PM holds bilaterals with Angela Merkel, French Prez Macron invite them to India

New Delhi:

During his stay in Rome for the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of crucial bilateral engagements with world leaders including German leader Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

He also invited both the leaders to visit India.

Ms Merkel has been the first female Chancellor of Germany and she has announced that she would not seek a fifth term as Chancellor in the federal election.

"The Prime Minister conveyed best wishes to Dr Merkel for the future and invited her to visit India," an MEA statement said.

In his bilateral meeting with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, Mr Modi congratulated Indonesia for 

its G20 Presidency next year, and assured him of India’s readiness to work closely with it.

Both leaders held discussions on the recent course of India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

They also emphasized the importance of Indo-Pacific cooperation.

The Prime Minister met Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit 

in Rome on Sunday. 

The two leaders welcomed the growing bilateral trade and investment linkages including the recent signing of 

the contract to procure 56 C295 aircrafts from Airbus Spain, 40 of which will be ‘Made in India’ in collaboration 

with Tata Advanced Systems, the MEA said. 

PM Modi invited Spain to invest in various sectors including Green Hydrogen, infrastructure and 

defence manufacturing.

Earlier on Saturday, Oct 30, Mr Modi held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Prime Minister also welcomed the European Union’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, released in September 2021, 

and thanked the French President for France’s leadership role in the same. 

Both Modi and Macron share good personal rapport.

Mr Modi invited President Macron to visit India at the earliest opportunity.

There was a bilateral meeting between Mr Modi and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.

This was their first in-person meeting in the post-pandemic period. 

Both leaders discussed global efforts to combat climate change and the forthcoming COP26. 

They also discussed ongoing efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic through expedited vaccination efforts.

Prime Minister Lee congratulated Mr Modi for the rapid vaccination drive in India.

"They also discussed ways to enhance people to people ties, including early normalization of movement between both countries," the MEA said.

ends 

Some lesser known facets of former CAG Vinod Rai's IAS career :::: He could not join Nagaland cadre state as offered initially

New Delhi:

In cricketing season, this would be an interesting way to kick-start the piece. When a fielder misses a few catches in one position and the irritated captain changes his position, you should not be surprised that again the ball would chase the same fielder in his new position. And yet again the catch would be dropped. 

These things happen in life too. Don't believe it ? Take a closer look at the life and times of Vinod Rai, the illustrious and former CAG.

Yes, Mr Vinod Rai is again in the news and now for 'wrong reasons' perhaps. He has tendered an apology to Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam for having said that he (Rai) was pressurised by Nirupam to drop the name of Manmohan Singh in the coal bloc scam.

Manmohan Singh: The Day he presented historic first Reform Budget

Vinod Rai's stint as the CAG would be always remembered for two major 'scams' - the coal blocs and on the 2G spectrum allocation. It may not be erroneous to remark that the CAG reports during the tenure of UPA under Manmohan Singh had played stellar roles in harming the reputation of Congress party seriously. 

To many it helped two key political protagonists of our time - Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal.

In 2017, there was already a court order acquitting all the 19 accused in the 2G scam including DMK lawmaker and the then Telecom Minister A Raja.

But that could have been argued as legal matters and something the prosecution - the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) could prove in the court of law. But the latest episode is a sad saga as it is an unconditional apology from Rai.

Of course, the apology is not about the CAG reports but rather Rai naming Sanjay Nirupam at a media briefing. 

But here, one is referring to Vinod Rai's early days in the IAS, and this brings us to the cricket-miss the catch phenomenon.

Once in controversies and in 'excitement' career worlds, some people can always be into these. 

Way back in 1972, on allotment of his 'cadre' after enrollment into the IAS, Vinod Rai was denied 

'permission' to join the Nagaland government. "Five IAS (Indian Administrative Service) probationers reported to Dimapur railway station. Since the state government has not agreed to accept them in the Nagaland cadre, they have been directed to go 

back and report to the department of personnel, Government of India," says Rai's popular book 

''Not Just An Accountant: The Diary of Nation's Conscience Keeper'.

"That year (1972)," wrote Rai - "Nagaland had no insiders among the successful candidates; all five of us 

were from the outsider category. The government of Nagaland, a Congress-led ministry with Hokishe 

Sema as Chief Minister, was of the view that the state, which had only three districts at that time, 

could accommodate only two or three officers in a batch". 

Four other officers were A.P Sharma, Ravi Dhingra, N.G Laloo and R S Pandey, who later became Chief Secretary, Nagaland and also Union Petroleum Minister. 

In the words of Rai, "we were in no man's land, figuratively and, in fact, even literally. We had been allotted a cadre which refused to accept us, were effectively unemployed and without pay, far from home….".

Then he recalls the "stay of uncertainty" in the police mess in Kohima (Nagaland capital) lasted for 53 days 

till Prime Minister Indira Gandhi intervened and advised the Chief Minister (Hokishe Sema) to accept the 

officials for 'training period' and that after the training three of these officials could be shifted to other states.

Vinod Rai was moved to Kerala.
In the southern state too, Rai had a rather interesting beginning.

"I was a trifle baffled to find a glass of pale yellow liquid on Menon's table (then Kerala Chief Secretary KPK Menon). Coming from Tuensang in Nagaland, where the redoubtable John F Halliday (Mizo officer and DC Tuensang in 1972) started his early lunch with a glass of beer, I had not expected to witness the same trend in distant Kerala", Rai wrote in the book which other throws statistics on 2G and coal allocations.

