Modi 2.0 - Part 3 Changing World, Covid19 and Foreign Policy

Modi era: Reassess New Objectives and Methods

The foreign policy of the Modi government came in for debate during the corona crisis when the Prime Minister sought to revive two prominent but virtually defunct bodies – the SAARC and the Non Aligned Movement. Modi’s ‘NAM spin’ came as a surprise as he has generally tried to stay away from any of the principal policy paradigms anchored by Jawaharlal Nehru.
 

Along with Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and Egypt's second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, India's first Prime Minister Nehru is credited for the birth of NAM at Belgrade. 
In fact, even the term or the phrase ‘non alignment’ was first used by Nehru in 1954 and he had arguably conceived it as a policy of vigorous action for peace and for a better international climate. 

Blogger's PTI-Mag story: 1999

It was not originally planned not in synonymous with neutrality. NAM was born in a bi-polar world and thus it may be of certain academic interest to speculate what shape the founders (including Nehru) would have given to the NAM if the world then had been it had turned out to be. But it is also a fact by late 1990s, it had lost its relevance!

In February 1999, in one of my earlier assignments in the national capital – my story was titled, “Is NAM losing its relevance?”. (Reported Feb 8, 1999 in ‘The Hindu’) I had spoken to a number of experts on the subject and those included some serving career diplomats both in India and overseas. One such an individual was Dr V R Panchmukhi of Research and Information System for Non Aligned and other Developing Countries.

NAM was not a “cogent grouping”, he has said. But crucially he had said – “NAM started as a reaction to Cold War but situations proved that dominance of power blocs was pervasive. In such a scenario, Non Alignment meant the capability of a country to stand up independently”.
Others said the absence of ‘political will’ on the part of the member nations had weakened the influence of NAM. By 2014 – when Modi came to power – even journalists regularly in MEA beat would bother to know what is going on in the NAM. But what made Modi try to revive NAM in 2019?

The fact of the matter is more than Nehru-influenced platform, Modi saw in NAM a platform that is committed to promote “freedom of thought and actions for developing nations”. Those in the know of things suggest – Modi was convinced perhaps his close aides External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval that the neo-world order post Corona would be a different one. And here the developing world would be playing a more crucial role than it has done so in last two decades. In 1990s, NAM or the international community had a world of ‘one and half superpowers’ – in the words of Pran Chopra as written in his book ‘The Crisis of Foreign Policy – Perspectives and Issues’.

In 2020 and beyond it is certainly a different world. In this world, we are concerned about an unseen virus and the ‘root cause of the virus’ has put China in suspect list. This is also a neo-world wherein US President Donald Trump has announced that his government will end all ties with the World Health Organisation.

But can NAM of 2020 era – a different world under the likes of Trump, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi – be a different one than it was in 1990s. If I take the clock back to my 1999 write up, I have a ready reference to a sentence – Barely has any NAM nation criticised the bombing of sites in Afghanistan and Sudan by the US or the strikes on Iraq. In fact, by 1999 itself NAM had fallen a victim of muscle flexing by Uncle Sam and also China.

“NAM’s erosion from within is well reflected in the kind of excessive influence the United States and China had over its deliberations in Durban Summit,” Prof K P Mishra of Jawaharlal Nehru University had told me. As a political entity, the BJP itself was never much enthusiastic about NAM.

In 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind made a visit to Cuba – another co-founder of NAM. Naturally at the media briefing, senior MEA officials on June 12, 2018 was asked whether President’s visit had anything to do about reviving the erstwhile hyped international body – the NAM.
Joint Secretary Latin America and Caribbean Partha Sathpathy had said: “It will be first ever visit of President of India to Cuba since Cuban revolution in 1959.”
But he hastened to add cautiously: “I am not going to debate on the position of  NAM. Both India and Cuba are founding members of NAM and both practice their own foreign policies which are devoid of any pressure”.

Modi at NAM Video Summit: May 4, 2020

So, what does Modi gain by his new found line on the NAM? Or Is India keen to preserve the forum? More than mere preservation, what would be required is “renovation” – both of objectives and methods. 

Many years back, it used to be argued that NAM is a right platform which could actually “rescue” United Nations from the border line or limbo.

They say – the past is always right there behind you!

Notably, in 2016 Modi had become first Indian Prime Minister since 1979 to skip the NAM Summit. He was the first to give the Venezuela meet a miss after 1979 when caretaker Prime Minister Charan Singh skipped the summit held in Havana.

It was given out that the pursuit of a US-focused foreign policy could be one of the main reasons for the same. But by 2020, has Modi tried to undertake a different approach?
A quick learner and an ear-on-ground leader that he is – perhaps Modi knows his priorities should also change to face a new world order post Covid-19 --- whether it is in line with Nehruvian policy or not.

Many things have changed in last few months and some more tectonic shifts will be seen in next few months.  The powerful G-7 bloc faced maximum Covid-19 related deaths while on the other hand, the so called ‘third world’  or the emerging economies have been able to keep the mortality rate due to coronavirus at the lowest. In India, the rate of recovery as on May 30, 2020 stood at 47 per cent plus.

Thus, New Delhi is now indicating a ‘readiness’ to assume the leadership role of an important institution which was once vilified.

The new world order – more so post Covid-19 – should get its act together and right so that they can make the world ‘more answerable’ to the United Nations and the global body should be equally more responsible to the world. The anguish of over 120 countries vis-a-vis WHO role and China and Corona crisis is only a pointer. Perhaps, Modi has gauged the signals pretty well that China would be keen to emerge as a spokesman of the third world. 

Beijing’s isolation in World Health Assembly was though a dampener!

India also stands to benefit from increased trade and other forms of economic cooperation among the third world countries. There are strong grounds why the developing world would continue to need fora like G-77 and also the NAM. Modi should thus continue to cultivate NAM also help the body reassess its aims and objectives.

Modi 2.0 : The Paradox --- Part 2

How have opposition parties helped Narendra Modi?

It has been symptomatic of the state of affairs in the opposition camp in India that it finds itself unable to get an answer to one of the most pressing questions. How to deal with Narendra Modi?

Virtually shocked after unilateral alliance announcement made by the Samajwadi Party and the BSP, Rahul Gandhi pushed in Priyanka Gandhi – but gave her the onerous task of delivering in eastern UP – which in last few years ‘shining’ in reflected glory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s influence on Varanasi has turned BJP bastion.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s initial and orchestrated media hype too has ended and taking a pragmatic line – she told a group of supporters and workers – “Do not expect miracle from me”. Perhaps eastern UP was already lost by second week of May 2019. Politics often follow a predictable script. Hopes that Priyanka Gandhi-Rahul (sister-bro) duo would swing 2019 mandate in favour of the Congress simply was short-lived.

American columnist George Will once said – columnists must have three seductive skills – he must be pleasurable, concise and gifted at changing the subject frequently. To a large extent – some of these qualities and need not in that order apply to politicians also. For BJP and Indian voters, Narendra Modi has been ‘pleasurable’ – the lethal combination of being a champion of Hindutva cause and a development catalyst has only endeared him more to the voters. Modi’s way of communicating with people too has been very good – crisp and direct and yes, he has been very successful in changing the course of debates.
On the other hand, Congress and opposition politics always seemed to have contributed in helping the BJP cause.

