Endometriosis

Amrita is a very close friend of my daughter since their school days. She recently underwent endometriosis excision surgery but to get there has been a very long and painful journey. She has written about it in the hope that it spreads awareness about this debilitating condition that affects hundreds of millions of women around the world.

https://medium.com/@amritarajagopal/is-this-thing-on-e0681392ba85

Do read the link

Next : Global Centre for Traditional Medicine

Previous: Some Issues with Halal Certification

Some Issues with Halal Certification

This is in continuation of the earlier post. Halal (from the Quran) means “permitted” or “lawful” and is used for food and other consumables that are permissible for consumption by Muslims, based on Islamic Shariah law. It may be recalled that the government body, FSSAI doesn't give halal certification in India. Halal certification is given by Muslim private bodies, and their guidelines do not permit non-Muslim employees to be engaged in any part of the slaughtering process which has to conform to the intrinsically Islamic practice including reciting verses from the Quran.

The trend of Halal certification for meat / other food and non-food products is continuously increasing. While Halal meat is said to be healthy, the anti-halal lobby claim that Halal certification is also a business model that makes others pay for the Islamic beliefs; Muslims call this Islamophobia.

Ever since I became aware of the Halal Certification process, I have become more alert. I am a vegetarian and am happy to say that none of the products I consume, whether food items or cosmetics etc. have this certification. However, my readings on this topic have thrown up some issues especially related to meat consumption.

• In Jan 2021, APEDA amended their manual and clarified that govt does not mandate that only meat slaughtered by Halal method as per Islamic Shariyat, has to be exported, it is the requirement of the majority of countries importing the meat*.  

https://www.theweek.in/news/biz-tech/2021/01/05/apeda-drops-halal-certification-in-red-meat-manual-says-no-govt-role-needed-for-exports.html

• A well-known boarding school in India specified Halal certified meat only in their tender. This was objected to on grounds that the tender for Halal meat is an insult to other students and community.
• In Indonesia, a Muslim body was taking steps to provide Covid vaccine with halal certificate, in their endeavour to boost immunization process in the Muslim-majority country.
• Some of Delhi’s Municipal Corporations recently mandated that meat shops and restaurants to display whether meat sold by them is ‘Halal’ or ‘Jhatka’ on grounds that that halal meat is prohibited in Hinduism and Sikhism.
• Christians in Kerala decided to boycott Halal meat and products saying they cannot consume meat offered to other gods.

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ahead-of-christmas-christians-in-kerala-decide-to-boycott-halal-meat-hindu-group-extends-support/695123

 I now leave some questions open to all, more specifically the non-vegetarians.

1.    How comfortable are you in eating meat where the animal has been slaughtered while reciting verses from the Quran? 

2.    While buying from meat shops or eating meat in roadside dhabas, restaurants or even five star hotels – how frequently do you ask if the meat is Halal or Jhatka? 

3.    Have you ever checked if there is a Halal certificate on any of the products you buy?

4.    What is the quality certification given for Jhatka meat?

5.     Should Halal certification apply to vegetarian eatables, cosmetics, packaging etc.

(* The following paragraph was removed from the manual, “The animals are slaughtered by halal system under strict vigilance of (a) recognised and registered Islamic body as per the tenets of Islamic Shariyat. The certificate for halal is issued by the representative of registered Islamic body under whose supervision the slaughter is conducted in order to meet the requirement of (the) importing country.”)

Previous : Halal Certification

Halal Certification

In respect of meat, we have all heard of the two methods of killing the animal. In Halal, the animal is slaughtered slowly with complete draining out of the animal's blood, while following practices of Sharia law. In Jhatka (swift), the animal’s head is severed in one single blow and the animal dies instantly. Muslims eat only Halal meat believing it is healthier as the animal is not given a shock, whereas Sikhs are said to prefer Jhatka meat. However, the matter does not end here.

If products are to be sold to countries following Sharia Law, they require Halal certification.  This has important implications:

a) The certification is not restricted to meat / food products only, and can be obtained for non-alcohol beverage, pharmaceutical and health care products, traditional herbal products, cosmetics and personal care products, etc. 

b)  The process of halal involves a laid down procedure which can generally be done only by Muslims. Butchers across the country mainly follow this. There are facilitating firms that help in the audit of the business which also comprises obtaining the certification compliant with Halal requirements, Halal systems requirements and Halal staffing requirements. The implications are that Halal requirements are to complied with, in all aspects, including raw materials, packaging etc. 

c) The certification has a cost implication – both one time as well as repeated, and is not given by any GOI body but by private Halal certification bodies. Government of India has its FSSAI certification which can be seen on almost all the processed foods.

https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/how-to-get-halal-certification-in-india/

Halal marks vary and might also have the countries name - eg India or America, but might look like this

Many well-known Indian brands are embracing halal-certification to get a better foothold in markets of other countries. Fresh meat brand Licious says that they have decided to supply only Halal meat as business policy, apparently KFC and McDonalds serve only halal products.

The implications of this extend to vegetarians too if they buy halal certified products – in that Sharia Law has been followed/Quran verses might have been recited somewhere along the process. And that costs might include some money being paid to Halal Certification Authorities – the whole  practice is something which personally I am not comfortable with.

https://www.opindia.com/2019/10/halal-certification-of-vegetarian-products-its-no-longer-about-choice-but-making-others-pay-for-your-beliefs/

This is a long post which I have split in two, the next on recent developments and protests, will follow.

Next: Some Issues with Halal Certification

Previous : Manipulated Media

Manipulated Media

It is indeed unfortunate that well-known TV personalities and journalists have taken to spreading false news and deliberately faking videos, to spread misinformation, in a very big way, across the country and abroad. Two of my earlier posts on fake news are Fake News by our Media and More Fake Stories

Two issues were raised in the past week, both related to UP which is headed for polls next year. The first was on purchase of some land by Ramjanam Bhoomi Trust on which enough clarifications have been given. The second, which, to me is of greater concern, is the deliberate falsification of a video in the attempt to inflame passions (of Muslims and the world).

