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Rain rage claimed many lives in Mumbai

July 3, 2019

Water logs, open potholes, and wall collapse, nothing is new to Mumbai. People elect the same government for a time and again and the politicians succeed in fooling the voters. The saga continues but the question is that, who should be blamed?

Twenty-four people were killed and over 60 injured in a wall collapse in the northern suburb of Malad in Mumbai. Such incidences are not new to Mumbai and maintaining the civic facilities is the job of the BMC, which also happens to be the richest civic body in India. However, the leaders blamed monsoon instead of the civic body.

Shiv Sena leader claimed that the BMC was prepared for monsoon but calamities like wall collapse happen due to heavy rains. Besides blaming the monsoon, they also sought to hold people responsible for the catastrophes. Well, even such statements are not new to the public. Accepting the fault and behaving responsible is not their job. The Sena-BJP government is arrogant, corrupt, and incompetent that has left Mumbai in the lurch in the flood season.

A wall collapsed on hutments in Pimpripada area of Malad East due to heavy rainfall. There were many dead bodies under the debris. A compound wall collapsed, trapping people living in shanties adjacent to the wall.

There are predictions by various agencies, that there can be a further serious risk of flooding” between July 3 and July 5. Close to 200 millimetres or more rain per day is likely during this period, which can hamper normal life. Mumbai is at serious risk, predicts Skymet. IMD has also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs over the next 48 hours, and a similar situation is expected in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions as well. It also advised the tourists to not visit mountain areas since heavy rainfall is expected across the state of Maharashtra. Spells of light to moderate rain and thundershower going to continue over Mumbai, Mumbai suburban, Palghar, Pune, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, and Thane districts of Mumbai and Konkan coast during next 2-3 days.

In spite of all such predictions, the ruling party and authorities engaged in blame game but none is planning to address the disaster ahead. The next two days are going to be very critical; so, Mumbaikars need to take care of themselves than looking for any help from anyone. People should remain vigilant over the next two days and closely track weather bulletins. At least 24 people were killed in Mumbai alone and several others were injured after a compound wall collapsed on hutments in Malad East early on Tuesday morning.

Eleven bodies recovered dead and 23 feared missing after a dam breached in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri. After this, there was a flood-like situation in downstream villages. At least 12 houses from a hamlet adjacent to the dam were washed away. Teams from local police, district disaster management cell, fire-brigade along with local villagers started the searching for missing villagers. Fourteen people died in the rest of Maharashtra in rain-related incidents since Monday. In Pune, six labourers were killed and three injured after a wall collapsed in Ambegaon area late Monday night. A wall collapsed in Kalyan also took many lives.

The prevalence of illegal housing in India is due to a lack of housing coupled with high population growth, and illegal buildings are attractive to lower-income people because of the low housing costs. Many people moved to the greater Mumbai area in search of jobs, and without affordable housing, thousands sleep in slums or on the streets.

According to the report of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, there are approximately 19 million families with inadequate housing. To meet the demands, there are many buildings constructed illegally. Further, some builders do not follow proper building practices and laws or execute proper safety measures. Poor construction materials are also to be blamed in these circumstances.

Within the Mumbai region, there are estimated to be hundreds of illegal structures. In 2010, the government of Maharashtra reported that there were about 500,000 illegal buildings within the Thane district and in 2019, they have doubled.

Ahead of the monsoon season, the civic body of Mumbai has released a survey report saying that 499 buildings across Mumbai have been classified under C1 category, deeming them dangerous. In its report, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has claimed that the number of buildings falling in the C1 category has fallen from 619 buildings in the previous year.

BMC classified those buildings in three categories, namely C1, C2, and C3. While C1 is the tag given to dangerous buildings, structures in need of major structural repairs are classified under C2 and ones, which need minor repairs, fall in the C3 category. A large number of the buildings falling in the C1 category are in N-Ward which comprises parts of Ghatkopar followed by K west and T. While 64 of the 499 buildings are in N-Ward, there are 47 such structures in T-Ward and 41 in K-west-Ward.

An official with the civic body said that several dangerous buildings have been demolished over the years owing to their dilapidated condition and some of the buildings were repaired and are not dangerous anymore. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) declared 23 buildings “extremely dangerous” to live in. The authority, as part of its annual pre-monsoon survey, has asked 815 tenants of these buildings to vacate the structures before the rains. But later on, the corruption has muted the concerns. Unless and until people realise the value of their lives, no BMC or no politician is going to really feel the pain.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

UAE royals have links with D-Company

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

July 3, 2019

Though the sixth wife of UAE’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is now in Britain and has sought political asylum, her official website is still active. According to the British media reports, Princess Haya’s long-time friend Mary Robinson, the former Irish President, has already asked Princess Haya Bint Hussein to speak out about the human rights conditions in Dubai.

