India to impose 'reciprocity' on UK nationals with regard vaccine and Covid19 protocols :::"India, US on same page on Afghanistan"

Hang thy colonial 'firangi' mindset 

UK's move not to recognise India's vaccination was not only  discriminatory, it reflected a virtual superiority complex and "colonialist mindset". The UK has been refusing to recognise 'visitors' as vaccinated unless they received their shots in a handful of select countries.

New Delhi: Tit for Tat. UK's pathetic superior syndrome is being strongly countered.

The Indian Government has finally decided to impose 'reciprocity' on the United Kingdom/British nationals arriving in India from the UK with regard to vaccine and Covid19 protocols. 

"Our new regulations will come into effect from October 4," a source said and asserted that the norms will be applicable to "all UK nationals arriving from the UK".

All British citizens arriving in India from Oct 4, Monday will face a mandatory 10-day quarantine irrespective of vaccination status. This is in response to the UK's hugely controversial similar rules for several countries including India.

"From October 4, all UK nationals arriving in India from the UK, irrespective of their vaccination status, will have to undertake the following measures:

-Pre-departure Covid-19 RT-PRC test within 72 hours before travel. - Covid-19 RT-PCR test on arrival at airport.

- Covid-19 RT-PCR test on Day 8 after arrival

- "Mandatory quarantine at home or in the destination address for 10 days after arrival in India"

• Authorities in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare would be taking steps to implement the new measures, sources said. 

New Delhi "not taken into confidence" by US on what Taliban committed at Doha, says Jaishankar 

New Delhi: 

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that while there was unanimity on many issues on Afghanistan between India and the US, New Delhi was not taken into confidence on "commitments" made by the Taliban at Doha talks. 

"....When I say levels of concern, the commitments which were made by the Taliban at Doha, the US knows it best. We were not taken into confidence on various aspects of that," Dr Jaishankar said speaking virtually at the Leadership summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).

"I think we are on similar pages at a principle level on many of these issues, certainly say terrorism," he said and clarified that the use of Afghan soil for terrorism is something both the countries "feel so strongly".

Moreover, he said, this was something which was discussed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden held bilateral talks in Washington recently. 

That a career diplomat that he has been, Dr Jaishankar put it in the right and balanced perspective.

"There will be issues on which we (India and US) will agree more, there will be issues on which we will agree less". 

He further said in an apparent potshot at Pakistan: "Our experiences in some respects are different from yours (the US). We have been victims of cross-border terrorism ourselves from that region and that has shaped in many ways our view of some of the neighbours of Afghanistan". 

Dr Jaishankar described the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue as a grouping that brings together four countries with shared values and a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.

During a conversation with former American ambassador Frank Wisner on threat perception vis-a-vis developments in Afghanistan, the Minister said, “I think to some degree, we all will be justified in having levels of concern. And to some degree, the jury is still out".

And it was in this context, he said, the commitments made by the Taliban at Doha, 
the US would knows the "best". 

"We were not taken into confidence on various aspects". 

Dr Jaishankar said, "Most importantly, are we going to see an Afghanistan whose soil is not used for terrorism against other states and the rest of the world. I think these are the concerns and these concerns were captured by a UN Security Council resolution in August," he said.

"When we look at what happened in Afghanistan and the region, I think these are going to have very very significant consequences for all of us. And we are so close to the region. There are a set of concerns and issues," he said.

ends 

Modi and Xi Jinping: Lot to do 

India rejects China’s allegations, flays Beijing’s troop build-up 

New Delhi: 

Close on the heels of China's allegations against India for pushing a 'forward policy', India on Thursday evening rejected the claims and said on the contrary it has been Beijing that has displayed "provocative behavior and unilateral attempts to alter the status quo" in the borders. 

New Delhi has insisted yet again that the Indian side has only made counter deployments in response to China’s “provocative behaviours". 

We had already made our position clear a few days back that we reject such statements which have no basis in facts. It was the amassing of a large number of troops by the Chinese side, their provocative behavior and unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in contravention of all our bilateral agreements that resulted in serious disturbance of peace and tranquility along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh," MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in response to a question. 

He said, China continues to deploy a large number of troops and armaments in the border areas.

"It was in response to Chinese actions, that our armed forces had to make appropriate counter deployments in these areas to ensure that India’s security interests are fully protected," he said.

The MEA spokesman said, as emphasized by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in his meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in September, "it is our expectation that the Chinese side will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols".

On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying had said in a media briefing that the Indian side has long pursued the ‘forward policy’ and crossed the LAC to encroach on China’s territory.

Gogra, or Patrolling Point 17A, was one of the key friction points between India and China.

As the outcome of the 12th round of talks at the level of senior commanders held on July 31, India and China have already pulled back troops from this vital border location in the eastern Ladakh.

"Both sides have ceased forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner. The disengagement process was carried out over two days August 4-5, 2021. The troops of both sides are now in their respective permanent bases," an official release had said.

