Letters to the Editor: 16 September, 2019

By

-

September 16, 2019

Weak economic growth figures are cause for concern!

India’s economic growth is weaker than expected says IMF and this is a matter of grave concern. Multiple factors are responsible for the weak data and time to press alarm bells to undo the damage. Unemployment and inflation are on the rise and these can create social unrest in the country which can have cascading affect not just on economy but law and order situation in the country as well. Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan as well as former PM Manmohan Singh has come out with critical analysis and government needs to pay attention to it.

Government should not just depend on RBI reserves to control fiscal deficit but take strong measures as suggested by economists to put economy back on track. Loss making PSU‘s including Air India should be sold till they command value as job of government is governance and not business. People like Manmohan Singh, Raghuram Rajan and their tribe should be heard as well as suggestions from them acted upon.

S.N.Kabra.

Need for an Indian National Health Service (NHS)

The lack of competent primary care bedevils our health system. Unless this is addressed our pitiable health statistics cannot be rectified. Despite having an excellent template provided by the Bhore Committee report, we have not made much progress in the area. The inferiority of the private health system of the U.S. in comparison with the public health service of the European countries should show us the way. Perhaps, we do need our own Aneurine Bevan to get us a National Health Service.

Babar Ali Balasathwi

Name-and-shame Parliamentarians still gluing to government-accommodation

It refers to 82 former Parliamentarians still gluing to government-accommodations despite a parliamentary-panel ordering to cut their supply of electricity and water. Central government should adopt policy of Name-and-Shame to make their names public through media-advertisements cost of which should be deducted from their pension-amounts as part of cost involved in eviction-proceedings. Rule should be that in case former Parliamentarians and others do not themselves vacate government-accommodations within 90 days of losing entitlement, not only these should be forcefully vacated but also all such persons should lose right to contest any election in future.

Market-rents for unlawfully retaining government-accommodations should be reviewed to match actual market-rents. Overstaying persons not paying such revised market-rents and any other pending dues like for telephone, electricity and water should also not be allowed to contest any election till they clear all their pending dues. Also there should be a system of auto-deduction of such government-dues from salaries and pensions of law-makers.

Madhu Agrawal

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

Decision on seat sharing with Shiv Sena in Assembly elections soon: Fadnavis

By

Web Team

-

September 16, 2019

Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra Assembly Elections Shiv Sena BJP,ShivSena,BJP,Assembly Elections,Maharashtra Elections — Image Courtesy: ANI

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that talks are going on with Shiv Sena regarding seat-sharing in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and a decision will be taken soon. CM was talking to media regarding his Maha Janadesh Yatra in Karad, Satara district.

Fadnavis said, “Talks are going on, we will soon take a decision regarding seat-sharing.” During this event, CM said that several Congress leaders also supported the central government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, while others have opposed it. “I want to ask Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan whether he supports this decision or he is against it,” he questioned.

Targeting NCP chief Sharad Pawar over his recent statement allegedly praising Pakistan, Fadnavis said, “Sharad Pawar is a senior leader. While giving a statement, he should think about whether it will benefit Pakistan or India.” He said that such statements were made to take benefit in Assembly elections.

It is remarkable that Sharad Pawar on Saturday praised Pakistan saying that people are happy in the Islamic nation as against the common belief in India. He said BJP-led central government was spreading fake propaganda against Pakistan for political gains.

Sharad Pawar said, “People here say Pakistanis are facing injustice and are unhappy but it is not true. Such statements are being made only for political gains without understanding the actual situation in Pakistan.” The former Union Minister said that he had visited Pakistan on several occasions where he was accorded hospitality as “Pakistanis believe that even if they can’t go to India to meet their relatives, they treat an Indian as their relatives”.

Tensions prevail between India and Pakistan ever since the Pulwama terror attack in February in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. India had hit back at Pakistan with an airstrike in Balakot. On August 5 India scrapped Article 370 which had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Tensions heightened following the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan started approaching the global community to seek their support on the matter. Incidents of ceasefire violations, attempted infiltration through the borders of Jammu and Kashmir have only added to the tensions.

Frustrated with the snub from the international community over the nullification of Article 370, which India described as “internal matter”, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has even threatened India with nuclear war over the situation in Kashmir.