The video was posted - why sans any audio soon became clear. It showed a few youngsters, beating up an old Muslim man Sufi Abdul Samad Saifi, and cutting his beard. The subsequent narrative given by the victim, apparently in the presence of Umed Idris, a leader of the Samajwadi Party was that this was done (at gun point?) to force him to chant “Jai Shri Ram”. Turns out that Saifi used to sell tabeez and the wife of one of the buyers, who wore the tabeez, suffered an abortion. In their anger some guys (both Muslim and Hindu) thrashed the man and chopped off his beard.

And what was made of this incident – totally fabricated and totally meant to fan communal hatred? And done by muting the video so that truth would not surface!!

Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News has himself accepted that the videos he had posted is false and that he has deleted his tweets/ videos. But this tweet and this video was retweeted by many including the famous – or rather infamous - Rana Ayyub, Salman Nizami, Dr. Shama Mohammed, Maskoor Usmani, Saba Naqvi, The Wire, The New Indian Express, HT Delhi to name a few. There are several others including Rahul Gandhi who apparently also tweeted about this incident.

https://twitter.com/zoo_bear/status/1404836394371977216?s=1005

It may be recalled that Twitter had marked Sambit Patra's tweet on Congress’s  toolkit – as "Manipulated Media" on the strength of a fact check by Alt News. But very obviously Alt News is a questionable source – creating their own falsities.

More details can be read here: https://www.opindia.com/2021/06/thequint-withdraws-its-cartoon-defaming-jai-shri-ram-chant-after-ghaziabad-hate-crime-turns-out-to-be-fake/

(Care: Op India is pro the current Govt).

#Altnews #FakeNews

Next: Halal Certification

Previous : A distant view on the Indian Judiciary

A distant view on the Indian Judiciary

I received a forward on WhatsApp today which I am reproducing below as I feel it is extremely well written and raises some very pertinent issues. However I have deleted the name of the person this is attributed to, as I have not been verify this, the rest is reproduced exactly. It is a long write-up but very relevant. 

किसी ने यह पढा है? सच तो कह रहे हैं जज साहब। आप पढ़ें।

Hon’ble Lordships,

There is a India beyond Delhi.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to your Lordships as many of you have practiced in different courts across the country and have been a part of various High Courts as Hon’ble Judges and even Chief Justices. You have been a part of not only the judicial framework but also a part of the culture of the States wherein you resided during such tenure. And there is no doubt that with every High Court, you have dispensed justice as if it was your parent High Court and the people, your own.

However, the Covid-19 crisis and the Delhi centric hearings taking place before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court and the Hon’ble Supreme Court make us wonder if Delhi is little more Indian than rest of India. And such fears may not be misplaced.

Statements such as ‘Delhi Represents the Nation’ and ‘Delhi must be given its oxygen quota [fixed by Court] by whatever means’ may have been off-the-cuff and unintentional but do convey a sense of priority for Delhi. The direction, no matter how conveniently worded, to the Centre was to ensure 700 MT of oxygen to Delhi at any cost.

There was a special preference given to Delhi which was not available for other States. It was indicated that Delhi is more entitled than others.

Let us take this example, Madhya Pradesh, like Delhi, has no oxygen producing units of its own. However, with proactive coordination with industrialists and transport traders, it was able to secure few plants, containers, transport and continuous supply. It was proactive in making request for Oxygen Express. While it is still touch and go for Madhya Pradesh, the government acted in the nick of time.

In Delhi, the High Court and the Supreme Court have directed the Central Government to bring oxygen to Delhi’s border. No such privilege was extended to Madhya Pradesh.

Hopefully, the Centre will let us know if the same was at the cost of another State that was proactive in booking transport and supply and did not have the privilege of being Delhi. In fact, a report suggests that Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand are likely to be affected by such diversions of oxygen supply to Delhi on behest of Hon’ble Courts. Maybe we all are equal, but Delhi residents are little more equal than others.

Similarly, Uttar Pradesh has been battling with shortage of oxygen and Remdesivir injections.

There was a shortage of oxygen in Manipur (which was attended to by Assam in the spirit of cooperative federalism).

There have been incidents reported in Rajasthan where Remdesivir has been out of stock in entire districts. In fact, Rajasthan has been asked by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to wait till next Monday to plead its grievances.

The severity of the oxygen crisis in Punjab is apprehended to be underreported. Chhattisgarh has seen high levels of positivity rate.

The crowding of senior citizens outside vaccination centers in Mumbai may be more dangerous than political rallies, considering the age group is more vulnerable.

Yet, the hearing before the Hon’ble Supreme Court was limited to Delhi. There is urgency only for Delhi. This reminds me of a political slogan that may be suitably modified- Delhi is India and India is Delhi.

To be fair to the Hon’ble Supreme Court, they did refer to Mumbai briefly, another Metropolitan to commend its ‘Model’. However, the commendation rebels against the fact that Mumbai was the epicentre of second wave, the deaths are highest in Maharashtra and that there are enough statistics to show that Mumbai allowed the second wave to go unchecked for months with its alarmingly low testing. I will believe that the model being referred to was limited to utilisation of oxygen.

However, maybe a mention of Assam which has almost become self-sufficient in oxygen through prompt coordination with industries or Odisha, which has supplied oxygen to many States would have been better.

But then, maybe these States are a victim of tyranny of distance and are not as glamorous as the ‘City That Never Sleeps.’ Maybe, their Lordships are guided by the limited reading of a section of media.

Individually, these instances may not mean much. Collectively, they indicate that the Hon’ble Courts are governed by the factors of proximity and self-preservation.

They are likely to react when the deaths are closer to home and have more attention of the media. And there may not be anything extraordinary about it. The Hon’ble Justices are humans as well. They are affected by what they see, hear and read in the media. The closer the calamity, swifter the response. However natural, the swift reaction may cause harm to the interest of other States who are reeling under the same pressure.

