot of history is once again living up to that reputation as signs of the return of the Cold War could be seen on the Afghan horizon In the rivalry between the British and Russian empires in the 19th century called the Great Game Afghanistan was the key to Central Asia and was eventually looked upon as a buffer between the two competing powersThe emergence of the Kabul Emirate in 2021 has again created a situation where the Afghan regime was being cultivated by China and Russia while US President Donald Trump had sought Pakistans collaboration in establishing a deepwater American Naval Base at the Port of Pasni on the Arabian SeaThe US move is meant to counter the impact of Gwadar Port on the coast of Baluchistan near the Persian Gulf which had come up as an extension of the Chinesemanaged ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC India has to watch out for developments in the PakistanAfghanistan region which was a breeding ground of Jehad based violence primarily exploited by Pakistan for crossborder terrorism against India The manoeuvrings of Pakistan to remain in the good books of the US China and Russia all at the same time also deserved to be taken note ofThe recent political history of Afghanistan will help to clarify what India could or could not expect from this country of a checkered pastAfghanistan had the distinction of having compelled the Army of the two Superpowers first the Soviet Union and then the US to withdraw from its territory and in both cases this was achieved through an asymmetric war of attritionFollowing the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979 the militant opposition to the invasion was first internal coming from the Islamic terror groups controlled by Pakistan ISI primarily Hizbul Mujahideen HuM the storm troopers of the JamaateIslami Pakistan but was soon joined in by MI6 and CIA as Pakistan was known to be an ally of the USled WestThe antiSoviet armed campaign in Afghanistan was run on the war cry of Jehad and was fully supported by the USHowever the internal resistance could not wear down Soviet troops effectively enough compelling Benazir Bhutto Prime Minister of Pakistan to send the Taliban to Afghanistan in 1993 to clear the mess thereTaliban were a radical Islamic force comprising the products of Deobandi Madrasas in Pakistan that followed the extremist form of Islam and carried the legacy of the Wahhabi revolt of the 19th century against the British encroachment on Muslim landsThe leading Ulema of the times including Al Tijani in Algeria Abdul Wahab in Arabia and Shah Waliullah in India had all given a call for Jehad against the West attributing the political decline of Islam to the alleged deviation of the rulers from the path of puritanical religionRadical Islamic Terrorism thus goes with Islamic Revivalism The Jehad whose epicentre was in the then North West Frontier Province NWFP lasted many years but failed against the superior British powerHowever it left the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Afghanistan belt radicalised and the effect of that can be seen even todayIn both KP and Baluchistan there is a lot of unrest against the ruling dispensation of Pakistan because of the proUS character of the Pakistani armyComing back to the Taliban they swiftly took control of Kabul with their ruthless drive and with Pakistans backing established the Emirate in Afghanistan in 1996The TalibanAl Qaeda regime however soon bared its fangs against the US and allowed Osama bin Laden a free hand Osama was a close relative of Mulla Umar the EmirReportedly Afghan territory was also used in the planning of the 911 terror attack that resulted in the USled war on terror in Afghanistan and the ouster of the Taliban Emirate in late 2001The stationing of the American troops in Afghanistan later faced a simmering opposition from the Taliban and became a political burden for the US Pakistan mediated in the talks of Taliban with US at Doha the capital of Qatar a US ally in the Biden administration and in 2021 the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan permitting the return of the Kabul EmirateAn uncertain relationship has since continued between the US and Taliban because the latter cannot shed its extremist and radical character Meanwhile the SinoPak strategic alliance allowed a give and take arrangement between China and the Taliban by which China extended its Belt and Road Initiative BRI to Afghanistan as economic assistance and the Taliban agreed not to raise issues of Muslim minorities in China particularly in Uzbekistan next doorFor reasons of its high stakes in the Central Asian Republics Russia is also standing by the side of China The Moscow Format Consultations sponsored by Russia in 2017 is a regional diplomatic platform for facilitating dialogue among Afghanistans neighbours and other stakeholders It has become more active ever since Donald Trump spoke about taking over Bagram air base in Afghanistan which had been the command centre of US military operations in the war on terrorAt the recent Moscow Format Consultants meeting held in the Russian capital on October 7 which was attended by both India and Pakistan and where Afghanistan was present as a member for the first time the idea of any foreign military presence in Afghanistan was firmly opposedThe US under President Trump is trying to reestablish its presence in Afghanistan particularly in the wake of the developments in the Middle East where the military confrontation between Iran and Israel led to China and Russia taking sides with Iran because of their political opposition to the US and Iran moving to take Hamas in its embrace adding to the threat to IsraelShia fundamentalism is opposed to Western Capitalism and Hamas a Sunni radical Islamic force also considers the US as its prime enemyThe turbulent Middle East was already pushing geopolitics towards a new Cold War and President Trumpkeen to project himself as the peacemaker of the world had initiated a plan to bring about a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel as a prelude to peace negotiations between the twoTrump had already claimed repeatedly that he had got the ceasefire enforced after a military confrontation broke out between India and Pakistan both nuclear states following the terror attack at PahalgamIndias stand has been that it accepted a request for a ceasefire made directly by the DGMO of Pakistan India has rightly supported the Gaza initiative of the US President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed this This is in keeping with Indias policy of favouring peace talks for resolving military conflicts with global repercussions such as the UkraineRussia war and upholding the cause of humanity that had been put in jeopardy in GazaIndia cannot relax its vigil against Pakistan which was playing a clever game between the US and China to keep up its terror offensive against India Indias strategy of seeking bilateral friendships with all for preserving its security and economic interestswithout aligning with any world power seemed to be working wellIndia is a major power by itself and it has justification for treating the world as a multipolar order and pursuing the path of peace and humanity on a note of strategic autonomyIndia has identified the hostile SinoPak alliance as something that came right on top of its national security agenda particularly after seeing the military collaboration of China with Pakistan in the IndoPak confrontation that followed PahalgamIndia should be prepared to deal with any coordinated attempt from these two hostile neighbours to launch an offensive in future as well India has to step up its diplomatic and geopolitical moves to counter these adversaries on the border at a time when they were engaged in fostering an antiIndia environment in the countries around IndiaThe strategy of remaining active in both BRICS and Quad and supporting Moscow Formation Consultations serves this objective in the long termThe outreach to the Taliban government resulting in the first visit to India by its Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on October 10 is also in line with the Indian strategy of denying Pakistan a hold in Afghanistan Muttaqi was treated with full diplomatic honours even though India had not given recognition to the Taliban regime as yet and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with himThe visiting dignitary reiterated that the Afghan soil would not be allowed to be used for any militant activity against another country this would act as a check on Pakistans game of inducting Islamic radicals in the crossborder terror operations against India India upholds the sovereignty of Afghanistan against Pakistans violations of the PakAfghan borderMuttaqi made the anticipated visit to Darul Uloom Deoband the alma mater of the puritanical philosophy of Islam established in 1867 after the failure of the Wahhabi revoltThe radical character of the Taliban Emirate does provide scope to Pakistan to strike faithbased cords with it but due to the antiUS orientation of the Kabul regime the latter did not approve of Pakistans moves to draw close to the PentagonThe hostility of TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP against the Pak regime can be seen against this backdrop Be that as it may India has the ongoing challenge of countering Pakistan on Afghan territory as wellThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-emerging-importance-of-the-pak-afghan-belt-643871.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 10:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-redefining-the-foundations-of-leadership-642653.html New Delhi Oct 12 Of all the requisites for a leader that have been written about five stand out as the unmistakable qualities that define the success of leadership in the new era of knowledge to which we belong Since all business is human activity a leaders understanding of human nature and psychology and his or her interest in human interactions came right on top of the virtues of leadership The head of an enterprise cannot be an alooflooking individual sitting on top of a vertical hierarchy as the responsibilities cast on such a person range from monitoring the output of individual employees to setting the ethical framework for the organisation Since the performance of the corporate body is now largely the sum total of the work produced by teams handling crucial functions a successful CEO today had to take responsibility also for constituting the right teams and providing them the right work environment to enable them to put out their bestThe top man should define the parameters of the bosssubordinate relationship down the line lay down the norms of interpersonal behaviour amongst the members and define an objective system for judging the performance of employees that did not allow any confusion about creditsharingThe second most important requisite of leadership is his or her resolve to keep oneself well informed about the goings on within the organisation and about developments of relevance happening outside There should be no reluctance to face information a good leader is proactive about seeking information for he or she remembers that information does not reach you you have to reach informationA chief of the corporate body today knows what new responsibilities have been created for the CIO and the HRD head by AI applications and has the ability to guide these applications CIOs in particular are now leading the charge in transforming scattered digital tools into connected intelligent work systems The top leader should be curious to know how the customer outreach could be spread and new service operations created in that particular line of businessArtificial Intelligence AI has made costeffectiveness an important means of enhancing profitability through an organisational reset of deployment procedures and training programmesIn the Age of Knowledge competitiveness has touched new heights because even if you were wellinformed the competitors might also have the same knowledge as you have for the reason that information today was shared universally as soon as it was created What can give you a lead over others is that you have exclusive information called Intelligence that gives you an idea of what lies aheadArtificial Intelligence AI had the potential of helping to make a futuristic reading based on Data Analytics or Machine Learning and produce predictive readings that belonged to you only AI no doubt is governed by the inputoutput principle but the business owner can use it in an innovative way for generating gainful knowledge such as ascertaining the modus operandi of the rival the latter was likely to repeat that Intelligence indicates the opportunities or risks on the horizon and helps the organisational leadership in deciding how to move forward on a note of advantageA leader today has to be not only wellinformed but also intelligenceoriented Knowledgebased decisionmaking is the hallmark of good leadership and if action is based on intelligence it would be failsafe in most situations A leader should not presume that the ability to make decisions comes from personal charisma or inheritanceThe third basic plank of leadership is that the leader should be able to justify the faith reposed in him or her by the followers This will in turn depend on the characterimage and conduct of the leader A leader has to be trustworthy accessible impartial largehearted and transparent in terms of not letting a gap develop between his words and deeds In a nutshell the leader must have the power of authenticity from which he or she draws strength A test of this is the authority that the leaders words commanded particularly in times of collective adversity or a moment of crisis the organisation the nation and the world at large facedAn act of unexplained favouritism a flaw of morality or the revelation of vested interest could damage the image of a leader irretrievably The gains of leadership lie in material mental and spiritual planes and a leader had to show an equanimity towards physical comforts courage rooted in the strength of nerves and commitment to a declared valuesystem to enjoy them A leader must be democraticsounding but must keep the decisionmaking power to oneself and should have the communication ability to convince the followers that their interests were safe with him or her Leadership in any sphere demands clarity of expression and a convincing presentation of his or her point of view Power of communication is an inseparable part of the aforesaid power of authenticityAnother hallmark of leadership is the personal and organisational legacy the leader leaves behind for the successors This stands out precisely because it does not happen ordinarily The Indian concept of a leader being paternal and nurtural towards those who worked for him helped to promote this legacyIn the Western value system the bosssubordinate relationship is about giving orders and seeking compliance it leaves little scope for the exercise of emotional intelligence which would allow the boss to have some idea of how the subordinate was doing on the family front and outside the work place generallyEmotional Quotient EQ is a measure of Emotional Intelligence and it enables a leader to be accommodating if the employee could not meet the deadline or showed an abnormal response probably because something on the family front was disturbing him The relationship between a senior and the junior should not become too impersonal and aridOn the other hand it is also likelyand this might be part of Western orientation that the employee may not like the boss to take any interest in the formers personal life A judicious leader knows what would work with the individual members of the team The essence of a nurtural style of leadership is in exercising the right to task a worker but conveying the impression that the top man was accessible in case a situation arose in the corporate body that needed his or her guidance Also a successful leader today is tested not only by his capacity to take decisions but also by his ability to make a course correction should that become inevitableThe final bid for the call of leadership is the leaders innate mix of power of imagination freedom from fear of failure and belief in the collective wisdom of the people being led This mix is a variable in itself determining the degree of success a leader would be able to showAlbert Einsteins dictum that imagination is more important than knowledge refers to the capacity granted only to a human mind not to the machine to see beyond the facts or data in front and perceive what lay ahead not missing the wood for the trees An Intelligence organisation is a typical example of a collective body in which the individual operators are not deterred by fear of failure because of their confidence that they knew their job and would spare no effort to fulfil it Not all leaders are able to pass that sense of confidence down the lineFurther an organisation represents the diversity of its members and its leadership would do well to tap the endowment of wisdom of its members particularly in a trying situation Wisdom does not rest on rank affluence and gender and good business organisations depend as much on an evaluation of external environment as on a sound system of internal feedback relating to various points of strategy under examinationThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-redefining-the-foundations-of-leadership-642653.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-redefining-foundations-of-leadership-642654.html New Delhi Oct 12 Of all the requisites for a leader that have been written about five stand out as the unmistakable qualities that define the success of leadership in the new era of knowledge to which we belong Since all business is human activity a leaders understanding of human nature and psychology and his or her interest in human interactions came right on top of the virtues of leadership The head of an enterprise cannot be an alooflooking individual sitting on top of a vertical hierarchy as the responsibilities cast on such a person range from monitoring the output of individual employees to setting the ethical framework for the organisation Since the performance of the corporate body is now largely the sum total of the work produced by teams handling crucial functions a successful CEO today had to take responsibility also for constituting the right teams and providing them the right work environment to enable them to put out their bestThe top man should define the parameters of the bosssubordinate relationship down the line lay down the norms of interpersonal behaviour amongst the members and define an objective system for judging the performance of employees that did not allow any confusion about creditsharingThe second most important requisite of leadership is his or her resolve to keep oneself well informed about the goings on within the organisation and about developments of relevance happening outside There should be no reluctance to face information a good leader is proactive about seeking information for he or she remembers that information does not reach you you have to reach informationA chief of the corporate body today knows what new responsibilities have been created for the CIO and the HRD head by AI applications and has the ability to guide these applications CIOs in particular are now leading the charge in transforming scattered digital tools into connected intelligent work systems The top leader should be curious to know how the customer outreach could be spread and new service operations created in that particular line of businessArtificial Intelligence AI has made costeffectiveness an important means of enhancing profitability through an organisational reset of deployment procedures and training programmesIn the Age of Knowledge competitiveness has touched new heights because even if you were wellinformed the competitors might also have the same knowledge as you have for the reason that information today was shared universally as soon as it was created What can give you a lead over others is that you have exclusive information called Intelligence that gives you an idea of what lies aheadArtificial Intelligence AI had the potential of helping to make a futuristic reading based on Data Analytics or Machine Learning and produce predictive readings that belonged to you only AI no doubt is governed by the inputoutput principle but the business owner can use it in an innovative way for generating gainful knowledge such as ascertaining the modus operandi of the rival the latter was likely to repeat that Intelligence indicates the opportunities or risks on the horizon and helps the organisational leadership in deciding how to move forward on a note of advantageA leader today has to be not only wellinformed but also intelligenceoriented Knowledgebased decisionmaking is the hallmark of good leadership and if action is based on intelligence it would be failsafe in most situations A leader should not presume that the ability to make decisions comes from personal charisma or inheritanceThe third basic plank of leadership is that the leader should be able to justify the faith reposed in him or her by the followers This will in turn depend on the characterimage and conduct of the leader A leader has to be trustworthy accessible impartial largehearted and transparent in terms of not letting a gap develop between his words and deeds In a nutshell the leader must have the power of authenticity from which he or she draws strength A test of this is the authority that the leaders words commanded particularly in times of collective adversity or a moment of crisis the organisation the nation and the world at large facedAn act of unexplained favouritism a flaw of morality or the revelation of vested interest could damage the image of a leader irretrievably The gains of leadership lie in material mental and spiritual planes and a leader had to show an equanimity towards physical comforts courage rooted in the strength of nerves and commitment to a declared valuesystem to enjoy them A leader must be democraticsounding but must keep the decisionmaking power to oneself and should have the communication ability to convince the followers that their interests were safe with him or her Leadership in any sphere demands clarity of expression and a convincing presentation of his or her point of view Power of communication is an inseparable part of the aforesaid power of authenticityAnother hallmark of leadership is the personal and organisational legacy the leader leaves behind for the successors This stands out precisely because it does not happen ordinarily The Indian concept of a leader being paternal and nurtural towards those who worked for him helped to promote this legacyIn the Western value system the bosssubordinate relationship is about giving orders and seeking compliance it leaves little scope for the exercise of emotional intelligence which would allow the boss to have some idea of how the subordinate was doing on the family front and outside the work place generallyEmotional Quotient EQ is a measure of Emotional Intelligence and it enables a leader to be accommodating if the employee could not meet the deadline or showed an abnormal response probably because something on the family front was disturbing him The relationship between a senior and the junior should not become too impersonal and aridOn the other hand it is also likelyand this might be part of Western orientation that the employee may not like the boss to take any interest in the formers personal life A judicious leader knows what would work with the individual members of the team The essence of a nurtural style of leadership is in exercising the right to task a worker but conveying the impression that the top man was accessible in case a situation arose in the corporate body that needed his or her guidance Also a successful leader today is tested not only by his capacity to take decisions but also by his ability to make a course correction should that become inevitableThe final bid for the call of leadership is the leaders innate mix of power of imagination freedom from fear of failure and belief in the collective wisdom of the people being led This mix is a variable in itself determining the degree of success a leader would be able to showAlbert Einsteins dictum that imagination is more important than knowledge refers to the capacity granted only to a human mind not to the machine to see beyond the facts or data in front and perceive what lay ahead not missing the wood for the trees An Intelligence organisation is a typical example of a collective body in which the individual operators are not deterred by fear of failure because of their confidence that they knew their job and would spare no effort to fulfil it Not all leaders are able to pass that sense of confidence down the lineFurther an organisation represents the diversity of its members and its leadership would do well to tap the endowment of wisdom of its members particularly in a trying situation Wisdom does not rest on rank affluence and gender and good business organisations depend as much on an evaluation of external environment as on a sound system of internal feedback relating to various points of strategy under examinationThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-redefining-foundations-of-leadership-642654.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-ncs-emblem-activism-can-again-take-kashmir-to-the-edge-636967.html New Delhi Sep 7 The barbaric stone attack on Indias national emblem in Kashmirs revered dargah has shocked the nation Does the national emblem have a religion Perhaps this question never seriously contemplated in all the decades since India became a Republic has now surfaced as a disturbing reality in the 79th year of Independence The emblem adopted on January 26 1950 features four lions standing backtoback on a circular abacus with a Dharma Chakra at its centre Sculptures of an elephant horse bull and lion separated by Dharma Chakras adorn the abacus Below it the motto Satyameva Jayate Truth Alone Triumphs is inscribed Where is religion in all this Do not all faiths proclaim that truth alone triumphsWhat happened in Kashmir on September 5 is not merely a religious controversy it is the manifestation of a festering wound that resurfaces from time to time aided by sinister forces backed by Pakistan and abetted by certain local elements in Kashmir Some operate under the garb of religious social or political activism and some are even leadersThe national emblem was engraved on a plaque outside the main prayer hall of the shrine which had been under renovation for several months It was reopened to the public after a ceremonial inauguration by Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi Chairperson of the Jammu amp Kashmir Waqf Board Crowds thronged the renovated shrine marvelling at its refurbished lookAlongside traditional artistry the shrine now boasts a modern digital electrical network central airconditioning and advanced sound and surveillance systems This was the first major interior transformation since 1968 blending modernity with Kashmirs cultural heritageAll seemed well with congratulatory messages pouring in until Friday when a group vandalised the emblem while raising religious slogans many filming the actSoon after NC Chief Spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq posted on social media Im not a religious scholar but in Islam idol worship is strictly forbidden the gravest of sins The foundation of our faith is Tawheed Placing a sculpted figure at the revered Hazratbal Dargah goes against this belief Sacred spaces must reflect only the purity of Tawheed nothing elseSuch an immediate statement one that touched religious sensitivities inevitably stoked emotions The Waqf Board chief condemned the act and blamed the NC MLA calling for an FIR against Sadiq and stating that those responsible should be treated as militantsThe ruling NC also issued a statement reinforcing Sadiqs claims of religious violations It is a matter of grave concern that practices contrary to the fundamental principles of Islam such as the use of pictorial or symbolic depictions of living beings are being introduced inside the sacred Hazratbal shrine the spiritual heart of our people where thousands gather daily for prayers In Islam the principle of Tawheed clearly prohibits such representations For devotees this is not a small matter but a direct affront to their deeply held religious sentimentsThe NC also attacked the Waqf chief The Waqf is not the personal estate of any individual We now witness an unelected individual with no mandate from the people of Jammu and Kashmir crowning herself inside holy shrinesThis clearly signals that the NC seeks to influence the Waqf Boards control while fuelling fear among Muslims in the ValleyIt is not the first time the NC has turned nonissues into political waves to ride on History is full of instances where the party has leveraged IndiaPakistan politics to maintain its grip on power From its founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to Farooq Abdullah and now Omar Abdullah decades of such politics have kept Kashmir on edge never allowing it to stabiliseIn 1947 Sheikh Abdullah sided with India after failing to strike a deal with Jinnah But instead of working for full integration he leaned towards making JampK a quasiindependent state In 1958 he launched the Plebiscite Front led by his aide Mirza Afzal Beg which went from village to village raising passions for an independent JampK planting the seeds of separatismThat seed grew into a tree in the late 1980s when Farooq Abdullah was Chief Minister Under his tenure terrorism took root and Kashmiri Hindus around 7 lakh at the time less than two per cent of the population were driven out after killings and threatsThirtyfive years later and six years after the abrogation of Article 370 the NC seems once again to be playing on religious sentiments Chief Minister Omar Abdullah did not denounce the attack but questioned the use of the emblem on the mosque plankThe valley is still in its sensitive state following the gruesome Pahalgam attack and now the vandalising of the national emblem is another grisly reminder of the truth that there is a lot under wraps in Kashmir Had the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits been investigated many prominent names might have been exposedThe fact remains every country including Muslimmajority ones has its own national emblem yet none gives it a religious spin let alone desecrates it Why then was the emblem vandalised in a Kashmiri shrine Why was it given a religious colour This appears to be a deliberate attempt to disturb Kashmirs fragile peacePakistan faced a massive defeat and shame in Operation Sindoor and now through elements in Kashmir is trying to infuriate the atmosphere again on the basis of religion And NCs politics could give the pass once againDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-ncs-emblem-activism-can-again-take-kashmir-to-the-edge-636967.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-when-kashmir-sang-and-terror-sought-to-still-its-voice-635479.html New Delhi Aug 31 For much of todays Kashmir the name Raj Begum barely rings a bell To millions across India she is a stranger her legacy buried under 35 years of Pakistansponsored terror turmoil Even in the land of her birth where her voice once soared above the valleys meadows and streams time and violence have obscured her memory Yet for those who lived in Kashmir before the dark clouds of terrorism gathered in 1989 Raj Begum was a household name an artist a symbol of a womans courage and an icon of Kashmiri cultural prideThe history of Raj Begum is not buried in some distant ancient past It is a mere 35 years old a history cut short not by the passage of time but by the calculated silencing of an entire cultural tradition by fanatics who unleashed terror in the name of IslamThree decades ago she was not just a singer she was a movement in herself a testament to how art can transcend societal barriers Born into a conservative environment Raj Begum dared to follow her heart in a society where the stage was rarely a place for women especially Muslims She faced personal struggles societal prejudices and cultural scepticism yet her voice broke through all these wallsHer songs were not just performances they were the sounds of Kashmirs soul She sang of love nature the Almighty and the timeless beauty of the valleyIn recognition of her extraordinary contribution to music she was awarded the Padma Shri along with numerous other honours Generations of Kashmiris grew up listening to her mellifluous voice her melodies woven into the rhythm of daily life at weddings on the radio and in cultural gatheringsBut for todays youth particularly those who grew up after 1990 Raj Begum is a name rediscovered rather than remembered They have known a different soundtrack to life one dominated by gunfire explosions the silence of curfews and the cries of grief Music for them has often been a luxury overshadowed by survivalTo learn that Kashmiri Muslim women like Raj Begum Naseem Akhtar and Shamima Dev Azad once commanded respect and popularity in the valley comes as a surprise For some it feels almost unimaginableRaj Begum was not alone in her artistry There were other Muslim female artists Zoon Begum and Shamima Dev Azad who were part of a vibrant community of musicians that gave voice to Kashmirs soulHasina Akhtar another gem was known not just for her singing but for her graceful dance her beauty in performance earning her admiration across the valleyAlongside them were extraordinary female artists from the Kashmiri Pandit community such as Asha Kaul Neerja Pandit Kailash Mehra Sadhu and Naina Saproo Together these women painted the valleys cultural canvas in colours of harmony beauty and shared heritageKashmir has always had its own music each for various occasions very traditional and spiritual Although it was maledominated women like Raj Begum came out to follow their passionSong and dance were woven into the everyday life of its people adding yet another layer of beauty to its snowcapped mountains meandering rivers sparkling springs and lush meadows along with a countless variety of flowers that enhanced the natural essenceBut then the 1990s arrived Terrorism began to seep into every crevice of daily life With it came fear restrictions and the deliberate dismantling of Kashmirs cultural identity The threeandahalf decades that followed did more than claim lives they eroded traditions Music once a shared joy was among the first casualties Public performances dwindled Artists left or fell silent The spaces where songs once echoed became silent replaced by the harsh noise of violenceThis was not an accidental loss The rise of terrorism carried with it an ideology that sought to erase all that Kashmir had been for thousands of years Its 5000yearold history of coexistence its syncretic Sufi traditions its tolerance for religious diversity and its music all were deemed incompatible with the rigid joyless worldview of the fanaticsThe separatist and the religious leaders who took cues from Pakistan curbed the thought process of the common Kashmiri Muslims The result was a cultural amnesia where an entire generation grew up without knowing the artists who once gave Kashmir its voiceMusic song and dance were branded unIslamic cinema halls were bombed women were forced into veils under threat acid attacks enforced obedience and public entertainment was erased from daily lifeThe fear was so pervasive that even in 2013 the allgirl rock band Pragaash was forced to disband after receiving threats and being labelled unIslamicGenerations forgot that for centuries Kashmiri women sang and danced publicly at festivals and weddings Music had once been inseparable from daily lifeFor many like Daanish Nabi and Rahul Khazanchi both born after 1990 when terrorism took root in Kashmir the name Raj Begum only surfaced when Bollywood decided to make a film about herTheir first reaction was disbelief was she real Could a Muslim woman from Kashmir have once been a celebrated singer Their questions mirrored the shock many felt after watching The Kashmir Files truths long suppressed but undeniableRaj Begums story is a reminder of what was lost but also of what still exists beneath the silence Her voice preserved in recordings continues to carry the essence of a Kashmir that many today have never experienced a Kashmir of peace beauty and artistic freedom Her songs are not just music they are archives of an era when melody and meaning shaped the identity of the valleyBorn on March 27 1927 in Srinagar Raj Begum began as a wedding singer before joining Radio Kashmir in 1954 Encouraged by her father she became one of the valleys most recognised voices in the 1950s and beyond She sang until the terror violence that gripped Kashmir silenced much of its musicRaj Begum passed away in 2016 at the age of 89 Nearly a decade later her voice still lingers as in her haunting Kashmiri verse Kya kya vanay ai dost che kam kam sitam mashrav me kus zahre gum kor nosh main kam neze chok vatray main How much will I tell you my friend what all cruelty I have overcome what poisonous sadness I enduredFor some hearing Raj Begums voice for the first time is an awakening a discovery that their land was once home to women who not only sang but did so with dignity acclaim and unapologetic prideTo remember Raj Begum is not simply to celebrate a singer it is to acknowledge a part of Kashmirs history that Pakistansponsored terror mechanisms tried to erase It is to reclaim a heritage that belongs to all Kashmiris regardless of religion or backgroundDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-when-kashmir-sang-and-terror-sought-to-still-its-voice-635479.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-article-370-end-pakistans-terror-tactics-fail-to-unnerve-kashmiris-630121.html New Delhi Aug 5 Six years ago when the Modi government abrogated Article 370 and 35A it completed the Constitutional process that had been deliberately left incomplete decades ago And six years later the government took another step that has proven to the world that terror violence can no longer go unpunished Operation Sindoor which happened a few months ahead of the sixth anniversary of the 370 abrogation stands as the fitting response to Pakistan and its terroristsupporting deep stateSince August 5 2019 the security landscape in Kashmir has undergone a dramatic transformation Stonepelting incidents street protests bomb blasts and targeted firings have stopped The number of attacks on security forces has also reducedThe improved security was the reason that since the 370 abrogation the number of tourists every year has been on the rise Each year crores of tourists from the country and outside visit the union territory This steady inflow has boosted local industries such as handicrafts and horticulture contributing significantly to the regions economic revivalThe enhanced sense of security has also resulted in a manifold increase in youth participation in education sports competitive exams and entrepreneurshipAlthough sporadic terror attacks still occur the overall environment especially in the Kashmir Valley has become far more welcoming for visitors Much of the population is now focused on rebuilding and moving forward from the fear and trauma of the pre2019 eraHowever Pakistan after failing to reinstil fear in the people through concentrated terror attacks unleashed the brutal April 22 terror attack on innocent tourists killing 25 after identifying them as Hindus One local ponywalla was also murdered The ploy was sinister meant to break the back of the Kashmiris who had started believing in the peace efforts It was also dangerous as it was meant to stop the people visiting the valley and create communal strife all over the countryBut Kashmiris proved Pakistan wrong and after initial shock the tourists have returned to the valley A significant moment came with the celebration of ZaethAshtami by Kashmiri Hindus at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal This was soon followed by the Amarnath Yatra which has seen participation from over four lakh pilgrims This resilience and unity have sent the strongest message yet to Pakistan and its proxiesGone are the days when terrorists roamed freely in the valley even in Srinagar city Earlier they found shelter not only near the Line of Control but also deep within civilian areas There were hundreds of instances where locals harboured militants or helped them escape That landscape has changed significantly post2019 Today most encounters take place in remote forests where militants hide in foliage or cavesAfter 2019 the Modi government banned dozens of organisations that nurtured terrorists in Kashmir This has helped in curbing the local recruitment into terror ranks A majority of the terror operatives are being sent from across the border in PakistanThat said security challenges still exist Elements vulnerable to religious propaganda can still be swayed by Pakistanbacked terror groups which continue to equate terrorism with jihadRecently National Conference president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has not ended and never will Such statements highlight where the real challenge lies the doublespeak of certain political leaders who prefer to keep tensions alive for personal or political gainBut the people of Kashmir have spoken They want peace They want progress And they want more tourists to visit the valley to build on the momentum set in motion after August 5 2019Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-article-370-end-pakistans-terror-tactics-fail-to-unnerve-kashmiris-630121.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-truth-lost-in-sinister-plot-2006-has-no-killers-2008-has-a-painted-narrative-629790.html New Delhi Aug 3 Two cases of justice have jolted the nation Justice it is said is delivered on the basis of evidence and when the same is either botched up or fabricated we get the 2006 Mumbai train blasts verdict by the High Court and the 2008 Malegaon blasts judgement Both verdicts have been mindboggling and exposed how a motivated system can ruin the fate of peopleThough the Supreme Court has stayed the 2008 Mumbai blasts case verdict by the High Court and victims in the 2006 Malegaon blasts are preparing for more legal fights the cases have a numbing effectWhat appears to be true on the surface may in fact be far more complex beneath We have heard about stories of schemes and plots but this time the same has been exposed through the court verdicts The verdicts do not say this but the inferences can be drawn The judgements through their reasoning and findings point to systemic failuresThe 2006 Mumbai train blasts killed 187 people and injured more than 800 people On July 21 the Bombay High Court acquitted 12 men who were previously convicted in the case The court ruled that the prosecution had utterly failed to establish guilt and set aside the 2015 judgement of a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCA court which had sentenced five to death and the rest to life imprisonmentBut this raises critical questions If the evidence was so weak how did the MCOCA court issue such harsh sentences in 2015 If these 12 men were not involved then who carried out the deadly blasts If they were not involved why were they arrested Questions like these are being raised but the answers are not thereThese are not just rhetorical questions they demand accountability Shouldnt the investigators and officials who prepared the case be held responsible There are more questions and doubts Almost two decades after the blasts wrecked the economic capital of the country will there be any relevant followup or factfinding or will it also end up one among those unsolved cases and ultimately become like No one killed the 187 people and they just died in blasts which were caused by invisible peopleIf the evidence in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings was botched up in the 2008 Malegaon case the opposite seems to have happened The police were accused of planting evidence torturing witnesses and becoming a tool in a wider political game allegedly directed by influential politicians of the timeThe plot was exposed by no other than Mehboob Mujawar a former policeman who had worked in the Maharashtra ATSHe said that he was given orders by former IPS officer Parambir Singh and higher officials to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and was given confidential orders regarding a few RSS menMujawar has said that he was given 10 people to work with got money from the Service Secret Fund and there was pressure on him to follow the arrest orders which he did not But I didnt act on it They talked about saffron terror How could I have done something completely wrong he saidHe told the media that he received the orders within 15 to 20 days of the Malegaon blasts and Mohan Bhagwat was going to be included in the case to make it appear like a saffron terror caseAfter he defied the exATS officer said that false cases were registered against him in this case but his name was cleared later The NIA court however did not consider Mujawars statement in its verdict because it was not recorded before this courtBut the court in its over 1000page judgment has mentioned a witness Milind Joshi Raos testification that he was pressured by the Maharashtra ATS officials to falsely name Yogi Adityanath RSS member Indresh Kumar former Bharatiya Janata Party BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur Hindu seer and former RSS member Swami Aseemanand and Professor Deodhar in the case Rao also said the ATS illegally kept him in custody for a week and told him he would be freed only if he named the above five peopleThese details from the judgement give a chilling view of how far the system can be misused to build a predecided narrative regardless of its truth or consequencesOne of the accused in the case Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit spent nearly nine years in jail before being granted bail in 2017 He was arrested for allegedly masterminding the blasts sourcing RDX from Jammu and Kashmir and assembling it at his home The Lieutenant Colonel had claimed that ATS had tortured him and forced him to take the name of senior BJP and RSS leaders including Yogi AdityanathThe Malegaon verdict reveals the frightening possibility of political plots being masked as terror investigations Greedy politicians driven by votebank politics and a hunger for power may have manipulated the justice system to push false narratives risking innocent lives in the processThe 12 men in the 2008 Mumbai train blasts if proven innocent in the Supreme Court and the seven people acquitted in the Malegaon blast case are the test cases of the nefarious politicianpolice nexusWhile some political parties may use the Malegaon verdict to their advantage the issue goes far beyond politics The nation deserves to know Who were the real perpetrators Who crafted the bhagwa aatankwaad theoryAnd most importantly will those responsible be unmasked and punished to set an exampleDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-truth-lost-in-sinister-plot-2006-has-no-killers-2008-has-a-painted-narrative-629790.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/pakistans-terror-playbook-exposed-global-south-calls-out-its-double-standards-625679.html New Delhi July 11 When 26 civilians were massacred in Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22 2025 it sent shockwaves across the country But what has followed since then may mark a turning point in how the world particularly the Global South responds to terrorism particularly when it comes to statesponsored acts of it For decades India has sounded the alarm about Pakistans use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy especially in Jammu and Kashmir And quite often its warnings were met with scepticism diluted in diplomatic language or lost in the geopolitical noise of the broader South Asian region But the brutality of the Pahalgam attack and the growing evidence linking the perpetrators to Pakistanbased groups along with shifting geopolitical dynamics seems to have brought a considerable change in that conversationMore significantly Indias response this time was also swift and multipronged Under Operation Sindoor on May 67 it launched a precise and calibrated military retaliation targeting terror infrastructure across the Line of Control LoC in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir POJK and mainland Pakistan The military operation was accompanied by its diplomatic offensive which has been very methodical and effective as the changing discourse about terrorism reflects The culmination of these efforts was on full display at the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro Brazil where the Global South bloc issued an unambiguous condemnation of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir naming both the incident and its nature which is remarkableThe BRICS declaration stated it condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 2025 during which 26 people were killed and many more injured and reaffirmed a collective commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the crossborder movement of terrorists terrorism financing and safe havensThis was not just a diplomatic cliche and marks a quiet but significant pivot in the emerging world order where the Global South bloc is finally calling out double standards on terrorism and doing so with rare unanimityA shift in global normsThe Global South has long been a theatre of conflicting narratives when it comes to terrorism While Western powers often dominate the discourse around extremism violence in the Global South whether in South Asia West Asia Southeast Asia or the African continent has received a more selective treatment However that seems to be now changingIndias diplomatic campaign strengthened by realtime evidence and growing solidarity among peer economies is spotlighting how selective empathy and geopolitical hedging allow statebacked terror proxies to thrive The BRICS statement endorsed even by countries like China which shares a close strategic partnership with Pakistan signals that this silence may no longer be tenable in the long runIndeed the real headline from Rio wasnt just that the Pahalgam attack was condemned It was that China did not block the language of the declarationThis is significant given the depth of ChinaPakistan strategic cooperation especially under the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC framework and Beijings longstanding practice of shielding Pakistani entities and terrorists like Masood Azhar from censure at global forums such as the UN Security Council UNSC Moreover as per multiple independent assessments Pakistan is heavily dependent on Chineseorigin military equipment whose share has grown to over 80 per cent of its conventional arsenal Therefore for China to allow a declaration that highlights crossborder terrorism which may be a veiled but yet has an unmistakable reference to Pakistan is nothing short of a diplomatic milestone for IndiaThe growing evidence of Pakistans terror sponsorshipIndias case against Pakistan is no longer just about moral outrage It is now substantiated by tangible corroborated evidence that paints a picture of systemic complicity According to Indian intelligence reports shared with international partners including with the UNSCs 1267 Sanctions Committee in the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre the attackers belonged to a faction of The Resistance Front TRF which is a proxy outfit widely recognized as a rebranded arm of Pakistan sponsored terrorist group LashkareTaiba LeT Both LeT and its affiliate networks have long enjoyed safe havens in Pakistan with little meaningful action taken against their leadership despite international pressure and FATF conditionsFor years Pakistan has relied on plausible deniability labelling these groups as nonstate actors beyond its control But that narrative is wearing thin particularly when attacks like Pahalgam are followed by the same telltale signs trained cadres sophisticated arms and ideological alignment with Pakistans strategic calculus on KashmirThe BRICS momentThe BRICS platform which was originally established by Brazil Russia India China and then South Africa and has now expanded to include key economies such as Egypt Ethiopia Iran and the UAE is increasingly seen as the voice of the Global South It provides a forum for new powers to voice their concerns free from the historical constraints of Cold War dichotomies or Western alliancesThe Rio summits declaration on terrorism suggests that member states are no longer willing to overlook threats that destabilise their regions in favour of transactional diplomacy For countries like Brazil and South Africa which have dealt with their own homegrown security challenges there is a growing realisation that impunity for terrorism anywhere poses risks everywhereIndias persistent framing of Pakistans terror infrastructure not as a bilateral grievance but as a global security issue seems to be gaining traction New Delhis argument is simple if terrorism financed trained and directed from across borders is tolerated in Kashmir it sets a precedent that could embolden similar actors in Africa Latin America and Southeast AsiaReframing the Global SouthThe BRICS condemnation also highlights a deeper shift in the Global Souths readiness to define its own red lines rather than outsourcing them to the geopolitical West For decades countries like India have been expected to toe the line of major powers when it comes to defining security threats be it in West Asia Central Asia or elsewhere But now the Global South is building a consensus that its security interests are not derivative rather they are primary This is especially true when those interests are undermined by statesponsored extremism operating under the guise of ideology liberation or regional grievanceIn this context the silence or equivocation of certain powers on acts of terrorism particularly those with clear crossborder linkages can no longer be justified The BRICS condemnation of the Pahalgam attack represents a break from the era of wilful ambiguity It sets a bar of accountability for all states regardless of their strategic alignmentsThe way aheadFor Pakistan this emerging scrutiny from fellow members of the Global South should lead to prompt introspection Its longstanding strategy of cultivating asymmetric warfare through nonstate actors has not only destabilised its neighbourhood but it has become its Achilles heel with several of its patronised terrorist groups redirecting their violence against PakistanThe evolving alignments and realignments at the global level signify that the world is no longer willing to excuse terrorism when it arrives wearing different uniforms Nor is it buying the notion that development partnerships can offset or obscure the costs of crossborder violenceIndias diplomatic pivot wherein it complements force with diplomatic forums is reshaping how terrorism should be debated and condemned in global settings In this light the BRICS statement in Rio is not just a victory for Indian diplomacy but it also signals that the worlds emerging powers are ready to call terrorism by its name without considering who sponsors it IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/pakistans-terror-playbook-exposed-global-south-calls-out-its-double-standards-625679.html Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-congress-sees-weakness-but-indias-diplomacy-stands-strong-in-chaotic-world-622375.html New Delhi June 22 As the world moves from one local war to another it now seems so right that India stopped the battle with Pakistan at the perfect time Even though the decision came as a shock to Indians as each wanted the neighbour to suffer moreHowever two months after the April 22 terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor the understanding for effecting a ceasefire was the perfect move towards the yettocome climaxThe ceasefire understanding is not an end as India has stated firmly that Operation Sindoor has not ended and any act of terror emanating from Pakistan will be treated as an act of war The end is open and all depends upon Pakistans conductGiven the situation created by the wars happening in other places the pause is complementaryRussia attacked Ukraine on February 24 2022 and after three years the two are still fighting Several countries have tried to broker peace between the two but every time the murmur happens the two enter a virulent phaseNobody knows what the actual number of dead is in both countries and nobody knows the extent of destruction Wars are only about death and destruction and the two have been facing bothIf Russia and Ukraine are hiding their pain the war between Israel and Hamas is well televised and covered with information flowing instantly The conflict started on October 7 2023 when Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups launched coordinated armed incursions from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel The barbarity of the attack shocked the world and Israel rightly launched a counteroffensive The counterattack has devastated Gaza and continues unabated even as countries want Israel to stopHowever the conflict has now added a new dimension which is an attack on Iran Israel launched the airstrikes on Iran on June 13 and each passing day is witnessing an increase in intensity and now the US has also entered the sceneThe Israeli attack on Iran came unexpectedly as IranUS talks were ongoing Israels midnight attack shocked the Iranians and the casualties were significant and striking After the initial shock Iran has been fighting back causing huge losses to IsraelWith the US bombing three nuclear sites in Iran and threatening to attack more the war scenario in the Middle East has completely changed It can worsen or Iran can just stop which seems unlikely now After US strikes Iran again launched fresh missile attacks on Israel and the latter also pounded backProspects for an immediate end to the IsraelIranUS conflict appear dim with all sides in a belligerent attitude Though European countries and some Muslimmajority countries are trying to get Iran and Israel to stop things now seem to be difficultThousands of people have been displaced hundreds have died and infrastructure in places has been badly affected in both Iran and IsraelThe war continues and even if it is halted it will be a long way from peace and difficult terrain for rehabilitation for those directly affected Besides the loss in the economy for Israel Russia Ukraine Iran and all those involved in wars and battles is hugeThe lessons are stark and India did right to halt Operation Sindoor Wars are no longer about guns and powder They have gone beyond and involve narrative setting and diplomacy dominance with the former involving social media vibrancyIndia launched Operation Sindoor against terror targets on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and struck deep in Pakistan on May 10 after it tried to terrorise with a barrage of drone and missile attacksAlong with this another fight was initiated and this was of narrative and diplomacy India did well in both but on the internal front the narrative was getting punctured as the Congressled opposition has been consistently trying to demean the operations success and the political decisionThe statements of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his party leaders were lapped up by Pakistan which has been using these to counter New Delhis claimsThe Congress party has also questioned Indias decision to halt Operation Sindoor and has attacked every action taken by the Centre including diplomatic moves It has even launched a social media campaign Narendra Surrender and is discrediting the Modi government for agreeing to a ceasefire understanding with PakistanThe Congress leaders have also slammed the Centre for its diplomatic stance or perceived silence on international crises particularly the humanitarian fallout in Gaza and now in IranSonia Gandhi former Congress president penned an article criticising New Delhis silence as a disturbing departure from Indias moral and diplomatic traditions urging stronger and more vocal leadership in West AsiaHowever such rhetoric especially when echoed by adversaries like Pakistan risks undermining Indias strategic credibility In global diplomacy every public statement is a signal not just to the domestic electorate but to allies adversaries and neutral observers Foreign policy should be navigated with caution and consensus not caught in the crossfire of electoral combatIndias diplomatic posture has traditionally been subtle working behind the scenes avoiding kneejerk reactions and projecting calm strength New Delhis diplomatic approach is often likened to the duck policy calm on the surface but paddling hard underneathIn a world ablaze with conflict Indias choice to pause its military campaign was not an act of surrender it was a reaffirmation