1) Simplification necessary
The Government of India has raised the interest rates for different government saving-schemes, subsequent to a sharp decline in small savings in first eight months of the financial year 2017-18 when small savings schemes amounted to just rupees 40,429 crore, a seven-fold dip from Rs 2,75,682 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. It is time that government may introduce all saving-schemes presently available in the post offices through all the branches of various public-sector banks. Interest-rate on RBI-bonds should also be restored back to 8 per cent.
There are two different saving-schemes attracting 8 per cent simple interest with a capping of Rs 15 lakhs on each of the scheme for an individual, namely Senior Citizen Saving Scheme in post offices, and Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Scheme through the LIC of India. The Central government should club both these schemes into a new one with a total capping of rupees 30 lakhs through all branches of various public-sector banks. It will be better if this combined capping may be increased to Rs 50 lakh per senior citizen.
– Madhu Agrawal
2) Govt should take over management
Daily day-night procession for 11 days during Navratras of ancient-most Ramlila of Delhi staged at Ramlila Maidaan by Shri Ramlila Committee Delhi is in very bad shape with one of the two main chariots with wooden horses having costly silver carvings and chairs is missing for last several years. This procession once used to be centre of attraction even in late-night hours. Other silver items and other articles used in the procession are also missing. Three traditional priests as mentioned in the deed registered by Registrar of Joint Stock Companies (Delhi) on June 24, 1938, (certificate-number S-128 of 1938-39 of Registration of Societies) under the Societies Registration Act 1860 are now nowhere seen on the main chariot. Documents received subsequent to CIC-verdict dated May 25, 2015, CIC-SH-C-2015-00049 confirm serious disputes amongst management, priests with present management having levelled charges of theft of missing items against former patron-in-chief who happens to be a former Parliamentarian.
A part of prime property given to the management by the Delhi development Authority DDA exclusively for Ramlila at a corner two-side prime plot to house chariots in Daryaganj (New Delhi), is partly encroached by a tea-seller. The Union and Delhi governments have responsibility to preserve sanity of this oldest Ramlila of Delhi also in accordance with verdict dated February 3, 2015, by a Division Bench of Supreme Court in WP(C) No. 252 of 2004 in the matter ‘Subhas Datta versus Union of India and others’ wherein it is held that ‘Prevention of rich heritage and culture of the country is a Constitutional mandate’ by taking over management of this Ramlila on lines of Mysore, Dussehra.
– Subhash Chandra Agrawal
3) Triple Talaq ordinance cleared
The bold step was taken by PM Modi. It is a winning movement for the Muslims women. Women will get more secured by this law. The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or “talaq-e-biddat”, and it would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking “subsistence allowance” for herself and minor children. A woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate, who will take a final call on the issue.
– Divyesh Chovatiya
4) Ganesh to drums of faith
The eco-friendly Ganesh Festival is taking place in the Metro city and suburbs. Ganpati festival opened up in a gala way. In India, it is the Unity in Diversity coming in open and Lord Ganesh offers drums of faith for the people of Maharashtra. In Mumbai and Pune, the festivities reached a peak and noise levels touched a new high. The deity is a welcome one and the people join in chorus to call Ganpati Bappa Morya. This festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi. In 1893, the Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak praised the celebration of sarvajanik Ganesha utsav in his newspaper, Kesari, and dedicated his efforts to launch the annual domestic festival into a large, well-organised public event. People believe in the faith of Elephant God to get all his blessings and the people celebrated the occasion with much fervour this year also despite a weaker rupee against dollar.
– Jayanthy S. Maniam
5) Hope BBM-AIMIM provide Dalits their rights
There must be a third option after Congress and BJP. The Muslim-Dalit alliance is appreciated as it is pressing need of time for all minorities and downtrodden people to come together. The decision of Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharipa Bahujan Maharashtra (BBM) to forge an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, created a flutter in Maharashtra’s political circle. The Shiv Sena slammed the alliance as ‘evil alliance’, which is made to help the BJP, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) called the alliance “B-team of the BJP”, and that BJP has facilitated this partnership to split the opposition votes. But I see this alliance as alternative and substitute for Muslims, Dalit, and all minorities and secularists. For how long there will be just two options Congress-led alliance or BJP-led alliance? Both alliances just made all Indians fool for long time. Now, it is time to change this old costume. I welcome the BBM-AIMIM alliance. This is a historical decision by Muslims and Dalits, which should have done long ago. However, it is never too late. I hope this alliance will play a crucial role in providing Muslims and Dalits, the rights and leadership they are deprived of.
– Q Qasmi
6) Caste aside bitterness
American President Trump’s ‘America-first’ politics is going to be a mess. First, his sanction of 200 million dollars on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) funds put the all refugees around the world in trouble. And now the U.S. announcement of 10 per cent tariff on 200 billion of imports from China, is going to escalate US-China trade war to an unprecedented level, which can cause price hike in the global market as well as it can infuriate world war. China also slapped tit-for-tat tariffs by announcing 5 per cent to 10 per cent tariffs to 60 billion of imports from the US. The only way to correct the US-China trade war, which can last maybe for 20 or 30 years, is bilateral talks and consultations. They must caste aside their rigidity and bitterness, for the sake of humanity.
– Qeyamuddin
7) Might is right
It has been well said “Might is right”, in the same way, America and China are going on for their own advantages. In order to the eruption of the trade war between both the countries, more than 10 countries including India, are suffering from great tribulations and difficulties. It is the main reason for what Indian currency is going down rapidly and fuel prices are touching their highest peak in the country. It is the matter of great concern, because no one knows to what extent this war will end and how many further difficulties will create for our country. The Indian government should talk to America in this regard. Otherwise, the Indian nation may face commercial problems in next if this trade war goes on between them.
– Mohd Faheem
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