The likes of Sam Pitroda have started contributing towards BJP cause when the Balakot anti-terror attack during Modi-led dispensation is being compared with UPA’s ‘well decided’ move not to attack Pakistan post 26/11.
The BJP smelt the rat and none other than Prime Minister Modi called such remarks ‘shame’ and said Pitroda, onetime associate of Late Rajiv Gandhi, has tried to add to the ‘celebration’ of Pakistan National Day.
“Why we are doing everything to help BJP?,” said a leader on a day Tom Vadakkam, once said to be close to Congress leadership, decided to join the saffron party.  Winning over Vadakkam into the saffron fold was Amit Shah’s style of politics.

Even the announcement that Sonia Gandhi will contest from Rae Bareily and Rahul himself from Amethi had hardly any big time political message. These are known facts and the moment Smriti Irani’s name came in for the seat; Mr Gandhi apparently drew cold feet. The saffron party worked to their plans and Chandra Prakash Mishra, a noted Brahmin leader from BSP, moved to the BJP.
Irked, a section of Congress leaders pushed the line that Rahul Gandhi should contest from Wayanad constituency in Kerala. Smriti Irani, Rahul’s rival of 2014, got the opportunity and pushed the hash tag ‘Bhag Rahul Bhag’ on the Twitter.
In fact, many BJP leaders say the very talk about ‘second constituency’ for Rahul shows – Ms Irani has won the battle 50 per cent.

"The very idea of this talk going on of his relocation from Amethi to down south is enough indication as to which way the wind is blowing," the BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

There is no end to woes for a politician – like Rahul Gandhi – who does not think twice or even once before labelling baseless and a serious charge of corruption against country’s Prime Minister in office.


The ‘Chowkidar Chor hae’ was not only in bad taste and unbecoming of a party which has been in power for over six decades. The slogan has the potency of being more powerful and a negative catalyst than the slogan of ‘Maut Ka Saudagar’ in 2007 and ‘chaewalla’ jibes of 2014.

The BJP also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s source of income and - as expected - no convincing responses can come from Congress.

# Congress has not changed a bit and remains a family focussed party. Nowhere in the country, it has able to strike right chord with the masses. Sonia to Rahul – both have failed to revive party in West Bengal, Odhisa, Bihar, UP, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. It lost out north east too. 

In the other opposition parties also, things did not go as per their plans. BJP handled parties like Trinamool Congress giving it a befitting fight and ultimately picked up 18 Lok Sabha seats. 

In more ways than one – the political parties were also forced to battle contradictions within themselves. 

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Coronavirus Crisis : Challenges to Opportunities and Economic Reforms

But PM Modi chose to remain realistic as he did not want to risk people's lives for the economy. He especially wanted to keep the mortality rate of Covid-19 under check. And therefore mortality rate in the country by May 23-24, 2020 due to Covid-19 was around 2.49 per cent only.

In the words of Joint Secretary to Health Ministry, Lav Agarwal: The 15 most-impacted countries due to COVID-19, with a cumulative population almost equal to that of India, have seen 83 times more deaths and 34 times more infections.
By May 20, 2020, the Health Ministry also said that the COVID-19 recovery rate in the country has improved to 39.62 per cent and a staggeringly high 42,298 people have recovered from the unseen and killer virus.

One year since May 30, 2019 when Narendra Modi was sworn in for second term, much has moved in socio political realm in the country. But before dealing in details with other issues including Ram Mandir issue, it would be worth talking about Covid-19 crisis and how the Prime Minister led the country of 130 crore in the royal combat.

May 3rd, 2020 was the 40th day of a nationwide lockdown enforced since mid-night of March 24-25. The lockdown was relaxed in some areas, but cases continued to spread in most cities, especially in national capital New Delhi and business hub Mumbai and also in some rural pockets.

Military helicopters showered flower petals on hospitals and medicos as army bands played outside medical buildings and police stations across India. Certainly a rarest of rare event, the gesture aimed to encourage and honor frontline warriors fighting coronavirus. Little to dispute that this was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi – who is known to many as a time tested protagonist of the politics of symbolism. Air force, navy and army personnel joined in expressing the nation's gratitude to healthcare workers, police and paramilitary forces.

It was the third such display of ‘symbolism’ to express gratitude to health workers in India. Earlier Modi had made a personal call to citizens to light lamps and blow conch shells, as is followed in Hindu rituals, to encourage Covid-19 warriors from their balconies.  Prime Minister also had asked in first such exercise to clap from their balconies and beat steel plates. Of course there was some bad experience too as enthusiastic Indians and most in villages and slums, who perhaps live in homes without balconies, marched in groups on the streets, chanting "go corona, go."

A question could be easily asked, what does Narendra Modi gain from such symbolism? 

Those who know his politics will easily appreciate that a ‘committed Hindu nationalist’, he is - Modi has always reaped rich dividends from symbolic acts. Hence as I spoke to a Varanasi-based educationist – the response was candid: "Those of us who have followed Modi's politics know that his politics has been akin to throwing some pebbles into a large pond and seeing ripples. He not only enjoys this but it has also actually helped him in the past”.

Bhadra cites a practical example to strengthen his argument. When Modi first selected Varanasi, the city on the banks of the holy River Ganges, to contest the parliamentary election in 2014, he had said: "Mujhe Ganga Maa ne bulaya hae (I am here amongst you at the directives of the Mother Ganga)”. Well it is well known that Hindus regard the river Ganga as a mother river (read God).

Modi, who comes from Gujarat state in western India, in 2014 had decided to contest from Varanasi so that he could consolidate Hindu votes for his party's kitty in India’s largest state. Varanasi is not only an important spiritual city for Hindus but is also part of the same Uttar Pradesh --- where BJP had lost its base. Finally out of 80 of 543 parliamentary seats, in 2014, BJP could win 71 seats in the state. In the words of Amit Shah – as well – the road to BJP’s win in 2019 general election also came via Uttar Pradesh.

This time – BJP could manage to win 62 seats braving double incumbency while two more seats went to Apna Dal. 

Coming back to corona fight and Modi’s symbolism; the symbols of blowing conch shells and lighting of lamps to fight the coronavirus perhaps help him push his strong Hindu nationhood idea. Therefore, it is not without good reason that in April 2020 - BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva from the Good Governance cell said: "Post Covid-19, Modi will emerge as the tallest leader in the country of 1.3 billion people. Various international surveys have also hailed him as a best-performing world leader against the virus”.

The optimism is not without good reason. Modi's popularity had shot up to the highest among global leaders, according to Morning Consult, a US-based research body. It claimed that around April 21 Modi had a net approval rating of 68, up from 62 at the beginning of 2020.

Of course, not all were amused and predictably so. "....it looks like a political orchestra," went a write up in 'National Herald', the newspaper backed by Congress leaders. Some others have called it a political 'circus'. 

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who often tries to project himself as Modi's chief rival, said it would be erroneous to start ‘celebrating’ the success of Lockdown vis-a-vis Covid-19. He said the lockdown against corona is only a "pause" and the virus can leave its gory impact with long-term results, especially economically.

Of course, what could be underlined that Modi has been playing to the gallery and it has kept his core voters intact, even during a crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic. Needless to add – the Prime Minister systematically built up his image with symbolism. For example, in 2012, as Gujarat state chief minister, he declined to put on a Muslim skull cap given to him by a Muslim cleric. Accepting it could have diluted his well-known image as anti-Muslim and a strong Hindu leader. However, he does not mind putting on a Sikh turban when he visits their Gurudwaras, especially in Punjab. Sikhism has a history of being closer to Hinduism. In Ahmedabad, Congress leader Ilyas Qureshi said - "Modi knows the power of symbolism and an Islamophobic campaign. He has also sustained it well, targeting his vote bank”.