Princess Haya took over US$39 million before leaving Dubai.

Princess Haya met with Mary Robinson in an orchestrated photo op with a clearly dazed and listless Latifa, in a PR stunt that was widely criticized and damaged Haya’s standing in the human rights community.

In January, Haya, who worked in stud farms in Ireland in the 1990s, spoke on RTE Radio defending the way her stepdaughter, Latifa, was being treated in Dubai. This followed Latifa’s attempt to escape from the UAE in a yacht, which was foiled by armed forces.

In 2018, one of the Sheikh Maktoum’s children, Princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, attempted to flee her father and Dubai for political asylum in America. It was later reported in the media that the Princess was helped by a French spy named Hervé Jaubert and a Finnish national named Tina Jauhiainen in fleeing UAE. Tina has connections with the East-European as well as Russian underworld.

It was later claimed by the UAE authorities that Hervé Jaubert has taken Princess Latifa against her will and had demanded US$100 million as ransom.

After fleeing UAE, she was tracked down to a yacht on the Indian Ocean and forcibly returned to Dubai where friends claim she has been kept in a drugged state and not allowed out.

The United Arab Emirates authorities refused to make any comment about her escape bid or claims of mistreatment.

In December 2018, BBC2 has aired a documentary titled Escape from Dubai detailing the case of Princess Latifa. It also reported on the “earlier abduction” of Latifa’s sister Sheikha Shamsa from the streets of Cambridge, England, in 2000, when she attempted to escape before being kidnapped by UAE authorities and returned home.

It may be mentioned here that, United Arab Emirates is known as one of the most modest and tolerant countries in the Middle East.

Propaganda plot

Princess Haya Bint Hussein fled Dubai with the help of a German diplomat.

Prior to leaving Dubai, she made a series of video documentaries with the help of an Egypt-based production company describing how her life as a Princess in the Arab kingdom was a sham. These videos will be released soon by the fleeing Princess. It is further learnt that Qatar-based Al Jazeera network may first broadcast these videos although according to another source, a diplomat in London has been privately contacting broadcast companies, including Fox News for running these video documentaries.

The sources further said, in at least two of these documentaries, Princess Haya has exposed connections between Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company and the Maktoum family.

After fleeing Dubai and landing in Germany, Princess Haya sought political asylum, which was turned down. Then she flew to London and again sought asylum. It is learnt from several sources in Britain that her asylum petition also is rejected, although there are strong possibilities of certain influence from the British royals in favour of the Princess as she and Queen Elizabeth are the direct descendants of the Prophet of Islam. Moreover, Jordanian royals, as well as their embassy in London, are making frantic bids in saving Princess Haya from not being deported to the United Arab Emirates.

The Jordanian embassy in London did not receive calls despite repeated attempt.

Meanwhile, according to another source, if her asylum petition will be turned down by the British authorities, Princess Maya may fly to Canada.

The case of Princess Latifa

Princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum claimed she was not allowed to have a passport and not allowed out on her own and had previously been imprisoned for two years after a failed escape attempt in her teens.

Speaking about Latifa, the Princess said, “It is a private family matter and I do not want to go into it because for the protection of Latifa herself and to ensure that she’s not used by anyone else. She is a vulnerable young woman”.

Princess Haya’s secret romance

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and one of the world’s richest men, has written a furious poem denouncing treachery and betrayal after his wife, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, the daughter of the late King of Jordan and sister of the present king.

Bin Rashid, 69, is known as a poet in his native land and frequently marks great occasions of state, and family events such as weddings, in verse.

The new poem, which appears to have been written by the Crown Prince in outrage at his wife’s decision to abscond, entitled “You Lived and You Died,” said:

“You betrayer, you betrayed the most precious trust, and your game has been revealed.

“Your days of lying are over and it doesn’t matter what we were and what you are.

“You no longer have any place with me/ Go to who you have been busy with”.

The poem clearly describes Princess Haya’s secret romance with someone. According to our own investigation, the controversial Princess had been secretly romancing with a Londoner and that is why she fled to Britain with the decision of living with her secret lover. It is also revealed that since younghood, Princess Haya was leading a spoilt life and had many male friends before her family finally got her married off to the Dubai royal.

