Global Shift? China Is On A Geopolitical Overdrive: It's Up To Indians To Protect Our Democracy, Not Outsiders
Global Shift? China Is On A Geopolitical Overdrive: It's Up To Indians To Protect Our Democracy, Not Outsiders
Subhani
1 APRIL 2023
W
can be a confident player, instead of being a reactionary party, recoiling at ith the Rus- biggest purchaser of ener- is likely to be this renewed Chinese
every insignificant reference. sia-Ukraine gy from Iran and Saudi geopolitical vigour. First, Paradip in Odisha last
That said, the Congress, which is the principal Opposition party in the war going Arabia, contributing huge- upset Russia could sooner than week. The ship is now in
country, is unmistakably acting as if the West, with all its past sins and past its one- ly to those economies, later become completely
blessings, will be the knight in shining armour and come riding in when- year mark which have also been subservient to China. the Bay of Bengal. Even
ever Indian democracy is in distress. Mr Gandhi was “surprised” that the and showing little sign of under stress and strain. A seriously opposed sanc- There could then be ero- though the “research
United States and the European countries “seem to be oblivious that a abating anytime soon, the guaranteed supply source tions against Russia and sion in the remnants of the vessel” was tasked with
huge chunk of (Indian) democratic model has come undone”. The party’s world is learning to adjust is what China desires has helped with energy Indo-Russian relationship
senior leader Digvijaya Singh was a relieved man that Germany has taken itself to the effects of the most, along with secure purchases to support the contingent upon how hard gathering surface-level
note of the “persecution” of Mr Gandhi. It is really sad that leaders of the war. Among those quick to supply routes for its manu- Russian economy, which the United States and the information such as
Congress, which played a crucial role in Indian Independence, now look respond is China. In two factured goods. otherwise cannot sustain West works on incorporat-
up to the same forces that once colonised us. And in the process, weaken areas we have seen the Interestingly, China has the war. It needs Russia for ing India into their future depth and salinity in
India’s democratic forces. Chinese footprint enhance also set out a framework some sophisticated Indo-Pacific strategies. The parts of the Bay of
through recent events. for a political settlement to weaponry (S-400, Su-35). A Indo-US strategic partner- Bengal, one can easily
First was the visit of the conflict in Ukraine. Russian military defeat, ship and India’s member-
President Xi Jinping to Probably hit by the inter- leading to Mr Putin’s ship of the Quad exist with say that it is closely
Moscow and the endorse- national hype given to downfall would be a night- full transparency, but the monitoring the Indian
Trump makes dubious history ment he handed out to
President Vladmir Putin
over his policies. The sec-
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s sage advice to
President Vladimir Putin
mare scenario for it. A
beholden Mr Putin, with
Russia a virtually junior
degree of commitment by
India under the current
circumstances remains a
Navy’s activities.
Beware.
M
r Donald J. Trump becomes the first US President to face criminal ond was the surprising at a meeting on the SCO partner, an image of China challenge. Its membership
charges. While his record in office may have suggested a strong likelihood announcement of a China- summit’s sidelines in as a virtual geopolitical of multilateral equations
Vijaykumar H.K.
of such an eventuality occurring anyway, his impending arrest will rep- sponsored Iran-Saudi August 2022, China was pole and the US’ Indo- and groups on both sides of Raichur, Karnataka
resent an inflection point in American history. There is also the possibility this Arabian accord signalling smarting. Xi Jinping does Pacific strategy on tempo- the divide in the current
criminal action by a Manhattan grand jury might trigger more serious indict- Beijing’s first serious foray not wish to be seen as only rary hold, all works to the Cold War puts it in a cru-
ments regarding his having possibly incited the violent Capitol Hill insurrection. into Middle East geopoli- an instigator and support-
er of war through the back-
advantage of China.
Now the Middle East. As
cible, where all kinds of
pressures will be applied.
NO LONGER ‘PAPPU’
It appears now that the case against the flamboyant maverick of a former US tics; Xi Jinping had visited
President on paying hush money to a porn star after an adulterous interlude is Saudi Arabia in December ing given to Mr Putin and already stated, energy The Russia-China combine COUNT YOURSELF fortunate if
akin to Al Capone being arraigned on a tax charge. 2022 to attend the first Russia but his peace plan guarantees are important will definitely not be you get two chances to rectify your
The repercussions will, of course, be far more serious regardless of the outcome China-GCC summit. is below par and a disap- for China but more than strategically happy to push problem (or image if one is in poli-
in this case. Sitting US Presidents enjoy immunity though at least one President, Two reasons appear to pointment for those expect- that is the necessity of cre- India firmly into the US tics). Rahul Gandhi who was
Ulysses S. Grant, had paid a fine for speeding in his horse-drawn carriage. Former stand out for China’s ing a roadmap to peace. ating the image of a geopo- and Western groupings; labelled a “Pappu”, a mama’s boy,
Presidents like Richard Nixon post-Watergate and Bill Clinton, found guilty of proactiveness. First, the The proposal lacked litical referee in the region. India’s grey zone commit- has worked hard and looks to have
perjury in his Monica Lewinsky affair testimony, who could have been charged Chinese strategic outreach specifics about contentious Beijing’s foreign policy of ment thus far may be suit- turned the tables on his opponents.
after resigning or demitting office received a presidential pardon or struck a deal expected from the Belt and issues like resolving the balancing between rivals able as it places it virtually Political arrogance (or a calculated
with law enforcement. Road Initiative has per- various territorial dis- and increasing multilater- in the realm of being a move) by the BJP has left Rahul
Now that the taboo on charging past Presidents, even ones cloaked in scandals, haps not delivered to the putes between Kyiv and alism has enabled it to swing power. However, in Gandhi an unlikely hero in the
has been broken, the US enters totally uncharted territory, which should be a level expected. Second, Mr Moscow or providing any deepen its ties with the the future this is going to eyes of many others. A word of cau-
cause of worry for the world’s oldest democracy, riven as it is by the deepest polar- Xi’s personal ambition of security guarantees for Middle East, although be a serious challenge, tion: He must not be overenthusi-
isation in history after one term in office for Mr Trump with his cavalier attitude getting things on the move Ukraine. A plan devoid of jumping straight into an especially as material astic and choose his words careful-
towards issues and an approach invariably more confrontational than to achieve the objectives he any proposed or eventual old and contentious con- aspects of the Indo-Russian ly from hereonwards. The BJP will
conventional. has laid out for 2035 is withdrawal of Russian flict such as the Iran-Saudi relationship start drying be looking to trip him up. But the
Mr Trump may have been charged on many counts but they will be known only spurring things in foreign troops from Ukrainian ter- one is bound to have its up; the non-arrival of the real test is in the intent. And his
after his arraignment takes place on Tuesday when he surrenders. The curious policy. The war in Eastern ritory is a non-starter. own complications. The remaining contracted S- followers believe he has passed it
thing is, given the nature of the convoluted politics of today and the public appeal Europe has worked to However, a maximalist outreach to Iran through 400 systems may just be the with flying colours.
of populist politicians, the former reality show star and realtor may well see in all China’s advantage more approach should be expect- the 25-year $400 billion tip of the iceberg. Even Syed Abdul Momin
this an opportunity to further his re-run for the White House in 2024. than against it. It has ed in any plan with pro- strategic and economic with the very sensible Navi Mumbai
It is an easily understood rule that no one in a democracy is above the law, not helped to force American gressive compromises; deal cut in 2021 is not some- “Atma Nirbharta” policy
even a President and commander-in-chief with a valid claim to be the planet’s
most powerful person though Mr. Trump let that image down by drawing a
attention and focus to that
region with full commit-
that is how all genuine
peace proposals work. It
thing unexpected, with
Iran pushed to the wall by
in place, it will be some
time before India could be
INDORE LESSON
Doomsday scenario of violence on his arrest. As US democracy grapples with the ment, thus staving off the does appear that China the US. It’s the taking of self-sufficient in advanced AS MANY AS 36 people have been
pros and cons of the case of Donald J. Trump, the world is “watching”, a term that inevitable attention that was taken by surprise by Saudi Arabia on board military equipment. The killed after the stepwell roof at the
is trending these days in the free world. the US would bring to the the start of the Ukraine which is a potential coup, moment we tilt our scale a Beleshwar Mahadev temple in
Indo-Pacific. An increase war, despite the famous as it upsets a long-lasting wee bit more towards the Madhya Pradesh’s Indore could
in Chinese geopolitical “no limits friendship” US-Saudi relationship and US and the West, the tenu- not sustain the weight of a large
activity and presence in statement by Chinese and throws the future strategic ous balance so adroitly crowd during a havan on the occa-
THE ASIAN AGE the Middle East has been Russian officials during equations of the Middle played out by the Indian sion of Ram Navami. It reminds me
evident for some time. the Beijing Winter East into disarray. China government so far is likely of the Morbi bridge collapse in
KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR China’s economic growth Olympics in early is now involved in Grand to be upset. That needs a Gujarat nearly six months ago
Editor Printer & Publisher
is dependent upon guaran- February 2022. Beijing has Mosque revamp projects in separate analysis to imag- which killed 141 people, including
THE ASIAN AGE office is located at: teed energy supplies for its not supported Russia in Saudi Arabia and remains ine its impact on the 47 children. Is this not what hap-
New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: manufacturing sector. Part the UN and has not provid- the largest investor in ground. pens when religion becomes the
(011) 23211124. of that comes from Russia ed Russia with weapons; it Egypt’s Suez Canal Area prime driver and common sense
Published and Printed on behalf of and for and Central Asia, but the has publicly proclaimed Development Project, The writer, a retired and laws take a backseat? Such
◗ Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, which is Beijing’s most
majority reaches China’s neutrality. It has, however, lieutenant-general, is a for- pointless tragedy.
New Delhi 110 002 at BFL Infotech Ltd., C-9, Sector-III, Noida -201301.
◗ London: Quickmarsh Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ. eastern seaboard from the supported the Kremlin’s important shipping route mer GOC of the Srinagar- Bidyut K. Chatterjee
RNI Registration number: 57290/94 Middle East. It is the basic issues about the war, to Europe. While the Iran- based 15 (“Chinar”) Corps Faridabad, UP
“O Bachchoo is it true that everything’s been verting the Raj through cultural conversion? I abort it. affect Priti Clueless’s father’s decision to stand
Farrukh said
By the prophets and poets, now long dead?
think the answer is obvious — just as is the
answer to “Is the Pope a Protestant?”
Now within two decades of that trial, the phrase
The Empire Strikes Back has taken on a new and
for election from the openly xenophobic Brexit
Party? Did it inspire her home secretarial policy
Dhondy Must we now accept that no proverbs wait
To be formulated to govern life and fate
Nevertheless, through the 1960s till the present-
day, Indian restaurants in Britain have frequent-
more plausible usage. I allude, gentle reader, to
the election of Humza Yousaf to the leadership of
of sending desperate asylum-seekers to Rwanda?
Is there a way of telling the mind’s construction
Cabbages Or does each expression in words renew
The bonds of emotion between me and you?”
ly been proudly named The Empire Strikes Back.
I used to regularly eat at one called Last Days of
the Scottish National Party to be the First
Minister of Scotland. His Labour opponent, Anas
by the candidacy or the policy? And Cruella
dreaming of sending desperate refugees to the
& Kings — From Garmi ki Raat ka Sapna, by Bachchoo
the Raj.
The culinary adoption and the taste for foreign
Sanwar, is also of Asian origin, as are Rishi
Sunak, Suella Braverman, the home secretary,
same Rwanda?
