[🇮🇳] India---News & Views

[Saif]

Nepal map on currency note stirs up border row with India
10 May 2024, 12:00 am
AFP :

The boundary dispute between India and Nepal has heated up once again after the Nepali government last week announced a new currency note featuring a map that shows three border areas claimed by New Delhi.

The dispute involves the territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, which are currently under Indian control.

The new map adds 335 square kilometres of land to Nepal, and the country's central bank is expected to take up to a year to print and issue the new note.

India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar slammed Nepal's decision, saying it will not change the reality on the ground.

"Our position is very clear. With Nepal, we are having discussions about our boundary matters through an established platform. In the middle of that, they unilaterally took some measures on their side," Jaishankar told media persons.

"But by doing something on their side, they are not going to change the situation between us or the reality on the ground," he added. The boundary dispute between the two countries began to escalate after New Delhi issued a political map in November 2019 that placed the contested area within India's territory.

Relations became more strained when India inaugurated an 80-kilometer-long roadway that passes through Lipulekh, a disputed area that lies at the strategic Nepal-India-China tri-junction.

The unilaterally built motorway links India's Uttarakhand state to Tibet's Kailash Mansarovar via the Lipulekh Pass, a territory historically claimed by Nepal and considered one of the shortest and most practicable trade routes between India and China.

The small Himalayan nation challenged India's inauguration of the road by publishing a new map showing the contested areas – including the areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura – as lying inside Nepal's borders.

Nepal, which was never under colonial rule, has long claimed these areas in accordance with the 1816 Sugauli treaty with the British Raj following the Anglo-Nepalese (Gurkha) War.

The treaty recognized the Kali River as Nepal's western boundary with India and the land lying east of the river is Nepalese territory. However, these areas have been under India's administrative control since the early 1960s.​

 

[Saif]

Another Indian national arrested in Canada over Sikh activist murder

Canadian police have arrested another Indian national over the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced Saturday that they have taken Amandeep Singh, 22, into their custody over allegation of his involvement in the Nijjar's

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Another Indian national arrested in Canada over Sikh activist murder
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 12, 2024 10:49
Updated :
May 12, 2024 10:49

Canadian police have arrested another Indian national over the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced Saturday that they have taken Amandeep Singh, 22, into their custody over allegation of his involvement in the Nijjar's killing.

Singh, who resided in Brampton, Surrey and Abbotsford, was charged with the murder.

Earlier this month, Canadian police arrested and charged three Indian men in the city of Edmonton in Alberta.

Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in June outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population. A few months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited what he said was evidence of potential Indian government involvement, prompting a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi.​

 

[Saif]

US warns of ‘potential risk of sanctions’

Any country having business dealings with Iran runs the risk of sanctions, the United States has said, noting that it is aware that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar port.

www.thedailystar.net

US warns of 'potential risk of sanctions'
Any country having business dealings with Iran runs the risk of sanctions, the United States has said, noting that it is aware that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar port.

"We're aware of these reports that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar port. I will let the government of India speak to its own foreign policy goals vis-a-vis the Chabahar port as well as its own bilateral relationship with Iran," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at his daily news conference on Monday.

"I will just say, as it relates to the United States, US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we'll continue to enforce them," he said in response to a question on India's deal with Iran on the strategic Chabahar port.

"You've heard us say this in a number of instances, that any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk that they are opening themselves up to and the potential risk of sanctions," Patel said.

India and Iran on Monday signed a 10-year contract for the operation of a terminal at the strategically important Chabahar port in Iran.

Under the agreement, Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) will invest about $120 million while there will be an additional $250 million in financing, bringing the contract's value to $370 million, said Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash.​

 

[Saif]

Nepal latest to ban Indian spice brands

Nepal has become the latest jurisdiction to ban the import and sale of two popular Indian spice brands after reports that some of their products contained a...

www.newagebd.net

Nepal latest to ban Indian spice brands
Agence France-Presse . Kathmandu 18 May, 2024, 00:28

Nepal has become the latest jurisdiction to ban the import and sale of two popular Indian spice brands after reports that some of their products contained a cancer-causing pesticide, officials said Friday.

Hong Kong and Singapore last month banned products from Everest and MDH—two brands popular in India and exported worldwide—after tests detected the presence of ethylene oxide, according to media reports.

Besides its use as a pesticide, ethylene oxide is used to sterilise medical equipment and as a sterilising agent in spices to prevent illnesses caused by salmonella and E. Coli bacteria.

Regular exposure to the colourless and odourless compound increases the 'risk of cancers of the white blood cells', according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Matina Joshi Vaidya, chief of Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, told AFP that the Himalayan country had also decided to halt the sale of the spice blends.

'It is an issue of public health,' she said. 'We have its banned import and sale from Thursday.'

Nepal has banned four products—three variants produced by MDH and one by Everest.

'We do not have the lab resources to run the tests in the country. The ban will be lifted when Indian authorities declare it safe,' Vaidya said.

Everest and MDH are India's top two spice brands with a market share of 16 and 10 percent respectively in 2022, according to consumer research monitor Statista.

Both companies have put out statements denying their products pose a health hazard to consumers after the Singapore and Hong Kong import bans.

'We clarify and state unequivocally that these claims are untrue and lack any substantiating evidence,' MDH said last month on social media platform X.

India's food regulation agency has asked for state authorities to carry out random testing of spice products, broadcaster NDTV reported.​

 

[Saif]

India’s Modi claims he has been chosen by God

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has said he believes he has been chosen by God, as the multi-stage Indian election nears its completion, reports The Guardian...

www.newagebd.net

India's Modi claims he has been chosen by God
New Age Desk 27 May, 2024, 21:00

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has said he believes he has been chosen by God, as the multi-stage Indian election nears its completion, reports The Guardian.

