Cracks in opposition camp, "We are not rubber stamp", says Trinamool

New Delhi:

The ruling BJP-led NDA has something to relish about the happenings in the
opposition camp. 

Frictions in the opposition camp have come to the fore in more ways than one.

The Mamata Baneree-led Trinamool Congress has decided to keep a distance from Congress and 13 other parties vis-a-vis the move to boycott the proceedings in ongoing Winter Session of Parliament and insisted that it will not be "rubber stamp" to any party. 

"We are not electoral allies of Congress. We fought the polls in May alone. We want opposition unity but we 

are not duty bound to be anybody’s rubber stamp,” TMC Raya Sabha floor leader Derek O’Brien said.

He pointed out that there are some other parties that are in alliance with a party (read Congress). 

The TMC's stand is RJD, DMK and the CPI(M) have been electoral allies of the Congress; while on the

other hand two Maharashtra-based parties NCP and Shiv Sena run a coalition government with the Congress.

On the question of boycotting Parliament, O’Brien told reporters: “We will not boycott Parliament".

Several opposition parties want to boycott Parliament session against the suspension of 12 MPs

in Raya Sabha for the rest of the session. 

Twelve members including six from Congress, two each from Shov Sena and TMC and one each from

The CPI and The CPI(M) were suspended for their miscoduct during Monsoon session of Parliament. 

In Mumbai, Maharashtra Minister and NCP Leader Nawab Malik virtually counseled TMC chief Mamata Baneree,

who is now on a visit to the metropolitan, to appreciate the fact that the 'desired' 

opposition unity is not possible by keeping Congress out.

“Trinamool Congress is expanding outside Bengal and it’s the right of every political party. However, 

we believe that a united Opposition front is not possible excluding Congress. Sharad Pawar sahib 

has clarified this several times," said Malik, also known as a close aide of the NCP chief.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed unhappiness

over the continuous disruption of House proceedings since the Winter Session of Parliament got underway on

Monday.

"The bitter experience of the last Monsoon Session still continues to haunt most of us. 

I was expecting and waiting for the leading lights of the House to take lead in expressing outrage 

over what happened in the last Session," Mr Naidu said.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman also on Tuesday rejected the demand of Opposition parties and especially

Congress floor leader Malikarun Kharge to revoke the suspension of 12 MPs.

Mr Naidu said that the “decision is final” and that “....I am not considering” the request to revoke.

“You tried to mislead the House, disturb the House, ransack the House, and you are giving me lessons?” he asserted.

ends 

India offers support for Africa to fight Omicron variant:: Parliament passes Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021

The heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences” in some places, the World Health Organization (WHO) said 

New Delhi:

(New Delhi especially under Narendra Modi government has maintained a very cordial relationship with African nations always standing by their side and also deepening the bond)  

India has, so far, supplied more than 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa, including nearly one million doses as grant to 16 countries and more than 16 million doses under the COVAX facility to 33 countries.

The MEA statement came on Monday in the wake of global concern being expressed now on 

the latest Corona variant Omicron that has hit many African countries.

"We have noted the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19, Omicron. We express our solidarity with 

the countries, particularly in Africa, who have so far been affected by the Omicron variant," the

MEA statement said.

It further said, the Government of India stands ready to support the countries affected in Africa in dealing 

with the Omicron variant, including supplies of 'Made-in-India' vaccines. 

"Supplies can be undertaken through COVAX or bilaterally. In this regard, the Government has 

cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of COVISHIELD vaccines including to 

African countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho". 

The Government of India has also cleared supplies of COVAXIN to Botswana.

 Any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously.

India also stands ready to supply essential life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment such as ventilators, as may be required. 

"Indian institutions would favourably consider cooperation in genomic surveillance and virus characterization 

related research work with their African counterparts," the statement said.

ends 

-

New Delhi:

Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 amid ruckus by Opposition MPs.

Amid din, Leader of Congress Party in the House, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was heard demanding discussion on the Bill in the House.

Opposition parties are arguing that the reasons for repeal of three contentious farm laws should be explained and debated in Parliament. 

The first day of the much awaited Winter Session began on a stormy note with both the Houses seeing adjournment in the first hour.

After ruckus during Question Hour, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 1200 noon while Rajya Sabha too was adjourned

briefly.

As the Lok Sabha resumed business after 1200 hours, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh 

Tomar tabled the Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 amid sloganeering by the members in the opposition bench.

There was no let up in the situation. Therefore, immediately after the new Repeal Bill was passed, the Lower

House of Parliament was adjourned till 2 pm.

Meanwhile, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said while he welcomed the passage of the repeal Bill in Lok Sabha,

there was nothing to celebrate as "we lost 750 lives".

"This (Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 passed in Lok Sabha) is a tribute to all 750 farmers who lost their lives 

during the agitation. The protest will continue as there are other issues including MSP still pending,"

Tikait said in Kausambi in Uttar Pradesh.

ends 

Hours before Parl session, BJP arms itself with a spectacular Tripura win : PM hails mandate

(A crucial win coming just about a year before assembly polls due in February 2023, the saffron party gets a boost in northeast and also stalls an over ambitious Trinamool mission) 

New Delhi:

Giving a strong blow to the detractors on their nose just on the eve of Winter Session of Parliament, the BJP recorded a landslide victory in Tripura civic polls and won all 14 urban bodies in a fiercely contested polls wherein a big hype was created about  Trinamool Congress.