Connections with D-Company

Prince Haya bint Hussein has been projected by various news outlets and organizations as a human-rights defender. She also has reportedly exposed “untold stories” about the Dubai royals. But, according to a credible source, Princess Haya actually was involved in secret dealings with notorious terrorist Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company for many years. Her connections were exposed a few weeks back and anticipating possible legal consequences, she had fled UAE.

Although media reports claimed the Princess fleeing Dubai with 31 million dollars, it is claimed by a source that the size of her wealth is much bigger, as she was having stakes in D-Company’s transnational narco-trafficking and even were using diplomats into such notoriety.

Princess Haya attempted to swindle the UAE Crown Prince

Prince Haya bint Hussein, with the help of African scammers, made notorious bids of swindling millions of dollars from the UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. As the attempt got busted, the Princess had no other option than fleeing Dubai to skip legal consequences as well as save her cohorts in the African nations.

The secret conspiracy

The source further said, the Princess was conspiring against monarchisms in the Middle East and as part of that mission, she may run several documentaries with fabricated propaganda materials with the ulterior motive of tarnishing the image of the UAE rulers.

The source further added that one of the episodes of these documentaries are on the Saudi royals.

Haya planning a press conference

According to a source in Britain, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein is now hiding in a posh area in London under the supervision of her old friend Mary Robinson and Jordanian ambassador in Britain. This is going to be a press conference, which would be attended by selected journalists from several news outlets.

(The author is the editor of Blitz. Follow him on Twitter @Salah_Shoaib)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)

I am no longer Congress President: Rahul Gandhi

Web Team

July 3, 2019

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stressed that he is no longer the President of the Congress, adding that the party should decide on a new chief without delay.

“The party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I am nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide,” Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament.

The Wayanad lawmaker, who became the Congress President in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for the Congress’ abysmal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha Elections.

However, his resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC. So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old to rethink his decision, he has remained unfazed.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.

Supporters sat on a strike outside party headquarters on Tuesday, urging Gandhi to rescind his resignation.

Letters to the Editor: 03 July, 2019

Web Team

July 3, 2019

Decision worth to follow for Muslim artistes

Actress Zaira Wasim, who earned fame through Hindi film ‘Dangal’, has posted on social media that she would not join the film industry. She has stated that she has gone away from Islam since she became an actress and she wanted to cut short that distance now, by taking such a decision.

It must be the first example in the film industry because no other Muslim actor or actress seems to have done so, till now. ‘Khans’ have a special hold over Bollywood. Watching the film is against Islam. Therefore, the question is why are these ‘Khans’ and Muslim actresses going against their religion by working in films? These people wear special attire when they go to their prayer-houses. It means that they follow their religion meticulously. The other question, therefore, is why are they giving less importance to the point related to the film world? Isn’t it worth learning for the Muslim artistes who have spent several years working in the film world, from an artist from own community, spending just about five years in the film world?

Manasi Joshi

Don’t set up Ganesh idol sale-centres at inappropriate places!

Ganesh Chaturthi is just two months away and centres are coming up for the making of Ganesh idols and for the sale of idols made privately. Sculptors as also traders need to approach the Municipality for permission every year, for erecting such centres. Permission is generally granted to open such centres at places where they would not obstruct traffic. Therefore, in some areas, permission is granted for erecting such centres near public garbage bins or near nullahs.

Ganesh festival is a matter of faith and preparations are made by devotees for the arrival of Shri Ganesh and for welcoming Him and His stay as if He would really visit our house. Any Ganesh devotee would, therefore, feel bad to see his object of faith kept near a garbage bin or nullah. Though divinity in the idol is invoked only after consecration, still keeping Ganesh-idols at such inauspicious places is an insult of Shri Ganesh; therefore, sculptors of Shri Ganesh idols and traders should avoid erecting sale-centres at inappropriate places.

Naresh Gharat

Vile Parle or Ville Parle?

Vile Parle railway station in Mumbai has got two spellings. In some places on the diamonds, it is Ville Parle and at other places on the diamonds, it is Vile Parle.

Who is going to correct this error? The correct name of the station is Vile Parle.

Jubel D’Cruz

Is it fair?

It refers to welcome anger openly expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi without mincing words on the unlawful conduct and adamant attitude even after being released on bail of Akash Vijayvargiya who hit news-headlines on bat-beating of a dutiful officer in Indore.