Cop Pradeep Sharma became Shiv Sainik

By

Rajesh Choudhary

-

September 15, 2019

Encounter cop Pradeep Sharma has joined Shiv Sena ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. He is likely to contest the assembly polls from Nalasopara assembly constituency. Speaking to media, Pradeep Sharma said, “When I was in the service, I was always inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray. He always stood by us.” He stated further, “I have given my best to the department as a cop, now here to win the hearts and bring change in public life.”

Sharma served in the police department for 35 years. Currently, he is indulged in various types of social work through his NGO – PS Foundation.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said, “When Pradeep Sharma was in police, his gun spoke, now his mann (mind) will speak.”

On being asked about possible candidature of Pradeep Sharma from Nalasopara constituency, Hitendra Thakur, president of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) told Afternoon Voice, “This is not a new news, everybody knows it. BVA leaders and workers have spent five years among people of Nalasopara, it is not a matter of one day. It is not a big issue. They are wise and they better know what to do. BVA workers and supporters will tackle the situation very well.”

Sharma joined the Mumbai police force on January 21, 1983 and was posted at Mahim police station. Noticing his skill of gathering intelligence through human resources, Sharma was transferred to the crime branch to eliminate the dreaded Mumbai underworld, which had gained notoriety in the late 1980s and 90s. He was involved in 112 encounters involving several gangsters, including Parvez Siddiqui, Rafiq Dabbawala, Sadik Kalia and three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) suspects.

Manisha Kayande, Shiv Sena spokesperson, said. “The party has not announced any candidate from Nalasopara. Yet, these are speculations only. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will take a final decision in this regard.”

His name cropped up in the fake encounter case of Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya. Sharma was dismissed after the Mumbai police invoked section 311 of the CrPC, which the police officer challenged and his dismissal was revoked. The court also acquitted him.

It is worth mentioning that Pradeep Sharma had applied for a VRS on July 4, 2019. Since then there was speculation that he might join the Shiv Sena and fight elections from the Andheri Saki Naka or the Nalasopara constituency. The state government accepted his resignation on September 9, 2019. However, Pradeep Sharma will not be able to get retirement benefits like pension etc. till the Bombay High Court gives its verdict on a petition challenging Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) order in the Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya fake encounter case.

Should a woman suffer Domestic Violence that destroys her family life?

By

Vaidehi Taman

-

September 15, 2019

Adv. Pratibha Bangera (Divorce and Family court lawyer) explains how domestic violence in families separates the family bond to our Editor in chief Dr Vaidehi Taman.

Is it really necessary to file PWDV complaint for family matters?

Domestic violence of any kind may deny a woman from enjoying a good family bond. Every citizen is entitled to have a good family life and dignity. How can a person suffer humiliation and not react. And why should any woman suffer the reckless violent behaviour of another family member?

Unfortunately there is no constitutional duty towards “Good Family behaviour or community behaviour” neither does our education system train families. Some educated and socially well settled persons also treat members of their family with violence. Giving and taking respect from family comes with personal responsibility and if it does not come, there are courts to help.

Can everyday fights of family be termed as Domestic violence?

No. Only those family fights that have a “criminal intention” to cause physical, emotional, mental, sexual or financial harm to “a woman” is unlawful. Including name calling for not having children or male child or alienating property or holding valuables or jewellery, or restricting movements or household facilities or even willful omission can be termed as abusive depending on overall facts and circumstances.

Is the PWDV Act only for protection of wife?

No. Every woman including mother or sister or daughter who is suffering within the family can file a DV complaint.

And should this complaint be only against men or other women also?

“DV” complaint can be filed against another woman including a mother-in- law or a sister-in-law in addition to other male members of family.

But can a mother-in-law also file a “DV” complaint against a daughter-in-law?

Earlier only a wife could file a “DV” complaint against a husband or his relatives but the Supreme Court has deleted the words “adult male” from the Act as its unconstitutional and if other ingredients of domestic violence are satisfied, a suffering mother-in-law can also file DV complaint against her daughter-in-law.

What is the procedure to file this complaint?

The police of area in which the suffering woman stays with her family acts upon her complaint and makes a “domestic incident report” but the police cannot provide any reliefs without a court order. The suffering woman therefore should get court order and seek implementation through police.

Why was the “PWDV Act” introduced when relief in Family court are almost similar?