Rai could only realize at a later stage that: 'contents of that glass' in Kerala was different. "People of Kerala prefer to boil their drinking water (to make it safe for consumption) and add some flavor to it…".

Well, that's how things had begun - in excitement and in thrilling situations. Rai's date with 'excitement' (read controversies) is far from over.

Many years after his retirement and having stolen all credit for fighting graft, sadly - he had to tender an apology to a practicing politician.

The ball has again propped up, one could still miss the catch.

Figuratively, in cricket it is said, catches win matches. In the shenanigans of power politics, one never knows unwittingly, you might have helped someone, you might have harmed someone.

I generally tend to endorse T N Seshan's definition of 'IAS' cadre – I am Sorry! 
Of the 'civil servants' I have also read: they are servants to the devil and civil to no one of everyone. 

For public memories of course, Vinod Rai's calculation of Rs 1.76 lakh crore loss and Kapil Sibal's 'zero loss' theory would continue to be debated.

Fights against corruption are often won, the fights are at times lost; but some drama of life and professional career for a civil servant could be paradoxical in more ways than one.

ends 

Blogger 

PM Modi invites Pope Francis to visit India ::: Both discuss strategies to "fight climate change and removing poverty"

The pope, 84, has been on record saying that he wants to visit India. The Vatican had even drafted a schedule for a papal trip several years ago, according to the religious news website Crux.

"Thank you very much for your visit. I'm happy, I'm very happy," a smiling Francis said as he grasped Modi's hand at the end of the visit, according to footage released by the Vatican.
Modi replied: "I would like to see you in India."

Francis, leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, is hoping to push the defence of religious freedom in the world's second-most populous country. -- says a report in UCA News quoting AFP 

New Delhi:

PM Narendra Modi joined the illustrious club of Jawaharlal Nehru, I K Gujral and Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had called on the Popes of their respective time during the visit to the Vatican City.

Ending speculation Mr Modi on Saturday invited Pope Francis, the head of Catholic global leadership, to visit India.

"Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India," Modi tweeted.

There was also a bear hug !!

"A meeting that was scheduled only for twenty minutes went on for an hour! 

PM Modi and the Pope discussed a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better such as fighting climate change and removing poverty", an informed source said. 

It has been argued in more ways than one that a well known Hindu zealot, Prime Minister Modi has been 'reluctant' to invite the head of the global Catholic Church to India.

India - of course a Hindu majority nation of 1.35 billion, houses about 30-32 million Christians.

Of them an estimated 60 per cent of whom are Catholics.

Modi's visit to the Vatican City came at a time when Christians as well as Muslims minorities in India have been complaining of harassment and assaults on the community and churches. 

Beef eating, considered a normal and staple food for Christians and Muslims are discouraged by Hindu groups and often they have indulged in violence against the two religious minority groups.

However, there was enthusiasm when the news spread that PM Modi would be in the Vatican City to meet Pope Francis on the sidelines of his attending the crucial G-20 Summit.

Modi, who was at the receiving end of a campaign for being anti-Muslim, is in Italy at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi for the G-20 Summit.

The president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference, Cardinal George Alenchery, said that PM Modi's visit would “add more energy and warmth to the relations between our country and the Vatican and the Catholic Church”.

Prior to the meeting between PM Modi and the Pope, India's Foreign Secretary and a trusted aide of Modi in running the country's foreign policy, Harsh V Shringla, told reporters:"The Vatican has not set an agenda. I believe, tradition is not to have an agenda when you discuss issues with His Holiness. And I think we would respect that". 

Shringla also has said - "I am sure the issues would cover a range of areas of interest in terms of the general global perspectives and issues that are important to all of us, COVID-19, health issues, how we can work together, how we can work together to maintain peace and tranquillity".

Tweets...Link

Tweets

Even in the past, Indian Prime Ministers including first PM Jawaharlal Nehru had met the popes.

Indira Gandhi, I K Gujral, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee (of Modi's BJP) had met the then Popes in the Vatican.

When Nehru visited Pope Pius XII in July 1955, there were some rows as the Indian government was facing protests from the Portuguese for its attempts to annex Goa.

Incidentally, in circa 2021, Modi's visit to the Vatican city has also come when provincial elections

are due in Goa by March 2022. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party is in power in the state and is facing stiff competition from Congress and other parties.

Incidentally yet again, the Congress, India's principal opposition party, is headed by Sonia Gandhi, a Catholoic born to Italian parents. She was married to Rajiv Gandhi, now deceased, who was grandson of India's first premier Nehru.

The Hindu groups are always 'suspicious' of conversion practices of Catholic leaders and various church bodies.

I K Gujral with Pope

During the time of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pope John Paul II’s second visit to India became controversial when Hindutva groups and Sangh Parivar outfits such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and a hardliner Bajrang Dal staged noisy protests in Delhi and in various parts of India. 

A C Michael, a prominent Christian leader, said in different context lately on conversion row: "The Christian community is not in the business of multiplying its numbers as the political parties are doing to capture power. We do share the Word of God as preached by Jesus Christ and if any finds it good and join the faith its one's wish as guaranteed in the Constitution of India. 

