Social media warriors’ battle-ready with their ‘weapons’ of parodies, memes and hashtags

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January 30, 2020

Social media users in India need to be careful of propaganda ahead. Delhi polls are approaching and the social media battle has heated up as BJP, Congress try to breach ‘Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party’. The high-stakes tussle for power in the national capital is also being hotly contested in the virtual world with parties’ social media warriors battle-ready with their ‘weapons’ of parodies, memes and hashtags.

Ever wondered how a messaging app could change political fate in India? WhatsApp users in India may be astonished to learn that there’s more to messaging apps than interactive medium. These days, it has become a political propaganda tool for porn-sharing groups. Anything to everything, moral to immoral and fake to make belief as truth, this one particular app has not only grabbed your time, peace and attention by making you addicted to it but it has influenced your thought process and also your mindset. It is conditioning you every day against one particular agenda. If educated people are falling trap to such things then one can imagine about common man of this country. What are we achieving out of it? No one knows. Similarly, there are many groups in the name of Dalits, Muslims or ideology of this party or that party and they just create an impression and panic among the people of their community as if India is not safe for them. They too share photo shopped pictures, videos, fake write-ups and much more to make believe their point by endorsing one or the other political party and condemning the rival party. There are thousands of such groups and people are divided in those groups.

The acclimatising goes on 24/7. They just don’t stop there, the same post is circulated on social media by all the participants and from there it again gets circulated further. This is how we are colluding the entire ambience against our country. Trust me, our country knows how to live with diversity, all those born on this soil belong to this nation and it belongs to them. There is nothing to feel unsecured or threatened about. You have both sides; if some hate you, there are many who hold you. No matter whosoever rules you, they don’t change your life for sure. WhatsApp is probably the best example of the vast potential that messaging apps hold. With over millions of active users it helps them socialise. But the abuse of such apps needs to be monitored. Visual cues such as photos and graphics portraying Modi as the saviour of the nation alongside memes mocking the other parties’ candidates were shared on social media and WhatsApp messenger by a team of dedicated Modi supporters, their numbers stretching into the far hundred thousands.

On the other hand, how fake is India’s PM and attacks on Modi with videos and pictures too get viral but in comparison right-wingers are more aggressive. If you remember there was a photo meant to show a younger, humble Modi sweeping the floors that went viral and was later debunked as a doctored image of another man. That didn’t matter, though; for a very long time during and after the elections, the photo had become a symbol of Modi’s modest roots. It continued to be right-winger’s social media warfare not only as effective communication but also contributed to Modi’s win in the elections. However, the reality of their claims got exposed. Six years on nothing has changed much in IT cell’s approach. They are after any one to anything, the latest victims are all those news personal who exposed JNU violence or those who stood by students. Celebrities to think tanks all were under attack with derogatory statements. Same is in the case of Arvind Kejriwal, there are social media posts that say if you want to teach a lesson to JNU and leftists, then vote out Kejriwal in Delhi and chose a BJP government whereas the fight between JNU students is all about ideology.

Students were beaten brutally for protesting against fees hike to CAA and NRC the new bill that BJP implemented recently. Every action calls for reaction, both right and left are equally guilty for spreading violence and creating unrest across the country especially in Delhi to target 2020 elections. The fake news problem in India is very real. Depending on the content spread on social media which is unfortunately based on falsified information, the opinions are created. The fake information on social media builds fear psychosis among people. In fact, the ongoing tension itself was believed to have been a sure to result in an image offensive to JNU students circulated through Facebook. Plus attributed to anti-Hindu and anti-national rant these fake circulations created lots of anxiety among students. There was almost a riot like situation in the University, but no one took action against the perpetrators. Rather, action was taken on the ones who unmasked the fact took beatings and attacks. There are many such stories and numerous videos that get circulated on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter allegedly showing anything to everything by conditioning the minds of people. Having investigated the sources of every single video, each could have led to communal tensions and violent incidents in parts of India. But we the people of the nation have become slaves to smartphone and IT-Cell Propaganda University. Social media has been a breeding ground for misinformation since long time and ironically the seeds of misinformation somehow sown by the IT-Cells on root level itself.