of control Operation Sindoor remains active in intent and Indias military remains on alert But wisdom lies not just in launching a war but in knowing when to stopThe larger message is clear restraint is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of strategyDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-congress-sees-weakness-but-indias-diplomacy-stands-strong-in-chaotic-world-622375.html Sun, 22 Jun 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/why-indias-education-system-must-shift-focus-from-marks-to-skills-621997.html New Delhi June 19 For decades Indias education system has been driven by an obsession with marks and standardised examinations From board exams to competitive entrance tests academic performance is measured almost exclusively through a numerical lens While this has produced a large population of degreeholders it has not necessarily translated into a skilled and employable workforce As India strides into an era of technological disruption economic transformation and global competition the time has come to shift our national focus from mere academic scores to practical skills and realworld capabilitiesThe Problem with MarksDriven LearningIn most Indian schools and colleges student performance is measured by how well they can reproduce textbook knowledge in a written exam This system rewards rote memorization over conceptual understanding speed over depth and shortterm cramming over longterm learning The consequences are farreaching Limited Creativity and Critical Thinking The pressure to score high often curtails creativity Students are discouraged from questioning debating or exploring alternative solutions In a markscentric system there is little room for curiosity or divergent thinking Mental Health Concerns The high stakes attached to board exams entrance tests and university cutoffs have made academic performance a source of stress and anxiety for millions of students Depression burnout and even suicides linked to exam results are tragically common Employability Crisis A 2023 report by the Confederation of Indian Industry CII found that nearly 50 per cent of Indian graduates are not employable in industry due to lack of skills Despite high academic scores many students fail to meet basic requirements in communication problemsolving or digital literacy Inequity in Opportunity A rigid exambased system tends to favor those with access to coaching centers private tuitions and supportive environments Students from under privileged backgrounds often fall behind not due to a lack of intelligence or ambition but because of structural disadvantagesGlobal Trends Skills Over ScoresMany leading economies have already begun reorienting their education systems to focus on skills Finland consistently ranked among the top in global education indices emphasizes student wellbeing creativity and collaboration rather than standardized testing In Germany the dual education system integrates classroom learning with handson vocational training making graduates highly employableEven in India the National Education Policy NEP 2020 has acknowledged the need to transition towards holistic skillsbased education The policy emphasizes critical thinking experiential learning and flexibility in subject choices However implementation at a scale remains a challengeWhat Skills Should Indian Education PrioritizeTo align with the future of work the Indian education system must prioritize a diverse set of cognitive technical and socioemotional skills Digital and Technological Literacy Foundational knowledge in computing coding and digital tools is essential Communication and Collaboration The ability to express ideas clearly work in teams and resolve conflicts Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Analyze information think independently and devise practical solutions Creativity and Innovation Encourage experimentation and original thinking across disciplines Emotional Intelligence Empathy resilience and adaptability are key to navigating the modern world Vocational and Entrepreneurial Skills Practical training in trades and entrepreneurship can open up alternative career pathsHow to Make the Shift Concrete Steps Curriculum Reform Boards must reduce content overload and include modules on skillbuilding coding and design thinking Assessment Redesign Move towards applicationbased assessments openbook exams and portfolio evaluations Teacher Training Equip teachers to deliver experiential projectbased and interdisciplinary education IndustryAcademia Partnerships Offer students internships workshops and realworld exposure through collaborations Technology Integration Use EdTech platforms to provide accessible skillfocused education at scale Recognition of Diverse Talents Broaden entrance and scholarship criteria to reward innovation and creativityThe Role of Parents and SocietyEducation reforms can only succeed if there is a collective change in mindset Indian society has traditionally equated marks with success and failure This attitude needs to evolve Parents must recognise that a child scoring 70 per cent but excelling in communication and creativity may have greater potential than a 95 per cent scorer with no practical skillsSchools should celebrate diverse talents and redefine what constitutes successMedia and public discourse can also play a role by highlighting role models who succeeded not because of marks but because of skills entrepreneurs artists coders athletes and social changemakersIndia stands at a crucial juncture With the worlds largest youth population and a rapidly digitizing economy the opportunity to become a global knowledge leader is within reach But this vision cannot be achieved through mark sheets aloneIt requires an education system that nurtures thinkers builders creators and leaders By shifting from a marksdriven to skillsdriven paradigm India can unlock the full potential of its young minds building not just careers but a stronger more resilient and more inclusive nationThe writer is a PhD graduate from IIT Kharagpur Views expressed above are his own IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/why-indias-education-system-must-shift-focus-from-marks-to-skills-621997.html Thu, 19 Jun 2025 23:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-why-are-neighbours-always-so-terrible-pakistan-israel-palestine-ukraine-russia-621319.html New Delhi June 15 Theres a question that haunts not just citizens of conflictridden regions but every concerned global citizen Why are the neighbours always so terrible Across the world relationships between many bordering nations are marked more by mistrust and enmity than cooperation and peace From Russias ongoing war with Ukraine to the complex everflammable Middle East crisis involving Israel Palestine Iran Yemen etc and back to the subcontinent where India and Pakistan remain locked in a hot and cold conflict tension is always simmeringWhy is it so hard for countries to be civilised neighboursThe answer of course isnt simple Global diplomacy is layered and politically charged History identity borders drawn in haste and the scars of colonialism have left deep wounds The role of religion and ideology often worsens these divides But somewhere in this maze a disturbing truth exists some nations choose confrontation not just as a reaction but as a core part of their identityTake for instance Pakistan Since its inception on August 14 1947 it has fashioned its national identity in opposition to India From the very moment it emerged as a separate country born of the violent partition of the subcontinent it has behaved not like a neighbour wanting peaceful coexistence but like a rival consumed by bitterness Its obsession with the twonation theory and religious identity has driven its politics into a perpetual state of hostilityThe pattern of aggression was set early From sending tribal raiders to annexe Kashmir immediately after Independence to initiating multiple wars in 1947 1965 1971 and 1999 and finally crossborder terrorism in the 1990s Pakistan has ticked every box on the how to be a bad neighbour checklist And while its political leaders often pronounce the rhetorical words of peace the control lies firmly with its military establishment which believes that hostility with India is a means of staying in powerWhen the Pakistani Army Chief made a communal statement targeting Hindus and Muslims and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack quickly followed it it became clear how deep this rot goes The attack wasnt just another episode of terrorism it was a loud signal that the facade of deniability was being dropped Pakistan which had long pretended not to shelter terrorist elements is now owning them openlyThe pictures and video clips of its armys top ranks attending the funerals of the terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor and being given state honours exposed Pakistans duality It has made known to the world that terrorists are its other wings The political class and the armyled establishment only want to build nurseries for terrorists and they are least bothered about fighting povertyAccording to World Bank data nearly 45 per cent of Pakistans population lives in poverty with 165 per cent classified as living in extreme povertyThe economy is on life support seeking bailouts from the IMF every few years But despite all this the country continues to funnel money and manpower into terror factories rather than schools and hospitalsFor over three decades Pakistan has cultivated a shadow war strategy against India arming funding and sheltering terrorist networks while maintaining deniability on international platformsThe 2611 Mumbai attacks perhaps the darkest chapter in modern Indian history still havent seen justice delivered because of Pakistans consistent stonewalling and dishonestyBut the rules are changing now The April 22 attack in Pahalgam seems to have been the final straw India has made it clear that this isnt going to be tolerated anymore Operation Sindoor the military and strategic response to this latest provocation signals a turning point No longer will India allow proxywar tactics to go unanswered The gloves are offIn a broader context this isnt just about India and Pakistan Its about how nations perceive power identity and survival in a polarised worldRussia sees Ukraines alignment with the West as a threat Israel locked in an existential struggle responds with overwhelming force while its adversaries dig deeper into the cycle of extremismIn each of these relationships grievance and retaliation feed off each other leaving little room for dialogueFor Pakistan the opportunity to reset relations with India has come and gone several times But so long as its army runs its foreign policy and its politics remain trapped in identity warfare things are unlikely to changeAnd currently no one knows what will happen further in UkraineRussia IsraelHamas and now it is IsraelIran or maybe more hot spots will join in tomorrowIndia did well by halting its Operation Sindoor and keeping Pakistan in a perpetual state of nervousness The neighbour is silent for now but its covert efforts to foment trouble in Jammu and Kashmir continue The army has been thwarting infiltration efforts along the Line of Control in Jammu and KashmirDespite being on notice the sad reality persists some neighbours seem determined to remain terribleDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-why-are-neighbours-always-so-terrible-pakistan-israel-palestine-ukraine-russia-621319.html Sun, 15 Jun 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/time-for-kashmiris-to-say-a-decisive-no-to-pakistans-agenda-619019.html New Delhi June 1 The April 22 Pahalgam massacre wasnt just an act of terrorism it was a calculated punishment Pakistan struck back at Kashmiris for choosing peace prosperity and stability after the abrogation of Article 370 Pakistan believes that it has avenged Kashmiris for making a conscious choice after the abrogation of Article 370 choosing the path of prosperity and stabilityThe April 22 Pahalgam massacre was not only an attempt to stoke religious tensions in the country but also a punishment for Kashmiris who have rejected the path Pakistan tried to chart for them in furthering the twonation theoryFor over three decades Pakistan has played a deadly game in the Valley Initially it succeeded The wave of terrorism unleashed a reign of tyranny Kashmiri society once known for its secular harmonious and conservative values with Sufism at its core was torn apart and divided into Hindus and Muslims pro and antiIndia hardline and religiously radicalisedCloaked in religious rhetoric the assertion of a unique Kashmiri identity was converted into a socalled movement for Azadi The real plot was clear the radicalisation of the Valley was designed to align Kashmir with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which has always regarded it as its jugular veinPakistans agents in this mission were the Hurriyat Conference and various terrorist outfits At one point nearly a dozen terrorist groups were operating in the Valley with Pakistan encouraging competition among them to be the most extremeOver the years thousands of Kashmiris have lost their lives to terror most killed by terrorists Hundreds of schools and educational institutions were burned downThe Hurriyat working under Pakistans directives ran a parallel system They issued calendars for protests enforced diktats and maintained a vast network of stone pelters ready to act on commandTourism the backbone of Kashmirs economy collapsed Even during periods of elected government the situation remained unstable Elections were boycotted and most political leaders refrained from criticising the Hurriyat or the terrorist outfits Massacres and killings continued unabatedMeanwhile Pakistanbacked groups ensured that fear reigned in the Valley Another weapon in its arsenal was narcoterrorism pushing drugs into Kashmir and ruining thousands of young livesThen came August 5 2019 The Modiled government at the Centre abrogated Article 370 dividing the state into two Union Territories Jammu amp Kashmir and Ladakh Pakistan was shaken It had expected chaos It had hoped its proxies would light fires across the Valley But nothing happenedStrong action followed Hurriyat leaders were jailed Terrorists were neutralised Ordinary Kashmiris long subjugated by the fear of guns began to believe that peace was possible Diktats stopped Protest calendars vanished Stone pelting ceased Youth turned to education sports and employment Tourism flourished again Filmmakers returnedOver the past few years the Valley has welcomed more than a crore of tourists including foreigners Locals have opened businesses and taken loans to expand in response to the tourism boom and growing handicraft demandEducation is flourishing Many Kashmiris are now cracking the countrys toughest exams Sports culture is taking root A new sense of opportunity has emergedBut as Kashmiris embrace peace and progress Pakistan is desperately trying to reignite its failed agenda Trained terrorists still infiltrate through treacherous terrain and find support among a small group of overground and underground workersHowever the widespread support for Azadi that existed in the 1980s and 1990s has largely evaporated People now understand Pakistans real motive to destabilise Kashmir through terror and drugsThis growing awareness has unnerved Pakistan In April Pakistans Army Chief Asim Munir now elevated to Field Marshal delivered a frustrated speech at the Pakistan Military Academy in Khyber PakhtunkhwaHe emphasised the twonation theory claiming that Muslims and Hindus are two separate nations not one and that Muslims differ in religion customs traditions thinking and aspirationsA few days later the Pahalgam massacre took placeIndia has retaliated diplomatically and militarily But in Kashmir the damage was immediate Tourists disappeared and the tourism season which had the potential to generate hundreds of crores in revenue collapsed This was exactly what Pakistan wanted to snatch away the livelihoods of ordinary KashmirisThe Pakistani establishment perhaps jealous of Kashmirs booming tourism industry and rapid infrastructure growth decided to strike at the heart of its progressPakistan may feel it has derailed Kashmirs momentum But this disruption can be overcome by Kashmiris themselves The people have experienced the horrors of terrorism They have also tasted the fruits of peace Now is the time to make a firm decisionPakistan is a failed state Its Army is more interested in profiting from chaos than serving its people Every region under its control is in turmoilIt is high time for Kashmiris to rise and say two powerful words No means noLet the Pakistani establishment feel the wrath of the Kashmiris who have chosen peaceDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/time-for-kashmiris-to-say-a-decisive-no-to-pakistans-agenda-619019.html Sun, 01 Jun 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-time-for-kashmiris-to-say-a-decisive-no-to-pakistans-agenda-619021.html New Delhi June 1 The April 22 Pahalgam massacre wasnt just an act of terrorism it was a calculated punishment Pakistan struck back at Kashmiris for choosing peace prosperity and stability after the abrogation of Article 370 Pakistan believes that it has avenged Kashmiris for making a conscious choice after the abrogation of Article 370 choosing the path of prosperity and stabilityThe April 22 Pahalgam massacre was not only an attempt to stoke religious tensions in the country but also a punishment for Kashmiris who have rejected the path Pakistan tried to chart for them in furthering the twonation theoryFor over three decades Pakistan has played a deadly game in the Valley Initially it succeeded The wave of terrorism unleashed a reign of tyranny Kashmiri society once known for its secular harmonious and conservative values with Sufism at its core was torn apart and divided into Hindus and Muslims pro and antiIndia hardline and religiously radicalisedCloaked in religious rhetoric the assertion of a unique Kashmiri identity was converted into a socalled movement for Azadi The real plot was clear the radicalisation of the Valley was designed to align Kashmir with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which has always regarded it as its jugular veinPakistans agents in this mission were the Hurriyat Conference and various terrorist outfits At one point nearly a dozen terrorist groups were operating in the Valley with Pakistan encouraging competition among them to be the most extremeOver the years thousands of Kashmiris have lost their lives to terror most killed by terrorists Hundreds of schools and educational institutions were burned downThe Hurriyat working under Pakistans directives ran a parallel system They issued calendars for protests enforced diktats and maintained a vast network of stone pelters ready to act on commandTourism the backbone of Kashmirs economy collapsed Even during periods of elected government the situation remained unstable Elections were boycotted and most political leaders refrained from criticising the Hurriyat or the terrorist outfits Massacres and killings continued unabatedMeanwhile Pakistanbacked groups ensured that fear reigned in the Valley Another weapon in its arsenal was narcoterrorism pushing drugs into Kashmir and ruining thousands of young livesThen came August 5 2019 The Modiled government at the Centre abrogated Article 370 dividing the state into two Union Territories Jammu amp Kashmir and Ladakh Pakistan was shaken It had expected chaos It had hoped its proxies would light fires across the Valley But nothing happenedStrong action followed Hurriyat leaders were jailed Terrorists were neutralised Ordinary Kashmiris long subjugated by the fear of guns began to believe that peace was possible Diktats stopped Protest calendars vanished Stone pelting ceased Youth turned to education sports and employment Tourism flourished again Filmmakers returnedOver the past few years the Valley has welcomed more than a crore of tourists including foreigners Locals have opened businesses and taken loans to expand in response to the tourism boom and growing handicraft demandEducation is flourishing Many Kashmiris are now cracking the countrys toughest exams Sports culture is taking root A new sense of opportunity has emergedBut as Kashmiris embrace peace and progress Pakistan is desperately trying to reignite its failed agenda Trained terrorists still infiltrate through treacherous terrain and find support among a small group of overground and underground workersHowever the widespread support for Azadi that existed in the 1980s and 1990s has largely evaporated People now understand Pakistans real motive to destabilise Kashmir through terror and drugsThis growing awareness has unnerved Pakistan In April Pakistans Army Chief Asim Munir now elevated to Field Marshal delivered a frustrated speech at the Pakistan Military Academy in Khyber PakhtunkhwaHe emphasised the twonation theory claiming that Muslims and Hindus are two separate nations not one and that Muslims differ in religion customs traditions thinking and aspirationsA few days later the Pahalgam massacre took placeIndia has retaliated diplomatically and militarily But in Kashmir the damage was immediate Tourists disappeared and the tourism season which had the potential to generate hundreds of crores in revenue collapsed This was exactly what Pakistan wanted to snatch away the livelihoods of ordinary KashmirisThe Pakistani establishment perhaps jealous of Kashmirs booming tourism industry and rapid infrastructure growth decided to strike at the heart of its progressPakistan may feel it has derailed Kashmirs momentum But this disruption can be overcome by Kashmiris themselves The people have experienced the horrors of terrorism They have also tasted the fruits of peace Now is the time to make a firm decisionPakistan is a failed state Its Army is more interested in profiting from chaos than serving its people Every region under its control is in turmoilIt is high time for Kashmiris to rise and say two powerful words No means noLet the Pakistani establishment feel the wrath of the Kashmiris who have chosen peaceDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-time-for-kashmiris-to-say-a-decisive-no-to-pakistans-agenda-619021.html Sun, 01 Jun 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/india-usa-italy-trilateral-in-the-making-612333.html New Delhi April 21 It would seem all roads lead to Rome with US Vice President JD Vance along with his family visiting Rome the day after Italian PM Georgia Meloni visited Washington to spend Good Friday in the eternal city Vances visit to Rome and onwards to New Delhi indicates the new importance Rome and New Delhi have in the geopolitical calculus of the White HouseVance a catholic spent Good Friday at the Vatican as well as met with important members of Melonis administration including the Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo SalviniThe US and Italy will work together to develop the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor one of the greatest economic integration and connectivity projects of this century connecting partners by ports railways and undersea cables and stimulating economic development and integration from India to the Gulf to Israel to Italy and onward to the United States according to the US and Italy joint leaders declaration after the first bilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump and Italian PM MeloniThis Easter weekend was very important as well due to the second round of the USIran talks in Rome The Trump administration has engaged directly with various belligerent state and nonstate players with the objective of achieving an acceptable peace deal While the first round of talks was held in Muscat given the Sultanate of Omans role as the honest broker the second was held in Rome also a nod to Melonis efforts to bring Italy back to the centre of international affairsThe head of Italys secret service AISE Giovanni Caravelli had also assisted the Prime Minister in solving a particularly complicated case of the arrest of Italian blogger Cecilia Sala during the last days of the Biden administrationMeloni had made a special unusual trip to the US to meet with Presidentelect Trump and the actual Biden administration to solve Salas incarceration which was seen as retribution for Italys arrest of two nationals of Iranian origin on a US arrest warrant Caravelli and Italy have maintained a strong line of trust and communication with the regime in TehranIsraels Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad head David Barnea met with US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Friday in Paris before the second round of USIran conversations Dermer is said to have spent Shabbat in Rome presumably to consult with the US Special envoy after the second round of consultations which have reported to be successfulAny agreement between the US and Iran will have direct consequences on Israels security as well as its war with Hamas which is widely supported by IranMelonis efforts at pivoting Italy to the center of global geopolitics started immediately after her victory two and a half years ago Italy had spent decades losing its centrality not only as a G7 economy but also as a centre of power in Europe Her government withdrew from the Belt and Road Initiative BRI Memorandum of Understanding but managed to maintain a balanced relationship with ChinaEarly to recognise Indias growing importance in the world New Delhi was Melonis first bilateral visit to Asia She was also one of the founding signatories of the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC MoU at the G20 in New Delhi in 2023 on her second visit to Delhi in one yearSince she has met often with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Melodi relationship between the leaders has translated into a strategic partnership between both countriesHer early foreign policy choices have now started paying rich dividends UAEs President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Italy in early 2025 a testament to the reset of the UAEItaly relationship which was strained when Meloni was sworn in During his visit both countries signed over 40 agreements and the UAE announced 40 billion of investment in ItalyRecently during his visit to India Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani was accompanied by a large business delegation and an IndiaItaly science and innovation summit with over 400 companies was held in DelhiDeclaring Italys full commitment to the IndoMediterranean IndiaItaly partnership Tajani announced an IMEC summit in Trieste in 2025 after having recently named an Italian Special Envoy for IMEC veteran diplomat Francesco Maria TaloWhile critics would point out that Melonis visit to the US did not have tangible results the most tangible result was President Trumps acceptance of Melonis invitation to Rome to discuss and conclude an agreement on tariffs with the European UnionRome has slowly become the centre of transatlantic Mediterranean and IndoPacific dialogues with its Prime Ministers ambitions of probably restoring its glory as Caput MundiVas Shenoy is the Chief Representative for Italy of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and an Italian entrepreneur Views are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/india-usa-italy-trilateral-in-the-making-612333.html Mon, 21 Apr 2025 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-will-tahawwur-rana-reveal-the-untold-2611-story-of-local-support-611144.html New Delhi April 13 Tahawwur Rana is currently being interrogated by the NIA and the entire nation even Pakistan is waiting to hear what he reveals or confesses His links to Pakistan and the involvement of its state actors are wellknown but the 2611 conspiracy is not just about that country It is equally important to uncover who within India enabled these acts Who were the traitors Even if it comes 16 years later those who aided this horrific attack must be identified and exposedRanas interrogation is expected to add crucial details to the investigation and potentially identify the names and agencies behind the 2611 Mumbai terror attacks This could significantly strengthen Indias case against PakistanHowever what is most eagerly awaited is information about the support Rana and his team may have received within India It is difficult to accept the theory as claimed by the state and central governments in 2008 that the attackers had no local assistance Is it possible for individuals who have never been to a country to execute such precise and coordinated attacks without any local helpInvestigations so far suggest that Rana and his associate Daood Gilani alias David Coleman Headley conducted reconnaissance and prepared detailed plans which were followed meticulously by the ten Pakistani attackers These terrorists hijacked the fishing boat Kuber killed four of its crew members and forced its captain Amar Singh Solanki to steer the vessel carrying ten LashkareTaiba operatives to the shores of MumbaiAfter reaching the coast Solanki was killed and the terrorists entered Mumbai launching an unprecedented assault on Indias financial capitalOn the night of November 26 2008 ten heavily armed Pakistani terrorists struck simultaneously at five key locations in Mumbai killing around 140 Indians and 25 foreign nationals Their targets included two luxury hotels a Jewish cultural centre a popular cafe frequented by Western tourists and Mumbais main railway station CST where the highest number of casualties occurredIs it possible to carry out such an attack without any local support This question was raised even back then but clear answers are still lackingMumbai Police had maintained that the role of local elements in the attack was limited to two alleged Indian LashkareTaiba operatives Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed However both were acquitted by a special court on May 3 2010 and the Bombay High Court upheld their acquittal on February 21 2011If they were not the local collaborators then who were Why did the Mumbai Police fail to uncover themIn February 2009 BJP leader LK Advani while speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address criticised the investigation as incomplete He called it shameful that the Mumbai Police gave a clean chit regarding any local involvement and demanded a judicial probe into the attacksThe then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also criticised the UPA government accusing it of making a halfhearted attempt to uncover the full conspiracy behind the Mumbai terror attacks Modi argued that Pakistan could not have executed the attacks without local support but the government failed to identify these collaboratorsIn response the Centre dismissed calls for a judicial commission to probe the local angle Then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram even mocked Modis remarks suggesting sarcastically that since both Pakistan and Modi were raising the same point about local involvement someone should check if they were in touch with each otherSuch a response was seen by many as an attempt to deflect a serious question one that continues to perplex the nationWhy the thengovernment did not thoroughly investigate the local angle remains baffling and raises several questions It is difficult to believe that such a meticulously planned attack could have been executed without any support from within IndiaMoreover there were intelligence inputs about a possible attack via the sea route a fact that was raised in Parliament by the Opposition in 2009Interestingly in testimony before the US House Homeland Security Committee on June 12 2013 RAND Corporation a leading US thinktank stated that the 2611 attackers relied upon crucial domestic assistance despite being of Pakistani originThe international community is well aware of the key Pakistani perpetrators Hafiz Saeed founder of LeT ZakiurRehman Lakhvi LeTs operational commander Sajid Majid Illyas Kashmiri Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed aka Major Abdur Rehman or Pasha Major Iqbal alias Major Ali and Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir all believed to have been involved in planning funding and executing the attack And then there are the names of Tahawwur Rana and David HeadleyRanas interrogation may lead to more revelations possibly names from Pakistan Canada or the US but the 2611 conspiracy is beyond Pakistan The conspiracy is also about the traitors in India who helped the perpetrators unleash terror and kill innocent peopleIt is time that those faces be unmasked and brought to justiceDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-will-tahawwur-rana-reveal-the-untold-2611-story-of-local-support-611144.html Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-from-pinpricks-to-laughter-trips-parliaments-waqf-debate-610005.html New Delhi April 6 It takes two to play a game and it certainly did in Parliament where the wholesome Opposition and the powerful Treasury slugged it out in one of the longest sessions of debate in the Parliaments history The marathon debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill which seeks to put an end to the rampant trend of landgrabbing had its share of highs and lows laughter and chuckles glee and embarrassment anger and good humour emotion and politics Sparks flew thick and fast with allegations accusations and even personal attacks exchangedThe debate was filled with intense arguments and conflicting opinionsDespite all this the debate conclusively handed a clear win to the ruling coalition They presented facts and figures many of which were both shocking and alarming The statistics gave them an edge and overshadowed the Oppositions arguments which focused largely on politicking and votebank appeasement If data gave the NDA an upper hand several of its speakers especially Home Minister Amit Shah and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emerged as starsThe bill debate showcased the ruling partys preparedness The Opposition on the other hand failed to counter the narrative effectively In fact its prominent leaders remained silent or absent for most of the debate None of the Gandhis spoke on the bill leaving the fight to leaders from Assam Telangana Kerala West Bengal and Bihar states with a significant number of Muslim votersPerhaps the Gandhis intended to put the partys Muslim faces on the front foot whose speeches seemed more about defending their religion and the landcontrolling Waqf Board But the move seems to have backfired as several Muslim organisations and leaders are now criticising their silenceWhile the Gandhis face backlash speakers from the ruling party are being applauded for their witty remarks and factheavy presentationsDuring a fiery Lok Sabha debate Samajwadi Party SP chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jab at the ruling BJP questioning why the countrys largest political party was unable to elect its president Home Minister Amit Shah swiftly responded saying that the BJP is not a dynastic party and takes its time to decide leadershipIn some parties only five members of a family have to choose the president he quippedIn the Rajya Sabha BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi delivered a fiery speech in Hindi lamenting the changing image of Muslims from being represented by artists and intellectuals to now being linked with names like Ishrat Jahan Yakub Memon Mukhtar Ansari Atiq Ahmed and Dawood IbrahimAt this point MDMK MP Vaiko and a few Congress members interrupted him However HM Amit Shah intervened and in jest remarked Vaikoji understands Hindi which drew laughter across the House and in turn exposed the DMKs duplicity on the alleged Hindi imposition issueIn another moment Union Minister Ramdas Athawale took a poetic jab at the Opposition while supporting the Waqf Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha leaving the House in splits He particularly targeted Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urging him to acknowledge Prime Minister Narendra Modis initiativesBut perhaps the most talkedabout moment was the washroom clash A heated exchange erupted over Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh leaving during voting The Opposition questioned how the two were allowed to exit while the lobby had been sealed As the leaders shouted Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi and later Congress MP Imran Masood entered from outside causing an embarrassment to the OppositionFinally Speaker Om Birla clarified that no rules had been broken explaining that the new Parliament buildings extended layout includes the corridors and washrooms beyond the chamberAnother heated moment occurred in the Rajya Sabha between HM Amit Shah and Congress MP Digvijay Singh During the Waqf debate Singh questioned HM Shah about his role during the 2002 Gujarat riots to which Shah said that he was not the Home Minister of Gujarat at that time In his turn HM Shah challenged Digvijay Singh to deny his earlier comments that linked the RSS to the 2611 Mumbai terror attacks Shah repeatedly challenged Singh on this and finally a visibly irritated and cornered Singh said he never said soUndoubtedly the bill witnessed a bitter and fierce debate with both sides using every tool at their disposal The Opposition also had its share of embarrassment especially when some MPs who opposed the bill attacked CongressHanuman Beniwal Lok Sabha MP and chief of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party remarked that there had been no real improvement in the socioeconomic status of Muslims in the past 70 yearsIndependent MP from Kashmir Engineer Rashid went further saying that Congress dips its dagger in the sweet syrup of secularism and then drives it into the backs of MuslimsWhile the debate on the Waqf Bill has concluded and President Droupadi Murmu has given her approval the politics around it is far from over Several Opposition parties and prominent Muslim organisations have vowed to continue the fight In the meantime a video has gone viral showing Waqf Joint Parliamentary Committee JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal Congress MP Naseer Hussain and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi laughing and joking in the Parliament canteen leaving the public both amused and perplexedDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-from-pinpricks-to-laughter-trips-parliaments-waqf-debate-610005.html Sun, 06 Apr 2025 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-the-fire-that-lit-up-the-judiciarys-hidden-secrets--607972.html New Delhi March 23 See you in court a phrase often used as the final note of caution in disputes captures the essence of the judiciarys role as the ultimate arbiter of justice Judges vested with the power to alter the course of peoples lives and shape critical legal precedents are among the most respected figures in societyTrust and belief that is how the judiciary is looked up to However when the name of a sitting High Court judge gets linked to allegations of large sums of money shock inevitably follows Even more distressing is the aura of intrigue surrounding the incident which has triggered intense debates and calls for transparency and accountabilityWhether the allegations are true or not is for the Apex Court to determine but this controversy has brought the judiciary facetoface with a deeply uncomfortable moment It arises at a time when other pillars of democracy and key institutions are under scrutiny challenged both by opposition parties and civil society groups It is this very moment that demands the judiciarys serious attentionThere have been murmurs about various issues related to the judiciary But the fear of contempt has forced silence There may be black sheep in the system as are in other places But the stories never come out here There is a wall beyond which only the judicial system has space and no one else can speak or comment or discuss The lords have their own worldLittle could the personnel of the Delhi Fire Brigade have imagined that responding to a fire at a judges residence would lead to the discovery of crores in cashOn March 14 at around 1130 pm a fire broke out at the residential premises of Justice Yashwant Varma the sitting judge of the Delhi High Court It is being reported that it was a call regarding a fire in the storeroom and two fire tenders doused the flames quicklyDuring the process reportedly fire brigade personnel and the police stumbled upon jute sacks full of cash Whether this is true or false the authorities need to answer the media was full of news even carrying the name and picture of the sitting judgeAfter much rumourmongering about the incident the top court in an unprecedented move in the interest of transparency made public the report submitted by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya It released the video shared by the citys Commissioner of Police with the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court HC showing the burnt cash piles purportedly at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma The report also includes Justice Varmas response to the allegation and documents linked to the matterThe incident is now under top courts scrutiny after Chief Justice of India CJI Sanjiv Khanna constituted a threemember committee to conduct an inquiry against Justice VarmaBig legal luminaries are speaking up not just about the incident but seeking a mechanism for transparency and accountability in the whole judicial systemSenior lawyer and Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal said the issue of corruption within the judiciary was a very serious one and that this has been articulated by senior counsels and lawyers several timesFormer Attorney General of India and senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi has talked about the urgent need to overhaul the judiciarys systems particularly in appointments disciplinary actions and removal proceduresSenior Supreme Court advocate and BJP leader Nalin Kohli said this was a very serious matter and questions will be raisedThis is not the first time that the judiciary has come into focus because of an unpleasant situation Its undue activism at times has also been criticisedIn July 2015 the Supreme Court was opened for judges to hear at 3 am the final plea against the execution of Yakub Memon for his role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case It was an unprecedented move as never before was the Supreme Court opened at 3 am for a hearing After about 90 minutes the judges rejected Memons appeal to stop his execution and he was hanged in Nagpur jail a little before 7 am on July 30 2015If the court acknowledged the case situation in the Memon plea case the displaced Kashmiri Pandits have failed to get sensitivity from the judiciary Their pleas for a probe into the terroristperpetrated genocide of Pandit community members in Kashmir in 198990 was dismissed by the top court by saying no case is made outIronically a senior Supreme Court judge now retired acknowledged in the Article 370 verdict of 2023 that little had been said about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits possibly because they did not constitute a significant electoral group to attract political interventionWhile judicial activism may or may not always be praiseworthy corruption is a serious issueA small fire in a judges home has set out a raging inferno within the judicial system that needs to be dealt with carefully It is time for serious introspection and decisive action Ignoring the situation would be akin to burying ones head in the sand The judiciary must be only about see you in court feeling the ultimate justice giver And most people have faithDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-the-fire-that-lit-up-the-judiciarys-hidden-secrets--607972.html Sun, 23 Mar 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/bridging-the-gulf-with-ai-how-india-and-gcc-countries-can-leverage-ai-for-mutual-growth-and-innovation-605741.html New Delhi March 10 Recently a few months back the External Affairs Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar paid his visit to Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the firstever IndiaGCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue During the meeting EAM highlighted with great emphasis that the Gulf Cooperation Council as an entity has a vital significance for India and constitutes the extended neighbourhood for India The key milestone of the meeting was the adoption of a Joint Action Plan 20242028 for cooperating in various sectors such as healthcare security transportation agriculture energy and food security It was also decided that other areas of cooperation will also be included in the Joint Action Plan at later stages with mutually agreedupon consensusIn this regard technology can be something very decisive in making this cooperation stronger and more equitable Technologies especially emerging technologies like AI have the potential to contribute immensely to different sectors and drive inclusive growth and development Interestingly it is important to recognise that AI is the new frontier in the global technology landscape where every country and group is vying to establish a stronghold AI is no longer a buzzword in international politics as it is transforming every aspect of modern society with farreaching implications for the future As India and the Gulf countries seek to enhance their strategic partnership AI can play a pivotal role in fostering greater cooperation and driving mutual prosperity The Gulf Cooperation Council comprising Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates Qatar Kuwait Bahrain and Oman has emerged as a key economic and strategic partner for India Beyond the robust trade and investment flows it is evident that there is a growing convergence of interests between India and the GCC on issues of regional security and counterterrorism due to several geopolitical obligations In this regard building on the growing strategic convergence AI can further deepen the IndiaGCC partnershipOne area where AI can significantly enhance IndiaGCC cooperation is in the field of supply chain management and logistics Emerging AIpowered technologies like predictive analytics autonomous vehicles and robotics can optimise and streamline supply chain operations leading to greater cost efficiencies and improved responsiveness In the GCC region countries like Oman are already exploring the adoption of AI in their logistics sector to drive future growth Similarly the UAE Saudi Arabia and Qatar have made significant strides in embracing AI across various sectors All GCC countries have come up with their own AI strategies and action plans to transform their economies and societiesSaudi Arabia established the Saudi Data and AI Authority in 2019 to develop and implement the nations AI strategy and the UAE set up the Ministry of AI in 2017 and launched the National Strategy for AI 2031 to integrate AI into various sectors Qatar also launched the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2017 to integrate AI across sectors such as healthcare education and transportation Similarly Bahrain introduced guidelines in 2019 to promote responsible and ethical adoption of AI solutions across government agencies Other countries in the GCC such as Kuwait partnered with Microsoft in 2019 to upskill government officials in leveraging AI and digital technologies while Oman collaborated on AI projects for a Smart City Platform in 2020 to enhance traffic management water efficiency and waste managementIt is also important to note that India on the other hand has made significant strides in establishing itself as a global AI powerhouse Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership India has outlined an ambitious National AI Strategy which aims to leverage Indias robust IT infrastructure and talented pool of engineers to position the country as a global leader in AI innovation This signifies that India has tremendous potential to cooperate with GCC countries and help them accelerate their AI adoption and applicationTherefore both India and the GCC countries can work together to harness the power of AI to address shared socioeconomic challenges and unlock new areas of growth India can share its expertise in developing costeffective AI solutions tailored to local needs while the GCC can leverage its financial resources and infrastructure to scale up AI projects Gulf countries have the financial resources and the willingness to invest heavily in advanced technologies to diversify their economies away from hydrocarbon dependence By leveraging complementary strengths India and the GCC can create a powerful AI alliance that drives innovation solves regional challenges and positions both as global leaders in the AI revolutionThe recently adopted IndiaGCC Joint Action Plan 20242028 provides a framework to deepen cooperation in AI and other emerging technologies Indias foreign minister S Jaishankar in his speech during the ministerial meeting said that the demands of AI of electric mobility and of green growth highlight the importance of sharing human resources In this regard collaborative projects can lead to innovative AI solutions tailored to the specific needs of both regions particularly in sectors like healthcare smart cities and agriculture For instance Indias expertise in software development and data analytics can complement the GCCs focus on infrastructure and urban planning GCC countries can invest in Indian startups and research initiatives fostering a vibrant ecosystem for AI innovation This investment can create jobs in both regions particularly in the technology and research sectorsAt the same time as AI becomes more pervasive it is crucial that India and the GCC countries address the associated risks and challenges According to a survey conducted by a think tank named Oliver Wyman Forum while the GCC region demonstrates leadership in the adoption of generative AI with 74 per cent of workers in the UAE and 68 per cent in Saudi Arabia utilising it weekly there are several challenges that require attention Notably 61 per cent of UAE workers and 57 per cent in Saudi Arabia reported that their companies provide inadequate training on the safe and responsible use of AI tools Furthermore 92 per cent of UAE workers have inadvertently exposed company data through the use of generative AI applications Additionally 82 per cent of UAE workers harbour concerns that the proliferation of AI may ultimately lead to the obsolescence of their current rolesIndia on the other hand faces its own unique set of challenges in AI development and deployment These include inadequate infrastructure lack of public funding information asymmetries and the absence of clear regulatory frameworks Therefore by pooling resources and knowledge both regions can speed up the development of new AI applications enhancing competitiveness in the global market as generative AI technologies can be utilised to innovate faster in product development cycles Furthermore AI can enhance crossborder cooperation in critical areas such as cybersecurity counterterrorism and disaster management Robust AIpowered systems can analyse realtime data detect threats and coordinate response mechanisms across borders strengthening regional security and resilience Thus knowledge sharing on AI regulation data privacy and cybersecurity best practices can help both regions develop robust AI ecosystemsHowever according to different experts on AI technology the unregulated deployment of AI technologies also raises ethical questions particularly concerning bias accountability and transparency Thus both regions must work together to establish ethical guidelines that govern the use of AI The potential societal implications of AI such as job displacement and inequality need to be addressed collaboratively to ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably across both regions By collaborating on establishing ethical guidelines for AI development and deployment and ensuring that both regions prioritise transparency accountability and fairness in their AI initiatives India and the GCC can position themselves as responsible global leaders in the AI landscape In order to address the challenges associated with AI adoption companies in GCC countries and India should follow these methods provide clear guidelines and highquality training to safeguard sensitive data address worker concerns about AIs impact on employment through transparent communication and retraining initiatives and implement a robust change management programme to make AI adoption a shared goal among the workforceThus in conclusion it would be important to acknowledge that the strategic partnership between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the adoption and application of artificial intelligence for mutual benefit By combining Indias technological expertise with the GCCs financial resources and infrastructure the two regions can drive innovation address shared challenges and strengthen regional security and resilience However it is crucial that both regions work together to mitigate the risks and ethical concerns associated with AI ensuring that the development and deployment of these technologies are guided by principles of transparency accountability and social responsibility Thus through a collaborative approach India and the GCC can harness the transformative power of AI to enhance cooperation and secure a prosperous and sustainable future for both regionsSudhanshu Kumar is a tech analyst and a doctoral candidate at the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityRashi Randev is a geopolitical analyst and a doctoral candidate at the Centre of Canadian US and Latin American Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/bridging-the-gulf-with-ai-how-india-and-gcc-countries-can-leverage-ai-for-mutual-growth-and-innovation-605741.