"But there is no conversion taking place through fraudulent means or allurements.”   

The Sikh religious body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) recently launched a campaign in Punjab "against Christian missionaries" allegedly luring Sikhs, but some observers see politics in the move ahead of next year’s state elections.

ends 

On first day in Italy, PM Modi meets Indologists and Hindu community leaders : India will chair G-20 in 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an hour-long meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican City 

"Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India." - Modi tweets

"The Vatican has not set an agenda. I believe, tradition is not to have an agenda when you discuss issues with His Holiness. And I think we would respect that. I'm sure the issues would cover a range of areas of interest in terms of the general global perspectives and issues that are important to all of us, COVID-19, health issues, how we can work together, how we can work together to maintain peace and tranquillity" - Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla prior to Pope-PM Modi meet 

                                              Upbeat Mood: Catholics

                                                  

Governance failure in Afghanistan, threat perception must be watched, says PM Modi

New Delhi:

India has maintained for once that there should be a "distinction" between those who govern Afghanistan as of now, the Taliban, and those who are common people in that country. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has categorically told his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi. and European Union leaders that the situation of Afghanistan could not be seen in isolation and that the "failure and inability" to provide good governance must be watched carefully. 

"The Prime Minister was quite categorical that the situation of Afghanistan could not be seen in isolation, that the failure and inability to provide good governance, the failure to be able to deal with the situation, as it stands, had also to be a subject of introspection," Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla told reporters in Rome after PM's meetings with Draghi and President of the European Council, Charles Michel; and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.  

He said, "....let us say, any form of intimidation or threat that would emerge out of Afghanistan, I think, is something that the international community would have to watch out very carefully for".

The Prime Minister also did point out that the "root causes of the problems in Afghanistan had to be actively looked into, which is essentially, radicalism and extremism, and terrorism", which is a consequence of this had to be very, very carefully examined. 

"So I think there was a strong sentiment, which was fully understood both by our partners in the European Union and in Italy," the Foreign Secretary said adding, both of them reciprocated those sentiments and felt that this is something that "needed to be looked into".

It is true that the emphasis has to be on the 'humanitarian situation' but Prime Minister Modi pointed out that "there should be a distinction between those who govern and those who are people in that country and that the people had to be helped". 

In this context, the Foreign Secretary said, "We had offered humanitarian assistance, the Prime Minister said, significant assistance, but we needed to get it across to Afghanistan and that is something that we are working on to ensure that there is direct, unimpeded access of that humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan".

The Prime Minister will attend the first in-person post-Covid G-20 Summit in Rome.

Mr Shringla further said, "There is the sense that the relationship with Italy had seen a significant upswing in recent years, the Prime Minister (Modi) said that bilateral relations have seen warmth and vigour, particularly in the areas of investment, trade, and people to people ties.

"Prime Minister Draghi, also very strongly reciprocated that sentiment. And Prime Minister Modi also invited Italian PM and President Charles Michel and Ursula von de Leyen to visit India," the Foreign Secretary said.

ends  

Piyush Goyal, Sherpa for G-20, also said India is going to take on the G-20 presidency on 1st December 2022.

"We will be the president and take the chairmanship of G20 for the year 2023. We will enter the Troika on 1st December 2021 and will play a leadership role on the issues and concerns of the developing countries and emerging market economies in the G20 Forum under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. 

India's efforts in building more consensus and building back the support of all the developed nations towards resilient supply chains and faster recovery of vulnerable economies has been "widely appreciated by other G20 members", he said adding, "India shall continue to represent the voice of the low and middle income countries".

ends 

New Delhi: 

On his first day of visit to Italy on Oct 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of important bilateral meetings including with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi.

Mr Modi also met and interacted with the community members from various organisations including the representatives of Italian Hindu Union-Sanatana Dharma Samgha.

The Prime Minister lauded the role played by them in "propagating Indian culture in Italy", an
MEA release said.
In his interaction with the community members from various organisations including the 
representatives of Italian Congregation for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the 
Prime Minister appreciated their contribution in several social activities including spreading the 
message of Bhagavad Gita in Italy.

Mr Modi paid tributes to the valour shown by Indian soldiers specially Sikhs in World War - 1

and World War - II.

He met and interacted with the community members from Sikh community and institutions involved 

in the commemoration of Indian soldiers who fought in Italy in World War I and World War II.

In his meeting with several Indologists and Sanskrit  experts from Italian universities,

Mr Modi noted their interest in Indian culture, literature and practice of yoga and Ayurveda and 

lauded the role played by them in strengthening the ties between the two countries. 

MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet that PM Modi and his Italian counterpart

Mr Draghi reviewed the 2020-2025 Action Plan of Flag of India-Italy bilateral partnership.

Both the leaders also reiterated the commitment to further expanding trade and investment linkages.

They also resolved to cooperate for accelerating clean energy transition to fight climate change.

During the day, the Prime Minister paid floral tribute at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Piazza 

Gandhi in the city of Rome.

After paying tribute, Prime Minister also greeted the members of Indian Diaspora who were present 

there in large numbers.