The hard-graft-and-get-on attitude has
foods everywhere, is just a broadening of culture, Priti Patel, former home secretary, Sajid Javid a certainly promoted today’s 66 ethnic MPs
W
hen a national British newspaper, even though, at least in one British linguistic former chancellor of the exchequer, Sadiq Khan through the British meritocracy and into
publishing its survey of the nation’s instance, this broadening is expressed in violent the mayor of London, and Leo Varadkar, former Parliament. Tulip Siddiqi may be the niece of the
favourite dishes, declared that terms. Of which I took advantage. Prime Minister of Ireland. Bangladesh Prime Minister and Hedgie is the bil-
Chicken Tikka Masala was top of the So, if you can tolerate it, a brief story: What’s intriguing is that Yousaf, Hedgie Sunak, lionaire husband of a billionaire heiress, but the
Does African link list, some fools publicly opined that the Empire
had struck back. The adoption or adaptation of
subcontinental dishes and tastes was so wrongly
In 2001 two British national footballers — Lee
Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate — were
accused of attacking and brutally wounding an
Cruella and Pritti Clueless are all descended from
one or both parents who were subcontinental
immigrants to Africa and came subsequently to
large body of the rest of them have fought their
way up through education, opportunity and cun-
ning. Their parents arrived from poverty-strick-
R
ajasthan government’s well-meaning Right to
T
Health Bill is a rare opportunity to live on the
lofty ideals of the healthcare profession and, he Central Bureau of
despite having some apparent loopholes and Investigation (CBI)
drawbacks, it should not be lost. The Bill promises to pro- has completed 60
vide the residents of the state the facilities of free check- SM KHAN years of its existence
ups, drugs, diagnostics, and emergency transport and care. today, celebrating its diamond
But it guarantees much more than that. The Bill enlists jubilee. The CBI came into
20 rights of patients, which include, among others: right existence on April 1, 1963,
to informed consent, right to seek information regarding vide Government of India’s res-
diagnosis and treatment, and the right to keep their data olution no. 4/31/61-T/MHA,
confidential and private. Essentially, the Bill puts the obli- and derived its legal status
gation of facilitating universal access to affordable health- from the Delhi Special Police
care services upon the government. Even in the case where Establishment Act, 1963.
private healthcare facilities provide free emergency care, Ever since its coming into
the Rajasthan government has assured that it will reim- existence, the CBI has seen
burse the amount. It needs no retelling that across the many highs and lows, always
country, out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare has been remained in public gaze, and
breaking the backs of the low- and middle-income families has been subject matter of
— forcing them to avoid healthcare services as long as pos- debates and discussions in
sible, and compromise with the quality when it becomes public domain.
inevitable. The costs of quality health and education — two The CBI was formed as
prominent attributes indispensable to an individual human
entity — have shot up exorbitantly, propelling inequal-
The Central a central police agency, with
a view to investigate cases of
ity in access. Interestingly, and even duly, the architects of and state corruption by public servants,
the Right to Health Bill have drawn the inspiration for the governments breach of central fiscal laws,
legislation under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, economic frauds, and spe-
which guarantees right to life and liberty. It is hearten- should insulate cial crimes of serious nature,
ing to see that the state is willing to take up the responsi- the CBI from their including terrorist crimes. The
bility to facilitate universal access to healthcare. This is in jurisdiction of the CBI was
line with Article 38 and Article 47 of the Indian Consti- influence to allow extended to various states by
tution under Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), it to function as a Union cabinet’s resolution
which deal with promoting welfare of people and meeting with the consent of state gov-
the nutrition and health requirements of the population, an independent, ernments. However, till date, The CBI has been mostly acknowledged for its professionalism, competence, and fair play, but attracted criticism for political bias as well
respectively. The endeavour to introduce such a com- autonomous the CBI has not been able to get
prehensive legislation is also in conformity with several an all-India legislation to sup- could be passed. One of the it, demands for its probe in India, and requires administra- of states for its operation.
Supreme Court rulings. Given the scale of problem it seeks
investigating port its legal status, as it lacks reasons for it not being passed other cases. The CBI has always tive and financial approval in Even the National Investi-
to address, it is inevitable for the Bill to have shortcomings agency statutory authority to investi- is that many states, particu- enjoyed the reputation for its a number of matters from the gation Agency (NIA) and
and loopholes. Some of those are effective enough to stir a gate corruption and other cases larly the opposition-ruled professionalism, competence, Central government. Though Enforcement Directorate (ED)
state-wide protest by private healthcare professionals, who even against Central govern- states, take a stand that it is fair play, etc., and won the con- it is true that it is an investi- have got an all-India juris-
would be briefly joined by public healthcare professionals ment employees throughout against the federal structure of fidence of government, judi- gating agency which functions diction and do not depend
as well, out of solidarity. It is vital to understand the con- the country. It always depends India because law and order is ciary, legislature, media, and under the provisions of Code upon the consent of state
cerns of private healthcare professionals and address the upon the mercy of state gov- a state subject. At present, the people at large. However, it has of Criminal Procedure, and is governments.
same. The successful enactment and implementation of ernments to get or not get NDA is in power with a very been subjected to criticism in answerable only to the courts, The CBI has great poten-
the Bill will only be possible if the government manages to general consent to investigate sound majority in the Cen- politically sensitive cases, and still, there are questions about tial to work as an independent,
take the distrustful doctors in confidence. The protesting cases under Prevention of tre, and also rules majority of regularly attacked for being a its investigation and there are impartial agency with equity
healthcare professionals, however, are adamant that any Corruption Act, Indian Penal states, therefore, it is the best tool of the political party in allegations, particularly about and fair play, which it does in
deliberation on the bill will be possible only after the Bill is Code, and other laws. Many time to pass an all-India leg- power to harass and intimi- the timing of specific cases a large number of cases. The
withdrawn. Reportedly, protesting professionals are doubt- states, from time to time, islation for the CBI. A fact date political opponents. There and pace of its investigations. Central government and state
ful of the government’s promise to reimburse the expenses have even abruptly with- little known is that the CBI, have been allegations that the Sometimes, the timing of the governments should insulate
incurred on emergency care of patients. They also appre- drawn their consent, thereby in 2013, was declared as an CBI deals differently with the action becomes questionable the CBI from their influence
hend that the Bill will lead to increased bureaucratic inter- putting on hold the CBI’s organisation without hav- people in power or close to the though it cannot be termed to allow it to function as an
ference in the functioning of private hospitals. The experts, operations in that ing any legal sanctity by the power centre, and its conduct as illegal or against the pro- independent, autonomous
too, have raised certain apprehensions regarding the lack state. At present, Hon’ble Guwahati High Court. is not equitable in politically cedure established by the law. investigating agency. The peo-
of clarity around addressal of shortage of healthcare pro- nine states, mostly opposi- However, the said order was sensitive cases. People still say that political ple in power, whatever may be
fessionals, stipulated time-frame for framing of rules and tion ruled, namely, Chhat- stayed by the Hon’ble Supreme The CBI consists of reputed alliances are made or marred the political formation in the
other things. The protesting doctors need to admit that a tisgarh, Kerala, West Court of India, meaning that police professionals, but there depending upon accelerated Centre/state(s), should help
wide societal chasm exists when it comes to having access Bengal, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, the CBI is operating under a are functional issues that ham- or slowed-down investigations the CBI to carry out its duties
to quality healthcare services, which needs to be bridged Mizoram, Punjab, Rajasthan, stay order granted by the apex per its independent function- by the CBI. professionally and impartially
at all costs. Government’s intervention, and not interfer- and Telangana have withdrawn court. ing, as it entirely depends It is imperative in absolute to bring an investigation to its
ence, under its Constitutional obligation, is the need of the general consent given to the The CBI has enjoyed a love- on the Government of India public interest that an all-India logical conclusion in the larger
hour. The private sector, too, must share the responsibility CBI, denying permission to and-hate relationship with the and governments of various legislation be passed immedi- public interest.
of coordinating with the government, financially and oth- operate in these states. politicians ever since its incep- states in its day-to-day func- ately to give an all-India juris- The writer has served
erwise, in this ideal pursuit. The basic needs of the state’s A number of times, Bills tion. There is always a clamour tioning. The CBI is merely an diction to the CBI, at least the Central Bureau of
population cannot be compromised for sectoral interests. were introduced, discussed, for a CBI probe, and the same attached office of the Ministry in the cases of corruption by Investigation from 1989-2002
A viable, consensus-driven path will have to be found. For and debated in the Parlia- politician who is facing CBI of Personnel and Administra- public servants, and it should as its spokesperson.
that to happen, the protesting doctors should engage in ment, but no all-India statute probe in one case and criticises tive Reforms, Government of not depend upon the mercy Views expressed are personal
meaningful conversations with the government. The gov-
Unhappy nation
ernment has a still greater responsibility of gaining the
trust of protesting doctors. The Health Department of the
state government has issued orders of disciplinary action
against the doctors. The Rajasthan Human Rights Com-
mission, too, is contemplating further action against the
strike. It must be clarified here that the approach of the
government should not be coercive, for it will not
The latest World Happiness Report puts India after nations in distress,
just amount to an injustice against the protesting
individuals but also make the path of implementation of
the legislation bumpier. The government’s initiative in
Rajasthan is a golden opportunity, which must be utilised
in a positive manner. Ukraine and Pakistan. What gives?
A
re we truly one ues to be a bane of existence
P
months the training of AI systems more powerful olitical reform is generally a
than GPT 4 to assess how to manage their profound continuous, incremental pro-
impact on all aspects of human life has raised an cess of institutionalising the
issue central to the future of AI systems which are “post-revolution” radical chan-
now becoming human-competitive at general tasks ge in regime, ideally, from an undemo-
and increasingly in specialised ones as well. Could AI cratic to a democratic set of political
forces and rulers. For legendary Amer-
be the harbinger of chaotic ~ and potentially cata-
ican political scientist of the 20th cen-
strophic ~ consequences for humanity, or does its tury, Samuel P Huntington, political
transformational potential outweigh the costs? Find- reform meant “the peaceful ~ hence
ing an answer to this question is in the nature of a gradual, hence usually negotiated ~
Kantian categorical imperative for all nations before enhancement of liberty, justice, equal-
they engage internationally to negotiate and agree ity, democracy, and responsibility in
upon the rules of the game, which must be a global politics”. Political reform is often syn-
effort given the nature of the beast. The Open Letter onymous with promoting and consoli-
is signed by the who’s who of the tech world and dating the “democratisation” of the
academia from Elon Musk of Tesla/Twitter to Steve state.
Nepal, during her seven-plus de-
Wozniak of Apple, and Turing Prize Winner Profes-
cade-long modern history, witnessed
sor Yoshua Bengio to Professor Stuart Russell of at least five instances of radical change
Berkeley, who are by no stretch of the imagination in the political system. In 1951, a de-
neo-Luddites. In fact, as the letter puts it, the appeal mocratic revolution overthrew the
is to hit the pause button to give society a chance to 104-long Rana oligarchy. In 1960, King
adapt to ~ and governments the breathing space to Mahendra, through a coup d'état
evolve transparent mechanisms to regulate ~ these deposed the first democratically elect-
advanced technologies: “Let’s enjoy a long AI sum- ed government led by BP Koirala and
mer, not rush unprepared into a fall.” The growing millet does not est of the Government of India, ing notably severe impacts on ness.” Millets, which include banned political parties. Then, an
fear the sun. Acholi Proverb declared 2023 as the Internation- plant growth, causing shorter sorghum (jowar), pearl millet absolute monarchy ruled the nation
The dizzying pace of the ongoing digital revolu-
M
al Year of Millets (IYOM). The grain-filling periods, reduced (bajra), finger millet (ragi), barn- for the next 30 years. In 1990, a popular
tion has meant that AI is inveigling itself into the illets (or Mota Anaj) objectives of such declaration yield and biomass. Also, one abi- yard, foxtail, brown top and other revolt reinstated multi-party democ-
economic, psychosocial, and cultural aspects of are a highly varied are: (1) to raise awareness of the otic stress is leading to another ~ varieties, are termed as a ‘super- racy and rendered the king a ceremo-
human life at an unprecedented speed. For a devel- group of small-seed- contribution of millets to Food high temperature, for instance, grain’ with good reason. These nial head of the state. Another revolt
oping country like India, application of AI/advanced ed grasses, widely Security; (2) to inspire stakehold- causes rapid evaporation, result- crops are rich sources of macro- in 2007-08 deposed the monarch and
technologies in various fields provides an opportu- grown around the world as cereal ers to improve sustainable pro- ing in soil dryness and limited nutrients and micro nutrients, made the country a republic. A new
nity to pole-vault the traditional, linear growth paths. crops or grains for human food duction and quality of millets; water availability for plants, low- with higher levels of calcium, constitution in 2015 implemented fed-
Deploying these technologies optimally and strate- and fodder. Most species gener- and (3) to focus on enhanced ering their nutrient uptake. Indi- iron, zinc, potassium, protein eralism and restructured the erstwhile
gically can create a potent mix of resources and ally referred to as millets belong investment in research and de- an agriculture is experiencing the and essential amino acids. These
to the tribe Paniceae, but some velopment, to achieve the other severity of climate change. A also have a low glycemic index
infrastructure that can yield quality, sustainable millets also belong to various two aims. study published in June 2018 has (GI) property which, unlike rice
growth. AI, for example, has vast applications across other taxa. These are important Once a staple in traditional found that in the coming years and wheat, can help prevent the unitary state with significant devolu-
sectors, ranging from medicine to criminal justice, crops in the semiarid tropics of Indian cooking, millets fell out of there will be a reduction of vari- occurrence of Type 2 diabetics. tion of power to the subnational units.