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-wheres-kejriwal-as-atishi-struggles-on-delhi-roads-604226.html New Delhi March 2 Sometimes it is useful to stay home and reflect on situations to find solutions to issues Perhaps this is what AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal appears to be doing Its been days since he was last seen or heard He has largely remained absent from public view after his partys crushing defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections Kejriwal who lost to BJPs Parvesh Verma in the New Delhi Assembly seat was last seen on February 23 at AAPs legislative party meeting where Atishi was named the Leader of Opposition in the House He has also not posted much politically significant on his social media handles including the XInterestingly he has neither reacted nor posted on the happenings of the Delhi Assembly where his lieutenant Atishi the former Delhi CM seems to be waging a lone leaders fight He has not said a word over the suspension of 21 AAP MLAs from the Delhi AssemblyThe only significant post made by Kejriwal was on the photo controversy which Atishi tried to rake and make into a big issue Reposting Atishis post on X on February 24 Kejriwal wrote in Hindi loosely translated The new BJP government of Delhi removed Baba Sahebs photo and put up the photo of Prime Minister Modi This is not right This has hurt millions of followers of BabasahebI have a request for the BJP You can put the photo of the Prime Minister but do not remove the photo of Baba Saheb Let his photo remain thereAAPs efforts to make it a big issue have come to a cropper as the photo matter has not created any support for AAP Atishi has been trying badly to hit the road on the issue but except for her 20 coMLAS not a single extra AAP worker or leader can be seen joining her protest in the streetsShe has even written a letter to the Speaker objecting to the suspension of 21 MLAs and has tried to make the Assembly ruckus as AAPs fight for AmbedkarOn 25 February 2025 during the address of the Lieutenant Governor MLAs of the ruling party raised slogans of ModiModi while the opposition MLAs raised slogans of Jai Bheem respecting the views of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar It is very unfortunate that no action was taken against any MLA of the ruling party but 21 MLAs of the opposition were suspended from the House for three days for raising the slogan Jai Bheem she wroteWhile Atishi has been trying to keep AAP activism active in Delhi Kejriwal has gone silent It is not that Kejriwal has no involvement in whatever Atishi is doing but the AAP chief seems to prefer to stay low and do jobs from the backroomCurrently in the national capital only Atishi and Gopal Rai seem to be handling the Delhi affairs and the rest all seem to have just vanished after massive electoral defeats Most of the rest of the AAP leaders seem to be busy with varied activitiesFormer Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has also not been visible in the capital or on social media Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh has been busy with the Haryana municipal polls Former Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj is active mostly on XKejriwal is said to be busy keeping his flock together in Punjab where internal rifts are being reported It is also said that he is seeking entry to Parliament through the Rajya Sabha route in order to keep his political scales up despite crushing defeat in DelhiWhile he may or may not gain entry to the Upper House his deeds of previous years are getting exposed in the Delhi AssemblyIt was quite expected for the ruling BJP to go aggressive with the 14 CAG reports that the previous AAP government in Delhi had hidden for fear of exposure Some of them were presented to the LG four years ago but the thenKejriwal government kept them under the carpet The reports are now being tabled one by one exposing the AAP underbelly It was known that things were not right on the ground under the Kejriwalled government but the extent is now being exposedAs per the CAG reports everything seems to be wrong with the AAP dispensation in Delhi These reports including performance audits on several issues such as the cost of renovating former CM Arvind Kejriwals residence liquor supply in Delhi prevention and mitigation of air pollution functioning of the Delhi Transport Corporation healthcare and Mohalla Clinics gravely reflect the then Kejriwal governments workingThe coming days may not be good for Kejriwal and his party as action may ensue on the CAG reports He was in jail for five months last year for his alleged role in the excise policy After the CAG expose his legal troubles may mount Equally distressing for him could be his political troublesDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-wheres-kejriwal-as-atishi-struggles-on-delhi-roads-604226.html Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/usaid-india-voter-row-ngos-did-the-work-for-whom-questions-arise-601796.html New Delhi Feb 17 Several questions are cropping up over the USAID funds made available to several NGOs in the country The newly created US Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE which has been auditing several government agencies in the US and cutting wasteful expenditure posted on February 16 that they identified and cut 486M to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening including 21M for voter turnout in IndiaThe money was given to the NGO Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening CEPPS for a programme Voter Turnout in India Curiously the CEPPS website is offline nowThe DOGE revelations have led to a major controversy in India with the BJP terming the nowcancelled funding external interference in Indias electoral process21M for voter turnout This definitely is external interference in Indias electoral process Who gains from this Not the ruling party for sure said BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya in a statement on SundayMalviya also flagged the controversial 2012 Memorandum of Understanding MoU signed between the Election Commission of India and The International Foundation for Electoral Systems an organisation linked to Soros Open Society Foundation which is primarily funded by USAID the American federal body that oversees foreign aid and is facing massive budget cuts under Donald Trumps presidencyThe USAID programme Elections and Political Processes was to Promote legitimate contestation for ideas and political power through democratic political processes that reflect the will of the peopleThe action has raised several questions including whether this was going on for several years to destabilise the country or influence the voters minds Since the timing of the funding corresponds with that of the Congressled UPA rule at the Centre the fingers are being pointed at the grand old partyIn 2013 USAID pledged half a million dollars for India under the same category and its implementing partner was CEPPS The funds were disbursed monthly in and around the general election in India 2014 Postelection the funding faded though CEPPS continued to fund various projects in India under different headsMedia reports have said that in the Annual Finance Reports of CEPPS for at least 2016 2017 2018 and 2019 the disbursed amount every year is around 320000 This CEPPS is part of the larger umbrella of IFES International Foundation of Electoral System which is fundedpartnered with USAID the US State Department Open Society Soros etcIn 2012 the ECI under Dr SY Quraishi as the Chief Election Commissioner signed an MoU with IFES for joint initiatives for exchanging information experiences and research All this involves the sharing of a lot of data which in todays era is considered worth a gold mineQuraishi has however denied any wrongdoing but admitted that there was an MoU with IFES Yes there was an MoU with IFES in 2012 when I was CEC like we had with many other agencies and Election Management Bodies to facilitate training for desirous countries at ECIs training and resource centre IIIDEM which was very new at that stageHe said in a post on X There was no financing or even promise of finance involved in MoU forget X or Y amount The MoU in fact made it clear in black and white that there would be no financial and legal obligation of any kind on either sideHe also added that this stipulation was made at two different places to leave no scope for any ambiguity Any mention of any funds in connection with this MoU is completely false and maliciousInterestingly Quraishi in March 2020 had reposted a tweet that indirectly wished that Prime Minister Modi test positive for Covid19 after he met Brazilian President Bolsonaro during the Republic Day celebrations Quraishi also posted a picture of a handshake between the twoThe IFES in May 2023 published a report on Dalits role in the election in India This report comprises an analysis of survey data of Dalits across South Asia with questions on electionsrelated issues The page has gone defunct nowThe white papers keywords resembled Rahul Gandhis speeches of jiski jitni aabadi representation participation and influence in ParliamentThe money trail involved movement from the USAID to CEPPS a consortium of three large NGOs which in turn partnered with other NGOs and organisations across the world and further funnelled money into these countriesThere is a web of NGOs which have been involved in a series of projects linked to USAID And questions arise about the money pumped into the country where they mainly aimed at influencing voters to get a likeable government at the Centre who was to get the benefits in India and the US and what could have been the benefits like IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/usaid-india-voter-row-ngos-did-the-work-for-whom-questions-arise-601796.html Mon, 17 Feb 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-president-trump-starts-his-second-tenure-on-expected-lines-597565.html New Delhi Jan 26 The series of directives issued by President Donald Trump within hours of his swearingin was as expected unambiguous assertive and geopolitically important They seemingly confirmed that the new US President was determined to take complete control of the governance bring the America First call into play and give priority to building the economic strength of the US to fulfil that mandate The first of the ten executive orders signed by him even before moving to the Oval Office suspended 78 notifications issued by the Biden Presidency His directives included a freeze on the hiring of Federal employees except for the military immigration control national security and public safety stoppage of issue of any further notifications by Federal officials and restoration of complete freedom of speech ending the weaponisation of the instruments of governance in the previous regimeThere was also the declaration of withdrawal from the Paris Climate Treaty to save American aid of 3 billion given annually to the climate fund This and the pullout from the WHO that would deprive the UN agency of the annual US contribution of 130 million will have international repercussions Trumps longheld antipathy towards WHO is rooted in his perception that the UN agency was influenced by China which was responsible for Covid 19 virus and that WHO had mishandled the pandemicTrumps announced mission of Making America Great Again seems to be the prompt behind many of these early declarations in the spheres of foreign policy domestic handling of inflation and unemployment as well as of economy and trade President Trump in his second innings is driven by a desire to transform the US and leave behind a legacy of decisionmaking that no other President could measure up toThe first directives signed by Trump covered matters ranging from the security of borders to the thrust on bringing the governance totally under the Presidents control He terminated all arrangements of remote functioning for federal employees and ordered their return to InPerson work He asked for a plan for downsizing the Federal governments workforce through improvement of efficiency and attritionAt the same time he directed executive departments and agencies to implement emergency price relief measures to lower the cost of housing health care food and fuel and also create employment opportunitiesIn an extraordinary executive order President Trump renamed the US Digital Service as the Department of Government EfficiencyDOGE and proposed to place it under Elon Musk for maximising the governments efficiency and productivity Trump has directed his Secretary of State Marco Rubio to implement the America First foreign policy in which the US and US citizens will be the sole priorityHe ordered the rechristening of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and the return of the name of Denali the highest peak in North America to the former Mount McKinleynamed after the 25th President of the US in the 19th century At home the new President has called for tightening immigration laws interestingly the concerned directive captioned Protecting the American people against Invasion introduces a slew of policies aimed at curbing immigrationTrump in fact declared a national emergency for checking immigration and directed military personnel to help secure the southern border through the use of additional physical barriers as well as drones The Homeland Security Secretary has been asked by Trump to establish Homeland Security Task Forces in all states to assist in the faithful execution of immigration lawsIn another directive Trump has ended birthright citizenship for children born in the US to immigrant parents who were in the country illegally as well as those born to parents who were there on a temporary basis He has threatened mass deportations of illegal migrants including those whose birthright citizenship was revokedPresident Trump has designated some of the Drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations on the grounds that they had engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the hemisphere and flooded the US with crime thus posing a security risk to the country Designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organisations could facilitate military action against targets in Mexico and other countries Trumps focus on the challenge of countering terrorism will be appreciated by IndiaIn an executive order the new President has put curbs on visa seekers from certain countries to protect the US from potential foreign terrorists Vetting and screening will be intensified in regard to visa applicants from regions and nations with identified security risksTrump has restored the death penalty in the interest of public safety and asked the Attorney General to pursue cases of the death penalty for all capital crimes Moreover Trump has termed the Diversity Equity and InclusivityDEI programmes of the Biden Administration as radical and wasteful and emphasised that there should be prioritisation of merit and skill in hiring He rescinded a Biden executive order that enabled the Presidency to hire and fire federal civil servants with an eye on loyalty and ordained that the employees should faithfully implement the administrations policies to the best of their ability consistent with their Constitutional oathTrump is not taken in by the rhetoric of liberal values and he has firmly rejected gender identity politics and the diversity regulations earlier mentioned and has shown no flair for promoting human rights globally The policy of the Trump Administration is to recognise two sexes male and female and consequently the Federal government will henceforth use the word sex not genderIn line with the America First doctrine Trump has declared a National energy emergency that calls for a review of all obstacles to the creation of domestic energy infrastructure resulting from legal impediments such as the Endangered Species Act He has paused all federal Wind Energy projects rejected the concept of renewable energy and endorsed the revival of the oil and natural gas industry Significantly Trump has talked of the America First Trade Policy calling for immediate examination of the unfair and unbalanced trade with all countries including ChinaSome of the orders issued by President Trump are clearly beneficial for him at the personal level In what was clearly anticipated Trump granted pardons and commutation of sentences for offences relating to the events at or near the US Capitol on January 6 2021 He also ordered the dismissal of all pending indictments related to January 6 The sweeping clemency directive covered more than 1500 defendantsTrump alleging that there was political vendetta behind these casesTrump ordered flags to be flown at full mast on Presidential inauguration days annulling the Biden Administrations directive for a monthlong mourning for Jimmy Carter former US President that would have covered President Trumps swearingin eventThe Trump directive to keep the popular Chinaowned TikTok operational temporarily was meant to delay the execution of a law that had shut down the social media platform on national security grounds unless it was sold to an American and fixed Sunday January 19 as the deadline for this Trump has declared that he was open to Elon Musk Tesla CEO buying TikTok this will be a good business venture for Musk and a great source of political support for the new PresidentTargeting the DeepState Trump signed an order ending the weaponisation of government against political opponents and directed the Attorney General to investigate the Biden regimes misuse of the Department of Justice Securities and Exchange Commission SEC as well as the Federal Trade Commission FTC US Supreme Court is said to have a preponderance of conservative justices presently and it had recently ruled that Presidents are broadly immune from prosecution for any official actions taken during their term This should be a comforting situation for TrumpThe policy framework of President Donald Trump is still unfolding but their invoking of America First by him had already found an expression in foreign policy trade tariff and national security perspectives defined by him He is being very vocal about his intention of transforming the countrys systems to Make America Great AgainIndia would find itself on the same side of the fence as President Trump on the issue of global terror and its faithbased origins which had led the new President to call for special watch on the visa applicants from certain nations and regionsTrump is circumspect about projecting American political strength or its military might as a Superpower and his thrust on growth through economic advancement was clearly in evidence However the President did make mention of China more than once on an adversarial note Apart from the fact that he made a specific reference only to China in the context of a review of trade imbalances with all countries the new President forthrightly blamed China for dominating WHO and causing the COVID19 pandemic and in his inaugural speech justified the decision of US to take back Panama Canal because China was deriving an unfair strategic advantage through its useApart from Trumps stand against global terror his policy towards China would facilitate IndoUS friendship Trump seems to discount Human Rights campaigns on social media while favouring a peaceful world order His past record of friendship with President Putin of Russia and a lack of enthusiasm for the European Union as such and his full support to Israel against the violence of Hamas might have a moderating effect on the UkraineRussia war on one hand and help the process of release of hostages by both Hamas and Israel on the otherIndia should have a cautious approach to the America First call and Trumps handling of tariffs immigration and security of borders particularly after his declaration that we will forge a society that is colour blind and meritbased India is a major power in a multipolar world order and is a votary of global peace fairness in international trade and bilateral relations based on mutual security and economic interests It can deal with Trumps Presidency on merit tooThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-president-trump-starts-his-second-tenure-on-expected-lines-597565.html Sun, 26 Jan 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-76th-year-of-constitution-test-case-for-indian-secularists-597581.html New Delhi Jan 26 There comes a moment in life when one must introspect and move forward with renewed vigour The same goes for a nation India is celebrating 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution and it is the right moment to reflect especially on the concept of secularism Is the country really secular today That is the question that comes to mind when one sees pockets areas or regions witnessing either a total wipeout or a drastic decline in the number of Hindus It may appear to be unbelievable that a country with 80 per cent Hindu population has areas where they do not exist anymoreBefore Partition Hindus were present in large numbers in Pakistan and Bangladesh Seventyseven years later their numbers have declined dangerously in both countries This was expected as they are declared Islamic Republics where space for minorities Hindus in particular hardly existsBut what about Independent India which has a Constitution that professes secularism and equality If so then why have some areas witnessed the ouster of Hindus One of the worst examples is Kashmir where minorities especially Hindus were forced outIs Kashmir not a failure of the secularriddled ethos of the flagbearers whether political or social Havent they failed the Constitution or has the Constitution fallen short of protecting the Hindus It is a question that will be trashed by the secular brigade but should tingle the minds of the majorityKashmir is the test case of Islamic dominance perpetrated in the garb of azadi freedom that saw the gradual annihilation of the Hindus From being cent per cent Hindus the decline started with the advent of Islam in the Valley in the 14th century After continued and often brutal persecution by Muslim rulers the divided Valley was left with about six per cent Kashmiri Pandits in 1948 when JampK acceded to IndiaOver the decades this percentage further decreased Pandits moved to other parts of India due to discriminatory policies and attitudes of the Muslimmajority governments state administration and political class which was shielded by Article 370 Till the late 1980s the population had come down to almost two per cent In the late 1980s terrorism erupted in the Valley primarily targeting the Kashmiri Hindu communityIt was during the tenure of Farooq Abdullah November 7 1986 January 18 1990 that Kashmir witnessed organised attacks on Kashmiri Pandits The persecution led to genocide and exodus of the minorities especially the Kashmiri HindusToday Farooq Abdullah is the secular leader of the secular and socialist INDIA bloc The two words secular and socialist are the pet words for a majority of the political entities in the country whose total electoral politics is based on religion and caste mathematics For them 20 per cent of the countrys population is the major gateway to the Assembly or Parliament Hence fluttering the secular flag is the utmost vital strategy to be sure about the path to the electoral victoryIn this 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution let these secular entities introspect on what they have done to save the minorities in Kashmir None of them have stood for the rights of minorities and no one has demanded a probe or justice for the displaced Kashmiri HindusCrying foul in the name of secularism the Congress Samajwadi Party Trinamool Congress AAP or DMK or any other political party have failed to find secularism in the tragedy of the Kashmiri Pandits as the community lacks electoral strength and money powerThe parties are vigorously sentimental about the two words that never existed in the original Constitution The words socialist and secular were inserted into the Preamble under the 42nd Constitutional Amendment moved by the Indira Gandhi government in 1976 The amendment changed the description of the country in the Preamble from a sovereign democratic republic to a sovereign socialist secular democratic republicThe words perhaps were inserted to engrave the concept that the only country in the world with a Hindu majority can never assert its largeness and the secular addition to the Constitution can pin its strength Has this concept weighed on the majority which is gradually seeing its presence dwindle or even be wiped out in certain areas regions or statesBesides Kashmir there are several other examples like Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh where the Yogi government is trying to set wrongs right there are places in Kerala Bihar Jharkhand West Bengal etcLast year a working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister EACPM said the share of the Hindu population decreased by 782 per cent between 1950 and 2015 in India while that of Muslims increased by 4315 per cent The paper also mentioned that within Indias neighbourhood Bangladesh Pakistan Sri Lanka Bhutan and Afghanistan the share of the majority religious denomination has increased and minority populations have shrunk alarminglyFor secular parties the decline of Hindus means nothing as appeasing their vote bank furthers their electoral goals But in this 76th year of Constitution adoption when they debate vehemently for secularism and socialism let Kashmir be their test case to prove that secularism does exist in actuality and not just in their rhetoricDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-76th-year-of-constitution-test-case-for-indian-secularists-597581.html Sun, 26 Jan 2025 16:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/january-19-the-day-to-remember-how-hindus-were-persecuted-in-kashmir-596244.html New Delhi Jan 19 Every year the Kashmiri Pandit community observes January 19 as the Holocaust Remembrance DayExodus Day to mourn the loss of lives homes livelihoods language culture Kashmir and Kashmiriyat For the community the day is also to remember the failure of the administration political leaders civil society and the loss of humanityIt is not that on January 19 the whole of the Kashmiri Hindu community fled Kashmir many stayed back in the hope that harm wouldnt come to them However massacres continued targeted killings kept on happening kidnappings rapes assaults loot and arson and harassment continuedAccording to an estimate by a local organisation Kashmir Pandit Sangharsh Samiti KPSS which surveyed in 2008 and 2009 a total of 399 Kashmiri Hindus were killed by insurgents from 1990 to 2011 with 75 per cent of them being killed during the first year of the advent of terrorismAn RTI filed last year said that 89 Kashmiri Pandits were killed in attacks since the inception of militancy in 1990 The numbers are disputed because many Kashmiri Pandits could not get FIRs filed and have no police recordOn March 23 2010 the then JampK Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla told the Assembly in Jammu that 219 Pandits were killed in Kashmir from 1989 to 2004The numbers may be disputed but what happened 35 years ago cannot be disputedThe entire Muslim majority population kept its eyes and ears shut as the minuscule Kashmiri Pandits were singularly targeted As fanatics danced on the Valley streets loudspeakers atop mosques roared with hate slogans threatening to rape and kill the kafirs if they failed to leave Kashmir Raliv galiv chaliv convert die flee were the options given to the HindusThere was no one to stop the radicalised mobs that had taken over everything in the valley and there was no one to put an end to the venomous speeches In the name of Azadi freedom there was something else happening It was the purging of the Hindus so that their places could be taken and their properties usurped The whole socalled freedom moment was for total Islamisation of the valley so that the merger with Islamic Pakistan could be done easilyThe then administration had totally withered away the police had become nonfunctional with some deeply involved with the terrorists There was no one the minority community could turn to The Pandit parents were ready to kill their women and girls as the frenzied crowds on the roads meant only violence Many women were kidnapped and brutally violatedNone of the leaders Farooq Abdullah the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Saifuddin Soz Ghulam Nabi Azad and others who claim to be votaries of secularism were there to come to help the minorities in the valleyFarooq Abdullah was the Chief Minister of JampK from 19861990 Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the Union Home Minister 19891990 It was under their watch that terrorism crept in and then flourished in KashmirThe maximum number of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits Sikhs and all those who were seen as proIndia brutal gangrapes and killing of Pandit women desecration of temples kidnappings attacks and harassment of the valleys minority were happening when the two were at the helmWarnings were pasted on the doors and walls of Kashmiri Pandit homes open threats were published in local newspapers and messages were conveyed to targeted people to leave or dieThere was no political leader or anyone from the majority Muslim community no civil society member either in the erstwhile state or in New Delhi to stand up and try to stop the persecutionJanuary 19 also exposes the hollowness of the countrys top constitutional institutions which failed to take note of the atrocities and investigate and prosecute all those involved in the persecution and exodus of their fellow citizensThree decades after the mass exodus none of the successive governments at the Centre or in the state set up a commission or formed an SIT to probe the exodusJanuary 19 is the day to remember the failure of the Kashmiriyat and also the failure of the democratic pillars legislature executive and judiciaryDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/january-19-the-day-to-remember-how-hindus-were-persecuted-in-kashmir-596244.html Sun, 19 Jan 2025 10:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-overlooked-atrocities-and-eus-failure-to-act-594019.html New Delhi Jan 6 On 31 October 2024 the EUBangladesh Subgroup on Good Governance and Human Rights met in Dhaka to discuss cooperation in strengthening human rights good governance and ongoing reforms under Bangladeshs interim government Both parties acknowledged the opportunity for progress amidst the countrys political transition particularly following the JulyAugust uprising The EU welcomed Bangladeshs commitment to reforms including ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and creating a Commission on enforced disappearances They also discussed the importance of transitional justice and accountability for past human rights violations emphasizing womens and minority rights electoral reforms and labor rights Bangladesh reaffirmed its dedication to democracy and human rights and shared its collaboration with the UN to address violations during the studentled movement Both sides agreed on the need for continued cooperation in multilateral human rights foraHowever the ongoing violence against Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh particularly after the government fell in August 2024 did not even find mention in the discussions While the EU has previously called for addressing earlier atrocities it failed to question or seek accountability for the recent surge of targeted violenceSince the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 Bangladesh has been engulfed in intense political and social turmoil with devastating consequences for its religious minorities particularly Hindus The violence against communities including attacks on homes businesses temples and community leaders has escalated to levels unseen since the 1971 genocide Despite the grave human rights violations occurring the European Union EU a significant global actor and one of Bangladeshs largest aid donors has failed to take substantial action or effectively address the situationHindus who now make up only 795 of Bangladeshs population have been disproportionately targeted in this ongoing violence Over 200 documented attacks on minorities have taken place across 52 districts since August Community leaders of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness ISKCON have been arrested on dubious charges of seditionThe situation has been further exacerbated by the actions of the interim government which has overseen the release of radical Islamist elements convicted of terrorism including members of Ansarullah Bangla Team ABT and JamaateIslami leaders has stirred fears of a resurgence of Islamic extremism These actions contradict the secular foundations of Bangladesh and signal a disturbing drift toward authoritarianism Yunus has delayed the holding of general elections and created a constitutionamending committee without democratic mandate raising alarm about the countrys direction towards an undemocratic and potentially Talibanlike regimeThe EU despite being Bangladeshs largest export partner and a major aid donor has largely remained silent While the EU has engaged in a few bilateral meetings with the interim government it has refrained from issuing any strong statements condemning the escalating violence and human rights abuses This silence is deeply troubling especially in contrast to the EUs usual approach of addressing crises and human rights violations in other regionsThe European Parliament has failed to adopt a resolution condemning the systemic persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh including attacks on Hindus This silence on growing authoritarianism and the lack of action to restore democratic processes raises serious concerns about the EUs commitment to human rights and democracyThe EUs inaction in the face of escalating religious persecution and political instability undermines its credibility as a defender of democratic values and risks destabilizing the region It must act decisively leveraging its influence to demand an end to the persecution of Hindus and other minorities call for free and fair elections and push for the restoration of democracy in BangladeshIf the EU continues to ignore these atrocities it risks losing its position as a global leader in promoting human rights and democracy Such inaction could embolden extremist forces further entrench authoritarianism and destabilize the region jeopardizing EU interests in Asia Immediate action is essential to prevent Bangladesh from descending into chaos similar to Talibancontrolled AfghanistanThe writer is an author columnist and holds a PhD in Sociology IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-overlooked-atrocities-and-eus-failure-to-act-594019.html Mon, 06 Jan 2025 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-welfare-schemes-or-ponzi-tactics-red-flag-on-kejriwals-election-game-plan-592563.html New Delhi Dec 29 It is indeed a bizarre situation where a Chief Minister announces schemes and the government terms them fraud This probably must be unprecedented in Independent Indias history but that is how it has been happening in the national capital Delhis politics has never been normal witnessing twists and turns right from the day Arvind Kejriwal became the Aam Aadmi Party chief and formed the government From sleeping on the road threatening to disrupt the Republic Day function in 2014 to parking himself overnight on LGs sofa in 2018 former Chief Minister Kejriwal has attempted all novel ideas to endear himself to the public even trying to make his arrest jail period and release on bail something like political martyrdomHis unusual activism has no doubt given him a majority in the Delhi Assembly thrice becoming the Chief Minister from 2013 to 2014 2015 to 2020 and then again for the third time The tenure of the seventh Delhi Assembly is scheduled to end on February 15 2025 and before that the election process has to end So with the elections near Kejriwal and his party are moving heaven and earth to rekindle peoples faith which was badly shaken when they elected BJP candidates to all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capitalHis plot in the 2024 Lok Sabha election was an utter disaster after he made it a kind of a peoples referendum on his arrest which he had termed illegal But the electorate rejected his candidates somehow proving that his victim card had no takers The arrest was in connection with corruption allegations relating to the Delhi governments 2022 policies over the sale of alcohol Later the Supreme Court granted him interim bail for three weeks to campaign for the parliamentary elections on the condition that he would abstain from his official duties as Chief Minister Finally the Apex Court on September 13 2024 gave him regular bail Four days later he resigned from his post and made Atishi the CMDenying all allegations against him Kejriwal said that he would take up the post only if people reelected his AAP in the upcoming Assembly elections With this vow Kejriwal stepped down and has been attempting to win peoples favourFollowing the rejection of his victimhood referendum tactic in the 2024 general election the only best strategy for him is to announce and promise dolesThere is nothing wrong with making promises to the electorate before the election Every party does that and Kejriwal who is the AAP convenor did the same Kejriwal announced the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana ahead of the upcoming elections Registration for both schemes began on December 23The Delhi government in its 202425 Budget had announced Mahila Samman scheme to provide Rs 1000 per month to all women aged above 18 However Kejriwal on December 22 announced that the amount would be raised to Rs 2100 if his party returned to power in the Assembly elections He also said that the AAP volunteers would go to the peoples homes and complete the registration The beneficiaries were required to show their voter identity cards he added He also made the announcement for the Sanjeevani Yojana saying the elderly people will be registered at their homes by AAP volunteersAs Kejriwal CM Atishi his ministers MLAs and AAP volunteers started visiting homes and collecting data about the likely beneficiaries senior officers in the Delhi government released public notices and disowned the registration process started by CM Atishi and her predecessor Arvind KejriwalIt was an unprecedented move two Delhi departments releasing public notices saying the welfare schemes launched by AAP have not been notified by the government and are nonexistentThe Department of Women and Child Development WCD said the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana does not exist and has not been approved by the Delhi government It urged citizens to refrain from sharing personal information with individuals or groups claiming association with the fake scheme as doing so could result in identity theft or financial fraudThe Health and Family Welfare Department also said that the Sanjeevani Yojana was nonexistent The notice advised the public to exercise caution and not be misled by fraudulent claims about free medical servicesThe public notices have made the AAPs exercise appear like a Ponzi scheme in which people get looted A Ponzi scheme is an investment scam that pays early investors the money taken from later investors to create an illusion of big profits The AAPs two unapproved schemes seem to be luring people as investors in the AAPs electoral win to make Kejriwal Chief Minister for the fourth timeBecoming the Delhi CM again is the ultimate answer to the cases of corruption filed against him that is what Kejriwal has been saying The win in the Assembly elections is crucial for Kejriwals political existence and AAPs growth Hence the promises for welfare schemes The success of the Ladli Behna Scheme in contributing to the BJPs win in Maharashtra has given Kejriwal a proven strategy to pursue his ambitious goal of winning all 70 seats in DelhiDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-welfare-schemes-or-ponzi-tactics-red-flag-on-kejriwals-election-game-plan-592563.html Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/remembering-aps-attack-2014-and-pakistans-continued-struggle-against-terrorism--590152.html Islamabad Dec 16 The morning of December 16 2014 is etched in Pakistans history as one of the goriest and gloomiest A terrorist attack on Army Public School APS in Peshawar butchered about 150 students and teachers While the incident became a breaking point for Pakistan families of students and teachers and people at large still ask questions to the leaders of the time But justice has been elusive December 16 2024 marks a decade after the traumatising and shocking memories of the APS attack The incident not only shook the whole of Pakistan but also left everyone in the world shellshocked Unfortunately even today the questions and demands for justice outnumber actions taken to put an end to the menace of terrorism from the countryAfter the APS attack Pakistan decided to end the segregation of good and bad Taliban and announced a clear allout policy to crush terrorist groups like the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP the militant group that claimed responsibility of the attack and other groups through a National Action Plan NAP But ten years after the incident and the introduction of NAP a pertinent question remains where do we standPakistan today is mourning in remembrance of the victims of the APS attack All educational institutions nationwide have been closed while rallies and special prayers are to be held to observe the occasion But the primary question continues to haunt the country as even after a decade Pakistan is still struggling to root out terror from its soil as attacks continue to claim lives in the country every dayThese terrorist groups enjoyed a renewed boost since 2021 when Afghan Taliban took over neighbouring Afghanistan Since then TTP and its affiliate groups have enjoyed extended support in every possible way to carry out their attacks in Pakistan said strategic analyst Kamran YousafEven though civilian casualties and attacks have come down TTP and other of its affiliates have certainly been able to penetrate into Pakistan and have carried out multiple attacks on police and security forces TTP poses a direct threat to Pakistans security as it tries to become the arm of AlQaeda in the region Kamran Yousaf addedWhile Pakistan government claims that the Afghan Taliban are arming facilitating harbouring and supporting TTP and its ongoing terrorist attacks it is also a fact that the country has fallen short and has failed to root out TTP footprints from its territory The fact also remains that other extremist groups which operate under the umbrella of sectarianism and target other sects with violence also continue to function openlyTerrorism should not have a selective identification Be it the TTP AlQaeda ISKP or other groups spreading sectarian violence arming sectarian groups to kill others or using the excuse of blasphemy to extend their antistate agendas unless all of these groups are neutralised the battle will be impossible to win said Azaz Syed senior analystToday as the country remembers the massacre in APS in 2014 family members of the departed children and teachers are still carrying demands and questions to the state calling for the implementation of NAP without delay and providing justice to the families of those who fell victim to the brutalityThe state must fully commit itself to end the menace of terrorism Sadly the state seems more focused on indulging itself in politics manoeuvring and dictating the political parties and their opposition leaving counterterrorism far down in the list of priorities said senior political analyst Javed SiddiqueIf we do not want to see repeats of the tragic APS attack in the present and the future the attitude of the state will have to change he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/remembering-aps-attack-2014-and-pakistans-continued-struggle-against-terrorism--590152.html Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-congress-under-fire-as-allies-push-for-new-leadership-in-india-bloc-588346.html New Delhi Dec 8 The question is it the right time for the oppositionminus Congress to assert its identity today no longer seems overstated The churn has begun and loud voices are seeking a change in the INDIA blocs leadership Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav the blocs two major performers have started targeting Congress at its most vulnerable points Their party leaders are directly and indirectly pointing fingers at the grand old party and its leader Rahul GandhiTheir contentions are not unfounded The Congress has lost its sheen over the past few decades and has witnessed more downslides even as the Gandhi familys electoral fortunes have excelled It has failed to build on issues and corner the Modiled government and is rather obsessed with businessmen and the Prime MinisterDespite having Mallikarjun Kharge as its president the Congress is largely perceived as a Gandhi familydominated party The family has done itself well with Rahul Gandhi winning two Lok Sabha seats Wayanad and Rae Bareli Priyanka Gandhi Vadra registering a huge victory in Wayanad after her brother chose to retain Rae Bareli mother Sonia Gandhi successfully shifted to the Rajya Sabha later giving up Rae Bareli Lok Sabha for her son Family loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma wrested the Amethi Lok Sabha seat from Smriti Irani The family has secured its fortunes but the party has floundered Except for Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh the Congress has performed badly in the rest of the statesThe partys better performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is being credited to the regional allies For instance in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh it was chiefly Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party SP that did the best in the INDIA bloc and helped the Congress to gain also The Samajwadi Party raised its tally to 37 seats from five and its vote share jumped from 1811 per cent to 3359 per cent Congress increased its vote share by over three per cent to 946 per cent with six seats against one earlierWhile SP helped Congress in Uttar Pradesh in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections the grand old party refused to accommodate Akhilesh Yadavs partyIn the recently held bypolls also Congress fared poorly in comparison to its INDIA bloc allies The Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party did much better The only consolation for the Congress party was winning all three seats in Karnataka and retaining one in Madhya Pradesh However its performance in Rajasthan Assam Punjab and Gujarat was poorIn the Jharkhand Assembly polls which the INDIA bloc has been celebrating the truth is that the Hemant Sorenled JMMs strong performance secured the victory It certainly was not Congress win In the South the DMK has been going strong and has elbowed out all including Congress though it is an INDIA bloc ally The only place where the grand old party has been able to maintain its lead is KarnatakaThe Opposition minus Congress has started expressing itself openly Raising the bugle this time is none other than Mamata BanerjeeIn Bengal she has maintained her supremacy in the Lok Sabha elections and the Assembly polls and the various bypolls She remains unvanquished She has stopped the BJP from growing in the state and has pinned the rest including the Left and the CongressThe Trinamools dominance in West Bengal has bolstered its position within the INDIA bloc especially after the recent bypoll victories in the state The backtoback wins have reinforced Mamata Banerjees stature as a formidable antiBJP force in the opposition blocHer party leaders have been calling on the Congress and other INDIA bloc allies to set aside their egos and recognise Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the alliance They have also said that the Congress should take the backseatThe Maharashtra Assembly election results seem to be the last straw for the Opposition minus Congress Days after a few of her party Trinamool Congress MPs said that she should be in the INDIA blocs drivers seat Mamata Banerjee expressed her wish She said that she was ready to take up the leadership of the INDIA blocQuickly lending her support was the Samajwadi Party which urged the INDIA bloc to discuss Mamata Banerjees suggestion and extended 100 per cent support and cooperation to her The party also wants Congress to take responsibility for the losses be it in Haryana or Maharashtra where it was the main party The CPI has also been equally scathing of the Congress for not accommodating its allies especially in the Haryana and Maharashtra pollsNationalist Congress Party SP MP Supriya Sule has also positively reacted to Mamata Banerjees statement Sule has said that they will be happy if the Trinamool Congress chief takes on more responsibility within the allianceThe Congress which is still reeling from the Maharashtra loss may find it difficult to resist INDIA allies contentions this time The party may or may not go for introspection but the Opposition minus Congress needs to find its footing and this is the right timeDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-congress-under-fire-as-allies-push-for-new-leadership-in-india-bloc-588346.html Sun, 08 Dec 2024 20:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/could-syrias-jihadist-conflict-escalate-as-regional-powers-weigh-in-on-intervening-587562.html New Delhi Dec 4 It has been over a week since jihadist violence resurfaced in Syria and amid confusion over the exact ground situation and namecalling among the superpowers the conflict seems to be showing signs of expanding and escalating as various regional powers especially allies of President Bashar Al Assad express their willingness to join in Iran which counts Syria as its closest Arab ally has offered military support including troops against terrorists of the Hayat Tahrir alShams HTS formerly known as Jabhat alNusra and said to be affiliated with Al Qaeda Various Iraqi militias have also expressed readiness to help Damascus deal with the jihadists who moved out of their sanctuary in the northern Idlib province to overrun Allepo city and move on southwardsRussia which has had an expeditionary force in the country for nearly a decade now has already deployed air support against the HTS terroristsMeanwhile in a development of concern there are reports that militants led by Kurdish leaders and reportedly backed by the US are opening up a new front against the Syrian army in the eastern province of Dayr alZawr building up their forces in half a dozen odd villages east of the EuphratesNotably the US continues to maintain a military deployment in oilproducing areas of eastern Syria and is accused by the Syrian government of supporting antiregime forcesAgainst this backdrop an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council convened to discuss the Syrian issue descended into an expected spat with the US and the UK blaming Russia and Iran for the current situation as well as the Assad regime Russia blaming the US and its allies and Iran more directly blaming the US and Israel China also criticised the West albeit in a more veiled formThough UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Otto Pedersen said there is no military solution to the current conflict in Syria and warned of a deepening of the crisis if there is no deescalation the chance of a diplomatic situation seems remote as the Security Council remains deadlocked amid the usual posturing and rhetoricThe only diplomatic effort was made by Iran whose Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited Syria and then Turkey and has spoken of travelling to Russia too Meanwhile President Masoud Pezeshkian has talked to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as well as various Arab leadersThe focus is on restoring the Astana Process reached in 2020 after negotiations starting in the Kazakh capital in 2016 and bringing a sort of peace to civilwarbattered Syria after principal stakeholders the Assad regime most of its opponents as well as Russia Turkey and Iran hammered out a truce agreement It is this truce that lies in tatters with the HTS advanceOn the other hand the role of Turkey is still ambiguous and it maintains a military presence in Idlib from where the HTS terrorists have struck out While President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has underscored that his country supports Syrias territorial integrity and national unity both he and his Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan respectively have maintained the cause of the conflict and a prerequisite for its end was recognising the legitimate demands of the Syrian people and oppositionNevertheless the Syrian regime has not assigned any blame to Turkey for the renewed violenceWhile a diplomatic resolution to a protracted conflict is a lengthy and painstaking and by no means assured process given the multiplicity of interests involved the prospects of a military intervention seem quicker and resonate with the targeted audience betterHowever the situation in Syria could easily get complicated if Iranian troops and Iraqi auxiliaries enter a country beset by Islamist terrorists and already hosting willingly and unwillingly Russian Turkish and US military personnel and above all bordering Israel It was the Israeli strike of a diplomatic establishment of Iran in Damascus and then the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran that triggered the initial missile strike on Israel by IranThen troubletorn Lebanon where the fragile ceasefire already shows signs of unravelling is also a neighbourA military presence or not each ally and adversary alike is likely to use the situation to their advantage While on one side Iran would like to gain more leverage Turkey to ensure renewed diplomatic relations with Syria and Russia to protect its prime Middle East ally on the other Israel would like to weaken Iran and the Resistance Front and the US to distract Russia as it slowly makes gains against Ukraine and counter IranHanging over all of this is the continuing carnage in Gaza and the approaching Presidency of Donald Trump In an already restive region any misstep could have fraught consequencesVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/could-syrias-jihadist-conflict-escalate-as-regional-powers-weigh-in-on-intervening-587562.html Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/understanding-the-shia-genocide-in-pakistan-a-crisis-in-kurram-district-586974.html New Delhi Dec 1 The systematic targeting of Shia Muslims in Pakistan particularly in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has grown into a humanitarian crisis The escalating violence against the Shia community underscores a complex interplay of historical geopolitical and sociopolitical factors that demand urgent attention and resolution The plight of Shia Muslims in Kurram especially in Parachinar a Shiamajority town is emblematic of the broader sectarian divide within PakistanSectarian tensions in Pakistan have historical roots The ShiaSunni divide which originated centuries ago deepened in Pakistan during the 1980s influenced by the Iranian Revolution the Afghan Jihad and policies under General ZiaulHaq These events catalysed the growth of extremist groups that weaponised religious identities In Kurram this divide has been particularly pronounced due to the regions demographics and geopolitical significanceLocated near the Afghan border Kurram has seen repeated outbreaks of violence with Parachinar becoming a flashpoint From 2007 to 2012 armed extremists besieged Parachinar cutting off essential supplies like food and medicine leading to the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of thousands This siege was a precursor to the ongoing violence that continues to plague the regionRecent attacks and escalating violenceRecent incidents highlight the severity of the situation On November 21 2024 gunmen ambushed a convoy travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar killing 42 Shia Muslims including women and children Survivors recounted the attackers exiting their vehicles and opening fire on the convoy leaving a trail of death and destructionWithin days fresh attacks claimed the lives of 20 more individuals further destabilising the region Markets were set ablaze and gunfire echoed through the night as the residents of Parachinar grappled with fear and loss The Pakistani government including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks vowing justice for the victims However such assurances have done little to quell public outrage or restore a sense of security Protests erupted across major cities with Shia groups declaring a threeday mourning period to honour the victimsThe statistical trends of sectarian violence in Pakistan reveal a disturbing trajectory Over the past decade major incidents targeting Shia Muslims have claimed thousands of lives In 2013 over 120 Shia Muslims were killed in bombings in Quetta an attack attributed to LashkareJhangvi In 2016 a bombing in Parachinar killed 23 and in 2018 the Mastung attack carried out by ISISK claimed 149 lives The Hazara community a Shia minority has also faced targeted killings such as the 2020 massacre of 11 miners in Balochistan The year 2024 has already seen over 60 Shia Muslims killed in Kurram with the violence showing no signs of abating The following table provides a snapshot of this grim realityCauses and consequences of sectarian violenceThe root causes of this violence are multifaceted Geopolitically Kurrams proximity to Afghanistan makes it vulnerable to militant infiltration and arms smuggling The porous border allows extremist groups like the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and ISISK to operate with impunity Regional proxy wars particularly the SaudiIran rivalry have further exacerbated sectarian tensions with both sides allegedly funding competing religious groups Locally Kurrams unique ethnic and religious composition has made it a hotspot for sectarian strife The economic marginalisation of the region compounds these issues with poverty and underdevelopment fostering resentment and unrestState inaction and alleged complicity have also contributed to the crisis Human rights organisations and local leaders have repeatedly criticised the government for failing to protect Shia Muslims Despite initiatives like the National Action Plan which aimed to combat extremism inconsistent implementation and lack of political will have hindered progress The judiciarys inability to hold perpetrators accountable has further emboldened extremist groupsThe human toll of this violence is staggering Families have lost breadwinners children have been orphaned and entire communities have been displaced The psychological impact on survivors is profound with many struggling to cope with the trauma of losing loved ones and witnessing violence firsthand The social fabric of Kurram has been torn apart with sectarianism fostering mistrust and animosity among communitiesPathways to peace and justiceDespite these challenges there are pathways to resolution Strengthening security in Kurram is paramount This includes deploying additional forces improving border controls and dismantling militant networks Judicial reforms are also essential to ensure accountability for sectarian violence Socioeconomic development is another crucial component Investing in infrastructure education and healthcare can alleviate poverty and create opportunities for marginalised communities Promoting interfaith dialogue and community reconciliation programmes can help bridge divides and foster unity International support both technical and financial is also vital Collaborative efforts with global agencies can bolster counterterrorism initiatives and support community rebuilding effortsThe ongoing violence against Shia Muslims in Kurram is not just a tragedy for the region but a stain on Pakistans commitment to protecting its diverse population Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from the government civil society and international stakeholders Justice for the victims and their families is not just a moral imperative but a necessity for peace and stability in Pakistan Ensuring the safety and dignity of Shia Muslims in Kurram is not merely a regional concern but a test of Pakistans resolve to uphold the principles of humanity and justiceHowever it has become evident that Pakistan has failed to protect its Shia minority The repeated massacres lack of accountability and the continued presence of extremist groups targeting this community highlight the states inability to secure the lives of its citizens This consistent failure to protect vulnerable groups like the Shia Muslims coupled with the governments lack of will to decisively confront sectarian violence paints a grim picture of a state unable to provide security and justice to all its people This persistent inaction and disregard for the safety of a significant portion of its population signifies that Pakistan is in many ways a failed state The situation demands urgent intervention at all levels to restore basic rights security and justice for the Shia Muslims in Pakistan The time for action is long overdue IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/understanding-the-shia-genocide-in-pakistan-a-crisis-in-kurram-district-586974.html Sun, 01 Dec 2024 21:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/pali-declared-as-a-classical-language-is-celebration-of-bharats-ancient-cultural-heritage-577525.html New Delhi Oct 4 In a historic decision the Narendra Modiled NDA government has officially recognised Pali along with Prakrit Bengali Marathi and Assamese as one of the classical languages of India This recognition long awaited by scholars and cultural historians affirms the deep and enduring significance of Pali not only to India but also to vast regions of Asia Known as the language of the Buddhas teachings Buddhavacana Pali has had a profound impact on the religious philosophical and linguistic landscapes of many countries since the third century BCE The decision underscores Palis historical and cultural importance aligning it with other ancient Indian languages including Sanskrit Tamil and Kannada that have shaped civilisationsPali is an ancient language of India that played a central role in preserving and disseminating the teachings of the Lord Buddha Although the precise origins of Pali remain a subject of academic debate it is widely accepted that Pali is closely related to the Prakrit language spoken across large parts of northern India during the time of the Buddha Unlike Sanskrit which was primarily used by Brahminical scholars and priests Pali was more accessible emerging as a popular medium to convey the ethical philosophical and spiritual teachings of the Buddha to the massesThe most famous and enduring use of Pali is as the language of the Tipiṭaka the Theravda Buddhist canon The Tipiṭaka literally meaning three baskets contains the Buddhas teachings on ethics psychology and the nature of reality These texts were passed down orally for centuries and later written in Pali in Sri Lanka in the first century BCE Palis role as the liturgical language of Theravda Buddhism has ensured its continued study and use in countries such as Sri Lanka Myanmar Thailand Cambodia and LaosPali Impacted the languages of Asia since the third Century BCEThe influence of Pali extends far beyond the borders of ancient India Beginning with emperor Ashokas promotion of Buddhism in the third century BCE Pali became a powerful vehicle for the spread of Buddhist philosophy ritual and culture throughout Asia Ashoka a great patron of Buddhism dispatched missionaries to various parts of the known world including Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia where Pali soon became the language of religious discourseIn Sri Lanka in the third century BCE Ashokas son Mahinda travelled to Sri Lanka to introduce the Buddhas teachings Pali quickly became the liturgical language of Sri Lankan Buddhism and has remained so for over two millennia The Tipiṭaka was committed to writing in Pali in Sri Lanka ensuring its preservation Even today Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka study and chant in Pali using it as a medium to explore and teach the spiritual pathFrom Sri Lanka Pali spread to Southeast Asia where it became the language of Theravada Buddhism In Myanmar Thailand Laos and Cambodia Pali has played a central role in shaping religious practices and cultural traditions Even though local languages replaced Pali as the vernacular Pali remains the sacred language of religious ceremonies monastic education and meditation practices Its texts are still studied by Buddhist scholars throughout the regionIn East Asia although Mahayana Buddhism which uses Sanskrit and Chinese is more prevalent in China Japan and Korea the influence of Pali has been felt there as well Many early Mahayana Buddhist texts and ideas have their roots in Pali literature and crosscultural exchanges between Mahayana and Theravada traditions helped spread Buddhist philosophy more widely In particular concepts from Pali literature shaped foundational Buddhist ideas in both traditions influencing interpretations of ethics the mind and enlightenmentUnderstanding classical languageIn India a language is officially recognised as classical based on several key criteria set by the government It was started in 2004 These criteria emphasise the antiquity of the language its rich heritage and its significant impact on culture literature and philosophy To qualify as a classical language a language must meet the criteriaThe language must have ancient origins with a history that spans at least 15002000 years Texts and literature in the language should date back to this period Another is that the language must have a vast and enduring literary tradition showcasing significant works of literature that have impacted culture and thought over centuries The language must have influenced the culture religion and social structures of the regions where it was spoken It must also be distinct from modern linguistic developments maintaining an independent trajectory in its literature and cultural expressionsThe decision to declare Pali as a classical language honours its place as an ancient language that has met these criteria through its role in shaping not only Indias spiritual and intellectual heritage but also the culture of Asia at largeImportance of Pali being declared a classical languageThe recognition of Pali as a classical language of Bharat carries with it several important implications both practical and symbolic This designation is not only a mark of honour for the language itself but also a way to revitalise its study and preserve its literary treasures for future generationsBy recognising Pali as a classical language India acknowledges its rich linguistic and cultural history Pali has been integral to the development of Buddhism which is one of Indias greatest spiritual contributions to the world This recognition is a source of pride for Buddhists in India and around the world strengthening Indias role as the birthplace of a major world religionAlso the classical language status encourages the preservation and study of the language The government academic institutions and cultural organisations are likely to invest more in Pali studies providing resources for scholars to explore its texts translations and interpretations This includes the potential establishment of dedicated research centres grants for the translation and digital preservation of Pali manuscripts and the promotion of Pali as a subject in educational institutionsPalis influence extends far beyond Indias borders connecting India with the cultural and religious heritage of many Asian countries As a classical language Pali will attract global interest particularly from scholars in countries like Sri Lanka Myanmar Thailand and Cambodia where Pali continues to be an important part of Buddhist practice This can