The law student from Shahjahanpur, who accused BJP leader Swami Chinmayanand of rape, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of extortion, police sources said.
The 23-year-old law student was arrested from her house by the Special Investigation Team of the Uttar Pradesh Police around 9.15 am, the sources said. She was then taken for medical examination. After this, she was produced before a court. Arrested law student has been sent to 14-day judicial custody in extortion case against her.
According to reports, the law student’s brother and father were present when she was taken by the police on Wednesday. Her arrest comes two days after she was denied anticipatory bail by a Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court. The court had asked her to approach an appropriate court after which the student’s lawyer approached the additional district and sessions court which accepted the plea and directed that all records related to the case be summoned before it on September 26.
The SIT had on Tuesday also taken two other accused — Sachin and Vikram — on remand for further investigation in the case. The SIT had earlier booked three of her friends after questioning them in connection to a video clip in which they were purportedly discussing extortion. According to SIT chief Naveen Arora, the three had accepted their involvement in the extortion case filed against them, although the law student had denied the charges.
“I do not know if the people who helped me escape from Chinmayanand were using me. I have nothing to do with the extortion case. I think all this drama is being done to dilute my charges of rape,” the law student had said.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh court had on Tuesday rejected the bail application of BJP leader Swami Chinmayanand, who was arrested in a sexual-assault case. He had during the interrogation on Friday confessed to having called the law student for “massages” while saying that he was ashamed of his act.
After detection of alleged irregularities in Mumbai-based Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank, the Reserve Bank of India has placed restrictions on business of the bank for six months. RBI has barred it from allowing withdrawals of more than Rs 1,000 per account. Curbs imposed by RBI triggered panic in depositors and account holders of the bank. Customers and depositors of PMC Bank stormed social media to register their dissent over action taken by RBI. Some customers have sought the intervention of PM Narendra Modi into this matter. In addition to this, suicide warnings were also given by customers. Meanwhile, very soon the Andhra Bank and Union Bank would be merging and many bank employees will be laid off. The RBI is giving signal to all banks, since this is a tip of iceberg, now the bank employees too fear the loss of jobs.
It is worth mentioning that PMC Bank had business of Rs 20,000 crore comprising deposits of Rs 11,617 crore and advances to the tune of Rs 8,383 crore at the end of March 2019. It has 137 branches across India. The multi-state cooperative bank had 3.76 per cent gross non-performing assets (NPAs) and net 2.19 per cent NPAs as at the end of March 2019.
Teesta Setalvad tweeted, “Is this how ordinary Indians are going to be treated? Some fainted! Some shocked! RBI dicates! Depositors can’t access their own hard earned money. Shame.”
As per reports, on September 23, RBI issued an order under sub-section 1 of Section 35-A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. RBI has said depositors would be allowed to withdraw a sum not exceeding Rs 1,000 of the total balance in every savings bank account or current account or any other deposit account. The bank could not grant or renew any loan, advances and make investments without prior approval of the RBI. These directions would remain in force for six months from the close of business of the bank on September 23, 2019, RBI said in a statement.
Praful Shah tweeted, “It’s nothing but bankruptcy. My Rs 25 lakhs, saved for daughters’ marriages, are now trapped. My lifetime saving getting washed out overnight. Feeling sad.”
#PMCBank
Its nothing but bankruptcy. My 25 lakhs, saved for daughters’ marriages, are now trapped. My lifetime saving getting washed out overnite. Feeling sad.
A senior executive of PMC Bank said in course of inspection RBI had found some gaps in treatment of loans. He said that the bank was working to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, a message is being circulated in the name of Joy Thomas, the MD of PMC Bank, asking customers to exercise restraint. He claims in this message that objections raised by the RBI would be resolved within the six-month period, and the PMC Bank would soon revert to normal functioning. But the authenticity of his statement could not be confirmed.
Dipti Joshi, an account holder of PMC Bank said, “I was shocked when I got to know that RBI barred PMC Bank from carrying out any kind of business transactions for six months on Tuesday. How can a family survive with just Rs 1000 for 6 months, it’s not possible .You forced us to become digital and now we are not getting access to our own hard earned money. At least you should inform us so that we can do something, it’s ridiculous.”
Amruta Lokhande tweeted, “And what should the account holder do on receiving this https://message.Rs 1k is all that we can withdraw over 6 months. We stopped keeping cash at home because you encouraged online transaction and now we can’t even withdraw our own hard earned money.”