and manufacturing to finance. Asia and Africa (especially in favour. They are making a slow ous cereal crops due to climate In addition, their nutrients can Despite so many changes in
Equally, the downstream effects of adopting south India, Mali, Nigeria, and comeback in India and across the change. The only crops that help avert cardiovascular dis- regime, Nepal’s destiny as an impov-
technologies such as AI without essential due dili- Niger), with 97 per cent of millet world. The various crop species could withstand these vagaries eases, lower blood pressure and erished nation with perennial crisis of
gence could cause unmanageable socio-economic production in developing coun- called millets were domesticated and not see a negative impact on cholesterol and improve gut governance, poor public service deliv-
disruptions of scale. The danger of job-less growth is tries, because they are highly tol- in different parts of the world yield are millets. Since the Green health. A study by ICRISAT pub- ery and elusive prosperity does not
among the primary concerns. There have been erant of drought and extreme most notably East Asia, South Revolution in the 1960s, rice and lished in September 2019, con- seem to have fundamentally altered.
weather conditions. This crop is Asia, West Africa, wheat took over as ducted on 1,500 children in Kar- What went wrong? What are the
examples, in the past, of the thus-far-no-further
favoured due to its productivity and East Africa. major planting nataka, found that children grew missing links between these ostensi-
principle being adopted on the application of tech- and short growing season under systems along up to 50 per cent more in weight
Sorghum cultivation bly bold political changes and the fee-
nological advances; Dolly the sheep was cloned but a dry, high-temperature condi- extends back to with other cash and height parameters on millet- ble socioeconomic outcomes? There
broad consensus emerged that human cloning is tions. Moreover, millets contain about 3000 BC in crops like cotton, based diets. This finding clearly may not be a straight answer to these
beyond the pale. Is there a similar model we should an incredible nutrient–rich com- northern and eastern soybean and highlights the significant poten- questions, but history shows that
be thinking of regarding AI in particular? position. Africa. It is now the maize. However, tial of millets for overcoming Nepali politics focused more on
Emerging technologies, apart from being perva- Enriched with the goodness fourth largest cereal these crops nutritional deficiencies. changing the regime than curing
sive, rapid, and non-linear, are also transient, which of nature, millets are a rich sou- crop. Its wild ances- demand higher Millets are also being hailed “chronic” ills in the affairs of state.
reinforces the need to build flexible and dynamic rce of fiber, minerals like magne- tors include several water. Millets re- as the solution for many lifestyle Political reform to institutionalise
models to respond to the changes and optimise their sium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, sub-species that per- quire only one- diseases like diabetes, high blood democracy and create socioeconomic
zinc and potassium. These are sist in the wild on third of the water pressure, digestive disorders, glu- transformation remained ignored.
impact. Contemporary AI is not simply a silo of data,
not only nutritious but also they African savannas. In JAYDEV needed to grow ten allergies, and much more. The agenda of political reform is
but a superintelligence that has a self-learning capa- have a unique taste, which can India, it is widely JANA rice, wheat, and There are inspiring stories of dia- absent in the national discourse or in
bility, or so-called deep learning. India has taken the accentuate the taste quotient of grown as jowar in sugarcane. The la- betes reversal, children on the the manifestos of the political parties.
lead in transforming millions of lives for the better by any meal. These unrefined seeds the north and
The writer is a retired
IAS officer tter also need autism spectrum benefiting from Political reform would warrant the
embracing the benefits of the digital revolution. But are increasingly becoming more cholam in the south. more fertilizers a millet-based diet and even can- reorganisation of the governing system
it is also perhaps time for the government to take popular and are on the verge of a The centers of early and pesticides, cer survivors who have felt the as per the objective of the party’s ide-
the lead in ensuring comprehensive impact studies revival. From being referred to as domestication of major cereals whereas millets can grow well in benefits of these miracle foods. ology. But in the post-modern “poli-
are carried out before advanced technologies such as ‘coarse cereals’, these miracle were the sites of other cultivated relatively arid environments with Millets have a rich cultural tics of pragmatism”, ideology is being
AI are incorporated into our lives. foods have been given a facelift grasses as well, the most notable less irrigation and fewer inputs. history in India, having long been seen as an obsolete and unnecessary
and were notified by the Govern- being proso millet and foxtail These anatomically superior C4 a source of nutrition for the poor. burden on the electorate. The idea is
ment of India as ‘Nutri-cereals’ millet in Asia, and pearl millet crops have higher photosynthet- There are many customs and rit- that the basis of governance and poli-
Premier show in April 2018. India also celebrat-
ed 2018 as the National Year of
and finger millet in India and ic efficiency ~ their potential
Africa. In Ethiopia small millet is yields remain unaffected by ele-
uals during which millets were
made mandatory. This could be
cymaking should be demand-driven
and evidence-based. This approach
A
Millets to boost production of the the staple food. Little millet is vated CO2 levels compared to C3 due to the health benefits experi- perhaps explains the rise of new forces
s the Indian Premier League of Twenty20 nutrient-rich millets and the sun- believed to have been domesti- crops like rice and wheat. These enced by our ancestors who then like the Rastriya Swatantra Party with
cricket sashayed into its 16th consecutive sea- rise agri-industry. Millets are cated around 5000 years ago, in qualities make millets truly cli- incorporated them into customs. vowed dispensability of political meta-
son on Friday, it was worth considering why its considered as the food of the the Indian subcontinent and mate resilient. Joanna Kane- For example, finger millets or narratives as party ideology. Since
obituaries proved premature. Truth to tell, one of poor due to their ability to grow Kodo millet around 3700 years Potaka, Assistant Director Gen- Madua Rotis are traditionally eat- Nepal has failed to take any meaning-
the constants, along with inflation, has been the even in the most marginalized ago, also in this region. Various eral, ICRISAT (International en by women in eastern Indian ful step in political reform, the debate
IPL’s incontrovertible triumph. No matter who, at lands. These are cereals that can millets have been mentioned in Crops Research Institute for the states of Bihar and Jharkhand be- over ideology is, therefore, spurious.
the end of the annual show holds the winners’ tro- be grown by everyone and eaten some of the Yajurveda texts, Semi-Arid Tropics) & Executive fore beginning a three-day long Political reform is an infinitely
phy aloft, the truth that comes home is that it is the by everyone, unlike paddy or which identify foxtail millet, Director General, Smart Food fast for the welfare of their chil- broad concept that may encapsulate
wheat which need more fertile barnyard millet and black finger says, “Millets have a double dren. Millets have found their all aspects of desperation, statecraft
countrywide, and therefore elaborate, extravaganza
lands and more focus on irriga- millet, indicating that millet cul- value in tackling climate change way into songs sung by women and the outcome of governance. Nev-
that has topped the charts. No one today probably tion and crop management. They tivation was happening around because they contribute to both during sowing and harvesting ertheless, in Nepal, four key compo-
remembers the IPL’s dark crime-and-punishment are also ideal for rain-fed con- 1200 BEC in India. Indeed, mil- adaptation and mitigation. Mil- crops. To reap the maximum nents of reform ~ internal democracy
moments resulting from the rigging of matches, and ditions and saline soils. Millet lets formed important parts of lets survive in much higher tem- nutritional benefits from millets, in the parties, representation in poli-
the protracted and extremely complex clean-up job cultivation under rainfed farm- the prehistoric diet in India, Chi- peratures than most crops and it is essential to encourage their cymaking, federal devolution and good
embarked on and completed by the highest court of ing still provides livelihood to nese Neolithic and Korean soci- can survive with much less water use as staple food. Government governance ~ are essential for politi-
law in the land. nearly half of the rural and tribal eties. Chinese myths attribute the (one-fourth of the water required policy and entrepreneurs need to cal stability and efficiency of the state.
Even international journalism’s recognised population and sustains about 60 domestication of millet to Shen- by rice). Their overall resilience take responsibility for ensuring The practice of internal democra-
moral policemen in the West make nary a reference per cent of India’s livestock. The- nong, a legendary emperor of makes them climate smart and that this does not remain as just a cy in any major political party is essen-
se are often used as multipur- China, and Hou Ji, whose name (are) a good adaptation strategy fad food but truly becomes a part tially absent or is a mere sham. A plat-
now to the stink of the past ~ at one level, the IPL is means Lord Millet. The renewed for farmers. Millets also are of mainstream food habits.
pose crops which support food, form to deliberate on the country’s
just too much cash for too short a period of work fodder and fuel needs and they interest in millets has been formed with minimal fertilizers As our knowledge of these societal and economic problems to
even for affluent whites, with a goodish extra thrown lend themselves to intercropping sparked by a multitude of rea- and pesticides, so they have a ancient grains grows, the ICAR reach a democratically formed view-
into the kitty for the national boards that must give with other plants, sustaining a sons. In the current changing lower carbon footprint. Millets and IIMR (Indian Institute of Mil- point which has institution-wide own-
their cricketers the green light to play in it. They, of richly diverse agricultural ecosys- agro-climatic narrative across the compared to rice reduce (by) lets Research) shall continue ership is conspicuously missing
course, have a lot to talk about, unless you would tem. Millets have seen rising world, it is essential that agricul- GHGs 2 to 13 per cent. This developing high-yielding sor- among the parties. The chieftains of
rather be told only of runs and wickets and of cricket popularity after India recognised tural policies see a shift from makes them good for the farmer ghum, pearl millet and small mil- the so-called democratic parties,
as a sport rather than a money-making process who- these to be sustainable solutions existing practices. Climate and planet. Add this to their high let varieties. Since Independence, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-
se raison d'etre is the money it makes. to food insecurity vis-à-vis nutri- change is now impacting agricul- nutrition value, making them over 300 improved millet culti- UML and CPN (Maoist Centre), exer-
tional insecurity. tural production, food stability good for you, millets are truly a vars have been developed. We cise absolute decision-making power.