While Facebook and Twitter are highly public spaces where news, photos and videos generally flow freely, WhatsApp is more classified. This app was actually designed to keep people’s information secure and private, so no one is able to access the contents of people’s messages but now this has become dangerous tool in people’s hand to propagate all that they want. People are afraid that bad things will happen if they say something wrong on social media. WhatsApp is a kind of safe place for people and they can discuss more conspiring things. However, while WhatsApp-spread misinformation has become an increasing concern across the world along with efforts to debunk it, this is somewhat looming danger. Without facts checking, the users are irresponsibly passing messages about crime, violence, politics and communal riots. Now, all Indian political parties are geared up for 2020 against one particular party of Assembly elections by making thousands of groups and communities. The whoopla has already begun, so one needs to be smart enough to not get carried away by such schemes and use their own judgement.

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

My expectations from Budget 2020 – Part II

By

S. Krishna Kumar

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January 30, 2020

This is very important Nirmala Sitharaman madam, for your earnest and bold action : it’s high time the Agricultural Income is brought into the income tax net. Many politicians and others under the guise of being “agriculturists / farmers” have been evading Income Tax for decades. No Finance Minister has ever dared to bring the Agricultural Income for Income tax. In fact today one can see many rich farmers leading a lavish style (most of them political leaders and so on…) and yet not paying the income tax as they say they earn “Agricultural Income!! ” Will you please muster courage to introduce “Tax on Agricultural Income, say, above ten lakhs” – especially to tax the so called super rich agriculturists/farmers who have been evading taxes worth crores, for generations?

Last but not the least, you need to book all those utter and core corrupt officials, bureaucrats, ministers, super wealthy political leaders of regional parties too and attach all their wealth and assets. I am not talking about the huge money stashed away in Swiss banks. We have been hearing many cases of ministers and bureaucrats and officials being involved in large scale scams and corrupt deals. They have amassed wealth and properties to the tune of hundreds of crores. Some ex-ministers have been found to be having as many properties, farms, flats, land and so on. But nothing has happened so far to them, except that raids by IT, ED, CBI, are being conducted with no end results or the ‘scamsters’ getting punished. The legal cases and hearings go on and on and with the ‘defaulters and the accused’ only getting bail as many times and seeking SC permission to happily undertake foreign travels!. These cases must be fast tracked and closed for once for all. The core corrupt who have looted the nation must be put behind bars permanently. The government must grab and attach all the properties of such corrupt people and defaulters and recover all the monies due.

Dear PM & FM Madam! Please recover all those unaccounted wealth, assets and cash from the most corrupt people; you can certainly get huge revenue to wipe off the deficit in the budget. You need not even think of imposing and taxing the common man anymore. May be you can even do away with the Income tax on the salaried.

Once you tax “Agricultural Income” , the fiscal health of the nation and also the health of genuine and poor farmers, will drastically improve.

Will the Hon’ble PM take some bold measures–it’s now or never. Let’s have “SABKA VIKAS” in real terms – for the common man and honest tax payers to lead a decent and healthy life!

Also Read : My expectations from Budget 2020 – Part I

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

Letters to the Editor: 30 January, 2020

By

Web Team

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January 30, 2020

125000 rotis (bread) wasted daily in Tihar jail

It refers to shocking media reports about 25000 rotis (bread) wasted daily in Tihar jail of Delhi because prisoners usually do not take their full diet out of mental tension. Report reveals that situation is more prevalent in under-trial prisoners which form majority of jail-inmates, while those having been convicted and sentenced take better diet.

System should be modified whereby food may be cooked for prisoners on daily average-basis rather than prescribed diet-norms to avoid such large-scale wastage of food including rotis (bread). It does not take much time to prepare more rotis (bread) in case quantity is somehow felt short after cooked food is exhausted. Further steps can be taken to utilize surplus rotis (bread) for production of biscuits in jail-workshop by installing machine to dry cooked bread.

