Letters to the Editor: 03 October, 2019

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October 3, 2019

World Animal Day

World Animal Day which is celebrated on October 4 every year is a special day for people who love animals. October 4 is also the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi who loved animals. It is a day to celebrate animal life in all its forms. It is also an occasion to acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives. It is a day to acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives. World Animal Day is a wonderful reminder of different ways in which animals enhance our lives.

Jubel D’Cruz

Declaring October 2nd as holiday is disrespect to Gandhiji

Mahatma Gandhi popularly called as ‘Bapu‘ was rightly bestowed the title of ‘Father of the nation’ but the biggest tribute to him for all of us is to follow on his path of non-violence and honesty which practically is non-existent in today’s world. Declaring October 2nd as holiday is disrespect to Bapu as he himself wanted India to progress and develop rapidly while a day off in his memory for our economy means a loss of crores of rupees.

We as a nation celebrate, mourn or even protest with a holiday which is a setback to our country. October with Dussehra, Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali and weekends added means very little working hours. India is a cosmopolitan nation with several religions and each festival for every religion means loads of holidays. Government needs to curtail national holidays in the larger interest of the nation and working more for the development of the country is a bigger honour and tribute than wasting time and energy for any cause.

S.N. Kabra

Right step to connect Vaishno Devi Shrine with New Delhi

Indian Railways deserves all compliments for connecting Vaishno Devi shrine (Jammu and Kashmir) with New Delhi with most modern and comfortable Vande Bharat Express with inaugural run from New Delhi on October 3, 2019 during auspicious Navratras.

It will be a still better gift for devotees travelling through Vande Bharat Express if they are provided with added service of auto-booking of helicopter-service between Katra and Vaishno Devi for desiring passengers. Likewise collaboration can be made with some air-conditioned guest-house (private or government) for comfortable stay provided with bus-service between Katra railway-station and the collaborated guest-house for desiring passengers. Rather a package-tour between New Delhi and Vaishno Devi can be designed by IRCTC comprising travel through Vande Bharat Express, stay at air-conditioned guest-house and helicopter-service. Some coaches can be reserved for group-booking also.

Similar package-tours through Vande Bharat Express to other religious places can be a boon to largely religious-minded members of public in the country, and to promote much-desired religious tourism in the country like is being done in Sri Lanka to attract Indian tourists.

Madhu Agrawal

Commemorative coins of Mahatma Gandhi

Department of Economic Affairs (Union Government) and Reserve Bank of India RBI regrettably did not make commemorative silver-alloy coins issued on 150^th birth-anniversary of MK Gandhi on October 2, 2019 available for general public at face-value evidently because metal-cost in a coin was multiple times the face-value of just rupees 150, unlike on October 2, 1969 on occasion of Gandhi birth-centenary when such silver-coins were made available for general public at the then face-value since metal-value of a silver-alloy coin at that time was much lower than the then face-value of rupees ten. This is despite that fact that both RBI and Department of Economic Affairs were cautioned in advance through repeated submissions made in advance with last one posted at various portals on August 26, 2019. Silver-alloy coins in fact are for privileged ones sitting on dais to commemorate the occasion that too totally free, and not for general public.

This practice should be reformed for future when silver-alloy coins may be having face-value of rupees 1000 packed in serial-numbered tamperproof-packing to avoid chances of fake coins to be available for general public right from date of issue through convenient centers including all RBI offices and philatical counters apart from selected post-offices and bank-branches.

Even now, it should be arranged that at least coin-sets comprising of sliver-alloy coins presently sold only through advance-booking to be delivered after many months, may be made available for open sale without requiring cumbersome procedure of advance-booking through convenient centers including all RBI offices and philatical counters apart from selected post-offices and bank-branches with an economy single coin-pack at price of rupees 1000 in serial-numbered tamperproof packing so that less-affording ones may also get silver-alloy commemorative coin.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Poll fever on in Maharashtra

Poll fever is gripping the State of Maharashtra and the political parties are preparing for the big fight. Both Congress and NCP are backing their turncoats and rewarded them suitably with party tickets. Whereas BJP dropped both Eknath Khadse and Vinod Tawde from the first list and their chances of getting back their appointed position appears rather remote. In the meanwhile a pre-poll jolt for CM has taken place. A person convicted on charge or concealing any information in his nomination paper can get six months jail term or fine or both. In such a scenario CM may have to face trial for failure to disclose pending criminal cases in 2014 poll affidavit. The political scenario is a baptism by fire in the state as of now.