If you are tuned only into how Ravichandran
To keep this momentum go- and nutritional security. Increas- Smart Food with a triple win and need to continue to provide Major decisions on forming alliances
Ashwin makes ‘em spin and not how the moneybags ing, the 75th session of the Unit- ing temperatures, erratic rainfall triple bottom line. The biggest more sustainable choices in an or taking strategic steps are barely
in s and around the game flourish, it quite certainly is ed Nations Assembly, at the beh- and prolonged droughts are hav- gap is building consumer aware- era of climate change. taken through open deliberations.
not for you but the IPL is currently said to be the
world’s most valuable domestic league in terms of
“per match takings,” way above the English Premier LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [email protected]
League, which is said to be a modest second in the
rankings. In contrast to the IPL’s 15 million pounds, after 13 civilians were killed in
it yields just a little more than 11 million pounds at
the end of the long, taxing day. And it is not simply
AFSPA angst Nagaland in December 2021, the
Union Home Ministry has decid-
ed to considerably reduce the
PAYING THE PRICE
SIR, I refer to D S Kang’s letter, “Time to scrap defamation law” pub-
about the Raj striking back. The IPL is at present the
SIR, Please refer to today’s report demand for the repeal of the number of “disturbed areas” under lished in The Statesman dated 30 March. May I ask Mr Kang whether
world’s second-fastest-growing sporting franchise, “AFSPA extended in eight Assam unpopular Armed Forces (Special the Act in Nagaland, Assam and this step will ensure that no body will use defamatory words against
with America’s National Football League perched districts for six months”. In what Powers) Act (AFSPA) from several Manipur. As things stand, the Gov- his political opponent.
at the top. is clearly a nod to the vociferous States in the northeast, especially ernment’s decision to relax the I feel that all politicians, irrespective of their party colours, need
Internationally famous business magazines will application of the Act in some to follow a self-imposed code of conduct to behave properly or else
tell you that the IPL has been quite a godsend for areas seems to stem from the re- this tendency to defame others will remain. While many of us are
the big investor as the way the Board of Control for duction in violence and adminis- inclined to show sympathy to Rahul Gandhi for being suspended
Cricket in India has set it up he is inoculated against trative reasons rather than as a res- from contesting elections for 8 years, but he himself is to blame for his
a financial loss. It is television and digital add-ons ponse to the burning question on predicament. What he said was absolutely uncalled for and he should
that make it a pot of gold. Viewers help it immensely whether the Act is essential to have tendered an apology openly instead of being adamant. His acts
security operations in these States. help neither his party nor the parliamentary democratic system we
by staying at home before the roaring telly, watching While this piecemeal gesture are accustomed to living with.
ads that influence spending decisions, says an analy- would be welcomed by residents Yours, etc., A K Deb Biswas, Hooghly, 30 March.
sis from abroad. Crucially, that, when it started, in these areas, the demand for the
was not what the cricket aficionado thought of. repeal of the Act from Assam,
The kind of analysis he tried was focused on the Manipur and Nagaland remains the five-member committee led by then should this remain on the
game. Stretch it just a little farther and you deduce unfulfilled. Several human rights retired Supreme Court judge B.P. statute?
why so many years of the IPL have not given us a organisations, sections of civil Jeevan Reddy in 2005, have stead- Yours, etc., Khokan Das,
Twenty20 World Cup. society and committees including fastly called for its repeal. Why Kolkata, 31 March.
NEW DELHI, SATURDAY 01 APRIL 2023 07
100 YEARS AGO
SATURDAY INTERVIEW
OCCASIONAL NOTE
'BJP should take us along in UP' A full report of Mr. C.R. Das's presi-
dential speech at the so-called All-India
Trade Union Congress contains a some-
what remarkable passage. Talking of
recent strikes in India, Mr. Das declared
R
amdas Athawale is a promi- and forward-looking document that that no "real" violence had occurred; men
nent Dalit leader. He is the enshrines the fundamental rights and Q: How many seats do you should not stand aghast at a little bow
president of the Republican freedoms of all Indian citizens. The think the BJP will get in the com- here and there. The two most recent
Party of India (RPI) and a Indian Constitution is a shining exam- ing Lok Sabha elections? strikes in Bengal, Mr. Das's own province,
member of the Rajya Sabha. Athawale ple of India’s commitment to democ- have been those on the East Indian Rail-
began his political career in the 1980s racy, secularism, and social justice. It A: BJP will get more than 350 seats in way and the Calcutta tramway. In the
as a member of the Dalit Panther is a testament to India’s pluralistic and the Lok Sabha elections. BJP has made course of the former a mail train was
Movement. He later joined the RPI diverse society, where people from a lot of achievements under other cen- derailed and forty persons were killed or
and became its president in 1991. He different backgrounds and religions tral schemes including Jan Dhan mutilated. During the tramway strike bot-
has been elected as a member of the can coexist peacefully and prosper Yojana, Mudra Yojana, PM Awas tles of nitric and other acids were thrown
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly five together. Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana and so on. The into cars on several occasions, burning or
times. He was also a member of the The Constitution reflects Dr. people have benefited so they are nat- disfiguring nearly a dozen persons, and
Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Ambedkar’s vision of a just and equi- urally inclined towards the BJP and there were five or six cases of conductors
Indian Parliament, from 1999 to 2004. table society, where everyone has our charismatic Prime Minister being dragged out of cars and nearly beat-
Athawale is known for his work in pro- equal opportunities and access to Narendra Modi. en to death. Does he want four or five
moting the welfare of Dalits and other resources. We must uphold these val- thousand people killed and mutilated in
marginalized communities in India. ues and work towards building a more Q: What do you think about railway smashes, and all the tramway con-
He has been a vocal advocate for inclusive and equitable society. Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo ductors blinded or murdered who do not
the rights of Dalits and has worked to Yatra? go on strike at the bidding of the union?
eradicate caste-based discrimination Q: Would you agree with The fact, of course, is that in Congress and
and prejudice in Indian society. He some people who want the Con- A: Instead of connecting with India, similar circles the habit of sober statement
has also been a strong supporter of stitution changed? he should bring unity to his party. based on evidence has long since been
affirmative action policies that aim to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra was abandoned, and Mr. Das is getting more
provide equal opportunities for Dalits society. I also work to ensure that the Q: How do you envision A : The provisions for change are Bharat Todo Yatra. If Rahul Gandhi and more addicted to reckless speech.
and other backward classes in educa- constitutional rights of these commu- India’s f u t u r e w i t h r e g a r d t o incorporated into the Constitution. strengthens his party instead of bring- Anxious to lead up to the resounding
tion and employment. In 2016, nities are protected and their voices social justice and empowerment? The Constitution has been amended ing unity to India, then some results Marxian phrase, "you have nothing to lose
Athawale was appointed Union Min- are heard at the national level. several times over the years. However, might come. The country is one. but your chains," he felt it necessary first
ister of State for Social Justice and A: I believe that India has made sig- its spirit must remain intact since it is Babasaheb has united the whole to draw a picture of Indian labour patient
Empowerment. In this role, he con- Q: What are some of the key nificant progress in the field of social working well. country through his Constitution. under the blows of the tyrant.
tinues to work towards promoting initiatives that your ministry has justice and empowerment, but there is
social justice and empowerment for undertaken to promote social still a long way to go. My vision for Q: The Lok Sabha elections Q: What is your expectation NEWS ITEMS
marginalized communities in India. justice and empowerment in India’s future is one where every citi- are scheduled for 2024. What from the government on power
He has also been a strong advocate for
the rights of women and has support-
India? zen, regardless of their caste, religion,
gender, or ability, has equal access to
preparations are being made for
that?
sharing in Maharashtra?
BENGAL TEACHERS'
ed various initiatives aimed at pro-
moting gender equality in Indian soci-
A : One of the key initiatives is the
implementation of the Scheduled
opportunities and resources. We need
to work towards building a more A: We have our party in every state, in
A: Our party's status in Maharashtra is
good, and we hope it will also be part CONFERENCE
ety. Anjali Bhatia talked to Ramdas Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Preven- inclusive society, where marginalized North East, North India and South of the Eknath Shinde government. DACCA, MAR., 31
Athawale. Excerpts: tion of Atrocities) Act, which is communities are not just given a seat India. If BJP takes RPI along in the Lok When the cabinet expansion takes The third session of the All-Bengal
designed to prevent atrocities against at the table, but are actively involved Sabha elections, both parties will be place in Maharashtra, one or two lead- Teachers' Conference was held this
Q: Can you tell us about your these communities and provide them in the decision-making process. To benefited. Our party's base is increas- ers from our party should get ministe- afternoon at the Bar Association Hall.
role as Union Minister of State with legal protection. We have also achieve this vision, we need to con- ing rapidly across the country. If BJP rial berths. Mr. G.C. Rose of Bagabasi College pre-
for Social Justice and Empower- launched several schemes aimed at tinue to work towards eradicating dis- takes us along in Uttar Pradesh, along siding. The attendance of delicates was
ment of India? improving the educational and eco- crimination and prejudice, and pro- with Dalit votes, we will also get Mus- Q: From where are you satisfactory. The Hon. Mr. P.C. Mitter,
nomic status of these communities, moting policies that enable social jus- lim vote. Mayawati has become weak preparing to contest the Lok Education Minister, sent a telegram
A: As the Union Minister of State for such as the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for tice and empowerment for all. as the leader of the Dalits. Given the Sabha elections? wishing success to the conference. The
Social Justice and Empowerment of Social Integration through Inter-Caste weak position of Mayawati, Dalit vot- chairman of the reception committee
India, my primary responsibility is to Marriages and the Venture Capital Q: Would you mind telling ers may come towards RPI. In such a A : Shirdi (Maharashtra) is the pre- dwelt upon the poverty-stricken condi-
oversee the implementation of poli- Fund for Scheduled Castes. Addition- me what you think of the Consti- situation, BJP can strengthen itself fur- ferred seat for the Lok Sabha. I con- tion of teachers who were entrusted
cies and programes that aim to pro- ally, our ministry has been working to tution of India drafted by BR ther by increasing the role of RPI in tested Shirdi's election in 2009, but with the important work of nation-
mote social justice and empowerment provide equal opportunities and Ambedkar? Uttar Pradesh. Our party got two seats lost. My tenure in the Rajya Sabha is building. He quoted some figures show-
of marginalized communities in India. access to resources for persons with in the Nagaland assembly elections. I till 2026, but now I want to go to the ing that in the field of secondary educa-
This includes initiatives related to the disabilities. As part of our initiatives A: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar played a signifi- have spoken to BJP National President Lok Sabha. Since 2009, the Shiv Sena tion the Government was paying only
welfare of Scheduled Castes, Sched- the Accessible India Campaign and cant role in drafting the Indian Con- JP Nadda and National Organization has been winning the Shirdi Lok one-sixth of what was being paid by the
uled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan were stitution. It is one of the most remark- General Secretary BL Santosh. He has Sabha seat continuously. This time the people. He was of opinion that the Gov-
Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citi- launched able documents ever written. The also discussed this with Chief Minister Shiv Sena has split. In this situation, ernment should pay more in the shape
zens, and other vulnerable sections of Constitution of India is a progressive Yogi Adityanath. winning the seat is most likely. of grants-in-aid to private schools,
effecting savings by doing away with
unnecessary items of expenditure in the
INDIAN CHRISTIANS
KRISTIAN COATES ULRICHSEN nerabilities to regional and global ten- the century. IN U.P.
sions – and entrenched uncertainty A Saudi reconciliation with Iran A deputation from the Indian Christ-
T
he fact that Saudi Arabia about the role of the U.S. as a long- would undermine attempts by the ian Association of the United Provinces of
entered a rapprochement deal term partner – that Saudi Arabia U.S. and Israel to increase Iran’s inter- Agra and Oudh presented an address of
with Iran and chose China to began to broaden its international national isolation and is consistent welcome to His Excellency, Sir William
broker it came as a surprise to relationships, with particular atten- with a Saudi desire to de-escalate Marris, on Saturday last at 10 A.M. at the
many international observers. tion on China. regional tensions. This is particularly Government House, Lucknow. His Excel-
The agreement, officially called Officials across the Gulf believe the case as Vision 2030, a plan to lency replied: "I thank you for your kindly
the Joint Trilateral Statement, was China will replace the U.S. as the diversify the Saudi economy beyond welcome and good wishes which I highly
signed in Beijing on March 11 and dominant economic and energy oil revenue, reaches its halfway stage value. I thank you also for the beautiful
begins the process of restoring diplo- superpower in the 21st century. For and begins to implement the infra- silver tray which has accompanied your
matic ties between Riyadh and more than a decade, a majority of oil structure and tourism giga-projects address. Governors in these days have rea-
Tehran. Those ties were severed in and gas from the six Gulf monarchies associated with Saudi Crown Prince son to be grateful to all who will judge
January 2016 after protesters stormed has flowed east to Asia in quantities Mohammed bin Salman. Launched in their doings without prejudice and in a
the Saudi Embassy in Iran in the after- that far exceed the cargoes heading 2016, Vision 2030 has struggled to liberal spirit. As you know, the Govern-
math of the execution of Nimr al- west to Europe and North America. attract international buy-in, in part ment in this country stands pledged to do
Nimr, a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric In a further sign of deepening due to investor concerns about justice to all religious interests impartially
who had criticized Saudi treatment of bilateral ties, in December 2022, Chi- regional insecurity and its spillover and to favour none. I have watched the
its Shiite minority. nese President Xi Jinping visited Saudi into Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s growth and development of your commu-
As an analyst of Saudi foreign pol- Arabia to sign investment agreements unwillingness to take sides in great nity with sympathetic interest."