A suffering woman needs protection orders. A registered company or cooperative society can also file a complaint on her behalf and no action can be taken against them for helping such woman. There are several shelter homes who take such distressed women by virtue of this Act.

Under the PWDV Act, there is an urgency made out to expedite hearing of these matters. The judiciary and police officers are given periodic sensitisation and awareness training. While family courts cases are for disputes between husband and wife, the “PWDV” complaints are responsibility of the State and police machinery to reduce criminal acts.

Is it not encouraging women to misuse this special right given under DV?

Every Act is introduced to reform laws. The use or misuse of these Acts are also checked from time to time as required and necessary. To ensure that these complaints have substance, the family is sent to police mediation center to resolve disputes amicably. There are Supreme Court guidelines for procedure and the Magistrate is also required to check the “domestic incident report” before registering the complaint.

While final decision is subject to trial and “proof of violence” the suffering woman gets immediate relief and financial support through court which directs husband to pay for monthly maintenance, child support, fees and residence for herself and her children.

Misuse of any law happens mostly because of wrongful means for which judiciary cannot be blamed. There are reliefs and remedies available even for false cases. Ignorance of law is no excuse.

What is the time frame for completion of DV cases and does the court complete such cases within that time?

A Magistrate is required to fix hearing date within three days of receipt of DV complaint and dispose off the entire application within 60 days. In most of the cases urgent reliefs are granted speedily but trial may delay or take time. The delay is caused due to reasons beyond control of court for reasons such as husband does not receive service or remains absent or evades filing replies on time. In such cases also the court passes ex parte orders. There are remedies available which parties should exercise even for such delays.

Is it necessary to file DV complaint along with 498 A case?

No. They are absolutely different category of cases.

Can a DV case be filed where husband and wife are residing outside India ?

Yes. An Indian woman residing outside the country can file a case in the country where she resides or even in India. But since the nature of this complaint is of criminal nature, she may have to remain present for important court dates and otherwise if she is a working woman, she may request for a video conference court appearance to address her issues. And in some case, even her other family members in India can initiate or proceed to appear in such case on her behalf.

Saris are here to stay for centuries

By

Jayanthy Subramaniam

-

September 15, 2019

In the fashion world, Sari has assumed prominent place, with the womenfolk preferring the six yard wonder as the best dress for all the seasons. It is worth mentioning here that the women in Pakistan prefer saris even though ex-president Zia declared it un-Islamic. By draping the sari around your body with proper matching blouse, you get the feeling of security and the posh look. The Kancheepuram Sari get the top spot but the chiffon and pure silk saris assumes greater look when you attend a function. The traditional dress sari is a household dress amongst Indian women living abroad also. The pallu and the pleats all give you a gorgeous look as well as good appearance. There is nothing like a sari to make you look most elegant all the times. There is no doubt about it. Thus, by far the sari is the most flexible garment available in the fashion world.

The symbolism of sari go a long way in developing the personality of a woman in the office as a PRO or a Company or a Personal secretary. It is a wrap worth wearing with all glamour and style. The sari is much more than just six yards of cloth. Its history can be traced right back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Dyes used in ancient times like indigo, yellow and red are still in existence. The sari is not exclusive to India; it is worn in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka too. Of course the manner of draping it is different. But then that is true of states within the country too.

In Tamil Nadu alone, there are three distinct styles. Apart from the normal drape, there is the nine-yard madissar worn by the Tamil Brahmins. The Kongu style with the pleats at the back is common in Coimbatore. Visitors to Coimbatore usually ask about the saris of this region and picking up silk and cotton saris is definitely of their choice. Not just texture, the colour combinations and motifs are also unique. The saris of the South have been inspired by nature and temple architecture. Traditional motifs like the rudraksham, simham, mayil kannu, paalum pazhamumand kodivisiri are becoming rarer. This makes the ones we have inherited even more valuable.

In modern times, contemporary saris like Palum Pazhamum is giving way for new trend of designer saris. I think that the sari has evolved from a traditional garment to one that is capable of showcasing the diverse fashion statement of each individual woman. Sari is considered best worn attire during summer, it is the perfect opportunity to bring out your choice of cotton saris. Pick cool cottons for work and soft silks for special occasions. Staying comfortable is as important as being stylish. With women opting to wear saris in the corporate world, the sari means business and is here to stay. The air of grace that a vintage sari can give is like no other. Of course, one can give it a modern twist depending on the occasion. For example, you can pair it with a contemporary boat-necked sleeveless blouse and wear modern jewellery.