The saffron outfit facing aggressive campaign on ground and unfriendly media coverage by a section managed to emerge victorious in 217 seats out of 222 in 14 urban bodies that went to polls.

It also made a clean sweep in 11 urban bodies, including Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC)

in the state capital, which saw intense contest between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee along with her lawmaker nephew

had made it a prestige issue and used its cine stardom strength in the party lineup to full steam.

The only consolation of course is Mamata's outfit could further marginalise CPI-M in Agartala and 

polled second highest number of votes in the state capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi as expected was jubilant about the mandate. "The people of Tripura have 

given a clear message - that they prefer politics of good governance. I would like to thank them for the unequivocal support to

BJP in Tripura. These blessings give us greater strength to work for the welfare of each and every person in Tripura".

He also tweeted: "I would like to applaud the BJP Tripura unit Karyakartas who worked tirelessly on the ground 

and served people". 

This win would also help state Chief Minister Biplab Deb, who had come under attack of political

opponents and also a section of party colleagues.

"Under the leadership of Shri Biplab Deb Ji, the state government has been at the forefront of many 

initiatives, which the people have duly blessed," Mr Modi wrote in his missive.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also tweeted in Bangla congratulating the state unit of the

party for the spectacular win.

"I assure the people of Tripura that the BJP under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi Ji will 

continue to work towards the welfare of the state," he tweeted.

The Trinamool Congress was able to pick up only one seat in the Ambassa Municipal Council.

There were some important messages. The BJP could do well in segments with sizable Muslim

population as in Kailasahar and Sonamura. 

The Trinamool Congress playing up its Muslim card as in West Bengal failed to make any impact.

Once a Communist bastion Belonia came to the saffron party kitty.

The BJP also secured all the wards in the 15-member Khowai Municipal Council, anther red bestion,

and also in Kumarghat Municipal Council and nine-member Sabroom Nagar Panchayat. 

It also swept the 15-ward Teliamura Municipal council and 13-member Amarpur Nagar Panchayat.

With the civic polls coming to a stormy end, all eyes would not shift to 2023 February-March 

assembly polls.

In 2018, Trinamool Congress was not in the contest and of course along with marginalised

Congress and the Left Front, Mamata Banerjee-led party will have to sweat it out.

Two tribal based parties are also important stakeholders in Tripura politics.

ends 

Savarkar era has begun, says CIC, Kerala Guv calls RSS ideologue 'revolutionary'

New Delhi: 

Stating that Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was above any recognition or evenBharat Ratna, Central Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar said on Sundaythat "the Savarkar era has already begun in India".

The author of the book, 'Veer Savarkar : The Man Who Could Have Prevented Partition', Mr Mahurkar made the remarks to a journalist in Indore where he participated atthe Indore Literature Festival.

“I feel Savarkar (stature) is above Bharat Ratna. If he gets the award it is fine. But even if he does not get this award that won’t affect his stature as the Savarkar era has already begun 

in India," Mahurkar has been quoted as saying by a news agency.

During the day, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan released the book at Kochi.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said, "Those opposing Savarkar should not forget that he was a revolutionary". He also said Veer Savarkar had spoken about untouchabilitybefore Mahatma Gandhi.

A social media missive also said Mr Khan, who was Union Civil AviationMinister under V P Singh, also said, "One may differ with Savarkar. But for that one should first read Savarkar. 

However, after reading him it will be difficult for any one to differ with Savarkar." 

The BJP in its manifesto for the Maharashtra Assembly polls in 2019 had stated that it will recommend Veer Savarkar’s name to the Centre for the highest civilian award if the saffron party returned to power.

Savarkar is credited for giving a powerful socio-political weightage to the term "Hindutva".

Hindus, according to Savarkar, are those who consider India to be the land in which their ancestors lived, as well as the land in which their tradition, religion and culture originated.

ends   

Fiction series: Chap 5 -- Do not edit your Soul

 

(part 8 ----- fiction in series         Rebel is a Middle Name

Continued from part 7

(Link of Part 7) 

Chapter 5                     Do not edit your Soul

Like all saints have a past and sinners would have a future. Shampa too had a past. So did Moloy and the wedlock between Moloy and Shampa too has stories and would have a future too.

Shampa was not a friend of Moloy initially. Moloy had grown close to Shampa's cousin Drishti and the bond had slowly matured into a well known Love story of their time in Durgapur.

Moloy and Drishti's meeting was somewhat accidental on the City College Fresher's day. Drishti had played a prank. Just when the meeting took place and Moloy complimented her on her bright blue sari; Drishti told Moloy: "Can you guess why the day is special for me ? It's not just Fresher Social."

Moloy was a popular Left cadre and an active member of the student wing. So he was always accompanied by a few fellow class mates and cadres. So he had to answer Drishti. After all it was a sort of challenge from her and Moloy had to safe guard his prestige in the campus.

He responded trying to display a rare confidence while there was an added extra excitement in the eyes of Drishti. "Of Course. I KNOW," Moloy stressed - "It is your birthday". 

"How do you know? You are so right," responded Drishti showing agreement.