Mr Modi also met President of the European Council, Charles Michel; and President of the 

European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

On Saturday, Mr Modi will attend the 16th G-20 Summit in Rome and also

meet the pope Francis in the Vatican City and meet Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The European Union  leaders congratulated India for the excellent progress on 
anti-Covid pandemic vaccination.

ends                  

G-20 agrees to extend Debt Service Suspension till 2021 end 

New Delhi:

In a testimony to India's growing influence in the comity of nations, India has assertively ensured that there is "no premature withdrawal of support" for post Covid Economic Recovery and the most vulnerable sections are provided necessary support. 

This was stated by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who is the Sherpa for India at the G-20 Summit.

"The G-20 has agreed to extend the Debt Service Suspension initiative till the end of 2021 thereby giving some breathing space to those in need and vulnerable around the world," Mr Goyal said at a special Sherpa briefing in Rome.

He said India is happy to get support from G-20 countries on "mutual recognition of travel documents, 

including testing and vaccine certificates". 

"For Sustainable Development and food security, India has insisted that policies must protect 

interests of small and marginal farmers, conserve local food cultures which in turn 

will ensure food security," he said. 

India supports the need for critical enablers for galvanizing global Climate action like commensurate, 

long term, concessional climate finance, access to affordable and sustainable technology, and 

commitment to adopt sustainable lifestyles and responsible and consumption patterns, Mr Goyal said.

Besides the G-20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will have key bilateral meetings

with President of France Emmanuel Macron.

Sources said he would also meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President of Singapore

Halimah Yacob.

The Session I of G-20 will be on 'Global Economy and Global Health'.

ends 

EX-CAG Vinod Rai was denied opportunity to work in Nagaland in 1972 :::: An old Blog

(this was first penned in 2015)

 Perhaps the only way of dealing with volumes of information – facts and fictions, rumours and truth and probably life and death – 'Information Overload' for a journalist is to read. And read more ! I got hold of former CAG Vinod Rai's book 'Not Just An Accountant: The Diary of Nation's Conscience Keeper' --- only recently.

And the first glance of the book, which was published in 2014 left me pleasantly surprised. The book to me now stands as an eye opener vis-à-vis my knowledge about Nagaland! Yes, I mean it. My vanity about knowledge of Naga people and the state of Nagaland is crushed !

This was for someone like me - born, brought up and also had baptism into journalism in Nagaland. Till one has glanced through the pages of Rai's first chapter 'Dimapur to Delhi', there was a perception that we knew most - if not all things - about Nagaland!

One is not saying this to pass any adverse remarks on either Rai or Nagaland.

Vinod Rai, who from 2010 to 2014 hit headlines almost on daily basis, was originally a Nagaland cadre official. And can you take it, his stint in the Naga hills was cut short or in other words had never began as the Nagaland government in 1972 had then "not agreed to accept them in the Nagaland cadre".

"That year (1972)," writes Rai "Nagaland had no insiders among the successful candidates; all five of us were from the outsider category. The government of Nagaland, a Congress-led ministry with Hokishe Sema as Chief Minister, was of the view that the state, which had only three districts at that time, could accommodate only two or three officers in a batch". Well, as stated above Rai's was not alone.

"Five IAS (Indian Administrative Service) probationers reported to Dimapur railway station (today). Since the state government has not agreed to accept them in the Nagaland cadre, they have been directed to go back and report to the department of personnel, Government of India," says Rai's book which otherwise throws light on the CAG statistics and figures vis-à-vis probe into government functioning and much to the discomfort of the then Manmohan Singh regime.

Here's another coincidence! How many of us – journos and ivory tower experts – covering Nagaland did bother to know that R S Pandey, former Nagaland Chief Secretary, was in that group of five.

Pandey later became union Petroleum Secretary under Prime Minister Dr Singh and post-retirement was taken in as government's chief negotiator in Naga peace talks. In the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Pandey quit as the peace interlocutor and joined BJP. Denied ticket in Lok Sabha polls, Pandey is now all set for electoral contest in the ensuing assembly elections in Bihar.

Three other officers were A.P Sharma, Ravi Dhingra and N.G Laloo.

The book then talks about the five officers meeting with their senior colleague, Binod Kumar, who later became Home Commissioner under S C Jamir stint around the time in later eighties and early nineties – I was in Kohima dreaming of becoming a journo, -- na, the so called 'ivory tower experts'.

This volume and the pages in the book has left yet another lesson for me that things keep coming circling back. The five officials also had interacted with the then Chief Secretary (1972) H Zopianga – a local Naga official whom Vinod Rai rightly describes as "exceedingly gentle and warm person".

At a later stage, we knew Zopianga through his daughter Banu Z Jamir, who also joined IAS, and her husband Alemtemshi Jamir, who at one-point under S C Jamir earned for himself the 'compliment of being called 'Additional Chief Minister'.

But the Chief Secretary Zopianga had explained to Rai and his friends about state government's stand. Thus, in the words of Rai, "we (let's call them Famous Five- blogger) were in no man's land, figuratively and, in fact, even literally. We had been allotted a cadre which refused to accept us, were effectively unemployed and without pay, far from home….".

Then he recalls the "stay of uncertainty" in police mess in Kohima lasted for 53 days till the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi intervened and advised the Chief Minister (Hokishe Sema) to accept the officials for training period and that after the training three of these officials could be shifted to other states.