India and China have been engaged in a military standoff since May 2020 all along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh since New Delhi first detected Chinese intrusions.

ends 

Blogger 

Punjab polls – Let things be pure political :: Pak-nexus angle is dangerous ::::: Amarinder meets NSA Doval

Punjab polls – Let things be pure political :: Pak-nexus angle is dangerous 

New Delhi:

This is a piece to be taken as a voice crying in the wilderness. No, my worries are not whether Navjot Singh Sidhu will continue as Punjab Congress chief or not. 

I am also not really concerned about what would happen to the Congress party – about whose leader Rahul Gandhi, ‘Time’ magazine had commented in 2019 – “an unteachable mediocrity and a descendant of Nehru”.

I get the most discouraging if not depressing feeling that the country is heading towards Punjab elections with debate on whether one or a few state politicians are pro-Pakistanis. This has a dangerous connotation. 

There is a big dilemma about democracy. Had the man been more intelligent, he would have known how to conduct correctly, and if God had made man or woman less intelligent, he/she would have been more disciplined and thus easier to govern or control. But we have to face life and politicians as they are.

Even freedom as an achievement or a virtue cannot be absolute. One man’s hero on Election Day is another man’s 

villain. One man’s freedom fighter is another man's terrorist.

Punjab has seen very ugly face of terrorism. Of course, most of it was Pakistan-instigated.  

Islamabad must be waiting in the wings to take the revenge of Bangladesh. In Kashmir, all its investment 

for years was virtually negated on August 5, 2019.

The situations in Punjab were ‘controlled’ by Indian leaders and police long back. But some of the risk factors are still around. 

Legendary Nani Palkhivala once wrote – “The most under-developed territory in every continent on earth is situated between human ears”.

Here lies the problem. I will not take the risk of even suggesting that our Neta class does not have brains, or it is ‘under developed’.

The problem is they have it ‘more developed’ and they can abuse it to suit their agenda.

Even the past problem in Punjab has been attributed to tussle between President Zail Singh and former Punjab Chief Minister Darbara Singh.

People in Punjab and also elsewhere are these days talking about a new book ‘In the Service of Free India’. 

It is supposed to be the memoirs of a former Punjab Governor B D Pande, now deceased.

His daughter Ratna M Sudarshan has now edited the volume and got it published. B D Pande breathed his last in 2009 at the age of 92.

 

He had understandably instructed his family to publish these memoirs at least five years after his death. Now it is 11 years since 2009.

 

The book also refers to Indira Gandhi's 'intolerance' to the Akalis.

The book would generate more because of the ongoing political drama in the state.

Capt Amarinder Singh has unhesitatingly called Navjot Singh Sidhu – a pro-Imran Khan if not pro-Pakistan especially for the embrace of General Javed Bajwa.

Interesting part is there was later an attempt to explain that the ‘embrace’ was a symbol of mutual admiration and expectations about the Kartarpur Corridor.

Now, the Kartarpur Corridor too has a story for Imran Khan and the Pakistan government. The November 9th, 2019 was slated for the inauguration. Things were planned accordingly, and Pakistan had presumed to project the day as their ‘tolerance’ day – for the global media - as a country which throws up equal opportunities to religious minorities.

The hurdle came around 2000 hours on Nov 8, 2019 when it was announced that the Supreme Court of India would deliver the verdict on the Ayodhya dispute between Muslims and Hindus. Obviously, the next day’s entire media attention in India, in Asia, in Pakistan and also in the rest of the world was the then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi-led bench’s orders.

Pakistan lost it out badly in the ‘publicity’ blitzkrieg it had thought. 

Worse, they did not know whom to blame – Narendra Modi, India’s RAW, Justice Gogoi or Lord Ram himself.

But they have had their eyes in Punjab and ‘reviving’ of troubles do suit them or their agenda. This makes India’s elections in Punjab in 2022 critical. It should be free of violence and even rhetoric should be confined to development and other political tamashas.

One sincerely hopes, nothing should be done during elections and even after that could foment some communal troubles in the state.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to say: “Najane kiski Nazar lag gayi hamare Punjab ko (We are sad that someone’s evil eyes have focused on our Punjab)”.

My plea would be more humble – “buri nazar se bachaiye hamarey Punjab ko (Please save Punjab from any bad omen)”.

It’s true Captain Amarinder Singh has not raised the Pakistan bogey only after he has been shown the door. In November 2019, the then Punjab Chief Minister had cautioned that India “will have to be careful” while moving ahead on Kartarpur.

“I have been maintaining for long that Pakistan has a hidden agenda,” he had said adding, “On one hand, they will first show us love and on the other, they can try to foment trouble”. Now Capt Amarinder says Sidhu does not have the maturity to run a show in a border state.

It is also a fact that Pakistan has played these tricks in the past. The ‘Lahore Bus’ drive by Vajpayee was reciprocated with Kargil and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lahore visit to greet Nawaz Sharif on his birthday in 2015 was returned with Pathankot and also Uri about nine months later.