There is a difference between seeking all possible resources and all resources. The hearings do indicate that ‘all resources’ are meant for Delhi and other States, have to divide whatever is remaining. This cannot be allowed to continue; not the hearings, rather the perception. The perception that Hon’ble Courts in Delhi will prioritise Delhi at the cost of others will only damage the institution more.

Maybe the situation could have been different, had there been regional benches of the apex Court and such regional benches would have been seized of the region-specific concerns.

Maybe it could have been different if the Hon’ble Courts in Delhi were not accessible to only a select few lawyers. Maybe it would have been different if Courts did not let their territorial jurisdiction get better of the need to be fair and equitable to other States. The states may compete in the spirit of cooperative federalism, courts shouldn’t.

Post-script

I have not spoken of the inherent problem of Courts directing and micro-managing day to day affairs of the Executive.

I will not speak of the fact that lawyers have decided to replace the wisdom of doctors in managing the pandemic.

I will not speak of the discussion in a High Court (and not ICMR) as to whether Dexamethasone is an alternative to Remdesivir.

I will not speak of the fact that government officials are spending more time before the Courts rather than actually working to save lives. Because these are issues concerning a larger debate on judicial activism and whether it has reached a destructive stage.

I have not spoken of the much-required audit of the Courts to determine how judicial delay has added to the misery in the pandemic.

The unilateral offer of a corporate to produce 1000MT of oxygen per day was delayed by 5 crucial days on account of Hon’ble Court’s indecisiveness. To put things in perspective, such quantum of oxygen is 300 MT in excess of the per day requirement of Delhi.

There are numerous roads, highway and public infrastructure projects in abeyance due to judicial battles and processes. Maybe, and just maybe, the flow of oxygen and medical help could have been better with better means of transport and supporting infrastructure.

There are hundreds of undertrial prisoners suffering in jail attributable to judicial delays and are now at the mercy of the pandemic in overcrowded jails. Yet again, these are matters of judicial conduct that require a larger debate and maybe better times.

I have specifically not referred to the Bengal violence escaping the attention of the Courts and the otherwise hyperactive Bar. I will not go into the fact that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has refused to even list the petition on Bengal violence for hearing.

As I stated above, maybe the proximity of courts determines the value attached to deaths. Yet, I have to remain silent. I know the moment I seek to draw attention to the same, the concerns will be dismissed as political. I can only hope that the Courts will use their discretion equitably, and equally.

There is a lot to be spoken. However, in an ideal world, such criticism would call for a debate and not contempt. We are not in ideal world. Therefore, the author issues her/his unconditional apology for any feelings that may have been hurt and any disrespect that may have been inferred. There is no intention to lower to the majesty of the Hon’ble Courts or commit any contempt.

Praying for a safe and happy vacation for Hon’ble Lordships.

Yours faithfully,

A non-Delhi resident 

Next : Manipulated Media

Previous: Feeding the poor during Lockdown

Feeding the poor during lockdown

There has been internal criticism over the sudden lockdown at the start of the pandemic. And about the poor migrants mainly from Delhi and Maharashtra (and students from Kota, Rajasthan) who, in great distress, had immediately to go back home. There is no talk of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) - a subset of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) relief package of Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore announced to minimize the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on economy and to help alleviate the plight of the poorest segments of India's 130 cr/1.3 billion population. The package, inter-alia had cash payments directly into bank accounts of the poor.

PMGKAY, initially rolled out in March 2020, involved the free distribution of five kilograms of rice/ wheat to approx. 80 crore Indians, and one kg of pulses per family per month - this over and above the entitled regular 5 kg of grain per month under the National Food Security Act.

PMGKAY, implemented through the States, was thereafter extended till the end of November. The Govt has provided free ration for the last 7-8 months to about 80 crore (800 mn) poor – this number is about 2.5 times the US population, 12 times that of UK, and twice that of the EU - the number is absolutely mind-boggling.

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/world-s-biggest-free-ration-scheme-just-got-bigger-modi-s-helping-hand-to-80-crore-indians/614311

Data shows that around 33-35 lakh MTs of rice/wheat were distributed per month under this scheme. 

https://annavitran.nic.in/avPMGKY?month=11&year=2020

Despite efforts I could not find any article commenting on the success or otherwise of this scheme – which, like all schemes of the current govt does not look into the religion or caste of the beneficiaries. There do seem to have been some logistic issues in the initial period but no comment thereafter, except for seeking further extension of the scheme. By this I conclude that the scheme has indeed been a success!!

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/extend-implementation-of-pm-garib-kalyan-anna-yojana/article33235316.ece

Next: A distant view on the Indian Judiciary

Previous: Houses for all - PMAY Gramin

Houses for all - PMAY Gramin

A housing scheme for rural poor has been in existence since long but implementation was poor and stuck in red-tape. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India whose department performs the Central Audit had found non-assessment of housing shortage, lack of transparency in selection of beneficiaries, low quality of the house, lack of technical supervision, loans not availed by beneficiaries and weak mechanism for monitoring were limiting the impact and outcome of the programme.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin was launched in Nov. 2016 with the aim of providing housing for all in rural areas. The scheme subsumes the earlier Indira Awaas Yojana and has a target was 2.95 cr (29.5 mn) by 2022. PMAY-G aims at providing a pucca house which includes amenities like water, gas, toilet and electricity supply in all the households and a hygienic cooking space. Unskilled labour is provided from MGNREGS and, with houses being constructed using New Technologies, the time for construction has reduced from 314 days to 114 days with direct benefit transfer (DBT) of funds. Here the accounts opened under Jan Dhan Yojna would have been really helpful - it also eliminated the middlemen, much to their anger 😁😁

A constraint of lack of sufficient skilled masons is addressed by a pan-India training programme of masons. For timely construction, the scheme also provides tagging a PMAY-G beneficiary with a field level Government functionary and a Rural Mason.