Like any young man would feel proud of his judgement, Moloy's eyes showed that kind of special satisfaction. On the other side, Drishti also seemed to enjoy the moment as she carried a mysterious smile on her face.

Then the day was spent in the campus. Moloy told Drishti at one point around evening just before the start of the Cultural programme, "The boring part of the day would start now. Their will be singing and dance. My advice is that kind of boring time should not be one's birthday".

Drishti had that her usual mysterious smile. "But what is the better option?", she asked. Moloy again felt happy that he could pre-decide some thought process of Drishti.

He replied quickly: "Well, there can be a fantastic evening outside. A small cake party or even Rosogolla party as the Birthday girl can decide".

Drishti smiled and said- "You leave the campus first and wait for me at Dijen Da's Mishti Mukh".

Moloy: "Fine, but you do come or else I may turn a Freud admirer and develop all kinds of hatred for Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geet".

Drishi responded - "Dont worry I will come".

The evening was spent together at DijenDa' Mishti Mukh. But like all smart young friends, they spent time talking and trying to open up to each other. The focus was hardly on eating.

Slowly the friendship had blossomed into a 'love affair' and their intimacy became talk of the town as Moloy would be generally busy on his bike and long drive.

Durgapur roads were always good; and the city always looked properly planned. They had good time in more ways than one.

Shampa came in much later. But her entry into Moloy's life was dramatic.

It was Drishti only who had introduced Shampa to Moloy. Shampa's family hailed from nearby Dhanbad.

Some months later, Moloy got a marketing job. Though he quite did not like the nature of the job; he had joined it as a Bengali young man would need a job  anyways. Just being a Left cadre was no excuse not to get a job though hundreds of that identity avoided leaving home town. Moloy's dad was very strict about it, and he disapproved too much of politics in his children.

The business or Byabsha too always had a negative connotation in Bengali Hindu middle class value system.

However, this was not the case with Bengali Muslim boys, as they would not mind opening book stalls or even clothes sale units. Muslim boys would also work hard to develop skills in running tailor units or working in motor garage. 

But Bengali Hindu young men needed 'jobs' - 'chakri' ---- preferably government jobs; because it was given out that in private companies people had to sweat it out.

But Moloy's family was always different, not run of the mill type. His elder brother Mrityunjoy was already working with a foreign company then at Allahabad. So Moloy too did not mind taking up the assignment in Dhanbad.

There at one marketing related visit to a residential area, he once hit upon Shampa. She looked very sad taking some grocery items from a store.

Moloy went close to her and when he enquired, Moloy was shocked to know that Shampa had married only a few months back; and now she was a widow.

The husband was kidnapped and eliminated. Bihar then faced the worst law and order situation and kidnapping for ransom was a sort of a cottage industry.

Moloy was shell shocked. He could not sleep for a week. Then one day, he went to Shampa's place and was doubly sad to learn that she was in a mental depression and was hospitalized.

Moloy felt in a way, he was himself traumatized by the turn of events in Shampa's life. Next few days Moloy spent time running between Shampa's house and the hospital. He was moved. All of a sudden, one evening he went to STD - Long Distance call booth and had called up Drishti back in Durgapur to tell her that she should forget him.

Perhaps even a couple of hours before, he did not know he would take such a decision.

The Leftist ideology and long time romance or close friendship with Drishti appeared something very meek and unstable. Moloy thought his responsibility lay more now with Shampa.

Snap: Manisha in Assam 

Shampa had returned to her parental house. Moloy wanted to meet her.

By then he had already developed acquaintance with Shampa's family members. Of course, they all knew him as Drishti's friend. So meeting between Moloy and Shampa was easy. 

But for Moloy what was difficult was how to convince Shampa to take an out of box thinking.  

As Moloy tried to convince Shampa again and again that he had fallen in love with her and it was genuine and not mere 'sympathy'; Shampa would say: "I am sorry".

One day, she was a bit forthcoming - "I know, you really want to hear about it, but you should know how bad or lousy my childhood was like. I have been a looser and ill-fated type. Perhaps my parents .....there was a kind of crap all around. But, I really don’t feel like going into these". 

But Love or attraction often defy all logic. Moloy felt more than the 'responsibility', he was in love with Shampa. He could not give up the idea. So, he should marry her. 

Shampa remained defiant. 

"I cannot forget my husband Tushar. We were friends for a year. He was from a rich cloth merchant family, but we were close friends, and exactly at the end of one year and thirty two days; he left me alone," Shampa told Moloy with moist eyes.

Moloy still argued forcefully. His point was around the line that he appreciated Shampa's love for her dead husband. 

But life has to go on; and to make it go on ... one needs a partner.

"The loneliness is the foremost reason of depression and you are making a choice of this loneliness itself. Even your husband would have been upset, and would be upset up there".

Shampa replied:  "It seems you do not know much about life. Even staying in a big family and with many children and a husband, one can be lonely. What's the guarantee I would not feel lonely and isolated tomorrow".

Moloy would still not give it up so easily. The argument went on for sometime.

Shampa still remained defiant. "My demand from life is very much limited. You have seen our family. My father and grandfather were mazdoors in the coal field here. We have come up the hard way. I could be Drishti's cousin, they are much better off than us. But our lifestyles are different. Moreover, I know you are a friend of Drishti, and so how do I accept such a proposal?"