Calicut Krishnan Ramani

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

Fifth SC judge recuses from hearing Gautam Navlakha’s plea in Koregaon-Bhima case

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Web Team

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October 3, 2019

4koregaon bhima — Image Courtesy: File Pic

Justice S Ravindra Bhat on Thursday became the fifth apex court judge to recuse himself from hearing a plea filed by civil rights activist Gautam Navlakha, who has challenged the Bombay High Court order refusing to quash an FIR lodged against him in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case.

On September 30, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had recused himself from hearing Navlakha’s plea. Later on October 1, the three judges of a bench justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai had also recused themselves from hearing the matter.

When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday before a bench comprising justices Arun Mishra, Vineet Saran and S Ravindra Bhat, justice Bhat recused himself from hearing the case.

When the bench was informed by Navlakha’s counsel that the three week protection given to him by the Bombay High Court was expiring on Friday, the bench said his petition would be heard by another bench tomorrow.

The Maharashtra government had earlier filed a caveat in the matter seeking to be heard before any orders are passed.

On September 13, the high court had refused to quash the FIR lodged against him in the 2017 Koregaon-Bhima case and for having alleged Maoist links, noting that there was prima facie substance in the case.

The high court had said, “Considering the magnitude of the case, we feel a thorough investigation is required”.

The high court had, however, extended the protection from arrest to Navlakha for a period of three weeks to enable him to approach the Supreme Court to file an appeal against its order.

The FIR was lodged against Navlakha and others by the Pune Police in January 2018 after the Elgar Parishad held on December 31, 2017 that had allegedly triggered violence at Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district the next day.

The police has also alleged that Navlakha and other accused in the case had Maoist links and were working towards overthrowing the government.

Navlakha and the other accused were booked under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code.

Besides Navlakha, four others Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves and Sudha Bharadwaj, are accused in the case.

BJP switched to coffee, Is NaMo Chai losing its flavour?

By

Suraj Chandran

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October 2, 2019

As the assembly election nears, BJP has come to the forefront on “Coffee with Youth – Yuva Samvad” programme across Maharashtra. The main purpose of this programme is to woo young generations across India, those youth who spend hours in coffee outlets. Also this is impressing Tamil Nadu. Overwhelmed by the success of “Chai pe Charcha” in 2014 general election, BJP is now banking on the Coffee with Youth initiative to reach out to the young voters.

BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua said, “Coffee besides chai is a popular youth drink and conversation maker. And as they say “Our mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time. So, why not have #CoffeewithYouth when we have already #ChaiPeCharcha.”

As many as 51 such sessions have been planned across the state where the leaders would interact with the youngsters and the first-time voters. There is a search for electorate over a cup of coffee. And the brew will be served with a power-packed performance and question answer sessions. According to BJP by organising Coffee with Youth-Yuva Samvad programme will enable the party to connect with youth. Since coffee is popular among youth, it will enable the party to attract youth. As per the 2011 census data, around 41 per cent of India is below the age of 20 years. BJP is targeting this demography of voters.

When our correspondent Nikhil Sagare spoke to BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari he said, “This programme is being organised with an eye on young voters. Since youths love visiting coffee shops, hence we have organised “Coffee with Youth Samvad programme.”

When asked whether Modi’s Chai Pe Charcha programme has lost its flavour he replied, “To do interpretation is your job while we say no to it.”

Through “Coffee with young voters” and interactions, BJP aims to encash on the recent abrogation of Article 370 and section 35A from Jammu and Kashmir by highlighting the importance of the decision. Instructions have been given to the organisers of these events to portray BJP as the only party that can safeguard the country, its borders and its interests.

BJP MP Gopal Shetty said, “There is a need to come closer with the young generation. In the current changing environment it is necessary to understand their mindset and needs. There is a big gap between youngsters and aged people. By having tea people feel fresh. Modi had served tea to people to get rid of their laziness. Time has come to work now. The quantum of voters are coming from youth so we have to be aware about their problems. We should not take them for granted.”