Rai then pens some wonderful lines on his training in remote Tuensang district along with another compatriot, R S Pandey. The visit to Angh's village and home in Konyak Naga tribal belt were equally interesting as they got the first glimpse of 'a collection of skulls' in Angh's (village chief's) house. Want to read more on these and the famous ambush on another IAS officer K K Gupta of 1969 batch – please switch over to the page-turner.

Before, I conclude, I must add, as assured by Indira Gandhi – Rai was later shifted to Kerala cadre. And the coincidence is less than baffling:

"I was a trifle baffled to find a glass of pale yellow liquid on Menon's table (then Kerala Chief Secretary KPK Menon). Coming from Tuensang in Nagaland, where the redoubtable John F Halliday (Mizo officer and DC Tuensang in 1972) started his early lunch with a glass of beer, I had not expected to witness the same trend in distant Kerala", Rai recalls.

Well, oh boy! The game did not end with this.

Vinod Rai could only realize at a later stage that: 'contents of that glass' in Kerala was different. "People of Kerala prefer to boil their drinking water (to make it safe for consumtion) and add some flavor to it…".

Wrap UP:

I generally tend to endorse T N Seshan's definition of 'IAS' cadre – I am Sorry! This is how actually I tease my class mate (fellow St Anthonian, Shillong) – Palungthang Vaiphei, Manipur cadre. Of the 'civil servants' I have also read: they are servants to devil and civil to everyone. In my analysis, I presume ideologies and practical political compulsions often leave our civil servants puzzled.

They could be good men/women and perhaps also not so too good as individuals. But in the end, they do reflect the country and the state(s) they serve, and importantly the times and the society they lived in. Each IAS officer must have had dreams, some achieve it, and perhaps most do not - like us, the working journalists.

Likes of Vinod Rai end up turning into fighters against corruption fungus at least as an auditor; R S Pandeys leave 'peace parleys' half-ways. In journalism, my friends quit the profession and embrace more soothing world of 'public relation firms'. Some seniors craze to end up in the din of Rajya Sabha.

But the ultimate story is, --- no one is born for hatred or heroics. Only time decides that.

Amid fear of 'protest storm', Pak Minister says, "....things will be out of my hands" :::: G-20 to draw plans to strengthen Eco. resilience: Modi

Amid fear of 'protest storm', Pak Minister says, "....things will be out of my hands"

New Delhi: It was the impatient plea of a beleaguered country's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Amidst fear of an imminent 'storm' landing on the shores of Pakistan, and how far its 'devastation' would stretch remaining unknown, Mr Rashid urged the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to 'Go back' and cautioned that "otherwise things will be out of my hands".

The minister categorically told a TV show that the government would stop the 

potent socio-religious group from entering Islamabad. 

"He urged the protesters to turn back, otherwise the state would be left with no choice but to 

"establish its writ"," said a report in 'Dawn'.

Rashid said that while the government does not want violence, Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan 

would not allow the country to become "hostage".

Much to the embarrassment of the Pakistan government, the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan 

supporters on Wednesday celebrated 'capturing a police

vehicle' during their protest march towards Islamabad.

At least four policemen were martyred and over 250 injured in clashes between TLP

volunteers and law-enforcement personnel near Sadhoke in Punjab's Gujranwala district. 

 

The TLP workers also used AK 47 and other weapons, it has been said.

In between there is a serious political and economic crisis.

"No wonder the question is being asked everywhere: will the government survive?,"

went a column in 'Dawn' penned by journalist Khurram Husain.

He further says: "....how far its devastation stretches is the key question of the day"

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said that "murdering Muslim representatives of the state, 

destroying public property in your own country and creating chaos all in the name of religion is no service to religion".

"It is simply doing what the enemies of Pakistan and Muslims would want to see," he said.

The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is a 'far-right' Islamic extremist political party 

and it has been demanding that Sharia be established as the Islamic fundamental law.

The Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan group has been protesting for months since French President 

Emmanuel Macron defended the right of the press to republish cartoons depicting the 

Prophet Muhammad. 

Such depictions were considered blasphemous by Pakistanis. 

ends 

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the first in-person Summit of the G20 since the outbreak of the pandemic will help take stock of the current global situation and exchange ideas on how "the G-20 can be an engine for strengthening economic resilience".

"Over the next few days, I would be in Rome, the Vatican City and Glasgow to attend important multilateral gatherings like the G-20 COP-26. There would also be various bilateral and community related programmes during this visit," Mr Modi tweeted.

In his departure statement, Mr Modi said that during his visit to Italy, he would  also visit the Vatican City, to call on His Holiness Pope Francis and meet Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The Prime Minister will be in Italy from Oct 29 to 31 for the G-20 Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and following which he will travel to Glasgow, United Kingdom from 1-2 November 2021 at the invitation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"This will be the first in-person Summit of the G20 since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 and will allow us to take stock of the current global situation and exchange ideas on how the G20 can be an engine for strengthening economic resilience and building back inclusively and sustainably from the pandemic," he said.

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Mr Modi will meet with leaders of other partner countries and review the progress in India’s bilateral relations with them.

"Following the conclusion of the G20 Summit on 31 October, I will depart for Glasgow to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP-26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). I will be participating in the high-level segment of COP-26 titled ‘World Leaders’ Summit’ (WLS) on 1-2 November, 2021 along with 120 Heads of States/Governments from around the world," he said.