http://www.businessworld.in/article/-Target-of-construction-of-2-95-crore-houses-under-PMAY-G-expected-to-be-achieved-by-March-2022-Centre/25-07-2020-301244/

The status of the scheme is available on the website of Ministry of Rural Development and, I must say, I am absolutely in awe – data is current. Excluding the 72 lakh houses under Indira Awaas Yojna which have been completed, the status is: Target  2.23 crs houses, sanctioned 1.90 crs and already completed 1.29 crs. – so they are well on track. Their site is otherwise too, amazingly informative. As is the linkage with banks and financiers.

https://pmayg.nic.in/netiay/home.aspx 

When being updated this site is sometimes not available . The source site of the Ministry is:

http://ruraldiksha.nic.in/RuralDashboard/PMAYG_New.aspx

Next: Feeding the poor during lockdown

Previous: Houses for all - PMAY Urban

Houses for all - PMAY Urban

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) aims at providing affordable housing to all in urban cities and rural areas. Initiated for the urban poor in 2015, the target date was 2022. The initial focus is 500 Class I cities as per willingness of States/UTs, in three phases to cover 100, 200 and thereafter all remaining Cities. 

https://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/urban-poverty-alleviation-1/schemes-urban-poverty-alleviation/pradhan-mantri-awas-yojana-housing-for-all-urban

 The scheme is in public/private partnership and undertaken jointly with State Govts. Eligibility criteria is income, age etc. and covers economically and socially weaker sections. There is central assistance per house besides interest subsidy as also technical support. It also envisages slum rehabilitation. This scheme converges with other schemes to ensure houses have a toilet, Saubhagya Yojana electricity connection, Ujjwala Yojana LPG gas connection, access to drinking water and Jan Dhan banking facilities, etc.

Houses constructed under the mission would be allotted in the name of the female head of the household or in the joint name of the male head of the household and his wife. Funds are credited directly to beneficiary's account, thus eliminating middlemen and based on actual progress of construction.

The task was initially estimated at 2 crore houses but based on survey of States by integrating Aadhar number, Jan Dhan Yojana account numbers or other identification, the demand for about 1.12 cr. (11.2mn) houses was validated.

Under PMAY-U, 41 lakh (4.1 mn) houses have been completed so far while construction is in various stages in more than 70 lakh (7mn) houses.

 https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jan/21/centre-approves-construction-of-over-168-lakh-houses-under-pmay-urban-2253182.html

PMAY (Gramin) in rural areas will come in a separate post.

NEXT: Houses for all - PMAY Gramin

Previous: Sensex, the Bombay Stock Exchange

Sensex, the Bombay Stock Exchange

One indication of how the economy is doing are the indices of Bombay Stock exchanges (BSE Sensex) and the National Stock exchange (NSE Nifty). The BSE Sensex, which is based on 30 stocks only, had a base of 100 on 1 April 1979. It  was at 5,000 points in early 2000, rose to 50,000 in Jan 2021. It had crossed the 25,000 mark for the first time in May 2014 when Narendra Modi came to power – and since has nearly doubled.

In early 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, the Sensex had crashed. As cases rose, there was a massive global selloff. Small businesses and individuals at the bottom of the pyramid were worst hit by the pandemic. But the stimulus measures and steps taken by the government led to record foreign portfolio investors (FPI) inflows. A system flush with liquidity, low interest rates, and impressive corporate results in the second and third quarters resulted in the continuously rising Sensex. The BSE mid cap index has risen over 80%, and the small cap index by over 95%. Almost all major sectors have participated in the rally.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/sensex-at-50000-explained-for-investors-7156561/ 

FPIs are expected to bring more funds into Indian equities in the coming financial year as global interest rates remain low and India’s economic fundamentals make the country an attractive investment destination. However, the markets are trading high, and negative news may lead to a correction.

India's stock market is now the seventh biggest in the world, up three spots,  as total market capitalization increased to $2.7 trillion. It is now bigger than Canada, Germany and Saudi Arabia and may overtake France to become the sixth biggest in the world. Total market capitalisation of France now stands at $2.86 trillion. It is also the second-best performer among the top 15 countries in 2021.

https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/business-economy/markets/article/indias-stock-market-now-7th-biggest-in-the-world-as-bse-m-cap-surges-to-2-7-trillion/717342

Next: Houses for all - PMAY Urban

Previous: More Fake Stories

More Fake Stories

The recent major focus of fake news was on Rajdeep Sardesai - who did not learn even after having to issue an unconditional apology in Court in 2019, for false reporting in another case. When aggressive and violent farmer protestors entered Delhi on January 26, in violation of their agreed and written agreement, tractors were also seen racing to mow down policemen on duty. One such tractor, when racing, turned turtle, the driver fell off and died. Rajdeep Sardesai, a journalist of India Today, in his tweet, claimed that protester Navreet Singh died because of being shot by the Delhi Police. There was also a video where, in a dramatic style, Sardesai put two fingers to his temple and indicated the spot where the bullet had entered the head. The police released a video about the tractor’s racing mishap and later, Sardesai apologized and deleted his tweet. 

