India has made significant progress in the last few decades, and today it is one of the most prominent country in the new world order. The steel frame of the country is constructed by brilliant leaders namely Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, PV Narsimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi to position India in the top list of global super power. Technocrats, Scientists, Bureaucrats, Diplomats, Judges, Journalists, Social community leaders has put their maximum effort to uplift India from an under developed nation to a highly progressive nation. Today we are at the high table of the various global power centers and the world acknowledges the contribution of India in making the world a better place to live. Initially the role of People of Indian Origin people living in various part of the world is greatly undermined because of the size of the Diaspora but liberalization process and opening of Indian economy has put the PIO community in the mainstream of the global Indian interest, so the Indian Diaspora started acting as India’s permanent Ambassadors spreading the country’s cultural ethos and heritage.
A recent UN report says that India now has the largest ‘Diaspora’ in the world, with more than 16 million persons of Indian origin living abroad. This Non Resident
Indian (NRI) pool represents a little over 1 per cent of India’s population but is a crucial cog in the wheel of India’s development.
How does the Indian Diaspora benefit India? The biggest way is through regular remittances. According to a World Bank report released in April, India was the largest remittance-receiving country in the world, with an estimated $69 billion in 2015. This amounts to a whopping 3.4 per cent of India’s GDP, an amazing multiplier because just 1 per cent of the citizenry, which does not even live in the country, contributes more than three times its fair share to the nation’s wealth. India should show that it is serious about managing its relationship with the NRIs by opening a separate Minister-of-State level department for NRI administration – similar to the Veterans’ Administration in the US. This department would act as the NRI voice across various Indian government agencies and promote engagement with NRIs to help India’s larger cause.
The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2019 is special for the visiting PIO community because the event is organized at the oldest living city of the modern world – Varanasi, it will be an experience for the participant to explore the ancient Indian culture and learn more about India. Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore may offer better facilities and accommodation but the true prospective to learn the Indian way of life can be understood by staying in Varanasi for few days.
As we are entering in 2019, the global PIO population is poised to shine even brighter. A prominent Senator lady of Indian origin is likely to contest US presidential elections in 2020, major global tech companies continues to be headed by PIO technocrats, global media is dominated by prominent Indian journalists, new generation entrepreneurship is likely to drive several business entities. The Indian Diaspora has contributed enormously to strengthening India’s cultural, literary, political and economic bonds across the world. India sees PIO community as an important bridge with the countries where PIO community is living. PIO community must be effectively utilized as an instrumental in building the people to people ties to promote brand India at the global platform.
—Prashant Tewari , Editor-in-Chief
Big names of South India cinema namely MGR, NTR, Rajnikant, Kamal Has-san, Chiranjivee, Mohan Babu are household names with global Indian community. The rise of Allu Arjun is likely to script similar success story. Allu rose up the ladder since his debut in Tollywood and has never looked back. Allu Arjun soon began riding the wave of success and landed blockbuster films such as ‘Arya’, ‘Bunny’, ‘Happy’, ‘Arya 2’, ‘Race Gurram’, ‘S/O Satyamurthy’, ‘Sarrainodu’, ‘DJ’ and many others. On the surface, his road to superstardom has been enviably easy marking to be the next superstar in the industry. He burns up the screen with his energy that spikes out in all direction, sweeping you up with its force even in casual encounter.
He is the only South Indian actor whose movies have reached the Rs 100 crore club thrice. His Hindi dubbed movies have collectively surpassed 530 million views on YouTube and have a huge crossover appeal across India especially in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and among other states. Today, his fan following is increasing by every minute and so is the number of filmmakers wanting to sign him. What’s more he has hit a beautiful equation in his personal life as well. Riding the crest of his huge fans followers of 12.7 million in Facebook alone making him the highest among any South Indian actor and many Bollywood stars. Opinion Express is experimenting with a shift from political to entertainment cover story.
Secondly we are reporting in-depth assessment of Modi wave in the country: How has the Republic fared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi steering the country towards the general election of 2019? It has been a mixed record, with the willingness to take decisions trumped by ideological blinkers and a propensity to think of the virtues of Ram Rajya. The Sangh Parivar leadership has not quite reconciled itself regarding how far to take the concept of Hindutva in ruling a heterogeneous and multi-ethnic country. Two major decisions merit attention — the sudden move for demonetisation of a huge chunk of our currency and the hasty introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. The first decision was Mr Modi’s own prescription for the evils of black money and it has badly misfired, slowing down the economy, while the GST, an essential measure that earlier Congress governments had failed to bring in, was imposed somewhat post-haste. The demonetisation scheme was essentially Mr Modi’s idea, and although he talked it up as a kind of poor man’s revenge against the rich, the poor suffered the most. There has been no suggestion of apology on Mr Modi’s behalf on slowing down the economy and its numerous other consequences.