The Prime Minister said, "In line with our tradition of living in harmony with nature and culture of deep respect for the planet, we are taking ambitious action on expanding clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and biodiversity". 

"Today, India is creating new records in collective effort for climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience and forging multilateral alliances. India is among the top countries in the world in terms of installed renewable energy, wind and solar energy capacity," he said.

The COP-26 Summit will also provide an opportunity to meet with all the stakeholders including leaders of partner countries, innovators and Inter-Governmental Organization and explore the possibilities for further accelerating India's clean growth, the Prime Minister said.

ends 

Sacred Stone 'Shila' from Ashok Vatika in Sri Lanka donated for Ram Mandir

New Delhi:

In an apt display of civilisational unity and cohesiveness, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda on Thursday, Oct 28, donated a 'shila' (stone) from the island country-based Sita Mandir, Ashok Vatika to Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

This was stated by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra.

"Today at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, High Commissioner and Ministers of Srilanka donated a shila from Sita Mandir, Ashok Vatika to Pujya Sant-Mahapurush of Ayodhya," said the tweet from the Teerth Kshetra.

The Sri Lankan government had earlier said the esteemed 'stone' from Sri Lankan village, Sita Eliya, would be used in the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 

This stone was received at Mayurapathi Amman Temple by High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda in March 2021. 

Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been entrusted with the task of Ram temple construction.

On Nov 9, 2019, the Supreme Court of India had ruled in favour of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya ending decades of legal dispute. 

God 'Purushattom Ram' was born in Ayodhya and the Supreme Court verdict was hailedby millions of Indians and Hindus across the globe as a test case of 'Ram Lalla' returning home.

The Sri Lankan authorities have said earlier that the bringing and use of 'shila' from Sri Lankafor the grand construction of the Ram temple will celebrate "multifarious commonalities between India and Sri Lanka and also encourage more tourism and exchanges between people in two countries".

It is said, the Sita Eliya is the place where goddess Sita was held captive by king Ravana, according to the 'Ramayana'. 

The village also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Sita and is said to mark the place where she regularly prayed. 

On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Modi had laid the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya inpresence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat among others.

The Sri Lankan envoy, including Sri Lanka’s Ambassador, Deputy Ambassador and two ministers, dedicated the shila of Ashoka Vatika to Shri Ram and also performed aarti at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's General Secretary Champat Rai, and other trustees, including Dr Anil Mishra were also present.

The Sri Lankan envoy and others were also briefed on the construction work of Ram mandir.

ends 

TLP threatened to storm Pak capital : :: Supreme Court sets up panel on Pegasus row :::::: Modi has been "safal se safal (most successful)' PM, says Shah

4 cops killed : Now, Pakistan facing 'music' ....of violence and protest

New Delhi: 

The TLP threatened to storm the capital and two policemen were killed in Lahore,

Violent protest has hit Pakistan now, and worse the menace has hit on the doorsteps of the capital, Islamabad.

Much to the embarrassment of a regime in Pakistan that rejoices troubles in India and has been constantly instigating problems in western neighbour Afghanistan, the "Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan supporters on Wednesday celebrated 'capturing a police vehicle' during their protest march towards Islamabad.

TLP workers capture Police vehicle 

At least four policemen were martyred and over 250 injured as 'thousands of workers' 

of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) clashed with law-enforcement 

personnel near Sadhoke in Punjab's Gujranwala district. 

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that the four police personnel were martyred 

due to firing by TLP workers, adding that 253 others had been injured in the violence.

Earlier, a police spokesperson confirmed the death of one policeman, identified as Kasur 

ASI M. Akbar.

Pak Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told a press conference that three policemen had 

been killed and at least 70 police personnel had been injured.

Of them, eight were in critical condition.

More than 30 policemen injured in the clashes were taken to the Muridke Tehsil Headquarters 

Hospital, while 35 injured personnel were shifted to another Sheikhupura District Headquarters Hospital.

A Reuters report claimed, quoting a police spokesman, that the TLP activists allegedly used SMG, 

AK 47 and pistols to target police officials.

Karachi police also used tear gas shelling to foil an attempted sit-in by TLP workers in the old city area.

During the day, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that TLP will not be allowed to challenge the 

'writ' of the state; and will be treated as a "militant" group and not a religious party.

Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan would mean - "I am present Pakistan" movement'.

It is a 'far-right' Islamic extremist political party in Pakistan founded by Khadim Hussain Rizvi in 

August 2015. 

The Tehreek-e-Labbaik is known for its protests in opposition to any change to Pakistan's blasphemy law and

it has been demanding that Sharia be established as the Islamic fundamental law.

Though it emerged as the fifth largest party in the 2018 Pakistani general election, it had failed to win 

any seat in National Assembly and Punjab Assembly. 

However, it has been successful in winning three seats in the Sindh Assembly.

Punjab IG Rao Sardar Ali Khan said the group had indulged in violenne in the past as well.

He mentioned the group's sit-in at Faizabad in 2017.

He said that previously at least 700 officials were injured and three were martyred. 

"Are police officers and law enforcers not lovers of the Holy Prophet"," the IG asked.

ends 

The Supreme Court says on the Pegasus row, there was also a possibility that some foreign authority, agency or private entity is involved in placing citizens of this country under surveillance. 