However, big question why national and state leadership did not take instant action against the culprit by his instant expulsion from the party without waiting for Prime Minister expressing his anger. If only one man has to run both party and governance, then there is no need for decorative leadership in ruling BJP. Action is also necessary against the state BJP-leadership which kept himself in the defensive mode only because the culprit happens to be a son of hi-fi BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya. Even the anger of Prime Minister could not result in instant same-day expulsion of Akash Vijayvargiya from the party.

Madhu Agrawal

Strongest action required

Majority of the Hindu community in Delhi cutting across party-lines is in full anger on regretful silence of non-BJP politicians on the attack by a mob on a Hindu temple in old Delhi area on midnight of June 30, 2019, and July 1, 2019. Such minority-appeasing vote-bank based political silence will instead polarise Hindu votes with BJP for a repeat massive win in forthcoming elections to Delhi state-assembly. Till now, only three miscreants including a minor are taken into custody; they first beat a Hindu family before mobilising a mob to attack the Hindu temple. Nabbed miscreants should be put under stiff-most interrogation to name others in the attacking mob. Pseudo-secular award-return gang and self-acclaimed intellectuals knocking Supreme Court in midnight for stopping the hanging of terrorists are also as usual silent.

Much is being talked-about the alleged exodus of Hindus from Meerut in UP. However, nobody has noted the drastic change in the demography of mixed-population areas of Delhi. An example is Churiwalan where elite rich Hindu families lived as a part of mixed Hindu-Muslim population till some decades back, but, the Hindu families have left many such mixed-population localities of old Delhi now converting these into purely Muslim localities.

Enquiry from all possible angles including funding-source is necessary for major renovation in almost all the mosques in Delhi which also includes unauthorised encroachment of public-land including footpaths and roads with gross violation of building norms. All such encroachments and building in violation of norms without seeking the permission of concerned agencies should be pulled down with cost involved recovered from those violation norms.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Earning leave by an employee

Jayanthy Subramaniam

July 3, 2019

employee leave application,leave application,employee application,leave letter — Image Courtesy : DynamicBusiness.com

The Leave laws govern whether an employer must allow employees to take time off, either paid or unpaid, under a number of different circumstances. They also address whether an employer must pay accrued leave to employees upon separation from employment. Employers are not required by either federal or state law to provide various types of leave to employees, although there are some exceptions.

Numbers of leaves entitlement in a company depends upon the state you are in. Every state has different leave entitlement and policies which should be seen before one defines leave policy of your company. Leave policy of a company cannot be less than that mentioned by the State’s shop and establishment act. This is a paid leave earned by employees during a year and availed in the subsequent year. If the number of earned leave is over, the day is considered as unpaid leave and the day’s pay is cut from the salary. These leaves can also be en-cashed while leaving the company. The following are a number of earned leaves according to laws:

Factory workers need to work a minimum 240 days in the organization in a year to be eligible for earned leave. Adults get one day for every 20 days. Mine workers below the ground can avail one day for every 15 days work, and those working above the ground can avail one day for every 20 days work. People working in sales and newspaper running company can avail one month earned leave for every 11 months of work. Domestic workers are also eligible for 15 days earned leave in a year.

Usually, when a sick leave exceeds beyond two or three days, depending upon the company policy, employees are requested to submit a medical certificate to sanction the leave. An employee can take leave during the notice period, provided it is for a genuine reason like maternity, health issues, etc. Management is having the discretion to sanction or refuse leaves to an employee. However, leave can be granted at the will and discretion of the superior depending upon the urgency and necessity.

Casual leave is another paid leave that although not earned, is entitled to employees only if prior permission is granted by the organisation. If the employer does not grant permission and the employee nevertheless takes a leave, the day’s pay is cut from the salary. Usually, every organization allows a certain number of casual leaves in a year, which is fixed by the company’s administration. Although, there are laws for certain types of workers: Sales and newspaper employees are entitled 15 days of casual leave in a year. Apprentices are entitled annually 12 days of casual leave.

Female employees, as per law, are entitled to six months or 24 weeks of leave when she is pregnant. During Maternity Leave period, employers will have to pay their female employees normally. Male employees who are soon to become fathers can avail up to 15 days of leave within six months of their wife’s date of delivery. There are some exceptions. Apart from these, there are others paid, unpaid or half-paid leaves like Study Leave, Bereavement Leave and Leave for Voting. These although are left at the organization’s discretion.