strengthen cultural ties between India and these countries fostering greater collaboration in the study of Buddhism and ancient literatureThe declaration of Pali as a classical language of Bharat is a momentous occasion that honours one of the most significant languages in Indias spiritual and cultural history As the language of the Buddhas teachings Pali has had a lasting impact not only in India but across much of Asia shaping the philosophical religious and linguistic development of entire civilisationsBy recognising Palis classical status the Government of India is ensuring that this ancient language receives the recognition resources and reverence it deservesThe author is an Assistant Professor at University of Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/pali-declared-as-a-classical-language-is-celebration-of-bharats-ancient-cultural-heritage-577525.html Fri, 04 Oct 2024 17:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-exclusive-the-rise-of-narendra-modi-573784.html New Delhi Sep 16 Born on September 17 1950 a few years after India gained independence and just before it became a Republic Narendra Modi was the third of six children of Damodardas and Hiraba Modi As a child Narendra Modi occasionally assisted at his fathers tea stall at Vadnagar railway station He finished his schooling in Vadnagar in 1967 where he was seen as an average student but a talented debater and actor with a passion for theatre At the age of eight Narendra Modi joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS and was mentored by Lakshmanrao InamdarNarendra Modis first significant political action came in 1971 when he joined a Jana Sangh protest in support of the Bangladesh Liberation War which led to a brief detention After the 1971 IndoPak war he became a fulltime RSS pracharak campaignerIn 1978 he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Delhi University followed by a Master of Arts degree from Gujarat University in 1983 His rise in the RSS and subsequent involvement with the BJP laid the foundation for his political ascentIn June 1975 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India that lasted until 1977 During this time many of her political rivals were imprisoned and opposition groups were outlawedNarendra Modi was named General Secretary of the Gujarat Lok Sangharsh Samiti an RSS committee that coordinated resistance to the Emergency in GujaratAfter the RSS was banned Narendra Modi went underground in Gujarat often travelling in disguise to avoid arrest once posing as a monk and another time as a Sikh He was active in distributing antigovernment pamphlets organizing protests and creating a network of safe houses for those wanted by the governmentNarendra Modi also helped raise funds for political activists and refugees During this period he authored a Gujarati book Sangharsh Ma Gujarat Gujarat in Struggles detailing the events of the EmergencyNarendra Modi met prominent political figures like trade unionist George Fernandes during this timeIn 1978 he was appointed as an RSS sambhagpracharak regional organizer overseeing activities in Surat and Vadodara In 1979 he moved to Delhi to research and write about the RSSs role during the EmergencyHe returned to Gujarat and was assigned to the BJP in 1985In 1987 he played a key role in organizing the BJPs campaign in the Ahmedabad municipal election which resulted in a decisive victory His efforts during this time led to his appointment as organizing secretary of the BJPs Gujarat unitNarendra Modi continued to rise within the party playing significant roles in organizing key political events such as LK Advanis Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 and Murli Manohar Joshis Ekta Yatra in 199192He briefly stepped away from politics in 1992 to establish a school in Ahmedabad due to tensions with Shankersinh Vaghela a BJP leader from Gujarat However at the insistence of BJP leader LK Advani he returned to politics in 1994 and contributed to the BJPs victory in the 1995 state assembly electionsIn 1995 he was appointed BJP national secretary and moved to Delhi where he managed party activities in Haryana and Himachal PradeshIn 1998 Narendra Modis strategy for the Gujarat Legislative Assembly election helped the BJP secure a majority which led to his promotion to BJP general secretary organization later that yearOn October 7 2001 Narendra Modi took on his first official role as Gujarats Chief Minister From that point on he has led an elected government He is now the longestserving nonCongress Prime Minister and has had the longest tenure leading an elected government including his 12 years as Gujarats Chief MinisterIn 2014 under Narendra Modis leadership the BJP won a landslide victory becoming the first party in over three decades to secure a majority on its ownBefore taking office in New Delhi Narendra Modi served as Gujarats Chief Minister for 13 years beginning in 2001In 2014 the BJP under the leadership of Narendra Modi secured a decisive victory in the general elections marking the beginning of a new chapter in Indian politicsNarendra Modis rise to power was seen as a shift towards strong leadership with a focus on development and economic reforms His message of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Together with all Development for all resonated with the masses leading to a historic mandate that ended the decadelong rule of the Indian National CongressIn 2019 the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a second consecutive term with an even larger majority The 2019 elections solidified Narendra Modis position as a transformative leader with his government being credited for initiatives like the Goods and Services Tax GST demonetization and schemes aimed at the welfare of the poorNarendra Modis appeal to the people coupled with his decisive leadership on national security and development helped the BJP cross the 300seat mark in the Lok Sabha reaffirming his dominance in Indian politicsIn 2024 Narendra Modi and the BJP once again clinched a resounding victory in the general elections securing a third consecutive term This unprecedented win cemented Narendra Modis place as one of Indias most dominant political figures in modern historyRiding on the wave of national pride economic growth and social welfare schemes Narendra Modis leadership continued to resonate deeply with voters across the country His vision of a New India and focus on development infrastructure and international diplomacy proved pivotal in securing yet another historic mandate With this victory Narendra Modis legacy as a transformative and enduring leader was further solidified steering India into a new phase of governance and global prominencePrime Minister Narendra Modi has spent his entire life in service to the nation and dedicated himself to the goal of building a stronger and more united IndiaFrom his early days as a young boy helping his father sell tea to his rise as the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modis journey has been one of tireless dedication and hard work His commitment to the nation is evident in every step he has taken whether it was working as an RSS Pracharak in his youth or later as a leader guiding India through economic social and global challengesNarendra Modis vision for India has always been about nationbuilding He believes that a strong and selfreliant India can only be built through unity development and progress Throughout his leadership he has implemented numerous initiatives aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people from better infrastructure to digital connectivity and welfare programs His focus on making India a global leader in various fields including technology economy and diplomacy showcases his commitment to shaping a bright future for the countryWhat sets Narendra Modi apart is his unwavering dedication to the nations development He has shown an ability to inspire people across the country to dream big and work together for a better tomorrow His leadership has helped ignite a sense of pride and responsibility among citizens encouraging everyone to contribute to the nations progressWhether its through the Make in India campaign the push for Atmanirbhar Bharat selfreliant India or other key initiatives Narendra Modis dedication to building a prosperous and strong India remains at the heart of his missionOn September 17 2024 Narendra Modi will turn 74 marking another milestone in a life dedicated to serving the nation Throughout his journey he has sacrificed many personal comforts and desires to focus solely on the wellbeing and progress of IndiaFrom his early days in politics to becoming the Prime Minister he has always put the country first His leadership has been defined by his relentless efforts to build a stronger and more united India Whether it was improving the economy focusing on infrastructure or creating opportunities for the youth every decision he made was aimed at uplifting the nation He gave up a regular family life and personal ambitions and devoted all his energy to the dream of a prosperous India His sacrifices inspire millions showing that true leadership comes from a deep commitment to the people and the nationBharat has never seen a leader like him one who has consistently remained close to the underprivileged and the common man even after reaching the highest office in the land Unlike many leaders who become distant from the people once in power Narendra Modi has always ensured his policies are rooted in the real needs of the poorest and most marginalizedFrom launching welfare schemes aimed at providing basic necessities like housing electricity and sanitation to focusing on skill development and employment opportunities for the youth Narendra Modis governance has been inclusive His dedication to improve the lives of those who often remain unheard has set him apart as a leader who not only listens to the underprivileged but actively works to uplift themBharat has never witnessed a Prime Minister so deeply involved with the grassroots consistently prioritizing the nations development over personal interests His leadership has reshaped how governance is perceived in Bharat placing the welfare of the people at the heart of every decisionThe author is an actress and Lok Sabha MP IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-exclusive-the-rise-of-narendra-modi-573784.html Mon, 16 Sep 2024 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/festival-mood-in-markets-with-liquidity-driving-uptrend-573562.html New Delhi Sep 15 In the last three to four weeks one finds that a single days movement whether upward or downward makes the trend or direction of the whole week In the previous week it was the movement on Thursday Sep 12 while in the week prior to that it was on Friday Sep 6 While Thursday was a sharp up day Friday was the opposite and was a down day In a week where markets gained on three of the five trading sessions one saw the BSESENSEX gain 170701 points or 210 per cent to close at 8289094 points while NIFTY gained 50435 points or 203 per cent to close at 2535680 points The broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 188 per cent 196 per cent and 190 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP was up 152 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was up 205 per cent Gains made on Thursday were 1439 points on BSESENSEX and 470 points on NIFTYThe Indian Rupee gained 6 paise or 007 per cent to close at Rs 8389 to the US Dollar Dow Jones had another terrific week gaining 104837 points or 260 per cent to close at 4139378 points This comes ahead of the week in which the FED meets to decide on interest rates where it is believed that there would be a cut of between 2550 basis points The meeting is slated for TuesdayWednesday and the impact of the same on the Indian markets would be felt on Thursday The ECB had cut rates by 25 basis points earlier this week While a cut in the US is a certainty the impact on markets post the cut is causing confusion amongst traders It is therefore best to leave it at that and allow markets to react post the cut based on what markets actually doIn primary markets we had four issues opening and closing during the week gone by One of them Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd has created a new record in terms of subscription and number of applications The issue was for a size of Rs 6560 crore and raised a whopping Rs 324022 crore through 9073 lakh applications No previous issue has received so much money or so many applications ever before This shows the liquidity in the markets euphoria towards IPOs and the craze that people have for making a quick buck through an IPOThe issue is priced at Rs 70 and if the grey market is any indicator the share should list at a premium of over 100 per cent At this price the company would have a market capitalisation of over Rs one lakh crore on listing The price to book the company would be a steep six times and over and would become a reason for the entire housing finance sector to be rerated as the difference between the peer and the others try to catch up Expect the rest of the sector to move up on the back of its strong showingThe AUM of the mutual fund industry continues to receive excellent responses from investors across categories The AUM of the industry has risen by Rs 107 lakh crore in the month of August to Rs 6604 lakh crore Part of this is the retail segment and they seem to be a very big driving force of liquidity that the domestic institutions are flooded withMarkets hit new fresh intraday and closing highs on Thursday September 12 The levels were 8311619 points on an intraday basis and 8296271 points on closing basis on BSESENSEX and 2543335 points and 2538890 points on NIFTY These levels would become important as markets continue to build on them in their journey forwardThe week ahead would see a couple of issues open and close during the week Besides this there would be five issues being listed during the week with three of them including Bajaj Housing Finance happening on Monday Monday would include the listing of Bajaj Housing Finance which would be very keenly watched as wellComing to the markets in the week ahead it would be driven by events and news flow Monday would see three listings and the performance of the same would have a bearing on the housing finance sector as a whole and the market as well as a new one lakh crore market cap company getting listed The market cap at the issue price was roughly Rs 58000 crore Tuesday and Wednesday in the US would see the FED deciding on interest rates The way markets in the US take the rate cut quantum and the commentary thereafter would have a direct bearing on our markets on ThursdayKey supports for the markets are the psychological levels of 25000 on NIFTY and 81800 on BSESENSEX If these are violated support exists at the previous low made at around 24850 and 81500 points respectively On the upside the highs made on an intraday basis on Thursday would act as minor resistances If these are broken upwards with momentum we could see up to a three percent up move over the coming 57 days from the levels of 83100 and 25430 pointsThe strategy for the week would be to keep positions light on Wednesday prior to the US Fed announcement as that could be a very volatile and irrational day Trade for the first three days with longs and strict losses but reducing overnight exposure on Wednesday Post FED event fresh positions may be initiatedWhile momentum is in favour of bulls one should be cautious as we are in uncharted territory and the same should be backed by strict stop lossesArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/festival-mood-in-markets-with-liquidity-driving-uptrend-573562.html Sun, 15 Sep 2024 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-takht-i-sulaiman-amp-koh-e-maran-farooq-abdullahs-nc-renames-iconic-temples-571416.html New Delhi Sep 8 Studying the manifestoes of National Conference Peoples Democratic Party PDP or Peoples Conference PC one wonders what more could be separatist divisive and communal The only difference is that separatism and communalism are given an ideological and dignified status by these parties who make a show of secularism but hidden inside is an agenda that reeks of mala fides These Kashmircentric parties have not made any effort to be covert about their intentions but have overtly made their manifestations this timeThe manifestoes of these parties seek restoration of Article 370 pre1953 status when JampK had a Prime Minister IndiaPakistan talks reinstating those in government jobs terminated for terror links repealing action against stone pelters etc The manifestoes of these parties promise everything that can come in the category of support to separatism or inclination towards the Pakistan agendaThe JampK National Conference headed by Farooq Abdullah one of the patrons of the INDIA bloc has gone a step further It has decided to change the names of some iconic places where ancient Kashmiri Hindu temples are locatedOn the 21st page of its 42page Manifesto titled Dignity Identity and Development under the heading Comprehensive Expansion of Srinagar and Jammu cities NC has made a slew of promises to tackle pressing urban issues like congestion and environmental sustainability and says that a more proactive strategy is essential So far so good nothing wrong about these promises But one among the ninepoint promises is something that has triggered concerns among the minorities the Hindus in particularThe sixth point says We will assess the feasibility of connecting TakhtiSulaiman Shankaracharya Hill with KoheMaran Hari Parbat Fort through a gondola system enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the areaThere seems to be nothing wrong with this as connecting two hills could be good for tourism But the alarming thing is the changing of names of the two hills which are known by the names of the temples located atopThe ancient temples have a history and story of thousands of years And they have always been known as Shankaracharya Hill and Hari ParbatThe Hari Parbat hill is considered sacred by the Kashmiri Pandits due to the presence of the temple of Goddess Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati She resides here in the form of Suyambu SriChakra selfengraved on the Holy Shila a vertical rock smeared in Sindoor and is known as ChakeshwariThere is an ancient story associated with this temple Kashyapa Rishi had drained off the water from Satisar but a lake remained in a part of Kashmir where a demon by the name of Jalodbhava had taken shelter He unleashed a reign of terror on the inhabitants Desperate people prayed to Goddess Durga for help until the day Mother heard their prayers According to the ancient history of Kashmir the Rajatarangni Mother Durga took the form of a bird Maina She carried a pebble in her beak and dropped it over the lake The pebble grew in size and transformed into a hill thereby crushing the evil The hill thus got the name of Hari Parbat or Sharika Parvat and with this Kashmir came into beingThe Shankaracharya Hill is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the temple atop is among the oldest in KashmirThe temple was built in 200 BC by the Mauryan Prince Jaluka Since then several rulers like Lalitaditya Gopaditya and various Sikh rulers have reconstructed the temple after it was attacked by the invaders several timesThe temple got its name from the visit of the 8th century philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya The Shankaracharya Hill and the temple have references by Kalhana a 12th century scholar who called it Gopadri or Gopa Hill Kalhanas Rajatarangini is an epic poem in Sanskrit running into nearly 8000 verses composed in 114850 in KashmirWith this recorded history then why should the Abdullah familys NC change the names Is it a deliberate attempt to change the Hindu names to Muslim ones as part of the complete Islamisation of Kashmir which began in 1988 with the advent of Pakistansponsored terrorism And Farooq Abdullah was the Chief Minister then He let terrorism and separatist feelings flourish The major targets of terrorism were the Hindus and the ArmyFrom over seven lakh Hindus in 1990 the community has only a few thousand left in the valley with a majority of them being government employees living in protected areasA whole community which is the original native of the land and has a rich heritage of over 5000 years was uprooted thrown in the hot plains of the country and forced to live in tattered tents and camps Once the Kashmiri Pandits were forced out the next on the agenda of the terrorbackers and their supporting political ecosystem has been to usurp the properties encroach abandoned lands houses and templesAnd the last step seems to be changing the Hindu names The Abdullahs NC has officially begun with the two great and highly revered temples for Hindus Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya HillDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-takht-i-sulaiman-amp-koh-e-maran-farooq-abdullahs-nc-renames-iconic-temples-571416.html Sun, 08 Sep 2024 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/nurturing-the-snake-pakistans-persistent-use-of-terrorism-and-its-consequences-568675.html New Delhi Aug 23 Pakistan has long cried hoarse and portrayed itself as a victim of extremism and terrorism As recently as June 2024 its federal government approved a reinvigorated and reenergised national counterterrorism campaign to eradicate terrorism through coordinated multifaceted efforts While it is true that terrorism has surged exponentially in Pakistan in recent years the blame lies squarely with its own rulers and military establishment After nurturing various terrorist groups for over four decades Pakistan is now entangled in the selfcreated chaos it hoped would only afflict its neighboursPakistans relationship with terrorism is long and complex While scholars and analysts generally agree that Pakistan first began employing Islamist militants as tools of its regional policy during the antiSoviet jihad in Afghanistan however this is factually inaccuratePakistans association with and use of nonstate actors dates back to its very emergence as a nationstate in 1947Within two months of its existence the newly created Pakistan pushed thousands of tribal lashkars militias to invade and seize Kashmir in what was construed as a holy war jihad to reclaim the Muslim majority regionIt followed up this duplicitous use of terrorism in 1965 when Pakistan Army pushed hundreds of armed insurgents mostly its soldiers under the socalled Operation Gibraltar into Kashmir to incite the locals against the state something that could serve as casus belli for Pakistan against India internationallyFurthermore during its genocidal campaign in then East Pakistan Bangladesh Pakistani Army used Islamist groups labelled as rezakars to fight against the Bangla nationalists in 1971For the credit of General ZiaulHaq Pakistans military ruler he institutionalised and incentivised the use of nonstate actors in the countrys foreign policyThe 1980s were a period of global significance with the Cold War between the USled capitalist bloc and Soviet Russias communist bloc unfolding in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan ultimately tilting towards the Wests victory by the decades endFor Islamabad Kabul had become a major bete noire due to its refusal to recognise the contested Durand Line the Britishdrawn border dividing the Pashtun heartland and its support for Pashtun nationalists advocating for an independent Pashtunistan since Pakistans creation in 1947When Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan in 1979 General ZiaulHaq backed by the US and Gulf Arab allies like Saudi Arabia positioned Pakistan as the frontline state in the socalled anticommunist jihadThe Pakistan Army established an extensive network of training centres often disguised as madrassas Islamic schools along its border with Afghanistan in NorthWest Frontier Province now KhyberPakhtunkhwa province led by Darul Uloom Haqqania of Akora Khattak to produce mujahideen Islamist insurgents who would fight the Soviets in AfghanistanThus began Pakistans enduring association with Islamist militant groups whom it continued to use strategically for is regional interests particularly against India after Russians withdrew from AfghanistanThis strategy was bolstered by Zias Islamisation of state institutions and the armed forces embedding Islamist ideology within Pakistans establishmentThis institutionalisation of Islamist forces has persisted with Pakistans military struggling to purge their influence from its ranks particularly under General Pervez Musharraf post the 911 era and USled War on terror Pakistans intelligence agency the ISI played a pivotal role in the creation of the Afghan Taliban in 1994 and supported their rise to power in 1996 prior to their ouster by the American invasion of Afghanistan in 2001Interestingly after 2001 while publicly backing the US Pakistan covertly provided safe passage to Afghan Taliban and other insurgents into North WaziristanAfter recognising the effectiveness of using Islamist militants in Afghanistan Pakistan shifted its focus to Kashmir where it had made earlier attempts to incite local unrestAs such Pakistan military redeployed the battlehardened Afghan returned mujahideen to fight in Kashmir from 1989 onwards in an attempt to replicate their success against India Pakistan Army organised these foreign fighters under dozens of militant insurgent groups known as askari tanzeems including JaisheMuhammad JeM HarkatulAnsarHarkatulMujahideen HuAHuM LashkareToiba LeT along with Hizbu1 Mujahideen HM and AlBadr among others These groups have been responsible for numerous acts of terrorism in Kashmir resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and significant destruction of public propertyHowever as the saying goes one cannot nurture a snake in ones house and expect it to bite only the neighboursPakistans policy of using terrorism as a state tool has long backfired with many of the groups it once supported turning their guns on the Pakistani state from the mid2000s onwardsMost notably Deobandi Pashtun groups who coalesced under the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP in 2007 have fiercely opposed the state especially after Pakistans decision to join the Americanled War on Terror in 2001A prime example of an asset gone rogue is the Hafiz Gul Bahadur groupFor years Pakistan tried to differentiate between good and bad Taliban with Hafiz Gul Bahadur being classified as a good Taliban leader due to his focus on assisting Afghan Taliban fight the American forces in Afghanistan rather than targeting the Pakistani Army or civiliansInterestingly in 2006 after a peace accord the Pakistani establishment allowed Bahadur to establish a Shura council in North Waziristan one of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas FATA granting him the authority to enforce taxes and penalties This effectively made him the leader of the local Taliban in the regionThe Pakistan Army allowed him to maintain ties with the Afghan Taliban particularly the Haqqani network to ensure a degree of influence over the Afghan group and demonstrate support against the American forcesDespite granting Hafiz Gul Bahadur considerable autonomy due to his groups utility in Afghanistan Pakistan ultimately faced the consequences of nurturing militant factionsHundreds of suicide attacks resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and soldiers and caused extensive destruction of public infrastructure especially between 2011 and 2014Under Guls watch North Waziristan became a haven for Afghan Taliban foreign insurgents and TTP affiliates as the Pakistan Army refrained from conducting military operations in the region for over eight yearsThe situation changed dramatically after the devastating Army Public School APS attack in Peshawar in December 2014 in which TTP militants based in North Waziristan killed over 140 people most of them childrenThis tragedy forced the Pakistan Army to launch Operation ZarbeAzb in the region driving Hafiz Gul Bahadur into Afghanistan and ultimately transforming him into a bad Taliban in the eyes of the Pakistani stateAnother failure of Pakistans terrorism as a state policy is symbolised by the overall failure of Afghan policyWhile it facilitated Afghan Talibans return to Kabul in August 2021 and overthrow the Afghanistan Republican political system with the hope of gaining strategic depth in the country and undoing the gains of countries like India whom it presumes adversarial nemesis the policy went haywire within merely a yearIts once nurtured militant groups and current nemesis have only been bolstered to continue targeting the Pakistani state institutionsDespite frequent militant attacks which has left Pakistans internally security highly vulnerable Islamabad refuses to learn from its mistakes and continues to employ terrorism as a policy against its neighbours particularly India in KashmirThe recent surge in terrorist activities in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir carried out by Pakistanbased and sponsored militants reflects the persistence of this approachAs such while Pakistan may launch numerous internal antiterrorism campaigns as long as it maintains this duplicity and continues to support externally focussed terrorist groups like those targeting India it will struggle to achieve internal stability and will remain synonymous with terrorism The sooner it learns this hard reality the better it will for Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/nurturing-the-snake-pakistans-persistent-use-of-terrorism-and-its-consequences-568675.html Sun, 25 Aug 2024 21:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/examining-feasibility-of-online-voting-in-india-567442.html New Delhi 20 Aug India the worlds largest democracy faces an intricate challenge in conducting elections at an unparalleled scale The traditional voting process characterised by extensive logistical arrangements significant costs and substantial length of time needs transformation As India rapidly embraces digital advancements across various sectors implementing online voting emerges as a timely and essential reform This need for change is underscored by a 2024 article in The Economist which citing the Centre for Media Studies CMS reveals that the cost of the election has ballooned to 135 lakh crore rupees making it the most expensive in the world This staggering figure places India ahead of the most advanced nations like the US where the total poll expenditure touched 12 lakh crore With an astonishing Rs 700 spent per vote Indias 2024 election spending is set to break records raising questions about democracy and economic implicationsOnline voting represents a transformative shift in the electoral process leveraging digital technology to streamline and enhance citizens participation in democracy Compared to traditional voting methods online voting offers numerous advantages including increased accessibility enhanced security and greater convenience It will eliminate geographical barriers allowing voters to cast their ballots from any location which is particularly beneficial for individuals with mobility issues and youth with educational or work commitments away from home Security features such as encryption biometric verification and facial recognition will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of each vote significantly reducing the risk of fraud Furthermore online voting can lower costs by reducing the need for physical polling infrastructure and materials while promoting environmental sustainability by eliminating paper ballots Given these advantages India with its vast and diverse electorate stands to gain immensely from adopting online voting making the electoral process more inclusive efficient and resilient in the face of logistical challengesThe feasibility of online voting in India is underscored by the nations advancements in digital technology The robust infrastructure supporting millions of secure online transactions daily in the banking sector is a testament to Indias ability to handle online voting securely For instance the cost of making a secure online transaction of a value greater than Rs 2 lakh is approximately Rs 25 Typical cost of NEFT transaction Therefore it is evident that banks already have mechanisms in place for ensuring the verification and safety of transactions of high monetary value It is therefore possible to have similar verification and safety systems for voting at a cost much lower than Rs 700 per vote Thereby a financial savings case can be madeModern encryption techniques multifactor authentication and continuous cybersecurity measures can safeguard voter data ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the electoral process Traditional voting methods incur substantial expenses related to setting up polling stations deploying security personnel and managing logistics Online voting can drastically reduce these costs by eliminating the need for physical infrastructure thereby allowing resources to be redirected toward enhancing digital infrastructure and ensuring widespread internet accessAccessibility is a fundamental aspect of a democratic electoral process and online voting can significantly enhance it One persistent challenge in Indian elections is ensuring that every eligible voter especially those in remote or hardtoreach areas can participate With the 2024 general election reaching unprecedented scale as highlighted by a BBC article in June 2024 the challenge of ensuring every eligible votertotalling 969 millioncan participate has become increasingly urgent Online voting offers a practical solution to effectively bridge this gap With increasing smartphone penetration and expanding internet access even voters in the most isolated regions can participate in the electoral process without the burden of travelling long distances to polling stations This digital approach also promotes inclusive participation by accommodating marginalised groups including older people differentlyabled people and those with mobility issues who often face difficulties reaching traditional polling stations By allowing these individuals to vote from the comfort of their homes online voting ensures their voices are heard fostering a more inclusive democracyTransparency and security are paramount in maintaining public trust in the electoral process Traditional voting systems are vulnerable to various forms of electoral fraud such as booth capturing and ballot tampering Fortified with advanced security measures like encryption facial recognition and biometric verification online voting can substantially mitigate these risks Each vote can be traced and verified enhancing the transparency and integrity of the electoral process Furthermore online voting will allow for realtime monitoring promptly detecting and resolving any irregularities Digital records of votes can be securely maintained facilitating accurate and efficient recounts if necessary and thereby reinforcing the reliability of the electoral outcomeFacial recognition technology widely used in smartphones can be a robust method for voter authentication ensuring that only the legitimate voter can access the voting system This technology combined with biometric verification methods such as fingerprint scanning adds an additional layer of security Incorporating Know Your Customer KYC protocols similar to those employed in the banking sector can further enhance voter verification ensuring that the person casting the vote is registered This multifactor authentication framework not only secures the voting process but also instils confidence among voters regarding the authenticity and accuracy of their participationThe convenience offered by online voting can lead to a significant increase in voter turnout Voters can cast their votes from any location and anytime within the voting period providing unparalleled flexibility This convenience is particularly beneficial for individuals with demanding schedules or those unable to visit polling stations physically Immediate confirmation of the vote akin to transaction alerts in online banking will reassure voters that their vote has been successfully recorded enhancing their confidence in the electoral process This seamless and userfriendly experience can motivate citizens to participate in elections strengthening the democratic processOnline voting holds significant benefits for the youth of India particularly for students and young professionals who are often geographically dispersed due to their academic and career commitments Many young voters study in colleges in different states from their home constituencies or have work locations far from where they are registered to vote Traditional voting methods require these individuals to return to their home areas to cast their ballots which can be timeconsuming and financially burdensome Online voting eliminates this need by allowing them to vote from wherever they are be it their college campus or workplace in another city This convenience ensures their voices are heard without disrupting their educational or professional responsibilities Furthermore online voting can engage techsavvy young voters more effectively encouraging greater political participation among the youth Gen Z who are familiar with digital interfaces and accustomed to online transactions will likely find an online voting system intuitive and easy to use fostering a more engaged and politically active younger generationDespite its numerous advantages implementing online voting in India is challenging The digital divide characterised by the disparity in access to digital technology remains a significant hurdle To address this the government can initiate programs to provide affordable smartphones and internet access ensuring that all voters can utilise the online voting system Cybersecurity concerns while valid can be mitigated through robust encryption regular security audits and continuous monitoring Collaborating with cybersecurity experts and learning from countries with successful online voting implementations such as Estonia can further bolster the systems security Additionally extensive training programmes and awareness campaigns are essential to familiarise voters with the technology ensuring they can navigate the system confidently Providing support through helplines and local assistance centres can further aid voters ensuring a smooth transition to online votingThe transition to online voting in India holds immense potential to enhance the electoral process making it more accessible transparent secure and efficient By leveraging existing technological advancements and learning from global examples India can address the challenges and implement a robust online voting system This shift is a step towards modernisation and a fundamental commitment to strengthening democracy by ensuring every citizens voice is heard As India continues to innovate and digitise various sectors integrating online voting into its electoral process is a logical and necessary progression At the outline providing an option to vote online through a proper verification process can be the beginning of a new era in the democratic system The Election Commission of India ECI is already recognised as a role model by several other countries due to its ability to conduct large complex and challenging elections ECI must ensure that the electoral process in India evolves with new technological advancements and societal needs Several politicians contend for paperbased elections by questioning the reliability of electronic voting machines and they may extend their concerns to online voting systems as well Nevertheless it may be useful not to take regressive steps embrace technological advancements and adopt progressive solutionsProfessor Dheeraj Sharma serves as the Director of IIM Rohtak IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/examining-feasibility-of-online-voting-in-india-567442.html Tue, 20 Aug 2024 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/breaking-free-from-digital-dominance-of-the-west-the-case-for-an-indian-owned-messaging-platform-567007.html New DelhiRohtak Aug 19 In an article written by Rebecca Kern published in Politico in 2024 it was alleged that WhatsApp had been operating for over eight months worldwide without explicit electiondisinformation policies While Meta has implemented stringent guidelines against voter interference threats of violence and election misinformation on platforms like Facebook Instagram and Threads it has not applied these same rules to WhatsApp Channels Instead the company relies on broader community guidelines which poses significant risks to the integrity of democratic processes globally This situation is very important as independence extends beyond traditional political freedoms to include control over digital communication Messaging applications typify digital communication Messaging applications have transformed global connectivity enabling seamless interactions across vast distances with just a few taps However the concentration of power within a few technology giants raises critical concerns about national security data privacy and cultural sovereigntyThe dominance of WhatsApp in Indias communication landscape is a case in point With user projections expected to reach 79567 million in India by 2025 WhatsApp has become an integral part of the countrys communication infrastructureHowever this convenience comes at the cost of a monopolistic entity which raises significant concerns The heavy reliance on a foreign platform exposes the country to vulnerabilities that a single external entity could exploit This situation raises critical concerns regarding national security data privacy and cultural sovereignty making it imperative for India to recognise the necessity of developing its own messaging platform Alternatively encourage utilisation of other messaging services such as Signal or Telegram to encourage competition that will likely benefit usersOne of the most significant concerns with this concentration of power is the unchecked spread of misinformation especially during politically sensitive periods like elections For instance one political party might disseminate false information to discredit its opponents Without alternative messaging platforms any rebuttal must rely on the same medium However if the owner of that medium were to show bias toward a particular political party it could manipulate the platform by blocking or slowing the distribution of countermessages This manipulation would create an uneven playing field giving one side an unfair advantage in the political arena and undermining the integrity of democratic discourseFurther when a countrys communication infrastructure is heavily dependent on a single foreign platform it becomes vulnerable to exploitation by external forces The revelations of global surveillance programs have made it clear that no data is truly private when stored on foreign servers In Indias complex geopolitical landscape the risks associated with these vulnerabilities are too substantial to ignore While WhatsApp offers endtoend encryption for the content of its messages the metadata generated by user interactionsdetails such as who is communicating with whom when and for how longremains accessible to the platforms parent company MetaRecent AI tools added to WhatsApp further accentuate the point that encrypted data can possibly be harvested for commercial gains This metadata which can be as revealing as the content of the messages themselves is subject to analysis and potential misuse For instance in 2018 the Cambridge Analytica scandal demonstrated how user data including metadata could be harvested and exploited for political manipulation Although the incident did not directly involve WhatsApp it illustrates the broader risks associated with allowing foreign entities to control critical communication platformsMoreover the concentration of control over sensitive communications in the hands of a foreign entity raises serious concerns about data privacy and sovereignty In todays digital age data has become one of the most valuable commodities often referred to as the new oil The data generated by Indian users on foreign messaging platforms is frequently stored on servers located outside the country placing it beyond the reach of Indian laws and regulationsThis situation undermines Indias data sovereignty as it effectively cedes control over its citizens personal information to foreign corporations The recent push by the Indian government for data localisationmandating that data generated within India be stored on local serversis a step towards reclaiming this sovereigntyHowever without the widespread use of alternatives to platforms like WhatsApp true data sovereignty remains elusive An indigenous messaging app would ensure that Indian data is not only stored within the countrys borders but also governed by Indian laws providing greater protection against unauthorised access by foreign entitiesOngoing legal challenges further intensify the debate over Indias digital sovereignty The Indian governments 2021 Information Technology IT rules require social media intermediaries to trace chats and identify the first originator of information This move is aimed at curbing misinformation and enhancing accountability but it has faced resistance from entities like WhatsApp who argue that it compromises user privacyBeyond the immediate concerns of national security and data privacy the dominance of foreign messaging platforms in India also threatens the countrys cultural integrity These platforms designed within specific cultural contexts may not fully honour or understand Indian values leading to the spread of misinformation and the polarisation of communities This form of digital dominance can erode social cohesion and cultural identityDeveloping an indigenous messaging app offers India a chance to protect its cultural narratives while fostering economic independence and innovation within its tech sector By investing in homegrown solutions India can reduce its reliance on foreign platforms aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and positioning itself as a global leader in digital innovationIt is interesting to note that mobile service providers such as Jio Airtel BSNL and IdeaVodafone have not even attempted to offer an attractive messaging alternative despite market attractiveness Why do these mobile service providers offer no such messaging application that is attractive easy to use and usefulTherefore developing an indigenous messaging app is not just about technological innovation it is about securing Indias digital sovereignty and ensuring that its communication infrastructure is aligned with national interests Initially the alternative messaging app could be mandated in the armed forces Central Armed Police Forces CAPF and police after ensuring its robustness and safety in sensitive environments Once proven effective the app can be gradually rolled out to government and quasigovernment bodies allowing for a controlled and strategic deploymentAfter these phases the app can be made available to the general public ensuring that Indias communication infrastructure is secure selfreliant and aligned with national interests This approach not only addresses national security concerns but also fosters a culture of digital independence within the countryDheeraj Sharma is the Director of IIM Rohtak IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/breaking-free-from-digital-dominance-of-the-west-the-case-for-an-indian-owned-messaging-platform-567007.html Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-sharp-friday-rally-expect-markets-to-ponder-on-trend-going-forward-566873.html New Delhi Aug 18 The week gone by had a mere four trading sessions but had plenty of action At the end of the week in which we celebrated our 78th Independence Day markets staged a smart recovery on Friday and changed the sentiment completely BSESENSEX gained on two of the four trading sessions and lost on two BSESENSEX gained 73093 points or 092 per cent to close at 8043684 points while NIFTY gained 17365 points or 071 per cent to close at 2454115 points The broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 065 per cent 066 per cent and 057 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP gained 043 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was up 045 per centThe Indian Rupee remained unchanged at Rs 8396 to the US Dollar Dow Jones had a great showing and was up 116222 points or 294 per cent at 4065976 points Data from the US now gives plenty of comfort that the US FED in its meeting in September would cut interest rates How much the same would be cut is still debatable but the cut is imminent One must also remember that the Presidential elections are due in November in the US and the FED would like to be cautious in whatever they doThe week saw plenty of action and one needs to understand the importance of Friday In the last four weeks Friday has played a very significant role The first was Friday July 26 the first day of the August series On this day BSESENSEX gained 1293 points whilst NIFTY was up 428 points The next was Friday August 2 when BSESENSEX lost 886 points while NIFTY lost 293 points This was after markets made a new high on the previous day at 82129 points and 25078 points respectivelyIncidentally this was followed by what could be termed Black Monday when markets fell very sharply The third such day was Friday August 16 postIndependence Day when BSESENSEX gained 1321 points while NIFTY gained 398 points With three out of four Fridays having a big movement it sure becomes imperative to track future Fridays as charts are all about patterns and historyIn primary market news the week saw two listings during the week and one issue opening and closing for subscription The week ahead will see one listing and two issues open and closed for subscriptionThe first issue to list was Brainbees Solutions Limited better known as Firstcry which had issued shares at Rs 465 The listing happened on Tuesday August 13 The share debuted at Rs 625 and closed on day one at Rs 67825 a gain of Rs 21325 or 4586 per cent During the course of the week the share slipped marginally to close at Rs 66905 a gain of Rs 20405 or 4388 per centThe second share to list was Unicommerce Esolutions Limited which had issued shares at Rs 108 This share too was listed on Tuesday August 13 The discovered price was Rs 230 The share closed day one at Rs 21005 a gain of Rs 10205 or 9449 per cent By the end of the week the share witnessed profittaking and closed at Rs 18960 a gain of Rs 8160 or 7556 per centThe issue from Saraswati Saree Depot Limited which had a price band of Rs 152160 received an excellent response The issue overall was subscribed 10752 times with the QIB portion subscribed 6412 times the HNI portion subscribed 35865 times and the Retail portion subscribed 6188 times There were 2180 lakh applications in all This issue will be listed on Tuesday August 20The first issue to open would be from Interarch Building Products Limited The issue would open on Monday August 19 and close on Wednesday August 21 The price band is Rs 850900 The issue consists of a fresh issue of Rs 200 crore and an offer for sale of 4447630 sharesThe company is in the business of turnkey preengineered steel construction solution providers in India It reported revenues of Rs 129330 crore for the year ended March 2024 It had an EBITDA margin of 874 per cent and a PAT margin of 667 per cent The company reported an EPS of Rs 5868 The PE for the company is 14491534 which is attractive at current levels of the markets and when compared with its listed peersThe second issue to tap the capital markets is Orient Technologies Limited which is opening its issue on Wednesday August 21 and closing on Friday August 23 The issue consists of a fresh issue of Rs 120 crore and an offer for sale of 46 lakh shares in a price band of Rs 195206The company is an information technology IT solutions provider headquartered in Mumbai The company reported revenues of Rs 60289 crore for the year ended March 24 with an EBITDA margin of 939 per cent and a PAT margin of 687 per cent The EPS for the year was 1180 and the PE band was 16531746 The company has entered the promising and lucrative business of cyber security which is a crucial and fastgrowing area and also enjoying higher marginsOla Electric Mobility Limited which had issued shares at Rs 76 and listed on August 9 is on a roll Shares closed higher by 7468 per cent at Rs 13276 They seem to have further momentum in them as at their annual event Sankalp the company has launched four motorcycles in a range of Rs 75000 to Rs 250000These motorcycle bookings have opened and they will be delivered from Diwali Day 2025 The motorcycle market is the largest market with 7072 per cent market share amongst 2wheelers in the country However in the EV space this share of motorcycles is a mere 1 per cent and this gives an opportunity for the company to penetrate Expect the share to gain momentum after this eventPost the correction markets have recovered very sharply and smartly over the last couple of days We are now near the resistance zone and markets need to decide where they are headed For the immediate short term we seem to be in a broad trading zone with levels of 2385023900 on NIFTY Acting as supportIn case the market has strength we need to quickly move past 24550 and head towards 24900 or thereabouts In case markets struggle at current levels we could see them slipping againIn terms of FPI action they continue to be net sellers in the markets One did see a large short covering on Friday but with their present mindset they are capable of again shorting the markets in the coming week The trading strategy would be to avoid large exposures in either direction and play by the ear At best it appears we will test the upper limits and then head down Effectively trade in a broad range from hereonTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-sharp-friday-rally-expect-markets-to-ponder-on-trend-going-forward-566873.html Sun, 18 Aug 2024 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-100-gm-politics-for-the-power-of-90-in-haryana-565196.html New Delhi Aug 11 No one could have ever anticipated what a mere 100 gm can do It can break hearts generate conspiracy theories and create potential impacts on political calculations This 100 gm has shown and proven its significance Though only 01 part of a kilogram it has become unbearable causing more than a tonne of pain to every Indian especially sportspersons and politiciansBut what is 100 grams Ask any Indian or for that matter anyone in the entire subcontinent where haggling for that extra bit with a shopkeeper or a roadside vendor is deemed normal A little bit more chicken or cheese or tomatoes or any other edible product its okay to ask the seller to be extra generous So for normal Indians getting away with that extra few gm is permissible and acceptable Therefore it was a huge shock when 100 gm suddenly became the villain wiping out the possibility of bagging that elusive goldFor the first time perhaps this 100gm shock has been conveyed in loudly dont take the message casually or for granted Rules are rules meant to be followed and nothing comes for free So when Vinesh Phogat was found 100 gm overweight in her 50 kg category she was promptly disqualified Weight matters in wrestling and the wrestlers have to be alert and cautious about itIt will be known later what exactly went wrong between her semifinal win when she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts and the examination ahead of the final match Phogat her trainers and others knew the rule So how did she accumulate 100 gm in a few days A mystery for now but the whole country is waiting for the answerThe Opposition parties however have already given their verdict They have alleged a conspiracy A mindboggling conclusion indeed How can the government make an athlete gain 100 grams even as it spends lakhs on training It may be hard to accept the Oppositions view but they are finding an opportunity for more politics in this Parliament saw the Opposition raising the issue vigorously even protesting on the premises and boycotting sessions There is a strategic reason for them to be aggressive about itVinesh Phogat hails from Haryana where Assembly polls are going to be held in a few months Sports particularly wrestling and the Phogat sisters do matter in state politics And her disqualification has therefore created ripples in Haryana politics with blame games and promises being made by both the ruling party and the OppositionWhile the INDIA bloc has blamed the BJP for the injustice to Phogat the ruling party has alleged that the Opposition is commenting only to gain political mileage Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced that Phogat will be honoured at par with the Olympic medallist and accorded a grand welcome upon her returnThe Congress party wants Phogat to be given a Rajya Sabha seat Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said the government should honour her at par with a gold medallist He also said that if he had adequate numbers in the Assembly he would have ensured Phogats election to the Upper House as a Congress nominee The party has also questioned why Phogat was made to compete in the 50 kg category and not the 53 kg categoryThe Aam Aadmi Party AAP which is trying to create a foothold in the state held a protest in Gurugram in support of Phogat and alleged that the ruling BJP in the Centre and state were responsible for the injustice to the athlete They want her to join the party The AAP has decided to contest all 90 Assembly seats in the state Sunita Kejriwal the wife of incarcerated CM Arvind Kejriwal has already started the campaign in the stateIndian National Lok Dal INLD MLA Abhay Chautala said that his party would honour Phogat once it comes to power later this year with Rs 7crore prize money and a plot to run her wrestling academy The INLD has formed an alliance with the BSP for the Assembly pollsHaryana politics saw an impact when Phogat Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik led a protest against the then Wrestler Federation of India WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh in 2023 She was also manhandled by the Delhi Police for trying to forcibly march towards Parliament then This is said to be one of the reasons for the notsogood performance of the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha electionsWith the Assembly polls near the Opposition INDIA bloc has found an opportunity in Phogats disqualificationThe 100 grams is no longer a weighty issue it is now more about politics But politicians forget that this was not the first time Phogat has faced disqualification due to being overweight She was disqualified in 2016 from the World Rio Olympic Qualifying event where she weighed 400 gm more in the 48 kg category competitionAfter the 100gm shock Phogat decided to retire and wrote emotional lines on her X handle She may or may not join politics as she has been given open invitations by various political parties The 100gram saga will remain in the news at least until Haryana gets a new AssemblyBut out in the world the haggling for that extra bit maybe 1 or 10 or 100 gm will continue between the buyer and the sellerDeepika Bhan ca be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-100-gm-politics-for-the-power-of-90-in-haryana-565196.html Sun, 11 Aug 2024 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/mondays-sharp-correction-makes-markets-move-uncertain-565197.html New Delhi Aug 11 Markets were topsyturvy in the week gone by The correction which had set in on Friday of the previous week 2nd August continued and we saw a sharp selloff on Monday Probably this was a fall which postcovid market participants had never seen before One must ignore of course the fall witnessed on June 4 when results were declared for the general elections which were lower than what the exit polls had said This saw a sharp reaction from the markets in India and also globallyThere has been recovery from the lower levels but whether we are out of the woods is still an issue which is debatable To add to the worries of the Indian markets is the fact that with results season coming to the last reporting week the comfort one looked for in numbers showing growth in revenues and profits seems to be missing This makes markets that much more expensive at a time when the one big factor against them is valuationsThe BSESENSEX lost on three of the five trading sessions and gained on two BSESENSEX was down 127504 points or 158 per cent to close at 7970591 points while NIFTY lost 35020 points or 142 per cent to close at 2436750 points The broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 lose 124 per cent 138 per cent and 146 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP lost 101 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was down 186 per centThe Indian Rupee was under pressure and lost 21 paisa or 025 per cent to close at 8396 Dow Jones was choppy and