icy, I’ve seen how the kingdom’s deci- been more complicated, with periods the Iran nuclear deal in 2015. across 34 sectors, ranging from green power competition is also evident in
sion to engage in this way with Iran
and China is part of a broader diversi-
of high tension – stemming from
events such as Saudi participation in
And then in 2019, a missile and
drone attack on Saudi oil infrastruc-
energy and information technology to
construction and logistics.
policy responses to Russia’s invasion
of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia, as well as the LAST TRIBUTE TO
fication of the kingdom’s internation-
al relationships that has unfolded over
the Arab oil embargo in 1973, or the
involvement of Saudi citizens in the
ture temporarily knocked out half the
kingdom’s production. The attacks
Meanwhile, the Saudi outreach to
Iran has been more than three years in
United Arab Emirates, has resisted
pressure to take sides in an era of SARAH BERNHARDT
the past decade. To close observers of Sept. 11 terrorism attacks in 2001. were linked, but never formally attrib- the making. It began after the 2019 oil strategic rivalries. One manifestation The greatest crowds seen in Paris
geopolitical trends in Saudi Arabia But since the Arab Spring protests uted, to Iran. President Donald Trump attacks and focused initially on de- of this balancing act has been the since the Armistice paid final homage to
and other Gulf states, the China-bro- in the early 2010s, U.S.-Saudi relations responded by declaring it had been an escalating regional tensions. Saudi Saudi decision to work with Russia Sarah Bernhardt today. A million rever-
kered deal fits into a pattern. have frayed, both in Riyadh and in attack on Saudi Arabia, not on the and Iranian officials held five rounds within the framework of the oil pro- ent watchers lined the streets through
From being firmly a part of the Washington. The perception among U.S., drawing a distinction between of dialogue in Iraq between 2020 and ducers group OPEC+ – and at the which the cortege wended its way. There
anti-communist camp during the Gulf leaders that the Obama adminis- their interests. Trump’s remarks, and 2022 to try to bridge the issues that same time engage with U.S. officials were 50 carriages, headed by five coaches
Cold War and closely tied into U.S.- tration abandoned former Egyptian subsequent inaction, caused shock- divided them. These meetings formed over issues of oil output and prices. bearing wreaths. These were followed by
led regional security networks in the President Hosni Mubarak during the waves in Riyadh and other Gulf capi- the backdrop to the China-brokered The Saudi deal with Iran and the remains of the tragedienne, enclosed
Persian Gulf, Saudi foreign policy is Egyptian revolution in 2011 left them tals as leaders began to question U.S. deal in Beijing. Reports have suggest- choice of China as an intermediary is in the rosewood coffin which has accom-
now taking a nonaligned stance that deeply rattled. They feared that the credibility as a reliable regional part- ed that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman consistent with a deeper shift in Saudi panied her on her travels for 30 years. A
has become increasingly consequen- U.S. could abandon them just as it had ner. has invited Iranian President Ebrahim foreign policy, which has been evident service was read at the church of Saint
tial for how Saudi Arabia pursues its done Mubarak, a longtime partner of Finally, in 2021, the chaotic Raisi to the kingdom, possibly during for some time. By adapting to chang- Francis de Sales and was attended by
interests. 30 years. nature of the U.S. withdrawal from Ramadan, the Muslim holy month ing circumstances, Mohammed bin Ministers, officials and leaders of the
The relationship between the U.S. This was compounded by the Gulf Kabul, Afghanistan, served to rein- that began on March 22. Any such visit Salman is looking to Saudi Arabia’s world of art and letters. The coffin was
and Saudi Arabia is often said to states’ exclusion from U.S. negotia- force deeply-rooted perceptions about would indicate a political will on both future and trying to strike a wider bal- borne from the church by actors, followed
revolve around an oil-for-security tions with Iran, initially in secret bilat- U.S. disengagement from the Middle sides to move beyond the two decades ance of power in what he sees as an by orphans, carrying white palms. It was
dynamic in which the Saudis provide eral talks in 2013 and subsequently as East, irrespective of the situation in of rancor and acrimony that followed eventual “post-American” Gulf. then conveyed to the Pere la Chaise
the former and the U.S. the latter. part of the P5+1 framework of the U.N. reality. the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and cemetery, lowered into the tomb and
In reality, ties have spanned a far Security Council permanent members, It is against this backdrop of prag- doomed an earlier phase of Saudi- (The writer is Baker Institute Fellow for Kuwait, quickly hidden from view by the profu-
Rice University. This article was published on
wider spectrum than that and have plus Germany, which culminated in matic acknowledgment of its own vul- Iranian rapprochement at the turn of www.theconversation.com) sion of flowers.
�������
������������������������
�������� � ������ �����
����� ������ �������� ������� ���������
������ ��������� ��� ��� ����� �������� ��
��� ������������� �� �������� ��������� ����
��� �� ������������ ������ �� ��������� ���
���������� ������ ���� ������ ������� �������� �� �
��������� ����� �� ���� ������ ������ �����
�
�� ��������������������������������������������������
���� ����������������� ����� ��������� �� ��� �����������������
�������������� �� ��� ������������ �� ���� �� ������� ��������
�
��� ����� ��� �� ������ �� ��� ������ ��� ����� ��� ��������
���� ��� ���� �������� ������ ������� �������������� ��� ����
������ ����� ��������� ��� ���������� �� ������� ������������ ���� ��
������� ���� ���������� �������� ��������� �� ������ �������� �� ���
������� �� ����� �� ��� ������� ����������� �� ��� �������� ������������
������� ������ ��� ��� �� ���� ��������� ������ �������� ������� �� ��� ���
��������������� �������� ��� �����
��������������� ����� �����������
������� ��������� ��������� �� ������� �������
���� ��������� ��� ����������� �����
��� ��������� ��� ���� ����� ���� ����� ��� ��� ����� ����������� ���� ��� �������� ��� ������� ������������� ��������� ���� ����������������� ���������������
����������� ����� �������� ��� ������� ����� �������� ������ �� �������� ��� ��� ������������� ��������
����� ��� ������� ������ �� �������� ������ ���������� � ��������� ������� �� ��� ���� ���� ������� ��� �����
�������������������������������������������������������������� �������� ���������
�� ����������� ��������������� ����� �������� ������ ��������� ��� ����� ��� ������� �������������� ���������� �������������� ���� � ���������� �����
��������� ��� ��������� ������� ����� ������ ��������� ���������� ����� ���
��������� ��������� �� ������ ��� ������ ��� ������� �� ���� ���� ������ ������ ��� ���������� ������� ��� ��� ���������� ���������� �������� ���
����� �� ��������� ��� �������� �� � ������ �� �������� ������ ���������� ��� ���� �������� �� ���� ���� ������ ����� ������������������������� ������� ������ ����� �������� ��� ����� ���� ��� ����� �������� ��� ������� �� ���
����� ������ ������� ����� �� ������ ��������� ������ ����� ��� ��� ���� �� ������������ �� ���� �� �� ���� ��� ��� �������� �� ���������� �������� ����� ���������� ���� �� ����� ���� ��� ���� ���� ����� ���� �� � ���������
����� ������ ������� �� ������� ����� ��������� �� ������ ����� ���� ������ ���� ��� �������� �� ������������ ������� ����� ��� ������� ������ ��� ������� ���� ��������� ��� ����� ������� �� �������� ������
������� ���� ��� ��������� �������������� ������� ��� ������� �������� ��� ���������� ����������� ��� �� ���� �������� �� ���� � ������ �� ���������� ����������� �� ��� �� ������������� ������� �� ����� ���� �����������
�������������� ���� �� �� ��� �� ������� ����� ������� �������� ��� ����� ������� �� ����� ����� ������������ ������������ ������� ��� ���� �� ������� ���� ����������� �������������� ����� ���������������� ���������������� ����
����� �� � ������������� ����� ������ ��� ��� ������� ���� �� ����� �� ������� �������� ���� ��� ���� ���� ������ ����� ��� ����������� ���������
��������� �������� ���� ���� ����� ��� ��� ������ ���� �������� �������� ������� �� ����� ������� ��������� ��� ������� ���������� ��� �������� ������ ������� ���� ����� ��� ���� ����� ��� ������� ������������ ����������� ���
��� �������� �������� ������ ����� ��� �� ������� ��������� ����� ����������� �� ��� ��������� ���������� ����� ������� ����� � ��� ��������� ��������� ���������� �� ������������� ��� �������� ������ �� ��� �������� ���
������������������������������������������������������������������ ��� ����������� ���������� �������� ��� ����� ���� ��� ��������� �������� �� ��� ���� �������� ��������� �� � ����� �����������
���������������������������������������������������������������� ��������� ���� ���� �������� �� ������ ������������������������������������ ��������� ����� ����� ����������� ������ ������ ��������� ��� ��� ���������
��� �� ��� ������ ������������ ������ ���� ������������ ����� �������������� �������������� ���� ������� �������� ��� ������������� ����� ��� ��������������� ����� ����
���������������������������������������������������������������� ������� ������ ����������� �� ����� ���������� ��������� ����������������� ���� ������ �� ����������� �� ��� ���
���������� ������� ��� ���������� �� ����� �� ����� ������ ������� ��� ���� �� ����� ��� ���� �� ���� ������� ������ �� ��� �� ����� ������
����������������������������������������������������������������������
�������� ���� ������� ���� ����������� ������� ���� ����� �� ��������� ���� �� ����� �� ���� ������ ��������� ������� ���������� ��� ���������� ��
������� ���� ��������� ��� ��������� ������ ������������� ��� ������� ��� ������ ��������� ����� ��� ������� �� ������� ��� ����� ����� ������� ������� ���������� ������ �� ����������� ������� ����������� ������ ��� �������
�������� �� ������� ���������� ��� ���������������� ��� ���������� ��� �������� �� ��� �� ��� ����� ������������� ������ ��������� ������� ���������� �� ������� ��������� �������������� ���� �� ������
��� ���� �� � ������������� �������������� ����������� ��� ����������� ������ ���� ��� ����� �������
��������� ����� �� ������ ������� ������� ���� ���� ������ ���� ���� ���� ������� ���� ������ ��� ��� ��������� ������� �� ����
���� ���������� ����������� ������������� ��� �������������� ����������� ��� �� ����� �� ���� ���� ��� ����� �������������� �� ����� � ��� ��� �� �������� ����������� �������� �� ��� ����� ����������� �� ��
������������������������������������������������������������������� ����� ����� �� ����� ��� ������� ��� ��������� ��� ������������ ��� ���� ���� ���������� ����� ���� �� �������� ���������� � �����
���������������������������������������������������������������������� ���� ����������� ������� ��� �������� �������� �� ����� ������ ���� ����������� ���� ������ �� ����� �� ������ ��������� � ����� ��������
��������� ��������� ��� ������ ������ �������� ����������� ���� ������ ��� ����������� �� �� ������ �� ��� �� ������� ������
