Navi Mumbai better off than Mumbai city

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February 21, 2020

Seniors in the satellite city Navi Mumbai are better off than their counterparts in Mumbai. People in the city rue about the kind of space available in the satellite city for seniors to go for a walk, meet their friends during birthdays and spend useful time in the evening with a purpose whereas the city being congested , there is hardly any place to have a free walk in fresh air.

The “Helping Hands” of the seniors spread to every nook and corner of the country. It helps to spread awareness about the needs of senior citizens and makes them know of their own rights. This includes how to make use of the pension amount to profitable investments and earning good returns. Such returns earned can be made use for the monthly medical expenses without pinching the pocket.

In Navi Mumbai, there are number of yoga centres to spend the fresh morning time doing some useful exercises in the company of other seniors as well youngsters. In every nook and corner of Navi Mumbai, there are parks to enjoy the greenery and get fresh air as well. As the city is catering to the needs of pensioners, it can be rightly be called as pensioner’s paradise. However, there is a dearth of frequency of buses and the height of the foot board of the buses gives the seniors a nightmarish experience to board and alight from a bus. More and more user-friendly buses with low foot boards can help out the cause as in the case of air conditioned buses plying in the city with high cost. Co-operative societies should be formed to sell household items at a cheaper rate for 60 plus citizens in the State.

Undoubtedly, pension is a great help to the retired. But in the recent times, the house rent, prices of essential commodities, high cost of hospitalisation has harmed the pensioners to a great extent. The value of the pension has been eroded greatly. As a result, we as pensioners find it very difficult to maintain a decent living.

The city is not bereft of drawbacks. Footpaths have virtually become extinct due to over height and piling of construction material or garbage. Street dogs pose another problem. One can even see more than a dozen dogs flocking together sometimes. Casualties due to dog bites are not uncommon. Another problem is the prices. Everything is costlier than other cities whether it is house rent, transportation or fruits and vegetables.

It is time to give pride of place to pensioners in the satellite city. Further safety and security of the seniors should be ensured as there are number of chain snatching and the lonely senior is a target even when staying at home. It is a clarion call to bring the problems of seniors to forefront and give them freedom to live rest of their life in peace and harmony.

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

Letters to the Editor: 21 February, 2020

By

Web Team

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February 21, 2020

Reuse treated water or face water cut

Despite satisfactory rainfall during this monsoon season, BMC is taking all precautions and made it mandatory for bulk water users to reuse recycled water from its waste water treatment facilities or face 25 per cent water cut. It is a remedial measure taken well in advance. Other Municipal Corporations in Maharashtra should also follow suit in implementing this immediate measure. After all, water is precious and such measures ought to have been taken in the past to preserve water. Down South India, people struggle to get drinking water and we in Maharashtra overspend water. It is time to take all the measures to save water and rain water harvesting should be made compulsory to all housing societies before granting occupancy certificate. Reuse and recycle water for best preservation water in case of monsoon failure in Maharashtra.

Nickhil Mani

Nehru didn’t want Patel in his cabinet

It refers to twitter-exchange between Union Foreign Minister and others including some Congress leaders and academicians when S Jaishanker quoting from a book, pointed that First Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru did not want Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in his cabinet.

There is no logic in the argument that documents prove that name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was there on top in the list submitted by the then Prime Minister for persons to be included in his cabinet. It is a formal practice to send such a list before oath-taking ceremony to the administrator, then Governor General of India (now President of India) even though Prime Minister might have to do so under political compulsion. Likewise formal invitations are to be sent to ministers by Prime Minister for their inclusion in the cabinet.

But bitter fact which cannot be denied by anyone is that Patel was not given free hand as Home Minister in tackling issue of Kashmir like was given for rest of the country including Hyderabad and Junagarh, a big blunder which is proving to be very-very costly for the nation even after more than seven decades of independence. It is also a historical fact that India unfortunately did not crown democratically elected Patel as first Prime Minister of India because of veto-power exercised by the king-maker MK Gandhi to favour Nehru.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

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

IBC needs to focus on more recovery

By

Web Team

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February 21, 2020

Now positive results of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) are visible. However, it has faced many difficulties in its long journey. This is the culmination of long-term strategy. In other countries, it has taken a long time to bring IBC for insolvency resolution. For example, the first insolvency law in America came into existence on April 4, 1800.