lost on two of the five trading sessions It lost 23972 points or 060 per cent to close at 3949754 pointsThe lows made in our markets on Monday during the sharp fall were at 7829586 points on BSESENSEX and at 2389370 points on NIFTY These will become not only significant support levels for any downturn but also a pivot to decide any trends in the medium term on the market On the upside previous tops are a longer resistance but levels of 24500 on NIFTY and at 80500 points on BSESENSEX become important levels which have to be surpassed and maintained for any uptick to continue in the markets Until then we can say that the broad trading zone for the markets would be in the range of 2390024500 on NIFTY and at 7830080500 on BSESENSEXPrimary markets have been very active and we saw three issues listed during the week The first of them was the listing of Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited listed on Tuesday the 6th of August The company had issued shares at Rs 679 The discovered price was Rs 725 on both the stock exchanges The share hit the upper circuit at Rs 79745 on BSE and Rs 79750 on NSE It closed a tad lower at Rs 79625 a gain of Rs 11725 or 1726 per cent By Friday the share traded higher and closed at Rs 80370 a gain of Rs 12470 or 1837 per centThe second share to list was that of Ceigall India Limited which had issued shares at Rs 401 The share made its debut on Tuesday with the discovered price being Rs 413 and closing day at Rs 38605 a loss of Rs 1495 or 372 per cent On Friday the share gained some ground and closed at Rs 39695 a reduced loss of Rs 405 or 101The third share to list was that of Ola Electric Mobility Limited who had issued shares at Rs 76 Shares debuted on Friday August 9 and the discovered price was Rs 76 Shares then closed at the upper circuit of Rs 9118 on BSE a gain of Rs 1518 or 1997 per cent On NSE the closing price was factionally higher at Rs 9120Besides this we had two issues which opened and closed for subscription The issue from Unicommerce Esolutions Limited opened on Tuesday August 6 and closed on Thursday August 8 The issue at close was subscribed 16839 times overall The QIB portion was subscribed 13875 times HNI portion 25248 times and Retail portion was subscribed 13115 timesThe issue from Brainbees Solutions Limited had opened on Tuesday August 6 and closed on Thursday August 8 The company is an online and offline retailer of accessories clothes and everything that mothers need new born babies and kids wear up to 12 years of age They have a popular website firstcrycom The price band of the issue is between Rs 440465 The company is currently making loss and is yet to make profits Its a oneofakind company and has a head start in business The issue was subscribed 1222 times overall with QIB portion subscribed 193 times HNI portion subscribed 468 times and Retail portion subscribed 231 timesBoth the issues which closed for subscription last week would list on Tuesday the 13th of AugustThe week ahead also sees the issue from Saraswati Saree Depot Limited which would open on Monday the 12th of August and close on Wednesday the 14th of August The price band is Rs 152160 The company is into the wholesale business of selling sarees and its predominant markets are Maharashtra The company reported sales of Rs 610 crores for the year ended March 24 and an EPS of Rs 892 The PE band for the issue is 17041794 which is competitive with that of Sai Silk which is a retail brand based in South India The wholesale and retail businesses are quite different in nature The issue looks decently pricedThe week ahead has a trading holiday on Thursday the 15th of August when we celebrate our Independence day This would cause a mild disruption and see markets seeing a break in momentum On the positive side indications from the FED suggest that there would be an interest rate cut in the US in the September meeting Closer home RBI in its bimonthly meeting kept interest rates unchanged on expected lines RBI believes that it is getting closer to its target of inflation rates and is monitoring the progress of inflationIn a continuation of the Hindenburg saga there is a spate of allegations now being made by Hindenburg against the present Chairperson of SEBI There has been a denial put out from her explaining matters This has now become a serious matter as the tone of accusations is against the regulator and implies what can a regulator who has an issue herself do against Hindenburg Expect fast developments on this issue over the next 48 hours I believe there may not be much action in the marketplace on this news in general This now becomes a matter for the government and the regulator to act upon as their authority has been effectively challengedMarkets in the coming shortened fourday week will have a tough time to keep things under control We were hit last week by a selloff and the mood of FPIs is still not clear They appear to be sellers on many more days than they are buyers The biggest pocket of support is from Domestic institutions who seem to have compelling reasons to invest the sea of money that they are being flooded with In such a scenario with no immediate news flow to significantly alter market direction we should remain in a broad trading zone as mentioned above The strategy would be to flow with the trend and use any meaningful rally to sell and book profitsTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/mondays-sharp-correction-makes-markets-move-uncertain-565197.html Sun, 11 Aug 2024 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/markets-to-correct-throwing-up-select-buying-opportunities-563847.html New Delhi Aug 4 Things were rolling along fine for the markets until the FED meeting Thursday saw US markets fall as thoughts of an impending recession hit the markets overseas Our markets too got worried and we had a sharp fall on Friday followed by another fall in the US Probably we could see the week beginning on Monday the 5th of August opening with a downward biasMarkets saw yet again a series of new highs being made on the BSE Sensex and Nifty The new intraday high on BSE Sensex was 8212949 points while the closing high was at 8186755 points Similar levels on the Nifty were at 2507830 points and 2501090 pointsFriday was a sea of blood and markets fell across the board The week ended with BSE Sensex losing 35077 points or 043 per cent to close at 8098195 points while Nifty lost 11665 points or 047 per cent to close at 2471770 pointsThe broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 lose 037 per cent 017 per cent and 013 per cent respectively BSE midcap lost 007 per cent but BSE smallcap was up 062 per centMarkets gained on the first four days of the week and lost on Friday This incidentally also brought to an end the weekly gains which the markets achieved for the previous eight weeks in a row Incidentally 8 is a Fibonacci number and has great relevance in technical analysisThe Indian rupee lost 2 paise or 002 per cent to close at Rs 8375 to the US dollar Dow Jones gained on two of the five trading sessions and lost on threeThe last two days of the week were brutal and markets lost significant ground Dow ended the week with losses of 85208 points or 210 to close at 3973726 points The US FED had its policy review meeting on Wednesday At the end of the same it appears that at the next meeting to be held in September there is every possibility of a rate cut though the quantum is not yet sure The markets did not like the fact that the rate cut did not happen as yet or the fact that the US could slip into recession going forward Strange are the ways of the markets and we are all yet learningPrimary markets saw a lot of action There was one issue which opened and closed during the previous week for subscriptions while another two have opened and will close in the coming week Yet another two issues would open and close in the coming weekThe issue from Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited which had launched its IPO in a price band of Rs 646 679 received excellent response and was oversubscribed 6356 times The QIB portion was subscribed 9009 times the HNI portion was subscribed 4221 times and the Retail portion was subscribed 213 times There were 2395 lakh applications in allThe issue from Ceigall India Limited opened on Thursday the 1st of August and would close on Monday the 5th of August The issue consists of a fresh issue of Rs 68425 crore and an offer for sale of 14174840 shares in a price band of Rs 380 401 At the end of day 2 of the application the issue is subscribed 129 times overall One must remember that in IPOs the largest part of the subscription comes on the third afternoon with QIB and HNI bids getting bunched at that time The company is a road developer and had revenues of Rs 306619 crore and a net profit of Rs 30491 crore for the year ended March 24 The PE multiple for the share is 1962 2057 The share has decent prospects going forwardThe second issue is from Ola Electric Mobility Limited which opened on Friday the 2nd of August and would close on Tuesday the 6th of August The price band of the issue is Rs 72 76 The size of the fresh issue is Rs 5500 crore and the offer for sale is for 808626207 equity shares Currently the company is lossmaking as the battery is yet to be commercialised In terms of EV sales it is the market leader with roughly a 4245 per cent market share Investment with a mediumterm view is warrantedThe third issue slated to open on Tuesday the 6th of August and close on Thursday the 8th of August is from the makers of Firstcrycom The company Brainbees Solutions Limited is tapping the markets with its fresh issue for Rs 1666 core and an offer for sale of 54359733 equity shares in a price band of Rs 440 465 The company is in the business of motherstobe newborns and kids in the 012 range A first of its kind with online and offline stores which are companyowned and operated and also franchiseeoperated Currently the company reported negative earnings The issue is meant for longterm investorsThe week ahead would see markets open with a negative bias The first major support for markets would be the July lows of 24200 on the Nifty and 79500 on the BSE Sensex There would be support at these levels or even earlier but the real danger is that from investors who have never seen markets fall sharply This could lead to a cascading effect and forceful liquidation While the markets fall they would also throw up some good buying opportunities which could be useful to add positionsThe strategy for the week would be to allow markets to find their levels and look for buying opportunities Trade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/markets-to-correct-throwing-up-select-buying-opportunities-563847.html Sun, 04 Aug 2024 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/hamas-leader-assassination-persian-provocation-pezeshkians-predicament-and-regional-ramifications-563163.html New Delhi July 31 His first full formal day as Irans President couldnt have started on a worse note for Masoud Pezeshkian Hours before daylight came the shock news of the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh a guest at his inauguration exacerbating what is already a toxic atmosphere in the Middle East How this development will pan for Irans new government and if could presage escalation to a much wider conflict in the volatile region beyond Gaza and the IsraelLebanon border remains to be seen but the initial effect will be on the offandon negotiations for a halt to fighting in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostagesDetails of the assassination incident are still sketchy but according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a residence for war veterans in north Tehran where the Hamas leader was living was hit by a projectile at around 2 am killing him and one of his bodyguards There have not been any claims of responsibility but Iran and the Hamas have blamed IsraelThe development is awkward for Iran as the incident came hours after representatives from 88 countries were in the country for Pezeshkians inauguration and its response was unequivocal and stridentSupreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that by assassinating Haniyeh the Israeli regime has prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself as per Iranian media reportsIran considers its duty to take revenge for the assassination of Haniyeh who was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran he addedPezeshkians reaction was no less strong as he stressed that the country would defend its territorial integrity and dignityYesterday I raised his victorious hand and today I have to carry his coffin on my shoulders he said in a post on XThe bond between the two proud nations of Iran and Palestine will be stronger than before and the path of resistance and defence of the oppressed will be followed stronger than ever he said adding that Iran will defend its territorial integrity and honour and would make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly actionThe IRGC in a statement warned the Zionist regime of a harsh and painful response for the assassinationMeanwhile the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament was slated to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday itself over the assassinationThe issue is under investigation and the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee will announce the necessary information regarding the next actions and meetings Committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei told reporters IRNA reportedThe targeting of Haniyeh comes shortly after Israel attacked Beirut to eliminate a top Hezbollah leader and claimed success though local authorities did not confirm the fate of Fuad ShukrAs noted Qatar which was leading the negotiation efforts along with Egypt has reacted strongly to the assassination of Haniyeh who used to live in exile in the countryIts Foreign Ministry termed it a heinous crime a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law underlining that the assassination and reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peaceQatars PM and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani was more blunt Political assassinations amp continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side Peace needs serious partners amp a global stance against the disregard for human life he said in a post on XOn the other hand the targeting of Haniyeh one of the most prominent Hamas leaders along with Khaled Meshal the target of a bungled Israeli assassination plot decades back and Mahmoud Zahar makes for good optics for the supposed beneficiary but is scarcely a strategic advantageConsidered a pragmatist if not moderate and open to political solutions Haniyehs removal from the scene could mean the leadership mantle switch back to shadowy and more unrestrained figures like Yahya Sinwar perceived as the mastermind of the October 7 2023 attacksThe longterm implications could be similar for Israel and the West at large after the 1967 ArabIsraeli War when secular nationalist rulers like Egypts charismatic Gamal Abdel Nasser were humbled and the stage set for Islamist fundamentalists to come to the fore Israel repeated the same mistake in the 1970s when it backed the incipient Hamas to undermine Yasser Arafat and the leftleaning and secular PLO and in the process ended up creating a bigger problem for itselfThe actions of the principal actors in days to come will determine if the Tehran assassination remains a oneoff incident or a trigger to more instability and sufferingVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/hamas-leader-assassination-persian-provocation-pezeshkians-predicament-and-regional-ramifications-563163.html Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-analysis-pakistans-press-freedom-paradox-assessing-the-duality-of-journalism-watchdogs-562536.html New Delhi July 28 The state of press freedom serves as a key indicator of a societys democratic health Journalists capacity to report without restraint on pertinent issues viz governance national concerns plight of the marginalised integrity and transparency of the social structure promoting accountability and progress etc These ideals are particularly relevant in wellestablished democracies unlike in authoritarian states such as China militarydominated hybrid regimes like Pakistan or few monarchiesIn Pakistans militarydominated hybrid political system the environment for journalists remains hazardous and filled with countless challenges Pakistani journalists navigate a precarious landscape of daily uncertainty contending not only with threats from nonstate actors but also with persistent suppression by state forces particularly the Pakistan Army and its clandestine intelligence agencies like the ISIDespite these dire conditions international press watchdogs frequently understate the gravity of the situationDespite the ongoing killings of numerous journalists due to their workPakistans press index ratings from organisations such as Freedom House and Reporters Sans Frontieres RSF surprisingly rank the country ahead of some established democracies like India which boasts strong press freedom credentialsIn recent months Pakistan has seen the murder of over half a dozen journalists across its four provincesThese politically motivated killings highlight a precarious situation where the state is either complicit or failing to protect vulnerable reporters particularly in the countrys rural areasOn July 14 journalist Malik Hassan Zaib associated with the local Urdu newspaper Daily Aaj was killed in his car by unidentified armed assailants in Nowshera Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinceThis incident prompted the New Yorkbased Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ to accuse the Pakistani government of maintaining continued impunity for those who attack journalistsThe journalism watchdog demanded that Pakistani authorities immediately end this horrifying wave of violence and hold the perpetrators to accountPertinently this was the third journalist killing within three months in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincePreviously unidentified armed assailants had killed Khalil Jibran of Khyber News TV channel on 18 June in Landi Kotal and Kamran Dawar on 21 May at his home in Tappi village Miramshah districtDawar an independent journalist who also ran a popular social media news channel called Waziristan TV with hundreds of thousands of subscribers was a vocal critic of the Pakistan Armys oppression in the tribal regionsHe frequently exposed issues such as custodial killings and enforced disappearances disguised as antimilitancy campaignsHis murder raised direct suspicions of Army involvement particularly given the highly fortified nature of Tappi village as reported by News InterventionIt is worth noting that Pakistans intelligence agency ISI has a history of targeted killings of military critics lending credibility to accusations by the victims familiesAccording to the 2024 report by Reporters Sans Frontieres Pakistan ranked 152nd out of 180 countries in the global press indexRSF also known as Reporters Without Borders described Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalistsThe report further indicates that any journalist who dares to breach the boundaries set by the Pakistan Army risks becoming the target of intense surveillance potentially leading to abduction and detention in either state prisons or unofficial jailsMoreover the countrys notorious ISI is always prepared to permanently silence any criticInterestingly while Pakistan adopted the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act in 2021 ostensibly to create a safe environment for journalists the legislation conditions journalists safety on adhering to a specific conduct Consequently both military and civilian authorities have exploited this ambiguity to enforce their own restrictions and penalize those who defy them For example Pakistani authorities arrested independent journalist Asad Ali Toor earlier this year for demanding accountability from state institutions particularly judicial authorities following the controversial 8 February elections Additionally 45 other journalists received notices from authorities for criticising the government and were warned to amend their conductThe sole offence of these journalists was reporting on court proceedings during the hearings of election irregularities casesSimilarly Freedom Houses 2024 report underscores that journalists perceived as antistate or antimilitary continue to face enforced disappearances and other abusesAhmad Farhad a Kashmiri poet from PakistanOccupied Jammu and Kashmir POJK was recently abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies for criticising the government and military establishment through his poetry following the Armys killing of POJK civilian protestorsFarhad poignantly captures this sentiment Ye puchta hai amneaamah ka masla kyun Ye amneaamah ka masla hai isse uthalo He is asking why there is public disorder He is a public disorder pick him upPakistans military establishment has essentially adopted this modus operandi to abduct and arrest anyone who questions their control over the countrys political and governance affairs with media professionals being the first casualtiesGiven the hazardous working conditions for journalists in Pakistan it is perplexing that the country often ranks higher than a democracy like India in press freedom indices published by Western organisationsAlthough Pakistans ranking is still not commendable it remains surprising One must question what prompts these organisations to obscure the reality Is there not a stark duality in their assessments of the two countriesFor example RSFs Global Press Index ranks India at 159th while Pakistan despite over a dozen journalist killings in 2023 is positioned at 152nd Additionally Pakistani authorities recorded 248 cases against journalists during 202223 to silence them as reported by the Freedom Network in 2023Similarly Freedom Houses annual Global Freedom Score awarded India and Pakistan scores of 66 and 35 out of 100 respectively yet surprisingly describes both countries as partly freeThis categorisation appears to undermine the democratic credentials of the worlds largest democracy IndiaIt is quite perplexing that India with its strong traditions of press freedom enshrined in its constitution Article 19 and supported by RTI is often criticised by these organisationsThis perceived duality does not truly reflect the countrys press freedoms but rather reveals the biases inherent in these institutions which are often leveraged by their sponsors and host countries for geopolitical purposesWhile Pakistani journalists continue to face severe threats and state oppression the nuanced challenges in Indias media landscape seem to be disproportionately amplified raising questions about the fairness and objectivity of these international evaluationsWhile journalists in India freely report on government activities and all state institutions without fear of persecution the situation in Pakistan is starkly differentThere even laws meant to protect journalists impose conditions that effectively require the press to stop criticising the state particularly the military This clear disparity further highlights the inconsistencies and potential biases in the global press freedom rankingsRegardless of the extent to which international journalism watchdogs spotlight the perilous conditions for journalists in Pakistan the stark reality persistsThe media remains under severe duress from both the government and the military frequently being compelled to comply while journalists suffer for challenging authorityRights organisations may ignore their struggles but the few voices of truth persist articulating the silence of the populace IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-analysis-pakistans-press-freedom-paradox-assessing-the-duality-of-journalism-watchdogs-562536.html Sun, 28 Jul 2024 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/markets-at-uncomfortable-levels-book-profits-558960.html New Delhi July 14 It was an actionpacked week with markets volatile but rangebound for the first four days On Friday it appeared that markets had taken steroids and gained sharply making new highs on an intraday basis as well as a closing basis The sector rotation continues unabated and there is just a single point agenda that markets must be up and up and upFridays postTCS results were the turn of the IT sector and during the week it was helped by sharp moves in the FMCG sector as well At the end of the week with markets gaining on two of the five trading sessions and losing on three BSESENSEX was up 52274 points or 065 per cent to close at 8051934 pointsNIFTY gained 17830 points or 073 per cent to close at 2450215 points The broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 065 per cent 058 per cent and 047 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP gained 015 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was down 026 per centThe gains made on Friday were 624 points on BSESENSEX and 187 points on NIFTY indicating that without Fridays gains markets were actually in the negative The intraday highs on BSESENSEX were at 8089351 points while the closing high was at 8051934 points On NIFTY these levels were at 2459220 points on an intraday basis and at 2450215 points on a closing basisThe Indian Rupee lost 6 paise or 007 per cent to close at Rs 8354 to the US Dollar Dow Jones gained on three of the five trading sessions and lost on two It was up 62503 points or 159 per cent to close at 4000090 pointsIn primary market news there were two listings which happened in the week gone by The first share to list was Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited which had issued shares at Rs 1008 The discovered price was Rs 1325 a gain of Rs 317 or 3145 per cent By the end of the day the share gained some ground and closed at Rs 135885 a gain of Rs 35085 or 3480 per cent At the end of the week the share gained some more and closed at Rs 136195 a gain of Rs 36395 or 3511 per cent Emcure shares were listed on Wednesday July 10The second share to list also on Wednesday was Bansal Wires Limited The company had issued shares at Rs 256 The discovered price was Rs 35205 a gain of Rs 9605 or 3751 per cent By the end of the day the share lost some ground and closed lower at Rs 35030 a gain of Rs 9430 or 3683 per cent By the weekend the share gained further ground and closed at Rs 35640 a gain of Rs 10040 or 3922 per centTCS declared results on Thursday July 11 The company reported revenues of Rs 62613 crore for the quarter against Rs 59381 crore in the previous year Profit after tax was at Rs 12105 crore versus Rs 11120 crore The EPS was at Rs 3328 versus Rs 3026 The results could be termed as decent but certainly not inspiringThe share gained Rs 26220 or 668 per cent on Friday post the results TCS was instrumental in pushing benchmark indices up to a great extent No other IT company has as yet declared results and on the back of TCS the IT sector gained a whopping 35 per cent for the weekThe budget is a mere six trading sessions away with there being a trading holiday on Wednesday July 17 and the budget to be presented on Tuesday July 23 Markets have not built up a big wish list as yet however markets have gained substantially This is a cause for worry The last 10500 points on BSESENSEX and 3400 points on NIFTY have come in double quick time and have happened in just about five weeks time This is too much in too short a time To make markets healthy and sustainable we need a correction and we need it now Whether they will oblige or not only time will tellThe strategy for the fourday week ahead would be to continue to take money off the table and move out of momentum stocks Allow the budget to be presented as there could be some populist measures with some hard decisions also being takenWhile in terms of overall the budget would be growthoriented and conducive to development the fine print could always have areas of concern It therefore makes sense to lie low over the next six sessions and allow the budget to be presented and sink inPost the same it would be a good time to have a relook at markets and make a better choice and selection for the long term Targets at such elevated and new levels are not necessary and suffice it to say that we have plenty of support at various levels which would act as comfort if markets were to correctTrade cautiously and avoid the temptation of buying in a redhot marketArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/markets-at-uncomfortable-levels-book-profits-558960.html Sun, 14 Jul 2024 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-analysis-china-under-xi-jinping-worse-than-ever-558821.html New Delhi July 14 Xi Jinping assumed the presidency of China in March 2013 succeeding Hu Jintao as the primary leader of both the Communist Party of China CPC and the Peoples Republic of China Over the subsequent 12 years Xi has navigated China through a tumultuous period significantly altering the global perception of the nationAlthough China is an authoritarian state it had established mechanisms to prevent the concentration of unchecked power in a single individual a response to the challenges encountered under Mao Zedongs leadership These mechanisms included a maximum twoterm limit for presidents and a system of checks and balances within the Partys upper echelonsPresidents would typically begin grooming their successors as their terms concludedHowever these practices have been consistently ignored in Xi Jinpings case He amended the partys constitution to extend his tenure beyond two terms appointed loyalists to key positions and emerged as the most powerful leader in Communist Chinese history even Mao faced resistance from civil warera military generals Reflecting on these developments it is crucial to consider how Xi Jinpings decadelong rule has impacted ChinaThe starting of failuresWhen Xi Jinping assumed the role of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the country it was during the period of Chinas peaceful rise that the nation was thriving economically and emerging as a global manufacturing hubLiberal internationalists believed that as market forces penetrated China democracy would inevitably follow However a realist perspective of international relations ultimately prevailedThe China that Xi Jinping inherited was flourishing and becoming a constructive global forceUpon taking office he began to use this development and the rise of China as instruments for asserting dominanceThe Belt and Road Initiative BRI serves as a prime example it was Chinas first major international infrastructural project launched in 2013 to establish a multimodal network of infrastructure projects across various countriesA decade later the BRI has not evolved into a cohesive concrete initiative The worlds largest economies have opted out of participating in the BRILow and middleincome countries that initially joined the initiative began complaining about the debt trap where high interest rates imposed by Chinese banks forced many countries to cede control of projects to ChinaThe Hambantota port project in Sri Lanka is the most prominent example of this debt trapAdditionally the BRI did not materialise into a multimodal network but rather remained a means for China to establish influence over individual countriesThe failures of the BRI also affected Chinas domestic political landscapeThe BRI was closely tied to Xi Jinpings paramount Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation project This initiative aimed to revitalise the Chinese economy which had been decelerating since the global financial crisis Under Xis leadership the Chinese economic miracle that began during Deng Xiaopings era began to slow down Xs domestic and foreign policies are primarily responsible for this downturnSeries of policy mishapsXi Jinping and his loyalists who secured positions within the inner circles of the CPC following Xis anticorruption purge of numerous party officials are held responsible for several policy failuresAmong the most notable are the rising tensions with neighbouring countries such as India Vietnam and the Philippines with China being accused of aggressive actions along their bordersAdditionally China engaged in direct confrontations and diplomatic coercion with various states including Australia and smaller European nations where its wolf warrior diplomacy harmed its carefully cultivated longterm relationshipsIt is widely known that China has unresolved disputes with annexed peripheral regions including Tibet Xinjiang and Hong KongOver the past decade following Xi Jinpings unprecedented security crackdowns these borders have been tightly controlled As a result an estimated one million minority Muslim Uyghurs were detained in camps in Xinjiang and in Hong Kong Beijing enacted a sweeping national security law in response to significant antigovernment protests in 2019Xi has also significantly increased the public security budget for Tibet from nearly 160 million Yuan to more than 300 million Yuan over the last 10 yearsTaiwan an independent democratic island with security ties to the US has long been a target for Chinas reunification ambitionsRecently China has become more aggressive along Taiwans borderAccording to a report by Taiwans Ministry of National Defence Chinese air incursions have surged with the number of Peoples Liberation Army PLA aircraft entering Taiwans air defence zone daily increasing from around 15 in 2021 to around 70 in April 2023On the economic front Chinas economy has continually slowed since Xi Jinping assumed office Since his tenure began there has been an increasing crackdown on the private sectorChinese capitalism is predominantly staterun raising security concerns in many countriesThe purge of prominent industrialists such as Jack Ma has created significant challenges for Chinese entrepreneurs and wealth creatorsChina remains one of the most unequal countries in the worldThe economic slowdown since the Covid19 lockdown has also led to increased unemployment alongside a persistent decline in private sector investment and consumer confidence in the Chinese economy during Xis reignIn conclusion contemporary China under Xi Jinping faces numerous domestic and international challenges The lack of solutions to these issues has led Xi to adopt a hawkish approach towards neighbouring countries hoping to stir nationalist sentiments among Chinese citizensWhile this strategy may be effective in the short term in the long run more than one billion people will demand answers from Xi Jinping Ultimately history is likely to judge him with a degree of scepticism IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-analysis-china-under-xi-jinping-worse-than-ever-558821.html Sun, 14 Jul 2024 07:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/momentum-with-bulls-but-bears-are-on-the-prowl-557230.html New Delhi July 7 Markets continued their upward trajectory and added to their gains At one point in time BSE SENSEX had crossed 80000 and registered gains of 10000 points since the low made on June 4 when results for the elections were announced Ten Thousand points or 1428 per cent is a spectacular gain by all standards and should be taken as a big positive Markets are witnessing huge inflows where FPIs were caught napping with their bearish mindset and on the other hand domestic funds are flush with SIP funds which have now begun crossing Rs 25000 crore monthlyAt the end of the week BSE SENSEX gained 96387 points or 122 per cent to close at 7999660 points while NIFTY gained 31325 points or 130 per cent to close at 2432385 pointsThe broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 157 per cent 171 per cent and 191 per cent respectively BSE MIDCAP gained 277 per cent while BSE SMALLCAP was up 388 per cent BSE SENSEX gained on three of the five sessions and lost on two while NIFTY gained on four sessions and lost on oneBenchmark indices made new lifetime highs and the intraday high on BSE SENSEX was at 8039264 points and the closing high at 8004967 points both of which were made on Thursday July 4 The NIFTY intraday high was at 24401 points while the closing high was at 2432385 points The intraday high was made on Thursday while the closing high was made on FridayThe Indian Rupee lost 10 paise or 012 per cent to close at Rs 8348 to the US Dollar Dow Jones gained on three of the four sessions and lost on one It was up 25701 points or 066 per cent to close at 3937587 pointsThere is sector rotation happening and this week it was the turn of IT stocksThe BSE IT sector was the top sectoral gainer at 415 per cent Besides the IT stocks initial momentum was given by HDFC Bank as the FPI limit dropped below 55 per cent and fresh FPI buying emerged This propped up the share which rose from Rs 1684 to a high of Rs 1792 before profittaking saw the share close at Rs 1648 a weekly loss of Rs 36 or 214 per centThe date for the Union Budget has been announced as Tuesday July 23 on expected lines This week would also see July futures expire on Thursday July 25 making that an extra volatile week Keeping this in mind the flow of IPOs on the main board seems to have taken a pause for the time beingIn primary market news we had two listings and two issues opening and closing for subscriptions The first share to list was Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited which was listed on Tuesday July 2 The company had issued shares at Rs 281 On the listing day the closing price was Rs 31785 a gain of Rs 3685 or 1311 per cent By the end of the week the price had moved up to Rs 34390 a gain of Rs 6290 or 2238 per centThe second share to list was Vraj Iron and Steel Limited which had issued shares at Rs 207 The share was listed on Wednesday July 3 The share closed at Rs 25195 a gain of Rs 4495 or 2171 per cent Over the remaining two days the price moved up to close at Rs 26095 a gain of Rs 5395 or 2606 per centThe first issue to open and close for subscription was from Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited The issue consisted of a fresh issue of Rs 800 crore and an offer for sale of 11428839 shares in a price band of Rs 9601008 The issue was subscribed overall 684 times with the QIB portion subscribed 19124 times the HNI portion subscribed 4932 times and the Retail portion subscribed 736 times There were 2870 lakh applications in allThe second issue was from Bansal Wire Industries Limited which was subscribed 6276 times overall The price band was Rs 243256 The issue consisted of a fresh issue of Rs 745 crore The QIB portion was subscribed 1538 times the HNI portion was subscribed 5421 times and the Retail portion was subscribed 1437 times There were 2165 lakh applicationsMarkets need a correction to make them healthy The timing is one that people are unable to guess Whether there would be one before the budget or postbudget is a milliondollar question and has been speculated over the last couple of weeks IT results will begin this week with TCS announcing them on Thursday July 11 This would be a crucial result as IT stocks have run up quite sharply on the expectation that the turnaround in IT stocks as far as results are concerned is here Only results would clarify the sameFPI activity in the markets is still confusing as they are alternating between buying and selling Over the last three days they were buyers in the cash market whereas on the previous three days they were sellers Their short positions around the election results time have been reduced significantlyComing to the markets in the week ahead expect sector rotation to continue As a result there would be volatility and sharp twosided moves In such a situation taking a call is always difficult and would require swift action to be takenThe market has momentum and plenty of participation with newer stocks participating What it lacks is depth as on a number of days we saw the market declines overshadowing gains indicating that a few stocks prop up the markets In such a situation one needs to take some money off the table to invest if compelling opportunities present themselvesWith new highs once again being made the mood and market optimism favour the bulls However the bears are waiting to put that one foot in the door and pounce on the bulls who seem to have used up almost all their resources In the coming week I would expect the bears to make a comeback and gain control for the time beingIn conclusion trade cautiously and as mentioned earlier expect sudden swings and change of mood in the marketsArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/momentum-with-bulls-but-bears-are-on-the-prowl-557230.html Sun, 07 Jul 2024 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/to-vote-for-or-vote-at-all-stark-choice-for-iranians-in-presidential-race-run-off-556325.html New Delhi July 4 He may have finished last in Irans Presidential race but cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadis subsequent message to voters encapsulated the underlying issue the regime is grappling with and not very successfully as reformist Masoud Pezeshkian gears up to hold his lead over ultraconservative Saeed Jalili in the runoff on Friday The fact that Pourmohammadi who was deemed a conservative but surprised people in the runup to the June 28 election with his rather progressive view on key issues is evident in his messages tone and tenor hailing the voters but also expressing respect to all those who did not believe us and did not comeTurnout in the polls was just 40 per cent the lowest since 1979Your presence and absence are full of messages that I hope will be heard Your message is clear and unambiguous the cleric said on social mediaAs both Pezeshkian and Jalili wrapped up both their television debates on Monday and Tuesday in which they presented their courses of action and clashed on approaches and mindsets the overriding issue in Fridays elections is not limited to whether the reformist or the hardliner will prevail but does this question even concern the great mass of the absent votersIn more general terms will the 60 per cent who were absent from polling booths on last Friday shed their apathy to their participation in elections restricted or imperfect as they may be and keep faith in the exercise as a means of political and social changeTurnout in elections both presidential and parliamentary has long been deemed as a sign of legitimacy in the Iranian system However these hopes have been belied in the present snap elections as well as the parliamentary elections earlier this year 41 per cent and the previous presidential elections 2021 won by Ebrahim Raisi at 488 per centEven an impassioned appeal by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before these elections seeking a maximum voter turnout as a message to the countrys enemies and to make the Islamic Republic proud failed to sway the votersThis is a legacy issue that the establishment will have to face up to and it figured prominently in the debates between Pezeshkian and JaliliJalili who called for examining why there is a decrease in peoples participation in elections agreed it was a concern with Pezeshkian who dwelled on the issue in more detail terming it unacceptable that 60 per cent of the people did not come to the pollsThe reformist candidate also linked it to wider social and political issues like the internet curbs and the hijab issue saying it also is due to women or some ethnic groups that are not engaged by usWhen we ignore peoples rights and do not want to listen to their voices expecting them to come to the polls is not a reasonable expectation When 60 per cent of the people do not come to vote we should feel that there is something wrong There is a shortcoming he asserted as per transcripts of the debates on Iranian mediaThe statements by Pezeshkian were also addressed to the large section of the disillusioned reformseeking yet nonvoting electorate as he faces a clear loss if they again sit at home on FridayIn the first round on June 28 Pezeshkian got 1041 million votes while Jalili was not far behind with 947 million out of the 245 million votes cast or just about 40 per cent of the 61 millionodd electorateMajles Speaker and former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf whom some polls had tipped as a prime contender over both Pezeshkian and Jalili was the distant third with 338 million votes while Pourmohammadi had to be content with 206397 votesThe other two allowed candidates Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and Vice President AmirHossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi both conservatives had quit days before Fridays electionIn the wake of the result which led to a runoff as neither Pezeshkian nor Jalili secured the victory margin of 50 per cent plus one Qalibaf Zakani and Hashemi appealed to their supporters to back Jalili now Pourmohammadi expressed no preferenceThe combined vote count of the conservative camp is enough to propel Jalili to victory but there is a caveatDespite appearances and chiefly Western perceptions Iranian politics is fluid and not just two opposing distinct and united reformist or conservative camps as there are a lot of different subgroups with their own agendas and aspirations Then there is an overlap in policy approaches too whether of the conservative hardliners or the progressive reformistsBut political participation or rather the lack of it remains an abiding challenge and it remains to be seen if Pourmohammadis hopes are realisedVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/to-vote-for-or-vote-at-all-stark-choice-for-iranians-in-presidential-race-run-off-556325.html Thu, 04 Jul 2024 11:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/vote-for-or-to-vote-at-all-iran-presidential-run-off-presents-stark-choices-beyond-reformist-vs-hardliner-556484.html New Delhi July 4 He may have finished last in Irans Presidential race but cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadi made waves as the deemed conservative candidate not only displayed a rather progressive view but identified the underlying issue the regime is grappling with and not very successfully as reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili clash in the runoff on Friday Pourmohammadi in a public message after his firstround exit hailed those who had cast their ballot but also expressed respect to all those who did not believe us and did not comeTurnout in the polls was just 40 per cent the lowest since 1979Your presence and absence are full of messages that I hope will be heard Your message is clear and unambiguous the cleric said on social mediaAs both Pezeshkian and Jalili wrapped up their television debates on Monday and Tuesday in which they presented their courses of action and clashed vigorously on approaches and mindsets on social economic and diplomatic matters the overriding issue in Fridays elections is not just whether the reformist or the hardliner will prevailIt actually is whether this question even concerns the great mass of the absent votersIn more general terms will the 60 per cent who stayed away from polling booths on last Friday shed their apathy to their participation in elections restricted or imperfect as they may be and keep faith in the exercise as a means of political and social changeTurnout in elections both presidential and parliamentary has long been deemed as a sign of legitimacy of the Iranian system However these hopes have been belied in the present snap elections as well as the parliamentary elections earlier this year 41 per cent and the previous presidential elections 2021 won by Ebrahim Raisi at 488 per centAn impassioned appeal by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before the June 28 elections seeking a maximum voter turnout as a message to the countrys enemies seemed to have failed to sway the voters It is to be seen what effect his fresh appeal ahead of the runoff will have and the establishment will have to face up to the legacy issue sooner or laterThe turnout figured prominently in the debates between Pezeshkian and JaliliWhile Jalili called for examining why there is a decrease in peoples participation in elections Pezeshkian was more strident terming it unacceptable that 60 per cent of the people did not come to the pollsThe reformist candidate also linked it to wider social and political issues like the internet curbs and the hijab issue saying it also is due to women or some ethnic groups that are not engaged by usWhen we ignore peoples rights and do not want to listen to their voices expecting them to come to the polls is not a reasonable expectation When 60 per cent of the people do not come to vote we should feel that there is something wrong There is a shortcoming he asserted as per transcripts of the debates on Iranian mediaThe statements by Pezeshkian who is promising looser social curbs and negotiations to relieve sanctions pressure were also addressed to the large section of the disillusioned reformseeking yet nonvoting electorate as he faces a clear loss if they again sit at home on FridayIn the first round on June 28 Pezeshkian got 1041 million votes while Jalili was not far behind with 947 million out of the 245 million votes cast or just about 40 per cent of the 61 millionodd electoratePrepoll favourite Majles Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was the distant third with 338 million votes while Pourmohammadi got 206397 votes onlyThe other two allowed candidates Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and Vice President AmirHossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi both conservatives had quit days before Fridays electionAs the election headed into a runoff as neither Pezeshkian nor Jalili secured the victory margin of 50 per cent plus one Qalibaf Zakani and Hashemi appealed to their supporters to back Jalili Pourmohammadi did not explicitly endorse anyone but his indirect attack on Jalili for attracting wider sanctions by blocking FATF recommendations is tellingWhile the combined vote count of the conservative camp seems enough to propel Jalili to victory there is a caveatAs Pourmohammadi shows despite appearances and chiefly Western perceptions Iranian politics is not just two opposing distinct and united reformist or conservative camps but a more fluid system due to many different subgroups with their own agendas and aspirations There is an overlap in policy too whether of the conservative hardliners or the progressive reformistsBut political participation or rather the lack of it remains an abiding challenge and it remains to be seen if Pourmohammadis hopes are realisedVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/vote-for-or-to-vote-at-all-iran-presidential-run-off-presents-stark-choices-beyond-reformist-vs-hardliner-556484.html Thu, 04 Jul 2024 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/irans-presidential-polls-run-off-what-it-reveals-about-the-mood-of-establishment-and-people-555252.html New Delhi June 30 Snap polls to elect the new Iranian President saw a new low in turnout and went into a runoff as widely predicted However the position of the two candidates for the runoff the first since 2005 is revealing about public sentiments the limitations of political labelling and more significantly the divergent mood in the establishment Masoud Pezeshkian the sole reformist candidate allowed in the race after being debarred in 2021 secured first place with 1041 million votes ahead of his ultraconservative rival and former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili with 947 million out of the 245 million votes cast or just about 40 per cent of the 61 millionodd electorateSurprisingly Majles Speaker and former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf whom some polls had tipped as a prime contender over both Pezeshkian and Jalili was the distant third with 338 million votes while the only cleric in the contest Mostafa Pourmohammadi had to be content with 206397 votesTehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and Vice President AmirHossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi both conservatives had quit days before Fridays electionThe vote count suggests that the combined votes of the conservatives in the runoff next Friday will be enough to propel Jalili to victory unless more voters from the widely disenchanted abstaining majority jettison their apathy and head to the polling booths to support PezeshkianIn the present instance appeals for support to him by former Presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hasan Rouhani and former Foreign Minister Javed Zarif did not seem to have been enough to galvanise the reformistleaning voteWhile Qalibaf Zakani and Ghazizadeh have now asked their supporters to vote for Jalili in the runoff in order to ensure victory for the revolution front Pourmohammadis response was more meaningful and nuancedGreetings to all of you who came to vote on June 29 and respect to all of you who did not believe us and did not come Your presence and absence are full of messages that I hope will be heard Your message is clear and unambiguous he said in a social media messageIn fact Pourmohammadi who though deemed a conservative and targetted for his role in extrajudicial executions in the 1980s along with late President Ebrahim Raisi whose death in a helicopter crash last month caused the election surprised people with his disapproval of internet bans He also batted for more womens participation in the MajlesHis stand may be seen as unexpected not unprecedented since the 1979 Islamic Revolution Iran had eight Presidents out of which five were clerics spanning from hardline conservatives current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Raisi to moderative conservative Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to reformists Mohammad Khatami and Hasan RouhaniOn the other hand the relative performances of Jalili an acknowledged hardliner and Qalibaf who sought to portray himself as a more pragmatic conservative or the fact that both remained in the contest raises some interesting questionsJalili who had contested the 2013 poll but lost to Rouhani and filed nominations in 2021 where he withdrew in favour of Raisi and Qalibaf who was also a rather perennial Presidential candidate 2005 2013 2017 like former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaee 2005 2009 2013 2021 have many similaritiesBoth are close to Supreme Leader Khamenei and the IRGC and have extensive security credentials with Jalili being a nuclear deal negotiator and currently the Supreme Leaders representative to the Supreme National Security Council while Qalibaf was a former commander of the IRGC air force and then the countrys chief of policeHowever Qalibaf who secured the endorsement of prominent security establishment figures like Major General Rezaee retd and former Defence Minister and navy chief Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani among others ended up securing nearly onethird of the votes that Jalili got indicating the establishment does not think or operate in a monolith manner However the more doctrinaire element seems to be maintaining its predominance over the realistic partWith Jalili favourite to win in the runoff as the conservative votes coalesce it is tempting to view his Presidency as a continuation of the Raisi era as he was a key influence on the late President but the situation is not so clearcutWhile foreign or nuclear policy may not see many changes under Jalili or for that matter under Pezeshkian for all his rhetoric given the limitations of the Presidents role both have a policy overlap in several domestic issues particularly on economic development welfare and employment creation However Pezeshkian is more upfront on social issues especially the role of the morality police which he opposesHowever it remains to be seen if more reformists enthused by the prospect of a Pezeshkian win will turn outVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/irans-presidential-polls-run-off-what-it-reveals-about-the-mood-of-establishment-and-people-555252.html Sun, 30 Jun 2024 20:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-analysis-cpec-a-bane-for-china-553726.html New Delhi June 24 The ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC announced in 2015 subsequent to Pakistans engagement with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative BRI in 2013 represents a considerable collaborative venture Originally valued at 46 billion the project focuses on sectors such as energy transportation and industry aiming to connect Chinas Kashgar in northeastern Xinjiang with Gwadar port in Pakistans Balochistan province across approximately 3000 kilometers Subsequently CPEC often referred to as a flagship project escalated into a 62 billion initiative projected for completion by 2030At the time of its announcement Pakistan was grappling with a precarious economic condition characterised by a shortage of Foreign Direct Investment significant electricity deficits macroeconomic instability and a severe internal security crisis due to terrorist activitiesConsequently CPEC was perceived as a transformative element for Islamabads economic frameworkFor China the successful completion of CPEC promises enhanced access to the Indian Ocean and beyondSome experts believe that the project was also anticipated to mitigate separatist tensions in Xinjiang through increased infrastructural development and connectivity with Pakistan Nonetheless nearly nine years postlaunch the progress of projects under CPEC has fallen significantly short of its objectives raising severe concerns regarding its actual benefit to ChinaTo date Chinese investment in the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor has reached approximately 25 billionOf the 122 projects initially announced under CPEC only 36 have been completed Although CPEC was envisioned as a transformative force for Pakistans economy it has not succeeded in alleviating Islamabads economic troublesFurthermore the projects have been marred by allegations of corruption within Pakistan including reports that Chinese investors were assured significant annual returns on their investmentsAdditionally the suspension of several CPEC projects in 2018 during Imran Khans administration contributed to Beijings frustrationConcurrently Pakistans total debt to China has escalated to 30 billion exacerbating its economic challenges which remain unaddressed despite the initiation of numerous CPEC projectsThe primary endeavor of the CPEC the development of Gwadar port has been embroiled in controversy due to Pakistans apparent neglect of the interests of local Gwadar residents and Baloch nationalist groupsThis oversight has precipitated increasing resentment within the province exemplified by the emergence of the Gwadar Haq Do Tehreek Gwadar Rights MovementDespite being declared fully operational in 2021 Gwadar port has attracted minimal traffic and has underperformed compared to smaller ports failing to secure any regularly scheduled deepsea lines thereby generating no significant cargo revenue for Pakistan or ChinaIn addition to its lackluster performance political and economic instability in Balochistan one of Pakistans most impoverished regions has severely impeded the ports potential as CPECs game changerThis situation has intensified major unrest among natives and separatist groups in Balochistan who demand a greater share in CPECs benefits Chinese officials have repeatedly voiced concerns to Pakistan emphasizing that the success of CPEC hinges on improving the conditions in Gwadar and alleviating poverty in BalochistanThe frequent attacks on Chinese nationals involved in CPEC projects by insurgents have further decelerated progress leading to significant investment losses and heightened security concerns for ChinaWhether dealing with isolated terrorist incidents or orchestrated attacks targeting Chinese interests Beijing is confronting diminishing returns from CPEC amid escalating security risks to its nationals in PakistanThis growing concern has compelled China to press Pakistan to prioritise addressing Beijings security apprehensions highlighting a primary challenge in advancing CPEC initiativesThe ambitious vision of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor in a country grappling with economic and political challenges such as Pakistan has proven costly for BeijingIn response to security concerns for its investments near the Wakhan Corridor compromised by Pakistans inability to secure the safety of Chinese nationals China had resolved to expand CPEC into Afghanistan in May of the previous year thereby incorporating the Talibanled government into this flagship initiativeThis decision to seek alternatives particularly with the Taliban regime arises from Pakistans consistent failure to safeguard Chinese personnel and its ongoing issue with crossborder terrorismNonetheless this strategic shift appears to counteract Beijings initial intentions as China now faces security issues in Talibancontrolled Afghanistan notably concerning attacks by Pakistani militant groups like TehreekiTaliban Pakistan TTP and other factions such as Islamic