'I am convinced that 'Parmatma' (God) sent me for a purpose. Once the purpose is achieved, my work will be one done. This is why I have completely dedicated myself to God,' he told NDTV news channel on Sunday.

Modi, who is hoping to win a third term when the results of the general election are announced on 4 June, said that while God guided him to do a lot of his work, he did so without revealing a larger scheme.

'He does not reveal his cards, just keeps making me do things. And I cannot dial him directly to ask what's next,' he said.

Modi has built up a well-established cult of personality within his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, with many supporters unable to name other cabinet members or their local BJP candidate.

The BJP has also actively promoted Hinduism, the majority faith, in every aspect of public life. At the inauguration of the temple in Ayodhya in January, it was Modi, rather than Hindu priests, who played the leading role in the rituals.

Nonetheless, this is believed to be the first time that Modi, who rarely gives interviews and has held no press conferences in his ten years in power, has spoken about himself so candidly as a divine instrument.

'The wily weaving of religion with politics for a country where faith is an inextricable part of everyday life is the BJP's unique selling point. Modi's claim is the logical culmination of the BJP's dominant theme,' the Indian newspaper The Telegraph wrote in an editorial.

Earlier this month, in a television interview in Varanasi, his constituency, Modi made another allusion to divinity. 'When my mother was alive, I used to believe that I was born biologically. After she passed away, upon reflecting on all my experiences, I was convinced that God had sent me,' he said.

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​

 

[Saif]

How is India matching China’s anti-access area denial capabilities?

India's concerns at China's increasing influence in its sphere of power and prowess, from immediate neighbors to the Indian Ocean, amidst historical clashes and territorial disputes, have led to calls for balanced military preparedness against specific threats.

en.prothomalo.com

How is India matching China's anti-access area denial capabilities?
Mohammad Abdur Razzak
Published: 30 May 2024, 10: 43

India has concerns at China's increasing foothold in its sphere of influence with political, economic and civil and military technology power and prowess. India's most accessable sphere of influence is its immediate neighbors where India has security stakes. Besides China's penetrations into India's immediate neighborhoods, India is also worried at China's gradual all-pervading presence in the Indian Ocean where China was not in sight even in the 1980s.

China and India fought on the land a brief but full scale war in 1962.The Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have had always a disputed status flaring up with brawls at the border. Similar situation also prevails along the disputed McMahon line separating India's Arunachal Pradesh and China's Tibet autonomous region. The clash at Galwan River valley on June 15, 2020 was the deadliest since the end of the 1962 war. In the context of prevailing contentious conditions, Indian strategists persistently call for balanced military preparedness at sea, in the air and on the land to ward off "belligerent China and Pakistan specific threats".


Until the 1990s, India had the lone troubled land frontier with China. By the turn of the 20th Century the Indian Ocean became India's new frontier due to China's increased naval manoeuvers. India-Pakistan borders have been confrontational since 1947. They fought three declared wars in 1948, 1965 and 1971 and one undeclared Kargil War in 1999. The war of 1971 witnessed a couple of naval engagements not seen in previous wars. The most significant operations were the sinking of INS Kukri and PNS Gazi, naval blockade of Pakistan and India taking the war close to Pakistan's shore and attacked Karachi harbour on 5 December 1971.

Over the decades the advances in civilian and military technology around the world has transformed the concept, character and conduct of wars. In the maritime domain surface, sub-surface and air space are one integrated battle space. In the competition for the dominance of the battle space and defending the center of gravity, the kinetic values resulting from the dynamism of 'Anti-access (A2)' and 'Area Denial (AD)' capabilities are key indicators.

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[Saif]

Adani suspected of fraud by selling low-grade coal as high-value fuel to Indian state firm

Reports Financial Times

www.thedailystar.net

Adani suspected of fraud by selling low-grade coal as high-value fuel to Indian state firm
Reports Financial Times

Adani Group passed off low-quality coal as far more expensive cleaner fuel in transactions with an Indian state power utility, according to evidence seen by the Financial Times that throws fresh light on allegations of a long-running coal scam.

The documents, secured by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and reviewed by the FT, add a potential environmental dimension to accusations of corruption associated with the Indian conglomerate. They suggest that Adani may have fraudulently obtained bumper profits at the expense of air quality since using low-grade coal for power means burning more of the fuel.

Invoices show that in January 2014 Adani purchased an Indonesian shipment of coal said to contain 3,500 calories per kilogramme. The same shipment was sold to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution company (Tangedco) as 6,000-calorie coal, one of the most valuable grades. Adani appears to have more than doubled its money in the process, after transport costs.

The FT has also matched documentation for a further 22 shipments in 2014 involving the same parties that indicate a pattern of grade inflation in the supply of 1.5 million tonnes of coal.

Adani sourced the coal in Indonesia from a mining group known for its low-calorie output, at prices consistent with low-grade fuel. It delivered the coal to India's southernmost state for power generation, fulfilling a contract that specified expensive high-quality fuel.

More than 2 million people are killed in India each year by outdoor air pollution, according to a 2022 study in The Lancet, while other studies found significant increases in child mortality for hundreds of miles around coal-fired power plants.

Another study a decade ago found that coal-fired power plants, which supply about three-quarters of India's electricity, accounted for roughly 15 percent of the country's man-made emissions of fine particulate matter, 30 percent of nitrogen oxide and 50 percent of sulphur dioxide.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
​

 

[Saif]

Priyanka Gandhi to make parliamentary debut from Wayanad

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her parliamentary election debut from Wayanad constituency in Kerala, the party announced today

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Priyanka Gandhi to make parliamentary debut from Wayanad

This undated photo of AP shows Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary of Congress, waves to party supporters during an election campaign rally in Rae Barelli in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her parliamentary election debut from Wayanad constituency in Kerala, the party announced today.