Madhu Agrawal

2The right to protest in a free society

Some people who do not have knowledge of history say that there is no benefit in organizing protests. First I want to say to them that protest is the basic right of anyone which was granted by the Constitution. Protest is most powerful arms in any democratic country but it should be continued and with great enthusiasm. President of Sudan had to resign due to protests. Habib from Al- Jazayer couldn’t conduct election because of it. Hong Cong government passed an act which was unconstitutional and unsuitable for people. People began to raise voices against it then government had to give into public demand. Now look at BJP government who was assuring in Parliament to implement CAA and NRC has become frightened and struggling to find support.

M Qasmi Nadwi

3Excessive taxation a social injustice on the people

Chief Justice of India just a few days before presentation of Union Budget at an event held to mark the 79th Foundation Ceremony of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal on January 24 has rightly observed excessive taxation as a social injustice on the people, and tax-evasion as a form of social injustice on fellow citizens.

Maximum Income-Tax rate for individuals was drastically reduced to 30-per cent following recommendations by Raja Chelliah Committee in the year 1993, giving desired results for increased tax-revenue with assesses smilingly complying with tax-laws. But subsequently with imposition of cess and surcharges, net highest effective income-tax rate has now become 42.75 per cent with data exhibiting that for the first time in last two decades, direct-tax collection in current fiscal-year of 2019-20 is likely to be less than that of earlier year.

Haphazard and irrational GST rate-structure with too many slabs and faulty Input-Tax-Credit system with an unreasonable and excessive GST-rate of 18-per cent on many items and on service-sector is resulting in creation of black money and increased cash-circulation of 20-per cent above than at time of demonetization.

Maximum effective Income-Tax rate should be restored to 30-per cent abolishing cess and surcharges. Permanent voluntary Disclosure Scheme can be introduced whereby declarants may be required to compulsorily invest 20-per cent of undisclosed income in long-term low-interest Infrastructure Bonds apart from 30-per cent highest Income Tax slab.

Likewise GST rates of 3, 5, 12, 18 and 28 percent may be reduced to two slabs of 10 and 30 per cent. Cess on luxury items may be replaced by additional GST slabs in multiples of 50 or 100 per cent. With such abolition of higher GST slabs of 12 and 18 per cent, Input-Tax-Credit can be retained only on trade-activities abolishing from manufacturing and service sectors. Some basic raw-materials in such a scenario like unbranded cotton and yarn can be put in zero tax-slab.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

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

Mother daughter duo commits suicide in Vile Parle

By

Web Team

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January 30, 2020

A 73-year-old woman and her 53-year-old daughter on Wednesday allegedly committed suicide at their house in Vile Parle. The deceased people have been identified as Meena Paranjape and Manjiri Paranjape.

According to the police, the incident came to light around 8:30 am in the morning when their maid arrived home and did not get any response after ringing the door bell repeatedly. After that she contacted their relatives and following which they approached to police.

Later police reached to the spot and entered the flat by breaking the front door and found the two bodies hanging from the ceiling of the bedroom. As per the initial probe, Manjiri was unmarried and used to stay with her mother. As of now no suicide note has been found. More details are awaited.

Saina Nehwal: Inspired by Narendra Sir, joins BJP

By

Afternoon Voice

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January 29, 2020

Badminton player Saina Nehwal joined the ruling BJP and is likely to campaign for the party ahead of the February 8 Delhi assembly election. Haryana-born Saina Nehwal, 29, is a major acquisition for the party in the middle of the Delhi poll campaign; she is one of the most popular sportspersons in India with a huge fan following and brand value. She is preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Saina hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an “inspiration” with his “hard work” for the country. She said that BJP has been doing a lot of good and she would work to do her bit as its member. Her elder sister Abu Chandranshu Nehwal too joined the saffron party along with her.