StateKhorasan ISISK which is a staunch adversary of the Taliban threatening Chinese interests in the regionPakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook a fiveday visit to Beijing in early June 2024 with the objective of soliciting foreign investment to alleviate Pakistans financial distress was perceived as an attempt to rejuvenate the CPECDuring this visit both nations agreed to progress CPEC to its second phase despite the incomplete status of the majority of Phase I projectsHowever it is widely believed that Sharifs commitments to enhance security for these projects did not sufficiently reassure China considering previous experiencesNotably despite the declaration of upgrading CPEC Sharif was unable to secure any new investments or debt restructuring arrangements from Beijing as anticipatedJust days prior to the visit Islamabads plea for an additional 17 billion to support nine infrastructure and energy projects along with a 15 billion debt restructuring proposal received a tepid response from BeijingThis reflects Chinas definite scepticism regarding Pakistans management of economic and security issuesFurthermore reports suggest that Pakistan plans to reallocate CPEC funds towards military activities along the Indian border indicating a blatant disregard for both Chinas security concerns and its own economic predicamentsEvidently the ambitious CPEC has become a strategic liability for China presenting a complex challenge that it struggles to resolveNot surprising an article in The Diplomat claims that China had been upset with Pakistan and has subsequently downgraded Pakistans status from Highest Priority to just PriorityRegardless of the veracity of the claims made in The Diplomat article Pakistan has seen its relations with China and Afghanistan turn cold recently owing to its turbulent internal security dynamics IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/ians-analysis-cpec-a-bane-for-china-553726.html Mon, 24 Jun 2024 20:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/markets-need-correction-but-current-momentum-indicates-otherwise-551694.html New Delhi June 16 After the sharp gains witnessed in the previous week markets were circumspect this time around but continued to post gains Markets are at lifetime highs and in the previous week one saw the market breadth gaining substantially One reason for the above could be the fact that key portfolios of the Cabinet have been retained by the ruling party and there is no significant change in ministers This implies continuity Probably that explains why the markets rallied and why one saw such huge momentum The market believes that the policies and thinking of the government in Modi 30 would be on similar lines as in the previous stint even though this is a coalition governmentSensex gained on three of the five trading sessions and lost on two while NIFTY gained on four sessions and lost on one session BSESENSEX gained 29941 points or 039 per cent to close at 7699277 points while NIFTY gained 17545 points or 075 per cent to close at 2346560 points The broader indices like BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gained 129 per cent 168 per cent and 202 per cent BSEMIDCAP gained 441 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was up 507 per centIn the benchmark indices one is seeing a churning of heavyweight stocks In the previous week the top gainers were FMCG and IT stocks This week they were under pressure and we saw cement shares rallying I believe this rotation will continue till the announcement of the budget and the onset of Quarter One results for the April to June QuarterIf there is one serious concern in the market its the fact that valuations have run up quite sharply and we have not seen any meaningful improvement in results which indicates a solid improvement in earnings growthThe Indian Rupee lost some ground and was down 19 paise or 023 per cent to close at Rs 8356 to the US Dollar There appears to be clarity in the US markets that there would be no immediate rate cut and that in the current calendar year there would be just one rate cut Dow Jones lost 20983 points or 054 per cent to close at 3858916 points Dow gained on just one of the five sessions and lost on fourIn primary market news we had one issue which opened and closed for subscription last week The issue from Le Travenues Technologies Limited was subscribed 981 times overall The QIB portion was subscribed 10673 times the HNI portion was subscribed 11025 times and the Retail portion was subscribed 5395 times There were 2675 lakh applications overallIn the week ahead we begin the week with a trading holiday on Monday This will shorten the week and increase volatility to some extent There are three issues which are opening in the coming week The first of the lot is the issue from DEE Development Engineers Limited which is tapping the capital markets with its fresh issue of Rs 325 crore and an offer for sale of 4582 lakh shares in a price band of Rs 193203The company is in the business of piping solutions for the oil and gas sector chemical sector and supercritical and power sector It also makes structural towers for the wind energy space It began operations in Haryana and has now expanded operations into Kutch in Gujarat This place is strategically located with two ports Kandla and Mundra in the vicinity customers for wind energy having their sites in the vicinity and major steel suppliers being in a 25kilometre radius The location helps in reducing costs on account of inward transportation significantlyThe expansion happening at Kutch will take about 68 months to fructify I believe the company has a great future and it will do well after the commissioning of the new plant The numbers of the company would reflect improved scale and efficiency for the year ended March 26 Only if you have an investment horizon of 18 months or more should you invest now There may always be listing gains looking at the market mood but otherwise investment is for the medium to long termThe second issue is from a NBFC based out of Rajasthan Akme Fintrade India Limited The company is raising through a fresh issue of 11 crore shares in a price band of Rs 114120 The issue opens on Wednesday June 19 and closes on Friday June 21The NBFC space is crowded and recent issues in this space have not done well The company and its merchant banker have chosen not to have a roadshow in Mumbai for this issue This speaks volumes for their confidence in marketing the issue One wishes them luckThe third issue is from Stanley Lifestyles Limited which is tapping the capital markets with its fresh issue of Rs 200 crore and an offer for sale of 9133454 shares in a price band of Rs 351369 The issue opens on Friday June 21 and closes on Tuesday June 25The company is a bespoke manufacturer of superpremium and luxury furniture brands in India Its a homegrown brand and a little over half its revenues come from sofas and recliners The company crafts its products as per the requirements of its customers and everythings made to orderThe business has been growing and with funds being raised to open more stores benefits of the same would be available as time passes The company is in a niche segment where luxury defines markets Take a measured call as growth in revenues will not be a factor of perpendicular growthComing to the markets in the week ahead as mentioned earlier it would be a fourday week Momentum and market breadth are in favour of the bulls and there seems to be no letting go of them as of now However the runup has been fast and other than the sharp oneday correction on June 4 no meaningful corrections as of nowMarket corrections come suddenly and without warning Will it happen this week or the next Not sure Keep one ear to the ground and prepare for the same because that could be sharp and meaningful Until that happens ride the wave as long as the going is goodA simple strategy for the period ahead would be to ensure that you have no overnight exposure as markets could open gapup or gapdown This could be dangerous Trading opportunities would exist galore and provide plenty of trades to be facilitated Use the opportunities to trade and await the correction when it comesTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/markets-need-correction-but-current-momentum-indicates-otherwise-551694.html Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-is-there-something-under-wraps-in-kashmir-551676.html New Delhi June 16 The recent terror attacks in Jammu have sparked a wave of anxiety and panic among people in the region The fact that terrorists can carry out heinous attacks anywhere and anytime has exposed chinks that need to be sealed The attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi raises several questions like how come the attackers knew the bus was carrying Hindu pilgrims or it would be travelling on that particular route at that time Were they given the information Who told them The terrorists ambushed the bus on a stretch where traffic was less and as per those who survived the attackers were there for almost 20 minutesDoes this not indicate a kind of collusion with some local sympathisers The questions may be part of the investigation being carried out but they are reminiscent of the times when terrorism struck Kashmir in the early 1990s and most of the attacks were carried out after getting information from neighbours or colleagues and even local policemen This was something which was even described in detail by Late Governor Jagmohan in his book Frozen TurbulenceThe help at the local level could be out of fear or sympathy With improved security situation and crackdown on separatist leaders the atmosphere of fear is supposed to have been curbed But terror eruptions like the recent ones bring forth an ugly fact that rogue elements continue to exist and exert their presence from time to timeThese elements try to rear their heads when they deem fit or act on orders from across the border Pakistan has not shut its terror factory and continues to infiltrate terrorists to carry out attacks It believes that it is its right to keep JampK disturbed through such acts of violenceJampK Director General of Police R R Swain recently said that 7080 foreign terrorists are active in the Union Territory An equal number is reported to be trying to sneakily cross the LoCborder from various launch pads in PakistanWith the security apparatus tight and strong in Kashmir the terrorists have been trying to shift their activities to the Jammu region in the south of Pir Panjal range The region with dense forests is a difficult terrain where terrorists get enough space to hide The Pakistanbacked terrorists are also now trying to go to those areas which have been relatively peaceful and the Reasi attack is an exampleThis is the challenge for security forces The fact that terrorists are able to strike and vanish is something which is deeply worrying The question again arises is it possible for the attackers to just vanish or are there elements helping them in the UTThe terror attacks cannot happen in isolation There is always a local connect whether it is in the form of a hybrid terrorist an overground or underground worker or just simply doing it for money or getting exploited on the basis of religious sentimentsBefore the abrogation of Article 370 the separatists and the proPakistani elements were successful in creating a network which was connected by Islamic sentiments This link helped in organising stonepelting sessions targeted killings attacks on minorities and security forces etcAfter Article 370 ceased to exist the valley has seen a drastic change The proseparatist network was demolished and a drastic reduction in violence including stonepelting was noticed The valley has been witnessing a massive and unprecedented flow of touristsDespite a majority wanting to live in peace there is a hidden remnant of the motivated link that has been trying to gather itself by various means These hidden elements show their presence through acts of terror as was witnessed in three backtoback attacks in Jammu including the targeting of Hindu pilgrims in a bus in Reasi districtThe police have announced huge rewards for information about the attackers but days after the attack no one has been arrested The fact is that these hidden elements are able to get support with moving around hiding food weapons or pinpointed information about the subject of attack This is something which should act as an alarm bell for the governmentThe victory of Engineer Rashid a leader with an inclination towards the separatist agenda in the recently held Lok Sabha elections is again a pointer to something brewing in the valleyRashid has been in Tihar jail for the past five years in connection with a terror funding case In 2015 when he was an MLA he organised a party at his official residence where beef was cooked He has also repeatedly raised his voice for the right to selfdetermination in the then JampK AssemblyRecently when he won the Lok Sabha elections eyebrows were raised as to how he managed to secure the win despite being in jail His campaign was led by his 26yearold son Abrar RashidMuch on the lines of AAP head and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals campaign in the general elections where he appealed to people to vote for him to keep him out of jail Abrar Rashid adopted a similar strategy His short speeches Your vote can get my father released struck a chord and translated into victoryIf Engineer Rashid enters Parliament will he raise his voice for selfdetermination as he used to do when he was an MLAThe question is troubling is there some underwraps agenda that is now gradually unfolding The separatists by fielding proxies even if the JamaateIslami JKLF and others are banned organisations plan to enter the system Is there an effort to implode the system by entering the system legitimatelyThe questions may seem hypothetical currently but Kashmir has a lot hiddenDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-is-there-something-under-wraps-in-kashmir-551676.html Sun, 16 Jun 2024 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-a-super-volatile-week-all-eyes-on-new-cabinet-549746.html New Delhi June 9 It was an eventful and extremely volatile week for the stock market where one saw wild gyrations in both directions At the end of it it left the weakhearted gasping for breath waiting to recover their composure The net price movement does not reflect the extent of wild swings that one saw The Exit Polls on Saturday indicated a sweeping majority for the BJPled NDA but final results showed that the BJP fell short of the absolute majority by a good 32 seats With the allies they were able to go past the number of 272 and the Prime Minister along with his Cabinet will be sworn in on Sunday June 9 for a third termThe BSESENSEX gained 273205 points or 369 per cent to close at 7669336 points while NIFTY gained 75945 points or 337 per cent to close at 2329015 points The broader indices saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 350 per cent 312 per cent and 317 per cent respectivelyBSEMIDCAP was up 294 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was up 311 per cent Let us look at the intraweek movements on the benchmark indices Post exit polls BSESENSEX gained 2487 points while NIFTY gained 808 points On Tuesday post results markets saw BSESENSEX lose 6234 points intraday while NIFTY lost 2057 points Over the next three days markets saw BSESENSEX gain 6561 points while NIFTY gained 2039 pointsAt the end of it all the BSESENSEX saw a movement of intraweek 15282 points while in the case of NIFTY it was 4904 points Markets gained on four of the five trading sessions and lost on oneComing to retail investors and what they did in the markets contrary to their perception they were net sellers when markets rose on Monday and big buyers when markets fell on Tuesday They bought small on Wednesday when markets recoveredThe data from the exchanges shows that retail investors bought directly To this one must add what retail investors put in through SIPs in mutual funds which have now crossed Rs 25000 crore monthlyThe rally on Friday postRBI meeting saw auto stocks FMCG and IT companies stage a super rally The top sectoral gainers for the week were BSEIT 817 per cent BSEFMCG 693 per cent and BSEAUTO 678 per cent The biggest loser was BSEPSU which was down 184 per centIn its bimonthly review meeting RBI kept interest rates unchanged on expected lines They expect GDP to grow at 72 per cent in the year 2025The Indian Rupee gained nine paise or 011 per cent to close at Rs 8337 to the US DollarDow Jones gained on three of the five sessions and lost on two At the end of the week the Dow gained 11267 points or 029 per cent to close at 3779899 pointsIn primary market news Le Travenues Technology Limited the owners of the online travel company IXIGO tap the capital markets The issue consists of a fresh issue of Rs 120 crore and an offer for sale of 66677674 shares in a price band of Rs 8893 The issue would open on Monday June 10 and close on Wednesday June 12The company is present in all three verticals such as airline tickets rail tickets and bus tickets The company reported an EPS of Rs 057 for the year ended March 23 The same has improved significantly to Rs 175 for the nine months ended December 23Revenues for the year ended March 23 which were at Rs 5175 crore are now in the nine months at Rs 3787 crore Based on the EPS for the full year the PE multiple comes at an exorbitant 1543916316 timesConsidering the nine months earnings this is more comparable with its peer set Looking at the current market mood investors may apply for the above shareComing to the markets in the week ahead expect them to remain volatile and witness twosided moves While FPIs have not turned bullish on India as yet they seem to be confused more than bearish as they were till the end of the last monthThey bought on Monday and Friday and sold on the remaining three days With a new high on the intraday basis made on BSESENSEX on Friday and a closing basis on both BSESENSEX and NIFTY on Friday expect markets to rally further in the early part of the weekAs government formation and the ensuing budget is likely to be presented in the first fortnight of July the composition of the cabinet and how the government settles down will be the focus of attention Post new highs in the earlier part of the week expect markets to witness profit taking and settling down from the new levels it has attainedIn terms of support the levels witnessed on Tuesday at the lower levels of 70234 and 21281 points will act as strong support while we could see levels of 2400024200 on NIFTY and 7880079400 on BSESENSEX as ultimate targets in the near termThe strategy for the week would be to allow markets to run their course and resort to profittaking only when the fall starts Its not necessary that the upside targets have to be made this week itself They could happen when the budget is announced as there would be various expectations from them this time around The key mantra to making money would be to trade as volatility and trading opportunities galore would existTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-a-super-volatile-week-all-eyes-on-new-cabinet-549746.html Sun, 09 Jun 2024 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/time-for-us-to-take-extradition-of-terrorists-rana-and-headley-to-india-seriously-548809.html New Delhi June 5 While both Washington and Ottawa take an aggressive stance on alleged Indian clandestine operations are they equally committed to extraditing American and Canadian terrorists like David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana Or is there a deeper disregard for Indias legitimate national security and criminal justice concerns India has recently become the focus of intense Western scrutiny facing allegations from the United States and Canada along with routine rhetorical accusations from Pakistani military officials regarding its supposed involvement in eliminating terrorists in North America and PakistanRaising a critical question While both Washington and Ottawa take an aggressive stance on alleged Indian clandestine operations are they equally committed to extraditing American and Canadian terrorists like David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur RanaOr is there a deeper disregard for Indias legitimate national security and criminal justice concernsFifteen years have passed since the devastating 2611 Mumbai attacks a series of coordinated terrorist assaults that shocked the world Meticulously orchestrated by Pakistan ten terrorists from the Pakistanbased group LashkareTaiba LeT crossed the Arabian Sea to unleash terror on MumbaiThe 60hour siege that followed claimed 166 lives and injured over 300 civilians and security personnel leaving an indelible mark on the citys historyCentral to the reconnaissance efforts leading to these vicious terrorist attacks were David Coleman Headley aka Daood Sayed Gilani an American citizen of Pakistani origin and Tahawwur Rana a former Pakistan Army Captain and Canadian citizenHeadley who conducted extensive surveillance and gathered crucial information on the targets played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of the attacks He made multiple trips to Mumbai and provided detailed videos and sketches of the locations to the attackers Rana an old friend of Headley from their days in a Pakistani military school who also visited Mumbai facilitated these reconnaissance missions by providing Headley cover through his Chicago based immigration businessFollowing the devastating attacks Headley and Rana were both apprehended and prosecuted for their roles in planning and executing these terrorist activities as well as for conducting reconnaissance of a Danish daily in DenmarkAmerican terrorist Headley was arrested by the US Federal Bureau of Investigations FBI in Chicago on October 3 2009 In March 2010 he pleaded guilty to being terror trained in Pakistan 12 terrorismrelated charges including aiding and abetting the 2611 attacks which included six American victimsHeadley cooperated with US authorities providing intelligence and testimony that significantly advanced the investigation including key tip offs regarding RanaIn January 2013 he was sentenced to 35 years in prison Around the same time Canadian terrorist Rana was arrested on October 18 2009He was charged with providing material support to terrorist plots including the Mumbai terrorist attacks and a planned terror attack on JyllandsPosten in DenmarkIn June 2011 Rana was convicted of conspiracy to provide material support to LashkareTaiba the terrorist group responsible for the Mumbai attacks and for supporting the plot against the Danish newspaper However strikingly he was acquitted of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison in January 2013For over 11 years India has been diligently pursuing the extradition of David Headley and Tahawwur Rana from the United States under the IndiaUS Extradition Treaty of 1997 seeking justice for their roles in the 2611 Mumbai terrorist attacksThe extradition request for Headley was sent on December 7 2012Headleys cooperation with US authorities and his plea agreement which precluded his extradition to India Pakistan or Denmark India remains steadfast in its efforts to hold him accountable under Indian lawThe plea agreement which spared Headley from the death penalty and barred his extradition has been a point of contention with Indian authorities further feeling that the US has not fully cooperated in providing access to HeadleyAlthough officials from Indias National Intelligence Agency NIA were able to interrogate Headley in Chicago in June 2010 they could do so only in the presence of FBI agents leading to concerns that the information obtained was restricted Importantly while the plea agreement limits Headleys extradition for the crimes he confessed to the US Secretary of State holds the authority to potentially extradite Headley for offenses other than those related to the 2611 attacks or if he violates the plea agreementThe Secretary of States cooperation is crucial in this matterSimilarly India has been pursuing the extradition of Tahawwur RanaFollowing his conviction in the US India requested his extradition submitting a formal request with accompanying evidence on August 13 2020On May 16 2023 a US court concluded that Rana was extraditable for the offenses related to the Mumbai attacks and certified this finding to the US Secretary of StateIn May Rana had filed a writ of habeas corpus challenging the court order that agreed with the US governments request for his extradition to IndiaOn August 2 2023 Judge Dale S Fischer of the United States District Court Central District of California denied Ranas petition for a writ of habeas corpus paving the way for US Secretary of State to issue a certification for his extradition to IndiaHowever Rana has filed an appeal against the order and sought a stay on his extradition to India until his appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court is heard leading to his extradition being stayed on August 18 2023 His extradition remains pendingMoreover terrorists like Hardeep Singh Nijjar trained by Pakistans notorious InterServices Intelligence ISI and funded to carry out terrorist activities in India pose significant threatsSimilarly Gurpatwant Singh Pannun the face of the proscribed entity Sikhs for Justice SFJ is another exampleThe SFJ has been declared an unlawful association under SubSection 1 and 3 of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967Numerous scholars of terrorism and international relations as well as the Indian government recognise both Nijjar and Pannun as terroristsThey frequently expose the socalled Khalistani Movement as a front for Pakistan recently furthered by Communist Party of China CPC to engage in antiIndia activities in the West Despite this such entities along with dozens of other ISI and CPC fronts operate with impunity in Canada and the United StatesWhile India steadfastly adheres to legal methods and has made monumental strides in a zerotolerance approach to terrorism the United States and Canada share an equal moral responsibilityFailure to act against these socalled separatists risks facing terrorism similar to the Kanishka bombings and the 911 attacks executed by Pakistantrained terrorists in the WestDespite the legal and diplomatic challenges India continues to press for accountability emphasizing the importance of global solidarity in addressing the scourge of terrorismThe US handling of the Headley and Rana cases raises significant concerns about its commitment to justice and human rightsIf the US Secretary of State so chooses the administration can extradite 2611 accused and David Headley accomplice Tahawwur Rana to India demonstrating a strong stance against Westbased terrorist groups However persistent delays in extraditing these key figures involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks coupled with a soft approach toward Indias security challenges suggest a dismissive attitude toward Indias concernsSuch oversight hampers a relationship that should be rooted in equality respect and a reciprocal commitment to eradicating global terrorism Canada is widely believed to need significant improvements in shaping its societyThis includes addressing issues such as the controversial acceptance of Pakistani war criminals as immigrants navigating polarising local politics or taking a strong stand to uphold its professed values of freedom justice and libertyMeanwhile the US must start taking the extradition of Rana and Headley seriously The delay in their extradition not only impedes justice for the victims but also disregards Indias national security concernsSuch neglect is not conducive to a friendship that has stood the test of time and is preparing for future challengesIt risks undermining the mutual trust and cooperation that form the bedrock of USIndia and CanadaIndia relationsThe author is an international criminal lawyer and director of research at New Delhibased thinktank Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies CIHS IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/time-for-us-to-take-extradition-of-terrorists-rana-and-headley-to-india-seriously-548809.html Wed, 05 Jun 2024 18:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-the-euphoria-the-disaster-548459.html New Delhi June 4 Monday June 3 saw markets record their best performance in recent times with NIFTY gaining 73320 points on the back of Exit Polls for the general elections 2024 where the pollsters in a poll of polls gave the ruling NDA around 370 seats The high on NIFTY was at 2333870 points NIFTY closed at 2326390 points On BSESENSEX the gain was at 250747 points to close at 7673889 points The high for the day was at 7646878 points These incidentally were new lifetime highs at closing and intraday levelsToday Tuesday June 4 was a reversal a terrifying and scary one The lows made on BSESENSEX were at 7023443 points and 2128145 points on NIFTY The intraday point fall on BSESENSEX was roughly 6200 points and 2000 points on NIFTYWhat caused it Simply the fact that the NDA fell short at below 300 seats or about 293 seats The final closing today was BSESENSEX down 438973 points to close at 7207905 points while NIFTY lost 133570 points at 2192820 pointsWhat from hereon is the key question The BJP along with its allies has managed to become the largest faction and is ahead of the opposition by about 60 seats The NDA should be able to form the government and things would be as usual as far as current economic policies are concerned This will not impact the current policiesWhat would change is the reform agenda of the party where they wanted to bring about a common civil code and other such measures which would need a much bigger majority The euphoria and the disaster are both behind us and they have happened within a mere 24 hours of each otherGoing forward the highs made on Monday at 76738 and 23338 on NIFTY would act as mediumterm resistances while lows made on Tuesday at 70234 and 21281 would act as strong supports The range is a massive 6500 points on BSESENSEX and 2150 points on NIFTY This is a huge range and looks like holding till big news flow happens over the next four to six monthsWith the market range specified the next question is about the direction of the market There would be political stability in the time to come as the mandate is not small and fairly clear The government would be able to run its regular policies without any hindrances but would not have the majority that it had over the last two termsWith such a mandate it would be business as usual for all regular business and tough times for structural changes For investors at the markets its more or less business as usual and FPIs who were sellers are likely to remain negative to neutral on the markets in the short to medium termIn conclusion markets would remain volatile and choppy in the immediate short term Expect stability once government formation and getting back to normalcy is achievedTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-the-euphoria-the-disaster-548459.html Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/as-exit-polls-indicate-big-victory-for-nda-markets-to-see-new-highs-this-week-547621.html New Delhi June 2 It was a volatile week and a complete reversal of the previous week Markets lost on four of the five trading sessions and kept their prestige by gaining on the fifth day Friday which happened to be the first day of a new June series and was the shining star during the week BSESENSEX lost 144908 points or 192 per cent to close at 7396131 points while NIFTY lost 42640 points or 186 per cent to close at 2253070 points The broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 lose 109 per cent 183 per cent and 173 per cent respectivelyBSEMIDCAP was down 153 per cent and so was BSESMALLCAP a similar 153 per cent It may be mentioned here that in the previous week from May 20 to May 24 BSESENSEX had gained 140445 points or 190 per cent while NIFTY gained 45510 points or 202 per cent Effectively the two weeks scored outThe Indian Rupee was under pressure and lost 36 paise or 043 per cent to close at Rs 8346 to the US Dollar Dow Jones gained on Friday after a continuous losing streak For this week it lost 38327 points or 098 per cent to close at 3868632 points Dow lost on three of the four trading sessions and gained on oneThe week saw May futures expire on Thursday At the end of the previous week the series was up 38675 points or 171 per cent NIFTY surrendered all of this and closed with losses of 8170 points or 036 per cent to close at 2248865 pointsIn economic data released over the weekend there was great news from the GDP front economic front and GST tax collection front GDP for the fourth quarter was at 78 per cent which brings FY24 GDP to 82 per cent The fiscal deficit at 56 per cent of GDP has bettered the governments estimate GST collection for May 24 is Rs 171 lakh crore and continues the strong showingThe week ahead has RBI meet for its first policy meeting of FY2425 It is widely expected that there would be no change in stance or interest rates as inflation is easing offShares of Awfis Space Solutions which had issued shares at Rs 383 listed on the bourses on Thursday May 30 Shares closed day one at Rs 41910 a gain of Rs 3610 or 942 per cent On Friday the share corrected sharply and closed at Rs 40250 a reduced gain of Rs 1950 or 509 per centThe seventh and final phase of voting concluded on Saturday June 1 The exit polls at the end of the same indicate a strong performance of the ruling BJP and NDAled alliance across the country While numbers suggest that they would have a more than comfortable majority on their own and may touch the magical number of 400 if the exit polls are to be believedWell Tuesday would be another day and things would become clear As of now it appears that things favour the incumbent and they should get through comfortablyComing to the markets in the week ahead while exit polls are in favour of NDA one would like to be cautious for that one more day before celebrating wholeheartedly By Tuesday midday results would be clear which way the wind is blowing What should be the strategy for the week aheadLooking at exit polls a rally on Monday is almost certain What may also happen is that post this rally there could be some profittaking and volatility Tuesday would see volatility as the election trend in the morning is sketchy and skewed Post this initial hiccup if exit polls hold good markets should see a blastFPIs have been aggressive sellers and a bout of short covering could give the needed ammunition to bulls to charge the market It makes sense therefore to hold out your bets till markets stabilise postTuesday results and allow the euphoria as exit polls indicate to kick inNew highs on NIFTY and BSESENSEX are on the cards and one should not be surprised if we see levels of about 79000 on BSESENSEX and 23800 on NIFTY in the coming week All of this is subject to the fact that exit polls or even better the poll of polls are taken as a benchmarkThe strategy would be to ride the rally and allow markets to savour the victory Allow the euphoria to kick in and do not be in a hurry to book profits Exercise caution in buying stocks where one is not comfortable with fundamentals In conclusion be cautious and allow exit polls to convert to resultsTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/as-exit-polls-indicate-big-victory-for-nda-markets-to-see-new-highs-this-week-547621.html Sun, 02 Jun 2024 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/with-last-phase-of-voting-left-market-volatility-would-increase-545767.html New Delhi May 26 Markets were on a roll and they had plenty of action and drama as well in the week gone by The previously announced holiday on Thursday on account of Buddha Purnima was cancelled by the exchanges on Monday considering the fact that two holidays in a week would break the momentum As events turned out Thursday was the key pivot for the markets as they gained a massive 1197 points on BSESENSEX and 370 points on NIFTY on Thursday In the process they made new lifetime highs as well The RBI declaring a dividend of Rs 21 lakh crore for the financial year ended March 2024 was a great help as well as it ensured that the fiscal deficit the government is targeting is well under controlAt the end of the fourday week BSESENSEX gained two and lost two sessions while NIFTY gained three and lost one BSESENSEX gained 140445 points or 190 per cent to close at 7541039 points while NIFTY gained 45510 points or 202 per cent to close at 2295710 pointsThe broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 187 per cent 187 per cent and 165 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP gained 110 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was up 008 per cent The new intraday highs made on Friday were 7549991 points and 2302640 pointsThe Indian Rupee had a strong showing during the week and gained 24 paise or 029 per cent to close at Rs 8310 to the US Dollar Dow Jones saw selling pressure and lost in three of the five trading sessions It was down 934 points or 233 per cent to close at 3906959 pointsThe week gone by saw one new mainboard listingshares of Go Digit General Insurance Limited which were issued at Rs 272 listed on Thursday May 23 The opening price was Rs 28110 on BSE Shares closed day one at Rs 30575 a gain of Rs 3375 or 1240 per cent On Friday the share lost some ground and closed at Rs 30015 a reduced gain since the listing of Rs 2815 or 1035 per centThe issue from Awfis Space Solutions Limited is currently on The issue consists of a fresh issue of Rs 128 crore and an offer for sale of 12295699 equity shares in a price band of Rs 364383 The company as the name suggests is in the business of providing common workspaces on a daily or longerterm contracted basisCurrently the company is on a net loss based on its restated accounts which are showing a declining trend Looking at the leverage opportunity that the company has and the fact that 75 per cent of the space is rented out it could be expected that the company should report positive numbers for the year ended March 25The issue opened on Wednesday May 22 and would close on Monday May 27 At the end of the second day of the issue opening it received decent support with the issue being subscribed an overall 114 timesThe QIB portion was subscribed 339 times the HNI portion 2098 times and the Retail portion 2108 times Investors looking for listing pop and having a mediumterm holding period would be rewarded if their application for the share is successfulThe week ahead sees May futures expire on Thursday May 30 The current value of NIFTY at 2295710 points is higher by 38675 points or 171 per cent compared to the May series opening of 2257035 points It would be interesting to note that all the gains have been made in the previous week as prior to this the series was negative While currently the momentum is with the bulls one needs to be cautious as to the way markets may move on election results eveThe sixth phase of voting has concluded and now just the seventh and final phase of voting on Saturday June 1 remains With the sharp rally over the last two weeks since markets made a bottom on Monday May 13 they have rallied quite sharply They have also made new lifetime highs Very clearly the markets are convinced that the ruling BJPled NDA would form the next government Exit poll assessment would begin Saturday evening and carry on till results are announced on Tuesday morningWith expiry happening during the coming week volatility on expiry day could get substantially elevated as people decide to lighten positions and adopt a waitandwatch attitude FPIs have been big sellers in the month of May and barring a couple of days sold every day This excess of liquidity while it was absorbed by domestic institutions could see a mismatch on expiry dayComing to the week ahead expect sharp volatility as expiry day approaches The election results getting closer could cause volatility to rise postfutures expiry as positions would in all probability get liquidated to a large extent With limited positions open in the market from Monday to Wednesday in the week June 3 to June 6 could see really sharp volatility The strategy for the week ahead would be to reduce positions as the week progressesRefrain from any overweight positions in either direction as sharp volatility is expected Analyse exit polls for all they are worth look at the results and then take a callTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/with-last-phase-of-voting-left-market-volatility-would-increase-545767.html Sun, 26 May 2024 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/president-xis-purging-of-communist-officials-stunning-similarities-with-stalin-544604.html New Delhi May 22 After ascending to power in 2012 President Xi Jinping of China embarked on a journey to strengthen his grip on the countrys already authoritarian regime Having grown up in a political environment Xi is wellversed in the workings of the Communist Party his father being a highranking official of the Communist Party of China Purges have long been a tool used by leaders in Communist states to eliminate any form of dissent Mao Zedong and his Gang of Four famously purged top Communist officials in China including Deng Xiaoping the architect of Market ChinaHowever it was Joseph Stalin the leader of Soviet Russia who established the early standards for purges setting a benchmark against which other totalitarian leaders are measuredXi Jinping is one such leader whose paranoia and relentless efforts to maintain supremacy in the communist hierarchy have led to a series of purges targeting both lowlevel officials flies and highranking ones tigers Xis infamous anticorruption campaign is central to these purgesCritics argue that this campaign is a systematic strategy by Xi to completely seize control of Chinas Communist Party and state machineryXis consolidation of powerXi Jinping belongs to the second generation of the Communist political elite In China descendants of the Communist political elites who participated in the Revolutionary War are known as Princelings or Red Heirs and Xi is one of themHis father Xi Zhongxun was one of the founding fathers of the Communist Party of China and served as a former vicepremier of the nation As noted earlier the elder Xi experienced multiple purges during Maos rule due to suspicions about his activities Xi Zhongxun was arrested in 1962 and again in 1966 during the Cultural RevolutionDespite initial privileges and support from his father Xi Jinping had to start from the bottom and was admitted into the Communist Party of China in 1974Xi came to the attention of officials during the 1989 prodemocracy Tiananmen Square protests At the time he was the party chief of Ningde in the southern Fujian province Even though he was far from the capital Beijing localised protests erupted which Xi effectively suppressedDue to these significant human rights abuses China failed to secure the bid to host the 2000 Olympics Ironically this situation benefited Xi as he was later put in charge of the 2008 Beijing OlympicsHis effective management eventually paid off and he joined the Communist Partys top decisionmaking body the Politburo Standing Committee In 2012 he rose to power as Chinas PresidentXi and Stalin A tale of stunning similaritiesJoseph Stalin became the leader of the Soviet Union not because he exhibited classic leadership qualities but because members of the Politburo thought he could be easily manipulated However he had different plansOnce he secured the position of General Secretary he centralised all power within himself effectively disregarding any notion of internal communist party democracy He utilised state mechanisms to purge and execute his political rivalsNotably he orchestrated the assassination of Leon Trotsky who was living in Mexico a Central American country at the time Stalin exiled many of his political adversaries to Gulags situated in the most severe environments of RussiaTo cultivate a cult of personality around himself he authored a book titled A Short Course on the History of the Bolsheviks which was published in 1938 and quickly became one of the most widely distributed books selling over 42 million copiesHowever the book contained little historical substance and could more accurately be described as a manual for dictatorship Scholars and experts specialising in Chinese political elites and Xi Jinping have noted his great admiration for Stalins bookIn a similar vein to Stalin Xi Jinping also produced The Political Thought of Xi Jinping This book represents a significant departure from Deng Xiaopings vision of China who aimed to transform the nation from a rural backward economy into a modern stateled economyThe recent purges within the PLA military by Xi Jinping echo the extensive purges carried out by Stalin where in the late 1930s numerous prominent Old Bolsheviks were accused of treason and either executed or imprisoned All the evidence presented in court stemmed from the defendants initial admissions and interrogationsLater it was revealed that the accused were innocent the NKVD Soviet Secret Police had fabricated the cases and the confessions had been extracted under severe coercion and tortureWho Xi purged and what is to be deduced from itIn the initial series of purges beginning in 201213 the foundation of Xis power consolidation began to take shape He first targeted Zhou Yongkang a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee and national security chief who was charged with corruptionSubsequently Xi targeted the prominent Four Big Tigers who were closely associated with the Peoples Liberation Army In the mysterious disappearances last year Chinas Defence and Foreign Ministers vanished from public view One of the most notable incidents in this sequence was the suspicious death of Li Keqiang He had recently retired as Chinas Prime Minister and allegedly died of a heart attack in a swimming poolIt is crucial to acknowledge that in the initial stage of purges Xi targeted individuals who could potentially challenge his authority within the party in the future Many of the tigers purged by Xi were from the second generation of communist elites who came from privileged backgroundsThis strategy cleared the path for Xi to promote his loyalists However Xis regime is not without its troubles This is evident as he has started purging individuals previously considered close to himAn example is Qin Gang who ascended to prominence under Xis leadership and became the foreign minister Remarkably after meetings with the foreign ministers of Sri Lanka and Vietnam in June last year he mysteriously disappeared Alongside Qin Xi also purged top officials from Chinas Rocket Force which manages the countrys nuclear arsenalXis actions and the purges closely resemble Stalins tactics of consolidating power An authoritarian framework was firmly in place both in Stalins Soviet Russia and Xis China The distinct impact of figures like Stalin and Xi is their monopolisation of power leading to cycles of poor decisions attributed to subordinatesChina is currently struggling with sluggish economic growth an ageing population and sanctions from the United States which exacerbate its challenges Many of Xis policies have contributed to Chinas current predicament potentially inciting unrest among the populace and threatening his hold on power He is determined to maintain control using purges as one of several strategiesUnlike Stalins era when information flow was limited Xi faces the modern challenge of widespread and rapid information dissemination which increases scrutiny and fuels his paranoia IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/president-xis-purging-of-communist-officials-stunning-similarities-with-stalin-544604.html Wed, 22 May 2024 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-swati-maliwals-downcast-eyes-amp-painful-walk-to-haunt-kejriwal-543654.html New Delhi 19 May The latest scandal to hit the Aam Aadmi Party evokes shock and disgust A woman MP is assaulted at the Chief Ministers house and the perpetrator is later arrested from the CMs residence The Swati Maliwal episode represents a new low in politics exposing the depths to which Indias newest national party has fallenThe flipflop by the AAP on the incident raises suspicions about the partys leadership itself Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh met Maliwal a day after the incident He admitted that something wrong had happened and the party would take appropriate actionThe next day onwards the party made a volteface and started putting all the blame on MaliwalInstead of shunning the alleged assaulter Bibhav Kumar the Personal Secretary of CM Arvind Kejriwal the party has chosen to stand by him Kumar accompanied CM Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh to various events in the days preceding his arrest on May 18 Swati Maliwal on the other hand was labelled a liarThe party has put up its female Minister Atishi to defend the AAPs honourDespite being a woman Atishi did not hesitate to resort to victimshaming and even called Maliwal a pawn in BJPs conspiracy Atishi has claimed that Maliwal was facing arrest in an illegal recruitment case and was blackmailed by BJP to become part of the conspiracy against the CMAtishi also made references to the selective videos which have been released by AAP to justify the pointSelective video clips each a few seconds long were released to support AAPs claim that Maliwal is lying and to suggest that CM Kejriwal is being targeted just days before the Lok Sabha election phase in DelhiThe selective videos released by AAP did help create confusion regarding the kind of chilling details about the assault in the FIR lodged by Maliwal However the medical report revealed bruises on her body As per the report Maliwal sustained injuries to four parts of her body including her left leg and below her right eye This is something Atishi has not reacted to so farBy fielding Atishi to counter Maliwals charges CM Kejriwal has sought to play smartly by making it a kind of woman vs woman matter and attempting to debilitate the case before the publicSince the day of the assault on Maliwal CM Kejriwal has avoided speaking to the media on the issue Whether it was the joint press conference with Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow his campaigns in Punjab or the INDIA bloc rally in Mumbai Kejriwal has maintained silence on the episode When reporters asked him the tough questions his angry emotion was too stark to be ignoredThe only time he spoke related to the issue was his televised address wherein he sought to deflect the scandal towards BJP An episode happened at his official residence and all the involved characters are AAP people and yet Kejriwal instead of cleaning his act is trying to give a spin to save himself and his partySwati Maliwal is no ordinary person She is AAPs chosen Rajya Sabha member held the post of Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women for years and has been associated with Kejriwal for around two decades much before the AAP came into existence She had direct access to CM Kejriwals residence till May 13 the day she was suddenly stoppedWhat went wrong suddenly There are several theories including rumours that she was being asked to resign from Rajya Sabha so that the seat could be given to a senior lawyer who is fighting Kejriwals casesWhatever the reason behind the May 13 happenings at CM Kejriwals residence the fact is that AAP is now imploding under the enormous and rapid success it has achieved in a short timeRight from the day Kejriwal formed AAP controversies have been erupting Several AAP leaders have been accused of financial misconduct and have landed in jail CM Arvind Kejriwal calls himself and AAP Kattar Imandar but is currently on interim bail in a corruption case after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in FebruaryIn August 2022 during a hectic election campaign in Gujarat CM Kejriwal had said that Manish Sisodia who was Deputy CM then deserves Bharat Ratna for improving education standards in Delhi schools Six months later Sisodia was arrested in the liquor scam case and has been in jail with courts refusing to give him bailWith the Swati Maliwal episode the AAP seems to be hurtling down the hill it climbed in 2012The images of Maliwal with downcast eyes and a painful slow walk will only haunt CM Kejriwal for a long timePower tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely Arvind Kejriwal who started as an anticorruption crusader should perhaps reflect on thisDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-swati-maliwals-downcast-eyes-amp-painful-walk-to-haunt-kejriwal-543654.html Sun, 19 May 2024 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/with-a-three-day-week-expect-momentum-to-break-543668.html New Delhi May 19 Markets were on a roll during the last week and the volatility seems to have reduced The visible change was the fact that they just rose and were moving towards a nice setup where they could go in either direction With last weeks moves they are within striking distance of new lifetime highs The broad markets more than regained the previous weeks losses BSESENSEX gained 134147 points or 185 per cent to close at 7400594 points while NIFTY gained 44680 points or 203 per cent to close at 2250200 pointsThe broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 240 per cent 291 per cent and 323 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP was up 492 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was up 565 per cent Markets gained on five of the six trading sessions during the week They were open on Saturday as well with a view to testing the disaster recovery site that the exchanges haveThe Indian Rupee gained 16 paise or 019 per cent to close at Rs 8334 to the US Dollar Dow Jones continued its strong showing and crossed the 40000 mark It gained on three of the five trading sessions and lost on twoIt was up 49095 points or 124 per cent to close at 4000359 pointsThere were three listings during the week The first was Indegene Limited which had issued shares at Rs 452 The share made its debut on Monday at BSE at Rs 65970 a gain of Rs 20770 or 4595 per centIt then made a low of Rs 52780 and closed at Rs 57065 On NSE it debuted at Rs 655 on debut day made a low of Rs 52710 and closed at Rs 57090 a gain of Rs 11890 or 2630 per cent By Saturday the share lost further ground and closed at Rs 55605 a gain of Rs 10405 or 2302 per centThe second share to list was TBO TEK Limited which had issued shares at Rs 920 The share debuted at Rs 1380 on BSE and Rs 1426 on NSE It closed on Wednesday debut day at Rs 140485 a gain of Rs 48485 or 5270 per cent On NSE the close was at Rs 140630 The share gained further ground and closed at Rs 146390 a gain of Rs 54390 or 5912 per cent on SaturdayThe third share to list was Aadhar Housing Finance Limited which had issued shares at Rs 315 The debut price was 31430 on BSE and Rs 315 on NSE The low the share made was Rs 29335 on BSE and Rs 292 on NSEThe high was Rs 34320 on BSE and Rs 34370 on NSE The share closed on Wednesday at Rs 32955 a gain of 1455 or 461 per cent By Saturday the share gained marginally and closed at Rs 34860 a gain of Rs 3360 or 1067 per centThe issue from Go Digit General Insurance Limited which had tapped the markets during the week saw the issue get overall subscribed 96 times The price band was Rs 258272 The QIB portion was subscribed 1256 times the HNI portion was subscribed 724 times and the Retail portion was subscribed 427 times There were 585 lakh applications in allThe week ahead has two trading holidays and therefore will have just three trading sessions The week begins with a holiday on account of voting for the fifth round of elections to be held on Monday amongst other places in Mumbai This would be followed by a holiday on Thursday as well breaking the momentum which one saw being built up during the previous weekPost the week we would have entered the business end of the general elections with just the sixth and seventh rounds left The final round is on June 1 which is a Saturday That evening we would be bombarded by exit polls of all colours and hues and markets would get a fair sense of what results would be like on Tuesday when they are finally declaredAs of the time of writing the markets very firmly believe that the ruling dispensation would win the elections and have a consecutive third term The ruling party which won 303 seats in the 2019 elections is expected to win around 330 seats and the allies another 4550 seats This is what the markets believe and that gives the strength and momentum being witnessed This would get finetuned as the week ahead progressesComing to the markets in the short threeday period ahead expect markets to remain volatile and choppy We have immediate support at the lows made over the last month at 2180021900 on NIFTY While they look far away currently a week ago they were almost there On the resistance side with just a threeday week alltime highs of 22800 points would act as strong resistancesThe strategy for the week would be to enter select midcap and smallcap stocks which have had good results for the quarter and year ended March 2024 Markets are on a strong wicket and with institutional players either long or short there would have to be some sort of reversal of roles from FPIs sooner or later The domestic institutions because of very strong domestic flows would have to continue to invest in the near termIn conclusion the climb upwards will be slow but certain This bull run is unlikely to end very shortly even though there would be profittaking at every levelTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/with-a-three-day-week-expect-momentum-to-break-543668.html Sun, 19 May 2024 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-last-weeks-fall-expect-markets-to-remain-range-bound-541533.html New Delhi May 15 Markets had a crazy week and were under pressure throughout They fell on expected lines and this time we could not blame the US markets as they gained on all five trading sessions What happened is a blessing in disguise as it has cooled of the markets even though Mumbai is having sweltering heat currentlyBSESENSEX lost 121368 points or 164 per cent to close at 7266447 points while NIFTY lost 42065 points or 187 per cent to close at 2205520 points The broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 lose 183 per cent 204 per cent and 225 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP lost 327 per cent while BSESMALLCAP lost 380 per cent In what could best be described as an unusual situation markets lost on two trading sessions but were flat on the remaining three sessions Just an instance to point out the flatness was NIFTY closing at unchanged levels down to two decimal points on Wednesday at 2230250 points compared to Tuesday I do not remember any other instance in recent times when the levels have remained identical like thisThe Indian Rupee lost 8 paisa or 010 per cent to close at Rs 8350 to the US Dollar Dow Jones had a stellar week and gained on all five trading sessions of the week It was up 83696 points or 216 per cent to close at 3951264 pointsThe week gone by saw three IPOs open and close for subscription The first was Indegene Limited which had issued shares in a price band of Rs 430452 The issue was open from Monday the 6th of May to Wednesday the 10th of May The issue was subscribed an overall 7026 times with QIB portion subscribed 19272 times HNI portion subscribed 5584 times and Retail portion subscribed 78 times There were 2780 lakh applications in allThe second issue was from Aadhar Housing Finance Limited which was open from Wednesday the 8th of May to Friday the 10th of May The price band was Rs 300315 The issue was subscribed 2676 times overall with QIB portion subscribed 7642 times HNI portion subscribed 1733 times and Retail portion subscribed 258 times There were 1638 lakh applicationsThe third issue was from TBO TEK Limited which was open from Wednesday 8th May to Friday 10th of May The price band was Rs 875920 The issue was subscribed 8668 times overall with QIB portion subscribed 12551 times HNI subscribed 5051 times and Retail portion subscribed 2565 times There were 2375 lakh applicationsThe week ahead sees one IPO from general insurer Go Digit General Insurance Limited The issue opens on Wednesday the 13th of May and closes on Friday the 15th of May The issue consists of a fresh issue of Rs 1125 crores and an offer for sale of 54766392 equity shares in a price band of Rs 258272 The company is promoted by Prom Watsa of FairfaxThe company helps in customising products as required in the general insurance space It became profitable in FY2223 and has built on the same in the current nine months ended December 23 The valuations based on current nine months are attractive and offer scope for appreciation on listing as well as for people with a minimum medium term holding periodMarkets on Thursday made the intraweek lows at 7233418 points on BSESENSEX and at 2193248 points on