�������������������������������������������������������������� ���� ������������� ���������� ��� ������ ������� �� ������
����� ���� ��� ��� ������������ �������� ������������ ���������
������������������������������������������������������������������ ���� ���� ���� ���� �� ����� ������ ������ �� ����� ���� ������� ������ ��������� �������� �������� ������������ ������ ��� �������
����� ���� ���������� ��� �������� ������������ ���������� ��������� ����������� ����� � ���� ����� ����� ������� �� ���� �� ����� ���� ����� ������� ��� ��������� ������
������� ������� ���� ���� ��������� ����� ����� ������ �� ������ ����� �� ���� ����� �� ��� ������ ���� ��������� �������� ����� ������� ��� ����� ������ ������ ���� ��� ���� �����������
�������� �������� ������� ������������������ ������� ��� ��� �� �� ���� �� ���� ��� �������� �� ������� ����� ��� ���� ���������� ������������� ������������ ���� ��� ���� �� ���� ��� ���� �� ���������� ������� ���
��������� ���� ���� ������� ������ ���� �� ���������� �� ����� ������� �� ��� ��� ���� ��� ��������� ������� ����� �� � ���� ����������������� ��� ������������� �� ���� �� ����������� ������������� �� ������� �� ����� ��
������� � ���� �������� ���������� ��������� �������� ������ �� ������ �� ���� ������������ ����������� ��� ����� ������ �� ������ ���� ��� ������� ����
��� ���� ���� ������ �� ���� �� ����� �� ����� ���� ������ ������ ����� ���� �� ��� �� ������ ����� ��������������������������������� ���������� ��� ��������� �� �������� ��� �� ����� ����� �������������� ��
��������� ��� ������������ ����������������� ���� ����������� ��� ����� ������ ��� �������������� ���������� ��� ������ ���� ��� �� ��� ����� ������� ����� ���������� �������������������� ��� ������ �� ��������� ������� ������
����� ����� ����������������� �� ��� ����� ������� ��� ��� ���� ������ �� ����� ����������� �� � ��������� ������ �� ��������������� ����� ����� �������� ��� ����� ������ ��� ����� �� ��� ����������� ����� ���
������ ����������������� ����� �� ����� ����� �� ���� ���� ���� ����� �� ���������� ���� ���������� ���� ������� ������������� ������������ ������ �������� ��� ����� ��������� ���� ������������� ��� ���� �����
�������� ��� ���� �� ��� ����� ��� ��������� ��� ���������� ����� ���� ����� ��������� �� ��� ���� ������������ ��� ������ ��� ���������������������� �� ���������� ����� ���������������� ���������� ������������ ��� ���� ���
����� ��� ��� ������ �� �� �������� ������� ������ ��� ��������� ��� ���� ���������� �� � �������� ��������������� ����� ����� ��� ��������� ���������� ��� �������� ��� ���� ������������� ����� ���� ����� ������� �� ���� ��
����� ������� ������ ������ �������� ��������� ���� ������� ������ �� ������ ������� � ������ �� ����� ����� ������� ����� ���������� ��� ��������� �����
������� � ������ ������� � �������� �� ����� ������� �� ���������������
��������� ������������ ��� ��������� �� ���� ��� ��������� ����� ����� ��� ���� �� ������������� ������ ���� �� ��������� ��������� ��� ��� ���������� ��� ���
�������� ������� ��� ����� �� ��� ������ �� ���� ���� �� � ������ �� ��� �������� ��� ������ ��� ��������� �� ��� ���� ��� �� ������ �� ��� �������� ��� �� ���������� ������� ���� �� ���� ������ ������� �� ���������� ����
������������ ������������ ������� ������� ���������� ���� ������ �� ���������� ���� ���� ���� ������� �� �������� ���������� ������� ������ ������������������ ����������� ���� ����� ���� ������ ������������� ��
���� �� ��� ��������� �� �� ������� � �������������������� �� ������ ���� ����� �������� ����� �� ��� �� ��� ������������� ���������� ������ ��� ����� ����� ���������� ���� �� ����� �� ��� ������ ��������� �������� ���������� ��
��������������� ��������� ��������� �� ������� �������������� ��� ���� ������������ ��� �� ���� �� ������� ���� � ������ ����� ��� ����� �������� ����� ������ ���� ��� ���� �� �������
��� �� ���������� ����������� ��� ��� ���� ���� ������ �������������� �� ���� ����� �� ���� ���� ������� ������ ���� �������� ��� ���� ����� ��� ���� ����� ��� ���������� ��� ����� �� ������� ��� ������ ����� ���������
��� ������ ���������� ������ ������ ��� ��� �������� �� ��� ����������
�� ������������� ����� �� ����� ��� ��������� ������������ ����
���� �� ���� ����� ������ ���������� ����� �� ��������� �� ��� ������� ����
�������� �������� ������� �� ��������� ���� �� ��� ��� � ������� ������� ��� ��������� �� ��� ������ �������� �������� �� �������� ������ ��� ��� ��������������������������������� ��������� �� ���� �� ���������� �������
������� �� �������� ���� ����� ���������� �� ����� ��� �� ����� �������� �������� ������ ����� ������ ������ ����� ����� �������� ������� �� ��� ��������� ��������� ������ ������������� ������ ���� ��� ���� ���������� �� ��� ����
��������� �� ������� ��������� �������� �� ��� ������ ������� ������ �� ������� ����������������������������������� ��� ��������� �� ������������� ������������������������������������� ����� ������ �� ������� ��������������
��������� �� ������ ��� ����� ��� ���� �������� ����� ����� ������� ��� �������� �� �� �� ������� ��� ����� �� �� ����� ���������� �� ������� ��� ������� �� ��� ������ ������� �� ��� ��������� � ���������������������������������
��� ���� ��� �� ��� ������� ����� �� � ���� ���� �� ������ ���� �� ���������� � ������ ������� ���� �� ���������� ������� ���� ������������������������������������ ����� �������� ������� �������������� ���������� �� ������� ����� ����������
�� � ������� ������� �� ��������� ������� ������������� ���� �������� �� ������ ���������� ���������� ��� ���� ������� ������ �� ��������������� ����������� ������������������������������������ ��������� ����� ��� ������������� �� �����
������� ����� ��������� ������� ���� ������ �� �� ���������� ������������� ������ ����������������������������������� �������� ���������������� �������� ��� ��� �� �������� �� �������� �������� ��� ��� �� ��� ���������� �������� ����
�� ��������� ����� �������� ��� �������� ��� ���� ��� ����������� ���������� ���� �� ������������� ������� ������� ���� ������ ���� ������� ��������������� ���������� ���� ����� ����� �� ���� ������ �������� ������ ���� ��� �� ��� �����
��� ��������� ������ ��������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ���� ��������� ����� ���� ��� �� ����� ������������������������������������
�� ����� ������� ���� ������� ���� ���� ���� ����� ���� ������ ���� ������� �� ������������������������������ �� ������������� ���������� �� ����� ������� �� ��� ������� ���������� ������ ����������������������������������
��������� ������������� ��� ������ ��������� ���������������� ��������� ��� ������� ����� ����� ������� ������������� ���� �� ��� ������������ ������ ���� ����� ������ �� ����� ������������������� ����� ��� ��������� ������������������� ������
���� ���� ��� ����������� ������������� ��� ������� �� �������� ������������ ����������������������������������� ����������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������������
������� ������������� ��� ������ �������� ������ ������ ����� ��� ������ ���� ���� ��� ���������� ��� ���� ���������� �� ������� ���������� ������������ ���� ����� ����� �� ������� ����� ��������� �� ��������� ���� �� �� �� ������� �����
���� ��� �� ��� ���� �� ��� ������� �� ���� ��� �� ����� ��������� �� �������� ������������������������������������ ������������������������������������ ������� ���� �������������������� ���� ������ ��� �� �� �� ������� ��������
���� �� ���������� ��� ���� �� ��� ���� �������� ��������� ���� ������� ����� ������ ������������������������������������� ����� ��� �� ������������������ ���� ��� ������������������������������������ ������� ��� ���� ������ �������� ���
�� ������� ��������� ��� ������� �������� ������ ���������������� ����� ������� ���� �� ��������� �� ������ ��� ������ �� ��� ����������� ���� ������ ���� �� �� ���� ������������������������������������ ������������� ��������� ����� ��� ��� ����
�� ����� ������������� ����������� �� ��������� ��� ��� �������� � ����� �� ������� �������� �������� �� ������ ������ ����������������������������������� ������ ������� ��� �������� ����� ������ ���� ����� ����� �������
�������� ���� ����� ����� ��� �� ������� ��� ������� �� ����� ��� ��� ��� ����� ������ ���� ��� �������� ��� � �� ������� ��� ������� ��� ���������� ��� ������ �� ������ ����������� �� ���� ���� ��� � ����������� ������ ��
��� ��� ������ ������ �� ��� ��������� ����� �� ������� ��������� �� ��� ���� ������������������������������������ ���� �� ��� ���� ������� �� ����� ������� �������� ��� �� ��� ��������� ������� ���������� �� ��������������
������� ����� ���� ����� �� ������ ����������� ��������� ������������������������������������� ��� ����������� ������ ����� ����������� ������������� �������� ��� ���� ������ ���� ���� ��
��� ������� ������� �� ����� ��� ������� ���� ���� ��������� ���������� ������ �� ���� ��� ����� ������ �� ������������� ������� �������� ������ �� ��� ������ ������� �� ����� ����� �������� ��� ���������
�� ��������� ������������ ����� ����� �� ������� ������� � ���������� ��� �������� ������ �� ��� ����� ����� ���������� �� ��� ����������
������� ������� ������� ���� ���� �� ������ �� ���������� ���������������������������������� ������ ���� �� ������������� ���������� �������� ������������� ��� ������� ��
������ ���� ����� �� ���������� ���� ������� ����� ��� ��������� ���������� �� ������� ��������������� ��� �������� ������ ����
����������� �� �������� ����� ������� ������ �� �� �� ����� �������� ��������� ��������� �������� ���� ��� ������� ������� �������������������������������������
��������� ���� ���� ���� ���� �������� ���� ��� ���� ���� �� ���� ������������ ���� �������� ��������������� ��� ��������� ���������
�������� �� ���� ������� ���� ��� ��� �������� �� ����� ����� ��������� �� ��� ���� ���� ������� ���� ��� ��� ��������� ����� ����� ��� ����
������ ������� ��������� ���������� ��������������� ��� ������ ���� ����� ������������������ �����������
��
����� ����� ��� ����� �������������� �������� ��������� ���
��������� ����� �� ������ ���� ������ �� ��������� ������
��� ���� ���� ����������� ���� ����
����������� ������ ���� ������ �������
��� ��� ��� ���
��� ��
���
��� ���������� �� ����� ������ ��� ��
������ �� ������� ���� �� �����������
��� �� ��� ��� ��������� ����� ������ ��������� ���� ����
����� ����� �� �������������� ���� ������������ ��������
���������������������������������������
������������ ���������� �� ������� ����� �� ����� �� �� ���� ��� ����������� �����
���
�����
��� ������������� ���������� �� ���
���� �� ��� ��������� �� �������� �����
��������� ���� �� ���� ��� ����� ������������ ���������� ��� ��� ��� �������� ���� �� �������� ���� ����� �� ���� �� �������� �� ���� ��� ��������
������� ������� �������
������� �������� ������ �� ��������� ���������������� � ������ ������ �� ��� ���������� ������ ���������� �� � ����������� �������� ������
������ ��� ����� �������� ���� ���� ����� ����� ����������� �� ��� ������ ��� ��� ��� ������ ���
��� ������ ����� �� �� ��� ��� �� ���������������������� ������ ���� ���� ����� ���� ��� ���� �������� �� �������� ���� ���������� ���� ����� �� ��� ���������� �� ����� ���� ���� ���� ���� ��������������� ����������� �� ������ ������� �� �������������
���� ������ ������� ��� ��������������� ����� ������ ������� �� ������ ��������� ������������ ���������� ������ �� � ���������� ������ �� ������
����� ����� �� ����� �� ����� ��������� ������������� ����� ����� �� ������� ������
����������� �� �� ��� ���� � ����� ����� �� ��� ���� �������� ����� ����� ���
������� �� ������ �� ������� ����� ������������� ��� ���� ���������� ������� �� ��� ������
���� �������� ���� ����� ����� � ��� ���� ����� �� ������������������� �����
��� ���� ���� �������� ���������� �� ���� �� ������ �������������� �� ��� ������ ��������� ���� ����� ��� ������ ���� ����� �� �� ������ �� ���� ���� ����� ��� ��� �� ����� ���� �� ������� ��� �����
����������� �������� ������� ������ ������� ��� ���� �� � ������� ����� ��� ��� �������� ����� �� ����� ����� ��� �� �� �� ������ �������� �� ��
������������ ������������ �������� ����� �� ������� ���� ����� �� �� ����� � �� �� ������� �� ��������� ��� ������ ����� ������ ��� �������� ��� ����� �� ���� ��� ����� ����� ��������� ��� ������������� �����
��� ��� ������ ������� �� ��������� �������� ��� ����� �� ��� ���� ����� �� ���� ���� ������ ���� ������������� ����� ������� �� ��� ������� ��������� ��� ���������� ������ ��� ��� ��� ��� ������ �� ���� �����
�������� ����� ������ �������� ������� ���� ������ ��������� �� ��������� �������� ���� �� ����������� �������� ���� ��� ������ �� ���� ���� ���� ����������� ������� ��� ���� ������ �������� ��� ����� ��� ����
������� �� ����������� �������� �������� ������� ���� �������� ���� ����� ������� ���� ��� ���������� ����� ��������� �� ������ ������� ������������� ���������� �� ��� ����� ����� �� ��� ��� ���� �� ��� �������������
�������� ��� ����������� ���������� ���� ������ ���� ������ ���������� ������ ��� ��� �� ��� ��� ��� � ������� ��� ���� ������������� ���� ���� ����� ��� ���������� ��� ������� �� ��� ��� ��� ��������� ������� �� ���� ����
�������� ������ ����� ���� ������� �� ���� ��� ������������ ������ ���������� ������ ��� �������� ���� �� �� ���� ���� ���������� ����� ����� ������ �� �������� �� ��� ������ ���� ���� ������� ����� ��� ��� ����� �� ���
������ ������� ������ ���� ����� ����� ������� ��� ������� �� ��������� ������ ���� ���� �� ��� �� �� ��������� ��� �������� ��� ���� �� �� ��������� �������� �������� �� ����� ���� ���� ����� �� �� ����� ��� ����� ��
����������������� ������ ������� ����� ������ � ��� �������� �� �� ��������� ���� ����� ���� ������ �������� ��������� ��� ��� ���� �� ����� ������ �� ������ ��� ���� ����� ���� ������ � ���� ���� ������
���� ���������� ���� ��� ��������� ���� ���� ����� ��� ������� ���� ����� ������ ���������� �� �� ������ ������������� ������� ���������� ����� �� ���������� �� �� ���� �� �������� ��� ������ �� ����������� ���������� �����������
����� �� ��� ������� ��������� ������� �� ���� ������ ��� ���� ����� ������� �� �� �� ���������� ���� ��� ���������� �� �� ��� ������� ��� �� ���� �� ��� �����
���� ����� ���� ������� ����� ���� ����� �� ���� ��������� ������� ���� ������ ����� ���������� ���� ������ ��������� ��� ��������� ��� ����� ������ �� �� �� ��������������������������
����� ��� �� ������������� ������ ������������ ������� ��� ��������� �� ���� �������� �� ������ �� ��� ������ ������� ��� ��� ��� ������� �� ��� ������ ������� ��� ��� ������ ���� ��������� ����� � ������ ��� ��������� �� ��� ������ ������� ��� ���� ��������� ������ ������� ��������� � � ��� ������� ���� �����
����� ��� ������������� ������ ������������� ������ ������ ������ ������� ���� ��� � ��� ���� ������� ������� ���� ��� � ��� ���� �������� �� ��� ������ ������ ������� ������� ������� ��������� ������ ������� �������� ������������ ������������� ��� ��������� �� ���� ����� ��� ��� ���� ����������� ���
������ ������� ��� ��� ��� ������ ��������� ������������ �� ��� ������� ���������� �� ���������� �� ����� �� �� ����� ������� ����� ������� ���������� �� ����������� ��� ��������� ��������
��� �����
=4F34;78kB0CDA30H k0?A8; !!"
%
gggTQY\i`Y_^UUbS_]
&RQJUHVV¶2%&
UPRTQ^^ZR^\SPX[h_X^]TTak /CWT3PX[h?X^]TTak X]bcPVaP\R^\SPX[h_X^]TTa
A2A6CH:E9A2DD:@?
Ac``W`WeYVafUUZ_X«
SDUDQRLDLVDJHROG
)RUHLJQ7UDGH3ROLF\KDVJRRGLQWHQWLRQVEXW
WKHVHQHHGWRWUDQVODWHLQWRDFWLRQIRUWULOOLRQH[SRUWV D1BE>27D67
7
KHQHZ)RUHLJQ7UDGH3ROLF\)73LVLQV\QFZLWKWKHEDVLFWKUXVWRIWKHHFRQRP
LFSROLF\UHJLPHGRLQJDZD\ZLWKLQFHQWLYHVDQGPRYLQJWRZDUGVDV\VWHPLQZKLFK
LVIULHQGOLHUWRH[SRUWHUVLQWHUPVRIFRVWVDQGSURFHGXUDOULJRXUV7KHNH\DSSURDFK
?Pach[TPSTaAPWd[6P]SWX³bbcP]SPVPX]bccWT^cWTaQPRZfPaSR[PbbTbfX[[
WRWKHSROLF\DFFRUGLQJWRWKH*RYHUQPHQWLVEDVHGRQIRXUSLOODUVLQFHQWLYHWRUHPLV
VLRQH[SRUWSURPRWLRQWKURXJKFROODERUDWLRQLQYROYLQJH[SRUWHUVVWDWHVGLVWULFWVDQG
R^bccWT2^]VaTbbSTPaYdbcPbXcWPSSdaX]VAPYXe6P]SWX³bcX\T
ate Rajiv Gandhi was
L
,QGLDQPLVVLRQVHDVHRIGRLQJEXVLQHVVUHGXFWLRQLQWUDQVDFWLRQFRVWDQGHLQLWLDWLYHV the leader of the
DQGHPHUJLQJDUHDVDVHFRPPHUFHGHYHORSLQJGLVWULFWVDVH[SRUWKXEVDQGVWUHDPOLQ Opposition in the Lok
LQJ6&20(7SROLF\6&20(7LVWKHDFURQ\PRIVSHFLDOFKHPLFDOVRUJDQLVPVPDWH Sabha in 1990 when
ULDOVHTXLSPHQWDQGWHFKQRORJLHV$QQRXQFLQJWKHSRO the then Prime
LF\&RPPHUFHDQG,QGXVWU\0LQLVWHU3L\XVK*R\DOVDLG Minister Vishwanath Pratap
Singh took the historic decision
´:HZLOODFKLHYHWULOOLRQLQH[SRUWVE\EXWLW to implement the Mandal
VKRXOGQ·W EH WKDW PHUFKDQGLVH H[SRUWV DUH RXWSHU Commission Report to give
IRUPHGE\VHUYLFHVH[SRUWVµ7KH*RYHUQPHQW·VIRFXV effect to reservation to other
LVFRUUHFWIRUPHUFKDQGLVHH[SRUWVDUHODJJDUGV,Q backward classes (OBCs) to the
extent of 27 per cent. Six years
WKHILUVWPRQWKVRIWKH\VWRRGDW before Rajiv Gandhi had led
ELOOLRQZKLFKZDVSHUFHQWPRUHWKDQ Congress to win 404 seats with
ELOOLRQLQWKHFRUUHVSRQGLQJSHULRG,QFRQ over 49 per cent vote share.
WUDVWVHUYLFHVH[SRUWVZHQWXSIURPELOOLRQ The Mandal Commission
Report was a turnaround for
LQ$SULO)HEUXDU\WRELOOLRQLQ$SULO Indian politics, as Rajiv Gandhi
)HEUXDU\ZKLFKZDVDULVHRISHU stood in the Lok Sabha to
FHQW7KLVLVQRWVXUSULVLQJEHFDXVH,QGLD·VZHDNQHVV oppose its implementation. The
LQPDQXIDFWXULQJLVQRVHFUHWHFRQRPLFUHIRUPVEHJDQ Bharatiya Janata Party leaders
Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK
PRUHWKDQWKUHHGHFDGHVDJREXWWKH\VWLOOKDYHWRSHUFRODWHWRWKHORZHVWOHYHOV7KLV Advani welcomed the decision
H[SODLQVWKHJUHDWHUIRFXVRQVWDWHVGLVWULFWVHDVHRIGRLQJEXVLQHVVUHGXFWLRQLQWUDQV of the VP Singh government,
DFWLRQFRVWDQGHLQLWLDWLYHVLQ)73 stating that the time had come
)73LVEDVHGRQFRQWLQXLW\RIWLPHWHVWHGVFKHPHVIDFLOLWDWLQJH[SRUWVDQRIIL to recognise the legitimate
demands of the OBCs in the
FLDOSUHVVUHOHDVHVDLGDGGLQJWKDWLWLVDGRFXPHQWZKLFKLVQLPEOHDQGUHVSRQVLYHWR country.
WKHUHTXLUHPHQWVRIWUDGH7KHUHOHDVHKLJKOLJKWVWKHQLPEOHQHVVDQGUHVSRQVLYHQHVV The stand of Rajiv Gandhi
E\SRLQWLQJRXWWKDWFKDQJHVZHUHGRQHVXEVHTXHQWWRWKHLQLWLDOUHOHDVHRI)73 was almost unilateral as records
7KDWPD\EHWUXHEXWWKHSRLQWLVWKDWWKLVGLGQRWKHOSPHUFKDQGLVHH[SRUWVPXFK of those times show that the port for the OBC was also Rahul Gandhi repeated which senior political leaders
OBC leaders within the manifested in a strong lead- the same mistake that his escaped judicial fury by apol-
DVWKHODWHVWILJXUHVVXJJHVW6HUYLFHVH[SRUWVKDYHEHHQGRLQJZHOOEXWWKDWLVSULPDU Congress were appalled at the ership of the party from the father had committed in the ogizing in the court. Delhi
LO\EHFDXVHWKHEXVLQHVVSHUVRQVLQWKLVVHFWRUGRQ·WKDYHWRLQWHUDFWPXFKZLWKWKHJRY decision of their leaders. The backward castes. They were at Lok Sabha in 1990. There is Chief Minister Ar vind
HUQPHQWRIILFLDOV)RULQVWDQFHDQ,7ILUPLVQRWERWKHUHGE\WKHERLOHULQVSHFWRU$Q Congress leaders were shocked the forefront of the party not a single independent Kejriwal had also levelled
LPSRUWDQWIHDWXUHRI)73LVWKDWLWLVRSHQHQGHG$V'LUHFWRU*HQHUDORI)RUHLJQ that Rajiv Gandhi was discon- workers in several states. voice in the country that did- baseless allegations to defame
nected from the masses. He They also took the leadership n’t admonish him for his the late Arun Jaitley and
7UDGH6DQWRVK.XPDU6DUDQJLWROGWKHPHGLDLWZLOOEHXSGDWHG´DVDQGZKHQUHTXLUHGµ was not ready for the march of of the party and even became 2019 election speech in Kolar, Union Minister Nitin
$QRWKHUIHDWXUHLVDRQHWLPHDPQHVW\VFKHPHIRUH[SRUWHUVWRFORVHWKHROGSHQGLQJ social justice. chief ministers. Karnataka in which he asked Gadkari. Both forgave him
DXWKRULVDWLRQVDQGVWDUWDIUHVK+HDOVRVDLG´7KHDSSURDFKRIWKHQHZSROLF\LVWRPRYH Within a few years, Congress The journey of Congress “why all thieves have Modi after he apologised for his
IURPDQLQFHQWLYHEDVHGUHJLPHWRDUHPLVVLRQRIWD[HVUHJLPHµ-XVWDVWKHSURRIRI was reduced to a party with the and the BJP is in sharp con- surname”. This was an outra- mistakes. But here Rahul
best tally of about 200 Lok trast. Congress went into a geous statement by a person Gandhi doesn’t want to own
WKHSXGGLQJLVLQWKHHDWLQJWKHHIILFDF\RIDSROLF\LVLQLWVLPSOHPHQWDWLRQ7KHWDUJHW Sabha seats even when the party steep political fall since the who was president of up to his mistake. In place, he
RIH[SRUWVZRUWKWULOOLRQFDQEHDFKLHYHGLIWKHJRRGLQWHQWLRQVRI)73JHWWUDQV
ODWHGLQWRDFWLRQ
came to power in alliance with
other political parties. From the
1990s. The BJP rapidly rose in
its political stock since the C7419?F0B Congress. He had been a
member of the Lok Sabha
has chosen to enact political
stunts in the name of his con-
strength of 404 Lok Sabha seats, 1990s. The Congress base 2;40A5A>< multiple times. He is also 52 viction by the court in a
Congress’ fortuned was cut by shrank. The BJP vote base years old. He couldn’t have criminal defamation case and
?82D1<; half in the Lok Sabha, solely for expanded. Congress kept hit- C741468==8=6 made the scandalous and the subsequent automatic dis-
its anti-OBC mindset. The space
vacated by Congress was occu-
ting lower and lower in its
Lok Sabha tally. The BJP tally C70CC74>12B outrageous statement to ques-
tion the integrity of the OBC
qualification from member-
ship of the Lok Sabha, which
pied by the regional parties. in the Lok Sabha kept rising. 34B4AE43 community. was in accordance with the
They mushroomed all across the In the 1989 Lok Sabha Worse is the fact that Supreme Court ruling of
country. The political parties elections, Congress won 197 B>280;9DBC824 there is no remorse on the 2013. Rajiv Gandhi’s anti-
espousing the cause of the OBCs
came up in Haryana, Uttar
seats. The BJP had won 85
Lok Sabha seats in the same 0=3C74?0ACH³B part of Rahul Gandhi. He has
occasions to express remorse
OBC stand had cut Congress’
strength by half. Rahul
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and election. Three decades later, ;4034AB78?F0B and apologise in the Surat Gandhi’s stand against the
elsewhere. They ate into the vote the BJP won 303 Lok Sabha Court. But he chose not to OBC will also bring similar
base of Congress. Even after seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha BC40350BC8= apologise. It’s beyond under- wrath, and the Opposition
three decades, Congress has
mostly lost its vote base in states
elections. Congress for the
second time in a row could 8CBBD??>AC standing that a number of
lawyers who hold senior posi-
party given its current
strength may find among the
where the OBC identity-based not win enough seats to gain C>C74< tions in Congress would not regional parties sitting in one
regional parties cropped up. the status of the leader of the have gauged the conse- corner of the Lok Sabha with
The BJP was clear from its Opposition in the Lok Sabha. quences of Rahul Gandhi a handful of members after
beginning that the OBC The people of the country not apologising for his defam- the 2024 general elections.