Long Journey of IBC: –

Till 1985, only the Companies Act, 1956 existed to deal with Corporate Insolvency and Bankruptcy in India. The Sick Industrial Companies Act (SICA), 1985 was enacted in the year 1985. However, from its beginning, SICA was not effective due to some flawed provisions. Its section 22 was extensively misused. After this, the Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 came into existence, but this law was also not successful in the matter of recovery. Therefore, a Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) was established under this Act. Initially a good recovery was made with the help of this law, but later it couldn’t give desired results. Then, the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act 2002 (SARFAESI Act) came into existence. With the help of this law, good recovery was made in NPA accounts of home loans, but later became ineffective. In the year 2002, the Reserve Bank also introduced the Debt Restructuring Scheme (CDR), under which broad guidelines for debt restructuring were issued by banks. In the same sequence, IBC came into existence in the year 2016.

Good Recovery within three years: –

Within 3 years of its debut, IBC achieved significant success in NPA recovery. Prior to 2016, the recovery of corporate NPA was 16 per cent to 25 per cent, which increased to 43 per cent in FY 2016. This is 12 per cent more than FY15.

Current status of cases: –

As per the latest data, 2542 cases were accepted till September 2019, out of which 1045 cases were resolved through appeals, resolution, liquidation etc. and hearing of 1497 cases is under process.

Need to expedite the solution: –

At present, the cases are not settled within the time limit. Of the 1497 ongoing cases, 36 per cent of the claims are pending for more than 270 days from the date of their opening. As of March 2019, the average resolution time of the 94 cases resolved was 324 days, which is more than the prescribed insolvency resolution time frame of 270 days.

Delay in reconciliation with small amount cases: –

Even in NPA cases of one lakh rupees, operational corporate creditors are filing suit in NCLT. Due to this NCLT is not able to settle large NPA accounts in a timely manner.

Reduction of filed cases in Lok Adalat: –

Since 2016, the cases to be filed in Lok Adalat and their settlement have decreased. It seems that smaller creditors are preferring IBC over SARFAESI and DRT.

Solution on less than bankrupt amount: –

It has been observed that in 84 percent cases, the amount to be recovered is less than the bankrupt amount, which cannot be considered encouraging. More than twenty-three per cent of the accepted cases have been closed by companies, as buyers of stressed assets are not being found due to low demand and slowdown in the economy.

Expect a better recovery in the current financial year: –

Banks will be able to recover around Rs 80,000 crore from disposal of stressed assets under the IBC in the current financial year 2019-20. This estimate has been made in a study by rating agency ICRA. However, the recovery of more than ICRA estimates has been made through IBC till September 2019. Till the second quarter of the current financial year, 156 cases were resolved under IBC, amounting to Rs 3.32 lakh crore. Of this, the total recovery was Rs 1.38 lakh crore, which is 41.5 per cent. The liquidation value of 156 companies was 74997 crores, but the recovery was 184 percent more than the liquidation value.

Small corporate units more inclined for solutions: –

At the end of September 30, 2019, 498 corporate entities started the process of voluntary liquidation, most of which were small corporate units. Of these, 289 corporate units had a paid-up equity capital of less than Rs 1 crore, while 45 corporate units had a paid-up equity capital of over Rs 5 crore.

Amendment in IBC: –

To improve the insolvency resolution process, the Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). This amendment will be done through the Insolvency Disability and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019. The most important of these amendments is Section 32B, which provides for the protection of corporate debtors from past criminal acts.

Effective recovery by IBC: –

According to the latest survey by the industry body FICCI and Indian Banks Association (IBA), the implementation of IBC has accelerated the recovery process of stuck loans and improved the financial condition of banks.

