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

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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)

Trumpet for Trump: Costliest affairs by Modi

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Afternoon Voice

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February 19, 2020

More news has flown in from Gujarat as regards to the US President’s visit here. It is not just the slums which are apparently being ‘walled’ to hide them from the direct view of the US President, people chewing their favourite pan-masala and spewing a mouthful of ‘red liquid’ on roads or walls will have to think twice on February 24 and 25 as the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) doesn’t want the US Prez to see this during his three-hour stay in Swachh Ahmedabad. Around 1.25 lakh people are expected to attend an event at the world’s biggest cricket stadium Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium for Trump visit.

In its bid to keep all roads and walls around the airport spotless, the health department of the AMC on last Friday sealed three pan shops at the airport circle with a notice saying that if the shopkeeper tries to remove the seal, legal actions will be taken against them.

When AV contacted Jivraj Chauhan, Deputy Mayor of Gujarat BJP said, “This grand welcome of President of America is on the lines of the kind of welcome our President or Prime Minister get when they visit the US. And the expense that we have incurred is a nominal one. The programme that will be held at Vallabbhai Stadium, Ahmedabad is on the lines of Howdy Modi that was organised when Modi was there on a visit.”

A policeman, who was deployed at the airport circle said that the shops were sealed after the civic body found improper disposal of garbage and spitting of pan-masala around the shops. An AMC official of the north zone said that the customers used to throw cigarette butts and spit pan-masala everywhere so it was difficult to keep the area clean if the shops were allowed to run. “We have decided to seal the shops till further order,” said an AMC official. A passerby Salim Shaikh said that the shops were his favourite stop-over before going to the airport.

According to additional reports, the AMC has set aside Rs 3.7 crores to beautify Ahmedabad streets with flowers from Chimmanbhai Patel Bridge to Zundal Circle and up to Motera.

Dr. Karsandas, Working President of Gujarat Congress told AV, “Earlier when Country heads visited India, we did incur expenses but this by the expenses we have incurred now, it was a kind of show off.”

All this in addition to concealing of slums that fall on the half-a-kilometre road that falls between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad airport when the US prez visits Ahmedabad on February 24. The wall, with a height of six or seven feet, is coming up alongside the road connecting the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Indira Bridge.

The wall is being built to hide the more than 500 kutcha houses at the Dev Saran or Saraniyavaas slum area. The slums have an estimated population of 2,500.

Once the slums are concealed, plantation of date palms will be done along the stretch as part of the beautification drive. Roads that were in dire need for repair and were not resurfaced for years will also be re-laid for the visit. In all, 16 roads will be resurfaced for Trump’s visit and decorative lighting may also be installed along the route the US President takes.

The overall cost of the beautification is expected to be around Rs 100 crore, it is understood. The overall cost is equivalent to about 1.5 percent of the annual budget of Gujarat. Reportedly, more than twelve thousand police officers will take part during Trump visit to the state.

After not getting place to keep his fruit cart; vendor stabs Zomato delivery boy

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Hema Singh

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February 19, 2020

A 30-year-old Zomato delivery boy Suratkar was allegedly stabbed by a 20-year old fruit vendor Sachin Dinesh Singh in the early hours of Wednesday in suburban Powai.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-10) Ankit Goyal, they arrested the fruit vendor and his associate within hours of the crime. The arrested accused the people were identified as Sachin Dinesh Singh (fruit vendor) and Jitendra Hariram Raikar (32). While the deceased was identified as Amol Bhaskar Suratkar a resident of Indira Nagar locality in Powai, worked with online food delivery app Zomato.

As per a report, the incident took place near a hotel in Powai around 12:30 am when the two accused had a quarrel with the victim over the placement of a fruit handcraft. And in a fit of rage, Singh stabbed Suratkar with a knife.

Suratkar who sustained heart and stomach injuries was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead on the arrival. Police said after committing the crime Singh tried to escape to his native place in Uttar Pradesh. However, he was arrested from Kurla station before he could board the train. And later police arrested his associate too.

Police have booked both the accused under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention). Singh often had arguments over the latter’s placement of handcart in the area, the police said.

Sonam ties up with Sujoy Ghosh; to star in his film Blind

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Afternoon Voice

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February 19, 2020

Keeping up with the trajectory of trying something new, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has time and again proved her mettle as an actor with her brilliant performances in films like, ‘Neerja’, ‘PadMan’ and ‘Veere Di Wedding’. is now teaming up with Sujoy Ghosh, supposedly one of Bollywood’s ace directors for her next. The film has been apparently titled, ‘Blind’.