Priyanka will be in fray in the by-election in Wayanad which her brother Rahul Gandhi has decided to give up and retain his membership of Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters after the Congress' top leadership held discussions on the issue at his residence in New Delhi, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"Rahul Gandhi won two Lok Sabha seats but as per the law, he has to vacate one. Rahul Gandhi will retain Rae Bareli and we have decided that Priyankaji will fight from Wayanad," Kharge said.

Rahul's decision to vacate sets at rest weeks of speculations as to which constituency he would retain after winning from Wayanad and Rae Bareli in recent national elections.

After the decision, Rahul Gandhi said both Rae Bareli and Wayanad "will get two MPs" while Priyanka said "I won't let the people of Wayanad feel Rahul's absence".

In 2019 parliamentary elections, Rahul had contested from two seats Amethi in UP and Wayanad but lost the north Indian constituency to BJP's Smriti Irani and won from Wayanad by a huge margin.

In the 2024 polls, he won from both Rae Bareli and Wayanad with margins of over 6.5 lakh and 3.6 lakh votes respectively.​

 

[Saif]

Railway collision in India kills 15, hurts several

A freight train smashed into the rear of a stationary passenger train in India’s West Bengal state on Monday, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, police said, in an accident that railway authorities blamed on a disregarded signal. Media showed images of the pile-up, with containe

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Railway collision in India kills 15, hurts several
Published :
Jun 17, 2024 16:04
Updated :
Jun 17, 2024 16:04

A freight train smashed into the rear of a stationary passenger train in India's West Bengal state on Monday, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, police said, in an accident that railway authorities blamed on a disregarded signal.

Media showed images of the pile-up, with containers from the goods train strewn nearby, and one carriage left nearly vertical after the accident, which comes just over a year after a signalling error caused one of India's worst rail crashes.

At least 15 bodies have been pulled from the mangled carriages, Abhishek Roy, a senior police official in the eastern state's district of Darjeeling, the site of the accident, told Reuters.

Nearly 30 people were injured and rescue teams from the police and national disaster response force were working with doctors and residents of the area to clear debris from the derailed carriages, Roy added.

The goods train hit the Kanchanjunga Express travelling to Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, from the northeastern state of Tripura, driving three carriages of the passenger train off the rails.

It was not immediately clear how many passengers were on board at the time.

Rescuers used iron rods and ropes to free one carriage of the passenger train that had been swept upwards to lodge on the roof of the freight train by the impact of the collision.

The dead included the driver of the freight train and a guard on the passenger train, Jaya Varma Sinha, the head of the railway board that runs the countrywide network, told reporters.

The accident happened after the driver of the freight train disregarded a signal and hit the rear end of the express train, Sinha added.

Rescue work has been completed, Sinha said, while authorities were working to restore traffic, although the damage had been less extensive than initially feared.

"The guard's compartment in the passenger train was badly damaged," he added. "There were two parcel vans attached ahead of it which reduced the extent of damage to passengers."

Nearby residents heard a loud crash and saw the pile-up upon going to investigate, several told the ANI news agency, in which Reuters has a minority stake.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences on the loss of life in the accident and said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was on his way to the site.

About 288 people died a year ago in the neighbouring state of Odisha, in India's worst rail crash in more than two decades, caused by a signal failure.​

 

[Saif]

India reports over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases over summer

India recorded more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases this summer as a prolonged heatwave killed more than 100 people across the country, while parts of its northeast grappled with floods from heavy rain, authorities said

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India reports over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases over summer

A man covers himself with a cloth to protect from heat on a hot summer day in New Delhi, India, May 20, 2024. Photo: Reuters/File

India recorded more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases this summer as a prolonged heatwave killed more than 100 people across the country, while parts of its northeast grappled with floods from heavy rain, authorities said.

Billions across Asia are grappling with extreme heat this summer in a trend scientists say has been worsened by human-driven climate change, with temperatures in north India soaring to almost 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in one of the longest heatwave spells recorded.

Birds fell from the skies due to extreme heat and hospitals reported an inflow of heat-affected patients as both day and night time temperatures peaked in recent weeks since the start of summer in March.

The health ministry ordered federal and state institutions to ensure "immediate attention" to patients, while hospitals in the capital Delhi, which is also facing a water shortage, were directed make more beds available.

A health ministry official said there were more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and at least 110 confirmed deaths between March 1 and June 18, when northwest and eastern India recorded twice the usual number of heatwave days.

The weather office has forecast above normal temperatures for this month too, as authorities say Indian cities have become "heat traps"due to unbalanced growth.

"During the ongoing heatwave, most bird rescue calls that we receive are due to birds falling from the skies," said Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of non-profit Wildlife SOS.

"In the past two weeks, Wildlife SOS has been receiving more than 35-40 rescue calls daily, in and around Delhi-National Capital Region. Most of the calls include bird rescue requests."

Separately, floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain in the northeastern state of Assam killed at least six people on Tuesday night, officials said.

"A landslide buried a woman and her three daughters alive," a state disaster management official, Siju Das, said by telephone.

"Their house was on a slope, and they died on the spot around midnight," he said, adding that the bodies were retrieved after a three-hour search operation by rescuers.

"A three-year-old was killed too."

In Assam, more than 160,000 people were affected, with waters surpassing the danger level in the Kopili, one of the largest tributaries of the Brahmaputra, which ranks among India's biggest rivers.