Moloy understood her point. So he told her that Drishti has been a good friend and could continue to be so. But here was a different case altogether, he felt the 'love' was strictly for Shampa.

He also explained the combination of his Left leaning and love for her made a lethal combination. Stubbornness ran deep in his vein. This stubbornness has created a murky pond.

Besides being sincere to her, he felt the urge to be with her. He explained again and again that with Drishti, he just like the company. While everyone must have presumed to be a love affair, actually it was not. 

It was a Platonic friendship.

Link to part 6

( Chapter 4                   The Hot Seat) 

Some credit should go to 'Beti Bachao....' campaign :::: India reports 1,020 women per 1,000 men, it's a record

The latest survey report released on Nov 24, 2021 by Health and Family Welfare Ministry is from a sample study of 630,000 households.

New Delhi: Gender discrimination may still be an issue. 

But what is seen as a major development is that the latest National Family and Health Survey, released by the Union Health Ministry, has recorded 1,020 women per 1,000 men. The figures were revealed after two years of research.

This is the first time any significant population survey has shown more women than men in India. The first census in India for records was carried out in the latter part of the 19th century. The year 1872 has been popularly labelled as the first population census of India. However, the first synchronous census in India was held in 1881.

In the past, the government authorities and experts have often blamed the surge in rape cases in some northern states on the lopsided sexual demography. Say in Haryana in 2011-12, and there were just 877 women to every 1,000 men following years of infanticide and abortions. 

Sociologists say for various reasons, boys remain highly favoured. But after 2014, under PM Narendra Modi, an ambitious Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the girl child and Educate girl) campaign was launched by the Government of India campaign to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls in India. 

The scheme was launched with initial funding of Rs 100 crore targeted clusters in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar and Delhi.

According to census data in India, the child sex ratio (0–6 years) in India was 927 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001, which dropped to 918 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2011. The Sex Ratio 2011 showed a downward trend from the census 2001 data.

However, the latest figures of more women must be taken with a pinch of salt. Officials say the survey covered only about 630,000 of India's 30 crore households.

Nevertheless, the latest figures show significant societal shifts in the country. 

India is home to around 130 crores plus population, and forecast by the UN says it could overtake China later this decade.

Modi-Yogi snap - Power of Communication ::: PM invited to Summit of Democracies by Biden

Good Messaging: Post Farm-Laws repeal 

New Delhi : It's not only a Symbiotic 'Hindutva' bond. It is also the power of communication, and the saga is more than just the polls in Uttar Pradesh.

Namo has it in him. Now, what's common between Late Naga leader Shikiho Sema, Narendra Modi and my grand mom ? This is how the puzzle can be solved.

Shikiho Sema, a former Lok Sabha member and Nagaland pradesh Congress chief,

had named his son - Bharato. This was to prove his 'nationalist' tilt and give the 'Sema' flavour

as well to the word/name 'Bharat'.

Nagaland has definitely produced some 'sons' of the soil. Long back, he had told me that what impressed

him about Hinduism was that it has stories/fables of all shades of characters - good and bad. So, his argument

was that one can learn a lot. Thank you, Shikiho sahab!

Now comes my grand mom's turn, Late Sailabala. She had spotted 'talent' and 'arrogance'

in me at a very early age and had encouraged both. She spoiled me.

Once she said, Lord Ram was a good son, and so he is

worshipped. On the other hand, she cited the illustration of Prahalad- who had killed his agnostic

father Hiranyakashyap because Hiranyakashyap thought he was more than a king, he was God unto

himself. He had ordered that only his image/statues ought to be worshipped.

Come down to the Modi-era; circa 2016. The Prime Minister of India addressed a festival of Sadhus

at Ujjain and therein he had shared the stories of both God Ram and Prahalad. And as a Hindutva

protagonist, he had said Hinduism embraced both 'evil and good' and it is for the people to take

the 'good' out of everything, that is so vast.

So, Modi's power of communication is proved. That was one point. My point was Modi speaks

common people's language - seldom understood by intellectuals and Cambridge-Oxford faithfuls.

This makes a difference in politics and democracy. 

Now, come to circa 2021 - and November 21. One or two snaps of Modi keeping his

arm over the shoulder of Yogi Adityanath had gone viral.

Yogi also tweeted saying - “Hum nikal pade hain pran karke....ambar se ooncha jana hai, 

ek Bharat naya banana hai (We have started on with the pledge to sacrifice our body and mind. 

We are determined to create a new sun/wave and go further than the skies-to build a New India).”

Obviously, PM Modi, a catalyst of development with firm commitment to the Hindutva ideology, keeping his 

hand on 'hard-liner' Yogi Adityanth's shoulder makes news value especially in this era of social media.

Of course, the snaps would be in public memory for weeks and months to come.

But my essential argument is different. I am laying stress on the timing of the snaps.

The Modi-Yogi duo has a lot of political fables.

But it is important to note that these snaps have surfaced within days the Prime Minister announced 

repeal of three farm laws. 

In 2014-15 also after the Land Acquisition Bill was scuttled due to unreasonable resistance from 

opposition parties, there was skepticism about 'reforms'. Even then the 'political-Hindutva' agenda 

had surfaced in debate.