But the fake story did not end here as it was retweeted by several others - Shashi Tharoor and journalists, Mrinal Pande of National Herald, Zafar Agha, The Caravan’s Paresh Nath, and Anant Nath. FIRs were filed against Sardesai and others charging them with sedition, promotion of enmity, criminal conspiracy and spreading spread “false and misleading information” Some of them have approached the court for relief against FIRs. 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/republic-day-violence-shashi-tharoor-rajdeep-sardesai-move-sc-against-firs/article33738148.ece

In spite of the post-mortem ruling out any bullet injuries, The Wire (yes the same The Wire that had carried the fake story of Chinese aggression in Arunachal Pradesh, mentioned in my earlier post) continued with the story going to the extent of quoting the violators, the victim's family and the post-mortem report by an unknown doctor. Concerned doctors have denied this.

https://thewire.in/rights/autopsy-doctor-told-me-hed-seen-the-bullet-injury-but-can-do-nothing-as-his-hands-are-tied

A case has also been filed against The Wire's editor Siddharth Varadarajan - the American who was earlier editor of The Hindu and is now with The Wire.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/police-case-against-wire-editor-siddharth-varadrajan-over-tweet-on-farmers-death-at-tractor-rally-2360741

While the consequences on the others have perhaps been comparatively mild, Rajdeep Sardesai was immediately taken off-air by India Today and it is reported that he is no longer with them - did he quit or was he politely shown the door? Or was this action a consequence of the letter from the President’s Office on another of his fake tweets? On 23 January, the 125th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter, President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled a portrait of Bose at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. And Sardesai, Barkha Dutt amongst others, falsely alleged that the portrait was not of Bose, but that of the Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee dressed as the freedom fighter for the 2019 film Gumnaami.

https://theprint.in/hoaxposed/subhas-chandra-bose-portrait-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-not-of-bengali-actor-who-played-netaji/591917/

Next:  Sensex, the Bombay Stock Exchange

Previous: Fake News by our Media

Fake News by our Media

The month of January 2021 has been in the limelight for several reasons. And perhaps the most shocking is the deliberate attempt to fool the people of India - or, in my opinion, to ignite negative passions and incite violence. 

I start with the story that came from the fertile imagination of Vishnu Som of NDTV - a channel that, to me, has become known for fanning negative news about India on any grounds. The story created was that the current govt was caught napping when the Chinese entered into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh, and built a whole village. And there were even photos/video to prove the story!! Only Vishnu Som, the journalist, did not bother to check that, though the area was indeed a part of Arunachal Pradesh, it had been under occupation of the Chinese since 1959 - in the time of Jawaharlal Nehru!!!! When the truth came out, Vishnu Som did not even care to apologize.

https://twitter.com/VishnuNDTV/status/1351101693103104001?s=19

Immediately, The Wire had also carried this story. In fact The Wire also carried out China’s justification in an article which also carried their tweet, as also their own for posting this (fake) story but did not say why they had not checked their facts.

https://thewire.in/external-affairs/construction-on-own-territory-normal-says-china-on-report-of-arunachal-village

But NDTV and The Wire succeeded in doing what perhaps they had set out to do - that day's twitter trend had lakhs of such horrid remarks about our PM and his weakness, his inability to prevent the Chinese from entering our own country but wanted to bully the poor farmers. Hashtag was #StopChinaNotFarmers  Such hate was absolutely unimaginable. 

Anyway, here is a link to a YouTube video of Mr. Shekhar Gupta - well known critic of Narendra Modi - exposing the fake story by Vishnu Som and by The Wire.

https://youtu.be/hPPhTSdWa8U

But where were/are the troubled reactions questioning the intent of this fake story, I wonder. And this when our social media immediately requires, nay even demands, tolerance of fake news. Such is the present status of our Opposition Parties and their supporters.

Do expect another post on Fake news. 

(Addendum - I am shocked to hear Atishi of AAP fame continue the untruth in today's 9 o'clock debate on TimesNow, when she questioned 'a govt who allowed intrusions into Arunachal Pradesh' - ill-informed or ill-intended? - I leave it to the reader to decide)

Next: More Fake Stories

Previous: Solar Energy in India

Solar Energy in India

India stands third in Asia and fourth in the world in terms of solar power production - about 38% of its total capacity of renewable energy. India’s National Solar Mission, launched in 2010 when just 10MW of solar power was installed, had a target of 20GW for the end of the decade. However, with significant activity over the following years, installed capacity actually reached 37 GW – i.e. almost double the target.

The Bhadla Solar Park, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is said to be the largest solar power plant in the world. Other big solar plants in India are Shakti Sthala solar power project in Tumakuru, Karnataka, Ultra Mega Solar Park in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Then Rewa Solar Power Project in M.P. and Kamuthi, in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/largest-solar-power-plants-india/ 

Power demand touched an all-time high of 187.3 GW in January 2021, up from 170.97 GW during January last year. India now aims to achieve 100GW of solar power capacity by 2022.

Concerns being raised are: mining of minerals for panels and batteries, depriving huge areas of sunlight and water for long, land used for pasture being taken away etc. Large-scale solar projects are exempted from environmental processes on grounds of their mitigating carbon emissions. 

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-to-power-modi-govts-rooftop-solar-mission-7167165/ 

Other applications such as solar lamps, solar street lights and solar pumps have been promoted. Individual rooftop solar panel are being incentivised and, in our own complex too, one has been set-up over our club house. Solar plants above drains and canal are also being constructed. The world's largest floating 600 MW solar energy project at Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river in Khandwa. M.P. Pradesh will begin power generation by year 2022-23.

Next: Fake News by our Media

Previous: Highways and Road Construction 

Highways and Road Construction

The first major step towards improving roads and highways was taken by AB Vajpayee in 1999 with the projects of the Golden Quadrilateral (connecting the four cities of Delhi, Mumbai. Chennai and Kolkata), and the two corridors - East-West (Porbandar, Gujarat – Silchar, Assam) and the North-South (Srinagar, J&K – Kanya Kumari, Tamil Nadu) corridors. And this had a spill-over effect on many parts of the country.

India has the second largest road network in the world, spanning almost 60 lakhs (6 million) kms. Since 1999, highway construction has been regularly taking place, though at varying pace. The percentage of rural roads has also crossed 70% now which is very impressive indeed – wonder if there is any reclassification here 😊. The length of national highways increased from 70,934 km in 2010–11 to 132,500 km in 2019.  Progress has really picked up in the time of the current government - It was 7 km/day in April ’20, and is rapidly increasing - it even touched a high of 33 km/day in Jun ’20. Thereafter it did dip as the Covid19 crisis resulted in acute shortage of workers etc. with movements back to their home towns; pace is now again very high.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-highway-construction-touched-76-km-a-day-in-january-second-week/articleshow/80315589.cms

The Government is working on policies to attract significant investor interest. The recent addition is the Bharatmala Pariyojana – 50 new National corridors, and connecting 550 districts of the country through NH linkages.