 

If these pre-election months and weeks are misused, or we show some indifference to the real threat of communal disharmony and separatism, generations may have to pay the price of the error.

ends 

 Now, Capt Amarinder meets NSA: Issues cannot be political

New Delhi: In what is seen as more than just politics or mundane governmental issues,former Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Thursday, Sept 30, held a closed door meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

Capt Amarinder had been talking about Pakistan's ill intentions in Punjab and had called for adequate guard against Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu showing open admiration for Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and army chief Gen Javed Bajwa.

After landing in Delhi on Tuesday, the 'ousted' Punjab Chief Minister had denied any plans to meet with BJP leaders, and had said that he was in the capital to vacate the Kapurthala House for new Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

However, he held discussions of farmers' stir with Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday and thus the meeting with NSA Doval has a significance of its own.

However, the meeting between NSA and former Punjab Chief Minister "does not have any political significance, and it would be purely related to security and strategic issues".

Even in 2019 November on the eve of inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor, Capt Amarinderhad cautioned that India “will have to be careful” while moving ahead on Kartarpur.

“I have been maintaining for a long time that Pakistan has a hidden agenda,” he had said adding, “On one hand, they will first show us love and on the other, they can try to foment trouble”. 

Lately, Capt Amarinder has said Sidhu does not have the maturity to run a show in a border state.

Even after Sidhu tendered his resignation as Punjab Congress chief on Tuesday, the former ChiefMinister tweeted: "I told you so…he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of punjab".

It is also a fact that Pakistan has played its dirty tricks in the past. The ‘Lahore Bus’ drive by PM AtalBihari Vajpayee was reciprocated with Kargil in 1999 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lahore visit to greet Nawaz Sharif on his birthday in 2015 was returned with Pathankot and also Uri about nine months later.

BJP Punjab in charge Dushyant Gautam has said that no political discussions took place with Capt Amarinderbut the BJP “always welcomes a nationalist in the party”.

ends

 

Challenging Taliban, Amrullah Saleh floats 'Afghan Govt in exile' :::: Five years since Surgical strike, Pak has learned no lesson

New Delhi: Determined not to give up, Amrullah Saleh, who had called himself the 'caretaker President' of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, now has announced the formation of a new government 'in exile'.

First vice president in the Ashraf Ghani administration, Saleh had declared himself the caretaker president after Ghani left the country and he was leading the 'resistance' against the Taliban too. 

The overwhelmingly Pashtun identity of the Taliban is likely to work as a cementing factor among those who are opposed to it. 

The ethnically mixed country has always resisted centralised power throughout its history.

Various identities such as Sunni, Shia and Tajik, Uzbek, and Hazara besides Pashthun are often referred to in Afghanistan. Saleh himself belongs to the Tajik ethnic group.

The 'Government in exile' led by Amrullah Saleh is the only "legitimate government" in Afghanistan, read a statement issued by the Afghan embassy in Switzerland, the Khaama Press News Agency reported.

It further said that the decision to announce a government in exile was made after due consultation with 'elders' since Afghanistan is under the occupation of "external forces".

The statement said the government in exile will activate executive, judicial and legislative powers.

However, the statement does not identify any other members of the government.  

After the fall of Kabul, Amrullah Saleh had moved to the Panjshir valley and continued to fight the Taliban. Later, of course the Taliban claimed to have defeated the resistance forces led by Ahmad Massoud.

Meanwhile, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Zhang Jun said, Beijing wants an early summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Russia, China, the US, France, the UK - to hold a discussion on a number of global issues.

ends 

Five years since Surgical strike, Pak has learned no lesson

New Delhi: 

Five years since Indian army carried out a surgical strike against militant 
launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistani Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan seems to have learned no lesson.

Taking the same route along Salamabad Nala through which terrorists infiltrated in 2016 with the help of the Pakistan Army and carried out a suicide attack on Uri Garrison, the Pakistanis tried to push some Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists into Kashmir.

A resident of Dipalpur in Okara in Pakistan's Punjab, terrorist Ali Babar Patra, 

was handed over to the police by the Army officials in Uri on Tuesday, Sept 28.

In custody, Ali Babar Patra told reporters at Uri: "After joining LeT, I got Rs 20,000 and was handed over to the ISI. Along with others trained by the Pakistan Army. My family was to be given Rs 30,000 after I got launched in Kashmir."

Ali Babar and other terrorists "infiltrated" from Sawai Nala Camp to Hallan Shumali Launch pad to Jabri in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which led to the Salamabad Nala.

Major Gen Virendra Vats, GOC, 19 infantry division, said the incident took place on September 25 when a brief encounter erupted between the terrorists and security forces.

“The operation was initially launched on the intervening night of September 18 and 19 when an infiltration bid by six Pakistani terrorists was made along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector. As an encounter broke out, taking advantage of the dark and dense foliage, four terrorists retreated back to Pakistan while the remaining two sneaked into Uri".

While Ali Babar was arrested, another one died during the operation.

He and other terrorists were perhaps misguided and lured into joining LeT to escape poverty. 

The deceased was identified as Atiq ur Rehman alias Qari Anas, a resident of Attock in Pakistan’s Punjab province. 