In recent times, cine actors like Vidya Balan are die hard sari lovers and their success in the big screen is counted upon by the sari culture. There was organic and synthetic sari used by the old timers. But the present generation go for pattu and chiffon of different colours and designs. Women make big collection of saris and prefer to wear it according to the occasion with matching blouses. A subtle current of Indianising the fashion was already there, but now with government backing, it has gained renewed momentum. Nalli Silks famous for silk and pattu saris and having branches in almost all parts of the country and also abroad achieved an award from Smriti Irani for all the good work they have done in sari business for years. The success story of sari will continue so long as women love to wear lovely saris with different colours and attractive border to back them. Saris are here to stay for centuries.

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

Letters to the Editor: 15 September, 2019

By

Web Team

-

September 15, 2019

Danger of traffic fines

I have seen on several occasions traffic policemen not issuing challans to their own men in uniform for violating traffic rules. If there is a law, it should be for everyone and not just for the common man.

With this new Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 in several States of India, there is going to be more corruption in the country and people will lose faith in the government and in the judiciary. There is also going to be more traffic policemen and traffic inspectors on the roads to collect bribes from people and arrest them under false cases. The government, it looks like, is hell bent on looting the common man of his hard-earned money to mobilise additional revenue to the exchequer.

Jubel D’Cruz

BJP should stop migration of corrupt leaders

BJP has become a hot destination for the corrupt as those with corruption charges insure themselves by joining the ruling government. People who voted the Modi government in power are being let down and such act of sympathy towards the corrupt are unwarranted. The Prime Minister enjoys not just public faith but even the mandate which is so very important in a democracy.

BJP should immediately stop this migration, else their own leaders would face conflict as well as defection. A rotten apple spoils the barrel and BJP should not let the corrupt spoil its own bunch of leaders who have been elected due to their clean image. ‘Aaya Ram Gaya Ram’ (defections) culture should have no place in a democracy more so when it is done with vested interest in mind!

S.N. Kabra.

Operate Rajdhani Express daily

It is welcome to note the extension in days running of 22221/22222 Mumbai CST- H.Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express via Nashik. The train now operates four times a week instead of earlier slot of bi-weekly schedule. The move will highly benefit many passengers bound to New Delhi via the Central line and also connect to important places like Nashik on this route.

It is further requested to the Central Railway authorities to now consider running Rajdhani Express from Mumbai CST on all 7 days of the week. As the response to this train is very overwhelming leading to high demand and hence there is an urgent need to convert this into a daily train. An arrangement needs to be considered to run the train on all the days of the weekend i.e. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in both the directions. The same will facilitate passengers to utilise the Rajdhani Express services especially on weekends and thus further help ensure optimum utilisation of the rakes on a daily basis.

Hence it is hereby requested to the Central Railway authoriites to consider operating the train number 22221/22222 Mumbai CST- H.Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express on all the seven days of the week instead of present four days a week.

Varun Dambal

Centre should follow UP for eviction of government-bungalows

It refers to welcome news about UP government implementing court-order to get vacated government-bungalow allotted to Lohia Trust. Instead of such PILs being filed by rightful-thinking persons in respect of different states, policy of allotment of government-bungalows should be uniform for all states and centre. Or else, Supreme Court can sue-motto extend such welcome order for all states and the centre to save precious time of court, and safeguarding public-resources wasted by governments for pleasure of politicians.

The central government should get government-bungalow numbers 6 Krishna Menon Marg and composite unit of bungalow-numbers 12, 14 and 16 at Gurudwara Rakabganj Road (New Delhi) vacated by cancelling lease of these bungalows. UPA government had succumbed to demands of the then Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and BSP Supremo Mayawati to indirectly convert these bungalows as memorials for Babu Jagjiwanram and Kashiram respectively by giving these on long lease to trusts managed by Meira Kumar and Mayawati after forcefully keeping these properties occupied against se norms.

Enquiry should be made and guilty ones exposed and punished who allowed violation of rules in regard to large-scale structural changes at composite unit of bungalow-numbers 12, 14 and 16 at Gurudwara Rakabganj Road (New Delhi) where rules for Leyton Zone does not permit even minor changes in government-bungalows in New Delhi.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

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

Two Naxals killed in encounter in Gadchiroli

By

Web Team

-

September 15, 2019

Naxal Gadchiroli Maharashtra,Gadchiroli,Naxal encounter,Naxal,Maharashtra — Representational Image

Two Naxals were killed and several injured in an encounter with police in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district on Sunday morning, a police official said.