More than 30 people in the state have died since the end of May in floods and landslides brought by heavy rain, officials said.​

 

[Saif]

India floods, heatwaves kill 11 people

India was battling extreme weather yesterday that caused severe heatwaves, landslides and floods, killing at least 11 people this week, among them a woman and her three daughters buried alive in a northeastern state, officials and media said.

www.thedailystar.net

India floods, heatwaves kill 11 people
Four buried alive in landslide

India was battling extreme weather yesterday that caused severe heatwaves, landslides and floods, killing at least 11 people this week, among them a woman and her three daughters buried alive in a northeastern state, officials and media said.

The capital, New Delhi, sweltered through its hottest night in six years on Tuesday, with hospitals in the city of 20 million reporting at least five deaths from heatstroke this week, the Times of India newspaper said.

Floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain in the northeastern state of Assam killed at least six people on Tuesday night, officials said.

"A landslide buried a woman and her three daughters alive," a disaster management official said.

"Their house was on a slope, and they died on the spot around midnight," he said, adding that the bodies were retrieved after a three-hour search operation by rescuers. "A three-year-old was killed too."

Billions across Asia are grappling with extreme heat this summer, in a trend scientists say has been worsened by human-driven climate change.​

 

[Saif]

US issues rare criticism of India in religious freedom report

The United States offered rare criticism of close partner India in a report published Wednesday on religious freedom, while also voicing alarm over rising bigotry worldwide against both Jews and Muslims...

www.newagebd.net

US issues rare criticism of India in religious freedom report
Agence France-Presse . Washington 27 June, 2024, 23:45

The United States offered rare criticism of close partner India in a report published Wednesday on religious freedom, while also voicing alarm over rising bigotry worldwide against both Jews and Muslims.

Secretary of state Antony Blinken unveiled the annual report and said that the United States was also facing its own sharp increase of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in connection to the Gaza war.

'In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities,' Blinken said.

The US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain, faulted efforts by Indian police.

In India, 'Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges,' he said.

The United States for decades has sought warmer ties with India, seeing the fellow democracy as a bulwark against China, with president Joe Biden embracing prime minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist who recently secured a third term.

Despite the public criticism in the report, few expect the State Department to take action on India when it drafts its annual blacklist of countries over religious freedom later this year.

The State Department also raised concerns about countries that are on the list, including India's historic rival Pakistan, where Blinken condemned blasphemy laws that 'help foster a climate of intolerance and hatred that can lead to vigilantism and mob violence.'

Blinken noted that in the United States, hate crimes against both Muslims and Jews 'have gone up dramatically.'

He also singled out EU member Hungary, led by nationalist Viktor Orban, saying that 'officials continue to use anti-Semitic tropes and anti-Muslim rhetoric and they penalize members of religious groups who criticise the government.'

He said that nine other European nations 'effectively ban some forms of religious clothing in public spaces.'

He did not name the countries, although France has been at the forefront on restricting full-face veils worn by some Muslim women.​

 

[Saif]

India economic inequality to persist despite roaring GDP growth

The Indian economy is likely to remain the fastest-growing major one in coming years, but a majority of independent economists and policy experts polled by Reuters are not confident it will make any difference in narrowing stark economic inequality. Despite over 8 per cent economic growth last fis

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India economic inequality to persist despite roaring GDP growth
Published :
Jun 20, 2024 09:38
Updated :
Jun 20, 2024 09:54

A general view of the upcoming coastal road in Mumbai, India Photo : Reuters

The Indian economy is likely to remain the fastest-growing major one in coming years, but a majority of independent economists and policy experts polled by Reuters are not confident it will make any difference in narrowing stark economic inequality.

Despite over 8 per cent economic growth last fiscal year and a roaring stock market in Mumbai that is easily one of the world's most expensive, New Delhi still distributes free food grains to more than 800 million of its 1.4 billion people, as per Reuters reports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sworn in for a third term with the support of regional parties after a shock election where his Bharatiya Janata Party lost its sizeable majority in parliament, has retained most ministers from his second one.

Yet rising economic inequality - around its highest in decades - and high youth unemployment were widely reported as reasons for the electoral drubbing after securing sweeping victories in 2014 and 2019 on development and economic reform platforms.

A nearly 85 per cent majority of development economists and policy experts, 43 out of 51, in a May 15-June 18 Reuters poll, said they were not confident economic inequality would significantly reduce over the next five years, including 21 who said they had no confidence at all.

Only six said they were confident and two said very confident. These are separate from private economists who regularly forecast economic data and interest rates.

"Acknowledging that it is a problem will be a good first step ... Currently, reduction of economic inequality is not a policy objective of decision-makers," said Reetika Khera, a development economist at the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi.

"Inequality is not something that will go away on its own ... it needs proactive government interventions."

Even for a developing economy, income inequality in India is too extreme, according to a March report from the World Inequality Lab.

However, not everyone agrees.

"I don't think the inequality metrics are meaningful for India. The key issue is not inequality but how the bottom of the pyramid fares economically. This is not a function of how the top does," said Nagpurnanand Prabhala, finance professor at Johns Hopkins University.

India has the second-highest number of billionaires in Asia but has tens of millions who depend on the government's 100 days minimum guaranteed wage employment programme, digging wells, building roads, and filling potholes for about $4 a day.

"The present government has created an economic system that shrunk the middle-income group considerably. The poor are on public dole ... the rich are on public cross-subsidy using crony capitalism," said Saibal Kar, professor of industrial economics at the Center for Studies in Social Sciences.

"The economic and social freedoms are low owing to repressive public policies. This has to change. Unless it changes, inequality will rise further."