BJP leaders and supporters say the criticism against the recent joint action of defence forces to encourage corona warriors shows the opposition's poverty of ideas and lack of understanding. "It is the right time to lift morale," said Modi supporter and retired army general G.D Bakshi in a debate on Republic TV. "Military men like me fully understand the importance of morale ... the psychological strength in the face of wounds, disease and deaths. Please do not underestimate the psychosomatic aspects," Bakshi had said. In this context, it can be safely stated that while Modi has sustained the politics of symbolism well targeting his vote bank politics, often others end up harming them. Unlike Narendra Modi, another BJP leader L K Advani had paid a big price when he went to Pakistan in 2005 and described the founder of Pakistan Mohammed Ali Jinnah a 'secular politician'.

There was a strong economical element in Modi’s battle against Corona.

There was a strong fear of crumbling economy due to lockdown as also the government’s role came in for sharp criticism over the issue of migrant workers. Firstly, the big imbroglio over migrant workers and how the genuine issue was made a political hot potato and ended up making it a big farcical drama.

Human agony is certainly undeniable but the issue was blown out of proportion also in a section of the media which formed part of the larger ‘eco system’ of the sickular brigade. For example Ramchandra Guha, a cricket writer turned ‘self styled historian’ went to the extent of applauding South African government.

“The Prime Minister of India, and he alone, bears responsibility for the enormous suffering of our migrant workers. South Africa’s President, who thinks before he acts, gave several days notice to allow migrants to return home before a lockdown took effect” – tweeted the ‘propagandist’ Guha. But he was proved wrong the moment international media highlighted that – “Thousands waited in miles-long lines on the outskirts of Pretoria for food aid amid South Africa's lockdown”. 

The same ‘eco system’ dished out their versions trying to push the line that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden announcement of a lockdown – with a mere four hours notice – had rendered huge number of migrant workers jobless. It was argued that they were ‘ignored’ in the entire bargain because they formed no voting bloc. Of course states like Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha did not have sound economic conditions themselves and so now these workers are returning to these villages where thousands are already struggling for food and jobs for years and so what happens to the new lot of ‘job seekers’.

Of course, from government’s point of view, the Prime Minister knew the significance of the economic challenges vis-a-vis Lockdown and the corona crisis. "From the economic angle, we have paid a high price," Modi said in his Mann-Ki-Baat address. But he had rightly laid emphasis on his new found pet phrase ‘Jaan hae toh Jahan haen --- Survival is the key and so people's lives are more important”.

The lack of cash in India and with the Indian government is a reality.

In April 2020, British brokerage firm Barclays had said a lockdown until May 3 only may cause India an economic loss of US$234.4 billion. Moreover, adding to the woes of the government, India's unemployment rate – according to some estimates - had shot up to 26.2 percent by the third week of April, a sevenfold increase from last year. An extended lockdown further damaged the labor market. Cash buffers have already dried up and India was set to be confronted with a sharp decline in government revenues and economic growth for at least the next six months. "In many offices, retrenchment policies are being explored, and some companies have already decided to cut salaries to employees," said opposition Congress party leader Adhir Chowdhury.

The tourism industry also had crashed across India, as in other parts of the world. The industry engages millions of people in restaurants, travel and hospitality.

The tourism industry generated US$240 billion, more than 9 percent of India's national GDP, in 2018 and supported 42 million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

"The year is the worst for the tourism sector," said an office bearer with the Indian Tour Operators Association. The labor-intensive real estate sector witnessed a plunge and experts presumed that the  industry could need at least six years to return to normal. India is on the verge of an unprecedented economic catastrophe.

Trump acts rather swiftly: Revokes spl status to Hong Kong, terminates US ties with WHO

US President Donald Trump on Friday put his 'China action plan' on faster track and announced two major decisions --- severing all American ties with the World Health Organisation and directed his government to deprive Hong Kong its 'special status' as a Free City. 

President Trump said the United States is severing all ties with the World Health Organisation (WHO) --which was lately being also described as the Wuhan Health Organisation. Trump also announced other steps intended to punish that group and China for what he dubbed a "cover up" of the coronavirus outbreak on Chinese soil.

"The world deserves answers," the President said about WHO and Chinese officials' actions when the Covid-19 virus went public in China – then infected millions across the world.

"....China's pattern of misconduct is well known........The plain facts cannot be overlooked or swept aside.The world is now suffering (because of) Chinese government. Chinese cover up of the 'Wuhan Virus' allowed the disease to spread all over the world".

He blamed Chinese officials for, in his words, having "pressured the World Health Organisation to mislead the world" about the virus.

The US government will now 'investigate' whether companies owned or run by the communist Chinese regime should be delisted from US.securities markets.

Trump indicated that funding for the WHO would be now redirected to other public health efforts around the world because of WHO's 'deliberate lies' and propaganda about the Wuhan coronavirus.

On April 15, President Trump had said - "With the outbreak of the COVID-19, we have deep concerns whether America's generosity has been put to the best use possible. The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain, vet and share information in a timely and transparent fashion". He had also then ordered halting America's funding of up to USD 500 million annually to the World Health Organization.
The US had blamed WHO for "severely mismanaging and covering up" the spread of the deadly coronavirus when it first emerged in China.

The novel coronavirus, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei province in November, has so far killed at least 357,736 there have been 5,704,736 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally.
It has spread across 175 plus countries.

Notably, India is among the 190 member states of the WHO. It has backed the resolution for an international investigation into the origin of the pandemic,
World Health Organization (WHO) developments and now the US actions have shown it could be left 'isolated', licking its wounds.

Trump's decision on Hong Kong will leave adverse impact on trade front.

Media reports say - the US recognizes Hong Kong as a unique customs territory, which means it has been largely spared the upheaval of the US-China trade war.
A former British colony Hong Kong, it may be pointed out, is one of the United States' biggest export markets and it has a zero tariff rate on U.S. imports.

About five years before Britain handed control of Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997, the US policymakers agreed to continue to effectively treat the territory as a separate entity from China beyond that date.

Under the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, the U.S. accords Hong Kong a 'special status; as a part of China and agreements governing a range of interactions.

Notably yet again - "any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the US," the Hong Kong government has said. 

Reports say from 2009 to 2018, the US trade surplus with Hong Kong was the biggest among all its trading partners, totalling $297bn of merchandise with 1,300 American firms are based in the city.

"No recent talks b/w Modi and Trump" - Govt clarification comes after US Prez claim on Modi is 'angry'

India on Friday, May 29, sought to put to rest any speculation about President Donald Trump and Prime  Minister Narendra Modi 'recent' talks stating clearly that the last conversation between them was on April 4, 2020 on the subject of hydroxychloroquine. 

"There has been no recent contact between PM Modi and President Trump. The last conversation between them was on 4 April 2020 on the subject of hydroxychloroquine," Government sources revealed here. Sources also clarified that New Delhi is not interested for any intervention or mediation by President Trump on the on-going border row between India and China.

"Yesterday (May 28), MEA had also made it clear that we are directly in touch with the Chinese through established mechanisms and diplomatic contacts," sources said. The clarification from the Indian government source comes after President Trump's remarks triggered a minor row
and created a room for speculation about possible Modi-Trump tele talks.

"I can tell you; I did speak to Prime Minister Modi. He is not in a good mood about what is going on with China," Trump told reporters during his customary Oval Office briefing. MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava on Thursday politely rejected Trump's offer for any negotiation.