NIFTY These were higher than the lows made on April 19 at 7181646 points and 2177765 pointsThe fourth round of voting out of seven phases would be held on May 13 followed by the fifth round the following Monday Volatility has increased in line with the significance of the event and is further borne out by the fact that FPIs have sold close to Rs 30000 crores in the current month which has been counterbalanced by domestic institutions who have spent their entire kitty of record SIP inflows for the monthComing to the markets in the week ahead while support exists at the lows made on Thursday and the previous lows made on 19th April even if they are broken support exists around 21500 on NIFTY and at 71650 points on BSESENSEX On the upside hurdles exist around 22450500 and at 73900 points on BSESENSEX These levels need to be broken and sustained for any further up move Expect markets to trade in a narrow range till thenThe trading strategy for the coming week would be simple Sell on rallies and expect markets to trade in a broad range Volatility would increase if the levels on either side whether lower or higher are likely to be breached Trading opportunities will exist and allow the disciplined trader to make moneyTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/after-last-weeks-fall-expect-markets-to-remain-range-bound-541533.html Sun, 12 May 2024 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/may-9-a-watershed-moment-in-pakistans-history-540505.html New Delhi May 8 Since its inception in 1947 the Pakistani Army has been a dominant force in the nations affairs Over the course of nearly eight decades it has wielded power directly or indirectly morphing into the most formidable economic and political entity in Pakistan The Pakistani military has built an expansive economic empire leveraging its deepseated political influence Despite its engagement in significant wars and its role in the partition of the country in 1971 the Army has largely been insulated from overt criticism shielded by its profound political cloutHowever the events of May 9 2023 mark a pivotal chapter in Pakistans historyFor the first time the Pakistani populace boldly confronted the armys political meddlingIn response the military resorted to severe measures to quell opposition detaining hundreds of civilians and political activists under draconian legislationsWhat was once perceived as impregnable military sanctity was breached on that day highlighting growing antimilitary sentiment across the nationIn the past seven decades of its existence Pakistan has been under direct martial law for more than three decades Even the Pakistani political leadership have in general ruled the country in connivance with the military often placing their personal gains above Pakistans national interestsPakistani politicians due to their own vulnerabilities have frequently ceded their authority allowing the military to overstep institutional boundariesEven the Pakistani intelligentsia who critique the militarys ongoing political interference have consistently faced harsh suppression by the military resulting in a domestic media that predominantly promotes promilitary narrativesIn the past decade the Pakistani militarys overt meddling in the nations affairs has often been masked by ostensibly civilian governance however its covert political influence persisted relentlesslyThis interference is largely driven by the need to maintain its vast extraconstitutional business empire As Pakistani writer Ayesha Siddiqa outlines in her book Military Inc Inside Pakistans Military Economy the Pakistan Army has built a comprehensive commercial network spanning from manufacturing to real estate becoming Pakistans largest business conglomerateShe details how the army has commandeered national resources detrimentally impacting the state economy Particularly alarming is the robustness of this military economy known as milbus which thrives independently of Pakistans economic crises and operates outside the states accountability structuresThis system has been manipulated for the personal gain of military officers exacerbating the economic challenges being faced by PakistanThe militarys encroachment into Pakistans political realm has been widely acknowledged yet its extensive security apparatus has stifled public dissent against its constitutional manipulations and violationsSince the late 1970s following the execution of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by General ZiaulHaq Pakistani political leaders had conceded the political arena to the Army effectively adopting a secondary role in the governance of the countryHowever Imran Khans ascent had shaken this longstanding arrangementIronically Imran Khans rise in 2018 Pakistan elections was aided by Pakistani military however the relationship between Khan and the military establishment quickly deteriorated in first two yearsUnlike his more accommodating predecessors Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari Khan presented a formidable challenge for the military leadership to control marking a shift from the usual dynamics of political compliance Imran Khans tenure had marked a distinctive chapter in Pakistans political history when Pakistani militarys political meddling came in forefront of public debateHe has been openly blaming key military figures including former Army Chief Qamar Bajwa current Army Chief Asim Munir ISI Chief Nadeem Anjum and Major General Faisal Naseer for not only orchestrating his removal from the PM office but also for undermining Pakistans civilian institutionsSignificantly this accusation was validated by none other than Qamar Javed Bajwa himself who in his November 2022 farewell address had confessed to the Pak Armys constant meddling in politics over the past 70 years which is unconstitutionalIn such circumstances the events of May 9 2023 assume profound significance in Pakistans history especially for Military EstablishmentThe arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by the military on May 9 2023 catalysed a remarkable shift in Pakistans sociopolitical landscapeImran Khan was taken into custody by Pak military forces under the charges for sedition an action that sparked a nationwide uproarFor the first time in Pakistans history the unrest did not just manifest in widespread protests it escalated dramatically as hundreds of demonstrators targeted military installations from Lahore to Quetta to Peshawar This unprecedented response severely dented Pakistan Militarys longheld image as an inviolable and sacrosanct institutionHistorically the Military has been revered as the protector of Pakistans ideological foundation and as a pivotal unifying force in a country rife with ethnic divisionsPak Military establishments had effectively elevated their status to one beyond ordinary scrutiny where any criticism of the military was often seen as tantamount to criticising the essence of Pakistan itselfThe events of May 9 therefore signify a critical juncture indicating a possible shift in public perception and the beginning of a new chapter where Pak militarys actions and its role in governance might face increasing scrutiny from the public it vows to protectWhile Pak Military might have temporarily managed to quell dissent using its typical suppressive tactics such as imprisoning hundreds of civilians and political activists affiliated with Imran Khan the fact that ordinary Pakistanis have become aware of the military establishments schemes indicates that the public can no longer be easily subdued or deceivedThis sentiment became particularly evident during Pakistans general elections on February 8 where the military establishment deployed every tool at its disposal to manipulate the outcomeDespite these manoeuvres the strong electoral support for Imran Khan deeply unsettled the Military leadership Although the Military Establishment eventually managed to orchestrate the installation of a government led by Shehbaz Sharif this act only served to further tarnish its image among the Pakistani populaceConsequently the events of May 9 seem to have inspired a renewed push towards the democratic aspiration of extricating the Pak Military Establishment from the countrys political sphere IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/may-9-a-watershed-moment-in-pakistans-history-540505.html Wed, 08 May 2024 22:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/sharp-movements-ahead-trade-cautiously-539495.html New Delhi May 5 The week went by and had four trading days with a midweek holiday on May 1 thereby making it two periods of two days each The volatility witnessed was several notches higher than usual Surprises one to note that just about 10 days ago India VIX which is the volatility index crashed to a new low Maybe it was the lull before the storm On Tuesday and Friday NIFTY made new highs and then fell sharply closing in the red Not sure how one should read it but the scene is not comfortable At the end of the week BSESENSEX gained 14799 points or 020 per cent to close at 7387815 points while NIFTY gained 5590 points or 025 per cent to close at 2247585 pointsThe broader indices saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 055 per cent 070 per cent and 061 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP was up 199 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was down 010 per cent Plenty of mixed signals in the marketplace Markets gained on two sessions and lost on two Incidentally gains and losses alternated with Monday and Thursday gaining while Tuesday and Friday were losing daysThe Indian Rupee lost eight paise or 010 per cent to close at Rs 8342 to the US Dollar Dow Jones was on a roller coaster ride with gains on four days and losses on one day Wednesday saw the FED meet for its policy review meeting where they decided on expected lines to keep interest rates unchangedAfter the meeting the commentary spelt out very clearly that inflation higher than 2 per cent will not see any rate cuts This saw markets rallying sharply on Thursday and Friday One wonders why markets in the US are hellbent on just a rate cut One needs to see that economic data is red hot and points to a booming economy Things could not be better Why bother about a rate cut at allComing to our markets and the crazy movement we witnessed last week Tuesday April 30 saw NIFTY make a new lifetime high at 22783 points The previous days close was 22643 pointsAfter the high markets fell sharply and closed at 22604 points and closed in the red losing 39 points BSESENSEX made a high at 75111 points but did not make a new high The previous days close was 74671 points From there the market fell to 74488 points losing 183 pointsFriday May 3 was even more volatileNIFTY made a new lifetime high yet again at 22794 points against the previous days close of 22648 points It fell very sharply to close at 22475 points a loss of 319 points from the high and 173 points from the previous days closeBSESENSEX made a high at 75095 points against the previous days close of 74611 points From there it fell very sharply to lose 1217 points from the high and 610 points from the previous days close Indeed very volatile and a bit scaryThe week ahead has three primary issues tapping the capital markets Indegene Limited is tapping the markets with Indegene Limited tapping the capital markets with its fresh issue for Rs 760 crore and an offer for sale of 23932732 shares in a price band of Rs 430452The issue would open on Monday May 6 and close on Wednesday May 8 The fresh issue and offer for sale would raise Rs 1841 crore at the top end of the price bandThe company provides digitalled commercialisation services for the life sciences industry including biopharmaceutical emerging biotech and medical devices companies that assist them with drug development and clinical trials regulatory submissions pharmacovigilance and complaints management and the sales and marketing of their productsIndigene is an integrated solutions provider and almost 85 per cent of its revenues come from its US subsidiaryThe company reported revenues of Rs 2306 crore for the year ended March 23 an EBITDA of 1969 per cent and a Profit aftertax margin of 1154 per cent In absolute terms the profit after tax was Rs 26609 crore The EPS on a fully diluted basis was Rs 1197 At this EPS the PE band for the issue is 35923778There is no comparable company or peer set in the Indian space while there are some comparable foreign companies globally The share offers an opportunity for investors with a medium to longterm outlook There could be listing pop as well as available considering that markets are at lifetime highs or thereaboutsThe second issue is from Aadhar Housing Finance Limited The issue is entirely an offer for the sale of Rs 2800 crore The price band is Rs 300315 The selling shareholder is the promoter This company was acquired from the DHFL group when they fell on bad times around 201617The company acquired was clean and had no issues while the group was struggling with various issues The issue will open on Wednesday May 8 and close on Friday May 10 The company is a housing Finance company focused on the lowincome housing segment with a cap on ticket size at Rs 15 lakhIn terms of performance the company reported a gross AUM of just under Rs 20000 crore at the end of the ninemonth period ended December 2023 A mix of the clients they serve is 60 per cent salaried and 40 per cent selfemployed The average ticket size is between Rs 9 lakh to 10 ten lakhThe company reported an EPS of Rs 138 for the year ended March 2023 which on a fully diluted basis was Rs 134 The PE band for the issue of diluted earnings is 224235 NAV for the company at the end of December 23 is Rs 1076 The price to book at this NAV is 292 at the top end of the bandBased on the postissue the NAV would improve to Rs 12307 at the top end of the band and the same ratio would be at 256 times the price to book This compared more than favourably with the peer set There is money to be made in the issue in the medium to long term There would be some listing pop as wellThe third issue is from TBO TEK Limited It consists of a fresh issue of Rs 400 crore and an offer for sale of 12506797 equity shares The price band is Rs 875920 The issue would open on Wednesday May 8 and close on Friday May 10The company operates an online B2B travel portal distribution platform that connects buyers and sellers It is present in the airline and hotel business currently It earns a commission from the airlines whose tickets are sold on the platform while it charges a markup on the rooms sold on the platformThe company is in a negative working capital cycle as it pays after receiving the money It is adding new offerings on the platform and has recently added the Eurail on its platform recentlyThe company reported an EPS of Rs 1407 on a fully diluted basis for the year ended March 2023 and the PE band would be 62196539 on this EPS There is no comparable peer in India in this space and the listed players are basically online travel players like Make My Trip Easy Trip and Yatra Online who would be using the platform provided by TBO TEL LimitedThe issue offers scope on listing and in the medium to long term as wellComing to the markets we are at a crossroads once again On the upside I would go long only if 22800 on the NIFTY and 75200 on the BSESENSEX are crossed and sustained On the downside immediate support exists at 22100 points on NIFTY and 72800 points on BSESENSEX It is time to be cautious as the wild gyrations last week are not giving comfort The strategy would be to sell on any rallies and buy on sharp dipsTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/sharp-movements-ahead-trade-cautiously-539495.html Sun, 05 May 2024 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/with-april-series-having-expired-expect-markets-to-turn-volatile-537315.html New Delhi April 28 Markets have a mind of their own and the five trading sessions last week were of a different kind How markets change colour almost every day just beats me On Monday and Tuesday markets opened with an upside gap and closed upwards but the difference between the opening and the closing was very smallEffectively volatility saw intraday movement drop many notches Wednesday was a quiet day Thursday was April futures expiry day It began like any other day of the previous week on a quiet day and then saw very sharp upward movement in the last hour of the day NIFTY on Thursday gained 168 points on a net basis and 265 points from the low of the dayFriday was the complete opposite where markets lost through the day and were down 151 points on a net basis and were down 235 points from the high of the day to the closeAt the end of five different days of the week BSESENSEX gained on four of the five trading sessions and lost on one BSESENSEX was up 64183 points or 088 per cent to close at 7379016 points while NIFTY gained 27295 points or 123 per cent to close at 2241995 pointsThe broader markets saw BSE100 BSE200 and BSE500 gain 153 per cent 185 per cent and 210 per cent respectively BSEMIDCAP was up 396 per cent while BSESMALLCAP was up 397 per centThe India Rupee gained 13 paise or 0016 per cent to close at 8334 to the US Dollar Dow Jones gained on three of the five sessions and lost on two At the end of the week Dow was up 25326 points or 067 per cent to close at 3923966 pointsThe 18000 crore followon offer from Vodafone Idea Limited was well received by investors and was oversubscribed The QIB portion was subscribed 1931 times the HNI portion was subscribed 454 times and the Retail portion was subscribed 101 timesOverall the issue was subscribed 656 times Shares issued through the FPO listed on Thursday April 25 The previous days close Wednesday was Rs 1309 The discovered price was Rs 12 and the closing price was Rs 1389 on listing day The share gained Rs 289 from the issue price or 2627 per cent The share gained a tad on Friday and closed at Rs 1401 up 301 or 2736 per centThere is a roadshow of Indegene Limited which will tap the capital markets with its fresh issue for Rs 760 crore and an offer for sale of 36291497 shares as per DRHP The price band date of issue opening and closing and the size of the OFS would be announced through a newspaper advertisement The roadshow will be held in Mumbai on Monday April 29Results season is on and we have not had spectacular results from the few that have declared results so far One is waiting for it to happen so that leads can be taken and investors look at opportunities that exist in the marketplaceTwo of the seven rounds of voting for the general elections have been completed The third round will be held on May 7 Results will be declared on June 4April futures expired on Thursday April 25 on a very buoyant and positive note The NIFTY April series gained 24345 points or 109 per cent to close at 2157035 pointsTo put things in perspective the gains on Thursday which was expiry day were at 167 points The first day of the new series of May saw NIFTY lose 151 points on the very first day Call it by any name the Bulls won the war and the series on Thursday and lost it on FridayComing to the markets in the week ahead we have a trading holiday on Wednesday May 1 There would be a holiday in most of the global markets as well However the week would be divided into two equal halves of two days duration each making markets that much more volatileLevels of 75124 points which was the previous tops and 22775 would be very strong resistances On the support side lows made last week at 71816 points and 21777 points would act as strong supports If these are violated then one could see markets slipping to 71100 and 21550 points respectivelyThe trading strategy for the week ahead would be to trade on the long side with extreme caution on account of the midweek holiday Buy on strong dip and sell on any strong rallies would be the order of the day Markets are yet trying to establish a comfortable trading zone for themselvesTrade cautiouslyArun Kejriwal is the founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services The views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/with-april-series-having-expired-expect-markets-to-turn-volatile-537315.html Sun, 28 Apr 2024 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-national-security-strategy-need-not-be-made-public-in-its-entirety-534100.html New Delhi April 14 The demand for a declared National Security Strategy NSS is rightly a matter of public debate and open analysis by strategic experts It has to be realised however that not all aspects of the strategy of handling national security could be openly announced for the very reason of confidentiality of the information on the countrys threat scenario which is at the base of responses required to be put in place under that strategy at any given point of timeThe security scenario has a large variable component in todays world and it is accepted that the life of longrange security assessments itself had generally been shortenedThere is open agreement on a number of initiatives that are to be taken to serve the cause of national security such as promotion of public education that is designed to spread an awareness among the citizens that they all have a contribution to make for safeguarding national security in a democratic dispensation where the state considered itself responsible for the security of people as wellThe validity of many publicly known concepts like national security being inseparable from economic security the threat to cyber security and cyber data running through the lifelines of the country and open warfare giving way to proxy wars in this new era where the instrumentality of terrorism was in full use in the latter is now well established and this had created new paradigms for framing the national security strategyMany components of this strategy both in terms of the inputs on which it was formulated and the appropriate responses it deemed necessary would have to be treated as protected information to be kept from the prying eyes of the adversaryAn evaluation of who the friends and enemies are in the present and for the future would itself be an assessment that the government would like to keep to itself notwithstanding the stand that might be taken by it in public for reasons of being politically correctNational security is rooted in a combination of defence capabilities a strong security set up anchored on competent national Intelligence agencies and the total national power attributable to a developed economy providing for a strong national infrastructure utilisation of demographic dividend and free trade agreements with other major countriesIn the sphere of defence details of import of military equipment preferably with a provision for its manufacture in India on suitable terms and conditions may become known but the pattern of its deployment will remain a confidential part of whatever would be made public in the name of Indias national security strategyDefence plans are conditioned by military intelligence including signal intelligence that was by its very nature a secret The critical national infrastructure is run on cyber systems which involve creating a robust and confidential cyber security frameworkDemographic situation is relevant to the broader issue of national security in the sense that it determines the potential strength of the country for the futureTwothird of Indias population is below 35 years and this gives this country a strategic advantage over China that has an aging population The NSS may declare plans of how the country would rally the youth for serving the cause of national securityFinally since economic security would be strengthened by the success achieved by diplomacy in working out trade pacts with other friendly and economically strong countries the crucial role of diplomatic power in enhancing national security on that count alone should find a prominent mention in the NSSThe macro aspects of national security are by and large in the public domain and these all would figure in a declared NSS for giving a suitable message to the international community about Indias political will to safeguard its national interests and also for instilling confidence among the people of India that the regime was well attuned to handling any threats to national securityTodays national security set up evolved over a period particularly since the Kargil war that had resulted from Pakistans attempt to surreptitiously infiltrate army personnel with Islamic militants on the high mountains of Ladakh and occupy a couple of peaks in Drass sector in May 1999 ought to be defined in the NSS documentThe functions of national intelligence agencies including Intelligence Bureau Research and Analysis Wing and National Technical Research Organisation can be broadly explained and also the supporting National Security Council Secretariat NSCS headed by National Security Advisor NSA presented in some detailNSCS had the responsibility of ensuring that threats to national security were constantly studied and analysed and the framework of coordinated responses to deal with them was laid down covering the spheres of military internal governance and diplomacyNational security is an integral concept that mandates an ongoing coordination among the civilian technical and military intelligence agencies While the NSA plays a crucial role in the formulation of security policy he is also the final arbiter on the issues of intelligence coordinationIn the Indian context NSA is the member secretary of the NSC which was placed under the PMO in 2002 and also is the head of the NSCS as already mentioned He performs three major strategic functions In the Nuclear Command Authority the Prime Minister chairs the Political Council PC for according political sanction while the Executive Council headed by NSA makes operational assessments that helped the PC in decision making the Strategic Forces Command headed by a CommanderinChief would execute the decisions on the groundWith the threat to cyber security gaining significance India has established a National Information Board NIB which is chaired by the NSA for formulating the National Cyber Security Policy ensuring information security and handling the threat of information warfareA Centre for Development of Advanced Computing has been created and a Cyber Emergency Response Team CERTIN has also been established Finally a ninemember Defence Planning Committee DPC has been constituted under the chairmanship of the NSA in 2018 with senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence External Affairs and Finance as members to align strategic objectives defence requirements and financial allocationThe DPC is also responsible for policy and strategy capability development defence diplomacy defence production and creation of a manufacturing ecosystem The institution of NSA is thus the kingpin of the system that ensures an integral look at national security and a coordinated response from various wings of the government to the security scenario existing at any given point of timeThe demand for declaration of a NSS has been voiced in many circles many freelance strategic analysts have been pressing for it in particular but the issue here basically is one of understanding the reality that there was a difference between publicly announcing the defence and security infrastructure built up by the country and not letting the adversaries know what countermeasures India is envisaging to deal with themThe spectrum of hostile forces facing the nation itself was not static and the rise of the era of proxy wars had further added to the importance of intelligence which was by definition information gathered and kept confidentiallyNSS outlines the countrys security objectives and the ways to be adopted to achieve the sameIn the areas of defence international relations and counterintelligence measures the countrys policies and systemic build up could be made public and they would become the declared components of NSS at the macro level in a formal strategy documentThe framework of response to covert threats to security is on a different footing as it would have to be kept outside the public domain for the reason that it is based on intelligence or protected informationIn the sphere of defence India finalised its Defence Acquisition Policy DAP in 2020 and the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh went on record to say that the DAP derived its ethos and spirit from the clarion call of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India and aimed at ensuring that contemporary technologybased equipment is made available to the services in a timebound fashion for modernising our Defence ForcesIt gives special attention to Ease of doing business to encourage foreign investors to set up manufacturing entities in the defence industrial corridors provided by IndiaDAP strives for achieving Self Reliance rooted in indigenisation and innovation supported by strategic partnershipsIn the area of foreign policy India has made it clear that it believed in a multipolar world order that it opted for bilateral or multilateral friendships based on mutual security and economic interests without prejudice to world peace and that it was willing to assert its voice as a major power on the issues of war and peace as well as human developmentAs part of measures to safeguard its internal security India has fiercely denounced terrorism in all its forms from all international forums and called for international cooperation to combat terrorism drug trade and covert cross border offensivesIt is a matter of great satisfaction that India has taken an independent stand on UkraineRussia military confrontation and IsraelHamas conflict the two biggest events affecting the geopolitics of our times and come out on top as far as the handling of international relations was concerned All of this defines the National Security Strategy of India through action rather than wordsThe writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau Views are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-national-security-strategy-need-not-be-made-public-in-its-entirety-534100.html Sun, 14 Apr 2024 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-rahul-gandhis-khatakhat-genie-wont-snap-votes-534145.html New Delhi April 14 The pressure of staying relevant in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls seems to be forcing Congress to promise the moon and the sun to the people A manifestation of this is the slew of promises made by Rahul Gandhi just ahead of the polls During his election speech in Rajasthan last week he had said The Congress government will transfer Rs one lakh to the bank account of a woman from every poor family in the country khatakhat khatakhat aata rahega aur ek jhatke se hum Hindustan se gareebi ko mita denge it will come instantly and we will remove poverty from HindustanThe best jiffy moment has always been Aladdins magic lamp but Rahul Gandhis khatakhat khatakhat claim could well be the new one The closest translation of Khatakhat a Hindi word could be jiffy or in one stroke or instant And instant for most of the presentday generation is always noodles a Chineseorigin food itemAs all political parties are making promises to woo the electorate the perpetual youth leader of his party offered the ultimate Khatakhat solution to address poverty in the nick of 2024 Lok Sabha elections The solution is a sharp contrast to the statement that Rahul Gandhi made 11 years ago in Uttar Pradesh when he said that poverty is a state of mindIn August 2013 the Congress leader was participating in a discussion in Uttar Pradesh when he said Poverty is just a state of mind It does not mean the scarcity of food money or material things If one possesses selfconfidence then one can overcome poverty To prove his point he even cited the example of a poor woman from Amethi who got hold of her life by taking help from Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas PariyojanaIf in 2013 Rahul believed that providing the right atmosphere to earn and sustain can help tackle poverty then why the Uturn in 2024 A decade of sitting in the opposition has made the Congress scion believe that promising doles is the only way to impress people And the khatakhat system of transferring money in accounts is the easiest way to the hearts of people Had it been so easy then Karnataka and Telangana economies would not have been struggling with fulfilling the preelection promises on guarantees Various development activities have almost stopped and legislators even from the Congress are unhappy as fund flow is slowOverlooking the ground realities Rahul also made another equally startling promise which is to do a wealth survey very much a Communist idea that actually originates from Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Communist Manifesto Rahul Gandhi said that if voted to power his government would conduct a caste census to know the exact population and status of backward communities SCs STs and minorities After that the financial and institutional survey will be done and finally the historic assignment to distribute the wealth of India jobs and other welfare schemes to these sections based on their population will be doneHistory has examples of several countries under the influence of Communism going for this concept but after suffering the ill effects decided to change again China tried the same in the 1960s but failed and finally reworked its policies Today Chinas economy is huge with a rise in wealth private properties and income gaps But in India the Congress scion is seeking the 1848 idea for developing the country where youths constitute 66 per cent of the populationBy talking about wealth distribution he also appears to be taking an aboutturn from the liberal economic model of 1991 It was Manmohan Singh the then Finance Minister in P V Narasimha Raos government who presented a landmark budget ushering in a new dawn for the countrys economy Since then India has not looked backRahul Gandhi with such withered and weird ideas is seeking to impress the youth of the country who want to move ahead and not get entangled in caste and religion wars It is an aspirational India in 2024 which is seeking new opportunities to grow prosper and leadWith less than a week to go for the first phase of elections on April 19 what has the Congress shaped itself into Inner contradictions are galore and its leaders at all levels are just running away with a majority of them picking the lotus merrily Those abandoning the grand old partys ship do not hesitate to blame Rahul Gandhi for suffocating them and the party for being directionlessWhile the BJP has built a strong narrative of developmental politics the Congress has been unable to come up as a challenger In fact it is today seen as a party standing with the corrupt and openly giving impetus to caste politicsAs surveys predict Congress may find it difficult to even retain the 52 seats that it secured in 2019 The blame squarely rests on the top leadership There is no Khatakhat genie that can help Rahul Gandhi get even near 100 seatsHis Aunt Maneka Gandhi has the best advice for him He should take a break she said and perhaps this could work for himDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/fairpoint-rahul-gandhis-khatakhat-genie-wont-snap-votes-534145.html Sun, 14 Apr 2024 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-security-is-no-more-a-stand-alone-function-531328.html New Delhi March 31 The security of a democratic state includes the security of its citizens and today both are contingent on the wider security of the world at large Similarly at the level of an organisation its wellbeing is linked to the security situation within the country In the prevailing unsafe environment enterprise security could no more be relegated to a set of hired guards and security supervisors since it has become a mainstream function taking care of the organisation as a whole including its membersRise of terrorism as an instrument of proxy war targeting of economic lifelines of the country by the enemy and the advent of natural or manmade disasters on the national security agenda have all impacted on the security and safety of organisations big or small and put a new focus on the security management of corporate entitiesTerrorism basically is resort to covert violence for a perceived political cause and since a cause was driven by motivation it was no surprise that faithbased driving force rooted in radicalisation in the Islamic world with its advocacy of Jihad had become the new terror threat globallyArising out of certain geopolitical developments traceable to 911 and the resultant war on terror launched by the US this danger faced nations across the worldIndia and its strategic establishments were particularly affected because of crossborder terrorism instigated by Pakistan against the countryIn the postCold war era of proxy wars there is also the added threat of enemy taking recourse to economically damaging the opponent in order to weaken the latterThe need for economic security has in the process added to the mainstreaming of security function Alsothe importance of proactive measures required by organisations and individuals to deal with disasters has further sharpened the role of the security setup of the enterpriseA deeper understanding of security of a business enterprise today calls for a conscious adoption of many practices that added upto the mainstreaming of security functionFirst it should be understood that security is basically protection of the three assets of the organisation physical assets manpower and protected information against covert attacks of the enemyIt clearly runs through the length and breadth of the enterprise correspondingly requiring physical personnel and information security to prevent sabotage subversion and espionage respectively This makes security a mainstream function by the very nature of its mandate In sensitive establishments of strategic importance personnel security is of overriding importanceApart from antecedent checks at the time of recruitment there has to be an internal vigilance set up in place integrated with the security function to detect signs of vulnerability in an employee a member given to addiction living beyond means or developing an unnatural and intimate friendship with an outsider of opposite gender may have to be taken note of for reasons of securityAs regards security of information it has to be protected first through classification by way of giving the information a marking like restricted confidential or secret and then determining the need to know ambit within the organisation Since most information is now on internet a cyber security administrator under the IT Act is to be appointed and the security head would be a key functionary working with the latter All of this makes security a very special functionSecurity is an integral or complete looking concept requiring all its dimensions physical personnel and information security related to be perfected Further security being a protection against the hidden attack of the unseen adversary it is clearly anchored on information about the likely sources of threat that would have to be collated and analysedMost business corporates therefore had a central setup for studying the market evaluating the competitors and pooling together all reliable information relating to the three kinds of risks already mentioned It produces what is called Business Intelligence incorporating the risk assessment for the enterprise This means that the setup has to be headed by a competent leader who had the skills of assessing what lay ahead in terms of both opportunity as well as the potential risks This functionary has to be swift in handling information capable of making assessments and confident about extending the outreach all the timePersonal security of the leadership of an enterprise that made a substantial contribution to national economy is an important responsibility of this setup in view of the recognised concept that a countrys economic power strengthened its national security as wellThe second most important aspect of security is that it has to work on the authority of the top man of the enterprise The chief of security has a matching knowledge of how various wings of the organisation were working He should have the locus standi to take note of any flagrant violation of security even by a senior member of the organisation and for that reason alone should have a direct line of communication with the head of the enterpriseIn fact it is said that the top man should also consider himself as the head of security Further since security embraces all resources and members of the organisation it needs to be incorporated at the level of policy and should be one of the determinants of organisational ethics and in fact of the system of management of the enterprise itself Also since security does not come cheap it requires planned fundingOn his part the security chief should have the ability to realise that cost effective security was the best security even when the organisation was liberal with funding If two persons can do a job where three were deployed earlier or when the number of steps for completing an operation could be reduced from four to three this makes the functioning more efficient and cuts delaysFinally the ultimate mainstreaming of security is reflected in the dictum now well established that the security of an organisation required contribution of all members high or low in the hierarchy It flows from the thought that if the enterprise ensured every members security then the latter also owed it to oneself to do whatever was possible to strengthen the security of the organisationThe importance of the security setup being able to run awareness programmes for the organisation as a whole suggests itself This is best done through periodical informal briefings that would also help to facilitate flow of information relevant to security from members to the security chiefThe security setup has to be manned by people who were information savvy and professionally upskilled Such people can distinguish essentials from nonessentials in the context of security know that you have to reach information information will not reach you have curiosity which creates the spirit of inquiry show an interest in human nature and behaviour and have an analytical mindThe era of proxy wars and the advent of cyber warfare have compelled the world to take note of the convergence of economic security externally instigated attacks on systems on which the governance of the country rested and resort to misinformation and deepfakes even to influence the outcome of elections in a targeted countryArtificial Intelligence is getting into security domain both in analysing the threats and finding solutions for dealing with them Today people handling enterprise security have to be familiar with various dimensions of knowledge economy and intricacies of misuse of cyber space by the adversarySecurity has become a demanding function linked to the mainstream of the organisation that was sought to be protected and dependent on people who had special skills deserving of a higher level of recognition and compensation than what ever was existing earlierThe writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau Views are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-security-is-no-more-a-stand-alone-function-531328.html Sun, 31 Mar 2024 10:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-artificial-intelligence-in-aid-of-knowledge-economy-529045.html New Delhi March 17 The advent of Artificial Intelligence AI has boosted the cause of business in many ways It has speeded up the process of strategy formulation that derived new strength from a rapid analysis of comprehensive and relevant data relating to the past and the present It has also enabled businesses to deal with the new level of competitiveness that exists in todays world on the basis of an indepth study of other players in the field as well as of the intricacies of the business environmentFinally AI is setting new benchmarks in human resource management in the matter of reconstituting teams to focus on creating new products and services and ensuring timelines of deliveryIn the Age of Information brought in by Information Technology knowledgebased decisionmaking became the first priority of all business enterprises and towards that objective arrangements were made to collate and analyse a given set of parameters for defining the future vision of the business entity to be achieved within a timeframeThe scope of Business Intelligence has been infinitely enlarged by AI which is a tool for quickly examining an unprecedented amount of raw data and collated facts analysing all risk factors and opportunities and producing a set of reliablelooking predictions The AIassisted analytics covers a volume of data that was humanly impossible to handle in one go This has pushed decisionmaking to a level of near perfection in a competitive environmentThe potential of AI in strategic decisionmaking however yields the best results when it is used for augmenting human Intelligence with datadriven insights and operational efficiencyAI puts the process of decisionmaking on a stronger footing by making it an evidencebased determination Further AI introduces an element of neutrality and objectivity and minimises the scope of biases creeping into that processAI has opened up the world of startups and helped to provide a level playing field to those who can read the future better and while pursuing a line of business find an opportunity that had gone undetected earlierApplication of AIaided examination of information available in the public domain leads to a good assessment of the competitors behaviour as well as the industry dynamicsAnalysis of vast datasets through the application of AI can unearth patterns and trends that throw light on the modus operandi of a rival that was not visible to the human eye and which could be put to good use in a competitive settingEven while leveraging historical data AI can read areas of success of a competitor and determine the scope for improvement there far more accurately thus creating a competitive advantageThe more comprehensive the data the better the outcome of the AI applicationIt is possible to roll out new GenAIbased products and services to bring more value to investors and customers AIaided skills are extensively used now for profile writing creating engaging headlines and understanding natural language for putting across the work being done by the business enterpriseThe use of AI in critical thinking problemsolving and effective communication is now well establishedAutomated tasks are another developing area of corporate activity that is being put to good useAs already mentioned AI is proving indispensable for predictive analytics Simulating market conditions and their probable outcomes accrued through advance scenario planning and risk assessment is becoming a trendsetterIn the arena of human resource development work starts with the use of AI to improve the recruitment process itself AI skills are needed in jobs requiring communication analysis and sales promotionIn content creation it is found that more important than the time spent on writing is the time utilised for interactions and networking for the purpose of enhancing outreach and accessing new knowledgeUpskilling is required since nearly half of the jobs in India are going to be affected by AI fortunately professionals in India are already using AI skills more than what was the case anywhere else globallyAI offers a new level of personalisation of customer needs helps the process of development of new products and facilitates the adoption of entirely new ways of sales promotion Business enterprises need manpower that is attuned to working with others finding solutions to the problem at hand and using critical thinkingThe new skills are also put to good use in evolving worklife balance that AIbased tasks could demand One of the top challenges is to prepare a GenAIready workforce One impediment to this is the shortage of expertise in the emerging tech streams such as cloud computingThere are limited programmes for GenAI skills in the university curricula Business corporates have to think of building the capabilities of their workforce in terms of technical skills through a tailored training programme on GenAI This programme has to be based on enterprisespecific or even teamspecific goalsProfessionals across operations marketing finance etc require basic familiarisation with GenAI to decide how to effectively leverage GenAI tools to improve productivityAI developers need to be nurtured to understand the science behind deep learning and make the choice to pick the right models Advanced teams may be needed to develop niche expertise in product engineeringEven at the leadership level specific GenAI programmes have to be devised to enhance the trickledown effect in creating motivation and ambition across the hierarchies These are also needed for strategy formulation and possible policy amendments that could be required for better implementationToday an understanding of Learning amp Development LampD and Large Language Models LLMs and their importance in business is needed at the leadership level itselfThe main point of understanding and acceptance by the leadership is that AIs first impact on business was to enable the enterprise to reduce cost and increase the efficiency of its operations so that there was better ROI resulting from the valueadd created by AIIn a nutshell AI primarily works through data and analytics to help companies to build new products and services and to enhance their customer baseMachine learning automation is assisting human resource management in screening resumes and scheduling interviews Screening enables the management to match applicants for positions requiring knowledge experience and special skills for the jobTargeted and personalised promotion campaigns are also helped by AI A simple illustration is machine learning that notes the difference between a customer who scans information for highend eating places and then searches for clothes online and a customer who is only searching for clothes In the first case AI lays out fashion garments while in the other case it would offer a range covering different categoriesDecisionmaking is one of the most important areas depending a great deal on AI because the latter can scrutinise large databases on customer preferences text images and videos that are made for knowledgebased decisions considered so important for standing against the competition Supply chain management security enhancement and customer experience data are among the basic advantages that AIaided programs could provideAbove all India is quite aware of the promises and perils of AI and that is why it has asked tech firms to seek government approval before releasing under trial or unreliable AI tools and to caution the customers that the programme may not be able to answer every query of the userAI tools should be used with the basic understanding that they are governed by the inputoutput principle and that any predictive analytics provided by them rested on the detection of patterns and keywords in an unusually large database Best results therefore are achieved when human intelligence works in conjunction with datadriven insightsThe writer is former Director of the Intelligence Bureau Views are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/the-third-eye-artificial-intelligence-in-aid-of-knowledge-economy-529045.html Sun, 17 Mar 2024 10:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/is-mobile-screen-the-new-cocaine-528289.html New Delhi March 13 In 2017 Frontiers in Psychiatry published An Update Overview on Brain Imaging Studies of Internet Gaming Disorder as part of their research on IGD or Internet Gaming Disorder The conclusion was startlingThere is an emerging evidence that IGD is associated with similar brain mechanisms responsible for substance use disorders The brain imaging studies in IGD show similarity in brain mechanisms between IGD and substance use disorder and therefore support the classification of IGD as a behavioral addictionIn simple words Screen addiction is an addiction classified as per WHO Its impact on the brain is similar to substance eg Narcotics like Cocaine use addictionIn short there may be an irreversible long term impact on the brains of children addicted to Internet games However the question arises if only internet games are to be blamed or the problem is broader In 2019 researchers made an attempt to bring together all the use cases under the umbrella of SmUD Smartphone Use DisorderIt was the research of Joel Billieux who provided clear pathways into problematic mobile phone usage He emphasised on the following four pathways for SmUD Impulsive Relationship Extraversion Cyber AddictionBillieux further broke down cyber addiction into online gambling online video games online sex social networks and mobile phone thereby defining a spectrum of cyber addictionsFig 1 Spectrum of cyber addictionsMany parents despair at the amount of time their kids spend glued to screens as a recent study by Kantar for Amazon India showed However they may not be in a position to corelate symptoms in a childs behaviour with cyber or mobile addictionA research published by national library of medicine suggests that both physical and mental wellbeing can be adversely affected by too much screen use It divided students into low cellphone usage and high Cell Phone usage groups and came up with the following conclusions Physical High Cell Phone usage group observed higher numbers of eye strain neck pain back pain and gain in weight Mental High Cell Phone usage group were more likely to report loneliness depression and mood disordersIn short excessive phone usage is going to do you and your children harm And what you may be passing off as a lifestyle aberration may be the symptom of a larger disorder taking shape for eg eye strain and lack of concentration may be the trigger point for ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder aggravated by years of mobile phone usageAt this point it is important for us to introduce neurotransmitters especially dopamine commonly called the happiness hormone But sudden surges in dopamine release causes addiction this is exactly what cocaine or narcotics do inside our body They release a lot of dopamine the brain responds less to the excess dopamine Then we consume more to release more dopamine Eventually this cycle leads to mania hallucinations and delusions Now here is the fun fact the reason you cant put that mobile phone down is because it releases cheap and plentiful dopamine in your brain So you are on a high without consuming anything just by spending more and more time on a mobile screen on gaming gambling sex or social networksA logical question therefore is how many hours a day is classified as addiction A few researchers came up with a limit of 20 hours a week But this is hotly contested and WHO has refrained from providing hourbased classification of mobile addiction Among practitioners a generally held view is that the behaviour of the addict should be such that spending time on the phone comes at the expense of normal life commitments An often cited example is that you have an exam or an assignment submission but you skip it because you were unable to keep your mobile phone awayYou may start wondering if this is such an important problem considering that 70 per cent of Indias population has smartphones What is being done to solve the problem To begin with is it being identified as a problem The bugle was sounded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Pariksha Pe Charcha wherein he highlighted the distractions mobile phones may cause to students preparing for examsThere is a lot that needs to be done by different stakeholders like Educators Health Practitioners Mobile Device Manufacturers Mobile Gaming CompaniesHowever the biggest question to ask is for a parent themselves When you hand over a phone or a mobile device to a young child are you aware you may be starting a oneway cycle for impairing the potential of your own child What do you think you can do as a parent to change course midway If you are just starting out what may be your alternatives to entertain your newborn beyond the mobile screen To all parents the question is are you making your child addicted to cocaineThe author is cofounder of Trumsy an initiative to reduce screen time of children IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/is-mobile-screen-the-new-cocaine-528289.html Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/astro-zindagi-weekly-horoscope-523458.html New Delhi Feb 25 Here is a guide to the week ahead for you This is your forecast for February 26 to March 3 AriesThis is the time to network and meet the people of influence who can help you move forward in your profession The superiors would notice your efforts and dedicationIt is time to assess your relationships and connections and ensure they serve you Shift the focus on creating and nurturing strong significant relationships with others and you will discover that they are the greatest tools to help you succeedIn your love life you might face the dilemma of challenging assumptions and seeking clarity Take advantage of the fact that youre single by being open to new connections and hearing what others have to sayTip of the week Assess your relationshipsTaurusThis is the time to be disciplined and focused as effort and endurance will eventually lead to longterm achievements You may encounter some bumps or barriers on your way to your career but with persistence and patience you can manage them Focus on becoming a person of integrity and dont seek shortcuts or do things halfway When it comes to love this week encourages you to take a downtoearth and realistic approach to your relationships This is the moment to solidify a strong basis of trust and stability with your partner If you are a student dont procrastinate nor give in to distractions as they will only slow you downTip of the week Dont seek shortcutsGeminiThis week the focus of your career will shift to a more serious tone You may be tempted to return to college for more education or training to advance your career Now is the right time to ask for advice from your mentors or experts related to your field Dont hurry up with the decisions about your career calmly explore your choicesThe week may bring a more serious tone to family matters It is a good opportunity to talk seriously with your family members especially about old issues that have never been resolvedNow is the perfect opportunity to register for those courses that align with your longterm interestsTip of the week Seek advice from mentorsCancerThis is the time to introspect on your career and ambitions Ponder over your longterm plans and how they align with your aspirations Adapting to change and being flexible in transforming your career is vital This may require letting go of the old mindsets that do not work for you and welcoming new things that come your way Trust and believe in your ability to survive all the challenges that lie ahead and youll be more resilient and successfulDig into the core of your feelings and relationships You might discover yourself facing your longdenied fears or insecurities which kept you from being successful in romantic relationshipsTip of the week Be adaptive to changeLeoThis week you may face difficulties in partnerships or collaborations The planetary effect may cause delays or complications in the partnership tasks You must talktransparently and be patient with your coworkers Focus on creating deep and sustainable trustbased partnerships rooted in mutual respect This is the week when you have to be careful in new relationships Dont rush getting to know someone before making a full commitmentRegarding family affairs Leos will have to deal with some unpleasant issues The influence of planets can result in problems among the family that require patience and empathyTip of the week Talk transparentlyVirgoThis is the time to display your persistence and commitment Keep your eyes on the goals be persistent and dont be impatient Ultimately your efforts will be rewarded and you can move to the next stage in your careerThe planets might create some tension or difficulties regarding your relationships You might feel more serious or formal than usualmaking your partner think something is wrong You may be forced to undertake extra tasks or tackle health or welfare problems affecting your relatives Selfcare is necessary and setting boundaries is crucial to avoid overloadingTip of the week Set boundariesLibraHave the courage to think out of the box and explore new approaches to your work You may be attracted to creative activities or new ideas among others This is a time to take risks and try out new things as long as you remain rooted and pragmatic in your approach Your superiors will see your strenuous effort and devotion to a task In your personal life you could feel a lack of stability and security in your relationship as a result of which you might have conflicts with your partner Singles do