In the field of foreign policy, Mr Modi has built on the country’s record, considerably enhancing ties with Israel and becoming the first Indian PM to unreservedly welcome Israel into the hall of nations. Mr Modi has decided that India’s defence and geopolitical links with the Jewish state are important enough to be concentrated and the risks minimal as the Sunni monarchies are also reaching out to it. Does Mr Modi have a roadmap beyond the victory post-2019? Judging by his exertions in Davos and elsewhere, he is rustling up plans for a major internal manufacturing spree on the basis of abundant foreign investment. But circumstances have to be propitious for such investment because men with money and resources have options. The country will enter a new phase after the 2019 polls, and it will be an entirely new ballgame.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avhpNVKAhRc
The cover story dedicated to Mahinda Rajapaksa will surprise many in India but we have done it to inspire next-generation leadership of South Asia for standing firm on the critical decision that can alter the course of history for any nation. To describe Sri Lanka as Sri Rajapaksa may be just apt for the leader who changed the destiny of the island country. After becoming President of Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa reshuffled the cabinet and took the portfolios of Defence and Finance in the new cabinet, which was sworn in on 23 November 2005. Immediately following his election in 2005, Rajapaksa extended the term of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Sarath Fonseka, less than a month before he was scheduled to retire. Over the next three and a half years Fonseka and Rajapaksa’s brother and Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa led the country’s armed forces in their battle against the LTTE, ultimately defeating the Tigers and killing their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. It was the most grueling battle that the world has witnessed in recent times and it made Mahinda Rajapaksa a national hero and international leader of repute.
There are few international leaders in the contemporary global polity that have successfully changed the war-torn country into a vibrant progressive democracy in their lifetime. The charismatic leader accelerated the pace of development of the island country by pushing various infrastructure projects that transformed the growth rate and GDP of the country from 2009 onwards. The Sri Lanka government declared total victory on 18 May 2009. On 19 May 2009 President Mahinda Rajapaksa delivered a victory address to the Parliament and declared that Sri Lanka is liberated from terrorism. It was a near miracle achieved by the Rajapaksa-led team and instantly he became a national hero and darling of the masses in Sri Lanka. Mahinda Rajapaksa launched “Mahinda Chinthana” for good governance for all. He drafted it to incorporate the desire of every section of society in the political mainstream so that nobody is left unattended. His concept is rooted in the soil, the governance that springs from the bottom of the pyramid. The concept has made him the darling of the masses in Sri Lanka and an iconic figure that transformed the country into one of the best-governed countries in South Asia.
In domestic politics, the Rafale deal has made everyone corrupt except Ambani. Both Congress and BJP are accusing each other of serious charges of corruption, but Anil Ambani is spared due to reasons known to them. In fact, Anil Ambani benefited during UPA1 & UPA2 governments in power, coal and telecom sectors courtesy of Chidambaram, SK Shinde and Ahmed Patel extensively. The same person was instrumental in Narendra Modi’s quest for power in 2014. Arun Jaitley, Piyush Goyal, Ex AG Mukul Rahatagi are reportedly with him. Rahul Gandhi is aimlessly targeting Anil Ambani without realizing that Chidambaram and Ahmed Patel can defuse the Rafale bomb anytime. In India, nobody can dare to touch Ambani, so both Congress and BJP are playing a friendly match. Unfortunately, India’s global position has been dented by the mudslinging of our immature neta’s. This [the selection of Reliance] is Dassault Aviation’s choice. This partnership has led to the creation of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) joint venture in February 2017; Anil Ambani has always denied any wrongdoing in the deal.
The Congress party has also accused Modi of compromising national security and destroying state-run defense manufacturing firms. It’s a reality that India is facing a severe shortage of fighter jets. It would need 42 squadrons in the scenario of a two-front war with China and Pakistan. But its squadron strength has depleted to 31 largely owing to aging Russian aircraft. But this realisation is not new. The BJP government in 2000 decided to buy new fighter jets. Its successor Congress continued the process and issued tenders in 2008 to buy 126 jets. Dassault was finalised as a supplier in 2012, and the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was selected as a partner to produce 108 jets in India. The Indian government says it decided to buy the 36 jets in “fly-away” condition to quickly address the problem of the air force’s depleting strength. Both the national parties are interested in politics rather than addressing the issue with honest intent, the wild accusations have made the country a laughing stock in front of the world.
Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief
Read More – October Edition of Opinion Express Magazine
As the RSS move to invite Congress, it is apt for Communist leaders to share their vision for Bharat.
The whole point of being in public service is that you work for the nation and its people. The motivations for doing so, or the kind of India those belonging to disparate ideologies have in mind, is what makes the idea of India a contested one. The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), which has long been kept out of this national debate by an establishment dominated in the main by those with Leftist ideological inclinations, seems to have realised that it would be held guilty by history for doing exactly what it accused, with some justification it must be said, its ideological opponents of doing to it since Independence. It is, therefore, a very welcome move by the Sangh, which as an institution is today in the ascendant as a thought leader, to organise a three-day national seminar to which 1,500 invitees representing various shades of opinion will be invited to present their views on the kind of India the RSS envisages for the 21st century. Included in the list of potential invitees, apparently, are Congress president Rahul Gandhi and CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury.
Dyed-in-the-wool critics of the Sangh will, naturally, paint this effort at samvaad or dialogue/conversation as an attempt by the Sangh to legitimise both its ideas and its role in Indian public life; indeed, they have already begun to do so. This is understandable because it is a mindset that is closed, doctrinaire and unwilling to engage with a different, even radically different, point of view and has internalised tactics of demonetisation followed by condemnation as a substitute for serious debate. Our assessment is that neither of the two Opposition luminaries mentioned above will attend though we hope we are wrong. For, what they should do is send their best and brightest to the seminar to engage, debate and discuss the nuances in different narratives which are often elided in political discourse geared towards elections that all political parties are guilty of in contemporary India.
The motivations of the RSS in wanting to invite people from ‘all walks of life, including from different political outfits, ideologies and religions are not so hard to decipher. Never before in its history has the organisation held such a pivotal position as a shaper of national discourse. In seeking outreach to those who may have different points of view, it is clearly marking out the clear blue water between itself and the ancien régime which barely gave the time of day to its ideological opponents. There is also an effort to project the Sangh as being above political party affiliations in a sense though that is unlikely to cut much ice given the contours of the Sangh Parivaar nowadays. In fact, it is the RSS too which needs to introspect on how and why it has morphed from what LK Advani famously termed as an organisation that held a kind of ‘moral authority over the BJP’ to have become in many ways the same corporation albeit with technical distinctions in terms of operating freedoms intact. The Sangh needs to seriously ponder whether that is indeed the best route for its hope for a 21st-century Bharat to come to fruition. The planned outreach could be an apt way of beginning that process.
Writer and Courtesy: The Pioneer
Dr. Subramaniun Swamy is a target of deeper nexus between Delhi darbar and Mumbai syndicate. Despite his formidable credentials, corrupt lobbies have successfully kept him out of ministerial office during the current regime. It reminded us of the political conspiracies during Subhash Chandra Bose and Syama Prasad Mukherjee era when both the leaders were systematically phased out of the mainstream politics by a stronger cunning political and business syndicate. Surprisingly, RSS has endorsed his candidature yet it was blocked successfully for ministerial assignment. Prime Minister Modi has done tremendous hard work single handedly without having any talent in the cabinet with exception of few but he is a human being with limitations too. The results of upcoming general elections will show the shortcoming in the approach of governance that people expected while voting for Narendra Modi in 2014.
Personally, I don’t like Swamy's approach of targeting individuals but his commitment to national interest is beyond any doubt. Swamy’s lack of fear has its basis in his uncompromising honesty. “I cannot be bought off, and both the netas and industrialists know that. So no one offers me anything,” he says with a smile. Seeing some skepticism, he adds: “If I had done anything wrong, I would have been in prison long ago.” He has a point, since he’s under scrutiny by industry and politicians, both seeking to bring him down. That they haven’t succeeded so far proves his contention. Despite Swamy’s formidable intellectual abilities and personal integrity, he has failed to capitalize it in political arena. His open arm approach, simple going attitude and blunt speeches have been an obstacle in scaling the political ladder of India’s apex power zone. Swamy is largely misunderstood by his own party leaders due to insecurities that they carry within themselves.
Today Swamy is perhaps the most popular leader in India after Narendra Modi. The RSS being the ideologue of BJP have realized the value of Dr Swamy and it was RSS in 2014 that forced BJP leadership to welcome Dr Swamy in party to gain pan India footprint. It was RSS that forced the BJP leadership to offer Rajya Sabha seat to Dr Swamy in 2016 in spite of huge resentment within the BJP leadership opposed to the entry of Swamy in the upper house of Parliament. Today, Dr. Subramanian Swamy is a lone warrior who is fighting many battles in the national interest. As we are approaching the next general elections in 2019, BJP leadership must introspect how badly they have missed the services of Swamy? Yet again, the sad story of Subhash Chandra Bose and Syama Prasad Mookerjee is replicated in modern times. The world class economist, seasoned politician, trained diplomat and anti–corruption crusader is left alone to fight the epic battle on his own for his countrymen. However, Swamy is confident that in this battle of right and wrong, he will have the last laugh. We have included a short interview with Dr Swamy with the cover article that gives an overall perception of his personality and thought process, it is a must read.