"we are engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve the issue", he has said. Srivastava further said - "Our troops have taken very responsible approach towards border management and strictly follow the procedures laid out in various bilateral agreements and protocols with China to resolve 

any issue that may arise in the border areas".

"The two sides have established mechanism both at diplomatic and military level to resolve situations which may arise in border areas peacefully through dialogue, " he said adding Indian forces will strictly follow the "consensus reached by our leaders and the guidance" provided.

Amid heightened tension along India-China border, the US President Trump had tweeted on Wednesday saying: “We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute".

India has earlier categorically rejected Trump's keenness to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.

Srivastava said India is committed to the objective of maintenance of "peace and tranquility" in the border areas with China and our armed forces "scrupulously follow the consensus reached by our leaders and the guidance provided".  

"At the same time, we remain firm in our resolve to ensuring India’s sovereignty and national security," he asserted.

It was also pointed out that since 1993, India and China have signed several bilateral agreements

and protocols to ensure Peace and Tranquility in the India-China border areas.

These include: - 1993 Agreement on Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas; the 1996 Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the LAC; the 2005 Protocol on Modalities for the implementation of the Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the LAC; the 2012 Agreement on the establishment of a working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China Border Affairs; and the 2013 Border Defence Cooperation Agreement.

MEA spokesman also said - India attaches great importance to the deep rooted historical, cultural and friendly 

relations with Nepal. "In recent years, our relations have been on an upward trajectory which is evident from 

expanding and diversified bilateral cooperation and increased Government of India's assistance for development and connectivity projects". 

"This has resulted in timely implementation of several large scale and critical projects. Even in these challenging 

times of COVID-19 pandemic, India has ensured unimpeded trade and supply of essentials including medicines to Nepal, besides providing assistance in terms of medical supplies and other facilitation," MEA spokesman said.

On the recent developments on boundary issue,  he said: "...we continue to monitor the situation in Nepal. We note that this matter is receiving careful consideration in Nepal, taking its seriousness into account. India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. 

This is a continuous process and requires constructive and positive efforts".

The troop building escalated in the past weeks with the Chinese army reportedly bringing in trucks with arms and ammunitions and intruded 3500 km long Line of Actual Control, the de facto border between them. 

Moditva 2.0 - The Paradox : Kashmir, Ram Mandir and Corona Crisis

On May 23, 2019, Narendra Modi led BJP to storm back to power for another five-year term after winning a landslide general election victory. It was given to understand among political circles and amongst intellectuals and Left Liberals that with Modi and BJP now securely affirming their place, Indian political history could easily shed its status quo.

In a sense, many thought Modi's second successive landslide win echoes Ronald Reagan's abiding popularity as US president in the 1980s, when he somehow escaped blame for his country's economic woes. Reagan was called the Great Communicator and for being a "teflon" president whose mistakes never stuck to him. Mr Modi enjoys a similar reputation.
BJP won as many as 303 seats - a significant leap from the 2014 tally and certainly a mega turn of events since December 2018 when it had lost power in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

BJP’s political growth and 2019 electoral win are certainly linked to a surge of nationalism which reached great heights after the Prime Minister hardened his stance against arch-rival Pakistan in February. The Balakot aerial strike added a completely new dimension to election campaign and the results in the ultimate. The 2019 win has been seen as an approval of Modi’s muscular brand of nationalism. This obviously made a right synthesis along with the lethal combine of developmental agenda and the spirit of Hindutva values.

According to BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva of Good Governance Cell, “People did not buy the line that Modi has been personally corrupt. They admired BJP's governance and faceless Indian voters also proved themselves smarter than everyone dealing them had thought”.

The abrogation of Article 370, enacting Uniform Civil Code and a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya were three principal yet contentious promises made by the BJP in electoral politics. Now, one of them has been implemented ! In terms of election promise - it has been fulfilled. Even the Ram Temple is now a reality as the Supreme Court has given a convincing and favourable verdict.
To make things clear, I must admit that abrogation of the Article 370 does make me happy. That is of course a vital step; but what is most admirable is that the development-starved Ladakh region has been given Union Territory status.
This will help the Ladakhis and give them the fruits of development.

In some other context, I have said earlier that one area the Modi government’s role remain far from satisfactory is - the absence of steps to be taken to dispel notion that India is heading towards majoritism. And Prime Minister himself  seems to be not doing enough on this to eradicate the 'perception' that fundamentalism has been let loose in this country. I am saying this despite a firm belief that a section of 'self serving' intellectuals and the ‘sickular media and polity’ will never understand the genuine assertiveness of the majority community.

The Hindus are angry about 'minority appeasement' and the Modi-Amit Shah duo is smartly using this anguish no doubt.

I agree with the Prime Minister that over the last several decades nobody could properly explain the benefits of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and why it was sought to be seen as a permanent measure. It is a matter of national agony  that  42,000 innocent lives had been lost due to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir – which were inspired and aided by Pakistan; and had taken roots under the so called special status provision. 

MEA asserts: Nepal's 'artificial enlargements' of territorial claims not acceptable

In response to media queries on the revised map of Nepal released by Government of Nepal, the MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: " The Government of Nepal has released a revised official map of Nepal today that includes parts of Indian territory. This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence. It is contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India.

"Nepal is well aware of India’s consistent position on this matter and we urge the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that the Nepalese leadership will create a positive atmosphere for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues."

Mumbai in mess: Uddhav's Pawar-dependence proving costly

Uddhav Thackeray presumed everything can be hunky-dory if he keeps Sharad Pawar - the hyped Maratha strongman - in good humour. Himself a lousy administrator and who believes in manipulation more than anything else Pawar has utterly failed not only Uddhav - a misguided ambitious father - and of course the state of Maharashtra.

But SICKULAR MEDIA will look the other way thinking mere closing of eyes would save a government in Mumbai which came to power chiefly guided by selfish motives.

Mumbai is in mess vis-a-vis Corona crisis and where is Mr Uddhav Thackeray?

According to none other than state's beleaguered Home Minister Anil Deshmukh there were more than 100,000 cases of violation of Covid19 Lockdown restrictions.

The mess is reflected in the tweet from Deshmukh - "As many as 1,03,345 offences registered under Sec 188 of Indian Penal Code since the lockdown leading to 19,630 arrests and seizure of 55,784 vehicles".

There were also reports that more than 1,000 cops in the state got infected by the coronavirus and there were allegation that over 90 per cent of migrant workers in Mumbai did not receive government-sanctioned ration during lockdown. Thus, there was little to guess that a huge number took to the streets seeking to return to northern states via Madhya Pradesh.


BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who says: "Over 1000 COVID19 cases have been reported in busyShivaji Nagar area in Mumbai in last 15 days. I demand immediate army deployment in these areas".
A sort of helplessness has already dawned on a section of officials. "There is sense these days and
it is growing that we have to live with Covid-19," is the refrain.
Maharashtra government on its own extended the lockdown till May 31 -- hours before such a formal announcement was made by the federal government on Sunday evening.

"Lockdown 4.0 will come into effect tomorrow (May 18) and will be valid till May 31. There will be some relaxations in the fourth phase," the state Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta said.

There are other issues and complaints. “In some cases, we feel sorry for poor sanitationin hospitals. It may not be wrong to say those with symptoms and those who testedpositive have been huddled like cattle," remarked a social worker.

However, authorities are putting up a brave face and say Mumbai will soon get more makeshift hospitals.