Suggestion: –

In order to curb the trend of filing cases of one lakh or less in NCLT, the government should increase the minimum limit of Rs 1 lakh for starting litigation in NCLT under IBC as well as the number of NCLT benches in the country should be increased. It has been observed that smaller creditors are preferring IBC over SARFAESI and DRT. This trend is fatal for IBC. Currently, buyers of stressed assets are unable to find due to lack of demand in the market and sluggish economy. For example, 23 per cent of the accepted cases have not been settled due to this. It has been observed that companies like construction, electricity etc. do not have assets. Admission to the NCLT litigation is a waste of NCLT’s time and resources, which needs to be avoided.

Conclusion: –

It can be said that even though IBC could not produce the expected results in the initial days, but after the completion of 3 years, its positive results have started to come out. With this, the possibility of accelerating the recovery of large NPA accounts has increased, which can prove to be favourable for the health of banks and the economy.

-Sunil Kumar Pandey

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.

Loan waiver scheme: 28.5 lakh farmers found eligible

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 20, 2020

Uddhav Thackeray’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is ready to roll out its new farm loan waiver scheme from February 22. For this, about 28.5 lakh farmers have so far been found eligible for availing the scheme’s benefit which is estimated to cost Rs 18,000 crore in Maharashtra.

Of the 34.5 farm loan accounts shortlisted for the benefit, so far about 28.5 lakh accounts have been found to be eligible

Scrutiny of other applications is still on. At the cabinet meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also discussed plans to announce an incentive scheme for farmers who pay their loans regularly and a separate waiver scheme for those with arrears of above Rs 2 lakh.

The state cabinet raised the limit of the Contingency Fund (CF) of Maharashtra from Rs 150 crore to Rs 10,150 crore. The government has projected that about Rs 10,000 crore of loan waiver will have to be distributed under the new scheme before the year-end.

On Wednesday, the cabinet decided to withdraw the funds from the CF which would later be recouped. On December 27, the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government had announced that the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Shetkari Karzmukti Yojana where a full loan waiver of agriculture crop loan availed between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2019 and whose total arrears as on September-end stood at Rs 2 lakh or less is to be granted.
In order to curb bogus beneficiaries and track multiple accounts, the government has decided to link Aadhaar numbers of the beneficiary farmers to the loan account. Details like loan amount and loan account number will be reviewed. If there is any error in it farmers can file a complaint and resolve it. If the information is correct it will be authenticated using biometrics or one-time password (OTP) and the respective amount will be deposited in their account. Also unlike the previous loan waiver scheme implemented by Devendra Fadnavis-led government, a decision to directly deposit the waiver amount into beneficiary loan accounts has been taken.

The state government had announced in January that the farmers whose crop loan and restructured loan is above Rs 2 lakh will not be eligible for any benefit under the scheme. The government has also decided to withdraw Rs 10,000 crore from its contingency fund for the implementation of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule farm loan waiver scheme. A statement from Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that an ordinance to facilitate the withdrawal will be promulgated soon.

Maharashtra farmers have reason to smile

By

Vaidehi Taman

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February 20, 2020

Since some time Maharashtra has been witnessing a lot of farmer suicides. The state has seen a steep rise in farmer suicides last year. For the first time in four years, farmer suicides crossed 300 cases in a month several times in 2015. The spurt in cases came immediately after unseasonal rains lashed the state from October destroying almost 70 per cent of kharif crop. Between October and November last year, the number of cases rose 61 per cent, the latest revenue department data shows. The state recorded 186 farmer suicides in October last year. The cases rose by another 114 in November. The drought-prone belt of Marathwada recorded the highest number of 120 cases in November 2019 while Vidarbha which usually sees the largest number of farmer suicides recorded 112 cases. While many farmers were agitated, many gave away their lives, made demands but hardly anything happened. The NDA government in Maharashtra did something but that was not enough. Now the Uddhav Thackeray-led ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ has announced loan waiver scheme. A Government Resolution (GR) states that “As per the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, loan up to Rs two lakh taken between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2019 and which has not been repaid till September 30, 2019 will be eligible for waiver.” Farmers, whose crop loan and restructured loan is more than Rs two lakh will not be eligible for any benefit under the scheme, it added.