  

By 2017 December, the government introduced the Triple Talaq Bill and prior to that in 2016 November, 

PM Modi announced banning of high value currency notes. In July 2017, also came the GST -of course

marred by boycott by opposition parties. 

Rahul Gandhi even called it 'Gabbar Singh Tax' and here was 'lack of power of communication'. How ? 

While Delhi-intellectuals and Ahmedabad's 'hate-Modi' brigade

presumed Rahul had made a masterstroke, the voters of Gujarat and especially in

traders' paradise Surat region backed Modi's new tax regime.

Those who are rejoicing farmers' win now, should be more careful now about

the side effects vis-a-vis power politics and populism.

In order to keep the 'popularity' on track, it is anybody's guess that Modi, Yogi and the BJP as a political

outfit would start falling more and more on the pro-Hindutva agenda.

Did you miss another 'sense of timing' ?

Jammu lawmaker and Union Minister Jitendra Singh has now spoken

about Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir. 

Note his quote carefully.

He said the leadership which has the capacity and the will to abrogate Article 370, also 

has the capacity to retrieve PoK from the illegal occupation of Pakistan.

He said it was always believed that Article 370 would never be abrogated but under the 

leadership of Modi, this was made possible. 

So, retrieving Pak Occupied Jammu and Kashmir would also be accomplished.

"PoK ke liye hum jaan de sakten haen" - Amit Shah had said in Lok Sabha on Aug 6, 2019.

Farmers' benefit can result in something more drastic. The Modi-Yogi snap is thus more

than just the Uttar Pradesh elections.

ends 

New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the ‘Summit of Democracies’ convened by US President Joe Biden next month.

While China, Turkey and Russia were missed out on the list, sources say PM Modi is likely to attend the virtual meet.

2002 and how the world has changed so much 

The Summit will focus on challenges and opportunities facing democracies and will provide a platform for leaders to announce both individual and collective responses.

The Biden administration's move to invite Taiwan to the Summit on December 9 and 10 has certainly left China anguished.

Beijing says the 'democratically governed island, Taiwan' is its own territory.

Experts say the first-of-its-kind gathering is a test for President Biden, who has faced credibility challenge especially since the fiasco in Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, Biden had said that he would return the United States to global leadership position as against an authoritarian measure pushed by China and Russia.

There are 110 participants on the State Department's invitation list for the virtual event on Dec 9 and 10, which aims to help stop democratic backsliding and the erosion of rights and freedoms worldwide. 

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the government would be represented by Digital Minister Audrey Tang and Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's de facto ambassador in Washington.

An official US State Department statement says, President Biden will host the first of two Summits for Democracy, which will bring together leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action.

"On December 9-10, 2021, President Biden will host a virtual summit for leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector. The summit will focus on challenges and opportunities facing democracies and will provide a platform for leaders to announce both individual and collective commitments, reforms, and initiatives to defend democracy and human rights at home and abroad.

For the United States, the summit will offer an opportunity to listen, learn, and engage with a diverse range of actors whose support and commitment is critical for global democratic renewal. It will also showcase one of democracy’s unique strengths: the ability to acknowledge its imperfections and confront them openly and transparently". 

ends 

New Coronavirus variant causes global worry, Centre alerts states

New Delhi:

Just when the world including India was trying to return to normalcy braving months of Corona-infused Lockdown and restrictions, bad news seemed to have visited the human race yet again.

The news of a new variant has unnerved certain countries in the west and has alarmed

others.

The Union Health Ministry in India ordered states and Union Territories to screen and test 

travellers from South Africa, Hong Kong, and Botswana.

The major alert missive came shortly after South African authorities said they have 'detected a new novel 

coronavirus variant' that reportedly has an unusual constellation of mutations.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a communication to all states and Union Territories, said the 

National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had informed the Centre that multiple cases of a 

Covid-19 variant B.1.1529 had been reported in South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong.

However, there was no such case reported from India. 

New variant has been named Omicron by the WHO, and one BBC report has quoted scientists of describing

it was "horrific". 

The new variant has also thrown the global stock markets out of gear as there are fears 

of new travel bans.

The benchmark indices at BSE and NSE fell sharply by nearly 3 per cent on Friday, Nov 26

as concerns mounted over the new Covid variant. There was anxiety around US central bank likely to 

wrap up its stimulus programme and raise interest rates 

 

Britain, Israel, Belgium and Italy have already pressed the panic button.

Belgium has detected the first case of the new coronavirus variant. 

Closer home Hong Kong reported one case and is directly linked to travel to

South Africa. There have been 77 confirmed cases in South Africa and four cases in Botswana.

Israel on Friday imposed a travel ban on most African states, after reporting cases of a new and 

potentially 'vaccine-resistant coronavirus'. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett widened a ban announced 

on the entry of foreigners from seven African countries. 

Britain has banned flights from South Africa and neighbouring countries and asked British 

travellers returning from there to quarantine,

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on the

issue.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said: "We are taking the news about the new 

highly mutated COVID variant very seriously. It is now important that all of us in Europe act very swiftly, 

decisively and united".