Next: Solar Energy in India

Previous: Waste Management

Waste Management

While per capita waste generated by India is low, in absolute terms we are the largest generator. Efforts at management have been made by various govts but significant success is yet to be achieved.

The Solid Wastage Management Rules of 2016 shifted the responsibility to the generators in partnership with the local bodies – individuals like us, hospitals, market associations, hotels etc. Waste to be segregated, brand owners to collect back the non‐biodegradable packaging waste. A bin made compulsory for street vendors. Guidelines cover landfills, waste processing and treatment, monitoring, also the informal sector workers (rag-pickers, kabadiwallahs) - the latter’s life is expected to improve with private players entering waste management.

Efforts of partnering with informal sector in Pune, Maharastra, and source separation of waste in Panaji, Goa, have been appreciated. There have also been pockets of private efforts in some other parts of the country. The new rules promote Waste-To-Energy plants. Composting has increased. Plastic waste in road construction started in 2016 with a small replacement in bitumen. Plastic being recycled into bricks is another attempt.

https://www.timesnownews.com/columns/article/segregating-india-s-waste-management-woes/683231

For us in Noida, the rules became mandatory from 31/12/19. Segregation has started (not only in our residential complex but also in the village across the road) and the कूड़ेदान / dumpsite across our complex is now a beautiful lawn with flowers. 

But this certainly is one area where we still have a long way to go.

Next: Highways and Road Construction

Previous: Survey of Clean Cities - Swachh Survekshan

Survey of Clean Cities - Swachh Survekshan

Swachh Survekshan, launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in cities and towns across India. The first survey was in 2016 covering 73 cities; the latest survey of 2020 covered over 4000 cities - said to be the largest cleanliness survey in the world. This is done, inter-alia, by the Quality Council of India and also takes people’s feedback – about 2 crore (20 million) citizens’ feedback in the latest ranking.

In the ranking of 2020, Indore - M.P. was rated the cleanest city (fourth time in a row); Surat - Gujarat as the second cleanest city, followed by Navi Mumbai - Maharashtra, Ambikapur – Chhattisgarh, Mysore – Karnataka. And the dirtiest is Patna – Bihar. The survey is under various criteria of size of the city etc.

It was a participative approach and the combined efforts of the Indore’s people, public representatives and government officials that have got them this title – and ensured that they kept it. The steps that Indore took are now being followed by many cities in India - I recall reading that there were visits from other countries too, to study their model.

https://www.cnbctv18.com/changing-india/how-indore-continues-to-be-indias-cleanest-city-4-years-in-a-row-6796341.htm

Incidentally my very own Noida falls in the category of cities with population between 1 to 10 lakhs. Ranked at no. 324 in 2018, 150 in 2019, it is now 25th all India and 1st in Uttar Pradesh. And Gaya, Bihar, is the dirtiest.

http://www.swachhsurvekshan2020.org/Rankings

If interested, the above is the link for looking up the rank/score of any city.

Next: Waste Management

Previous: Jal Jeevan Mission and Goa's success

Jal Jeevan Mission and Goa's success

This is further to an earlier post on providing water connections to all in two districts of Uttar Pradesh. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission started in 2019, some other States  were also undertaking the task of ensuring every rural household has a tap - with varying degrees of success. The Jal Jeevan Mission also mandates training five persons in every village, especially women, in using field test kits so that water can be tested there.

Goa is the first State to have achieved 100% success in rural households - over 2 lakh of them - and has now started working on monitoring - both pressure and quality of water.

https://zenews.india.com/india/goa-first-state-to-complete-pm-modis-dream-of-har-ghar-nal-jal-yojna-with-100-tap-water-connections-in-rural-areas-2316144.html

One thing that I have learnt preparing for these posts - how very much was just not given importance to at the ground level and how much is being done / still requires to be done.

Next: Survey of Clean Cities - Swachh Survekshan

Previous: More on FCRA

More on FCRA

Further to the previous post, here is Part 2 on FCRA.

All FCRA NGOs have to submit a utilisation certificate which was not submitted by many even after reminders and extensions. Violations by, and news of, some prominent NGOs are:

Ford Foundation, who were operating in India since 1952, but were not registered, had funded several non-FCRA NGOs. In 2016, after the present govt raised the matter, they opted for registration under FEMA (for commercial activities), but not FCRA (for charities, trusts, social work etc.), hence are under prior permission category.  

Greenpeace's registration was cancelled for their activities, under-reporting and inaccurate foreign contributions, multiple accounts.

Amnesty International’s  Indian arm violated provisions and misused funds for other activities. There was also false reporting.

Oxfam India’s / their UK donor was found to have covered up, in Britain, massive sexual offences. 

Rajiv Gandhi Foundation had received funds from the Communist Party of China.

Indira Jaising’s NGO Lawyers Collective, used foreign contribution in advocacy with MPs or the media to organise rallies/dharnas.

Harsh Mander’s Centre for Equity Studies, funded by Christian and pan-Arab organisations. His treasurer was the CEO of Oxfam India. Mander is a senior retired bureaucrat who was a member of the Sonia Gandhi’s NAC.

Some others are World Vision, University of Rajasthan, UP’s Maulana Azad Educational Society, IIT, some Tamil Nadu’s Christian organisations, government-aided National Productivity Council etc. 

https://www.dailyo.in/lite/variety/ngo-oxfam-sex-scandal-amnesty-narendra-modi-fcra/story/1/22693.html

Over 20,000 registrations have been cancelled - this is also approx. the number of existing NGOs registered under FCRA.

 

Next: Jal Jeevan Mission and Goa's success

Previous: FCRA and NGOs

FCRA and NGOs

Despite my best efforts this one is too long, so I prefer to split into two parts, here is the first one.