(The writer is the Editor-in-Chief of The Opinion Express Group)
Read More – https://opinionexpress.in/the-missing-link-subhash-syama-swamy
BJP begins its preparations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for the 2019 General Election
It’s definitely not a good time to be a BJP legislator, especially a Member of Parliament (MP), from the country’s most populous and electorally crucial State of Uttar Pradesh. That reality would certainly have dawned on the honourable MPs who were left cooling their heels outside the room as party president Amit Shah heard and absorbed feedback laced with straight talk from BJP vistaraks and RSS workers in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday to assess the ground realities in the run-up the 2019 General Election. The prognosis was not very flattering for the MPs, a large majority of whom, Shah was told, have been non-performing, sloppy and generally up to no good. So pathetic has been their performance, and so clear-headed is the BJP about the importance of getting as close as possible to the 73 (with allies) out of 80 Lok Sabha seats it won from Uttar Pradesh in 2014 at the height of Narendra Modi wave, that there is talk of dropping as many as 50 sitting MPs for 2019. Not only is this tough messaging emanating from the party leadership expected to virtually kick those not unredeemable into improving their performance over the next six months if they harbour any hopes of re-nomination but it is also a crucial political signal to players in the so-called grand Opposition alliance in the State.
Let us explain why. Assuming leaders of both the major Opposition parties with strong grassroot support parties in the State, the SP and BSP, thrash out a seamless understanding, on the ground there will be huge discontent among their activists and seat aspirants. Both SP and BSP have at least one (though in most seats more than one) strong contender for each of the 80 seats. Once the process of seat-adjustment is complete, there will be a minimum of 40 likely rebels from each party. Which party do you think the ‘winnable’ seat aspirants from among them will approach for a nomination? And all this is without factoring in the seats which the mahagathbandhan, if there is to be one, will have to allocate to minor players such as the Congress and RLD. In sum, the BJP is positioning itself with great political nous as the party which has the courage to drop non-performers yet have winnable replacements from within and outside ready to take their place. Additionally, it has the organisational discipline/muscle and financial heft to ensure that a potential rebellion within its own ranks if ‘outsiders’ are given tickets is stamped out ruthlessly.
Bihar, which sends 40 MPs to the Lok Sabha, is where Shah is headed next. Significantly, he is meeting Nitish Kumar on July 12 in Patna for a one-on-one, presumably to put a lid on the speculation in political and media circles that the JDU is sending out feelers to the RJD for a mahagathbandhan redux. But the BJP is certain that the brinksmanship being indulged in by its alliance partner is aimed at getting the maximum seats it can extract from the BJP. And Shah, even his critics would concede, definitely knows how to negotiate.
Writer: The Pioneer
Courtesy: The Pioneer
Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs worth hundreds of billions of dollars on Chinese imports to the US as a trade war between the world’s two largest economies. US tariffs on $34bn (£25.7bn) of Chinese goods have come into immediate effect. China retaliated by imposing a similar 25% tariff on 545 US products, also worth a total of $34bn. Mr Trump said the US might target Chinese goods worth $500bn - the total value of Chinese imports in 2017. President Trump announced in his election campaign that he will correct the BoP (balance of payment) tilt towards China when he will assume power. Beijing accused the US of starting the “largest trade war in economic history” and has lodged a case with the World Trade Organization (WTO). “Trade war is never a solution,” said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
How high are the stakes for India in a trade war scenario? In trade conflicts, there are no winners. A major factor behind the US-China trade war is winning at a $12 trillion technology — 5G. One of the key reasons behind the U.S.’s trade war with China is the desire to get ahead in 5G. Technology is seen as the backbone of everything from driverless cars to future cities. America and China are in a race to become the leader in 5G and set the standards that will define the next generation of mobile internet. It is being touted as a technology that could support the next generation of infrastructure, from the billions of internet-connected devices expected to come online in the next few years, to smart cities and driverless cars. 5G technology could be key to President Donald Trump’s pledge to “make America great again” and China’s ambition to be the world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030.
Too much protectionism ultimately constricts global growth. Nonetheless, here are some points to consider that will affect the Indian economy:
1) With Chinese growth being affected by trade wars, will it have an effect on commodity prices, especially metals?