The gun-battle took place in Narkasa forest area, located around 170 km from Nagpur, when commandos of C-60, a specialised anti-Naxal unit of Maharashtra police, were combing the area, he said.

On specific information, the security men went to the forest area and were conducting an anti-Naxal operation when the exchange of fire took place between the two sides, the police spokesperson said.

“Two Naxals were killed in the skirmish,” he said, adding that the deceased were yet to be identified. A large number of daily use items were recovered from the spot, he said.

It is remarkable that sixteen persons, including 15 security personnel, were killed as Maoists triggered an IED blast on a truck carrying a team of C-60 commandos in Gadchiroli on May 1, 2019. Sources said that the attack was revenge for the encounters conducted by the commando unit in the region last year, in which 40 Maoist cadres were killed. This blast was triggered at 12.30 pm, hours after Maoists torched at least three dozen vehicles belonging to private contractors in Kurkheda sub-district of Gadchiroli. The impact of the blast, left a large crater on the road.

The commando unit, part of the Quick Response Team of Gadchiroli police, had set out in a private vehicle for patrolling after the arson incident, said officials. As per reports, the targeted vehicles, mostly belonged to Amar Infrastructures Ltd, and were engaged in construction works for the Purada-Yerkad sector of NH 136 near Dadapur village. The Maoists have been observing a week-long protest to mark the first anniversary of 40 of their comrades who were gunned down by security forces on April 22 last year.

Congress and NCP sunk in state, All big leaders joined Sena-BJP

By

Suraj Chandran

-

September 13, 2019

With an eye on the assembly polls many big leaders from Congress and NCP are joining BJP. Large number of defections from Congress and NCP will certainly have an impact on both these parties in the assembly polls. On one hand, party workers and senior leaders are leaving NCP and joining BJP, on the other hand, NCP veterans are attacking other political parties. Ajit Dada Pawar questioned Raj Thackeray that why he has gone silent after ED inquiry? To which Raj Thackeray did not answer but NCP’s own leaders have answered why they are quitting Pawar‘s NCP and joining BJP.

When our correspondent Nikhil Sagare spoke to NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad he said, “If leaders are quitting NCP to join BJP it won’t make a difference to the party. People vote for those leaders who work for their welfare. Party doesn’t come to an end if leaders quit the outfit.”

Senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Ganesh Naik on Wednesday joined BJP in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis. Navi Mumbai was the strongest fort held by NCP. However, after Ganesh Naik joining the BJP, the NCP seems to have lost the civic body. Ganesh Naik’s departure from NCP was expected as his son Sanjeev Naik had shifted loyalties a few days ago. Naik who belongs to the Agri community has dominated Thane politics for some time. Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “Ganesh Naik would be guardian of Thane district.” It is clear indication of present Shiv Sena guardian minister Eknath Shinde‘s tenure would be over after election. This is what is making Shinde’s supporter upset since Naik’s announcement of entering BJP.

Congress leader Bhai Jagtap said, “If leaders are quitting Congress to join BJP then it won’t affect the party’s functioning. Leaders have achieved success after working for Congress. Congress has faced such kind of situation in the past and the outfit has come back strongly.“

Meanwhile, Harshvardhan Patil of Congress joined BJP to create a threat to Pawar’s empire in Baramati. Supriya Sule had lost in three assembly segments in the Lok Sabha elections but survived because of huge margin Harshvardhan managed in Indapur. He had supported NCP MP Supriya Sule to ensure her victory from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat this year in the hope that the Sharad Pawar-led party would back his candidacy in the upcoming Assembly polls from Indapur, a segment of the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. The four-time MLA from Indapur in Pune district had lost the 2014 Assembly elections by a slender margin to the NCP’s Dattatrey Bharne. The Congress and NCP had contested the 2014 elections separately. Harshvardhan’s exit is likely to be a major setback for the Congress as he has been a top leader of the party in the state. In 1995, 1999 and 2004 he was elected as an independent candidate while in 2009 he contested on a Congress ticket.