“The last thing we need is to bring in a new variant that will cause even more problems,” 

German Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

Italy’s health ministry also announced measures to ban entry into Italy of anyone who has been in 

seven southern African nations — South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and 

Eswatini.

The Netherlands also said it is planning similar measures.

Japan also said it will tighten border controls for people arriving from six African nations. 

The World Health Organization will be holding a special session to flesh out information about the 

new variant.

International Flights from Dec 15

India has meanwhile decided to resume scheduled international flights from December 15 

after the coronavirus-induced suspension.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said the matter of resumption of scheduled commercial international 

passenger services has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, 

the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

“

Ends 

26/11 Anniv. : MEA summons senior Pak diplomat, condemns 'double standards'

New Delhi

On the 13th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, a senior diplomat from the High Commission of Pakistan in India was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.

"A Note Verbale reiterating India’s call for an expeditious trial in the Mumbai terror attacks case, and calling on the Government of Pakistan to abide by its commitment to not allow territories under its control for terrorism against India, was handed over to him," the MEA said in a statement.

The MEA said 14 other countries lost their nationals in these attacks. 

"Indian Missions in these countries are organizing memorial events (on Nov 26) remembering the victims, both national and foreign, reminding the world of the continuing global threat of terrorism." 

"It is a matter of deep anguish that even after 13 years of this heinous terror attack, the families of 166 victims from 15 countries across the globe still await closure, with Pakistan showing little sincerity in bringing the perpetrators to justice," it said.

"The 26/11 terrorist attack was planned, executed and launched from Pakistani territory. 

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan had gone on record and admitted that the terrorists were sent from Pakistan’s soil. We once again call on the Government of Pakistan to give up double standards and to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of the horrific attack to justice," it said.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in separate messages, have expressed their firm solidarity with the families of the victims.

India cannot forget the wounds of the Mumbai terror attacks, the Prime Minister said.

In a short video released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the 26/11 attacks, PM Modi also said that today's India is combating terrorism with a "new policy and new ways".

"I pay homage to all those who died in the Mumbai attack. Many brave police personnel were also martyred.I pay homage to them," Modi said.

India working on modalities with Pakistan for shipping wheat to Afghan people

Days after Islamabad said it has given clearance for shipment of wheat to Afghanistan

from India through land route via Pakistan, India said while it is working out modalities, there should be no conditions attached.

"...We believe that humanitarian assistance should not be subject to conditionalities,"MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters at the weekly briefing.

He said India is "examining the response of the government of Pakistan". 

"We are also working on the modalities with the Pakistan side". 

“This was about humanitarian access into Afghanistan for the delivery of the 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and life-saving medicines we are supplying to the people of Afghanistan,” the MEA spokesmansaid.

Pakistan had informed India on Wednesday that it would allow the shipment of the wheat and medicines to Afghanistan via the Wagah land border as a goodwill gesture.

India's willingness to supply wheat and medicines comes when Afghanistan isvirtually on brink of a major and unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

Taliban rule in Afghanistan which began on August 15 completed 100 days latelyand there were reports of an immense financial and humanitarian crisis in the war-ravagedcountry.Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to Islamabad had raised the issue of allowing the shipment from India with the Pakistani leadership.

Ten out of 11 of Afghanistan’s most densely populated urban areas are now anticipated to be at emergency levels of food insecurity.

There are also reports of destitute parents even promising baby girls for future marriage 

in exchange for dowries.

Crippled by drought and economic collapse, Afghanistan is set to become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

There are also reports of destitute parents even promising baby girls for future marriage 

in exchange for dowries.

UNICEF has said there were "credible reports of families offering daughters as young as 20-days old for future marriage in return for a dowry".

.

ends 

On eve of Winter Session of Parl, Amit Shah gets busy with northeast

"Mizoram CM Zoramthanga and I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Everything was discussed in the meeting. Both state govts decided that we will maintain peace and tranquility on the Assam-Mizoram border. We'll deal with this very sensitively": Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma 

New Delhi:

All eyes are on winter session of Parliament set to get underway on Monday,
November 29.

Sources said Union Home Minister Amit Shah is keeping himself engaged
and well informed about the ground situation in Nagaland vis-a-vis peace talks
and on the Mizoram-Assam border dispute.

Enchanting Assam: 

Sources said Shah would be meeting Assam and Mizoram Chief Minsters Himanta Biswa Sarma and Zoramthanga respectively on Friday to end the border dispute between two states.

There is a border line of 164.4 km and dispute between the two states now exists for a long time now.

On Thursday evening, Mr Sarma hosted a dinner for his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga.

"We are both good friends and like brothers, I was invited by Himanta ji for dinner. We spent good time together," the Mizoram Chief Minister later said.

Sources, however, say two chief ministers meeting on the backdrop of border issues was like
'breaking of ice' after 1990s.

"Of course as state leaders they keep meeting, but we believe it is important that Mr Zoramthanga and Mr Sarma have met on the border issues may be informally for a dinner. This was as such the first political level dialogue between two Chief Minsters.

 In 1993, Assam CM Hiteshwar Saikia and Mizoram CM Lalthanhawla were supposed
to meet in Guwahati, but Lalthanhawla declined to attend. He wanted a neutral place," the source said. 