SKILLS NEEDED, NOT JUST JOBS

Asked to rate the quality of India's economic growth over the past 10 years, a near-80 per cent majority of economists surveyed, 42 of 53, said it was not inclusive, with 17 saying not at all. Eight said fairly inclusive and three said inclusive.

And yet 60 per cent, 32 of 53, said India would maintain or exceed the current solid GDP growth rate over the next five years. The rest said it will fall short.

While the Modi government has set a target of turning India into a developed economy by 2047, several experts in the survey said the government should first improve workers' skills, create more jobs and focus on inclusive growth.

In December, the government's chief economic adviser said the subsidised grain distribution, as well as spending on education and health had helped to distribute income more equally.

During the election campaign, a government document showed Modi wanted to focus on 70 areas of improvement including workforce skills and vocational training.

Over 90 per cent of experts polled, 49 of 54, who answered a separate question said unemployment would be the biggest economic challenge for the government over the next five years.

The unemployment rate was at 7.0 per cent in May, according to the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy, a think-tank, up from around 6 per cent before the pandemic.

"Most countries that have experienced more rapid growth did it on the basis of a farm-to-factory structural transformation," said Parikshit Ghosh, professor at the Delhi School of Economics, adding manufacturing as a share of GDP has hovered around 15 per cent for about 30 years.

"Of the multiple factors behind this, perhaps the most important is the failure to invest seriously in education."

India spends around 3 per cent of GDP on public education, half the 6 per cent the government's National Policy on Education recommends.

Other experts pointed out the ongoing challenges presented by a society still mired in caste and class divisions.

"We don't even talk about the cleavage that has been ripping our society apart for thousands of years now in our living rooms - we still live in a world where Dalit families are cleaning toilets in urban and rural areas, generation after generation," said Aditi Bhowmick, a public policy expert, who previously worked as India Director at Development Data Lab.​

 

[Saif]

Modi to visit Russia for talks with Putin on July 8-9

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on July 8 and 9, the Kremlin said yesterday, in his first trip to the country since Moscow launched its military offensive in Ukraine.

www.thedailystar.net

Modi to visit Russia for talks with Putin on July 8-9

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on July 8 and 9, the Kremlin said yesterday, in his first trip to the country since Moscow launched its military offensive in Ukraine.

That campaign has tested relations between Moscow and New Delhi, even though India has ramped up its purchases of Russian oil and not joined Western sanctions.

Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss "prospects for further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations, as well as relevant issues on the international and regional agenda," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin sees Modi as a key potential diplomatic and economy ally, with Russia isolated in the West. But Ukraine has complicated ties.

In a September 2022 meeting between Putin and Modi at a regional summit in Uzbekistan, the Russian president told Modi he understood he had "concerns" about the conflict and that Modi wanted it to end "as soon as possible."

Earlier this year, India said it was pushing Russia to release some of its citizens who had signed up for "support jobs" with the Russian army, following reports some were stranded in Russian border towns and forced to fight in Ukraine.

New Delhi has not been a staunch backer of Kyiv, notably declining to sign a joint statement at a peace summit in Switzerland last month that called for Ukraine's territorial integrity to be respected in any peace agreement.​

 

[Saif]

India, China FMs agree to work on border issues

India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar yesterday met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Kazakhstan where the two agreed to step up talks to resolve issues along their border, New Delhi said in a statement.

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India, China FMs agree to work on border issues

India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar yesterday met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Kazakhstan where the two agreed to step up talks to resolve issues along their border, New Delhi said in a statement.

India and China share a long Himalayan border, much of it poorly demarcated, and relations between the two countries have been sour since a military standoff in July 2020.

India said Jaishankar met Wang on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana where they agreed that "prolongation of the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side."

The two agreed to enhance meetings between their diplomatic and military officials "to resolve the remaining issues at the earliest," the Indian foreign ministry said. China and India should properly handle their differences and ensure relations advance on a stable track, a Chinese foreign ministry statement quoted Wang as saying during the talks.

"We must maintain a positive mindset, properly handle and control the situation in the border areas on the one hand, and actively resume normal exchanges on the other hand," Wang said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in April that the two countries should urgently address the "prolonged situation" on their border.​

 

[Saif]

India races to build power plants: sources

India plans to spend $1 billion to expedite the construction of 12 hydropower stations in the northeastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, two government sources said, a move that could raise tensions with China that lays claims to the region.

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ARUNACHAL PRADESH
India races to build power plants: sources

India plans to spend $1 billion to expedite the construction of 12 hydropower stations in the northeastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, two government sources said, a move that could raise tensions with China that lays claims to the region.

The federal finance ministry under Nirmala Sitharaman recently approved up to 7.5 billion rupees ($89.85 million) in financial assistance to each hydropower project in the northeastern region, the sources said.

Under the scheme, about 90 billion rupees will likely be allotted for the 12 hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of the matter.

The move could raise tensions with China that lays claims to the region.

The scheme is likely to support northeastern states and help them finance equity holdings in the projects they host. Having state governments on board generally helps in expediting regulatory clearances, locals rehabilitation and negotiations on sharing electricity with the host state.

The plans for the hydropower stations are expected to be announced in the 2024/2025 federal budget that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will unveil on July 23, the sources said, declining to be named as the information remained confidential.

The Indian finance and power ministries and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Last August, the government awarded contracts to state-run firms NHPC NHPC.NS, SJVNL SJVN.NS and NEEPCO for the construction of the 11.5-gigawatt-capacity plants entailing an estimated investment of $11 billion, as part of a broader project to develop infrastructure in the border region.

None of the companies responded to a request for comments. These power plants were earlier enlisted with private sector firms, but remained non-starters due to various reasons.