Meanwhile, the central government in Delhi on Sunday extended the Covid-19 lockdown for two more weeks till May 31 with certain relaxations.The government has allowed inter-state movement of buses and private vehicles with the consent of the involved states and the move will greatly ease public transportation help migrant labourers on the roads. The night curfew, between 7 pm and 7 am, will continue.
Domestic and international flights and metro rail in cities will continue to remain shut and sowould be shopping malls, cinema halls, schools, colleges, hotels and restaurants, and religious and political gatherings.

The Uddhav Thackeray regime thought BMC could handle things for Mumbai.

Many hasty decisions were taken by BMC, which only resulted in a rapid deterioration of the situation.

For instance, in mid-April, BMC changed its testing rules, wherein high risk asymptomatic contacts of Covid-19 patients were not to be tested. This was a suicidal step. Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had raised a protest against the decision....

The spike in Mumbai cases in the last two weeks is directly attributable to this alteration. The administration tried to bring down numbers artificially, without realising they were playing with fire.

 Mumbai had 8,800 cases and 343 deaths till May 3 but the metropolis recorded as many as696 deaths just within a fortnight and 18,555 cases by May 17, Sunday.By Monday (May 18), according to some estimates the casualty figures jumped to 734 and toneof desperation and helplessness have already set in.The health services and cleanliness were never a forte for the civic authorities andthe gory picture today only exposes the major faultline of the city planners, civic bodyand the state government.According to official estimates - Maharashtra state (where Mumbai is capital) contributes staggeringly high more than one-third of the Covid-19 cases in India and Mumbai alone make more than one-fifth.

A parochial outfit Shiv Sena, which often courts politics of Hindu fundamentalism, is running a coalition regime along with Congress party and a regional outfit Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Authorities maintain things are going beyond control as there is shortage of at least 1000 hospital beds by each day.In some hospitals, Covid19 patients were kept near dead bodies and such photos and videos have gone viral in social media and television reports.

Local city based social workers who visited some state-run hospitals told UCAN that patients are forced to share beds and medical workers often leave the ill-fated patients on their ownor on the hands of their relatives.
Most health staff in Mumbai and adjoining Thane are "overworked".

The Mumbai civic body often flouted established norms and did not even conduct test on medical staff and doctors and thereby increased the possibility of positive cases as time passed by since March. On March 17 - the casualty figure was just one due to Covid19 but by May 16 - the figure jumped to1135.

Worst of all, the pandemic has hit Asia's largest slum dwelling Dharavi and at least two well known hospitals Lokmanya Tilak Hospital in Sion and KEM are the hotbeds for transmission of the killer virus.

Lack of cash is where Govt is feeling the pinch: Modi and Cash Doles

Over the years, India has turned into a very large service economy with over two-thirds of its GDP coming from services. But the push for manufacturing through incentives for steel sector and reforms in agriculture could help India expand its export basket. On Saturday, Finance Minister announced major reforms strategies in defence production, mining and aviation sectors.

India's calling card could be boost to domestic economy though farm sector and push to manufacturing. 

But till that happens, may be the migrant worker on streets have to suffer few weeks more and than land in a village where he does not have a job which could give him two square meal.

Or he may have to get back again - where he belonged just a few months back -- the large cities
as migrant workers.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has a tough task at hand along with her deputy Anurag Thakur. They have to virtually repackage the budget. Rahul Gandhi has his reasons to look for cash doles!

Should any Congress admirer wonder why it is so? Even communists want cash doles! NGO lobby has rightly taken over Indian polity's opposition space!

However, another reality is the Indian economy is in deep crisis with possible 1.2 to zero per cent growth in 2020.

Another BJP leader Jayant Sinha, a former Minister, says government's mechanism will prove effective

and good amount through multiple scheme would reach poor farmers and beneficiaries' bank accounts

through a "transparent" mechanism.

The government's problems are multi-pronged, despite lockdown since March 25, India has reported 

more than 85, 000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its 1.3 billion population, with over 2,500 deaths.

Though the government’s fiscal spending would not be impacted by the economic package and new reforms measures as most of it are to be implemented through banks and market borrowing by financial institutions, there is however an apprehension that the fiscal deficit is expected to touch six to 7 per cent of GDP in 2020-21, double of an earlier estimate of 3.5 per cent.

The possibility of sharp fall in revenue collection has irked government's financial managers

already and there are also chances -according to Center for Monitoring Indian Economy - that

the unemployment rates rose would rise to 23.5 per cent and above.

The agrarian reforms if brings expected results, tides would be changed. 

The Covid19 and the Lockdown enforced subsequently had offered an opportunity. May be some of the lapses in governance could have been corrected. 

But has the government wasted that window of opportunity? Or Prime Minister Modi is worried about poor revenue collection and thus is using the Covid19 as an excuse to unleash the much needed economic reforms especially in critical sectors like agriculture and labour?

Critics have now expressed doubts on whether Modi's hyped announcement of 226 billion US dollars package will help poor and especially the faceless migrant workers who were forced to flee cities and take to the streets. The general refrain is India’s Rs 20 lakh crore (226bn US dollar) package - much through banks and credit boost is paltry sum and short of the needs.

Last month British brokerage firm Barclays said a lockdown until May 3 may cause India an economic loss of US$234.4 billion.

India's unemployment rate had shot up to 26.2 percent by the third week of April, a sevenfold increase from last year. An extended lockdown could further damage the labor market.

Cash buffers have already dried up and India will be confronted with a sharp decline in government revenues and economic growth for at least the next six months, leaders say.

"In many offices, retrenchment policies are being explored, and some companies have already decided to cut salaries to employees," said opposition Congress party leader Adhir Chowdhury.

The tourism industry has crashed across India, as in other parts of the world. The industry engages millions of people in restaurants, travel and hospitality.

The tourism industry generated US$240 billion, more than 9 percent of India's national GDP, in 2018 and supported 42 million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

"The year is the worst for the tourism sector," said Vipin Saxena of the Indian Tour Operators Association.

The labor-intensive real estate sector has witnessed a plunge, industry experts say, and may need at least six years to return to normal.

"India is on the verge of an unprecedented economic catastrophe as the humanitarian disaster from the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds," wrote educationist Jayati Ghosh of Jawaharlal Nehru University in a column.

BJP leaders are saying PM Modi is pragmatic as he does not want to risk people's lives for the economy. He especially wants to keep the mortality rate of Covid-19 under check, they say.

However, India Ratings and Research, a credit rating company, predicted that growth expectations for the economy would be around 1.9 percent down, from 3.6 percent in March.

This will be the lowest GDP growth in the last 29 years and is based on the assumption that the partial lockdown may be extended until mid-May.

Ajoy Kumar, spokesman for Janata Dal (United), which is part of the ruling coalition, said the prime minister has rightly emphasised protecting people's lives and health, "the central source of wealth" for the country.

He also stressed stricter compliance with lockdown rules as about 60 percent of positive coronavirus cases in India have come without showing any symptoms.

In dealing with economic challenges as a direct fallout of Covid-19, there are micro-level issues revolving around morality.

In India, liquor consumption is traditionally seen as a taboo. Alcohol sales were banned as part of the lockdown, and the federal government has rejected a plea to allow the sale of alcohol in Congress party-ruled Punjab state.

Similar requests from the states of Assam, Meghalaya  and Kerala also faced stiff resistance. States are seeking the green light to sell liquor to make up for the loss of revenues.