During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Narendra Modi had launched the Chai Pe Charcha campaign. The programme was relayed at 1,000 tea stalls in 300 cities across the country. The organisers had opened their website for questions that people want to ask Modi at tea. The programme which highlights that Modi sold tea on trains as a young boy is positioned as a gigantic snub to political rivals like Congress Mani Shankar Aiyar who had made snide remarks about the PM’s modest origins. This campaign had taken the BJP to newer avenues of power.

Adil Shirgaonkar a resident of Ram Mandir said, “The manner in which Modi had targeted youth during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, in the same way they are adopting similar strategy to win assembly election. After winning the Lok Sabha election BJP had added ‘Sabka Vishwas’ to its tagline ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. In the same manner they have updated the ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ campaign to ‘Coffee With Youth.”

Chai to Coffee lot has changed in BJP’s campaign

By

Vaidehi Taman

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October 2, 2019

To flatter young voters in the age group of 18-25 years, the BJP has assigned its youth wing the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) to organise “Coffee with young voters” programme in most of the constituencies from where the party is fielding candidates. Earlier, Chaiwala jibe gave tremendous publicity to PM Modi and “Chai pe Charcha” was their prime focus during 2014 Parliamentary and assembly elections. Though the Chaiwala and Chai was losing its taste. BJP is the party with good strategies and campaigns. Through “Coffee with young voters” and interactions, BJP aims to encash on the recent abrogation of Article 370 and section 35A from Jammu and Kashmir by highlighting the importance of the decision. Instructions have been given to the organisers of these events to portray BJP as the only party that can safeguard the country, its borders and its interests. The events are set to kickstart in phases in the next two days.

The state-level programme is aimed at reaching out to the maximum number of young voters who will play a crucial role in government formation.

As per the given schedule, none of the events should be of less than 90 minutes at each of the scheduled venues. BJYM has been asked to rope-in party’s young MLAs and MPs with good oratory skills .The Q&A sessions should last for about an hour in each session. As a part of the preparation, about 10 MPs under 40 years of age have already been lined up and their schedule in the state would soon be made public. Instructions have also been given to ensure that the events are organised at each of the revenue headquarters in the districts and the venue should be spacious enough to accommodate between 1,200-1,500 youths.

The dates for the programmes in each of the districts across the state are being finalised, so that there is no overlap.

The BJYM coordinators for each of the districts have been asked to make appropriate arrangements to ferry the young voters only from the assembly constituencies being contested by the BJP candidates.

During the general elections held earlier this year, more than 8.73 crore voters in the state, 1.19 crore first-time voters alone. The young voters are playing a key role in BJP’s winning spree. As a result, they have decided to bridge the gap between our young leaders and voters. BJP’s war rooms have been assigned the job to publicise the programme through social media networks and target youths with the content aimed at prompting them with nationalistic sentiments.

The “volunteers” campaigning for Narendra Modi have proven more of a liability than an asset for the BJP.

The hype around the smart crowd of young volunteers in the Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG) has subsided simultaneously with its much-touted campaign programmes — NaMo Tea Party and mobilisation around construction of Statue of Unity in Gujarat — coming a cropper over the past couple of months. The collection of iron (Loh Sangrahan) for the construction of Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity in Gujarat was launched with much fanfare. After the success of “Chai Pe Charcha” in reaching out to common electorate ahead of Lok Sabha election in 2014, the Maharashtra BJP is hoping repeat of the performance in reaching out to the young voters through its new initiative “Coffee with Youth – Yuva Samvad”.

Around 8 lakh news voters, most of them first-timers, have been added to the voter lists of the state since Lok Sabha election in April. In order to reach out to these new voters, the state party has planned 51 programmes under the tag ‘Coffee with Youth’ where the leaders would interact with a couple of thousand young men and women. In first such programme at Mira-Bhayandar Delhi BJP Chief and party MP Manoj Tiwari interacted with local youth. Youths have several questions on their mind that may not get answered every time. BJP’s programme aims to address such questions rather this would be an opportunity for the youngsters to understand the things in right perspective which they may not get through the media or the information they may access from the internet.