China being the largest consumer of base metals, the current development should have a negative impact on the prices of base metals. Gold is a safe haven and should benefit. Crude oil too will bear the brunt, depending on the severity of the impact and the resultant slowdown in global growth.
2) In the backdrop of trade tensions, will lower base metal prices be good for India?
Not necessarily, as the revenues of companies will be adversely affected. However, the manufacturing sector may be benefited due to the cheaper availability of raw materials.
3) What happens to US crude oil if China does not buy it?
According to Wood Mackenzie, while China could secure crude oil from alternative sources such as West Africa which has similar quality as US crude, the US would find it hard to find an alternative market as big as China. However, if crude oil prices fall as a result, then other things stay the same, it will benefit India. “However, if lower oil prices are caused due to a full-blown trade war, its positive impact on the economy can get negated/limited due to other negative developments such as weaker confidence and/or disruption in global trade,” said Anubhuti Sahay, senior economist at Standard Chartered Bank. The Russian, and Middle East countries will take a huge beating due to a fall in the price of crude oil.
4) How badly can US protectionism hurt India?
There is a lot of uncertainty with respect to how the ongoing retaliatory tariff impositions between the US and China pans out, says economist Upasna Bhardwaj of Kotak Mahindra Bank, adding, “So, in that sense, investment across borders is likely to get impacted.”
5) Will the trade wars also affect capital flows?
Capital flows will be affected but that’s not due to trade tensions. “It is owing to the fact that the amount of easy money that was available due to quantitative easing is drying up,” says Madan Sab-navis, chief economist at CARE Ratings. The US Fed is in monetary policy tightening mode. A recent UNCTAD report says foreign direct investment has already slowed down.
6) Can India substitute Chinese exports to the US to some extent and therefore gain?
This could offer an opportunity for India. “India can become more competitive in segments such as textile, garments and gems, and jewellery since India already has an edge,” says Bhardwaj. However, this is doubtful in the short run because China’s exports to the US are much more diverse and it’s a tall order for India to fill the gap.
7) Will the rupee weaken further?
The rupee will weaken more on account of capital flows than the impact of trade problems, says Sabnavis. At the moment, economists do not foresee the currency breaching the psychological level of 70 per US dollar.
8) Will the effect on India be less as its economy is more domestic-oriented?
Don’t forget that our exports plus imports of goods and services constitute around 42% of GDP. Also, we have a current account deficit dependent on external capital inflows for financing. There is no question that economic growth and asset markets will be badly hurt by a full-blown trade war. The more important issue is the current global economic order is in danger of being dismantled, brick by brick. The ramifications will go far beyond trade—the impact on geopolitics, for instance, could be far more serious.
—Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief
The current ruling party must try and imbibe Dr Mukherjee’s ideals if it wants India to become a strong state in the future. He was among the leading intellectual academicians and educationists of his time. It is not very often that we come across a person who lives for 52 years and remains in politics only for 14 years but within that short period rises to great heights and makes history. He was born on July 6, 1901, in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and breathed his last on June 23, 1953, in captivity in Srinagar under mysterious circumstances. His lifespan and matter of death bear uncanny resemblance to his dearest disciple Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
His engagement with education was not coincidental. He came from a family of educationists. His Father, Ashutosh Mukherjee, was Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, and had earned the sobriquet “the lion of Bengal”. Incidentally, like his father, Mukherjee served as the youngest Vice Chancellor of the university from 1934 to 1938. Mukherjee advocated reforming the Indian education system in the light of rich Indian intellectual and cultural traditions. He did not take the easy road of just critiquing the colonial education system, but as a critical thinker, he provided reasons for doing so from a larger Indian historical perspective and prepared a blueprint and implemented it in his capacity as the Vice Chancellor.
During this period, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee ( 1864-1924), father of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, revolutionised the higher Indian education by changing the character of Indian universities from mere college affiliated academic bodies to post graduate departments of teaching and research. Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, who had multifarious talents as a lawyer, mathematician and educationalist, had groomed his eldest son, Rama Prasad for the legal profession and his second son, Syama Prasad for the field of education.
After a brilliant career at the University of Calcutta and securing the first position in his graduation and post graduation, he studied law to become a member of the Indian Bar in the Calcutta High Court, and there after set sail for England to become a Barrister and enter the English Bar. But his principle intention of going to England was to study the working of the universities in Britain. After accomplishing what he had in mind, he returned to India to become a member of the syndicate of the University of Calcutta.