A committee of the Finance and Co-operation Department will take a decision on whether to include the (non-performing assets) accounts of farmers in nationalised, private and rural banks in the loan waiver scheme. Individual farmers will be considered for the loan waiver, the GR said adding that loan taken from nationalised, district, co-operative banks and co-operative societies will be considered. Others who will not get the benefit of the scheme are elected representatives including serving and former ministers, present and former MLAs, central and state government employees, whose monthly family income is more than Rs 25,000, excluding Class IV employees. Those who pay tax on the income incurred from non agriculture sector, pensioners whose monthly income is more than Rs 25,000, excluding former servicemen, will also not get the benefit.

Meanwhile, farmer leader Ajit Navale alleged that the GR issued by the state government was a “betrayal” of the farming community as majority of farmers will not get the benefit of the scheme as they have loan arrears of more than Rs 2 lakh. In the last loan waiver scheme, there was a provision of one-time settlement under which the government would pay Rs 1.5 lakh if the farmer deposits the remaining amount of the loan. Majority of farmers have loan arrears of more than Rs 2 lakh. So most of the farmers are out of scheme. However, the government had said that the loan waiver was unconditional. In such a case, the government should withdraw GR and the loan waiver should be made unconditionally. This loan waiver comes over two years after the Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver announced by the then BJP-Sena government in 2017. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray assured a complete farm loan waiver in the state. Thackeray’s statement came a day after the Shiv Sena- led government formally approved a loan waiver scheme under which short-term crop loan up to Rs 2 lakh taken by farmers between April 1, 2015-March 31, 2019 will be written off. Under the scheme, short-term restructured crop loan arrears up to September 30, 2019 will also be waived. The BJP and the Sena fought the October 21 assembly polls together, but their alliance collapsed after the latter walked out and joined hands with the Congress and the NCP. The three parties then formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in November-end last year. Pawar is considered the chief architect of the ruling alliance, the first such political arrangement at the state-level in Maharashtra’s history.

Maha Vikas Aghadi government is ready to roll out its new farm loan waiver scheme from February 22. About 28.5 lakh farmers in Maharashtra have so far been found eligible for availing the scheme’s benefit which is estimated to cost Rs 18,000 crore. About 34.5 farm loan accounts were shortlisted for the benefit. Of which, sources confirmed, so far about 28.5 lakh accounts have been found eligible. Scrutiny of other applications is still on. At the cabinet meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also discussed plans to announce an incentive scheme for farmers who pay their loans regularly, and a separate waiver scheme for those with arrears above Rs 2 lakh. The state cabinet raised the limit of the Contingency Fund (CF) of Maharashtra from Rs 150 crore to Rs 10,150 crore. The government has projected that about Rs 10,000 crore of loan waiver will have to be distributed under the new scheme before the year-end. In order to curb bogus beneficiaries and track multiple accounts, the government has decided to link Aadhaar numbers of the beneficiary farmers to the loan account. Also unlike the previous loan waiver scheme, implemented by the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, a decision to directly deposit the waiver amount into beneficiary loan accounts has been taken.

Last year, over 40,000 farmers had marched from Nashik to Mumbai for six days to further their demands which included a loan waiver free of any conditions, implementation of the Forest Rights Act, fixed remunerative prices for agri-produce and implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. When the farmers’ long march was held from Nashik to Mumbai in March last year, the government had promised that all pending claims pertaining to FRA will be cleared in six months. But it has failed to keep its promise. In 2018, then the state government of BJP- Shiv Sena declared drought in 151 talukas. There are total 355 talukas in Maharashtra. The government has urged the Centre to provide Rs 7,000 crore aide for drought mitigation. But nothing much moved as promised, now the Shiv Sena is in alliance with Maha Vikas Aghadi, let’s see how much this government solaces the farmer of the state.

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

Shocking! Man crossing road run over by 60 vehicles

By

Hema Singh

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February 20, 2020

Mumbai Pune Expressway accident, pune accident, mumbai pune expressway, accident, mumbai pune highway, car accident — Representational Image

In a shocking incident, a 47-year-old man, hit by a vehicle was run over by 60 running vehicles. The remains of his body was later collected by the police.