BJP’s young brigade has been entrusted with this special focus programme which will go on till October 10. Apart from Tiwari, young leaders like Poonam Mahajan, Pritam Munde, Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil, Raksha Khadse and Gautam Gambhir are expected to interact with youth under this initiative. Some of the Fadnavis cabinet members like Vinod Tawde and Ranjit Patil and national spokesperson Sambit Patra too are likely to attend some of the programmes on the list. If you’re a coffee drinker, there’s a reason for you to attend these sessions.

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

How relevant is Gandhi today?

By

Vinod Dixit

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October 2, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly said that the world has celebrated the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, whose message of truth and non-violence is “very relevant for us even today, for peace, development and progress in the world.”

All over India in order to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated with great enthusiasm to pay honour to Mahatma Gandhi who struggled a lot for the Indian independence from the British rule. We all know that the name of Mahatma Gandhi now transcends the bounds of race, religion and nation- states, and has appeared as the visionary voice of the 21st century.

Gandhiji has become a role model and an inspirational leader for the youth now. Other great leaders like Nelson Mandela, James Lawson also admired Gandhi’s theory of non-violence for the freedom and liberty. Gandhi did a great work to achieve Swaraj. More than ever before, Gandhiji’s teachings are valid today, when people are trying to find solutions to the rampant greed, widespread violence, and runaway consumptive style of living. His ideology is admired throughout the world for its universal and spiritual appeal.

The Gandhian technique of mobilising people has been successfully employed by many oppressed societies around the world under the leadership of people like Martin Luther King Nelson Mandela and many others. Barack Obama sees Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration and has a portrait of the apostle of peace in his office. Gandhi had ideas on every subject, from hygiene and nutrition to education and labour, and he relentlessly pursued his ideas in newspaper. He would still be remembered as one of the principal figures in the history of Indian journalism. Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology is universal which is relevant for all times. People know very little about his subtly powerful and pragmatic ideology.

Though Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas and principles are appraised and accepted by many, they are not free from criticisms. The teachings of Gandhiji are true to the soul and the morality of honesty is to be preached throughout. Whether the teachings are used in present day or not, does not imply that his teachings are irrelevant. The Indian education gives importance to theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge takes a back seat. Gandhiji stressed upon giving practical lessons to the students as he believed that this helps in active participation of the students in the class. We need to make our priority and path clear to march forward. Gandhism is a way of living with simplicity and non-violence. The new generation is waiting for a leader who will make it relearn the moral values, and who will inculcate in the people, as Gandhi did, a sense of the responsibilities which fall on every citizen of a free society. The aim of celebrating Gandhi Jayanti is to distribute Gandhi’s philosophy, principles and thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and believe in non-violence around the World. Gandhi’s ultimate search was for righteous conduct. The means are more important than the end, he maintained; with the right means, desired ends will follow. He also emphasized on the life and teachings of Lord Krishna saying that everyone can find solutions to present-day problems from his life.

Today communal amity has become essential for national integration and hence Gandhi gave it the highest priority. He wanted to take the country from areas of hostility into areas of harmony of faiths through tolerance, so that we could work towards understanding each other. Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man as this ever walked this earth in flesh and blood. This was the tribute paid by Albert Einstein to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi when the latter was struck down by an assassin’s bullet on January 30, 1948. The whole world was shocked, feeling as if another Christ had been nailed to the cross. Such was the impact of Gandhi on the times in which he lived. The immortal tribute of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, at the time of Gandhi’s passing said, “The light has gone out of our lives”.

He inspired millions of people through his work and became a legacy of greatness, idealness, and noble life. Gandhi was a social reformer who died after completing the aim of his life. One should remember that he not only gave freedom to his country, but also brought about a great moral regeneration over his countrymen. Men like Gandhi are born once in an age. Mahatma Gandhi while leading the struggle of the Indian people for independence from the British rule repeatedly emphasised that his ultimate aim was not merely the overthrow of alien rule, but the establishment of swaraj in India.