Earning leave by an employee during his/her service is his/her legitimate right and no one can stop such leaves while the management holds the right to sanction or refuse at the time of exigencies.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Heavy rains paralyse Mumbai

Rajesh Choudhary

July 2, 2019

Incessant torrential rain claimed around 20 lives in Mumbai on Tuesday. Nearly 400 mm rain in the past 24 hours caused great havoc in the city. Normal life was disrupted completely. Waterlogging at several places left people facing problems and triggered traffic jam. Many buildings are encircled or sank under rainwater. Rains flooded the airport and paralysed the lifeline of Mumbai local trains. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was seen monitoring the situation from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s control room. The Indian Navy has deployed several teams to assist the civic body to help people stranded in flooded areas.

It is worth mentioning that the BMC had claimed disaster-free monsoon this year. But the very first rain in the city unmasked the preparedness of the BMC. In Bandra East, a society behind Guru Nanak Hospital was sinking in water although two big pumps of the BMC were kept outside the society but were not working. Mumbai’s streets regularly flood during the monsoon. Almost every monsoon, the city struggles to cope with the chaos caused by the rain.

On being asked about the waterlogging in the city suburbs particularly in Bandra, Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar told Afternoon Voice, “If it rains nearly 475 mm in just 3-4 hours, waterlogging is natural anywhere. It is an emergency situation. All employees, officers, Corporators and Mayor of the BMC are working to find the solution. There was waterlogging till afternoon in Bandra but later it was cleared.”

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan alleged that Bandra’s Kala Nagar, where Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray resides, faced waterlogging and demanded the saffron party, which heads the BMC, apologise to citizens for submerging the city. NCP leader Dhananjay Munde criticised the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP over waterlogging in Mumbai and demanded structural audits of roads, bridges, and buildings in Mumbai following the wall collapse incidents.

As per reports, around 20 people were killed and 78 others injured after a compound wall collapsed on Tuesday due to heavy rains in Malad area. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who died in this tragedy. In Thane’s Kalyan, three, including a three-year-old boy, were killed after the wall of a school crashed on two houses. Total 27 people have been killed in separate incidents of a wall collapse in Maharashtra due to heavy rains. CM Devendra Fadnavis visits Shatabdi Hospital to meet persons injured in Malad Wall Collapse incident.

Dr. Bhushan Jadhav, a resident of Mulund who is a political analyst said, “BMC promised that it is monsoon-ready. Before every monsoon, they make the same promises and this year too it seems nothing is been done. Monsoon arrived late this time and the administration had enough time in hand to prepare the city to tackle heavy rains. However, BMC had to take the help of Naval forces in Kurla to evacuate 1,000 people who were stranded. We pay so much of taxes to the BMC but in return get no benefits.”

CM said, “In the light of IMD’s prediction, we had declared a holiday in schools and colleges last night and for offices in the morning. The police department and Disaster Management under the BMC are alert and helping people. Barring a few places, overall traffic has been under control.”

Actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar tweeted, “Disheartening to hear the news of lives lost due to Malad Wall collapse. My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the deceased.”

On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that it was an accident. He said, “The incident is not BMC failure. It happened because of heavy rainfall. There are several illegal constructions in Mumbai and BMC has nothing to do with it. People are happy because of the rainfall.”

Mohan Bansode, a businessman from Charkop said, “Although the city is suffering, the fault is not entirely on BMC; population and new infrastructure burden has led to this situation. Even if BMC work par excellence, such problems are far to have a solution. The drainage system is one of them as the administration failed to improve and modify the city’s drainage system with the rapid population increase. Cleaning only small drains will make no difference to the monsoon woes.”

It is remarkable that Mumbai witnessed extremely heavy rains all through Monday night. According to IMD Santa Cruz observatory, the rain recorded over a 24 hour period ending 8.30 am on Tuesday has been 375.2mm. It is the second highest rains recorded in a 24 hour period in the last 44 years. The highest rainfall in this period was during July 26, 2005, deluge of 944mm. IMD has forecasted that heavy rainfall is likely to continue in the next two days in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar.

Indian Navy deployed various teams to provide assistance to rain hit and stranded people in Kurla area following a request by BMC. About 1,000 people have been shifted to safety with the help of NDRF, fire brigade, Naval teams as well as local volunteers.

According to Mumbai Police, a total of 52 flights cancelled, 55 diverted at Mumbai airport. As per information from airport manager, flights are landing and departing depending upon weather condition, and are mostly delayed. Several suburban and long-distance trains have been cancelled after railway tracks were flooded. BEST chief spokesperson Hanumant Gophane said, “Amid rains and waterlogging in various parts of the city, many BEST buses faced damages and breakdowns. In all, 58 buses were stuck in the water out of which 42 were removed. A total of 152 buses faced breakdown and 132 have been attended to.”