Saina Nehwal told AV, “I have always contributed to the nation, I have won medals for the country. I am a very hardworking and I love hardworking people. I can see Prime Minister Narendra Modi does so much for the country, I want to do something for the country with him. Narendra Modi sir has always inspired me.”

The BJP roped in many famous personalities last year, including cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who was elected MP from Delhi in the national election, and wrestler Babita Phogat. Just before the Haryana assembly polls, the party roped in wrestler Sushil Kumar, Babita Phogat and former Hockey team captain Sandeep Singh. Sandeep Singh won the election and was appointed minister.

Saina a former world number 1, has been honoured with the country’s top sporting awards like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award. She was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2016. The Badminton player has won over 24 international titles. Saina is the first Indian badminton player to have won an Olympic medal a feat she achieved in the 2012 London games where she won bronze medal. She was world number two in 2009 and number one in 2015. According to sources from BJP the party is likely to deploy Saina for campaigning in Delhi assembly poll to connect with youngsters, presenting her as a youth icon who chose to join it.

BJP bets big on sportspersons during elections in India

By

Vaidehi Taman

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January 29, 2020

In the recent past, political parties have become excessively dependent on celebrities as campaigners. Unlike the 80s when Amitabh Bachchan and only a handful of other actors and sports personnel focused on a political career, the present epoch is witnessing a surge in celebrity participation. Some of them became victims of receding interest in the daily rigmarole and political slug fest. Be it Mohammad Azharuddin or Navjot Singh Sidhu, their presence in the Parliament as honorary members are far from satisfactory. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always placed its bet high on the sports celebrities. Eminent sports personalities including wrestling champions Babita Phogat, Yogeshwar Dutt and former India hockey captain Sandeep Singh have been joined BJP during Haryana assembly elections. A glorious career in the film industry or sports guarantees you a head start in politics if you want to pursue it, given the fact that you’ve earned a place in people’s heart with your work. But, there’s no way one can determine that a successful film star or a sportsperson can repeat the same magic in politics as well.

From Hema Malini to Smriti Irani there is a long list of film industry personnel, actors and actress coming to politics, some made it huge for themselves and many just flopped. We’ve seen many cases where some of the biggest celebrities fell flat on their face during elections, but that hasn’t stopped renowned artists, actors, and sportspersons from trying their luck in politics. Now whether or not the public accepts them as their leaders is a different thing, but we’ve seen that these celebrities leave no stone unturned in campaigning for their respective political parties. With Delhi Assembly elections going on this year, Saina Nehwal joined the BJP. She would be campaigning for BJP against Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) in Delhi. We’ve seen many people from sports, as well as Bollywood, joining BJP and other national parties.

There are many sports personalities who join politics and soon got forgotten. Deepa Malik, a para-athlete who represented India in Shot Put in Paralympics, is first Indian woman to win a medal in the games. Malik recently joined BJP and may be contesting elections for Lok Sabha. A three-time Olympic participant, Krishna Poonia represented the country in disc throw. She joined Congress in 2013 and contested elections against Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore from Sadulpur constituency in Rajasthan. Celebrated boxing champion Vijender Singh, who won a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympic Games, is now a Congress candidate from South Delhi and is extremely active in his political campaign. Pargat Singh was a former captain of the Indian Hockey team who has played in three world cups and Olympics. He entered politics after his retirement. Pargat Singh was suspended by Shiromani Akali Dal in 2016 after which he joined the Indian National Congress. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who was known for his excellent fielding, joined Congress in 2009. He contested 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh which he lost to BJP’s Keshav Prasad Maurya. Ex-cricketer Chetan Chauhan, who has played 40 test matches for India and had most of his international cricket career in the 1970s, is now an active member of the BJP. Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad is currently serving his fourth term in the Lok Sabha and is a part of BJP. After a bumpy career in sports, Navjot Singh Sidhu retired and took a shot at politics. He joined the BJP in 2004 and also went on to win the elections. His alliance with BJP, however, didn’t last for long when he left the right-wing party to join Congress. After making the country proud by winning India’s first ever individual silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore joined politics. Currently, he’s a member of BJP and an MP from Jaipur (Rural).The middle distance runner, who won several medals for India in 800 meters, joined the Communist Party of India and was an MP from Krishnagar constituency of West Bengal.