India has built less than 15-gigawatt hydropower plants in last 20 years, while installations of new coal and other renewable sources of energy were nearly 10 times of the new hydropower projects.​

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Bilal9]

Interesting India (Mumbai) visit by famous UK travel vlogger.

 

[Bilal9]

Indian analysis on why India will need to prepare for war with hostile neighbors. I know this is largely speculative, but the thinking process needs to be understood to realize the method to the propaganda madness.



Preparing plan to invade Bangladesh...

 

[Saif]

Ratan Tata passes away

India’s top industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata died in a hospital in Mumbai last night, the company said.

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Ratan Tata passes away
Indian Padma Vibhushan industrialist Ratan Tata dies at 86

India's top industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata died in a hospital in Mumbai last night, the company said.

"It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation," said a press statement by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran.

Ratan was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital for age-related ailments.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to the industrialist, describing him as a visionary business leader, compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.

"One of the most unique aspects of Shri Ratan Tata Ji was his passion towards dreaming big and giving back. He was at the forefront of championing causes like education, healthcare, sanitation, animal welfare to name a few," Modi said on X.

Ratan Tata, who ran the conglomerate for more than 20 years as chairman, had been undergoing intensive care in hospital.

He became chairman of the Tata Sons, the autos-to-steel conglomerate, in 1991 and ran the group founded by his great-grandfather more than a hundred years ago until 2012.

He founded telecommunications company Tata Teleservices in 1996 and made IT company Tata Consultancy Services public in 2004.

After stepping down, Ratan Tata was conferred with the title of chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, and Tata Chemicals, the company website says.

On graduating with a degree in architecture at Cornell University, US, he returned to India and in 1962 began working for the group his great-grandfather.

He worked in several Tata companies, including Telco, now Tata Motors Ltd as well as Tata Steel Ltd and later made his mark by erasing losses and increasing market share at group unit National Radio And Electronics Company.

In 1991, Ratan Tata took charge of the conglomerate when his uncle JRD Tata stepped down with the change of guard coming at a time when India embarked on radical economic reforms opening up to the world.

The Tata group purchased British tea firm Tetley in 2000 for $432 million and Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus in 2007 for $13 billion, at the time the biggest takeover of a foreign firm by an Indian company.

Tata Motors then acquired British luxury auto brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company in 2008 for $2.3 billion.

Ratan Tata's pet projects at Tata Motors included the Indica -- the first car model designed and built in India -- as well as Nano, once projected as the world's cheapest car. He contributed initial sketches for both models.

The Indica was a commercial success but the Nano, priced at just 1,00,000 rupees (about $1,200) and the culmination of Ratan Tata's dream to produce an affordable car for India's masses, was hurt by initial safety issues and bungled marketing. It was discontinued a decade after its launch.

A licensed pilot, Tata would occasionally fly the company plane.

Ratan Tata never married and was known for his quiet demeanour, relatively modest lifestyle, and philanthropic work.

About two-thirds of share capital of Tata Sons, the group's holding company, is held by philanthropic trusts.

Ratan Tata's leadership at Tata had its share of controversy when a bitter public feud broke out after the company ousted Cyrus Mistry, a scion of the billionaire Shapoorji Pallonji clan, as chairman of Tata Sons in 2016.

The Tata Group said Mistry had failed to turnaround poorly performing businesses while Mistry accused Ratan Tata, who was chairman emeritus of the conglomerate, of interfering and creating an alternate power centre at the group.

After he stepped back from the Tata Group, Ratan Tata became known as a prominent investor in Indian startups, backing several companies including digital payments firm Paytm and Ola Electric, a unit of cab ride hailing firm Ola, and home and beauty services provider Urban Company.

Ratan Tata was conferred the Padma Vibhushan award, India's second highest civilian honour, in 2008 for exceptional and distinguished service in trade and industry.​

 

[Saif]

The lasting legacy of Ratan Tata, the business icon

Ratan Tata, the revered chairman emeritus of Tata Sons and one of India’s most respected business magnates, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital.

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The lasting legacy of Ratan Tata, the business icon

Ratan Tata leaves a lasting legacy.

Ratan Tata, the revered chairman emeritus of Tata Sons and one of India's most respected business magnates, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital. Known for his humility and visionary leadership, Tata transformed his family's enterprise into a global conglomerate, profoundly influencing India's economy and industrial landscape. Known for his quiet demeanour and steadfast dedication to ethical business practices, he leaves legacy extends beyond the industrial achievements of Tata Group, earning the admiration of millions both in India and abroad.

A visionary leader with humble beginnings

Born in 1937 into the esteemed Tata family, Ratan Tata faced personal challenges early in life, with his parents' separation leading him to be raised by his grandmother. Despite the privileges that came with his family name, Tata's rise was marked by a deep-seated work ethic. Educated at Cornell University in architecture and structural engineering and later at Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program, he declined a job at IBM to start at the grassroots level in the Tata Group.

In 1962, he joined Tata Motors—then known as Telco—where he began his career shoveling limestone alongside factory workers. This hands-on experience informed his leadership style, cultivating a deep understanding of Tata Group's diverse industries from the ground up. By 1971, he became director of National Radio and Electronics (NELCO), gradually climbing the ranks through hard work and a commitment to operational excellence.

Shaping Tata Group into a global powerhouse

When Ratan Tata assumed the role of chairman in 1991, he inherited a diverse conglomerate with interests ranging from steel to hotels. However, Tata was determined to propel the family business onto the global stage. He undertook a strategic overhaul, restructuring the group's various companies and implementing a new management style focused on innovation, globalization, and ethical practices. This transformation positioned Tata Group as a leader in multiple sectors.