At the age of 23, he was the youngest member of this syndicate. At that time, the Diarchy system had recently been introduced in India by the MontagueChelmsford Reforms ( 1919 ) and education was one of the transferred subjects, which simply means that Indians had some say in it. In 1929, Syama Prasad disagreed with this and resigned his seat in the Council in order to come back as an independent candidate. At this juncture in his life, he was purely concerned with education and not with politics.
Every human being is unique with infinite possibilities. Exceptional are those who leave inedible imprints on history with their vision, voice and accomplishments. Syama Prasad Mukherjee was one such personality who played a pivotal role in the Indian political history in the first half of the twentieth century and his ideas continue to hold sway till this day. In fact, the present generation must follow Dr Mukherjee’s life to serve the country.
The challenge of the present day political structure is tremendous wherein the polity is commercialised for personal gains. The thugs and loom pins have high jacked the political scene of the country and fighting popular elections for a common man is just next to impossible. So taking a clue from Dr Mukherjee’s life, we must take a pledge to cleanse the system. We need to bring merit to the political system that lacks a lot in the present political setup, including in the Bharatiya Janata Party, that idolises Dr Mukherjee.
As seen through history, historical beings often get reduced to images. Mukherjee has been a victim of perception, mainly political, and his contribution in the public sphere has been reduced to being known as the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh or as a crusader for Kashmir. Consequently, his contribution to the domains beyond politics remain unacknowledged. A serious and vigorous consideration of his educational views and vision still elude us and is not a part of the discussions in the mainstream education system in India today. Mukherjee was an academician at heart who deftly donned the mantle of a politician.
His discontent with the power structures that existed at that time and pressures persuaded him to join active politics, which he perceived to be a potent means of changing the nation in general and its education system in particular. Dr Mukherjee’s principal achievements in the fields of education were during the year of his Vice Chancellorship at the University of Calcutta from 1934 to 1938.
He supported nationalist scholars who wished to undertake serious research in Indian history from an Indian point of view. He encouraged excavations, opened the first museum of Indian history, culture and archaeology in the university and invited international universities to send their students to study the India civilization, culture and Sanskrit. In fact, in 1937, he invited Rabindranath Tagore to deliver the convocation address in Bengali – this was the first time ever that a convocation address was delivered in Bengali in the precincts of the University of Calcutta.
Syama Prasad had to face great tragedies. His elder sister, Kamla was widowed and died early. His father, Sir Ashutosh, a guiding light in his life died prematurely at the age of 60 in 1924. Then came the worst tragedy, when his beloved wife of only 11 years, Sudha died. and he was left to take care of his four children.
He remained in the public life only because of the help he received from his sister-in-law, Srimati Tara Devi, wife of his elder brother Justice Rama Prasad. Post the Muslim League conference in 1940, the Hindu’s of Bengal being persecuted were looking for a leader who could look after their interests. Dr Mukherjee was persuaded to leave the field of education and join active politics. His activism in politics came during a difficult time.
The Congress was powerful in Bengal but was always hesitant to speak for the rights of the Hindus, often bowing down to the Muslim League. Vinayak Damodar Veer Savarkar, the All India Hindu Mahasabha leader came to Bengal in August, 1939, and Dr Mukherjee joined him in the Hindu Mahasabha soon. Even Gandhiji welcomed his entry in politics and suggested that somebody was required to lead Hindu’s after Malaviya.
Gandhiji had great respect and admiration for Dr Mukherjee’s abilities. It was on Gandhiji’s insistence that Nehru included Dr Mukherjee in the first Union Cabinet of independent India. As a minister, Dr Mukherjee was credited with pioneering several schemes, namely the Damodar Valley Corporation, the fertilizer factory at Sindri, Chittarajan Locomotive Works and the Hindustan Aircraft of Bangalore. He also established the All India Handicraft Board, All India Handloom Board, and Khadi and Village Industries Board were set up to supply cottage and small scale industries with the much needed finance in order to survive and develop.
(The writer is Editor-in-Chief, Opinion Express Group)
Writer: Prashant Tewari
Courtesy: The Pioneer
The Modi government is being credited for a host of reform programmes to attract FDI, improve ease of doing business, and rolling out of goods and services tax (GST). All the structural changes in a vast nation do generate enormous dust but the trust factor in PM Modi has sailed the boat for NDA in the last four year of governance. There are many areas where the government’s actions have improved the lives of the people or are expected to do so specially in the rural area where there is a huge farmer distress and unemployment crisis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government completes four years in office on 26 May 2018 and the list of achievements is a long one. The Modi government is being credited for a host of reform programmes to attract FDI, improve ease of doing business, and rolling out of goods and services tax (GST). The corruption has been curtailed by effective usage of technology and strict monitoring of programs. The various corruption laws are amended and the enforcing agencies are given discretion to nab the corrupt public servants.