Patil along with his daughter Ankita, a member of Pune Zilla Parishad and his son Rajvardhan joined BJP. Patil served as minister of state for agriculture and marketing in the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance government during the 1995-99.

He won the 1995 Assembly election as an independent candidate. He served as minister during the Congress-NCP alliance government from 1999 to 2014.

He joined the Congress in 2009 and was handling the Cooperation and Parliamentary affairs portfolios. Fadnavis indicated that Patil would be BJP’s candidate from Indapur Assembly seat in next month’s election.

In a major setback to NCP chief Sharad Pawar an influential party lawmaker from Satara, Udayanraje Bhosale is all set to join BJP on September 14. Amid intense speculations of his joining BJP the Satara MP met Pawar at his residence in Pune. The meeting between two leaders came two days after Bhosale met CM Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. His cousin and NCP’s Satara MLA Shivendrasinh Bhosale had recently quit the opposition party to join BJP along with other legislators like Sandip Naik and Vaibhav Pichad.

BJP guarantees protection and shelter to all corrupt politicians

By

Vaidehi Taman

-

September 13, 2019

Defection in Indian Politics is not a new concept but the way BJP stuffing its party with all corrupts and tainted ministers is worth noticing. BJP has opened refuse-camp for political destitute under sponsorship of Modi and Shah. Anyone who has income tax, ED, CBI, state agencies, rivals, creditors, money lenders, Bhai, goons and press chasing, they have to just call 107, the BJP ambulance will rush for help and take them to the shelter. Here they will be given first aid and later political posts if they deserve or of any use to BJP or else they would be tamed and kept aside and as an immovable asset. Out of all those who left Congress-NCP, one is worth noticing and he is Shivendra Bhosale. He is descendent of second house of Shivaji. The one from first house is already with BJP. How will government change with these turncoats?

With just over a month left for the Maharashtra assembly polls, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get top leaders from the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to join the party. Former minister Harshvardhan Patil (Indapur, Pune) of the Congress and Navi Mumbai strongman Ganesh Naik of the NCP are the top names in the list who joined the BJP in presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Harshvardhan Patil’s exit is a big setback for the Congress as he has been a top leader of the party in the state. He has been an MLA four times from the Indapur Assembly seat in Pune district. Patil also has a record of serving as a minister in all state governments from 1995 to 2014.

In 1995, 1999 and 2004 he was elected as an Independent candidate, while in 2009 he contested on a Congress ticket. In 1995, he supported the Shiv Sena-BJP government and was also made a minister. Patil’s fight in local politics has always been against the NCP. In 2014, when the Congress and NCP broke ties, Harshvardhan Patil lost to NCP candidate Datta Bharane. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Patil patched up with the Pawars and supported Supriya Sule on the Baramati Lok Sabha seat.

He was upset with the NCP alleging that the party will not keep its word on helping him in the forthcoming assembly polls. Patil wants to contest from Indapur while the local NCP leaders are not willing to give away the seat. The Indapur constituency, however, is with the Shiv Sena. With Patil joining the BJP and wanting to contest from the constituency, the BJP will have to exchange the seat with ally Shiv Sena. Another big name joined the BJP is that of Navi Mumbai strongman Ganesh Naik. His son and Airoli MLA Sandeep already joined the BJP last month. The Naik family has ruled the satellite town of Navi Mumbai for years. Ganesh Naik has been a cabinet minister for 15 years holding important portfolios. Naik’s other son, Sanjeev was elected as an MP from Thane in 2009. Naik family supporters rule the cash-rich Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. 55 corporators belonging to the NCP also joined BJP, bringing the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation under BJP rule. However, sitting BJP MLA from Navi Mumbai Manda Mhatre and Ganesh Naik do not see eye to eye and are sworn political enemies. The BJP state leadership may have to face some tough times in keeping the peace between the warring factions of Mhatre and Naiks.

Moreover, the image of Congress and NCP as ”corrupted political parties” still has not changed since senior leaders, one by one, was arrested by Govt Agencies at the Capital for the involvement, in corruption cases. Secondly, every Congressman knows the present status / position of the party after the recent Lok Sabha elections. And at the same time, they also realised about the strength and strategy of BJP / Modi Govt. which has been popular in the country and its developments / safety with corruption-free governance, in the last five years.