The government justifies restrictions on liquor by saying the priority is on health care and the supply of essential food for ordinary people, migrants and marginalized workers.

The revenue-starved government has announced a US$24 million relief package to take care of the poor and those who need immediate help. However, state administrations are asking for more financial support. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has demanded a federal government grant of some US$14 billion to states as revenue has drastically nosedived.

The lack of cash is where the Modi government is feeling the pinch.

Come to a test and Modi Govt has done pretty well in bringing back INDIANS

A large number of Indians are coming back.....

However, there would be issues and complaints in one form or the other. As expected there were ‘political challenges’ too as West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee, a known close aide of mercurial Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on May 14 made a very unrealistic but critical tweet.

“Is the MEA asking us to believe that there are enough people to come from Georgia to Gujarat but none want to come to Kolkata ? Also, there are enough people to come back to Bihar from Kyrgyzstan but not enough to bring back to Bengal?,” wrote Chatterjee.

MEA spokesman Srivastava quickly countered this saying –“MEA does not discriminate between states. GOI’s Vande Bharat Mission is for all stranded Indians, including those from West Bengal. Over 3700 of them have registered for repatriation from different parts of the world”. 

Evacuation in London

In another missive, the MEA spokesman responded: “Will gladly facilitate flights to Kolkata if state government will confirm arrangements to receive and quarantine. (MEA) will also help in return of WB residents through land borders with neighbours. We hope to receive an early response on the matter.”


“With the launch of the Vande Bharat Mission from 7th May, the massive government effort to respond to the Covid-19 situation entered a new phase. The Vande Bharat Mission is the largest and most complex exercise ever undertaken by the government for the repatriation of our nationals stranded overseas,” says Anurag Srivastava, spokesman in the Ministry of External Affairs. 

“We are working very closely with the Ministries of Civil Aviation, Home Affairs, Health & Family Welfare as well as concerned state governments in this exercise,” he explains.

Between May 7 and 14, in fact as many as 12,000 Indian nationals have safely returned home.
“Fifty six flights have brought back our nationals from 12 countries. 

In addition, 904 Indians were repatriated from Maldives by INS Jalashwa and INS Magar on 10th May and 12th May respectively. Some others have arrived through deportation flights from various countries,” adds Srivastava.

Meanwhile, government has indicated that the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission – to bring back home more Indians - will be launched between May 16 and 22 and the operation will help bring back stranded Indians from 31 countries.

Modi dons Eco. Reformer hat: Braving slowdown and corona crisis, tries to reboot Indian economy

In his remarks at a meeting with the Chief Ministers on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said "the world has fundamentally changed post COVID-19". Taking this spirit along in his Tuesday's address to the nation, Prime Minister said: "The world is beginning to believe that India can do very well, so much good for the welfare of mankind can give".

Industrialist Anand Mahindra tweeted: This was the PM’s Carpe Diem (Seize the Day) speech; an opportunity to change the narrative from ‘Survival’ to ‘Strength.’ We will know tomorrow whether or not this is going to be a transformational moment like 1991. What I also believe is I won’t get much sleep tonight!

gave apause to his well known Hindutva slant and political brownie points as he announced on Tuesdaya massive Rs 20 lakh crore (about 266 bn dollar) stimulus package to brave through the economic uncertainty confronted following weeks of lockdown. 

"Corona will be with us for a long time but our lives cannot solely revolve around it. We will wear masks, we will have tofollow social distance (of six-foot gap), but we would not let the challenge derail our targets," the PrimeMinister said in his fifth television address to the nation on Tuesday, May 12 since the corona crisis hit India.

"This was the PM’s Carpe Diem (Seize the Day) speech; an opportunity to change the narrative from Survival to Strength,"tweeted industrialist Anand Mahindra. 

"We will know tomorrow whether or not this is going to be a transformational moment like 1991," he said.

India under Modi's predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh as the federal Finance Minister in 1991 undertook firsteconomic reforms measures and propelled it to new vista of growth and prosperity.

It is presumed the new package - the details of which will be unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman -included the March allocation as well as liquidity measures announced by regulator Reserve Bank of India. 

“Headline announcement looks positive," remarked Sandip Sabharwal, a Mumbai-based fund manager.

PM Modi made it clear that at the end of 54-day lockdown enforced since March 25, the country will proceed on withLockdown 4 after May 17. But he made it clear that the new lockdown norms would be "completely different" unlikethe on-going shutdown - hinting that vital economic activities may be allowed.

"This package does not mean money will reach consumers' pocket, but it will reshape the country's future," said expert T V Mohandas Pai.He also said it is not going to be like Japan or the US model of economic package announced following corona crisis.

"This is going to be investment led initiative budget to be spent over may be next two to three years which will reshape the priorities of people," Pai said.

The halt of industrial works have upset millions of migrant workers and certainly damaged the economy.

In March this year, Prime Minister himself had said that India had paid a "heavy price" economically due to lockdown.

In other words, prime minister indicated that things would be left with states during Lockdown 4 and the provincial governments will be given more powers -- something most states had sought for during his interaction with the Chief Ministers on Monday,May 11. Political observer Vidyarthi Kumar said: "It depends how one looks. Modi has done good homework. You may callit Lockdown 4.0 from May 18 and also Exit_Lockdown 1.0".

The special economic package is equivalent to around 10 per cent of India's GDP, would be aimed at ensuring a "self-reliant India".

Modi's party chief J P Nadda has already described the ''world''s largest holistic relief package''.

Though focused on economic issues, Modi - as expected of his image did play up the conventional nationalist image to the hilt - as most of what he spoke about the country's priorities border around over ambitions. 

"This package is for the farmers, for our middle class who honestly pay taxes and our industry players who are determined to take India to new heights," Modi said.

At one point he resorted to his well known rhetorics - "India is standing on five pillars -- economy, infrastructure, governing systems, vibrant democracy and supply chain".

In another instance he said: "All our demands during the crisis were met ‘locally’. Now, its time to be vocal about the local products and help these local products become global".

He made these statements when India's position as a manufacturing hub has been fairly unsatisfactory as economicactivities largely bank on IT sector, service sector and money spinner like real estate.Prime Minister Modi's hyped 'Make in India' initiative launched with much fanfare in 2014 also did not much headway, hisdetractors say.Therefore, it was not surprising the opposition Congress party flayed PM's speech dismissing it as a mere "headlinehunting" exercise. Congress MP Manish Tewari tweeted: "PM's speech can be summed up in one word -- HEADLINE HUNTING. A NUMBER -- 20 LAKH CRORES. NO DETAILS".

BJP chief J P Nadda said:  "In the times of Covid-19, Hon. PM is leading the country from the front. The 21st century will be defined by India, PM's message today has laid foundation stone for implementing this". 

'Self reliance for India' will be the new "Mantra for driving the country towards this new change", he wrote.

In March, the Modi government said it would provide around 1.7 trillion rupees ($2.6 billion) in direct cash transfers and food security measures, mainly for the poor. Modi said: “The (new) package will also focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws. It will cater to various sections including cottage industry, medium and small enterprises, labourers, middle class, industries, among others.”

Part of the English rendering of PM Modi's address on May 12, 2020

".......when the Bharat Bhumi, becomes self-sufficient, it ensures the possibility of a prosperous world. India's progress has always been integral to the progress of the world.

India's goals and actions impact the global welfare. When India is free from open defecation,it has an impact on the image of the world. Be it TB, malnutrition, polio, India's campaigns have influenced the world. International Solar Alliance is India's gift against Global Warming. The initiative of International Yoga Day is India's gift to relieve stress. Indian medicines have given a fresh lease of life to the people in different parts of the world.