FCRA - the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, regulates NGOs receiving foreign grants. Registration of NGOs is renewable every 5 years. Large scale violations in compliances and duplicate registrations were seen. In 2017, NGOs that had not filed statements for the past several years were given time; thereafter their licences were cancelled.

Foreign funded NGOs might be engaged in unregistered activities, directly or by funding other NGOs. Under the agenda of donor agencies, they might also lobby on issues – environmental, engage in religious conversions, support protests and political activities. Some office bearers had also been part of the National Advisory Council (NAC), the allegedly unconstitutional body overseeing PM Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet, and having persons from the coterie of Sonia Gandhi. Common donor agencies were also seen across some NGOs.

Recently, FCRA has been further tightened, some restrictions are:

Election candidates, government servants, legislators and political parties are prohibited from foreign funds. No transfer to other FCRA NGOs of foreign grants received. Administrative costs capped at 20% (existing 50%) to prevent lobbying with intellectuals, journalists and government officials. Aadhaar made mandatory for all office bearers. NGOs to spend money on their declared agenda and withdraw from other activities.

https://amp.scroll.in/article/843357/home-ministry-serves-fcra-notices-to-5922-organisations-including-iit-iim-ignou-and-oxfam

Obviously, foreign and Indian organisations and activists have not appreciated these actions and allege that the present government is stifling criticism.

Addendum : A good video on this can be seen here - https://youtu.be/4DyBdnCrTzM

Next: More on FCRA

Previous: Unauthorized occupation of Govt accommodation

Unauthorized occupation of Govt accommodation

An issue facing the govt has been both the rules and the status of (unauthorised?) occupation of govt. accommodation. For example, at least in J&K and in UP, all erstwhile CMs, of whichever party, were allowed to retain their houses (in Srinagar and Lucknow) for their lifetime. This included our present Defense Minister who was UP CM in 2000-2002. It was in 2020(?) that these rules were amended and they had all to move out. Obviously the ex-CMs (of the Opposition) are more than just bugged.

Then eminent personalities – journalists, artistes etc. had been given houses for a limited period of a few years - three years I believe. But quite a few overstayed for several decades, in a few cases families have remained in occupation even after the death of the allotees. 27 of them, served eviction notice in 2015, were again asked to vacate by 31/12/20. They have termed it as inhuman in the time of the pandemic, harassment, humiliation etc. And have again obtained a stay!!!

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/harassment-humiliation-artists-cry-foul-as-govt-asks-to-vacate-accommodation-916284.html

Others are ex-MPs, retired bureaucrats (IAS, IPS) and other govt employees - the numbers ran into a few thousands. There were continuous efforts to get them to vacate. In 2019, the eviction law was amended to ease the process; present number is around 500. 

Narendra Modi is criticised since these personalities also have family members who are powerful too. And vocal. Eg Nandita Das, the film personality, is the daughter of Jatin Das the painter. And each successful eviction generally means one more enemy made.

The courts have been repeatedly pulling up the Centre - both the earlier UPA and the present NDA govts. Yet it is these courts which accept the request for grant of stays. There is also criticism of the govt. for not increasing the number of houses available for allotment to artistes, but no demand or pressure for the existing squatters to vacate.

Next: FCRA and NGOs

Previous: Modi Ji's Diwalis

Modi Ji's Diwalis

Ever since he became PM, every year Narendra Modi has been celebrating Diwali with solders right at the border areas. The locations are different each time.

In 2014, he went to Siachen - the world’s highest battleground. In 2015 he visited the Dograi War Memorial, and the Barki War Memorial along with Asal Uttar, the site of one of the biggest ever tank battles. Both these were at the India-Pakistan border. Diwali of 2016 was at the India-China border - at Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh with the jawans of the Indo Tibetan Border Police, Indian Army and Dogra Scouts.

In 2017, he went to Bandipora district along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2018, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with the ITBP personnel at Harsil in Uttarakhand.

After winning the 2019 elections, Diwali was celebrated at the LOC in the district of Jammu and Kashmir.

And a few months ago, in 2020, he was in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer to celebrate Diwali with soldiers at the Longewala post. 

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/longewala-pm-modi-to-celebrate-diwali-with-jawans/story

The link below is a pro BJP site. But see it to see more detailed information and actual photos.

https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/in-pictures-since-2014-our-prime-minister-has-celebrated-every-diwali-with-soldiers-guarding-indias-borders

Next: Unauthorised occupation of Govt accommodation

Previous: India Bangladesh enclaves

India Bangladesh enclaves

While there is generally no border dispute between India and Bangladesh, there has been a problem of some villages or enclaves of one country being physically within the other. Apparently from the time of the Mughals when the concerned kings or zamindars did not surrender. This situation remained at the time of the English and also during Independence. Thereafter, gradually, these enclaves became part of one country or the other. 

But we ended up having small incongruous  parts of India being landlocked within East Pakistan/ Bangladesh and vice versa. The problem was compounded by having enclaves within enclaves eg. Indian villages surrounded by Bangladesh villages landlocked within main India. The issue festered with various complications despite multiple agreements, one issue being that the aggregate land area on both sides was not equal.

As a result the people living within the enclaves were effectively stateless, neglected and uncared for, with poor law and order; they could not get say a visa as that involved crossing the other country to reach the concerned consulate. There were approx. 53000 residents and an area of over 100 square kilometres.

The two countries formally exchanged 162 enclaves (111 in India and 51 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh) on August 1, 2015 with citizenship left to the choice of the individuals. One-time movement of persons took place but the border between the two countries is now tightened.

There are issues still in the subsequent development of these areas and peoples as India is a federal structure and the enclaves are mainly with West Bengal and some with the NE States. Resolving issues now devolves upon the concerned State Govt and their will to do so.

https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-2015-india-bangladesh-land-boundary-agreement-identifying-constraints-and-exploring-possibilities-in-cooch-behar/

Incidentally, Vatican City is also an enclave, within Rome, Italy.