not jump headlong into a new relationship instead slow down discover more about yourself and decide what you want in a partnerTip of the week Try out new thingsScorpioThis week you may explore the hidden force influencing your career You could decide to make longterm plans and stick to the schedule It is an opportune moment to reevaluate your goals to make appropriate modifications to fit your genuine aspirations Although this may require you to have some level of patience you should be ready for such challenges In relationships you may experience depth and intensity You might experience a sharp craving for closer ties and a greater intensity of your relationship with your partnerThere is a high chance that you will enjoy acquiring new knowledge and receiving fresh points of viewTip of the week Stick to the scheduleSagittariusThis is the perfect time for you to practice your interpersonal skills Be clear and concise in the messagesincreasing the chances of people understanding your ideas You might also notice that the duties of your job become more extensivewhich could open up new ways of developing yourself or moving up in the company It is good to take this opportunity to enhance communication with your family members Spend time listening to their ideas and opinions and be ready to compromise if necessaryFor singles this week could open new chances through simple things like social events or short travelsTip of the week Practice your interpersonal skillsCapricornThis week you may find that you are emphasising your finances and career security more than usual This is when you need to take a pragmatic stand regarding your professional objectives and duties Instead work on a solid base for your future success If you have been thinking about making investments or taking on more tasks at work now is the time to carefully analyse the pros and cons before moving on If single dont be in a hurry to get to know someone new but rather concentrate on building a solid emotional link before it gets too seriousYou might have a strong urge to build a pattern of order and structure in your householdTip of the week Work on a solid baseAquariusThis week you could have a feeling of being restricted or limited in your relationships that can end up in conflicts or disagreements It is crucial to communicate openly with your partner and be ready to make concessions and find ways out together In your career think about your professional purpose and ambitions in detail You might experience a great desire to do something new or to be different Be careful and patient in your decisionmaking process because rushed decisions can create difficulties Focus on developing a strong platform that will support future growth and success This is also an opportunity to solicit advice from mentors or colleagues who could give you invaluable insightsTip of the week Avoid impulsive decisionsPiscesThis week you may experience feelings of loneliness and separation from your family members It is crucial to keep the communication open and grasp the viewpoints from different angles You can use this time to work on your inner healing process and reinforce your family tiesAs regards career this week may seem stressful You can experience a lack of inspiration Its necessary to stay focused and disciplined even when feeling discouraged Take this opportunity to reconsider your career goals and make any changes that may be needed If you are single consider your past relationships and what partner you would likeTip of the week Work on your inner healingNeeraj Dhankher is an Astrologer with proficiency in Vedic KP and Nadi Astrology He is the Founder and CEO of Astro Zindagi The observations are made by the writer based on his analysis IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/astro-zindagi-weekly-horoscope-523458.html Sun, 25 Feb 2024 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/black-fridays-in-store-521309.html Mumbai Feb 18 A Friday is the day when a new film releases in India The exhibition trade plans its calendar of 52 weeks according to Fridays Box Office is the term that gets bandied around The entire film industry awaits positive boxoffice returns starting every Friday That is where the wealth is created the wealth that refuels the industry and keeps it goingA cinema is the vehicle that carries your films to the people Earlier the word was masses but because of the kind of exhibition trade that exists now the word masses can no longer be used Masses included people from all strata of society and gave a film the initial fillip Watching a film was affordable and these masses made provision to watch a new film every Friday or during the weekendThe multiplex culture has put paid to the aspirations of the masses yet the kind of films that are made these days are more likely to attract masses they come loaded with action and computergenerated special effects that also help make heroes look much younger than their 55 years or soTalking of 50plus actors they were never a deterrent for the people to watch a film Stars such as Raj Kapoor Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar continued to work into their 50s With much younger heroines at that There were no computers to make them look younger and they did not need them eitherBut then thanks to special effects even the romantic heroes have taken to action films The fact is an action hero is readily accepted in a romantic film but it doesnt work when a romantic hero switches characterDharmendra who was dubbed the He Man carried the image of an action hero but gave his most successful films with romantic or social themes The same was true of Vinod Khanna and Amitabh BachchanIn more recent times Salman Khans career was launched as a romantic hero he did some social films the Rajshri Pictures kind and even played a second fiddle to Jackie Shroff in Bandhan He was equally at ease with a comedy like Judwa but when he came up with an action film Wanted he was readily accepted The film went on to become a major hit and Salman was slotted as an action heroNow all in all the scene in the production of films is quite muddled If Shah Rukh Khan thinks action films will further his career Hrithik Roshan does a Super 30 a real life story To add to the irony during the promotion of the film the real life character of the story is also brought in along with a 6foot tall fair and handsome Hrithik who plays the lead Why darken his face and give him a beard and spoil his looks That was not necessary really And Punjabi lyrics and tunes for the theme and background of the filmThis amounts to taking your audience for granted If you want to take such liberties you have to create a convincing situation for that Like Manmohan Desai did in film after film Besides the makers dont only lift sequences especially action from Hollywood films but they even write their script and dialogues in EnglishAs a Bihar exhibitor puts it we are just trying to ape Hollywood and distanced the masses from movie going Our makers have become angrez he adds He believes the makers need to revisit the 1990s and not only make films like they made in those days but also recall the directors of that eraHe cites the example of Gadar 2 and Anil Sharma who could come out with a super hit even now He questions why Hrithik and Shahid Kapoors films dont get initial footfalls while a virtually unknown Teja Sajjas HanuMan does well What good are the multicrore charging Hindi starsSome makers think it is chic to have the film peppered with English dialogues And they are the same as when you are watching a Hollywood film When not a lot is lost in the translation Where are those claptrap oneliners that the dialogue writers penned in the pastThis overdose of computergenerated action films lifted from Hollywood dont seem to excite our viewers anymoreThe other day I happened to watch Ajay Devgns film Runway 34 I have watched hundreds of films for professional reasons but this one lacked story sense logic and therefore any appeal it could have had A passenger plane pilot boasts of his experience of flying hours to a comparatively new copilot and defies all advice and odds to land his flight in a stormstruck cityMuch of what you see in this film was already done and dusted in the 1970 Hollywood film Airport and many other such films not to forget popular TV shows based on air disasters that have been running on various channels since 2003 The concept and execution was poor at bestCan someone explain to me this craze to produce Hollywood films and also try to do better than themWhat then is the situation at present People are rejecting just about every aspect of the film trade from admission rates to the kind of films being madeThe cinemas are the place where it shows There is no audience and hence no collections Unless the maker or the star of the film concerned has the capacity or the knack to show the crores of business the film never didThere are multiplex properties and there are privately owned single screens The latter are not built on public funding The multiplex properties are rented spaces single screens are notThe most worried lot are the single screen owners Here are the laments of some There is this theatre owner from Muzaffarnagar Uttar Pradesh He invested Rs 4 crore to build a new cinema in 2020 He recounts how poorly films are faring adding that he built the cinema with his own money but had he depended on bank loans he would have been finished by nowThe show tax that the local government levies used to be Rs 20 but it has now been raised to Rs 500 per show Now Ravi Tejas film Eagle collected just Rs 400 which was not enough to cover even the show tax let alone electricity staff and projection costsAs for ad revenue who gets it In the good old days there were agencies that booked ads for cinemas I remember Blaze was the pioneer in the field The understanding was practical The agency got its commission while the rest went to the cinema Now the cinemas pay for power bills and the rest while the entire ad revenue is gobbled up by the distributorThe 3D films they make like Fighter need the updation of bulbs that costs almost Rs 2 lakh more than what is required for 2D projectionThen theres this former filmmaker from Mumbai who is the cinema controller of two theatres in Hyderabad and one in Aurangabad He should be happy because he does not depend on Hindi films alone Sadly for him even the recent South Indian films have proved to be letdownsTwo major films Ravi Tejas Eagle and Mahesh Babus Guntur Kaaram have failed to sustain One would think that these booking agents working on behalf of cinemas had nothing to lose if a film did not work But they do They lose both prestige and the contractThe advent of multiplexes coupled with cockeyed policies of the various state governments sounded the death knell for single screens which actually drew and catered to the massesNow the impractical admission rates and poor cinema content are bound to tell on the survival of both the single screens as well as the multiplexes So get back to Indian themes like in the good old daysThese computer heroes are failing even in Hollywood There was a generation that was brought up on the American culture of comic books and Marvel spun the best superhero fantasies at that timeFinally what about release strategies Last Friday we had just one film out in the theatres But on March 1 as many as seven films have been lined up for release This at a time when even one film is not capable of drawing crowdsSoon there will be many obstacles for films Exam season IPL24 general elections and Ramzan These spells many black Fridays in the offing IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/black-fridays-in-store-521309.html Sun, 18 Feb 2024 13:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/film-did-not-fly-because-people-do-not-fly-518995.html New Delhi Feb 11 I noticed something curious Director Siddharth Anand of the film Fighter says that his film flopped because 90 per cent of Indian moviegoers have never sat in an airplane I was amazed amused but most of all I was worried Worried because this is how the maker of a Rs 400crore film thinks My mind instantly went back to Shakti Samantas An Evening In Paris 1967 where a bikiniclad Sharmila Tagore is sea skiing as Shammi Kapoor courts her hanging from a helicopter After learning what Malhotra had said to explain why his film had failed I wondered how many people hang from a helicopter to court a woman I dont know anybody who has done such a thing and still An Evening In Paris was a major hit I can cite hundreds of such examplesOf course the audience must first identify with the subject of a film The other factor is fantasy its content must make a viewer fantasise what the actor is doing on the screen For instance Rajesh Khanna driving parallel to a mini train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in Aradhana another Shakti Samanta film and on noticing Sharmila Tagore on the train sings a song Mere sapnon ki rani That gives wings to the viewers fantasy He would imagine his own self in that sceneSimilarly when Amitabh Bachchan played his angry young man out to set the world right it reflected the prevailing mood of the people of that time borne out of a rather authoritarian regimeThe prevailing national mood and the political dispensation usually have an undefined impact on the kind of films that work PostIndependence there was a brief period of time when films and songs were imbued with the spirit of nationalism The period that followed was the celebration of independence There was no media like the one that exists now and people lived believing that all was fineAll genres be it a family social romance musical historical or mythological found an audience Action was accepted only as a part of the narrative horror and extraterrestrial movies held little appeal People went to a cinema to be entertained and did not like to be burdened with ghost storiesThe second Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastry who fought a successful war and won it brought nationalism back in his short tenure Manoj Kumars Shaheed as well as Gulshan Behls Sikandar E Azam besides IS Johars comic take on Goas liberation Johar Mehmood In Goa managed to do wellIt was post the Shastri era that Manoj Kumar picked up the threads and cashed in on the national mood with his classic Upkar Jeetendras spy movie Farz struck a responsive chord in the audience because the film portrayed the Chinese as the antagonistsManoj Kumar continued driving home his theme of nationalism with Purab Aur Paschim Roti Kapada Aur Makaan and Kranti all successful thought the returns compared with Upkar kept receding Only Upkar is considered a classicThen again just about every genre was working with a new superstar Rajesh Khanna dominating the screen Just as suddenly antiestablishment films took over and became the norm Films such as Zanjeer Deewaar Trishul Shahenshah Inquilab and Andhaa Kanoon ruled all spun around the narrative of a oneman army taking on all that was wrong in the societyAfter the Amitabh Bachchan angry young man era however no definite trend could be established that filmmakers could follow There was only one formula for success and that was the musical love story The new big stars Aamir Khan Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan thrived on love stories Even some onefilm wonders such as Rahul Roy Aashiqui and Vivek Mushran Saudagar came up with hitsSo Mr Director of Fighter true nationalism and patriotism are the formulae that are in the air currently Earlier they hardly worked Do you know that most war films dont work in India unless they have human angles in valour shown by personnel and not machines notably aircraftOne of the earliest war films was Chetan Anands Haqeeqat A perfectly blended film formula with family emotions romance and most of all one of the greatest musical scores a war movie could have The film still got limited appreciation despite its taxfree tag in many parts of the countryIn your film the family angle was corny I cant detail it because not many people have seen your film to understand it You expect them to catch it on OTT so I wont spoil the fun for them I suppose being privileged enough to fly is not a prerequisite when it comes to watching the film on an OTT platformThere is a list of war films that did not work and these include Prem Pujari Hindustan Ki Kasam Vijeta Aakraman Mission Kashmir Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo The Ghazi Attack and LOC Uri The Surgical Strike was the notable exceptionIs it surprising that Fighter failed to get a decent opening collection There are people who grew up playing video games flying and downing fighter planesThe choice of making a Rs 400plus crore film was wrong on all counts In which box office would a film with this kind of a budget recover the investment and make a profit The collection would need to be be more than Rs 1000 crore Does the Indian boxoffice business have that kind of a potentialEven if you believe in the Rs 700 crore and Rs 500 crore business as claimed by the makers of some recent films what do you think is the take home from these figures It is less than 50 per cent for the multiplex chains demand 525 per cent in the first week 485 in the second week and so onFinally when you say Fighter will be called a classic by OTT viewers it is just solace you are offering to yourself if you check what has worked on OTT platformsSocial media is a boon as well as a curse Boon because it is many minutes ahead in the business of propagating news before traditional media catches up with it And it is a curse because that is where people end up being fools and vengefulAnands other excuse is that they made a mistake by releasing the film on January 25 a working day before the Republic Day holiday He seems to have forgotten that his earlier film Jawan was released on January 25 in 2023 also a working day The film is reported to have collected Rs 55 crore on January 25 Fighter could fetch only Rs 20 croreFilmmakers over the years have come up with many excuses on why their films failed But this one qualifies for Ripleys Believe It Or Not In that sense the southern filmmakers have a more businesslike approach If a film fails to work they accept it and move on to the next projectWhen a plane flies overhead not only children but also grownups look up instinctively I have known people who are scared to travel in an airplane but never heard of those who would not welcome the experience of travelling in one or watching a film showing planesThe fact is people have had enough of this patriotism and war against Pakistan narrative Indians dont hate Pakistan anymore considering how poorly the country is placed People pity and have sympathies for our neighbour So no use fighting a meek distressed enemyAnd dont lose heart Our airlines have ordered some 1000 new planes and the government is constructing many more airports More people will fly IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/film-did-not-fly-because-people-do-not-fly-518995.html Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/when-stars-dont-sell-star-ratings-do-513353.html Mumbai Jan 28 I am not sure if film critics qualify to be called journalists Maybe they did very very long agoBecause reviewing films was a part of their multiple other duties One of the journalists on the roster was assigned the task because he was either a movie buff and threw around his gyan about movies or just because he was the editors favouriteThe reviewers job was somewhat of a recreational break because it involved watching a movie for free and gorging on decent snacks during the interval Press screenings or press shows were organised a couple of days before a films theatrical release and that was the privilege a film critic enjoyed and boasted of Everybody wanted to know from the critics how good or bad the film wasThere was no system of outsourcing film reviews as one of the staffers of a newspaper or magazine was assigned the role This was the era of only the print media Critics from reputed publications were expected to be honest and they did not let us downBut then how many people read English publications in those days So the influence of the reviewers was really felt in Brung publications and also the vernacular mediaThis influence though came from the headline of the review being grabbed by either the male or female lead of the film the PROs or public relations men of both approaching the reviewer with sealed envelopes The weight of the envelope decided who grabbed the headlineThis was so because no one expected people to read a complete film review That has not changed even today Only the first and last paragraph of a film review was readThe press screenings were held in what in those days were known as the Preview Theatres with a seating capacity for not more than 50 people It was a funny system because the vernacular media occupied front rows while the English and other reputed media houses used be assigned the rows behind This system was not designed or imposed by anybody It just so happened that those who occupied the front row were the first to reach the refreshment area during intervalHow did this grabbing of the headline in a fourfive column film review help an actor Really speaking it did not There were two kinds of audiences which I think still holds true There were these firstdayfirstshow types and those who took in a film within its opening weekend A film with a reasonable star cast got that benefit The rest did not matter The second kind was the one that went by the word of mouth Reviews Who caredA film was worth watching only if the opinions were favourable for it used to be a family outing Paisa vasool was the operative phrase in those daysThe opinions expressed in the reviews and the actors who grabbed the headlines were of interest only to the stars and the criticsIf no one cared for reviews and what the critics had to say about a movie when the money was scarce and movie outings were an occasion for most families to cherish together what was the purpose of courting film reviewers The film stars lived in their own world nursed massive egos and the reviews were just an ego boosterIf the stars of yore loved to see themselves being praised in film reviews it was simply that and did not mean they were trying to fool or deceive anybody for personal profit Because finally the box office figures spoke louder than the reviewersI keep using the word reviewer because they were not critics and possessed no specialised knowledge of filmmaking such as the number of frames that rolled in a second They took in a film and liked or disliked it like any other laymanA critic is one who does the critical analyses of a work of creativity Instead what the reviewers did was to start with a brief paragraph on the film and filled the rest of the column with a synopsis of films storyThe scene today is pathetic Let alone critics the reviewers also come with riders The review has to be favourable Conditions apply Otherwise no invite The production house and its PR machinery decide what you are expected to writeAs a result you will see that the vocabulary is limited and the same phrases are repeated when extracts of the reviews are published to attract more viewersTake for instance the advertisement for Fighter The film was released on January 25 but and on 26th its ad carried 12 media comments The word Brilliant is used in three and word Cinematic blah blah twiceOther excerpts carry equally eloquent words of praise You will not find this language when you read the review These are quotations especially drafted for use in advertisementsThe press screenings are no longer small preview theatre affairs They need a multiplex auditorium seating 150 people at the leastAnybody and everybody has turned into a film reviewer After all how much does it cost to register a portal Say Rs 150 And how much for a blue tick on X Barely Rs 600 That investment I am sure is recovered after one reviewThe price of each reviewer is fixed and the old hands the socalled trade analysts cost a bit more But you are required to praise just about everything in the movie and give it three to five stars nothing less is acceptable In most cases the number of stars is dictated by PR companiesBesides the money what does the reviewer get It is like this For starters a free movie outing along with samosa popcorn and cola Besides the stars given to a film accompanied by the name of the reviewer and of the media house he or she represents is published in the newspaper ads and social media inserts by the PR companiesThis their names being in print they believe is an endorsement of their being qualified film reviewers critics experts It is a kickWhen did this business of reviews start becoming so blatant From smalltime film reviewers pocketing envelopes the system has moved to media house managements which also have got into the business of selling star ratings along with film reviews The fourorfivestars ratings though came with much bigger price tagsWith the onset of the digital media it has become everybodys business The erstwhile gate crashers at press screenings spent a few hundred to become owners of websites Getting listed on the invitees lists of PR companies was easy and then they were ready to review filmsNow what this shameless soliciting has done is that when the PR machinery approaches the one or two remaining veteran journalists who review films they are approached with offers to talk businessHow does this false notion of great reviews and highly inflated boxoffice figures help a filmmaker After all he is the one paying everybody from the PR company to the reviewersIt does not help him in any way except in wasting some more money For the people dont buy these reviews and the cinemas continue to remain emptyYes it does help the stars It helps them because the outside world mainly the advertising world believes in the reviews and figures and the stars get multiple more assignments That is how they mint moneyTake for example Shah Rukh Khan who was said to be on his last legs but now has ten more endorsements post the social media blitz about the money his films Pathaan and Jawan madeAs things stand the production houses have more faith in the stars they buy from film reviewers than the stars in their films IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/when-stars-dont-sell-star-ratings-do-513353.html Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/2024-global-election-fest-503086.html New Delhi Jan 1 2024 will be a historic election year when democracy will undergo a major test with elections in approximately 70 countries including the US India Mexico and South Africa More than 37 billion voters will head to the polls and their results may have global impact and ramifications The current year will be the greatest year for democracy and democratic institutions worldwide The greatest power in the world the US the mostpopulous country India the biggest trading bloc the European Union the largest Muslim country Indonesia the largest Spanishspeaking country Mexico and the territory that is the most contentious one between the two superpowers of this century Taiwan all will hold elections in 2024 A total of more than 37 billion inhabitants around 70 countries or almost half of the global population will head to cast their votes in either presidential or legislative elections in the coming year The verdict of these polls may have profound consequences on the lives of people and on a world that is going through a turbulent time with ongoing brutal wars in Ukraine and Gaza as the West seems falling into decline with no clear alternative On a geopolitical level this electoral jamboree might have a major impact Major disruptive results include the return of Donald Trump to the White House a third consecutive victory in Taiwan by candidates that Beijing considers hostile or a consolidation of the extreme right in the European Union all of which could lead to farreaching consequences In addition to these other elections to watch out for include the potential presidential elections in Venezuela to those in Ukraine from Indonesia to South Africa and Mexico besides the UK where a substantial change of course would not be expected regardless of the outcome Test for Democracy However what might be the worrisome aspect of these elections is the litmus test which democracy will undergo Surveys by different international think tanks and institutes indicate dissatisfaction with the presentday working of democratic institutions a sentiment common throughout the nations of the west meaning the US and Europe even though they see themselves as democracys home ground A recent Ipsos opinion poll in western countries found a widespread belief that current democratic systems favour the rich and powerful and ignore everyone else Freedom House the independent USbased watchdog concluded in its 2023 report that the Global Freedom Index declined for the 17th consecutive year The principle of free speech essential to a fully functioning democracy is also under attack Paradoxically this unprecedented votefest comes at a moment when classic forms of liberal democracy are under existential attack from authoritarians and dictators such as Chinas Xi Jinping and Russias Vladimir Putin farright nationalistpopulist parties such as in Austria Hungary and Scandinavia and military coup plotters and Islamists from Venezuela to Chad Yet the report said while 35 countries experienced declines in political rights and civil liberties 34 saw overall gains Autocrats were neither infallible nor unbeatable The geopolitical and economic impacts of so many ballot box battles occurring more or less at once may combine to further destabilise an unstable world for good or bad Rise of the Far Right The European continent will see elections in Austria Belgium Croatia and Finland as well as for the European Parliament in June The pervasive fear is that they may accelerate advances by nationalistpopulist antimigrant xenophobic parties of the far right matching those seen recently in Italy the Netherlands and Slovakia The results will shape the new chamber with possible new legislative majorities that will influence the leadership of the EU One wonders how high the farright wave may rise The average of polls compiled by Politico magazine indicates a rise of the two farright blocs and a decline in support of the traditional European conservatives social democrats liberals and greens Even so the latter groups might retain a comfortable majority The crux of the question is to see if an eventual coalition between populist and farright groups could form an alternative majority At the beginning of December in the seat projection put out by Politico the distance between extremists and moderates was only about 20 seats out of a total of 720 India and Its Neighbours For India which itself will be holding the general elections in which the incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to score a hat trick will watch closely elections in its neighbourhood ie in Pakistan and Bangladesh which may have a major regional and strategic impact Pakistan is plagued by a serious economic crisis and high political tensions including arrests and attempted assassinations of political leaders Following the dissolution of Parliament back in August elections should have been held within 90 days but have been postponed twice They are now scheduled for February The country with some 240 million inhabitants has enormous strategic depth not only due to its nuclear arsenal but also due to its close relationship with China The BeijingIslamabad axis is New Delhis biggest concern The first election of 2024 could be one of the most contentious Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League have dominated Bangladeshi politics for the past fifteen years Over that time they have increasingly eroded Bangladeshs democracy As Freedom House puts it the AL has consolidated political power through sustained harassment of the opposition and those perceived to be allied with it as well as of critical media and voices in civil society The US has been pressing Sheikh Hasina for months to hold freeandfair elections that pressure has yet to pay off Major Elections At the global level the US elections and those of the EU may have a major bearing on Indias foreign and defence policies with some overlap on its internal politics too The US presidential elections next November have immense disruptive potential The possibility that Trump will be the Republican candidate and return to the White House is still not ruled out A Trumpreturn to the White House would represent a major shakeup with associated risks It would be a step towards American isolationism at a time when rival powers are questioning the world order that Washington has created Trump would embody a break with America for the world scenario his America first doctrine means limiting efforts and expenses in distant horizons Its doubtful whether he would commit to supporting Taiwan if it comes under attack or whether he would maintain financing and security guarantees made to Ukraine and NATO New trade wars would be likely as would a withdrawal of commitments against climate change In addition the elections in 2024 will further highlight the manner in which our lives have become slaves to the social media and this will have an impact on the election processes too As Kay Spencer program director of elections at the Washingtonbased National Democratic Institute NDI puts it the year 2024 is a big year for social media platforms and it will be important to monitor how they will manage all the elections that are coming up Indeed 2024 might prove to be a year which consolidates the liberal democratic principles and institutions or lead to their further erosion Asad Mirza is a Delhibased senior political and international affairs commentator IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/2024-global-election-fest-503086.html Mon, 01 Jan 2024 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/they-call-it-marketing-495090.html New Delhi Dec 10 What we need in the film industry is writers who can turn out a decent script that appeals to all classes of the audience That has not happened so the makers have to keep devising new gimmicks to promote a film Isnt the star power good enough Really speaking films never needed marketing because they have a ready and keen viewership and still newgeneration whizkids try to deviate from the traditional and foolproof promotion strategies and come up with complicated ideas to promote a film that serve no purpose The recent one is about how the promos or trailers are released on digital platforms before a films release As if calling these trailers promos or trailers was not enough now they are named in a manner that they coincide with a films theme or title Oh yes they were also called teasers for some time The trailers of Dunki starring Shah Rukh Khan for instance are titled Drop 1 Drop 2 and so on It seems the film is about illegal migration in countries such as the UK and the US and the activity is described as donkey flights in the North This is also known as kabutarbazi in some sections Dunki is yet to release and the connection of naming or ranking the trailers as a series of Drops with the films story remains unclear so far The tragedy is that those unaware of this bright idea but searching for promos of Dunki on YouTube will still have to type in the keywords Dunki promo I dont know who thought of this idea because you may publicise a film but how will you tell people that when you look for Dunki promos kook for Drop 1 and so on Dunki though is not the only one to have people with such grand ideas There are quite a few other films being promoted this way I have often mentioned bhed chaal in the film industry If one filmmaker does or tries to do something different others follow him and make it a trend The Jawan trailer was launched as a Prevue The Pathan trailer as Pathan ka conversation and Tiger 3 as Tiger ka message for the Dream Girl trailer the name was Pooja ka kiss Films such as Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani all followed and dubbed their promos as something or the other Did it help The thing is that the number of hits on promos released on YouTube are seen by many more people than those who watch the movie So hits on an online promo are not a measure of viewers attracted to the cinemas and hence nothing to gloat about What worked when there was no Internet and no social media They relied on street publicity Posters of varied sizes 30x40 or six sheeters 5x10 and so on were plastered all over the cities There were no radio jingles yet forget television The big attractions in those days though were trailers played in the cinemas These promos were so exciting that people going for a movie made sure they reached in time so as not to miss the trailer of the forthcoming film They just about summed up an upcoming film in three minutes with onscreen captions such as Drama Romance Music Emotions Comedy and Action The prospective viewers instantly decided if they were going to catch that film The Internet and social media are not devised to spread lies or deceive What good are these hits on an X post or YouTube promo because it is common knowledge that an army of bots are engaged to produce these hits What are the cinema chains doing in the name of marketing On Monday the fourth day after the release of Animal they took prospective spectators who came to the booking window by surprise when the admission rates were hiked suddenly and arbitrarily from for Rs 150 to Rs 300 out of the blue in a matter of minutes By the way the online booking site still claimed that Rs 150 was the rate and the booking chart showed an almost empty house There were some unhappy people at the booking window and they made sure the video went viral This was contrary to the normal practice of reducing admission rates on the Monday or Tuesday after a films release Now is this any way of attaining the set target which nowadays is anything between Rs 500 crore to Rs 1000 crore I think it is easier to fake figures on social media like it is done with the figures of all the major films lately instead of cheating people with ad hoc admission rate hikes Suppose a young lad had somehow put together Rs 300 for two tickets to take his girlfriend out on a movie date but comes to the cinema to learn that he cannot afford the revised rates It would be awkward for him and a real letdown Now PVRs newly acquired property at the Jio World Plaza in BKC Mumbai boasts of being Indias first cinema with bar and lounge So what Multiplexes have food plazas and if you order the snacks are delivered to your seat And they are located within the cinema lobby As for the lounge and bar it is not the same as a food plaza and cant serve alcohol at your seat It is just another facility attached to the property Publicising it as a multiplex with a bar is misleading Airports have bars and lounges but you cannot carry your drink to the flight At least not in India BKC is a purely commercial area with few residential buildings More residential properties are still in the development stage and the present population of the area would not be more than 80000 The area gets so deserted post office hours that even transport is hard to find Being in a commercial area lounges and bars may still attract patrons who wish to discuss business or unwind over an afteroffice drink or two The same cannot be assured for this sixscreen multiplex IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/they-call-it-marketing-495090.html Sun, 10 Dec 2023 10:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/south-african-solidarity-with-palestinians-487457.html New Delhi Nov 20 IANS After October 7 following Hamass unprecedented surprise attack on Israel much of the international community rushed to voice its concern about the escalation in tensions but few took a moment to condemn Israels aggression against the PalestiniansHowever as Israel continues to bomb Gaza and attack Palestinians in the occupied West Bank several governments have started to turn critical of Israels actions some more directly than others Surprisingly even the number of nations condemning Israels brutal military oppression in Gaza doesnt exceed a twodigit listIn contrast there are some nations like South Africa which have vociferously condemned the Israeli brutalities in Gaza on unarmed Palestinian children youth and agedOn November 17 the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court ICC said he had received a joint request from five countries to investigate the situation in the Palestinian territoriesProsecutor Karim Kahn said the referral had come from South Africa Bangladesh Bolivia Comoros and Djibouti South Africa said the request was made to ensure that the ICC pays urgent attention to the grave situation in PalestineThough Israel is not a member of the court and does not recognise its jurisdiction the ICC can investigate nationals of nonmember states in certain circumstances including when crimes are alleged to have been committed in the territories of member statesThe Palestinian territories have been listed among the ICCs members since 2015Perhaps the emotional connect between S Africa and Palestine exists because of the two prominent leaders of the nonaligned movement ie Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat from these two countries respectively and recalling the experience of apartheid themselves the South African leaders could better understand the plight of the Palestinians and raise their voice in their supportThe South African government has made its position clear expressing support for the Palestinians amid the on going attacks by Israel in the Gaza Strip though also condemning resistance group Hamas for attacking and kidnapping Israeli civiliansWe who enjoy the freedom from Apartheid can never ever be the ones who agree to an apartheid form of oppression This cannot be tolerated This brutality should not be accepted Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said in parliament on November 14 while delivering a ministerial statement on the raging conflictThese actions remind us of our experiences as Black South Africans living under Apartheid This is one of the key reasons South Africans like people in cities all overthe world have taken to the streets to express their anger and concern at what is taking place in Gaza and the West Bank she saidTaking a proactive action last week South Africa withdrew all its diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultation over Israels assault in GazaThe South African government also instructed the Foreign Ministry to take the necessary diplomatic measures to deal with the conduct of the Israel ambassador to South Africa Eliav Belotserkovsky whose conduct they said is becoming very untenableBelotserkovsky is accused of disparaging comments against people raising their voices against attacks on PalestiniansSouth Africa is among a handful of African countries maintaining diplomatic ties with both Israel and Palestine Yet it has strongly advocated for Palestinian freedom and has called for a twostate solutionLesiba Teffo a political scientist at the University of South Africa commenting on the South African governments response told Anadolu news agency that South Africa and Palestine have had historic relations for decades and that it is important for them to support the Palestinian cause for freedomPalestine was with South Africa during the struggle against apartheid while Britain and America never supported us but they were ever supporting Israel This context is important he told AnadoluTeffo also said South Africa has been consistent in supporting Palestine over the yearsDirk Kotze another professor of politics at the same university told Anadolu that South Africas ruling African National Congress ANC has had historical links with the Palestine Liberation Organisation PLO since the time of late anti apartheid hero and first Black South African President Nelson MandelaSiyabulela Mandela the greatgrandson of Nelson Mandela in an interview said that despite South Africa being liberated from the senseless violence and oppression he Nelson Mandela was able to recognise the fact that our freedom is not complete until the people of Palestine are freeSiyabulela an independent consultant on human rights peace and conflict resolution spoke with Global Nationals Farah Nasser while in Toronto where he was interviewed on stage at the Journalists for Human Rights annual galaHe said that his greatgrandfather the first Black president of South Africa was considered idealistic for thinking that there was a solution to apartheid in his country and people would consider it a miracle if it happened and then it didLast week President Cyril Ramaphosa joined a growing chorus of international voices against what many has termed the genocidal operation of the IDF in GazaThe South African Parliament also last week debated whether to cut diplomatic ties with the Jewish stateLeading parties in parliament notably the ruling ANC and the third largest party Economic Freedom Fighters EFF favour cutting diplomatic ties with IsraelIn recent years human rights organisations and legal experts have increasingly described Israels policies toward Palestinians as apartheid adding to a longstanding debate about whether this is an accurate way to categorise the countrys practicesHuman rights groups have argued that the Israeli governments policies on land access restrictions on movement and limitations on the right to vote meet the ICCs standard and that it has institutionalised racism against Palestinians in order to ensure Israeli Jews remain the dominant group across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories OPT which includes the West Bank and GazaIsrael and its allies including the US and the European Commission have rejected this assessmentOverall it makes one wonder what is holding back the socalled Islamic states from taking any firm step against the Israeli aggression like South AfricaTheir own selfish interests and their lust for power as most of them are monarchies and in no way are obligated to uphold the wish of their people which recent demonstrations in some Arab states have shownIt would not be wrong to surmise that the current conflict has shown the leopards true spotsAsad Mirza is a Delhibased senior political and international affairs commentator IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/south-african-solidarity-with-palestinians-487457.html Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/shift-in-savings-curve-macro-and-bond-implications-480943.html New Delhi Nov 2 Asset management company Bandhan AMC Head Fixed Income Suyash Choudhary has said that probably the most noteworthy feature of Indias recent macroeconomic dynamics has been the increase in the trend rate of our services trade surplus The monthly services trade surplus has been steadily rising from about 6 7 billion in the 2018 20 period to 10 14 billion over the last one and a half year The narrative on why this is happening seems circling around the further proliferation of global capability centres in India In other words we are expanding our footprint in the share of the international service industry that is now getting outsourced to India If the rise in services trade surplus was getting offset by a similar expansion in our goods trade deficit then this would not be of much macro economic significanceHowever that isnt the case as the chart below shows Thus the level of offset that services trade surplus is providing to the goods deficit has been steadily rising the 2020 Covid period should be ignored for the analysis owing to a short period dramatic collapse in trade deficit This bodes well for the overall monthly trade deficit and more generally the current account deficit as shown below In absence of commodity price shocks Indias current account deficit trajectory now seems closer to circa 15 per cent of GDP as opposed to 2 25 per cent of GDP before Admittedly there are other sources of volatility here as well However the underlying trend of steady compression led by expansion in services trade surplus now seems durable enough to take note of The Macro Economic Implication The current account is ultimately the difference between investments I and savings S at an economy wide level In turn the relative balance of S versus I is a key determinant of interest rates ceteris paribus Thus when I is much in excess of S think 2013 then interest rates need to rise to reduce I and increase S On the other hand when the two are in better balance one can look forward to stabler interest rates The services trade surplus trends discussed above can be essentially visualised as a shift rightward in the savings curve Thus savings have gone up at same levels of domestic interest rates owing to additional income earned from abroad creating those savings This is shown in the chart below Ceteris paribus this argues for stabler interest rates And that is precisely what we have been seeing Despite elevated levels of government borrowings and a relatively hostile external environment local bond demand has surprised in its resilience especially that for long term bonds However that for the current account trend to continue it is essential for the government deficit to be somewhat complimentary to what the private sector is doing So far there is reason to believe that this is the case Thus the expansion in government deficit over the past few years was on account of private sector savings having been increased The proof of the hypothesis is in the fact that despite higher central government fiscal deficit the current account has broadly remained well behaved If sustained this development also has significant takeaways for bond investors It will imply a relatively stable to possibly downward trending interest rate scenario over time assuming no further large global shocks Investors will have to seriously start to consider reinvestment risks on maturing investments This is especially true as a lot of very short term investments have been made over the past year or so considering heightened market volatility and elevated front end rates One way to hedge some of this risk could be to elongate maturity on new investments being made now Suyash Choudhary is Head Fixed Income Bandhan AMC an asset management company IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/shift-in-savings-curve-macro-and-bond-implications-480943.html Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/as-europeans-stand-solidly-with-ukraine-putin-hopes-to-wear-them-down-471001.html New York Oct 7 To overcome any intimations of fraying support for Ukraine nearly 20 months into Russias invasion Foreign Ministers of the European Union EU countries made a bold show of solidarity by meeting in Kiev on October 2 Josep Borrell the foreign affairs head of the EU said This meeting should be understood as a clear commitment of the European Union to Ukraine and its continuous support in all dimensions Waiting in the wings Russias President Vladimir Putin appears to be betting that a prolonged war a checkmated one will wear down the West and erode support for Ukraine giving his country the final victory The muchvaunted Ukraines renewed counteroffensive starting in spring did not meet the expectations of the West and the stalemate continues giving Russia hope And in the meanwhile Putin also uses threats of a larger conflagration including the prospects of a nuclear conflict Just the day before the EU meeting national elections tallies announced in bloc member Slovakia had given the top spot to a party that ran on a platform opposing Ukraines NATO membership sending weapons to it and sanctions on Russia Although SMER the party of former Prime Minister Robert Fico collected only 229 per cent of the votes and has yet to find a coalition partner to form a government Slovakia promptly stopped weapon supplies to Ukraine The proUkraine Progressive Slovakia party was only about 5 per cent behind blunting what the headlines projected What sets Slovakia and Hungary apart is what is described as their authoritarian leadership that may have a natural inclination toward Putinand goaded on by criticism from the rest of the West Fico quit as Prime Minister in 2018 following massive protests following the killing of a journalist and the EU froze funds for Hungary citing President Viktor Orbans rule of law violations He in turn is now using unfreezing his countrys funds as a bargaining chip for approving some EU aid to Ukraine and considering its membership in the group While these two countries are outliers and there are degrees of proKyiv sentiments with some like the small Baltic states registering high on the scale the three top European economic powerhouses Germany Britain and France along with the US would finally determine the fate of support for Ukraine The three countries are united in their support for Ukraine and there is no sign of a credible opposition to Ukraine But there is divergence among the three Germany being the most risk averse Berlin split with the other two on giving Ukraine longrange missiles Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the reason for refusing Ukraine its Taurus missiles was to ensure that there is no escalation of the war and that Germany does not become part of the conflict When a war lasts so long these considerations cant stop at once he said France is sending Kiev its equivalent Scalp missile and Britain the Storm Shadow missile Despite such differences Germany was earlier skittish about sending tanks and France about fighter jets they adhere to baseline assistance military and civilian They and the other larger economic nations like Italy the Netherlands and Spain are what will matter for Ukraine and there is no serious challenge in those countries A potential weak point is the economy A serious economic downturn with inflation attributable to the war could impact public opinion Arul Louis can be contacted atarulliansinand followed at arulouis IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/as-europeans-stand-solidly-with-ukraine-putin-hopes-to-wear-them-down-471001.html Sat, 07 Oct 2023 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/emboldened-putin-predicts-gradual-collapse-of-dollar-based-financial-system-471003.html New Delhi Oct 6 The dollarbased global financial system is not balanced as it does not meet the interests of all countries Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club According to Putin the dominance of the American currency has to end which is already happening while the US authorities are shooting themselves in the foot RT reported The Bretton Woods system it was once created on the basis of the dollar but all this is gradually collapsing Currency is a derivative of the power of the countrys economy which issues this currency the Russian leader pointed out In addition the share of the US economy in global GDP is declining as evidenced by statistical data Putin emphasized According to the President Washington is used to printing money in order to cover its budget deficit and will continue this policy as long as needed RT reported They will print more They printed well more than 9 trillion during the Covid and postCovid period Therefore it costs them nothing to print something else and scatter it all over the world thus increasing food inflation They will do it for sure Putin predicted IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/emboldened-putin-predicts-gradual-collapse-of-dollar-based-financial-system-471003.html Sat, 07 Oct 2023 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/us-backing-for-ukraine-wanes-but-biden-many-republicans-still-behind-it-471017.html Washington Oct 7 Republican Kevin McCarthy former Speaker of the US House of Representatives became the first American to lose his job over the countrys continued funding for Ukraine in the wake of Russias ongoing war The security aid which stands cumulatively 439 billion since the start of the war in February 2022 is in danger A temporary measure passed recently to keep the US government running till midNovember in the absence of an annual budget made no appropriation for Ukraine The US military has 54 billion left from previously committed funds but that is likely to run out soon President Joe Biden has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it take He has argued that the defense of Ukraine is in the larger security interest of the US Its overwhelmingly in our interest he said earlier this week Ive spent two and a half years putting together coalitions that no one thought could be put togetherAnd theyve strengthened us across the board not just as it relates to Ukraine whether its Japan and South Korea He might try to find ways to keep funding the war but without budgetary support the money may not be sufficient Some members of the Republican party which control the House of Representatives and the governments pursestrings are opposing continued allocation of money to Ukraine And they led by Representative Matt Gaetz toppled McCarthy accusing him of striking a secret deal with the Democrats to keep the money flowing to Ukraine He denied it but couldnt save his job becoming the first Speaker in US history to be voted out of office also the one with the shortest tenure McCarthys ouster had other reasons as well but growing fatigue in US congress especially among his Republican colleagues reflects narrowing of popular support for the war Although six out of 10 Americans still favour economic and military assistance in a poll by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Its down slightly from last November About half of Republicans agree A slim narrow majority of those polled said the 43 billion in weapons equipment and training that the US has provided to Ukraine has been worth the cost 53 per cent again 45 per cent not worth the cost Six in 10 Republicans say it has not been worth it Jim Jordan a Republican lawmaker who leads the race to replace McCarthy as speaker has been a longtime opponent to military assistance and has voted against all bills that support it And he told reporters this week The most pressing issue on Americans minds is not Ukraine It is the border situation and crime on the streets But the Republicans are divided Steve Scalise the other leading contender for McCarthys chair is a strong backer of Ukraine funding as are the Republicans heading the powerful armed services and foreign affairs committees of the House They want the administration to do more Two senior Republicans called upon the president to elucidate a strategy in a letter saying A pledge to support Ukraine for as long as it takes is not a strategy The data show that flagging desire to support Ukraine could be influenced by several factors including decreased interest in news about the war a reduced sense of threat from Russia a desire for Europeans to take a larger role a decline in the popularity of Ukrainian President Zelensky and a growing sense that Ukraine has not been able to gain advantage in the conflict the council said IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/us-backing-for-ukraine-wanes-but-biden-many-republicans-still-behind-it-471017.html Sat, 07 Oct 2023 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/specials/washingtons-turmoil-over-ukraine-funding-plays-right-into-putins-hands-471023.html New Delhi Oct 7 A Russian victory would not only empower President Vladimir Putin who has repeatedly telegraphed his wishes to reconstitute the former Soviet Union and even larger Russian Empire it would also embolden other autocracies like China to expand their borders by force However poorly the Ukraine war has gone for Russia which expected a swift victory the new turn of events is playing right into Putins plans CNN reported Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskovdescribed the scenario asfatigue over this conflict will grow in various countries including the US Fatigue will lead to the fragmentation of the political establishment he added Putin is counting on a divided US with former President Donald Trump whodeclared the Russian leader a geniusas hemovedto annex pieces of Ukraine andnever uttered a negative wordabout the Russian autocratwhile in officeto stoke antipathy toward Ukraine fueling it with questions about the cost of supporting it The European Union EU is trying to calm Kievs fears EU foreign ministers traveled to Kiev this week holding theirfirst ever meeting in a third countryas a sign of enduring support The EUs top foreign policy official Josep Borrell saidLets see what will happen in the US but from our side we will continue supporting and increasing our support President Joe Biden has alsooffered reassurance but without question theres reason for concern CNN reported What happens in Washington in the days weeks and months ahead will go a long way in determining the fate of Ukraine and the outcome of the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II IANS https://dailyworld.in/specials/washingtons-turmoil-over-ukraine-funding-plays-right-into-putins-hands-471023.html Sat, 07 Oct 2023 17:17:00 +0530