It so happened that the man was hit by car at the Pune-Mumbai expressway when he was crossing the road. After he fell down, 60 cars in succession ran over him. The body was in such a bad condition that his remains had to collected and carried in pieces. The incident took place around 8:30 pm on Tuesday.

After receiving an emergency call, the police immediately rushed to the spot, stopped traffic and removed all the body parts from the road. The man was identified only through a document found in his shirt pocket. He was identified as Ashok Magar, a resident of Baur village. He was crossing the Pune corridor of the expressway though pedestrians are not allowed on the road.

Vinod Naglot, case investigating officer said, “He could have used the over-bridge which is located just 300 metres from the accident spot. An unidentified car heading towards Pune from Mumbai hit him first. Magar fell on the road, following which other vehicles heading towards Pune also ran over him. We found bloodstains spread over a 150-metre distance on the road.”

According to the police, vehicles travelling at a high speed along the central lane of the expressway and the motorists may have failed to spot the body lying on the road in the dark. But it is not yet known which vehicle knocked Ashok Magar down first.

India among countries hit by COVID-19

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 20, 2020

In a jolt to China, authorities in India have forbidden its citizens not to buy Chinese goods that are self handled. Like for instance during Holi, we play with colours, water guns (pichkaris) etc. So, if we have to take the authorities words seriously, we have to do without the things that we use during Holi. Besides, there are so many items that we import from China.

Industry executives are of the feeling that the novel Coronavirus outbreak is threatening to bring manufacturing in India to a standstill in segments such as electronics which are dependent on China for supplies of parts. China’s share in imports is more than 25 per cent for automotive parts and fertilisers, while 60-70 per cent of pharmaceuticals in India are also sourced from China.

Though not-so-alarmed, India Inc has started citing the epidemic in their quarterly earnings and corporate briefings of late. There are reports that manufacturers of televisions, air-conditioners, refrigerators and some smartphone models are set to effect price hikes this month as they grapple with a shortage of components and finished products imported from Covid-19-hit China.

Apple and its manufacturers have had to close their businesses in China for weeks as demand has plunged following the outbreak of the Coronavirus. The company is not the only one. Businesses worldwide are feeling the heat not only because of lower demand in the world’s second-largest economy, but also because Chinese factories have either shut down or have downscaled their output.

India imports goods worth more than $1 billion from China in pharma, fertilisers, medical devices, inorganic chemicals and textiles sectors. Industries such as tourism, aviation, textiles and solar power are expected to face the impact of the Coronavirus at various degrees which is likely to be visible from March onwards.

Air imports from China have virtually come to a halt while all sea vessels that have already moved out of China are being sent earlier to destinations and the ones pending have been halted at ports.

The CII has noted that some cities in China have shut toll gates and loading or unloading at Chinese ports has also been suspended. Vessels to China are being re-routed while those from importing countries are not plying on the China-India route due to lack of full load of the containers.

People from major cities of the country are in prayers that the affected country should be saved from this dangerous virus that has till now killed thousands as early as possible. In Mumbai, the All India Bhikkhu Sangha and Republican Party of India (RPI) members held a ‘Pray for China’ meet at the Gateway of India yesterday. The meet comes as China battles the Coronavirus [COVID-19], with more than 2,000 deaths. Reports state that there are close to 73,000 cases and more than 20 countries have seen at least one case.

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

Letters to the Editor: 20 February, 2020

By

Web Team

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February 20, 2020

Scientific importance of Hinduism emerges during Coronavirus

Rituals and practices adopted in Hinduism (and also in Jainism) till now considered only symbolic religious aspects, have proved their worth based on perfect scientific aspects especially in present days of spread of Corona virus. It is time to explain the global community important features of Hinduism and Jainism at this crucial time of spread of Coronavirus.