Seven AK-47 weapons, nine pistols and revolvers, more than 80 grenades and Indian and Pakistani currencies were recovered during the latest Uri operation and the one that took place on September 18.

Ali Babar Patra said he underwent three weeks of training at the Garhi Habibullah camp in Pakistan in 2019.

There was another updated version of training for a few days before he was launched. 

He also said that most of the instructors employed for the terrorists' physical and weapons training were Pakistan Army officials. 

On September 29, 2016, India announced that it conducted surgical strikes against militant launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, and inflicted "significant casualties".

The casualty figures were reported anything between 35 to 70. 

Even the western press, including 'The Guardian' had said that Indian patience had run out due to Pakistan's inaction in curbing the activities of terror organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

ends  

Does Huawei CFO release mark another 'US retreat' ?

New Delhi: 

A red carpet and crowds waving Chinese flags on the tarmac in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen welcomed Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of Huawei Technologies.

In 2018, Meng was arrested in Vancouver, Canada on suspicion she violated US trade sanctions against Iran and obviously the episode had become a major irritant in straining China-US relations.

In August 2019, some Indian and Nepali journalists were told by Huawei officials - "We cannot help solve the China-US trade disputes because we do not really sell in the US". 

Now, according to reports, Meng, the daughter of Huawei’s founder Ren Zhengfei, entered an agreement with the US Justice Department in which she admitted to some wrongdoing while prosecutors deferred some of her alleged 'bank fraud charges' against her and assured that indictment could be dismissed in 2022.

The return of the Huawei executive to China after a prolonged extradition fight with the US has been celebrated by Beijing as a "resounding victory".

It is also being seen as another 'retreat' by the Americans especially in the context of a new emerging world that one is witness to post Aug 15-2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. 

Now, the US has decided not to pursue the cases. The charges against her have been suspended for three years from legal point of view and could be dismissed too.

The arrest was not really so personal or individual a matter, the technology giant Huawei was charged with 'spying' against the US interests.

In August 2019, this journalist was part of a delegation of Indian and Nepali journalists who were taken to Huwaei headquarters in Shenzhen to explain the company 'position' and give a glimpse of technology knowhows.

A senior Huawei official had told the visiting scribes that: “If Huawei was born in the west, our story would be no different from the growth stories Microsoft, Google and Facebook”.

The implication was Huawei was being unfairly targeted. 

Huawei then had presence in 170 countries. 

"In fact, no other Chinese companies have gone global like us. We strictly follow local laws....and a large part of Huawei growth is also due to western companies," said the official.

There are certainly more to it that now Meng has been released rather so easily.

Almost coinciding with Meng's return 'home', China has released two Canadians who have been detained on similar 'spying charges'. 

Beijing had of course repeatedly denied connections between the detention of the two Canadians and Meng’s high profile arrest.

But it is also a fact that Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur with business ties to North Korea, were detained on espionage charges within ten days after Meng was arrested in in December 2018.

How is the release of Meng now being seen as America's efforts to 'contain' Chinese designs remain a puzzle.

Beijing has said the release of Huawei CFO shows China's strength and Canada should "draw lessons".

At the global stage, the episode is seen as another sign of 'goodwill' from Washington towards China.

Has the ice really broken, and can there be a possibility of virtual talks between presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in days to come?

For her part, on her return Meng has said -  "If faith has a colour, it must be China red".

That could mean a lot.

ends 

Blogger at Huawei Hqs 

Sri Lanka bans Chinese 'organic' fertiliser over detection of bacteria 

New Delhi:

In the season of playing the assertive diplomacy and tougher trade norms, Sri Lanka halted a 96,000-tonne shipment of fertiliser from China on Wednesday citing quality issues.

The 'ban' on import of organic fertilisers manufactured in China came after the country's agriculture authorities detected harmful bacteria in them. The Directorate General (DG) of Agriculture, urged the Sri Lankan government to cancel the fertiliser contract with China.

Sri Lanka was to import 99,000 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser at a cost of $63 million from China's Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd.

"When we tested the fertiliser samples sent by the Chinese supplier, we found in them bacteria that is harmful to the soil," said a statement from Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, according to media reports. 

Officials said the cargo was ready to be shipped to Sri Lanka when the government decided to 

cancel the order, worth an estimated $42 million.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to power in 2019 promising subsidised foreign fertiliser.

There was also speculation whether the ban was linked to foreign exchange shortage. The government

has denied the charge and that it is committed to healthier agriculture.

Of course, according to a report in 'Jakarta Post', there have been recent halts to imports of vehicles and 

spare parts.

Farmers of rice -- the main foreign exchange-earning export commodity, along with tea -- have warned 

crops could be halved without chemicals, the report said.

Interestingly, unlike the recent past, China is seen these days by Sri Lankans not only as a development 

assistance partner, but also as a competitor with trade, industrial and human resources interests.

There are elements in Sri Lanka who say that the Chinese having 'controlling stakes' in some major

projects reminded them of the Cuban missile crisis.

iIn 2018 China made Sri Lanka lease out the Hambantota port, miles off the shores of its rival India, 

and a critical base to monitor the Indo-Pacific trade route.