One of the most sought-after players, Mohammad Azharuddin’s image was marred after the match-fixing scandal of 2000. In 2009, the former captain of Indian cricket team joined Congress and was also elected the member of the Parliament from Moradabad, UP. The former cricketer is one of the latest additions to politics from sports. Gambhir contested elections on BJP’s ticket from East Delhi. Babita Phogat has been a vocal supporter of the BJP. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre scrapped Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, she had voiced her support on microblogging site Twitter. BJP in Kerala got five champions in its hand, as five prominent personalities joined the party, including former ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair and former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board — the governing body of the Sabarimala temple — G Raman Nair. The other prominent individuals from God’s own country who embraced saffron are former women’s commission member; Dr Prameela Devi, Janata Dal (Secular) Trivandrum district vice-president; Karakulam Divakaran Nair and Malankara Church functionary; C Thomas John. The induction of these five prominent individuals especially ex-ISRO chief Nair comes amidst the unprecedented Hindu unity in Kerala, in the wake of protest against the Sabarimala verdict.

In Southern India, the BJP has been on a consolidation mode. Recently, Sri Peetham Seer Swami Paripoornananda had joined BJP in poll bound Telangana. Swami Paripoornananda is also called as the Yogi of South. He is very popular among Hindus and the tribal communities of the region. Swami Paripoornananda is a well-known Hindu figure in almost all southern states with millions of followers. His devotion to country is admired by many people, his entry into the BJP would improve party’s prospects in the state of Telangana as well as in other southern states. Except for Karnataka, BJP doesn’t have many credible faces in the South. What BJP needs in South, are crowd pullers and popular faces. Induction of prominent personalities like Swami Paripoornananda would fulfill that void in the region. They have their own fan base and mass support, so their entry gives mass acceptance to the party, in southern states. Against all odds the BJP has managed to gradually increase its vote share in the state of Kerala, but is yet to make a major impact on a political note.

With the popular sentiment in BJP’s favour and now with the induction of new, prominent leaders, the party is on a firm ground and looks well prepared for upcoming elections. Let’s see how Saina is going to bring back the lost sheen to BJP. Political parties need to pull in more voters in their booty and one of the tried and tested ways is to field celebrities and let them cast a spell on the target audience (even if its effect is temporary). It is argued that since celebrities come from non-political background and most of them are a success in their chosen profession, the chances of them engaging with the prospective voters remain high. On the flip side, there has been a scramble for popularity and national visibility among the celebrities themselves. Those who are well over their prime, have all the leisure to focus on something as demanding as politics. Moreover, they stand a chance to get special privileges if their endorsements prove lucky for the party.

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

My expectations from Budget 2020 – Part I

By

S. Krishna Kumar

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January 29, 2020

Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Hon’ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, had sought suggestions and views from the people, for the forthcoming Union Budget to be presented on February 1, 2020. And here are some worthy suggestions to you from my side. In fact these have been time and again ignored by your predecessors due to which there has been no relief to the common man, the salaried class and mainly the senior citizens. I am not going into critical cases of taxation pertaining to corporate and industries, market and commodity transactions and other such matters, as there are many associations to represent and make suitable suggestions to your good selves.

The hike in the tax exemption limit to Rs.5 lakh was only notional. This was not effectively the actual exemption limit. I.T @5% was still made applicable. I suggest that the first slab of Rs.5.00 lakh be fully exempted from tax. Besides the third slab of 30 per cent is hitting the salaried class very hard. Here I feel this rate should be lowered at least for the salaried class and employed.