Under Tata's leadership, the company's revenues soared, surpassing $100 billion by 2011. His focus on expansion saw Tata Group acquire renowned international brands, including Tetley Tea for $431.3 million in 2000 and Corus Steel for $11.3 billion in 2007. These bold moves brought Tata Group into markets worldwide, establishing its presence in over 100 countries. The return of Air India to the Tata fold in 2022, a company founded by his uncle J.R.D. Tata in 1932, underscored Ratan Tata's commitment to building on his family's legacy.

Tata Motors: a pioneer in Indian and global automotive markets

One of Ratan Tata's most notable achievements was his transformation of Tata Motors into a key player in the global automotive industry. He led the company's foray into passenger vehicles with the launch of the Tata Indica in 1998, India's first indigenously designed car. Later, in 2008, Tata introduced the Tata Nano, the world's most affordable car, aimed at making safe, personal transport accessible to India's middle and lower-income families. The Nano, while not commercially successful in the long run, highlighted Tata's commitment to addressing local needs through innovation.

In a strategic masterstroke, Tata Motors acquired the British luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion in 2008. The acquisition was initially met with skepticism, but it proved to be a remarkable success. Under Tata's stewardship, Jaguar Land Rover returned to profitability, boosting Tata Motors' international profile and solidifying its position in the luxury automotive market. Today, Jaguar Land Rover remains a vital asset for Tata Motors, contributing significantly to the company's revenues.

A relentless risk-taker and the embodiment of Indian industry

Throughout his tenure, Tata's willingness to take calculated risks distinguished him as an unconventional leader in Indian industry. From the acquisition of international brands to entering new sectors, Tata's decisions often pushed boundaries. His penchant for risks extended to diverse ventures, such as Tata Chemicals and Tata Communications, which facilitated the conglomerate's reach into various essential services globally. His business acumen extended across industries, enabling Tata Group to own stakes in everything from steel to software, making Tata a household name in India.

Tata Group's wide-ranging portfolio now includes Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Power, and Taj Hotels, with a global reputation for quality and reliability. Ratan Tata's leadership not only grew Tata Group's business but also elevated India's profile as a competitive player in the global market.

A lifetime dedicated to philanthropy and social impact

Beyond business, Ratan Tata's legacy is deeply rooted in his commitment to social responsibility. His philanthropic arm, Tata Trusts, is one of India's largest charitable organizations, supporting projects in healthcare, education, and rural development. Notably, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Tata donated ₹500 crore to help mitigate the crisis, exemplifying his dedication to humanitarian causes. Tata Trusts have also funded numerous educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science and several Indian Institutes of Management, reinforcing Tata's belief in the power of education.

Ratan Tata's generosity extends beyond Indian borders; he donated $50 million to Harvard Business School for an executive education center. Moreover, his response to the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, establishing the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust, provided vital support to victims and their families, underscoring his empathy and dedication to social welfare.

A revered figure with a lasting legacy

Ratan Tata's contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, two of India's highest civilian honors. Even after stepping down as chairman in 2012, he remains a beloved figure in India, admired not only for his business achievements but also for his humility and ethical approach. He has backed over 50 startups, including Paytm and Ola Electric, underscoring his continued influence on India's evolving economic landscape.​

 

[Saif]

Modi, Congress leaders pay tribute to Ratan Tata

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight paid rich tributes to industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away at a Mumbai hospital, describing him as a visionary business leader, compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being

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Modi, Congress leaders pay tribute to Ratan Tata

File photo: Reuters

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight paid rich tributes to industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away at a Mumbai hospital, describing him as a visionary business leader, compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being.

"One of the most unique aspects of Shri Ratan Tata Ji was his passion towards dreaming big and giving back. He was at the forefront of championing causes like education, healthcare, sanitation, animal welfare to name a few," Modi said on X.

Modi also highlighted that Tata provided stable leadership to one of India's oldest and most prestigious business houses, adding that his contribution went far beyond the boardroom.

The main opposition party, Congress, also condoled Ratan Tata's death. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described Tata as a man with a vision "who has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep sorrow, stating that in Tata's death, "we have lost an invaluable son of India."

"A philanthropist par excellence whose commitment to India's inclusive growth and development remained paramount, Shri Tata was synonymous with unequivocal integrity and ethical leadership," Kharge said on X.​

 

[Saif]

Hindi imposed everywhere, alleges Tamil Nadu CM

India state of Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has posed a series of questions to governor RN Ravi regarding a missing line from Tamil Nadu’s state anthem during...

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Hindi imposed everywhere, alleges Tamil Nadu CM
Staff Correspondent 20 October, 2024, 01:39

India state of Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has posed a series of questions to governor RN Ravi regarding a missing line from Tamil Nadu’s state anthem during its rendition in an event, indicating the verbal fight between the two is far from over.

He also criticised the governor for ‘vilifying the Dravidian race’ and trying to ‘impose Hindi everywhere’.

The latest flashpoint was triggered after a line with the word ‘Dravida’ was skipped by singers during the event presided over by the Tamil Nadu Governor on Friday.

‘Why didn’t you correct the omission right away?’ Mr Stalin posted on X, accusing Mr Ravi of skipping mentioning the ‘Dravidian model in the past’.

‘When this is your history, how will Tamils believe this omission was inadvertent?’ he posted.

The sentence ‘Thekkanamum adhil sirantha Dravida nal thiru naadum’ was missing when the singers sang the anthem during the Doordarshan Kendra Chennai’s Hindi month valedictory function. Doordarshan Tamil apologised for the ‘inadvertent mistake’, and said singers had no intention to disrespect Tamil or Tamizh Thaai Valthu, the state song.