Supreme Court sets up panel on Pegasus row 

Opposing and attacking Moditva: A Fashion statement

"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself", the judgment started with this quote from George Orwell's novel '1984'.

New Delhi:

Ending weeks of suspense, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that there has been no specific denial by the Central government on Pegasus issue and thus it has to accept the submissions of petitioner prima facie and "We appoint an expert committee whose function will be overseen by the Court".

The panel will comprise of three technical members and supervised by retired judge Justice R V Raveendran and it will conduct a “thorough inquiry” into allegations of use of Pegasus software for unauthorised surveillance.

Justice Raveendran will be assisted in this task by Alok Joshi, former IPS officer (1976 batch) and Sundeep Oberoi, Chairman, Sub Committee in (International Organisation of Standardisation/International Electro-Technical Commission/Joint Technical Committee). 

The three technical members of the committee are Naveen Kumar Chaudhary, Professor (Cyber Security and Digital Forensics) and Dean, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat; Prabaharan P, Professor (School of Engineering), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, 

Amritapuri, Kerala; and Ashwin Anil Gumaste, Institute Chair Associate Professor (Computer Science and Engineering), Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Maharashtra.

The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said the committee will “enquire, investigate and determine” (i) whether the Pegasus suite of spyware was used on phones or other devices of the citizens of India to access stored data, eavesdrop on conversations, intercept information and/or for any other purposes not explicitly stated herein; 

(ii) The details of the victims 

and/or persons affected by such a spyware attack; 

(iii) What steps/actions have been taken by the Respondent-Union of India after reports were published in the year 2019 about hacking of WhatsApp accounts of Indian citizens, using the Pegasus suite of spyware.

The committee will also look into whether any Pegasus suite of spyware was acquired by the 

Respondent (Union of India), or any State Government, or any central or state agency for use 

against the citizens of India; and If any governmental agency has used the Pegasus suite of spyware 

on the citizens of this country, under what law, rule, guideline, protocol or lawful procedure was 

such deployment made.

The committee will also probe If any domestic entity/person has used the spyware on the citizens of this 

country, then is such a use authorised and whether any other matter or aspect which may be connected, 

ancillary or incidental to the above terms of reference, which the Committee may deem fit and proper to investigate.

The Court ordered that it will also make recommendations (i) Regarding enactment or amendment to 

existing law and procedures surrounding surveillance and for securing improved right to privacy; 

(ii) Regarding enhancing and improving the cyber security of the nation and its assets; 

(iii) To ensure prevention of invasion of citizens’ right to privacy, otherwise than in accordance 

with law, by State and/or non­State entities through such spywares; 

and (iv) Regarding the establishment of a mechanism for citizens to raise grievances on suspicion of illegal 

surveillance of their devices.

It will also recommend regarding the setting up of a well-equipped independent premier agency to investigate cyber security vulnerabilities, for threat assessment relating to cyberattacks and to investigate instances of cyberattacks in the country; regarding any ad­hoc arrangement that may be made by this Court as an interim measure 

for the protection of citizen’s rights, pending filling up of lacunae by the Parliament; and on any other ancillary matter that the Committee may deem fit and proper.

Among other things, the court said there were 'compelling circumstances' that led to the decision to set up the Committee.

They were - that the "entire citizenry is affected by such allegations" due to the potential chilling effect, and there was "No clear stand" taken by the Respondent-Union of India regarding actions taken by it

and also seriousness accorded to the allegations by foreign countries and involvement of foreign parties.

ends 

Modi has been "safal se safal (most successful)' Prime Minister, says Shah

New Delhi:

What and how much 'difference' did Prime Minister Narendra Modi make to 'governance'

debates in India?

Who would unleash the details of this better other than Modi's longtime compatriot, Amit Shah?

Mr Shah, country's Home Minister and who has seen the PM from close range for years now,

said that Mr Modi was chosen by the BJP as a prime ministerial candidate in September 2013

when the country was facing a 'leadership crisis'.

“Terms like good governance, change, reforms, or economic development would not resolve 

the problems faced by the country. It’s not just administration… the leader has to handle 

development, preserve and take forward the culture of the country, ensure security — all these 

can be done only by a leader who is backed by people," said the Home Minister on Wednesday.

Mr Shah was inaugurating a three-day 'unique' national conference on 'Delivering Democracy: 

Review of two decades of Narendra Modi as head of Two Governments'.

The event has been organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) of Mumbai in coordination with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

"Only those who come with on-ground experience and sense the pain of the poor only can 

change it,” said Mr Shah.

Making these observations, the Home Minister also sounded caustic about the performance of the Manmohan

Singh government.

Even the much cherished 'kalyan Rajya (welfare state) and concept of Ram Rajya had practically collapsed

by 2014, he pointed out. 

Mr Modi’s tenure in office first as Gujarat chief minister for 13 years and now Prime Minister

since 2014 May are important 'milestones' in the country's democratic process, BJP MP 

Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has said.

There will be sessions on Modi economic policy 'Modinomics' and also foreign policies, new education policy, 

PM's philosophy of Garib Kalyan and how the poor have benefited from the various schemes during the

conference.

BJP national president J P Nadda will address the valedictory session on October 29. 

In his address, Mr Shah also said: “In 2014, there was a big question in the minds of people on 

whether the multi-party system would be successful in protecting the democratic system".