Ideological moorings and confusion hurting Congress: Part III

Vaidehi Taman

July 2, 2019

The future of the Congress Party is bright when it stops targeting the PM and focus on the ample MLAs and MPs that it can target. In a hunting expedition, the animal would fall prey to the hunter if it behaves and follows the trails that the hunter sets to nab it down. The Congress party is behaving like ‘the animal’ in this case. The PM has been in public for more than 2/3rds of his life span and is very sound in predicting human behaviour. The Congress party contradicts him in either ‘wrong’ subjects or falls into his trap. This has happened numerous times.

The future of the Congress Party lies in India’s Development. (And the future of India’s Development is also positively correlated with the Congress party’s survival). Congress was sleeping under the morning sun while BJP made its name synonymous with ‘Good Governance’ and ‘Development’. However, now, it’s high time to wake up and communicate! India is the fastest growing economy in the world today! Moreover, this is not merely because of the NDA’99 or the BJP’14 government, this surely because of economic reforms in 1991-1992. There are many constructive steps like this that they could put up in front of people in a better way.

In the same way, they could counter BJP’s development agenda by putting up a Better Development Agenda instead of mocking the parliament sessions.

If this happens, people will start having confidence in the Congress party, even when BJP remains in power in the Centre and in the majority of the states. Despite the challenges, Indira Gandhi, who was mockingly referred to as “Goongi Gudiya,” emerged as a strong and decisive leader, under whose leadership India won a decisive war against Pakistan in 1971. The war resulted in Congress reclaiming its place as the most dominant player in the Indian political system, so much so that its power became increasingly unchecked. In a democracy, a government with unchecked power is quite problematic.

In 2004, Congress made a comeback again in quite an astonishing fashion by defeating the incumbent BJP in power. Congress would spend the next decade fully in control of India’s central government. This decade, especially the second half, was marred by corruption. Telecom, railways, coal, land, sports, and various other ministries saw their names tarred under charges of corruption. Popular resentment against the regime grew prevalent among the public due to the increasing corruption within the government and the party’s inability to take any affirmative action against it.

Then prime minister Manmohan Singh was largely seen as a weak leader, who couldn’t take tough action against corrupt members within his party and government. As a result, the party lost pathetically in the 2014 general elections, where it won only 44 seats in the Lok Sabha out of the 543 up for grabs — an all-time low.

Since then, the party still hasn’t settled into a new role. It has been losing election after election across many states in India. The most notable loss came in Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state in India, where the party got just seven seats in an assembly of 403 seats.

Most political observers are of the opinion that Congress lacks a genuine mass leader, of which it used to have in dozens in its glory days. The President of the party Rahul Gandhi has been somewhat of a laughing stock due to his lack of leadership skills and his inability to win elections.

To sum up, Congress has lost its sheen and doesn’t look to be in a position to even pose a challenge to the current BJP regime in the 2019 general elections. If they manage to do so, the party would be pulling a rabbit out of a hat!

Worryingly, the demise of Congress means the demise of a balanced political system in India. Congress and the BJP, the two most dominant powers, used to balance off each other in Indian politics. With this balance lost, a newly emergent “BJP System” is replacing the earlier Congress System. At no time in the history of the party, Congress party have won an election either on the issue of development or on positive issues.

Right now, Congress does not have any charismatic leader who can convincingly bring victory to the party. Also, Congress has, over the years right from Indira Gandhi, has demolished all institutions within the party by nominating figureheads. Thereby leadership development was buried once and for all. To revive them is not possible with the present set of leadership. It took a hundred years to develop them but took only 30 years to demolish them.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Why Students from Bihar seek admission in Delhi University?

R K Sinha

July 2, 2019

It is a strong desire for all the students from across the country to study at Delhi University. The reputation of colleges such as Hindu, St. Stephens, Miranda House, Lady Sri Ram, Sri Ram College of Commerce, Hansraj, etc. is such that students want to get into these colleges. Boys and Girls from Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, etc. try to get admission into Delhi University. Students from Bihar for the last 50-60 years have studied in Delhi University and many Bihari students are still enrolled in colleges of Delhi University. But only a few students willing to study in Delhi University are successful in getting admission. The reason being in order to get admission into these colleges a student who clears his or her Class 12 or plus-2 board examination has to excel in the examination and secure a very high percentage of marks. Obviously, lakhs of students don’t get a chance to study at Delhi University due to high cut off marks for admission.

