New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir is in news, and there is nothing unusual about it. But this time around, all of it gained momentum with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a crucial meeting with all key Kashmir-based leaders including from National Conference and PDP.
The ‘drone attack’ has brought things into direct clash. From the Narendra Modi regime’s point of view, especially in the context of abrogation of Article 370, all efforts have been made to ensure that the average Kashmiri (rather citizen of J&K territory) is in line with the overall 'national viewpoint'.
Obviously there are elements that can always play saboteurs and are ‘off-the-India’ views.
There will always be elements that would gang up to derail the peace and pace of developmental works.
The central government and the local administration under a Lieutenant Governor are certainly committed to provide good governance.
There are terrorists or militants; there are so called separatists and still a section of people who can be easily misled by emotions.
Of course, any legitimate government cannot compromise in any manner with separatists and terrorists. Likes of Sajjad Lone, chairman of People's Conference, says the move by Prime Minister Modi for meeting all sections of political leaders in Kashmir including from Gupkar alliance was a welcome step.
"These are two extremities, if you look at them, I don't," Lone told a news television channel.
Of the 'separatists' again, some of them are pro-Pakistani or at best they do not see anything to talk about beyond Azadi. The latter percentage is somehow reduced once the government has initiated a firm stand since August 2019.
Among security agencies, they say the term ‘Azadi’ has been an all-encompassing magical terminology which has wider dimension and far-reaching consequences.
The JNU fracas in 2016 was like an offshoot of these shenanigans but it served little purpose.
Then come other issues – the softer ones but yet again crucial. Most of it is linked to job aspirations and improvement in health services, education and other welfare measures.
The level of frustration among educated youths used to be clearly indicated by huge turnout of boys and girls for examinations conducted by professional courses Board for entrance to MBBS and BDS courses.
This was in 2016 itself and certainly before the bifurcation of the erstwhile state and abrogation of Article 370.
If the level of governance is fairly satisfactory even if not very high standard, the benefits can be many.
The government or administration of the day must ensure that developments and transparency in governance especially without corruption and nepotism can actually contribute in alienating the common faceless masses from the separatists and terrorists, and bring them closer to the government apparatus.
In 2017, Arun Jaitley was holding the charge of both the ministries of Finance and Defence. Thus he knew what was ailing the province. Therefore, his remarks made in a media interview then still make a lot of sense.
Late Jaitley had said, “When there is peace, the separatists are like fish out of water”.
Therefore, it is important to note that during such occasions the separatists and their sympathisers in Kashmir and sponsors ‘outside’ would try to generate trouble periodically.
These troubles like stone pelting were experimented in full gusto in 2015 and 2016. These lead to some ‘confrontation’ wherein an innocent can fall victim and this would again add to further alienation.
That is why Kashmir has more often witnessed protest demonstrations whenever militants were killed in encounters with security forces. Here comes the true test of leadership in Delhi – and the planning they do on multiple fronts especially political and security.
The overdose of ‘Azadi’ – the so-called Left liberal and often whimsical argument is a big issue confronting the policy makers.
Then there is another key element, and thankfully gradually there is a broad understanding of the same by average Kashmiri today. The moot point is the challenge or the root cause of problems for an average Kashmiri is not the ‘vast country India’ or ‘a Hindu government in Delhi’.
The problem actually lies with separatists and opportunistic elements that have over the years only misled them. In the process, these did not help resolve the problems either.
The isolation of separatists thus became important, and that way this has been a pre-dominant policy of the Modi government.
Once there is violence and other sorts of problems and a message is given that the government should talk to separatists and also Pakistan, a misleading message goes down the line.
Knowingly or otherwise, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti’s ‘Pakistan bogey’ is aimed towards this derailment process only.
Mehbooba Mufti has been an underestimated politician. She has kept cards close to her chest in the past and she is smart enough to do clever packaging of her public posturing.
An impression is given even globally that it is Pakistan and the separatists who hold the key to lasting peace in Kashmir.
This could be utterly false as many separatist leaders themselves may not enjoy as much power or could exert influence as was often made out.
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MEA's 'reciprocal' caution works as Nine EU countries give nod to Covishield
New Delhi: It could be termed as a success of the Moditva phenomenon in diplomacy.
Austria, Germany, Greece and Spain are among the nine European nations who have decided to accept Covishield vaccines for travel to their countries.
Notably, this clearance from these countries including Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland came within 24-36 hours the Ministry of External Affairs has "conveyed to EU Member States that India will institute a reciprocal policy for recognition of the EU Digital Covid Certificate".
Thus in terms of 'results' it came quickly at the international level because in normal circumstances these take time at the diplomatic level.
Separately, Estonia has confirmed that it will recognise all vaccines authorised by the Government of India for the travel of Indians to the country.
As it is now, the European Union’s Digital Covid certificate or “Green Pass” has come into effect from July 1, Thursday with an aim to facilitate free movement during the Covid19 pandemic.
Under this framework, sources said, persons who have taken vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be exempted from travel restrictions within the EU region.
The individual member states have been given the flexibility to accept vaccines that have been authorised at the national level or those recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The EU Digital Covid certificate or ‘Green Pass’ is mandatory to travel to European countries and the
document will serve as proof that a person is vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sources also said, the Ministry had also requested EU Member States to individually consider extending
similar exemption to those persons who have taken Covid-19 vaccines in India that is Covishield and Covaxin
and accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal.
"The genuineness of such vaccination certification can be authenticated on the CoWIN portal," sources said.
The BJP has hailed the development and also termed it as a victory of the diplomacy of the Modi government.
Adar Poonawala, CEO at Serum India Institute and makers of a Covid19 vaccine, had recently taken up at the "highest levels" and concerned authorities, regulators and at diplomatic level also to resolve issues pertaining to those vaccinated with Covishield and face problems for travel to Europe.
"I realise that a lot of Indians who have taken COVISHIELD are facing issues with travel to the EU,
I assure everyone, I have taken this up at the highest levels and hope to resolve this matter soon,
both with regulators and at a diplomatic level with countries," Mr Poonawala tweeted on June 28.
It has been reported that travelers vaccinated with Covishield, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute in India, may not be eligible for the European Union’s Green Pass, a necessary document for easy travel.
The India-made Covishield was not recognised by the European Medicines Agency yet, however, the Vaxzevria version of the Astrazeneca shot produced in the UK or other sites around Europe were approved.
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