The island nation had leased the port for 99 years to a venture led by China Merchants Port Holdings Co. 

in return for $1.1 billion. 

ends 

Laughter Challenge ! Sidhu resigns : Congress troubles no longer hidden: Ghulam Nabi demands CWC

New Delhi: The troubles in Congress are no longer under the carpet.

The Punjab virtual 'laughter challenge tamasha' has assumed the spectre of a major crisis. 

In 2019, 'Time' magazine had said India's opposition party led by Rahul Gandhi, an "unteachable mediocrity and a descendant of Nehru is in disarray". The words appear prophetic today. 

Senior leaders and once confidants of the 'first family - Kapil Sibal and Ghulam Nabi Azad are speaking out.

While Sibal demanded an “open dialogue” and introspection, questioning the lack of clarity in the decision-making 

process, former Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked Sonia Gandhi to call CWC meeting

urgently.

Azad has said that developments in Punjab and Goa were “disappointing” and also that mass exodus has hit the Congress - of course something seen in the grand old party in 1996 during the lacklustre stint of Sitaram Kesri as the party president.

The fact that leaders from Goa and Assam are deciding to quit the Congress and join Trinamool Congress, 

essentially a West Bengal-based party, shows the stark reality that the ground is slipping underneath and

party loyalists are losing trust.

Sibal also said the G-23 rebel leaders were not part of the "jee huzoori" group - a direct reference to the

sycophancy and inner circle politics. Worse, all these have started when Sonia Gandhi has apparently taken

a step backward and has given a virtual freehand to two children - Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to run

the party show.

The Punjab crisis has escalated with Navjot Singh Sidhu's resignation as pradesh Congress chief

and this marking a serious embarrassment for the 'first family' of the party. Both Rahul-Priyanka duo

had invested a lot in Sidhu and unceremoniously sacked Capt Amarinder Singh.

In his resignation letter to AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, Sidhu wrote, “The collapse of man’s character stems 

from the compromise corner. I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for welfare 

of Punjab. Therefore I hereby resign as president of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will 

continue to serve the Congress.”

Such strong words used for Sonia only shows that the grip has started loosening up.

Sibal was emphatic and sarcastic at the same time: "In our party, there is no president so we don't know 

who is taking these decisions. We know and yet we don't know". This sounds direct challenge to the

neo-leadership. 

Moreover, he also shared former CM Capt Amarinder Singh's concern that things should be handled in a mature

manner in sensitive Punjab.

"A border state (Punjab) where this is happening to the Congress party means what? It is an advantage 

to ISI and Pakistan. We know the history of Punjab and the rise of extremism there".

On the other hand, a Rahul Gandhi-confidant Ajay Maken has hit back at Sibal. So did Chhattisgarh Minister

T S Singhdeo, who says all decisions are taken by Sonia Gandhi herself.

Amid all these intra-party wranglings, Capt Amarinder Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah in the capital

on Wednesday raising various questions and pulling up the speculation graph.

Amarinder Singh himself tweeted: "Met Union Home Minister Amit Shahji in Delhi. Discussed the prolonged farmers agitation against Farm Laws and urged him to resolve the crisis urgently with repeal of the laws and guarantee MSP, besides supporting Punjab in crop diversification".

However, there were also hopes raised that the former CM could play mediator and try to end the crisis.

In 2019 - 'Time' magazine acidly said: "Nehru’s political heirs, who ruled India for the great majority of those post-independence years, established a feudal dynasty, while outwardly proclaiming democratic norms and principles. India, under their rule, was clubbish, anglicized and fearful of the rabble at the gates".

Things have now crossed the courtyard gates and reached the doors. 

ends 

There was a time, people used to say Kiski Nazar lag gayi Punjab ko; now they wud say Kiski Nazar lag gayi Congress Ko. 

#Sidhu has thrown the Congress party into disarray....

"Congress led by Rahul Gandhi, "an unteachable mediocrity and a descendant of Nehru" is in disarray – Time magazine, 2019

Giving a shocker to his leadership and much to the embarrassment of Rahul Gandhi-Priyanka duo, Congress PCC Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned on Tuesday from the post of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.

This came barely ten days after Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down as the state chief minister.

In his resignation letter to AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, Sidhu wrote, “The collapse of man’s character stems from the compromise corner. I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for welfare of Punjab. Therefore I hereby resign as president of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress.”

The ongoing crisis in the Punjab Congress unit will have a major impact on the party as it prepares for re-election in the 2022 Assembly polls.

The hasty exit of Sidhu from the post of Punjab Congress chief just two-and-a-half months into his tenure yet again indicates that his objective was to dethrone Amarinder from the post of CM.

Meanwhile, there is speculation that former Punjab CM would meet Home Minister Amit Shah and perhaps also BJP Chief J P Nadda in New Delhi. 