And what should the account holder do on receiving this https://t.co/Ir8x9kxP2Q 1k is all that we can withdraw over 6 months. We stopped keeping cash at home because you encouraged online transaction and now we can’t even withdraw our own hard earned money. @nsitharaman#pmcbankpic.twitter.com/WwlTEi6mNU
The statement said that PMC Bank has been put on regulatory restriction under 35-A of RBI act for 6 months for irregularities. It further said, “I, Mr. Joy Thomas, M.D., regret to inform you that your PMC Bank has been put under regulatory restriction under Section 35-A of B.R. Act by RBI for a period of 6 months due to irregularities disclosed to RBI. As the M.D. of the Bank, I take the responsibility and assure all the depositors that these irregularities will be rectified before the expiry of 6 months. All efforts are made to remove the restrictions by rectifying the irregularities. I know it is a difficult time for all of you and any apology may not restore the pain you are undergoing. Please co-operate with us.” We assure that we will definitely overcome this situation and stand strong, he added.
Vijay Talreja tweeted,“#pmcbank news is heart breaking. This morning I witnessed many sr citizens and women crying in the bank. Withdrawal of Rs1000 over 6 mnths will push them below poverty line. Not enough to even buy peanuts for that duration. Pls help them urgently.”
@nsitharaman@nsitharamanoffc#pmcbank news is heart breaking. This morning I witnessed many sr citizens and women crying in the bank. Withdrawal of Rs1000 over 6 mnths will push them below poverty line. Not enough to even buy peanuts for that duration. Pls help them urgently.
Apart from putting a restriction of only Rs 1,000 withdrawal per account, the RBI has also barred the PMC Bank from renewing or granting new loans, making investments, accepting fresh deposits or discharging any payments under its liabilities except for the salaries of its employees, electricity bills and other office expenses.
Navin Jethmalani tweeted, “Whatever is reason, It is working of bankers not citizens. Only few accounts should be freezed. Citizens are scared now. What about their hard earned money. One citizen fainted outside.”
Whatever is reason,
It is working of bankers not citizens.
However, RBI has clarified that the issuance of directions should not, per se, be construed as a cancellation of a banking license by it. ”The bank will continue to undertake banking business with restrictions till further notice and instructions. The Reserve Bank may consider modifications of these directions depending upon circumstances,” it said.
Karan Thakkar tweeted, “There are election in Maharashtra in one month and if modi government will not take action to retrieve people’s money back from Punjab and Maharashtra bank then there will be affect on election result it’s clear.”
#pmcbank shutdown
There are election in Maharashtra in one month and if modi government will not take action to retrieve people’s money back from punjab and Maharashtra bank then there will be affect on election result its clear
The Reserve Bank of India has put limitations on the withdrawal of amount by account-holders of the Mumbai-based Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC Bank). The Reserve Bank of India also restricted PMC Bank from making any advances or loans to its customers. People are in panic, the investors are clueless, and banks would have informed the customers well in advance. This could not have been an overnight decision. Why does the RBI not warn the depositors in Advance? At least, the customers would have not ventured to keep their hard earned money in such co-operative banks all for the sake of a per cent or more of higher interest. As always, it is the common man who is the victim of nefarious activities of the bank directors. Can we expect a change here from the present all-powerful government?
Many co-operative banks have always been involved in misconducts. It is sad that genuine customers also suffer from such punishments. The RRBs were opened to serve the customers of rural areas and ensuring development of rural areas. These co-operative banks were established under RRB Act .The central government and state government and sponsor banks are share holders .To reduce cost operations lower pay scales were fixed for staff and not pensionable. But these have been revised and RRB staff gets all facilities of PSB staff. Many RRBs were found not viable and loss making. Some of them were merged. As performance of RRBs was not satisfactory, a committee on RRBs was established. The Committee on Rural Banks suggested merger of RRBs with concerned Sponsor Banks. The suggestion on RRBs was accepted by RBI and suggested the same to Govt of India. The GOI is yet to take a decision in the matter. Mostly in coming years RRBs are likely to be merged with sponsored Public Sector Bank.
Now, the mergers of the banks are common. But the overnight shocks to account holders, such restrictions are new. RBI has put restrictions on Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC Bank).Depositors can withdraw from their accounts in the urban co-operative bank.