Recent arrests of Ex-FM Chidambaram by CBI and Ex-Minister D K Shivakumar by Enforcement Directorate, made many of the Congress leaders much feared and the role of Congress party in this matter, was zero. Particularly, many Congress leaders, appreciated the scrapping of Article 370, which provides special status for Jammu and Kashmir, by BJP government. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora, Janardan Dwivedi, Deepender Singh Hooda, Anil Shastri, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Aditi Singh of late, senior leaders in Congress party like Jairam Ramesh, Abhishek Singhvi, Shashi Tharoor and Mani Shankar Aiyar started praising BJP / Modi government openly – for the country’s interest. The very recent controversial statements made by Congress leaders in the States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka, made the Congress Chief confused as no one was ready to support the party. Previously, only people lost the hope on Congress and now its leaders. What it clearly indicates is that Congress has no near future in the present political scenario – and it is dying slowly.

The current developments indicate that many Congress leaders have lost hope and now they are not even talking about 2024. Now, most people believe that BJP government would at least be in power for 20 years. This is far more challenging for the Congress compared to their defeat in 2019. Leaders are demoralised and there is no strategy. Many of these leaders feel they have a brighter future in BJP than in Congress. Whenever people see there is more opportunity in the other party, they shift their base. As far as Congress People in BJP is concerned, there are numerous people who are in BJP now. S M Krishna, Former Union Minister. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Prime Women Face in UP, Satpal Maharaj, Uttarakhand MP (when in Congress), Vijay Bahuguna, Uttarakhand MP (when in Congress), Arvinder Singh Lovely, Former Delhi Congress President. Biren Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur was also a former Congress leader. Go to any state, there are good number of leaders who left their national and regional parties to join BJP. Now the question is that, how Congress and NCP will fill the vacated numbers.

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

Chandrayaan-2 mission is inspirational for new generation

By

Web Team

-

September 13, 2019

Every Indian salutes ISRO’s remarkable distinct, dedication and splendid efforts which swelled our chests. Although hours after India’ s dream of placing a lander spacecraft on the moon crashed on Saturday morning, Indian Space Research Organisation’ s team associated with the still orbiting Chandrayaan-2 mission were looking for clues in the last minutes of data from the lander ‘Vikram’. The lander was to have set itself down on the moon’s surface at 1.55 a.m. on Saturday. It had been descending for 12 minutes. However, three minutes before lunar touch down, it lost contact with the earth and went blank. It was 2.1 km above the moon’s surface then, ISRO said soon after it detected the setback around 2 a.m.
It may not be exaggeration to say that ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 mission is inedible and inspirational for upcoming new generation. It was around 56 years ago, on November 21,1963 that a small rocket took off from Thumba on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, announcing the birth of the modern space age in India. The sleepy palm-fringed village soon came to be known as Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station (TERLS) and later became Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC).
Till 1963 the obscure village of Thumba would not have merited a second look. A quintessential Kerala fishing hamlet with thatched huts, coconut groves and peaceful sea, it was an unlikely setting for rocket launch station. It did have something that caught the interest of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space programme. A small church dedicated to Mary Magdalene that was located on Earth’s magnetic equator.
In the initial stages, Thumba had no canteen or facilities of any sort, so the scientists would cycle every day to the railway station at Trivandrum for their breakfast and dinner. In those days the only jeep was always busy, so the scientists had to either walk or use a cycle to move within the range. Even rocket parts and payloads were transported by bullock carts and bicycle to the launch pad. It was in these assuming settings that India staged its first launch – that of a NIKE- Apache rocket supplied by NASA. This is how it happened.
When the rocket was rolled out on to the launch pad, the sultry air was thick with tension. And almost immediately the things started going the awry. As the rocket was being hoisted onto the launcher, the hydraulic crane developed a leak. However, it was manually shifted into position. Next, remote system of the launcher was malfunctioned. Once this was fixed. Finally the things seemed in order. As the alarm sounded to clear the area around the launch pad, the team of scientists held their breath.
At the 6:25 pm, the world was watching as the rocket streaked away into the gathering dusk. Minutes later, a sodium vapour cloud had emerged in the sky high above, tinted orange by the setting sun. India had successfully put its first signature on space.
So we all Indians are standing with ISRO’s failure and success. Someone says that the failure is a first step of success and those who try can achieve success.

Muhammed Umar Qasmi

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