For this academic year, the first list of the cut-off mark for admission is 100 per cent, 99 per cent, and 98 per cent. A large number of students and their guardians are a disappointed lot. Even young boys and girls who are born, brought up and have their schooling in Delhi are also deprived of the opportunity to study at Delhi University because students from all over the country apply for admission. Delhi is a Central University. Meritorious students from all over the country will continue to seek admission in Delhi University. There is no concrete ground for complaint. After all, this country belongs to all of us.

However, the question is how to solve this problem of a few seats and many students. An initiative should be taken to increase the number of seats in Delhi University. One way out is to start evening shifts in all the colleges of Delhi University. At present only a handful of colleges run evening classes. Zakir Hussain College and Dayal Singh College are among them. The question arises how to utilise the space and facilities of these colleges having 8-10 acres of land with potential to increase its academic activities by adding infrastructure for teaching.

Classes and other academic curricula run in day colleges till afternoon. By 2 to 3 p.m. the campus wears a desolate look. Why not start selected evening course in these colleges between 4 pm to 8 pm, to begin with? On average, even when 300 students join the evening shift then thousands of students will get the opportunity to study at Delhi University.

It is not easy to start a new college in Delhi. A minimum of 7-8 acre of land is required and the land is not available. What is the alternative then? The answer is to begin an evening shift in existing colleges. We should start working in this direction with the gradual introduction of evening courses in day colleges. With a time frame of 5 years, all colleges should be covered where evening courses should be available. One added advantage of running evening classes is boys and girls who want to take up some job in the day can study in the evening. Delhi has the advantage of Metro rail service which runs till 11 p.m. beside buses. Evening course will also provide employment to young men and women who want to join the teaching profession. Many universities in foreign countries have evening courses. In India, many people will also get employment in non- teaching departments and in class IV category.

President of Malawi, (an African nation) Bingu was Muharika who was in office from 2004 till 2012 studied in Sri Ram College of Commerce on the scholarship of India and graduated from there. He also did his Master degree course in Economics from Delhi School of Economics.

Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Laureate of Myanmar studied in Delhi and did her graduation from Lady Sri Ram College.

Two students of St. Stephens College rose to become President of their respective country. One was Fakhrudin Ali Ahmed and the other was Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan who was a student of St. Stephens in 1941-45.

Delhi School of Economics is a world-class institution and can be said to be Asia’s London School of Economics. Dr. Sukhmoy Chakravarti, Dr. Mrinal Datta Choudhary, Dr. A L Nagar, Prof. T C A Anant, Prof. Abhijit Banerjee, and Ramj Singh are few names who have been India’s top economists and teachers. Dr. V K R V Rao founder of Delhi School of Economics had roped in some eminent economists of the country in the Faculty. There are many more names in the field of sports, acting and corporate world who are the product of Delhi University.

As of now, the initiative in opening evening courses can succeed only when all the departments concerned and the government take a serious view of the project. Simply by holding meetings and making announcements will not do. At the same time, the need of the hour is to enhance the teaching standard of other universities of the country by recruiting eminent teachers in their faculties. Some 50-60 years ago, meritorious students of not only from India but also from Asian countries used to rush to Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University, Calcutta University, and Madras University for higher education. It is a matter of concern to see that many teachers today after getting jobs to stop reading and teaching let alone engage in meaningful research work. Teachers are makers of a new generation. They should perform their duty religiously. If it is done many Universities would become like Delhi University.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Malad wall collapse: Death toll hits 18, CM visits injured

Web Team

July 2, 2019

At least 18 people were killed while 13 others sustained injuries after a wall collapsed in Malad area of the city on Tuesday amid heavy downpour.

The compound wall of a building, located in Kurar village, collapsed on hutments on a hill slope in the wee hours.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister of State for Urban Development Yogesh Sagar visited Shatabdi Hospital to meet the injured.

Fadnavis also took stock of the situation in the rain-drenched city during a visit to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) control room.

The chief minister told reporters that the administration, police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are keeping a close watch on the situation.

“Last night, unprecedented rainfall was witnessed in Mumbai which led to several mishaps. In Malad, slums were destroyed after a wall collapsed and 30-40 people were injured. I personally met them today at the hospital,” he said.

Fadnavis said forces are on alert as high tide is expected.

“The western line (of the local train services) is operational, but the central line has been shut due to flooding. This morning, we declared a day’s holiday for all so that Mumbaikars can stay safe. Overall traffic is under control. We are trying to pump out water. In the next two days, the India Meteorological Office (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall, and we are closely monitoring the situation,” he said.

Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar also visited the BMC this morning to monitor the situation.