According to the Directions, depositors will be allowed to withdraw a sum not exceeding ₹1,000 of the total balance in every savings bank account or current account or any other deposit account by whatever name called, subject to conditions stipulated in the RBI Directions. PMC Bank can continue to undertake banking business with restrictions till further notice/instructions from RBI. The Reserve Bank may consider modifications of these directions depending upon circumstances. The restriction will remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business of the bank on September 23. Further, according to the RBI’s restrictions on the urban cooperative bank, PMC Bank will also not be able to grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowable of funds and accept fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations, without prior approval in writing from the central bank.
There were 27 public sector banks in India. Government of India owns all these banks with some public participation. Banks are commercial institutions. In this competitive market only strong institution can survive. In spite of having so many banks only SBI has global reach. Government is trying to consolidate banking industry. You must have seen multiple banks in the same locality or same building and all owned by the govt. By merging banks, they will become strong. With efficient management of resources, banks can focus on upgrading services and revenues, optimum staff utilisation, cost efficiencies and reduced NPAs. Extra space and premises will be desired. Extra branches will be closed. A large bank has a lower risk profile since overall institutional risk is decreased by larger number of similar-risk, complimentary loans. Recently, SBI has closed more than 3000 branches after merger, which is big, cost saving.
Bank’s capacity will increase by merging of balance sheet. Capital and profit will increase. There will be more synergy. Mergers and amalgamations are normal business phenomena across different industries. Banking is no exception. Mergers take place between weak banks with a stronger Bank to improve it’s functioning and widen its capital base. Similarly, two equally strong Banks come together to improve their market share. In India, consolidation and mergers have taken place earlier in United Bank of India, when RBI directed a few non-viable banks in Eastern India to merge into a single entity. Similarly, New Bank of India merged with PNB, when its NPAs became large. Some private Bank like Sri Krishna Bank Ltd merged with Canara Bank. Vyasa Bank became ING Vyasa and now merged with Kotak Mahindra Bank. This is a process of consolidation. Soon Andhra Bank is going to be merged with Union Bank. RBI controls all Indian Banks in same yardsticks without differentiating between Private and Nationalised banks. You can keep money in any of the banks but also be prepared for unexpected blocks.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Madhavrao Laxmanrao Apte was an Indian cricketer who played in seven Tests from 1952 to 1953. He was elected to the office of the president of the Cricket Club of India in 1989. He has since served as the president of the Club’s Legend’s Club and was the chairman of his family’s company, Apte Group.
Indian opener for seven Test matches in the early 1950s Madhav Apte passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital on Monday morning. He was 86 and would have turned 87 on October 5. He lived a full life, Apte scored 542 runs, that included an unbeaten 163 against the likes of Frank King, Gerry Gomez, Frank Worrell, Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadin in the Queens Park Oval Test of 1953. He played 67 first class matches (46 Ranji Trophy for Bombay and three for Bengal) scored 3336 runs, with six centuries and 16 half centuries. He was converted into an opening batsman by the legendary Vinoo Mankad. Apte was for many years the President of the Cricket Club of India and the Legends Club.
Madhav Apte, former Test cricketer, former Sheriff of Bombay, an industrialist and a man who wore many, many hearts, is no more. He was the fourth oldest living Indian Test cricketer after DK Gaekwad, CD Gopinath and Chandu Patankar. A great character of the game says goodbye. Madhav Apte was as genial as they come. Not playing Test cricket after scoring 460 runs in an away series surprised him, probably cut him deep, but he never showed it.
A Mumbai khadoos who never got bitter Madhav Apte was an aberration in Indian cricket in the true sense of the term. The right-handed opener, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Mumbai on Monday, averaged nearly 50 in Test cricket in seven games but didn’t go as far as one would have expected. Madhav Apte was an aberration in Indian cricket in the true sense of the term. Apte’s passion for the game stood as he played till he was past 70. He was one of the loved cricket personalities from the city. In his autobiography ‘As Luck Would Have It’ , Apte has spoken of how after his run in the West Indies, his father was approached by the then chief selector Lala Amarnath for a cloth distributorship for one of their flagship mills in New Delhi. His father declined. Apte was never picked to play for India after that.