Letters to the Editor: 02 October, 2019

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Web Team

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October 2, 2019

Noble way to save environment from poly-packing of milk

Mother Dairy has given newspaper-advertisements on October 2, 2019 motivating people to buy Token-Milk to discourage use of plastic in poly-pack milk. Evidently Token-Milk is quite cheaper than poly-pack milk of same standard because of saving of packing-cost. But big question is that poly-pack milk is available in too many variants and qualities, while Token-Milk is available only in one variety that too only on selected Mother Dairy booths and not with private retailers selling poly-pack milk in all varieties and variants that too also of other milk-giants like highest-selling brand Amul. It is noted that since last few days, all milk poly-packs have print that packing is made of recyclable plastic

The best way to conserve environment is that customers may be given bags of environment-friendly jute or cloth bags of different sizes in return of some stipulated number of empty poly-packing of milk. These bags can be made available with all milk-booths and private retailers selling poly-pack milk. Even rag-pickers will then filter out empty poly-packs of milk from the waste thrown if any by households and others, to get these bags of jute or cloth. Extra earning can be made by procuring advertisements from sponsors to be printed on these bags of jute or cloth to be given in exchange of empty poly-packs of milk.

Madhu Agrawal

Logic of holidays on Gandhi and Ambedkar Jayanti

Do not declare holiday on my death, instead work an extra day if you really love me– said Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who was People-President of a country where there are too many political holidays on birth and death anniversaries of leaders both at central and state level including like birth anniversaries of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. Earlier UP government then led by Akhilesh Yadav in the year even declared holiday on death-anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar

Every great leader always called people for hard work. Therefore best tribute to great leaders is to declare their birth and death anniversaries as extra-work day by increasing office-hours by half-an-hour on those special days. Such a bold announcement quoting Dr APJ Abdul Kalam will not attract political resistance in name of vote-bank politics. System will automatically stop unholy political demands coming to declare such holidays for birth and death anniversaries of more and more leaders.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Mom Fraser-Pryce made it

Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser- Pryce became the first athlete to win four gold medals at the World Athletic Championship and wrote her name in the history of records. This she did after giving birth to her son and that is unique. She is sprint queen of the world and proved it for the fourth time. With her fourth gold she has surpassed Jamaican Usain Bolt, American Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene. The speed with which she started the race and finished was fantastic. The silver medal winner was 0.12 second behind Fraser – Pryce and that showed the difference. Despite her age and being a Mom she made it in style and broke all the 100 mtrs record.

Muringatherry Ram Jayanthy

EC’s acts of omission and commission

The Election Commission has been repeatedly criticised by the Opposition parties but that apparently is no skin off the EC’s nose. The EC’s acts of omission and commission in the recent past are a sad reminder that the days of T.N. Seshan, M.S. Gill and J.M. Lyngdoh are long gone and that constitutional bodies that are deemed autonomous are a pale shadow of their once glorious past.

Harshit Joshi

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

Indian Railways offers delicious Navratri foods

By

Web Team

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October 2, 2019

The Indian Railways is offering delicious Navratri delicacies at select stations through its e-catering services since September 29. Navratri foods are being offered at selected stations, including Borivali, Kalyan, Vasai Road, Aurangabad, Akola and Nagpur in Maharashtra.

In a bid to make train travel during this time of the year less of a hassle, the IRCTC has come up with this service keeping in mind the ritualistic fast observed by many during the festival.

The menu comprises ‘satvik diet’ like sabudana, sendha namak, kuttu ka atta, and certain vegetables with items like sabudana ki khichdi, dry makhane sabudana moongfali namkeen, aloo ki tikki, navratri thali, jeera aloo, french fries, sabudana vada, falhari chuda, falhari thali, malai barfi, rasmalai, milk cake, lassi, plain curd etc.

These special meals are available through select restaurants and at hand-picked stations on the Railways network, the IRCTC said in a statement.

According to IRCTC stations offering Navratri meals are Kanpur Central, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Jaipur, Bina, Patna, Rajendra Nagar, H Nizammuddin, Ambala Cantt., Jhansi, Aurangabad, Akola, Itarsi, Vasai Road, Vapi, Kalyan, Borivali, Durg, Daund, Gwalior, Mathura, Nagpur, Bhopal, Ujjain and Ahemadnagar.