Says a source, “Sonam had always been an admirer of Ghosh’s body of work and it was very fitting for Blind to have come along as the opportunity for them to collaborate. After having powered socially relevant cinema, she has picked the Ghosh production for its unique narrative. The Sonam Kapoor-starrer will be on floors in mid-June in London. However, no details of her role are out as yet.”

If the speculation is true, then fans are in for a never-tried-before synapse of the crowd-puller star, Kapoor-Ahuja and the maverick Ghosh. Sonam has time and again proved her mettle as an actor with her brilliant performances in films like, ‘Neerja’, ‘PadMan’ and ‘Veere Di Wedding’.

Using agricultural land for residential purpose

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Afternoon Voice

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February 19, 2020

There are many people who get befooled by buying agricultural land for residential purposes. As a matter of fact they get carried away by many people who can befool people for want of money. What happens next is that the buyer has to run from pillar to post to transfer the property in his name.

What such people don’t know is that there is a procedure to be followed to change land use while developing agricultural land for residential purposes. Agricultural land cannot be used for residential purposes. You cannot construct a house on agricultural land to live in although the land may be owned by you. You need to get the land use converted from agricultural to residential before any construction.

When AV asked Mr. Kantharia about the same, he said, “Yes, the procedures are strict and many. I say this because I had to go through all these formalities to acquire a piece of land at Titwala. I literally had to run from table-to-table to get my papers passed to convert my property. What initially happened is that when I bought this piece of land I never had any idea about all this. I was in a haste to buy a land here while the seller showed that he was also in a haste. It took me two to three months to get the property on my name.”

Different states have different procedures to do this.

In case you are purchasing a property, you should check whether the land on which the property is constructed is residential land. In case it was originally allotted as agricultural land, its use should have been converted to residential.

One can convert agricultural land into residential or industrial land by paying a fee. You can get a ‘change of land use’ after obtaining the necessary approval from the local authorities. One has to apply to the commissioner of the land revenue department explaining the purpose of conversion. Along with the application, one needs to attach certain documents such as ID proof, mutation letter, original sale deed (or gift partition deed), latest tax paid receipt and certified survey map. There is a fee to get the land converted depending on the nature of the property and its location.

The details of extent of land, names of the present and previous owners, kind of soil and crops, mortgages etc also need to be provided. Certified copies of these documents can be obtained from the revenue office or the tehsildar. All outstanding dues should be paid in full and copies of payment proof should be attached.

The district or deputy commissioner or collector who is authorised may permit conversion of land if satisfied that the prescribed conditions have been met and there are no pending dues or litigations on the property. The conversion should also be permissible under the master plan of the area. A conversion order permitting the change in land use will then be issued. Also, a conversion certificate will be issued.

Some states have restrictions on land where the use has been converted. It cannot be transferred for a certain period of time without payment of a premium or obtaining permission from the prescribed authority. Similarly, some States have a provision that if the purpose for which the land was converted is not carried out in a certain period of time, the permission is cancelled and the land reverts back to agricultural. So, any agricultural land, converted for a non-agricultural purpose, should be used for such converted purpose within the specified time from the date of issue of the conversion order, failing which the conversion order will be withdrawn and the amount of premium deposited will be forfeited to the State government.

Further, agricultural land converted for residential purposes cannot be used for industrial purposes. The revenue assessment is different in all such different uses of land. When land is converted, the purpose of the conversion is furnished by the land owner. The buyer of such converted land should ask for all documents copy of the application made to convert the land from agricultural to residential and approvals received from the different authorities.

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

Letters to the Editor: 19 February, 2020

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Web Team

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February 19, 2020

A befitting tribute to Sushma Swaraj

It is really good to know that the central government has renamed Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra and Foreign Service Institute after late Sushma Swaraj. The decision to name the two institutes after her has come a day before her
68th birth anniversary. It is truly a befitting tribute to the late External Affairs Minister who is known for her remarkable connection with the Indian diaspora. Her help and support to Indians in distress remains etched in our hearts. Besides, her empathy and help given to people of neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, who needed health treatment in India is well known and makes her a class apart. Foreign Service Institute, a renowned institution where diplomats are trained, has also been renamed Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.

The illustrious leader whose invaluable contribution to Indian diplomacy redefined the External Affairs Ministry and was indeed the most sought after minister in the previous Narendra Modi government. In fact Sushma was one of the most followed Foreign Ministers on Twitter globally clearly showing how much she was adored and respected the world around.

M Pradyu

Steep hike in LPG price since 2014

Modi government fumes at Delhi poll debacle by increasing LPG refill rates by around Rs.150 per cylinder which is the steepest hike since 2014. A quantum increase of 15 per cent at a single stroke sans logic at a time when retail inflation is on the rise and LPG prices have a bearing on the cost of other food consumable articles as well. Price of any commodity depends on demand and supply but keeping them subdued during election time to win polls followed by huge hikes after poll results is poor governance and bad economics.