To listen to him was rewinding cricket history. Dignified affable yet accessible as a senior. Simple man with simple tastes he loved his scrambled eggs and toast at the All rounder CCI; Passing Peddar Road and Woodland Apartments each time will bring back memories with a smile!. RIP
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
PM Modi more popular in US than President Donald Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reception and popularity in Houston, US has even given a nightmare to US President Donald Trump who hitherto thought he was the most powerful political leader in the world. Trump may be the US President but American’s call him a joker and were actually surprised when he was voted to power. He actually happens to be a businessmen but Modi actually works for a social cause and nation building.
Every top political leader including Trump wants to be in Modi’s good books and to be his friend except perhaps Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Modiji may not be academically very qualified but has grass rooted ideas that practically work in nation building. His model of governance is different but affective. He draws inspiration from hard work and honesty which are qualities that don’t fail but succeed in the long run. Indian economy may be on a difficult pitch to bat at the moment but most Indians have faith in their PM to bail them out in the days to come with an match winning knock that should knockout his opponents.
S.N. Kabra.
Onionsbringtearstothecommonman
The price of onions has seen a steep rise in the last few months. Very soon it will reach to Rs 100 a kilo. This will result in kitchen grievances for the households, as the prices are too high for most of the middle-class families to afford. Onions are needed daily for cooking. Without it, we are unable to cook our daily meals.
The government must control inflation and must do something to bring down the price of onions as a relief to the common man.
JubelD’Cruz
Super-costly cars for ex-Chief Ministers in Uttar Pradesh
After exposure of government-bungalows given to ex Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh (since got vacated following Supreme Court order), another shocking report about ex-Chief Ministers of the state enjoying yet other luxury of super-costly cars at public-expense has appeared when the state-government is reported to cut down budget for a car to be used by ex-Chief Minister from 1.5 crores to now 1 crore. Bitter aspect of unholy luxury came in media when Mercedes car costing more than rupees 1 crore allotted to Mulayam Singh Yadav was to be replaced now with Toyata Prado because state-government reduced entitled car to be valued at maximum rupees 1 crore from earlier rupees 1.5 crore.
But big question is why ex-Chief Ministers are given such undesired luxury at cost of public-exchequer. Even in USA, former President gets half of last-drawn salary as only post-retirement benefit. Better is if Yogi Adityanath government withdraws luxury of cars to ex-Chief Ministers of state to further ease out burden on public-exchequer funded by hard-earned money of tax-payers. Till such luxury is withdrawn, system may be formulated whereby any car purchased by government or any other public-authority may not exceed say rupees 10 lakhs as ex-showroom price so that political rulers and bureaucrats may learn to live in parity with commoners. However exemption may be for Governor and Chief Minister, where also upper limit may be rupees 20 lakh ex-showroom price.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that police cannot attach immovable properties during investigation of a criminal case. The apex court upheld the Bombay High Court order.
Justice Khanna, who read the judgment for the Bench, said it is a concurring judgment but Justice Gupta has given some additional reasons.
The top court interpreted Section 102 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which gives power to police for seizure of any property during criminal investigation of any case.
The Bombay High Court, in its majority verdict, had held that police has no power to seize property during the course of investigation. The Maharashtra government had challenged the said verdict of the High Court before the top court. The Supreme Court’s verdict in this case came almost after nine years.
We cannot rule out anyone completely, I believe AAP needs to do massive damage control to win any kind of election in near future. The ground reality is that AAP has done almost nothing here in Maharashtra and in Mumbai; earlier at least there were people like Anjali Damania and Mayank Gandhi who kept party in news. There were activities; there was talk and dialogue but these days only Preeti Sharma Menon who is National Executive Member and spokesperson of Aam Aadmi Party is doing her possible best but that is not enough to create a ground to win elections. She joined the India Against Corruption movement in 2011 and later on took party reins in hand here. AAP is almost a forgotten party in Mumbai and in Maharashtra it hardly has any existence. On top of that the controversial statements and baseless attacks on central government and Modi only made things worse for them. The party lost its narrative. To reach rest of India, AAP has to show some concrete work as an example just like Modi sold Gujarat model. AAP too had huge opportunity in Delhi and Mumbai with their anti corruption stand but they missed horribly.