Passengers can avail this service through pre-ordered on IRCTC’s e-Catering website or by using “Food-on-track” app.Travelers have to place their orders at least two hours before scheduled journey time with a valid PNR, the statement said, adding that passengers may opt to pre-pay or on delivery, as per their convenience.

Suspense over seat sharing BJP-Sena release candidates’ list

By

Rajesh Choudhary

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October 1, 2019

The ruling alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena released their first list of candidates for the state assembly polls on Tuesday. Both parties have declared their candidates without official announcement. This indicates that both parties are trapped in the tug of war over seat allotment between two alliance partners. Although BJP and Shiv Sena have decided to forge coalition in assembly elections but they could not decide on seat distribution. It is learnt that Sena is bargaining for two more assembly seats. Suspense still hovers over seat sharing. That is why both BJP and Shiv Sena have released their lists without announcing seat sharing.

It is remarkable that BJP has released a list of 125 candidates for assembly polls while Shiv Sena has released its list of 70 candidates. Just after BJP’s first list, Sena also released a list of 124 assembly constituencies but only 70 candidates. The BJP also announced its candidate for Satara Lok Sabha bypoll. Udayanraje Bhosale will be party’s candidate for this bypoll. He has recently joined the BJP after resigning from NCP. On Monday, Maharashtra BJP President Chandrakant Patil told media that BJP-Sena have decided to forge alliance. He said that CM Devendra Fadnavis and Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray will soon jointly announce details of seat sharing. But there is no announcement by them until now and they have released their lists of candidates. Maharashtra will go to polls on October 21 and results will be declared on October 24. BJP surrenders 15 seats to Sena.

On the other hand, many Shiv Sena workers and leaders of Navi Mumbai have allegedly resigned from the party in protest of seat sharing. It is very difficult for a Shiv Sainik to support and campaign for their arch rival Ganesh Naik and his family in Navi Mumbai who joined the BJP just ahead of declaration of Maharashtra assembly polls. The ruling party has fielded Sandip Naik, who is son of Ganesh Naik from Airoli. Therefore, Navi Mumbai Shiv Sena’s city chief and district vice president and over 200 workers have submitted their resignation in protest of party’s decision to offer this seat to the BJP. Former Congress minister Abdul Sattar had joined Shiv Sena and was nominated from Sillod constituency of Aurangabad. Since BJP used to contest from Sillod constituency and vacated it for Shiv Sena, BJP party workers became angry and they tendered their resignation.

BJP and Shiv Sena have decided to go in alliance this time in Maharashtra. In the 2014 elections both parties had fought elections separately. Under seat sharing agreement, Airoli assembly seat of Navi Mumbai falls in court of the BJP. Traditionally, Shiv Sena used to fight with NCP’s former strongman Ganesh Naik here. Now, it is very difficult for them to digest this grim reality. On Monday, BJP and Shiv Sena finalised seat-sharing deal for Maharashtra assembly elections. But the BJP has not agreed on deputy Chief Minister’s post for Shiv Sena. They will take decision on this after assembly elections.

India remembers Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastriji

By

Vaidehi Taman

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October 1, 2019

Gandhi Bapu, a peaceful freedom fighter who believed in non-violence lead the successful movement for India’s independence from British Rule was born on October 2, 1869. Fondly remembered as the Father of the Nation, he is known to have inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Mahatma Gandhi‘s birthday, October 2, is not only commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, but is celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence and cleanliness. October 2 also happens to be the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was instrumental in India’s freedom struggle. Both Mahatma Gandhi, and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s lives are exemplary and a source of motivation for students. Both these men are known to exhibit simplicity and serenity even in situations that created panic. Their clarity of thoughts and resolve to act is something students can learn from.

Lal Bahadur Shastri is known for his calm demeanor and composure even in the most critical situations. He also believed in self-reliance and putting nation first before self. Lal Bahadur Shastri was a simple man who believed in action. While his simplicity is something that one should definitely learn from, another thing to learn is his composure even in extreme situations.

Lal Bahadur Shastri’s contribution to India’s growth is unparalleled. Shastri shares the birthday with the father of the nation and many also call it his ill fate that his birthday doesn’t get celebrated because Gandhi’s legacy overshadows it.