1. Demonetisation: Government launched a major attack against black money through this drive in which Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes were banned. This attack on the informal sector led to an expansion of market share for the formal part of the economy. Demonetisation was an exercise that gave digital payments a big boost. Even though cash has made a comeback, the demand for cash or currency is 7 per cent higher at Rs 18.25 trillion at the end of April compared to Rs 17 trillion at the beginning of November 2016, the momentum provided to digital payments is unstoppable now. It is expected to move the country from a predominantly cash oriented society to a mostly cashless one.
2. Make in India: A strong economy needs strong local manufacturing base. Over dependence on agriculture and service sector is unhealthy for national economic strength. This is the government’s major national programme to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and build an infrastructure in India that would turn the country into a manufacturing hub. The focus of Make in India is on 25 sectors including automobiles, aviation, chemicals, IT & BPM, pharmaceuticals, construction, defence manufacturing, electrical machinery, food processing.
3. GST & GDP: PM Modi must be given credit to implement India’s biggest tax structural reform by risking the popularity of his government. Off course, the first year of GST implementation has been extremely challenging for the government and government has attracted lot of ire from its traditional trading community vote bank but to Modi’s credit, he struck to the task resulting in major consolidation of formal economy. It is expected that with complete roll out of GST in India, the informal economy will shrink to less than 20% of the economy. The International Monetary Fund has forecast a bullish GDP growth for India at 7.4 per cent in 2018, and a better 7.8 per cent for 2019, making India the fastest growing economy globally. India’s GDP is expected to reach $6 trillion by FY27, it will make India the fourth largest economy of the world, a dream that started in 1992 by then PM Narasimha Rao is now a reality for over billion people. India is poised to grow at over 7% in the next decade or so and it will lead to elimination of poverty and distress from the bottom pyramid of the society.
4. Digital India: Digitisation will have far-reaching implications for corporate, household and public sectors, besides providing a better credit delivery in the economy. Also, delivery of subsidies directly into beneficiaries bank accounts is another such measure. Digitisation is boosting financial inclusion (Jan Dhan), Aadhaar card, rising smartphone penetration (JAM, or Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile), along with GST system. PM Modi was bulldozed to power in 2014 mainly on anti- corruption and inefficient government platform, so effective usage of technology became the principle tool for Modi to transmit clean government. PM Modi has extensively focused on the digital India mode to deliver effective, clean and transparent governance and his government is likely to be a major beneficiary of the effort.
5. Employment: According to Labour Bureau data, despite having a healthy GDP growth, new jobs have not been created in enough numbers. In 2016-17, 4.1 lakh actual jobs were created as against the BJP’s electoral promise of creating one crore jobs annually. However, recent EPFO data showed that 31 lakh jobs were created between Sept 2017 and Feb 2018. Modi led NDA government has focused on extending loans for self employment schemes popularly known as “Mudra Bank” and it is projected as the flag ship scheme of the Modi Sarkar.
Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief
Indian community has never been more globally integrated than in the recent times. The announcement on H-1B visa norms by the Trump administration, dissolution of parliament and announcement of elections in the United Kingdom, new visa curbs in Australia and New Zealand, violence in Middle East countries and slow-down of African economy has directly affected India and Indians as never before. In just two decades, Indians have integrated themselves with the global community and the relationship is just indispensable. So, any event of consequence anywhere in the world has a direct bearing on us Indians.
The post liberalization era of India has offered a unique place to Indian in the global theatre. Surely, Indian community was literate and hard-working but the confidence was missing. Post liberalization, the government and private enterprise have successfully navigated themselves to enormous success route with a vision and roadmap. The entrepreneurship temper of Indian were unleashed in the world and within two decades, India is a global leader in IT&SW, healthcare, medicine, space, agriculture, telecommunications, food processing and diary, leather industry. The rise of Reliance, TATA, Birla, Infosys, Wipro, Mahindra, Sun Pharma, L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji, Apollo, Indigo and Patanjali brands at global level has fuelled a huge GDP growth.
Brand Modi has added tremendous value addition to India’s global image. It is this change of perception that India is governed by a clean and committed leadership which has brought a huge respect for India abroad. Today, India remains the fastest growing economy of the world and the entire world is willing to engage with India on business terms. It is this unique historic opportunity that every PIO and NRI must cash in on to elevate his stature in the respective country of domicile. The great Indian story can be sold to any part of the globe with pride.