The Aam Aadmi Party announced that it would contest the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election due in October 2019. Durgesh Pathak, state in-charge of AAP in Maharashtra, claimed that the Maharashtra government has failed on all fronts. AAP is aiming to provide a viable alternative to the people
of Mumbai. They believe that the Maharashtra state, once known to be to a progressive state, is today plagued with large-scale drought, floods, farmer suicides, agrarian distress, rising unemployment, failing law and order, rising crime, widespread corruption, bureaucratic inertia, lack of service delivery, economic slowdown and the near-collapse of public education. People are aware that the BJP has failed to deliver its promises; Devendra Fadnavis during his election campaign promised pothole free Mumbai. Arresting NCP’s corrupt ministers who were involved in irrigation scams. Rather he shielded corrupts but did not act against any NCP leader, especially Pawars. AAP came into existence because of anti-corruption movement using India against corruption platform.
Due to multiple scams that took place during UPA 2 regime people started to look for credible political alternative and Congress went into fast decline. During the same time far left also lost the credibility as national alternative. With the presence of right wing BJP that had a solid organisation base occupying the political space getting created by decline of Congress, the AAP too was keen to occupy the space, which was getting vacant and created for central party and leftists. However, the AAP lost the steam because of multiple reasons. Some of the factors were not in their control but others because of their own house was not in order.
As of now the regional parties rule states in India are Tamil Nadu (AAP has no appeal and leadership and supporter base here) Seema- Andhra Pradesh (AAP has no appeal and leadership and supporter base here) Telangana (AAP has no appeal and leadership and supporter base here too) Orissa, AAP has no trace. BJP is already taking a position here to be main opposition party and AAP has no appeal and leadership and supporter base here. So in summary AAP is left with only Delhi. They have some chance to be here only in Delhi politics. But New Delhi being Capital of India is a unique state as there is no complete statehood and lot of authority and power will continue in the hand of Central government.
With their fulfillment of promises in Delhi and radical change they provided in work administration of New Delhi has made them strong contenders to the 7 seats in Delhi. Though they didn’t win single seat in 2014 in Delhi, they had a vote share of 32.94 %. This shows their strong presence in the Capital even before their devastating 67/70 in Assembly election 2015. This year with increased manpower, experience and a good team 4–5 seats can be expected by AAP. Other than this party’s increasing fame in Punjab is astonishing. This change and a successful turnout in 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections with 23.80 % vote share can increase the expectations from AAP. Hence 4 or 5 seats can be expected from the Aam Aadmi Party in assembly elections.
If AAP fails this time, then they might end up having the dubious distinction of being one of the shortest-lived political parties in India, to gain and lose people’s mandate so quickly. Arvind Kejriwal, its charismatic leader cleverly exploited the popularity of honest people and sincere organizations to climb up the political ladder only to kick them in the teeth after achieving his objectives. This would be perhaps a last chance for AAP, if they win they would remain in power and if they lose they will not have any near future to return.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Aam Aadmi Party is all set to contest 50 seats for the Maharashtra Assembly polls. AAP which was once considered as serious contender to challenge BJP and Congress has lost its sheen after it won only one seat out of over 40 it contested across nine states and Union territories in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. AAP had announced that it will contest the upcoming assembly polls in Maharashtra claiming that the state government had failed on all fronts. The party’s campaign committee for Maharashtra polls will have Ranga Rachure as convenor, Kishore Mandhyan as co-convenor and Dhananjay Shinde as secretary. Senior Party leader Preeti Sharma Menon will be a member of the committee which will oversee poll preparations.
“Despite the electorate voting for change in the previous election the present Devendra Fadnavis led BJP-Shiv Sena government has been a colossal failure on all fronts. Maharashtra once known to be a progressive state is plagued with large scale drought, floods, farmer suicides, agrarian distress, rising unemployment, failing law and order, rising crime, widespread corruption, lack of service delivery, and economic slowdown,” said Durgesh Pathak state in charge of AAP, Maharashtra.
The party recorded its highest vote share in the national capital at 18.10 per cent. AAP had fielded candidates in Delhi, Chandigarh, Bihar, Goa, Punjab, Andaman and Nicobar, Haryana, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. In 2014 AAP had won four Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, though it lost on all seats in Delhi it came second on the seven constituencies.
AAP national spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon said, “We have fielded around 50 candidates for assembly polls. We won’t be going for alliance with any political party rather decided to go solo. We will be starting our campaign with Sanjay Singh who is our Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson, from day after tomorrow.”