Interestingly after ensuring that Amarinder Singh has been booted out from the post rather unceremoniously, Sidhu is now not happy with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

It is open secret for Punjab watchers that Sidhu had been opposing tooth and nail the allotment of the home department to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Earlier, he had put his foot down when some  party leaders considered Randhawa for the CM post and the word spread that even high command did not mind Randhawa for the top slot.

But there were also reports simultaneously that when Randhawa’s name was proposed for the top job, Sidhu had left the hotel where he was meeting Harish Rawat, Congress general secretary.

He also told confidants - let me go to Delhi to hand over the resignation as Punjab Congress president. 

After Sidhu resigned, Amarinder appeared most happy person in Punjab politics and quickly tweeted: “I told you so…he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab,” in an apparent dig at the party leadership.

Apparently, Sidhu is making 'corruption' a major plank and even told the party high command reportedly that he would not tolerate corruption. Whatever that means?

Sidhu is understandably also against the inclusion of Rana Gurjit Singh as a minister. 

Amarinder had dropped Rana Gurjit Singh after the sand mining imbroglio and now he is back under the new government.

"What is the message that we are sending? It is like the old group is back,” a source close to Sidhu has said. 

Sidhu was made Punjab Congress chief in July this year by the party high command in the face of strong opposition by former CM Capt Amarinder Singh.

After Sidhu resigned, Amarinder tweeted: “I told you so…he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab,” in an apparent dig at the party leadership.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has slammed the state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu for his proximity with the Pakistani establishment and organising rebellion within the Congress party. In an interview given to 'the week' magazine, the captain also called Sidhu an anti-national and reiterated that he would do everything to stop Sidhu from becoming the CM of Punjab.

"Rahul and Priyanka, who are themselves quite inexperienced, were fed all kinds of nonsense by their advisers, like (AICC general secretary) K. C. Venugopal. It is unfortunate that after [me putting in] so many years of loyal service to the Congress, the party leadership chose to trust them over me," Amarinder Singh said.

"It is my responsibility as a Punjabi to do my best to protect my state and my people from such anti-nationals like Sidhu, who is a danger for all of us," he added. He pointed out Sidhu's friendship with the Pakistan PM Imran Khan and Army chief Bajwa and said that it was a disaster to have him the CM of Punjab since it shares an international border with Pakistan.

When asked about his future course of action, the captain said that he was yet to decide on that.

PM announces 'digital archive' for all construction workers of Central Vista

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on announced that once the new Parliament premises is ready, a "digital archive for all construction workers" engaged at the site must be set-up.

This "should reflect their personal details" including their name, place they belong to and picture as a tribute to their efforts, a tweet from PMO said.

The Prime Minister, who visited the construction site on Sunday evening after his arrival from five-day US tour, has instructed that it must be ensured that all the workers engaged  at the site are fully vaccinated against Covid. 

He further asked officials to conduct monthly health check-ups of all workers. 

All the workers should also be given a certificate about their role and participation 

in this endeavour.

While inspecting the ongoing work relating to the new Parliament building, the Prime Minister

interacted with the workers engaged at the site and asked about their well-being. 

He said that they are "engaged in a pious and historic work".

In a tweet sharing videos of PM's visit to the site, Union Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh

Puri wrote: "True Karmyogi. PM’s surprise visit to inspect the Central Vista project was a morale booster 

for the workers and engineers who are toiling day and night to complete this edifice of New India on time". 

"This was after a packed and successful trip to the US and a long haul flight back home," Mr Puri said.

Another Union Minister Narayan Rane tweeted: "....24 hours in the service of Bharatmata. Nation is proud of you!".

The new Parliament building will have an area of 64,500 square metres

The building is part of the Central Vista project. 

Officials say that Parliament's Winter session in 2022 will be held in the new building.

ends .

Four bodies hung in Herat with global warning that Taliban is 'not changed' : Warning to Pak as well

New Delhi: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words are turning prophetic. 

Dished out as a local alert for local criminals in Afghanistan, it was actually meant to be a global alert that the Taliban remains the same oldie of the 1990s frame!

It was also a warning to neighbouring Pakistan, that Islamabad can be disowned and snubbed at their whims and fancies. Rawalpindi and their handpicked political appointees should all know their limitations.

Old File snap: Imran must listen to PM Modi 

Four bodies of allegedly 'suspected kidnappers' were displayed in different parts of Herat city. One of them even hung from a crane. 

This is the neo-normal in neo-Afghanistan irrespective of whatever 'incentives' are promised and sought after by a self-appointed pleader of the Taliban regime, called Imran Khan.

"I saw they had brought a body in a pick-up truck, then they hung it up on a crane,” one Herat shopkeeper was quoted by a news agency.

Miles away, Joe Biden has screamed 'America is back' - well that could be disputed and debated; but it's certain the Taliban is 'back'.  Right there.

"Taliban don’t seem to be in the mood to listen to anyone including Pakistan, long seen by the international community as a benefactor and protector of the Afghan militant group with extraordinary influence over it. The reality was evident when a senior Taliban leader in an address whose clips were shared on social media responded harshly to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for an inclusive government in Kabul," writes senior journalist Abbas Nasir for the daily 'Dawn'.