Next: Modi Ji's Diwalis

Previous: UDAN and Regional Connectivity

UDAN and Regional Connectivity

 A scheme started in 2017 was UDAN-RCS.

UDAN is Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik – so development of regional airports. At the beginning of the scheme, we had 486 airports, but fully operational for civil operations were limited. Initial target was to develop new, or enhance existing, regional airports with regular scheduled flights from 70 (in May 2016), to at least 150 airports (by December 2018).

RCS - Regional Connectivity Scheme  is to add several hundred, capped-airfare, new regional flight routes to connect more than 100 airports in smaller towns with each other / with airports in bigger cities.

I could not get any comment upon the success of the scheme but there are some financial issues. And corona would certainly have impacted actually flying on new routes - present status is about 300 new routes have been added. 

https://m.economictimes.com/topic/Udan-scheme/amp

This time the link shared is not of the scheme as such but a glimpse into what is in the offing.

Next: India Bangladesh enclaves

Previous: Triple Talaq

Triple Talaq

A small beginning for the rights of Muslim women was made in the famous Shah Bano case – wherein the Supreme Court (in 1985?) passed a judgement for the right to maintenance to Muslim divorced women. Shah Bano, who had been divorced several years earlier, had filed a criminal case against her husband and was granted alimony - of a princely sum of Rs. 300 p.m. if I remember right. However Muslim politicians started a campaign against this and, in an obvious Muslim appeasement attempt, the Rajiv Gandhi Government diluted the ruling and held that a divorced Muslim women was entitled to alimony for the next 90 days only (period of Iddah – three menstrual cycles for confirmation of no pregnancy).

In India, unlike several Islamic countries, triple talaq was legal. This was held illegal by the Supreme Court in 2017 but the practice still continued – the farce going to the extent of the word talaq being pronounced thrice in a single telephonic conversation, a Skype chat, a text message or even on WhatsApp – and the husband might even be away somewhere abroad and the poor wife in India. This triple talaq is irrevocable and remarriage first requires marriage and its consummation with another man. To see the inhumanity of the practice, an old excellent movie is “Nikaah” with Salma Agha and Deepak Parashar.

In the middle of 2019, the present Govt passed a law for the protection of the rights of Muslim women wherein triple talq has been made a criminal offence punishable with a jail term of three years. There is also a provision of subsistence allowance to the woman and dependent children as well as custody of children. While this law too has been protested by several Muslim groups, the government has not given in. It also explains why Narendra Modi is quietly getting Muslim votes too, especially of women.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/law-banning-triple-talaq-a-year-ago-today-we-reached-a-defining-moment-in-empowerment-of-women 

Previous governments of our country took care of the Muslim clergy but did not care for the common Muslims. The present Govt, in implementing various welfare measures, is not discriminating between the religions of the poor. This has further annoyed the opposition parties and the leaders of various factions, the present Government has been bad-mouthed by the powers that be, as being anti-Muslim.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-muslim-neighbours-among-23-countries-that-have-banned-triple-talaq/story-J8b9HkOCwdMAIWyscwxZMK.html

And Triple talaq has been illegal in Pakistan since 1961 !!!!

Incidentally, every American citizen has to follow American laws. There is no place for triple talaq in USA. Even for divorce, alimony and custody of children, the same American laws apply, irrespective of your religion or nationality.

Next: UDAN and Regional Connectivity

Previous: Unmanned railway crossings

Unmanned railway crossings

We had unmanned level crossings in the country and annual deaths of 12-13 thousand on railway tracks. So removal of these, on broad gauge lines was taken as a project with target date of 2020. 

 https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/railways-says-it-has-eliminated-all-unmanned-crossings-but-one-1975410

The link - an article of Jan 2019 - is by NDTV, a totally anti-BJP and pro Congress media house. All but one crossing had been taken care of. As I recall this had some issue, at that time, with the locals living there. I have not been able to get a recent article.

And here is another more detailed article on this.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/railways-to-eliminate-last-unmanned-level-crossing-ahead-of-2020-target-119012200523_1.html

Next: Triple Talaq

Previous: Jan Dhan Yojana

Jan Dhan Yojana

Perhaps the first major initiative of Narendra Modi immediately after his election in 2014 was the attempt at financial inclusion. Which meant the opening, in a very very big way, of zero balance accounts for all - called Jan Dhan Accounts. This has been a major success.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jan-dhan-accounts-rise-60-amid-pandemic-help-stifle-crime-sbi-research/articleshow/78902876.cms

And it has led to DBT - Direct Benefit Transfer. So all subsidies and benefits are credited to the persons - immediately, fully, without the involvement of any middlemen who had become powerful, as also bottlenecks and sources of corruption. Recall Rajiv Gandhi's remark of 1985 - of every rupee spent by the government, only 15 paisa reached the intended beneficiary. 

In fact this elimination of ground level corruption is a major success. It is also an underlying cause of a lot of political criticism since not only most opposition parties but several of the BJP ground staff have begun to lose sources of income.

https://m.economictimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/bank-accounts-opened-under-pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana-crosses-40-crore-mark/articleshow/77328277.cms

Just look at the sheer numbers - more than 40 crore (400 million) accounts opened with zero balance. What a mammoth task has been done.

Next: Unmanned railway crossings

Previous: Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna

Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna

Another scheme was the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana –“Saubhagya” to ensure electrification of all willing households in the country, in rural as well as urban areas.

https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/modis-village-electrification-is-among-worlds-biggest-successes-this-year-says-this-report/1380269/

Attempts had been made by all prior goverments, but it was only now that all villages in the country could be electrified. Then the task of individual households was taken up - presently this too is more or less complete, across the entire country.

The next challenge is to provide regular electricity throughout the day to all households.

Next: Jan Dhan Yojana

Previous: Ending Open Defecation in India