These steps have brought laurels for India and it makes every Indian feel proud. The world is beginning to believe that India can do very well, so much good for the welfare of mankind can give.

 

The question is - how?

The answer to this question is – A Combined resolve of 130 crore citizens for a self-reliant India.

 

Friends,

We have a proud history of centuries. When India was prosperous, it was called the golden goose, it was prosperous, and then it always walked tall for the welfare of the world. 

Then the times changed, the country was caught in the chains of slavery, we longed for development. Today, when India is making rapid strides in its progress, it is still committed to the goal of global welfare. Remember, the Y2K crisis at the beginning of this century. Technology experts from India pulled the world out of that crisis. Today we have the resources, we have the power, and we have the best talent in the world.

We will make the best products, will improve our quality further, make the supply chain more modern, we can do this and we will definitely do it.

 

Friends,

I had witnessed the Kutch earthquake. There was debris everywhere. Everything was destroyed. It seemed as if Kutch had fallen asleep wearing a sheet of death. In that situation no one could have imagined that the situation would ever change. However, Kutch stood up, Kutch started moving, Kutch moved. This is the grit and determination of weIndians.

If we are determined then we can reach our goals and no path will be difficult. And today there is a will and there is a way. That is to make India self-reliant. Our combined resolve is so strong that India can become self-sufficient.

 

Friends, this magnificent building of self-reliant India will stand on five Pillars.

First Pillar is Economy, an economy that brings Quantum Jump rather than Incremental change.

Second Pillar is Infrastructure, an infrastructure that became the identity of modern India.

Third Pillar is Our System. A system that is driven by technology which canfulfill the dreams of the 21st century; a system not based on the policy of the past century.

Fourth Pillar is Our Demography. Our Vibrant Demography is our strength in the world's largest democracy, our source of energy for self-reliant India.

The fifth pillar is Demand. The cycle of demand and supply chain in our economy, is the strength that needs to be harnessed to its full potential. In order to increase demand in the country and to meet this demand, every stake-holder in our supply chain needs to be empowered. We will strengthen our supply chain, our supply system built up with the smell of the soil and the sweat of our labourers.

 

Friends, amidst the Corona crisis, I am announcing today a special economic package with a new resolution. This economic package will serve as an important link in the 'AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” (Self Reliant India Campaign)'.

 

Friends, in the recent past economic announcements made by the government related to the Corona crisis, which were the decisions of the Reserve Bank. The economic package that is being announced today, if added, comes to around Rs. 20 lakh crores. This package is about 10 percent of India's GDP. With this various sections of the country and those linked to economic system will get support and strength of 20 lakh crore rupees. This package will give a new impetus to the development journey of the country in 2020 and a new direction to the Self-reliant India campaign. In order to prove the resolve of a self-reliant India, Land, Labor, Liquidity and Laws all have been emphasized in this package.

This economic package is for our cottage industry, home industry, our small-scale industry, our MSME, which is a source of livelihood for millions of people, which is the strong foundation of our resolve for a self-reliant India. This economic package is for that labourer of the country, for the farmers of the country who are working day and night for the countrymen in every situation, every season. This economic package is for the middle class of our country, which pays taxes honestly and contributes to the development of the country. This economic package is for Indian industries, which are determined to give a boost to the economic potential of India. Starting tomorrow, over the next few days, the Finance Minister will give you detailed information about this economic package inspired by the 'Self-reliant India campaign'.

 

Friends, it is now imperative for the country to move forward with the commitment of Bold Reforms to create a self-reliant India. You have also experienced that as a result of the reforms over the past 6 years, today even in this time of crisis; India's systems have looked more efficient. Otherwise, who could have thought that the money sent by Government of India will reach directly in the pocket of the poor farmer! But it has happened. That also  happened when all the government offices were closed; the means of transport were shut down.This was just a reform related to Janadhan-Aadhaar-Mobile-JAM's Trishakti, the effect of which we have just seen. Now the scope of the reforms has to be broadened, giving a new height. These reforms will be in the entire supply chain related to farming, so that the farmer is also empowered and will have minimal impact on agriculture in any other crisis like corona in future. These reforms will be for, rational tax system, simple and clear rules-of-law, good infrastructure, capable and competent human resources, and building strong financial system. These reforms will encourage business, attract investment and strengthen our resolve for Make in India.

 

Friends, self-reliance is possible only through inner strength and self-belief. Self-reliance also prepares the country for a tough competition in the global supply chain. And today it is the need of the hour that India should play a big role in the global supply chain. Realizing this, many provisions have also been made in the economic package. This will increase the efficiency of all our sectors and also ensure quality.

 

Friends, this crisis is so big, that the biggest systems have been shaken. However, under these circumstances, the country has also seen the resolve and restraint of our poor brothers and sisters, especially the street vendors, hawkers, labourers, those who are working in homes, they have done a lot of penance during this time, they have sacrificed a lot. Who would not have realized their absence? Now it is our duty to make them strong, to take some big steps for their financial requirements. Keeping this in mind, be it poor, labourers, migrant labourers, cattle rearers, be our fishermen, organized sector or unorganized sector, some important decisions will be announced in the economic package for every section.

 

Friends, the Corona crisis has also explained to us the importance of Local manufacturing, Local market and Local supply chain. In times of crisis, this Local has fulfilled our demand, this Local has saved us. Local is not just the need, it is our responsibility also. Time has taught us that we must make the Local as a mantra of our life. The Global Brands you feel today were sometimes also very local like this. But when people started using them, started promoting them, branding them, proud of them, they became Global from Local Products. Therefore, from today every Indian has to become vocal for their local, not only to buy local products, but also to promote them proudly. I am confident that our country can do this. Your efforts have increased my reverence for you every time. I recollect one thing with pride. When I requested you and the nation to  buyKhadi and said it will be a great support to our handloom workers. Today, the demand and sales of both Khadi and handloom have reached record levels in a very short time. Not only that, you also made it a big brand. It  was a very small effort, but the result was very good.

 

Friends, experts and scientists have pointed out that Corona will remain a part of our lives for a long time. But at the same time, we cannot allow this to happen that our lives will be confined only around the corona. We would wear masks, follow two yards distance and pursue our goals. Therefore, the fourth phase of lockdown, lockdown 4, will be completely redesigned, with new rules. Based on the suggestions we are getting from the states, information related to Lockdown 4 will also be given to you before 18 May. I am confident that by following the rules, we will fight Corona and move forward.

 

Friends, In our culture, it is said 'सर्वम् आत्म वशं सुखम्' i.e. what is in our control, is happiness. Self-reliance leads to happiness, satisfaction and empowerment. Our responsibility to make the 21st century, the century of India, will be fulfilled by the pledge of self-reliant India. This responsibility will only get energy from the life force of 130 crore citizens. This era of self-reliant India will be a new vow for every Indian as well as a new festival. Now we have to move forward with a new resolve and determination. When ethics are filled with duty, the culmination of diligence, the capital of skills, then who can stop India from becoming self-reliant? We can make India a self-reliant nation. We will make India self-reliant. With this resolve, with this belief, I wish you the very best.