Torrential downpour in the city has caused widespread mayhem and panic, with over 20 people dead in rain-related incidents.

Several trains have been cancelled while select others have been short terminated due to the incessant rains.

In a statement, the Western Railway said due to heavy rains and water logging on tracks in Palghar, 19023 Janta Express, 19015 Saurashtra Express and 11104 Bandra T-Jhansi Express have been rescheduled, while 12935 Bandra T-Surat Intercity stands cancelled.

Sixteen mainline trains have been regulated at various stations in the Mumbai division due to heavy rain in Virar, Nallasopara and Palghar stations. The water level is above 150 mm on rail level, the railways said.

Due to water logging on tracks at Nallasopara, Virar and Palghar, train numbers 12904, 22904, 22928,12962, 12902, 19208, 19218, 22944,12928, 12264, 19424, 12450,19020, 59442, 12298 and 12268 have been stopped at various stations.

As many as 54 flights have been diverted to nearby airports while 52 others have been cancelled as rains continued to lash Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, an airport official said.

Letters to the Editor: 02 July, 2019

Web Team

July 2, 2019

St. Jude Thaddaeus

St. Jude Thaddaeus was one of the 12 apostles hand-picked by Jesus, as well as a cousin of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). He was also the brother of James the Less, the first Bishop of Jerusalem. St. Jude Thaddaeus is known as the Patron Saint of the Impossible because his New Testament letter stresses that we should persevere in difficult circumstances just as our forefathers have done before us. St. Jude Thaddaeus is also quoted in the Bible in John 14:22, asking Jesus why he won’t manifest himself to unbelievers after the resurrection.

After the death of Jesus, St. Jude travelled to Mesopotamia and Armenia. He suffered a martyr’s death while being beaten unmercifully, and then having his head shattered with an axe. Martyrdom was referred to by Jesus Christ as His baptism in Luke 12:50. Jesus told his apostles, including St. Jude, that they would also drink from the same cup as Jesus, and receive this “baptism” of martyrdom, in Mark 10:39. St. Jude knew this, and boldly preached the Word of God to unbelievers.

Jubel D’Cruz

Team India tamed by English lions

England edged out Team India at Edgbaston and touched a 4th spot in the points table. With a game in hand, England team is sure to enter the knock out stage even if the last game is rained off, as England has a better net run rate. Indian team with famed batting line up failed to go for runs from the word go. Rohit scored a hundred and Shami took 5 wickets but the match was lost without a semblance of a fight. Whereas Bairstow played a match-winning innings and became Man of the Match with his 8th one day century. It was a clinical performance by England.

Muringathery Ramaswamy Jayanthy

BMC exposed in the first showers to hit the city!

BMC got exposed in the first showers to hit the city as life came to a standstill in Mumbai when the city received a few inches of rainfall. Low lying areas like Andheri subway and Santa Cruz along with other known suspect areas of Mumbai was submerged in waist height water which means pre-monsoon work was done by BMC haphazardly as usual. The state govt needs to trail the amount of money spent by our civic body as corruption rules the roost and taxpayers money not utilised for the purpose taken.

Privatisation of our civic body is the need of the hour. BMC is the richest civic body in the world but there is no accountability and efficiency missing. The state govt blames BMC and vice versa as people suffer in the bargain. Time for people to raise their voice and efficient Corporators and MLA’s who are honest should be elected by the people!

S.N.Kabra

Shah blames Nehru for Kashmir problem

Union Home Minister Amit Shah deserves all appreciation for his directly blaming Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for creating Kashmir problem after snatching power of the then Union Home Minister Sardar Patel to look into the issue. However, the biggest surprise is that present nationalist government at the centre continues blindly politically worshipping a personality who was the real culprit at root level who misused his veto-power by snatching democratic right of Sardar Patel for becoming first Prime Minister of India and also doing injustice to majority community in so many ways apart from avoiding any help to save lives of great martyrs of freedom struggle of India.

BJP has won 2019-elections on its commitment to repeal articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution to make Kashmir at par with other Indian states in all respects. Central government should immediately present Constitution Amendment Bill in this regard without fearing majority in Rajya Sabha, in the manner it presented Triple Talaq Bill.

There are several non-NDA parties like TRS, BJD, YSR Congress, etc. which can be persuaded to support the Bill. Even Congress is unlikely to oppose the bill in fear of complete extinct of an oldest national political party like it unwillingly did on GST Bill. Even if the Bill fails in the first attempt, it can be re-introduced again after NDA gets a majority in Rajya Sabha in time to come.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

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