Earlier this year, the violence was triggered between police forces of two states resulting in killing
of five cops from Assam on July 27 along Lailapur-Vairengte.
Statehood was granted to Mizoram in 1987 but the border disputes with Assam have stayed on.

 
Till 1972, Mizoram was part of Assam till it attained Union Territory status.

Besides Mizoram-Assam border issue, sources say Amit Shah will be holding crucial round of meeting with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also.

The Naga peace talks were at advanced stage but certain objections from NSCN (IM) on the issues of Flag and Constitution.

At the state level, intensive parleys are on more in informal manner between various groups and tribal Hoho leaders.

Nagas have a sizeable presence in Manipur, which is go to the polls in Feb-March 2022 along with UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa.

Rio is expected to arrive New Delhi on Saturday. 

ends 

New German regime to be tough to China, Russia, but friendlier to France

 New Delhi: It is time for some significant changes on the global stage. The expected transition in Germany could make things a bit tougher for China and some of its designs.

Angela Merkel would be finally out of power in Germany, and the new coalition regime is to be headed by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, who was Vice-Chancellor under Merkel. Under the influence of Greens, the FDP party, Berlin is expected to draw out new and possibly tougher policies towards China and Russia in its diplomatic realm. Chancellor Merkel was often accused of being lenient to Beijing and Moscow, which might have cost Germany's trade interests.

The new ruling combine comprises the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Ultimately, Olaf Scholz's march as Chancellor of his country is punctuated with the drama of coalition politics often discussed and debated in India. 

Scholz was Vice-Chancellor to Merkel and was also the Finance Minister.

SDP was a junior ally under Angela Merkel for 12 of the last 16 years. Foreign policy experts say Germany's next government represents an odd mix of status quo thinking and reformist instincts in more ways than one. Of course, it's a marriage of convenience between strange bedfellows.

Scholz is now set to succeed Merkel. Merkel has decided to stay away from the contest.

On the China front, the new government would raise human rights abuses, especially in Xinjiang, and support "democratic Taiwan". Regarding Russia, interestingly, NordStream II, the gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany that is supported by the SPD but opposed by the Greens, is not mentioned in the coalition treaty.

On the other hand, French President Emmanuel Macron could be hoping the new dispensation would not block his EU reform ideas.

Critics say Germany is too much dependent on China on trade, which has often forced it to ignore human rights violations by authorities in Beijing. China became Germany's biggest trade partner in 2016.

Meanwhile, Germany has announced new commitments worth more than Rs 10,025 crore to India to support its fight against climate change.

The focus of the financial commitment to India will be to tackle climate change and assist in the country's ongoing energy transition. 

Once called 'eternal Chancellor', Merkel was a good alter ego to masculine leaders like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Her admirers say she provided steady leadership, presenting herself as a unifying figure and steered Germany well during multiple crises that hit the world in the last 16 years.

She began as the youngest and first female Chancellor in 2005. The 67-year-old leader has seen the times of former headline hunters such as George W. Bush, Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac.

Blog 

Jewar airport will give run for money to Delhi airport from 2025 : Civil Aviation Minister

New Delhi: As many as 20 years after it was first mooted, Uttar Pradesh is now finally setto get Vikas Jewar, its tenth airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Jewar International Airportnear Noida on Thursday.

Hours later Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said "....Let me tell this todaythat 2025 onward, Jewar is going to give Delhi Airport a run for its money".

PM Modi also said the northern state was shown "false dreams" by the previous governments and they kept it in "deprivation" and "darkness" for decades.

Mr Scindia said the coming of the airport reflected the drastic change in governance approachas for years the western UP has faced negligence and ignored.

"This part of UP has always been ignored....There have been issues of poverty, riots, issues acrossthe board here. For a change, this part of UP is going to see now an investment of Rs 34,000 crorealone in the airport, and there will be an overall investment of about Rs 60,000 crore," the Civil AviationMinister told a television channel.There will be moreover creation of one lakh jobs, he said.

He pointed out that the scale of developmental works carried out in the last few years isphenomenal.UP had only four airports in 70 years and now has nine and the proposed new airport is the tenth.UP will soon have a total of 17 airports, he said and the state will have five international airports- a quick jump from only two. Besides Varanasi and Lucknow, now three more international airports will be at Kushinagar,Ayodhya and Jewar. The new airport at Jewar is located only about 72 km away from IGI airport in Delhi and a sum of Rs 10,050 crores has been released for the first phase of construction.

The first phase of the construction is expected to be completed in 2024. Two runways will be developed in stage 1. The construction works have been assigned to theZurich Airport International.

Moreover, Scindia also pointed out that UP is now connected to as many as 80 cities acrossIndia."Please understand, the old paradigm was that the growth brings with it the connectivity.Today it is connectivity that brings growth," the Minister said adding the first question anyinvestor would ask today about investing in any remote corner is what's the connectivity.

It is worth mentioning that all major expressways like the Yamuna Expressway, Western peripheral Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be also connected to the airport.

ends 

India's CBI officer elected to top position in INTERPOL due to Intense campaign 

New Delhi

India’s candidate, Praveen Sinha, Special Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was on Nov 25 elected as Delegate for Asia on the Executive Committee of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

This victory is the result of an intense and well-coordinated election campaign across the world, sources

revealed.