Cremation of dead bodies in Hinduism kills germs in dead bodies rather than their further spread through burial. This is why China has started burning dead bodies of persons having died because of Coronavirus. Moreover cremation with Vedic rites through Hawan-Samagree, sandalwood and pure ghee (by affording people) further purifies the environment.

Jains always used filtered water. Presently complete world has started consuming filtered water. Likewise Jainism advises people to take their last daily food earlier because harmful bacteria start emerging after sunset. Main cause of Coronavirus (and earlier swine-flu etc) has been non-vegetarian food. Also people are now-a-days started using masks which is nothing but a modern style of covering mouth with cloth-piece by Jain saints.

There are too many other Hindu traditions which have their root in public-welfare but made as religious rituals so that people may follow them compulsorily.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Augment additional First Class AC coach to Rajdhani express

The train numbers 12951/12952 Mumbai Central- New Delhi Rajdhani Express and 12953/12954 Mumbai Central- H.Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express operate between Mumbai Central and New Delhi everyday. Both the trains form an excellent connectivity between the two metro cities in a seamless manner running under the aegis of Western Railway Mumbai Central’s jurisdiction.

The train’s coach composition consists of only one First Class AC coach i.e. coach H1 in both the trains. It is given to understand that there is a high patronage to travel by 1AC coaches in both the trains. Hence there is now an urgent necessity otherwise to augment an additional First Class AC coach i.e. coach H2 to both the trains. The suggested move will enable the passengers to travel by First Class AC by booking well in advance.

As it is given to understand that both Mumbai Rajdhani and August Kranti Rajdhani Express share rakes amongst themselves between Mumbai Central and New Delhi, the Western Railway authorities at Mumbai Central Division are kindly requested to augment one additional First Class AC coach i.e. H2 to both the trains.

Varun Dambal

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

Kerala-bound bus rams into truck in Tamil Nadu killing 20

By

Hema Singh

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February 20, 2020

Tamil Nadu Tiruppur Bus Accident,Tamil Nadu, Tiruppur, Bus Accident,Tamil Nadu Bus Accident,Tiruppur Bus Accident — Image Courtesy : The Hindu

In a horrific bus accident in Tamil Nadu’s Tirupur on the Coimbatore highway early on Thursday morning when a speeding container truck rammed a Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) at around 3:23 am, as many as 20 people died on the spot while 23 people got injured. The accident took place.

Reportedly, the bus was going to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru while the lorry was coming from the opposite direction on the Coimbatore-Salem Highway when the mishap took place. It is said that there were 48 passengers in the bus. Officials fear the toll might further go up. The driver of the truck is absconding, however the police have launched a hunt for him.

Deputy Tehsildar of Avinashi said, “19 people including 14 men and 5 women died in the collision between a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus and a truck near Avinashi town of Tirupur district.”

The injured people have been taken to different hospitals for treatment. Most of the casualties are natives of Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam, said Kerala Transport Minister A K Saseendhran.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office said “All possible relief measures will be taken in cooperation with the government of Tamil Nadu and the District Collector of Tirupur.”

Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) Kerala: All possible relief measures will be taken in cooperation with the government of Tamil Nadu and the District Collector of Tirupur. https://t.co/Pz02MccLf9

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2020

Trump’s visit to India – Atithi Devo Bhava, overextended

By

Vaidehi Taman

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February 19, 2020

Modi and Trump, both rose to power on an exclusive hate campaign, at the heart of which was Trump’s commitment and rhetoric to build a wall at the Mexican border. His arrogant pledge asking Mexico to even pay for such a wall added to his untrustworthy machismo and persona, traits which do matter in the elections to the highest office in the USA. The same is here in India; the political campaign of Modi started with development and narrowed down against one particular family and community. The hate speeches, lies and loose talks were adhered to by his supporters compromising the Interest of Indian citizen. In our fondness for welcoming guests beyond their expectations, we have gone too far in pleasing Trump by offering him a spectacle of a wall on his forthcoming visit.