LPG is an item of necessity and also environment friendly compared to other fuels. Subsidised rates even for commercial usages makes sense at a time when the world is going through global warming and all sorts of environmental issues. Cost cuts are also possible if pipeline leakages during transportation are plugged. Economic decisions too should be taken by economists in the government machinery rather than politicians whose decisions on such matters are ill-timed.

S.N.Kabra

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

Panic at Lower Parel as Marathon Futurex catches fire

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Afternoon Voice

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February 19, 2020

A fury of fire doesn’t seem to die in Mumbai. After the gruesome fire broke out in a chemical plant in MIDC, Dombivli yesterday, panic prevailed in the Lower Parel area after a fire broke out at Marathon Futurex building this afternoon. The building houses offices of top private companies. The building was immediately evacuated after the incident.

Police officials said that the fire erupted in one of the service lifts adding that the blaze had now been doused.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Six-year-old boy in Virar electrocuted after he touches a live wire

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Afternoon Voice

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February 19, 2020

A six-year-old boy in Virar suffered 60 per cent burns after coming in contact with a live wire in his society. The lad named Anish Mourya was trying to retrieve his ball from a roof on Tuesday, when he happened to touch the wire.

Anish was playing on the first floor of the common balcony of Gangai building, when the ball landed on a shade of the shop below. While retrieving his ball from the shade, Anish came in contact with the live wire.

He was then rushed to a nearby hospital and later shifted to Sion hospital. Reports say that he is on his way to recovery.

4 teachers, 1 clerk held for malpractice on first day of HSC exams in Aurangabad

By

Hema Singh

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February 19, 2020

On Tuesday, the city police caught four teachers and a clerk red hand for helping students cheat on the very first day of the HSC examination in Aurangabad. The incident took place at Shri Gajanan Junior College of Shivneri Colony in Ranjangaon Shenpunji.

According to a report by a leading newspaper, the arrested teachers were caught during the examination from a separate hall by police constable Vilas Dhanwte. After the incident, special police officer Sanjay Nomone reached the college at around 1 pm only to find the suspects busy solving the question paper.

The accused who have been identified are Ratnananda Kadam (centre head), Kalyan Ragunath Kulkarni (40), Sharanappa Sadhu Rakshadkar (48), Prashant Goraksh Markad (35) (teachers) Lalesh Hilal Mahajan (37) and clerk Akshay Prakash Aarke (26).

Madhukar Sawant, senior inspector of MIDC Waluj said, “On February 18, the HSC students took the English exam. Our constable caught the suspects while they were writing answers on chits.”

The constable said that the exam was scheduled at 11 am to 2 pm and he caught them at around 1 pm. Soon after the report was passed to the education department and a team of officials immediately rushed to the junior college. Later a panchanama was carried out by police in the presence of education department officials including the deputy education officer Priyarani Patil.

Police have registered an offence against the arrested people under relevant Sections of Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at Universities, Board and other specified Examinations Act, 1982.

Man lands in police net after cheating students

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Afternoon Voice

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February 19, 2020

A man named Munim Kumar Jaiswal has been arrested in the metropolis for allegedly taking money from students after promising them hall tickets for the Maharashtra State Board’s HSC exams, according to the police. Higher Secondary Certificate examinations started on Tuesday. An official said the duped students were pursuing studies through correspondence and needed hall tickets to appear for HSC exams as ‘external students’. He later identified the accused as Munim Kumar Jaiswal (45).

He said 15 students had approached the police so far though the number of those duped might be as high as 30. According to complainant Anis Ahmed Idrisi, his younger brother had failed Class XI and hence had decided to appear for the HSC exams (Class XII) through correspondence and had joined Chembur-based ‘Baig and Mhatre’, Classes. “Professor Baig of this Chembur-based tutorial assured us that the students would get hall tickets in time. It was he who introduced us to Jaiswal. Each student was asked to pay Rs 5,000 to Jaiswal for the hall ticket which they did,” Idrisi said.

Another parent, Mujahidul Islam alleged that Jaiswal and Baig started giving evasive answers when they were asked about the hall tickets. “On Thursday, Jaiswal bluntly told us that we would not be getting hall tickets. We then decided to approach the police as we realised we had been duped,” Islam said.

The owner of the class, Shahid Baig claimed he had nothing to do with the incident and put the blame on Jaiswal. “I have nothing to do with this issue. I have just charged my tuition fees. Jaiswal took money from students promising them hall tickets and also issued receipts. I am a teacher, all the allegations against me are false,” Baig said in his defence.

Senior Inspector Jayprakash Bhosle of the Chembur police station said Jaiswal was arrested from his Goregaon residence last week and has been charged under Sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code. Further probe was underway.