On October 2, the nation celebrates Gandhi Jayanti on account of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday but somehow we forget to mention the man who contributed towards the growth of India.

But the man who resurrected a nation’s broken self-confidence after the defeat against China in 1962 and led it to victory in 1965 war against Pakistan deserves to be remembered with respect. Another thing to learn from his life is to act instead of procrastinate.

Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Steve Biko, and Aung San Suu Kyi all are believed to have been influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, in his early years, Mandela was a follower of Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent résistance. European author Romain Rolland too discussed Gandhi in his 1924 book Mahatma Gandhi and Brazillian feminist Maria Lacerda de Moura too wrote about Gandhi in her work on pacifism. The influence of Gandhi was also seen in European physicist Albert Einstein, who called Gandhi a role model for future generations. Einstein even would go on to credit Gandhi with having created a new and humane means for the liberation war of a country that was oppressed. Gandhi’s influence was even seen in the works of Lanza del Vasto who arrived in India in 1936 intending to live with Gandhi and later returned to Europe to spread the Gandhian philosophy and start the Community of the Ark, modelled on Gandhi’s ashrams.

John Lennon too referred to Gandhi when discussing his views on non-violence and former US Vice-President and environmentalist Al Gore spoke of Gandhi’s influence on him. In fact, former US President Barack Obama too spoke about the Gandhian influence in 2009 when on reply to a question “Who was the one person, dead or alive, that you would choose to dine with?” he referred to Mahatma Gandhi. Notably, Gandhi’s best influence as a world leader can be seen in the fact that the International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

When you open your history books, you will find India’s history to be rich and your teacher would tell you to read up all about the famous freedom fighters and politicians of the early period. Lal Bahadur Shastri was the 2nd Prime Minister of India. He was also a member of the Indian National Congress Party. When you open your history books, you would find his name along with prominent names like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Shastri was in high school when he met the influential Nishkameshwar Prasad Mishra. He offered financial help to Shastri by allowing him to teach his children. Mishra was a patriotic man and seeing his devotion and patriotism; Shastri became interested in the freedom struggle. He started reading history and works of Mahatma Gandhi, Annie Besant and Swami Vivekananda. These great leaders inspire us even today.

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

Letters to the Editor: 01 October, 2019

By

Web Team

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October 1, 2019

International day of non–violence

Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, popularly known as Gandhi Jayanti, is observed on October 2nd every year to mark the birth anniversary of the Indian freedom fighter and activist, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The day is also observed as the “International day of non-violence”, encouraging non-violence and harmony among the citizens of India and the world.

Jubel D’Cruz

CBI probe permitted by CJI against former Madras CJ Justice Tahilramani

It refers to TOI report dated September 30, 2019 about Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi asking Central Bureau of Investigation CBI to take action as per law against former Chief Justice of Madras High Court Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani into allegations against her including alleged irregularities in purchase of two flats at outskirts of Chennai from HDFC bank-loan of rupees 1.62 crores and rupees 1.56 crores from bank-accounts of family-members as per report of Intelligence Bureau submitted following her recent resignation from the post on September 6, 2019. TOI-report also suggests certain other alleged irregularities also against her. Rs 1.56 crores now-a-days is not such a big amount compiled through bank-accounts of various family-members, even which can be scrutinized by Income Tax authorities in normal course.

Media-reports suggest that she resigned because Supreme Court collegiums declined to accept her request for reconsideration of her transfer to Meghalaya High Court, which was considered as a sort of step-down from one of the biggest and oldest High Courts.

Big question is if a sitting Chief Justice of a big High Court faces a sort of demotion through transfer to some small High Court, are High Courts of smaller states considered as a sort of dumping-ground for judges facing allegations. If reports of allegations need probe, that should be ordered publicly through In-House procedure already existing at Supreme Court. Any transfer-posting or action may be taken only after report of In-House committee is made public.

It is high time that reports of Supreme Court collegiums are made public, and even sitting judges indicted by In-House committee of Supreme Court be probed and punished like normal citizens rather than totally impractical and cumbersome procedure through impeachment by Parliament.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

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