Today, the plight of the senior citizens is quite pathetic. The senior citizens today, are in fact a harassed lot, thanks to ever decreasing rates and return on investments like fixed deposits on which they try their best to thrive. On one hand, you are increasing the prices and imposing cess, surcharge etc. But on the other hand you are reducing the interest rate on deposits etc? The interest on PPF was also reduced. Do you know how senior citizens have been adversely affected due to drastic reduction in the interest rates, from time to time? Their monthly income (through interest as source of income alone) has come down heavily and they have been finding it difficult to lead a decent life. At the time of introducing exclusive schemes for senior citizens government, banks, LIC etc. generously announce the interest rate of 9.30% and even above. Later this is brought down systematically, for one reason or the other to say 8.30 per cent or just 8 per cent. Once the interest rate is fixed under the “senior citizens’ scheme”, this should never be brought down, especially when there is lock-in period of 5 to 10 years, for investments made.

Above all, the limit for exemptions under Sec.80C should also be increased to a more reasonable level.

Please withdraw obnoxious and ridiculous charges levied by banks. It seems that banks are rather ‘innovating and introducing’ as many kinds of illogical charges as per their whims and fancy, thanks perhaps to R.B.I. Banks have also been making money in crores from these absurd charges like “for not maintaining minimum balance”, ‘service charges on the maturity of deposit amounts’, “charges towards SMSs (as many a time SMSs are not sent)’, charges for using the lockers above 12 times and so on.

(The latter part of the article will continue tomorrow)

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

Letters to the Editor: 29 January, 2020

By

Web Team

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January 29, 2020

1Weekly holiday in markets of Delhi should be uniform

It refers to Financial Capital Mumbai having adopted system of 24×7 opening of markets and malls. Already Mumbai had a system of uniform weekly off day for all markets to be on Sunday. But Capital City Delhi still continues with haphazard system for weekly offs where different markets are adopting different weekly-off days confusing everyone especially large number of visitors coming daily to Delhi.

It is ideal is to have uniform weekly off day on Sunday. But at least system should be adopted in Delhi whereby all those markets remaining open on Sundays should be uniformly closed on Saturdays. Outsiders coming to Delhi will be sure of opening of all markets for first five working days of the week. Shopkeepers and their employees will have at least one common weekly holiday with government employees under five-day week system in government offices. However shops of essential services like barbers, flour-mills etc may have Tuesday as common weekly holiday. When Mumbai can follow uniform weekly-off on Sunday without any problem, Delhi can at least step for optional off on Sunday or Saturday.

To achieve greater efficiency, all offices should have a longer pre-lunch session of four hours, like in public-sector banks. Offices having limited public-dealing hours will thus find greater pre-lunch session for public-dealing leaving a shorter but hindrance-free post-lunch session exclusively for office-work.

Peak-hour traffic-rush in Delhi and adjoining areas of National Capital Region – NCR, can and should be divided by having different starting hours for different institutions. For example educational institutions can start at 8.30 am, banks at 9.00 am, government-offices at 9.30 am, private-offices at 10 am, courts at 10.30 am, and shops at 11 am. Haryana government likewise has scattered working hours for different industries in Manesar to tackle peak-hour traffic-rush at Delhi Gurgaon Expressway.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

2More steps necessary to revive Sanskrit

It refers to welcome decision of Indian Railways to adopt Sanskrit as third language in Uttarakhand wherein names of railway-stations will be in Sanskrit also under three-language formula. Already NDA government at the centre during its earlier tenure in the year 2014 had decided to make Sanskrit the only choice as third language removing German as an alternative when even Germany like many other countries realised importance of Sanskrit.

Media reports also indicate about NASA (USA) having launched Mission-Sanskrit programme so that world’s ancient language which is full of hidden treasure of literature and advanced-most technology, may also be effectively utilised as a language of computer and space-technology. Media-reports also indicate that Sanskrit has already been introduced as a language in nursery classes in USA.