Virtually, the writing is on the wall.

The gory days of the late 1990s, which included public stoning and limb amputation of alleged criminals too are not far off. 

 

Of course ever since the Taliban takeover on August 15, the rest of the world along with Pakistan have been watching to see whether the 'harsh rules' will be recreated.

Islamabad and its leadership nevertheless have taken a self-appointed role and are trying to drive home a point that the 'reborn Taliban' is not anything like what the world witnessed in 1996 and beyond till 2001 when they were bombarded and ejected by the US-led NATO forces.

In this context, experts say, Pakistan may be advocating global engagement with the neo-Taliban, but in the process Imran Khan does not realise that he is also sort of giving an undertaking that the "current government" in Kabul - as he puts it - will behave. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned Pakistan in his address to the 76th session of UNGA on Sunday that - "With Regressive Thinking, countries that are using terrorism as a political tool have to understand that terrorism is an equally big threat to them". 

Mr Modi thus underlined: "It is very important to ensure that the soil of Afghanistan is not used for spreading terrorism and terrorist attacks".

ends 

Gender divide: Why a matrilineal Meghalaya is failing to keep its women and children safe

Crime against women in matrilineal Meghalaya: Who'll bell the cat? 

(as run by IANS for various papers and websites) 

Like Economics, Sociology too cannot be a durable truth. It requires constant attention, closer scrutiny and revision. Such a notion or rather the conviction is reflected in the case of crimes against women. Which of the two worlds, a pro-feminist or matrilineal one or male-chauvinistic one suits women better? 

A file snap 

Society needs to understand the world around it better to ensure heinous offences are not committed against women. It cannot bank on one or two constant and standard factors believing that taking precautionary measures following those roadmaps would ensure the general good.

Long back, sage Chanakya had said that a 'woman' remains the most mysterious living being on the earth. No one can be sure that he has mustered enough knowledge about a woman as an individual or as entire womenfolk. This observation could be guided by male chauvinism. I need not dispute this. There is a peculiar predicament as it is also difficult to understand what really drives the perpetrators of crime against women.

 

Recently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NRB) has thrown up a new challenge with its data about growing incidents of rape and other incidents of crime against women in Meghalaya. The paradoxes involved make it equally puzzling as to why such a thing could happen against women in the state of Meghalaya. All knowledge and expertise on criminology and women related problems seem to fail.

How? Firstly, Meghalaya is a matrilineal society of Garos, Khasis and Jaintia tribes. So, a world where the 'woman is supreme' and wives and mothers are guardians of households did not matter; and the perpetrators have continued with their criminal ways.

Nestled in the northeast of India, Meghalaya is predominantly a Christian state, and hence even the much-cherished Christian values could not work as a deterrent for the perpetrators of the crimes. Another predominantly Christian state in the region, Nagaland, is generally known as a male chauvinist society. The women are safer there, and the crime cases against women in the year 2020 stood at 37. By contrast, Meghalaya's figures stood at 568 during the year. In states such as Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh -- the number of cases of crime against women was fairly low, and these states have population figures similar to Meghalaya.

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Now, let us take another yardstick, the skewed male-female sex ratio. Some years back the declining sex ratio in Haryana was given out as the chief reason for growing cases of rape and other crimes against women. Around 2012, the Haryana sex ratio figures stood

at 877 females for every 1,000 men. Brides came from other states and other communities, often after payment of a hefty amount. But the Haryana example cannot be compared with Meghalaya's. In the Northeastern state, the female-male sex ratio is 986 women for every 1,000 men; and this has increased from 975 per 1,000 males between 2001 and 2011.

So where do we go from here?

The real answer perhaps is that no single or two trend(s) can be attributed to explain the rise in crime against women. It is basically in men's minds.

Reasons have been given to explain the Meghalaya situation. Congress legislator and Pradesh unit vice president Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, says: "There are multiple factors. Alcoholism and the growing number of men taking drugs and other substances are responsible (for crimes against women)."

As the chairperson of the Assembly Committee for Empowerment of Women, she says the district administrations have been pulled up. She agrees the growing number of 'broken marriages' that have compelled women to stay alone and ensure regular income during the pandemic have contributed to these crimes.

One independent state legislator Julius Kitbok Dorphang, an ex-militant, was arrested for raping a 14-year-old in 2017. The rebel leader was also founder-chairman of an armed insurgent group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and was sentenced to 25 years in jail by a special court in August this year. Militancy or insurgency in other northeastern states such as Nagaland and Mizoram are never known for such incidents against women. So, the ex-HNLC founder's case was an exception.

In 2017, the police had recorded 238 cases of rape, including a few gang-rapes. In Northeast and in Meghalaya too, gang rape was unheard of, but these days such crime occurs quite regularly, say some social workers. The state also has high cases of assault on women with intent to outrage a woman's modesty, and cruelty by husbands or relatives. Yes, that's despite the tradition of matrilineal practices.