The vote share of AAP in the nine states remained dismal. In Delhi, it got 18.10 per cent which was the highest for the party. In UP the party had 0.01 per cent vote, 0.36 per cent vote share in Haryana,7.38 per cent in Punjab, 3.02 per cent in Chandigarh, 0.06 per cent in Bihar, 1.37 per cent in Andaman and Nicobar, 3.01 per cent in Goa and 0.03 per cent in Odisha. The most humiliating loss came to AAP from Delhi where the party was expecting to win atleast four seats. Analysts believe the performance of AAP, the ruling party in Delhi, in the Lok Sabha polls might impact its prospects in assembly polls early next year. The AAP had won 67 out of 70 seats in 2015 Delhi assembly elections. The BJP had won only 3 seats while the Congress had failed to open its account.
On the other hand, AAP national joint secretary Ruben Mascarenhas said, “We will field at least 50 candidates for contesting assembly polls. The list which we are going to release will have candidates from Vidarbha, Mumbai, North Maharashtra. Talks are going on with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi but nothing has been finalised yet.”
Meanwhile, AAP announced the name of 22 candidates for the October 21 assembly polls in Haryana. They include Ranbir Singh Rathi from Gurugram, Kumari Sumanata Vashisth from Faridabad, Santosh Yadav from Faridabad NIT, Harendra Bhati from Ballabhgadh, Yogeshwar Sharma from Panchkula, Anshul Kumar Agarwal from Ambala City. The term of the present Haryana Assembly expires on November 2 and the Election Commission has announced the polls to the 90 seats whose results will be declared on October 24.
First list of AAP Candidates for Maharashtra State Assembly Elections 2019
Adv. Paromita Goswami- Bramhapuri Constituency, Chandrapur District of Vidarbha
Vitthal Govind Lad –Jogeshwari East Assembly Constituency in Mumbai Suburb
Dr Ananda Dadu Gurav –Karveer Constituency in Kolhapur District of Western Maharashtra
Vishal Vadghule- Nandgaon Assembly Constituency in Nasik District of Northern Maharashtra
Dr Abhijit More- Kothrud Assembly in Pune district of Western Maharashtra
Siraj Khan- Chandivli Constituency of Mumbai Suburban region
Dilip Tawde- Dindoshi Constituency in Mumbai Suburban region
Sandeep Sonawane- Parvati Constituency, Pune District of Western Maharashtra
There are many who asked me what Howdy Modi is. Houston is the fourth-largest city with a population of over 1,30,000 Indian-Americans and “Howdy”, is a short form for ‘How do you do?’, which is a friendly greeting commonly used in the southwestern United States. Houston, the fourth most populous city of the US and most populous in Texas, is named after Samuel Houston. This was one of the largest gatherings of the Indian-origin Diaspora ever addressed by Modi and Trump. More than 50,000 Indian-Americans from across the country had attended the “Howdy, Modi!” event, the largest-ever gathering of this minority but affluent ethnic community in the US. The gargantuan event, rowdily named as “Howdy, Modi!”Really reflects the growing size, power and complexity of the Indian-American community, both in the Houston area and the U.S. The most significant attendee in “Howdy Modi” was US President Donald Trump. This is because Trump, who as a Republican presidential candidate in 2016 promised to be India’s best friend. The Houston event came ahead of the 2020 US presidential elections, in which the influential Indian-American community is expected to play a big role. Trump will earn more votes from Indian Americans in the 2020 presidential elections. This reveals the fact that PM Modi is a polarising politician – loved and loathed in equal measure in the world.
Modi’s main two engagements in Houston were addressing the NRI community at a stadium and a roundtable meeting with CEOs and top executives of US energy companies. Over 1,000 volunteers and 650 organizations had mobilized to make it possible. The Indian-Americans were very enthusiastic about PM Modi and US President Donald Trump as they jointly addressed a mega ‘Howdy, Modi’ rally, which they feel can take the bilateral ties to a new level. The entire city of Houston enjoyed the festivities and learned about Indian-Texan relations.
With the cultural program, the attendees experienced the vibrant expressions of people empowered by their identity and driven to enrich the communities around them. The cultural programme arranged preceding PM Modi’s address, showcasing Indian-American artists from Texas has portrayed how the community is woven into the larger tapestry of American life. It has also involved broad-based community participation across the United States.