Passengers aged above 80 years not allowed on flights for initial phase after relaxation

Five pillars for Self Reliance -- economy, infrastructure, technology driven system, vibrant demography and demand: PM Modi

Vibrant Demography is our strength: PM Modi

Determination of Indians help change the face of quake-hit Kutch region in Gujarat: PM Modi

Downloading the Aarogya Setu app will be mandatory for all the passengers. Only those with a “green status” will be allowed to enter the airport.

Passengers aged above 80 years not allowed on flights for initial phase after relaxation

It will be compulsory for all passengers to arrive at the airport only after completing their web check-in.

The reporting time for travellers at the airport is proposed to be increased by two hours.  

Cabin luggage will be disallowed, and only one piece of check-in baggage weighing less than 20kg will be allowed per passenger in the first phase of resumed airline operations.

The last three rows of the aircraft will be kept vacant for isolation of any passenger who develops a medical condition. Crew members handling such cases will wear personal protection equipment. 

An adequate number of of PPEs will be available on board to deal with more than one such case.

Airports should have an isolation zone in the terminal building as well as the airside for passengers showing symptoms and state governments should provide requisite help with medical infrastructure in case an airport does not have an APHO (Airport Health Organisation) set-up, it noted.

Airports would have to put in place distance markings, disinfecting all common areas like lifts, escalators, chairs in seating areas, food and beverages, and retail outlets. Availability of moveable hand wash cart or alcohol-based hand sanitisers within the terminal should be ensured, the ministry has proposed.

Blogger: At good times in a chartered aircraft: 2014

Obamagate brings in debate back on Pulitzer Prizes

New Delhi: The American politics is turning bitter and fierce and not without good reason.

"He got caught, OBAMAGATE," tweeted US President Donald Trump lambasting at
his illustrious predecessor Barack Obama for the much-criticised FBI investigation into former
US national security advisor Michael Flynn and that tried to “sabotage” the new incoming administration.

“When are the Fake Journalists,” Trump wrote on Sunday, “who received unwarranted Pulitzer Prizes for Russia,
Russia, Russia, and the Impeachment Scam, going to turn in their tarnished awards so they can be given to the real journalists who got it right".

"THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. Sadly, our Lamestream Media is TOTALLY CORRUPT!," he wrote again
on Monday.
"OBAMAGATE makes Watergate look small time!" - one more tweet.

The implication is clear - the much hyped Pulitzer Award for Journalism is only a 'hype' and
need not be all virtuous.
In Indian context as well, it was reported recently how an old anti-India ploy was at play.

It is well known that honouring 'anti-India journalists and photographers' with international prizes is the
old ploy of the liberal cabal, as reported by Organiser lately.
However, the report also said it is the support they get from Congress party and other Seculars within
India that should alarm all citizens.

Of course, Indian security forces helping Kashmiris during natural calamities, during emergencies,
exceptional COVID19 management in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, does not conform to the
"Narratives" set by the so called jury of Pulitzer panel and the self-styled “liberal” gang in India.

Nevertheless, Trump's outburst against Pulitzer prizes for gifting the honours to select publications
in America is worth discussions.

"In 2019, for example,", says a report in 'The Guardian' --- " a New York Times team won a Pulitzer for an
“exhaustive 18-month investigation of President Donald Trump’s finances that debunked his claims of
self-made wealth and revealed a business empire riddled with tax dodges”.

'The Wall Street Journal' was also rewarded for “uncovering President Trump’s secret payoffs to two
women during his campaign who claimed to have had affairs with him, and the web of supporters
who facilitated the transactions, triggering criminal inquiries and calls for impeachment”.

In 2018 also - the Pulitzer committee did, awarding its prize for national reporting jointly to the 'Washington Post' and the 'New York Times' for “deeply sourced, relentlessly reported coverage in the public interest that dramatically furthered the nation’s understanding of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign, the president-elect’s transition team and his eventual administration.”

It is well known that President Trump - like many world leaders - do not enjoy a very good press in his
own country.

But the question remains - will media investigate the genuineness or otherwise of Obamagate or simply dismiss these as part of Trumpism in a year when the Presidential elections are due in America.

In India too, lot many instances of unethical and anti-national style of journalism bordering lagely on theme
of anti-Narendra Modi matters and jargons have survived for long.

In the run up to the 2019 elections, media trying to blow up the image of a much discredited Rahul Gandhi constantly played up a line - "Chowkidar Chor hae" slogan against the Prime Minister in office.

When was the last time, such a senseless sloganeering against an incumbent Prime Minister was done?

The 2019 mandate left the Congress leadership and its 'advisors' run for cover but has anyone sought to tender an apology or has the media even bothered to raise this question.

Both have faced unfriendly media

Indian Economy amid fears of crumbling economy  

.....There have been fears of a crashing economy that could push millions into poverty and hunger.


"From the economic angle, we have paid a high price," Modi said in a nationwide address in March. People's lives are more important, he emphasised.

The lockdown will further damage an already devastated economy, experts cautioned.


Last month British brokerage firm Barclays said a lockdown until May 3 may cause India an economic loss of US$234.4 billion.
India's unemployment rate had shot up to 26.2 percent by the third week of April, a sevenfold increase from last year. An extended lockdown could further damage the labor market.
Cash buffers have already dried up and India will be confronted with a sharp decline in government revenues and economic growth for at least the next six months, leaders say.
"In many offices, retrenchment policies are being explored, and some companies have already decided to cut salaries to employees," said opposition Congress party leader Adhir Chowdhury.
The tourism industry has crashed across India, as in other parts of the world. The industry engages millions of people in restaurants, travel and hospitality.
The tourism industry generated US$240 billion, more than 9 percent of India's national GDP, in 2018 and supported 42 million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
"The year is the worst for the tourism sector," said Vipin Saxena of the Indian Tour Operators Association.
The labor-intensive real estate sector has witnessed a plunge, industry experts say, and may need at least six years to return to normal.
"India is on the verge of an unprecedented economic catastrophe as the humanitarian disaster from the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds," wrote educationist Jayati Ghosh of Jawaharlal Nehru University in a column.
Mortality rate
BJP leaders are saying PM Modi is pragmatic as he does not want to risk people's lives for the economy. He especially wants to keep the mortality rate of Covid-19 under check, they say.
However, India Ratings and Research, a credit rating company, predicted that growth expectations for the economy would be around 1.9 percent down, from 3.6 percent in March.
This will be the lowest GDP growth in the last 29 years and is based on the assumption that the partial lockdown may be extended until mid-May.
Ajoy Kumar, spokesman for Janata Dal (United), which is part of the ruling coalition, said the prime minister has rightly emphasised protecting people's lives and health, "the central source of wealth" for the country.
He also stressed stricter compliance with lockdown rules as about 60 percent of positive coronavirus cases in India have come without showing any symptoms.
In dealing with economic challenges as a direct fallout of Covid-19, there are micro-level issues revolving around morality.
In India, liquor consumption is traditionally seen as a taboo. Alcohol sales were banned as part of the lockdown, and the federal government has rejected a plea to allow the sale of alcohol in Congress party-ruled Punjab state.

Similar requests from the states of Assam, Meghalaya  and Kerala also faced stiff resistance. States are seeking the green light to sell liquor to make up for the loss of revenues.
The government justifies restrictions on liquor by saying the priority is on health care and the supply of essential food for ordinary people, migrants and marginalized workers.
The revenue-starved government has announced a US$24 million relief package to take care of the poor and those who need immediate help. However, state administrations are asking for more financial support.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has demanded a federal government grant of some US$14 billion to states as revenue has drastically nosedived.

Dr Manmohan Singh in 1991: Economic Reformer