In India, the J&K and Tamil Nadu states are in trouble. Recently, the naxal belt in India has started showing signs of resurgence. The BJP RSS combine is ramping through various elections in India by decimating its political opponents. The sudden shift for right wing forces will consolidate left forces in urban and rural areas, including in universities. The right and left clash will be the continue affair in the country. Kerala and West Bengal is witnessing huge rise in extremist activities wherein rivals are going all out to wipe out opponents.
The international geo political situation is hostile, apart from the Middle East – the Korean peninsula is extremely tense. According to US President Trump, “North Korea is a big world problem, and it’s a problem we have to finally solve.” A sixth North Korean nuclear test has been anticipated for some months now. When the US envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, was asked what the US would do if Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test, she told NBC news: “I think then the president steps in and decides what’s going to happen.” Haley further said that the US was not “looking for a fight” with North Korea but warned Pyongyang should not “give us a reason” for one.
The US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and its battle-group are due to arrive off the Korean peninsula after exercises with the Japanese navy. An Ohio-class guided missile submarine, the USS Michigan, docked at the South Korean naval base of Busan on Tuesday, the US navy reported, in what was described as “a routine visit”. North Korea’s state-run newspaper the Rodong Sinmun declared the country’s armed forces were ready to show their strength by sinking the carrier “with a single strike”. The entire world is watching the events with anxiety.
—Prashant Tewari, editor-in-Chief
India’s 69th Republic day function was planned in advance for securing a massive diplomatic edge over India’s strategic challenger China. The time for big-ticket diplomacy with ASEAN to counter China’s hegemony was staged in an unprecedented convergence of 10 heads of state or governments from ASEAN for the 69th Republic Day parade to showcase the groups’ growing solidarity with India. Former PM PV Narsimha Rao’s ‘Act East Policy is put into practice brilliantly by PM Narendra Modi is India’s answer to the rapid geopolitical transformation in the Indo-Pacific region and the presence of ten Asean leaders to commemorate India’s vibrant democracy and cultural diversity will not be lost, particularly in Asia. The presence of all the major countries' heads of state meant that they see India as the alternate Asian power in the region and the unilateral dominance of China is softly balanced by India.
China’s distinctly hegemonic moves in the last few years in the South China Sea and its growing assertiveness have made Asean look towards India as a ‘partner’ for equilibrium. Despite FTA in services and investments with India, Asean’s trade in 2016-17 was only $70 billion, in comparison to the $470 billion trade with China. ASEAN economies depend upon China for survival but the members are uncomfortable with it. The full potential of India-Asean relations is yet to be tapped. Culture, which can provide a strong binding force, has been neglected for too long despite the rhetoric. The neglect of Bodh Gaya, the holiest place for Buddhist pilgrims, is baffling. The Nalanda University Project has been a disappointment. ASEAN, on its part, should be more ambitious with defense and security cooperation with India. Can India think of exporting its Light Combat Aircraft and other defense equipment to ASEAN? India should propose solid, concrete projects for defense cooperation and deliver on them. The revival of the India-Australia-US-Japan Quad in the context of the Indo-Pacific reflects India’s move towards extending its ‘Act East Policy’ beyond ASEAN. To reassure the grouping, India has been careful in emphasising ASEAN’s centrality in Indo-Pacific. What do ASEAN countries think of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ idea? There should be a serious dialogue with the member nations on this. The “Indo-Pacific diplomatic terminology is coined by President Trump to dilute the “south China sea” reference.
If China scares ASEAN, the US confuses them. The unilateral withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership has left many ASEAN members even more dependent on China which is moving rapidly to fill the vacuum left by the US withdrawal. They see erosion in the US influence in the region and its capability to stand up to China. India will have to show ambition and capacities and ASEAN will have to shed its hesitations vis-a-vis India in the security arena. New areas of cooperation, particularly, in science and technology, space security, food security, and cyber security, need to be explored. The Republic day parade is a good occasion to give a new direction to India's ASEAN cooperation and announce some big tickets India will have to show ambition and capacities and ASEAN will have to shed its hesitations vis-a-vis India in the security arena. New areas of cooperation, particularly, in science and technology, space security, food security, and cyber security, need to be explored. The Republic day parade is a good occasion to give a new direction to India's ASEAN cooperation and announce some big tickets In 1967 India was offered membership of ASEAN but it declined because ASEAN was seen as an instrument of cold war politics. With the situation changed, India should make a bid for it if ASEAN membership opens up. This may help to deal with the turbulence in Indo-Pacific better. Some people are already discussing this possibility. The potential of the Indo-Pacific region is tremendous and it is a diplomatic tool to build India in a global power.
—Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief
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