MK Stalin took strong exception to the omission and accused the governor of insulting the unity of the country and the people of different races living in the land, under the guise of observing Hindi month. He said that a person who doesn’t abide by the law and acts as per his wishes was not fit to hold that office and wondered if Ravi was a governor or an ‘Aryan’.

Ravi, on his part, accused the chief minister of making a racist remark against him. He said the allegation against him was ‘unfortunately cheap and lowers the dignity of the high constitutional office of the Chief Minister.’ His response, however, was silent on the skipped line by the singers.

‘You have said ‘It is unfortunately cheap for a Chief Minister to make racist comments against a Governor with false allegations’.

Governor, Tamil is our race! It is our lifeblood! Tamils are the ones who gave their lives to save the Tamil language. It is the soil that laid the foundations of the First Constitutional Amendment and bears the history of the Indian anti-imposition struggle. If you call ou r love for Tamil racist, it’s an honour for us,’ MK Stalin hit back.

He also accused the Centre and the governor appointed by it of trying to impose ‘Hindi with the policy of ‘Hindi everywhere - Hindi in anything’ by prime minister Modi’s schemes and slogans’.

‘What kind of political civilization is it to forget the constitutional norms and talk about politics every day, and to turn the Governor’s House into a political office - and to vilify the Dravidian race? What kind of culture?’ he wrote.

Mr Ravi had said that he recites full Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu at every function and he does so with ‘reverence, pride and precision’. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Thiru Narendra Modi, the Central government has proudly created several institutions for spread of Tamil language and heritage within India including Tamil Nadu and several countries of the world. PM Modi took Tamil even to the United Nations,’ he said on X.

The Chief Minister had earlier said the Governor should step down as he had failed to speak for Tamil pride.

‘If you intend to continue as governor, I request you to free yourself from divisive forces and discharge your duties according to constitutional norms,’ MK Stalin said.

The face-off began after MK Stalin wrote a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi emphasising that the Indian Constitution does not grant national language status to any language, and Hindi and English are only for official purposes. He suggested avoiding the Hindi language month celebration in non-Hindi-speaking states.

He also condemned the celebration of Hindi Month valedictory function along with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Chennai Doordarshan. In response, Governor RN Ravi said that Hindi should not be viewed as an imposition but as a language to be celebrated alongside other languages.

The Doordarshan event marked the beginning of the golden jubilee celebrations of Doordarshan Chennai, which commenced operations in 1975.​

 

[Saif]

New Delhi’s air pollution worsens

The air quality in Delhi has further deteriorated in the national capital yesterday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) being recorded at 352, in the ‘very poor’ category, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

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New Delhi’s air pollution worsens
Residents complain of breathing difficulties

The air quality in Delhi has further deteriorated in the national capital yesterday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) being recorded at 352, in the 'very poor' category, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

AQI in areas such as Anand Vihar crossed the 400 mark, being recorded as 405 at 7:00 am, categorized as "severe", worse than the AQI of 367 recorded on Saturday.

This forecast is significantly worse than the average AQI recorded at 255 on Saturday, categorized as "poor". AQI at the Akshardham Temple deteriorated 261, whereas IGI airport recorded an AQI of 324, both categorized as "very poor." The city has been covered by a layer of smog, which is most prominent early in the morning. In conversation with news agency ANI, Himanshu who is visiting Delhi, said the rising pollution feels "suffocating".​

 

[Saif]

Gautam Adani charged in US over massive bribery scheme

Billionaire Indian industrialist Gautam Adani has been charged with paying hundreds of millions of dollars of bribes and hiding the payments from investors, US prosecutors said yesterday

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Gautam Adani charged in US over massive bribery scheme

Photo: AFP

Billionaire Indian industrialist Gautam Adani has been charged with paying hundreds of millions of dollars of bribes and hiding the payments from investors, US prosecutors said yesterday.

With a business empire spanning coal, airports, cement and media, the chairman of Adani Group has been rocked in recent years by corporate fraud allegations and a stock crash.

The close acolyte of Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a fellow Gujarat native, is alleged to have agreed to pay more than $250 million in bribes to Indian officials for lucrative solar energy supply contracts.

The deals were projected to generate more than $2 billion in profits after tax, over roughly 20 years.

None of the multiple defendants in the case, including Adani, are in custody, the prosecutor's office told AFP.

Prosecutors say one of Adani's alleged accomplices meticulously tracked bribe payments, using his phone to log the bungs offered to officials.

"This indictment alleges schemes to pay over $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials, to lie to investors and banks to raise billions of dollars, and to obstruct justice," said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Miller.

"Gautam Adani and seven other business executives allegedly bribed the Indian government to finance lucrative contracts designed to benefit their businesses... while still other defendants allegedly attempted to conceal the bribery conspiracy by obstructing the government's investigation," said the FBI's James Dennehy.

A self-described introvert, Adani keeps a low profile and rarely speaks to the media, often sending lieutenants to front corporate events.

Adani was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, to a middle-class family but dropped out of school at 16 and moved to financial capital Mumbai to find work in the city's lucrative gem trade.

After a short stint in his brother's plastics business, he launched the flagship family conglomerate that bears his name in 1988 by branching out into the export trade.

His big break came seven years later with a contract to build and operate a commercial shipping port in Gujarat.

Adani Group's rapid expansion into capital-intensive businesses previously raised alarms, with Fitch subsidiary and market researcher CreditSights warning in 2022 it was "deeply over-leveraged."

In 2023 a bombshell report from US investment firm Hindenburg Research claimed the conglomerate had engaged in a "brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades."

Hindenburg said a pattern of "government leniency towards the group" stretching back decades had left investors, journalists, citizens and politicians unwilling to challenge its conduct "for fear of reprisal."​