"This was a tough election, with India running against four other contestants from China, Singapore, 

Republic of Korea and Jordan. There were two posts," the source said.

The elections were held in Istanbul (Turkey) during the ongoing 89th INTERPOL General Assembly.

INTERPOL is a vital body for tackling the rising spectre of trans-national organized crimes, terrorism and 

cyber-crimes. 

"India will continue to actively contribute to INTERPOL’s aims and objectives and to enhance its effectiveness 

through our professional competence and experience".

Crucial support of friendly countries was sought at bilateral engagements at different levels. 

Indian Embassies and High Commissions regularly followed up with host governments and

also the  Ambassadors and High Commissioners resident in Delhi were also reached out.

"Moreover, India’s National Central Bureau (NCB-India) reached out to its counterparts around the 

world to campaign for this election".

The Indian Ambassador in Turkey also camped in Istanbul for the last few days and held on-the-ground 

bilateral meetings with delegations for the final efforts to gain support.

"We deeply appreciate all those countries who voted for India," the source said.

ends 

Jaishankar blasts Pak repeated bids to bring bilateral issues into SCO

New Delhi 

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday, Nov 25, made a veiled attack

on Pakistan saying repeated attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into 

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) deliberations ought to be 'condemned'.

"India considers the SCO as an important regional group to promote cooperation in various fields 

based on universally recognized international norms, good governance, Rule of law, openness, 

transparency and equality. It is unfortunate to note that there have been repeated attempts to deliberately 

bring bilateral issues into SCO," he said at the 20th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government.

Dr Jaishankar said such efforts only violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter. 

"Such acts are counterproductive to the spirit of consensus and cooperation that define this organization 

and should be condemned," he said.

The Minister said this meeting was taking place as SCO celebrates its 20th anniversary in a rapidly 

changing global and regional environment. 

"India remains committed to contributing constructively to the implementation of the mandate of SCO,"

he said.

"The recent meeting of COP 26 in Glasgow has sharpened the realization that for many developing countries, 

climate change remains the biggest existential threat. Fighting climate change calls for resources, innovation, 

cooperation and lifestyle modifications .....we must simultaneously pay heed to the climate change 

impact of our joint activities," he said.

Dr Jaishankar pointed out that today the world acknowledges that India is among the few large economies 

that have delivered in letter and spirit on the Paris Agreement. 

"A developing country like India that is working to lift millions out of poverty, has not spared any effort to 

fulfil its global environment obligations. In parallel, we have surged ahead in developing renewables and 

today India ranks 4th in the world in installed renewable energy capacity," he pointed out.

Dr Jaishankar said, "India today is an emerging economic force at the global level. Despite the economic 

devastation caused by COVID-19, India’s agile response in fighting the pandemic and ensuring economic 

stability has been noteworthy." 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast a 9.5% growth in the Indian economy in 2021. 

India's trade performance has also been strong, growing by more than 20% this year. Despite COVID, India 

attracted record FDI inflows of $77 billion in 2020-21 and another $22 billion in the first three months 

of this year, he said.

He also said that India believes greater connectivity is an economic force multiplier that has acquired greater 

importance in the post-Covid era, though “any serious connectivity initiative must be consultative, transparent 

and participatory”. 

A Joint Communique of SCO Heads of Government and other decisions were adopted at the conclusion 

of the Meeting.

The 20th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government was held in Nur-Sultan through 

video-conference under the Chairmanship of Kazakhstan. 

Ends 

Gujarat, whole of India 'business ready' like never before: Foreign Secretary

New Delhi: The state of Gujarat and the whole country are now ready for business "as never before", stated Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla while speaking at the Curtain Raiser Event for Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

"The government has placed great emphasis on improving the ease of doing business. The implementation of Goods and Services Tax and other measures of simplification and consolidation of taxes have reduced transaction costs and improved ease of doing business," he said.

Mr Shringla said India has also made doing business smarter. 

"We have made doing business faster and smoother through digital processes, online transactions and single point interfaces. Digital payments, including direct transfer of government benefits, are now under full implementation. India has created one of the largest eco-systems in the world for start-ups and a 
number of them have come up in the tech domain," the Foreign Secretary said.

India is also making huge public investments in improving its infrastructure, he said and pointed

out that lately Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched Gati Shakti – the National Master Plan for 

Multi-modal Connectivity – designed to create a 'seamlessly connected India'. 

"Our National Education Policy has laid the framework for educating a workforce for the 21st century"

he said.

The next edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, initially conceptualized during the tenure of

Narendra Modi as the state Chief Minister, is scheduled to be held in January next year,

The Summit is being organised as the Gujarat government envisions to scale up investments. 

The three-day summit will be inaugurated by Modi on January 10, 2022.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called on Modi in the capital on Thursday. He also 

met industry captains. 

In his address, Foreign Secretary Shringla also said that Gujarat has been quick in recovering from 

the economic impact of the pandemic. 

Despite the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, India’s FDI inflows stood at USD 81.72 billion in 2021. 

Gujarat was one of the top recipients of these FDI inflows among the Indian States.

He said, Gujarat has opened its doors to global companies looking to diversify their manufacturing bases 

following the pandemic. 

"The Government of India is partnering with the State Government in its endeavors to attract fresh investments 

and boost economic activity".

ends