The show had also lighted on unsung heroes in the Indian-American community who had undertaken selfless acts benefiting the broader American community without any need of recognition.
There is no doubt that this event is a unique moment in world history as the leaders of the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy shared a stage speaking to 50,000 Indian-Americans.
Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardhan Shringla has rightly described Howdy Modi as the “largest event” of its kind, adding that it is a bigger and momentous event as compared to all the previous overseas community events of PM Modi. The event was organized by non-profit Texas India Forum (TIF), a representative body of Indian-American organizations in Texas and other parts of the US. The message is very loud and clear that US and India are natural allies and this relationship will get stronger as time goes. It has created a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between the people of the United States and India and to discuss the ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship.
Today there are many in Houston who are Modi’s supporters and are very much attracted by the PM Modi’s attitude towards modernization, the environment and improving India’s economy. One would see that there are no other leaders like Modi and Trump who works for their country, love their country and for them the country comes first. The United States and India must work closely together to address the pressing issues that impact our nations, our countries, and the entire world too.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Idea of simultaneous elections may not be a dream-come-true
Election Commission has announced election-schedule for Haryana and Maharashtra state assemblies with single-day poll to be held on October 21, 2019, meaning thereby that idea of much-needed simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and all state-assemblies as also strongly advocated by Prime Minister, may not be a dream-come-true.
A smart beginning could be made by imposing short-term President-rule in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand till February 2020 (Jammu-Kashmir is already under President-rule) when elections to all these state-assemblies could be held along with Delhi state-assembly in February 2020. Even Bihar state-assembly could be dissolved a bit earlier so that elections in Bihar could also be held in February, 2020.
There would not have been resistance to such step because all the state-assemblies mentioned above are ruled by BJP and its allies. Otherwise also, February is considered to be most appropriate month for holding elections. In such a scenario, any next elections for any of the state-assembly would have been February 2022 as a step in direction for simultaneous elections.
However a smart beginning can now be made to avoid concept of hung state-assemblies and unstable government experimenting simultaneous election of new Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker for Haryana and Maharashtra by secret and compulsory elections through EVMs equipped with VVPAT on nominations signed by at least 34-per cent members with abstaining members losing right to vote in the House though retaining its membership. Such elected incumbents may be removed only through same process but with compulsion to name alternate leader in the same motion.
Central government should issue an ordinance before October 27, 2019 whereby no person may be allowed to contest from more than one constituency, and a sitting MP or MLA compulsorily resigning from earlier seat before filing nomination for elections to prevent unnecessary by-elections in case of a candidate winning from more than one constituency, or by-election caused by a sitting MP winning for state-assembly.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
NSDL must shift to online KYC updation process
Trading in India by single investors is centralised with the online electronic services provided by National Securities Depository Limited. NSDL thus facilitates seamless information related trading of shares as associated with respected Depository Participant (DP) in online format. A unique CAS Id is generated by NSDL for each account holder for the benefit of shareholders to ascertain the status of overall account maintained through stocks and through a consolidated monthly statement.
Further for the benefit of depository holders under each account the need to update basic information in KYC like email, telephone and address is not possible through the existing centralised online portal i.e. NSDL. Otherwise one is only directed to a Depository Participant (DP) to update KYC details in an offline mode. The NSDL portal still insists and directs a participant only to physically verify the KYC details while an online verification will help ensure faster updation of details.
Thus there is now an urgent need to restore KYC for NSDL account holders instantly through an online mode. The current system of paper passed updation is archaic and consumes a lot of time. Further with the availability of seamless technology and enhanced online security, NSDL can further initiate quick steps to relook its current manual KYC updation process and upgrade to online system based verification process.
Varun Dambal
Aarey at it again
In what can spell trouble for the Maharashtra government and also to Mumbai Metro Rail corporation Limited the Bombay HC indicated that into would look into the controversial metro III about shifting to Kanjurmarg instead of Aarey colony. It is reliably learnt that it was decided to construct the car sheds for both Metro III and Metro VI lines at Kanjurmarg and the sudden change of place creates a controversy and the resultant turn around in the case. Thus Aarey versus Kanjurmarg question is raised and going rounds as of now.
C.K. Suresh
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Madhavrao Laxmanrao Apte
PM Modi more popular in US than President Donald Trump
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