Donald Trump the businessman, thinks of India as a potential market, a place where he can look for a big business opportunity. Contrary to his persona as a politician, Trump the businessman doesn’t mind doing business in countries where the population are of another colour or religious faith. What he cares is mainly about whether the project will be profitable. There is absolutely no evidence he has negative attitudes about India. Like most businessmen and businesswomen competing in our global economy, he wants America to be successful but he also sees the benefit of utilising some of India’s growing educated workforce. He is always at the peak while appeasing the Indian government and at the same time, Modi keeps no stone unturned while pleasing him.

Trump, the politician, probably has not formulated an official policy about India. It has rarely come up in his campaign rhetoric to this point. As someone who has scored political points by demonising religious minorities (Muslims) and ethnic minorities (Mexican-Americans), he has made little effort to rail against Indian-Americans, and yes, there are a sizeable number of Indian-Americans in the US. He would undoubtedly promote trade and commerce between the two countries while not openly encouraging the shipping of more American jobs to India. Well! he is one of the most powerful political personas at this moment and our government has stretched all its limits to portray Gujarat as development model. Ironically, the ground reality is far from the wall in question. The wall is not to limit illegal migration but to hide the legal citizens of this country. In fact Trump’s good friend Modi, has other tricks up his sleeve to contain the legality of citizens of the land but that’s a different story. Coming back to the wall, the building of walls to hide poverty is not new in this world. Indira Gandhi gave a slogan “Garibi Hatao” to remove poverty while Modi came up with new idea to hide poverty. In preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian government constructed a wall surrounding the Mare Favela complex to hide the poverty of the Favela. When brought to the notice of the world, the Brazilian government came up with a bizarre explanation for the act. The building of wall in Ahmedabad can be inspired from this saga.

Authorities in Ahmedabad expect to spend around ₹80 crore-85 crore which is equivalent to about 1.5 per cent of the annual budget for the home ministry in Gujarat security-related costs, with more than 12,000 police officers expected to be deployed, will account for almost half the expense, said the officials, who declined to be named as they are not authorised to speak publicly about the visit. US President Donald Trump will inaugurate the world’s largest cricket stadium when he arrives in Ahmedabad, the home base of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the start of his two-day visit aimed at smoothing ties strained by trade disputes. Making his first official trip to the world’s largest democracy, Trump is also expected to visit the humble abode of India’s independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad. The leaders of China, Japan and Israel have all visited Ahmedabad since Modi became Prime Minister. It is the biggest city in Gujarat where Modi made his mark as Chief Minister before BJP swept to power in 2014. If his Indian hosts can help it, Trump probably won’t see a slum as they’ve ordered for a 400-metre wall to be built along his route to block the view of where poor people live. Authorities in Ahmedabad expect to spend around Rs. 80 crore-85 crore ($11-12 million) on preparations for the visit by the American president that is likely to last around three hours, two government officials with direct knowledge of the plans mentioned to Reuters.

Ahmedabad municipal authorities had already spent around 300 million rupees ($4.2 million) on widening roads and improving infrastructure around the new cricket stadium. With capacity for 110,000 spectators, the Motera Stadium will dislodge the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the world’s largest cricket stadium. Eighteen roads of about 20 kilometers (12 miles) in length from Ahmedabad Airport to Motera Stadium have been widened or re-laid. A further 60 million Indian rupees ($840,000) will go on “beautification” of the city, including erecting the wall to spare Trump’s view. More than 100,000 participants had registered so far to greet Trump as he heads from the airport to the city centre. Trump said last week Modi had promised “millions and millions” of people would line his route. Trump may also visit the famous Taj Mahal monument in the city of Agra, and all leave for police officers in that city has been cancelled, according to a document seen by Reuters.

At this moment the Indian economy has slowed down, the country is going through financial crunch and challenges, reserves of the Reserve Bank have shrunk and our country is making huge expenses on one visit of Trump. Trump is counting his days in office and his visit serves no purpose. Also, the US is no more a mighty, they themselves have agreed that India is a developed nation. Sadly, we still bend over backwards to welcome foreign leaders especially if they happen to be from West while other visiting dignitaries get not so grand reception always. This shows we are still having a colonial hangover and to us, a white man is always superior. This has got to change.

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