Chanting of Vedic hymns in state-assemblies of USA and countries is also becoming a regular trend. Sanskrit is the originating language for many modern Indian languages, and is enriched with valuable treasure in its ancient books which if analysed and studied can perhaps provide much more advanced studies in various fields including technology and medical science. Advanced study of Ayurveda is rather necessity of time for medical research which can be only through ancient Sanskrit literature.

Technological advances of ancient Ramayana or Mahabharat age are lying hidden in Sanskrit literature. At a time when western countries are realising importance of Sanskrit, it is time that Indian government may set up a separate Ministry for development and research in Sanskrit to explore hidden treasure of literature and medical science in the ancient language. Need is rather for encouraging study and use of Sanskrit at global level with aid of UNESCO in large interest of mankind not only in India but worldwide in other countries too.

Madhu Agrawal

3Right decision by Delhi Court

It is good to hear that the Delhi Court modified its previous order granting bail to Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, allowing him to visit Delhi for medical and election purpose. I am sure that the court’s decision would further strengthen the public confidence in judiciary. It will be worthwhile to say that it is victory of the Constitution while power-drunk BJP government is trying to divide the country. Government also wants to stop people from expressing their thoughts about CAA because they know best way that public opinion can make and mar government.

M Hasan

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

Saina Nehwal joins BJP ahead of Delhi Election

By

Hema Singh

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January 29, 2020

Shuttling from badminton to politics, Saina Nehwal on Wednesday joined the ruling party BJP on and likely to campaign for the party ahead of the February 8 Delhi elections. Saina’s formal induction into the party was announced at a press conference which was held in Delhi.

Apart from Saina her elder sister Abu Chandranshu Nehwal has also joined the BJP. In the press conference Saina said, “Today I have joined a party that has done a lot for the country. I hope to do a lot of good work. I have won medals for the country. I am a very hardworking and I love hardworking persons. I can see Prime Minister Narendra Modi does so much for the country, I want to do something for the country with him.”

Badminton player @NSaina joins BJP in the presence of BJP National General Secretary Shri @ArunSinghbjp. pic.twitter.com/b6NEnDBMUT

— BJP (@BJP4India) January 29, 2020

Saina who has born in Haryana is one of India’s most successful athletes and has a huge fan following. She has been honored with the country’s top sporting awards like the Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. In the London Olympics, Saina has won a bronze medal. Till now she won over 24 international titles.

Central line service disrupt due to Rail Roko at Kanjurmarg station against CAA, NRC by Bahujan Kranti Morcha

By

Hema Singh

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January 29, 2020

Rail Roko, Kanjurmarg Railway Station — The Bahujan Kranti Morcha staged a Bharat Bandh rail roko at at Kanjurmarg station in Mumbai to protest CAA, NRC.

The local train service on Central line have been affected on Wednesday after a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) staged railway roko at Kanjurmarg station by Bahujan Kranti Morcha. The organisation has also called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’.

According to report, the protest took place around 7:30 AM and service resumed between 8 to 8: 15 am. Due to rail roko, slow trains towards CSMT were halted near Kanjurmarg for a while, which has affected the schedule of the local trains. Hundreds of members of the organisation got down on the track during the early hours and started a rail roko protest. The protesters were holding placards against CAA and NRC.

Kanjurmarg Railway Station, CAA and NRC Protests, Bharat Baqndh, Rail Roko — The protest began a little before 7.55 am, and services resumed around 20 minutes later at 8.15 am.

Shivaji Sutar, Central Railway PRO wrote on Twitter, “Trains restarted at 8.16 hours. All lines traffic normal now.”

Kanjur Marg station @Central_Railway updates:
Trains re-started at 8.16hrs.
All lines traffic normal now.

— Shivaji Sutar (@ShivajiIRTS) January 29, 2020

The protest against CAA and NRC are being held different parts of the country since the bill was passed by the government. According to the CAA, people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come to India till December 31, 2014, from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan due to religious persecution there will be given Indian citizenship.