These growing incidents are not new. In 2012-13 too there were generally a high number of cases of crime against women. Then again, in several instances, the perpetrators of crime are below 18 years. There is hardly or 'less' fear of the law as minors are subjected to a maximum seven years of imprisonment. In several cases, locals say, you will find the stepfather has committed the gruesome act. The women and young girls are generally caught unawares. In many cases the men would be under the influence of alcohol or even drugs.

A senior civil administration official says, "Earlier there used to be under reporting or no reporting of such cases. Now the women are more aware of their rights. Moreover, locals do not fear to report such cases knowing well that there is an assurance that the police would protect the victims' identity."

(VibesofIndia....report)

'Chanakya' said no amount of worldly knowledge could help anyone understand what is on a woman’s mind.

That may have been a rather chauvinistic declaration, but in these modern times too, we are faced with a peculiar predicament of what really drives the perpetrators of crime against women.

Which of the two worlds – a feminist or matrilineal one or a male-chauvinistic one suits women better? If a skewed sex ratio in Haryana leads to an increased number of rape cases, why then do we have such cases in Meghalaya?

The northeastern state of Nagaland is generally known for a male-biased society. The state has so far held the distinction of not having any elected woman lawmaker in the assembly.

Here, incidents of crime against women in 2020 stood at 39. In sharp contrast, another northeastern state Meghalaya is a matrilineal society.

In the social systems of Meghalaya, all three tribal groups – Garos, Khasis and Jaintias – practice a norm under which men use the surname of their mother and go to their mother-in-law’s home after marriage.

But the sad part of the tale is women are more unsafe in Meghalaya.

In 2020, Meghalaya recorded 568 cases of crimes against women.

This data, according to the Home Ministry’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), is much higher than states similar in population and size such as Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast.

Opposition Congress legislator, Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, says: “There are various factors starting from alcoholism to drug abuse by men and also growing numbers of single mothers in rural areas”.

In other words, she says, women are ‘vulnerable’ to such attacks and the wife or mother being the guardian of the house does not make any difference.

Quizzing a few social workers in Nagaland revealed another striking feature.

“In Nagaland, the society and the family system is male-biased. But women are safe; and even insurgents carrying guns would not disturb women and children,” says one social worker in Dimapur on the condition of anonymity.

In Meghalaya, the figure of 2020 is not a sudden occurrence. Even in 2008 or 2013 – there were a high number of cases for crimes committed against women.

Some say, there are myriad issues related to men-women relationships in the socio-political context also.

A law was adopted in 2018 by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council that said that any Khasi woman who marries a non-Khasi, as well as her offspring born out of such marriage, shall be deemed as non-Khasi.

In other words, despite matrilineal traditions, the real political power is with the men.

A resident of a small hamlet Nongpoh and a mother of three daughters says: “In several cases, young girls are generally caught unawares among known people. You will find instances of stepfather having committing the gruesome act”.

Police also agree. In some instances, the victims and their mothers complained that such cases were perpetrated in moving vehicles by “unsuspecting people whom the victims knew”, they say

The Meghalaya Commission for Women, a statutory body, had stated a few years back that most of the victims come from families who are economically challenged and from broken homes.

In 2018, cops arrested one of their own personnel for allegedly raping a woman in her tea shop. In 2013, the total number of rape cases registered in Meghalaya was 179, out of which 118 cases –  about 64 per cent – involved victims below the age of 18.

Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh agrees. “I am really concerned. In Meghalaya along with women, even children are not safe. I am also the chairperson of the Assembly Committee for Empowerment of Women, we have taken up these seriously and also pulled up at least four district administrations”.

She also says that the growing number of broken marriages and women being forced to stay alone and manage home, ensure regular income during the time of a pandemic and lockdown have also contributed to an increase in these crimes. But old trends can not be brushed aside.

An independent MLA, Julius Kitbok Dorphang, who is an ex-militant, was arrested for raping a 14-year-old in 2017. He was sentenced to 25 years in jail by a special court in August this year.

The Special Judge (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences – POCSO) Febroneous Silkam Sangma also slapped a penalty of Rs 15 lakh on the 56-year-old leader.

Social workers are angry about the situation but also clueless about the solutions. A Shillong based-educationist says, “No single law or some drastic action, and arrest of suspected and habitual offenders can solve this problem”.

The issues ought to be understood in their entirety and then a solution worked out, she says.

“Most often for malaria, we think burning a coil or spraying some liquid could stop it. The real issue is open drainage. Similarly, for the growing number of crimes against women in Meghalaya we need to identify the drainage – the real source for such crime,” she told this journalist.

In some northern states such as Haryana, the male-female ratio is often blamed for rising rape incidents.

It is said, the skewed sex ratio compels men to get brides from other states by paying a hefty amount. Here again things are perplexing and cannot be analysed taking Haryana’s case as an example.

The Sex Ratio in Meghalaya is 986 for each 1000 male and this has increased from 975 per 1000 males between 2001 and 2011.

Haryana recorded 922 female births per 1,000 males in 2020, a major improvement from what was around 877 women to every 1,000 men some years back.  

 Ampareen Lyngdoh: Congress leader