But “after they saw that the nation witnessed withering of governance", failure in protecting the nation 

and when corruption and scandals had become a routine affairs in the government (under Congress-led

UPA), people had decided to repose faith in the BJP and on the leadership of Narendra Modi.

Mr Shah also said Modi has been India’s most successful Prime Minister since Independence, who has 

given a human angle to the economic barometer of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Even though Narendra Modi ji considers himself as a pradhan sevak, this is his belief… But I can say that 

if there is any successful (safal se safal) Prime Minister; it is our Shri Narendra Modi ji,” the Home

Minister said.

He also said prior to 2014 general elections, there was power tussles and intra-power battle within

Congress and amongst ministers. "Every cabinet minister (under UPA) took themselves 

as Prime Minister(s) and the country's security was at stake...There was policy paralysis and

country's prestige was at its low ebb overseas".

The organisers, RMP have said that while Modi's extraordinary oratory skills, relationship building, ability to pay attention to small details and nuances make him a unique leader; "what sets him apart is his ability to deliver on the commitments he makes to the citizens".

"During the last two years, the way Prime Minister Modi has managed the pandemic in India is a case study on effective governance," the RMP stated.

Among others, some senior and ex-bureaucrats who have worked closely with the Prime Minister are also attending the conference.

 

ends 

Snap: Abu Tayeng

Pak army remains as 'strong' as they were ! Imran Khan gives in, bows to wishes of Army chief Bajwa

Reacting to appointment of new ISI chief in Pakistan and that is being seen as meek surrender of Iman Khan before the Pak military, a former Indian envoy to Islamabad, Sharat Sabharwal told a television channel that "the result is on expected line".

Imran and Nadeem Anjum: File snaps

However, spin masters have been put on the job and some of them said, though Imran Khan finally picked the same general, who was named as new spymaster in October 6 press release of military's media wing, perhaps Pak PM has set a new precedent for the appointment of DG ISI. 

"It was for the first time that the prime minister interviewed potential candidates before finalising the name of new spy chief sent by the Ministry of Defence," said a report in Pakistani newspaper 'The Express Tribune'. 

Since 2000, it was only in 2012 when the announcement of new DG ISI came from the PM office and even that too was terse statement making no mention of either the interviews or consultations with the army chief. On all other occasions the announcement of ISI Chief was made by ISPR, military’s media wing.

In fact last two appointments during the current government also came from the ISPR. But only this time PM Imran objected to the past practice and insisted that he would make the final call.

Imran Khan gives in, bows to wishes of Army chief Bajwa

The army-civilian government leadership relationship in Pakistan stands where it was - a clear supremacy of the military.

Islamabad will get a new ISI chief in Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum from next month.
He will replace the incumbent Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who moves to a Corps command.

"The prime minister (Imran Khan) has seen and approved the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum ... as director general Inter-Services Intelligence, with effect from November 20, 2021, from the panel of officers," a notification issued by the PMO dated October 26 said.

However, spin masters have been put on the job and some of them said, though Imran Khan finally picked the same general, who was named as new spymaster in the October 6 press release of the military's media wing, perhaps Pak PM has set a new precedent for the appointment of DG ISI.

"It was for the first time that the prime minister (Imran) interviewed potential candidates before finalising the name of the new spy chief sent by the Ministry of Defence," said a report in Pakistani newspaper 'The Express Tribune'. But this is seen only as a face saver for Imran Khan. 

The designated DG Inter Service Intelligence, Pak's notorious spy organisation, shall assume charge 
on November 20, 2021.

Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, who was commissioned in service in September 1988, earlier headed Corps V in 

Karachi, media reports said.

Finally the 'formal and final' appointment order for new ISI chief comes after nearly three weeks of 

standoff between the military and the PMO in Islamabad over the appointment of Pakistan's new 

spymaster. 

The army had announced on Oct 6 that the former ISI chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, had been made 

the Peshawar corps commander, while Lt Gen Anjum was appointed in his place.

But the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had not since issued an official notification.

The PMO notification is mandatory for the appointment of ISI chief. Lt Gen Anjum is also

described by colleagues as "a man with a glacier brain". 

In between, Pak Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had said that the authority to appoint 

the ISI chief lay with the Prime Minister.

However, Imran Khan's assertiveness did not yield any result as finally Pakistan gets the new ISI

chief - who has been 'handpicked' by the military and of course with no consultation with the 

Prime Minister.

There is speculation as to why Imran Khan tried to confront the Pakistani military establishment.

One reason could be that Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who also visited Kabul during the peak of Taliban

takeover, was PM Imran's preferred choice to head the spy organisation.

Hameed visited Kabul and reportedly gave 'inputs' to Taliban leaders for new government formation

at a time when Pakistan was internationally denounced for aiding Talibans.

It goes without saying that Pak army is more than just being influential and powerful.

Since 1947, it has staged three military coups toppling the elected Prime Ministers.

Reacting on the development following days of reported standoff between the Pak PM and army

chief, former Indian envoy to Islamabad, Sharat Sabharwal told a television channel that "the result

is on expected line".

Since 2000, it was only in 2012 that the announcement of a new DG ISI came from the PM office. 

The pro-Imran lobby has tried to give a spin on the row saying it is "for the first time" that the prime minister 

has interviewed 'potential candidates' before finalising the name of the new spy chief.

ends