deserved social justice and the punished Congress for its atory statement. (Author is the national gen-
party’s leadership was steadfast anti-OBC bias in the last Also, there had been a eral secretary of the
in their support. The BJP’s sup- three decades. number of precedents in Bharatiya Janata Party)
SX__cUdXU]SQbUVe\\i
ing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and \dbccPZTR^]RaTcTbcT_bU^aXcb_aTeT]cX^]Pb
noting his disqualification of member- X] cWT eXTf ^U cWT Va^d]S aTP[XcXTb aTU[TRcX]V
ship from the parliament and receiving _^eTachb^RXP[QPRZfPaS]Tbb;^RZS^f]bPaT
C1;C89B4C78 congratulations from all the opposition ]^ccWTP]bfTaPbXcPUUTRcb\^aT_^^a_T^_[T
parties and its leaders and Congress sup- fXcWcWTR[^bdaT^UQdbX]TbbTbcPQ[XbW\T]cbP]S
,WLVLPSHUDWLYHWRFKRRVHZRUGVZLWKHPSDWK\7KH\VKRXOGEXLOG porters across the country.
Since it is a great embarrassment for
cWTbdUUTaTabPaTTb_TRXP[[hSPX[hfPVTTPa]Tab
P]SRP]]^cQTcaTPcTSPbcWT^][hb^[dcX^]FT
EULGJHVQRWFUHDWHEDUULHUV the Indian government to intervene in WPeTbTT]cWT_[XVWc^U_T^_[TSdaX]VcWT2^a^]P
foreign countries in the internal matter (bTR^]SfPeTfWXRWfX[[_a^eTPR^d]cTa_a^
ords are a by far the most powerful may lead to stress, anxiety of India which has been rejected but the SdRcXeTP]SfX[[UdacWTafaTRZcWTTR^]^\h
W mysterious
manoeuvre
of commu-
nication in
an individual's life. They are
the most powerful drug used
by humans so if they can
force available to humanity.
Children or learners can be
instilled with confidence by
the words, tone, or even the
tone of encouragement they
receive from their parents,
teachers, or coaches. This
and anger followed by a dis-
connect in the relationship.
A word is not just a
combination of letters or
sounds but a functional unit
that helps thoughts take
shape. It’s the words that
growing support or backing of foreign
countries to Rahul Gandhi is a cause for
concern which may spoil the friendship
and relationship with US and Germany
and many other countries in future. It
is high time the tense situation in the
country must be defused at the earliest
0
b RPbTb ^U cWT 2^eXS ( eXadb PaT aXbX]V
PVPX]XcXbhTcP]^cWTaaT\X]STacWPccWT
f^a[S\dbc]^c[^bTXcbVdPaSPVPX]bccWT
_P]ST\XR8]SXP[^VVTS" %]Tf2^eXSRPbTb
X]cWT[Pbc!#W^dab^eTa#aXbTX]SPX[hcP[[h
0R^]RTa]^eTaPUaTbWb_XZTX]X]UTRcX^]bX]cWT
?PcXT]cbfXcWb[XVWcbh\_c^\b^UbW^ac]Tbb
^UQaTPcWP]S[^fTaX]V^U>ghVT]bW^d[SX\\T
SXPcT[haT_^acc^cWTXaUP\X[hS^Rc^a>cWTa]^cPQ[T
bcT_b PaT Ud[[h PSWTaX]V c^ 2^a^]P (
_a^c^R^[b[XZTfTPaX]V\PbZbX]Ra^fSTS_[PRTb
ZTT_X]VPbPUTSXbcP]RTP]SXURPbTbX]RaTPbT
fT RP] V^ U^a _aTbRaTT]X]V fXcW cTbcX]V
inspire and connect at the even helps promote cognitive have the power and power to to avoid many more foreign countries R^d]cahCW^dVW=d\QTab_TPZb)=^RPdbTU^a X]RaTPbTcTbcX]VP]SRXcXiT]bc^PSWTaTc^bcaXRc
same time they can divide, development. Also, giving a help, heal, hurt, harm or interfering in the internal matter of India P[Pa\^]2^a^]P^dcQaTPZPb^U]^fPb]PcX^] [hc^cWTR^eXS (_a^c^R^[b0[b^eXadbZ]^fb
demoralise and incite hate. compliment to a co-worker humiliate anyone. Since it is to make it an international issue. fXSTfTWPeTPS\X]XbcTaTSPa^d]S!!%$Ra^aT ]^ VT^VaP_WXRP[ Q^d]SPaXTb WT]RT fT \dbc
Words are invasive and or a colleague positively not in anyone’s control what Bhagwan Thadani | Mumbai S^bTb^U2^eXSePRRX]T ZTT_fXcW^]X]cTa]PcX^]P[caPeT[[TaR^\X]VUa^\
their impact on different impacts their emotional state others say or do to a loved CW^dVWfTWPeTUd[[hd_VaPSTS^daWTP[cW cW^bTR^d]caXTbfXcWRPbTb^U2^a^]P (
people varies because it professionals can lead to resulting in creating a ripple one, learning how to respond 3?==E>1<D5>C9?>?>B1=>1F1=9 RPaT bhbcT\ fXcW PST`dPcT 82D UPRX[Xch P]S AP\TbW69TcWfP]Xk1T]VP[dad
depends on their under- emotional challenges. Several effect of positivity. When in loving ways can always Sir — At a time when the world is admir-
standing and conception. As researchers have found that people use powerful words prove fruitful. ing us watching different festivals being
they are used in every aspect the choice of words can and phrases such as "please Remember, no one can celebrated all over the country democ- Lord Ram will be an inspiration for from the states on the action taken
of life, their power is cause specific areas of the and thank you"; "how may I create a better reality while ratically, Ram Navami brought us shame humanity in every era. Maryada against such statements. He asked the
immense and powerful as a brain to activate and affect a help you?"; acknowledging complaining or crying over and communal violence in the name of Purushottam’ Lord Ram’s birth anniver- court why it had not taken Suo motu
result. A single phrase, an person's subjective experi- and appreciating work, they current problems. It is imper- festivity. Ram Navami was celebrated sary brought a feud and fight in the cognizance of such cases and held state
uplifting word or even a sin- ence of pain. Pain-related inspire the individual, thus ative to choose words care- across the country with grand proces- streets and made a mockery of the cel- governments to account even when
gle act of kindness can words create stronger making their work environ- fully with empathy and sions and special pujas, but the festivi- ebrations. Thus, far we did make an those speeches were in the public
change an individual’s life responses in many areas of ment more enjoyable. Such intention. Words should ties were marred in Madhya Pradesh impact as a country of different castes, domain.
forever towards the better- the brain, including the ante- words even help in motivat- build bridges, and opportu- where 14 devotees died after falling into creed and religions brought out the fight- The hate speeches were a vicious cir-
ment. rior cingulate cortex and ing, encouraging and build- nities and not barriers, a well at a temple, and in Maharashtra ing past and a bleak future during the cle and said they are being made by
Words are what an indi- dorsolateral prefrontal cor- ing mutually respectful rela- spread love and affection where a clash left 12 injured. festivities of this nature. Again, as the fringe elements. Every action has an
vidual uses to express them- tex. Words when used as bul- tionships with team mem- and not hate and war. Always In the nation’s Capital, Delhi, a large festivals collide in this country, so do equal reaction. We are following the con-
selves, thoughts and feel- lets, with a feeling of superi- bers, clients and customers. be mindful of the conversa- number of people defied a police order people go haywire and collide in disrup- stitution and orders in every case are
ings. One must never under- ority and condemnation will On the other hand, negative tion going on in your mind, and took out a procession in tive ways. bricks in the structure of rule of law. We
estimate words' power. A never restore a relationship to words along with sarcasm at for it can destroy or uplift Jahangirpuri, which witnessed riots last CK Subramanium | Mumbai are hearing the contempt petition
person’s choice of language love. As seeds of support and times, can tear down, intim- you. It is imperative to year during the Hanuman Jayanti cele- because states are not taking action in
can affect not only how sincerity, they can rebuild a idate and discourage an indi- become aware of words brations. Meanwhile, stones were pelt- 81D5C@5538± 1F939?EC39B3<5 time. This is because the state has
another person feels but also relationship in a positive and vidual especially young because words and feelings, ed at a march in Gujarat’s Vadodara too. Sir — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta become impotent, and powerless, and
how they perceive events life-affirming way. Words learners resulting in the when directed outwardly, The celebrations remained largely inci- told the Supreme Court that hate speech- does not act in time.
around them. Childhood impact different people dif- release of dozens of stress- can rebound and cause havoc dent-free in the rest of the country with es were being made by several people Jayanthi Subramaniam | Coimbatore
bullying, verbal abuse in ferently because it depends producing hormones which in one’s own life. people coming out on the streets with against the members of the Hindu com-
domestic relationships, and on their understanding and ultimately interrupt brain (The author is an religious fervour and enthusiasm and munity and the court could not be selec- BT]Shh^daUUTTSQPRZcc^)
even word choice by medical conception of them. They are functioning. For adults, it educator) law-enforcement agencies on the watch. tive in its approach in seeking a response [TccTabc^_X^]TTa/V\PX[R^\
=4F34;78kB0CDA30H k0?A8; !!"
&
gggTQY\i`Y_^UUbS_] UPRTQ^^ZR^\SPX[h_X^]TTak /CWT3PX[h?X^]TTak X]bcPVaP\R^\SPX[h_X^]TTa
FIRSTCOLUMN
E969J3C:5
5HIRUPLQJWKHFDSLWDO
H@C<A=246AFKK=6
?^bc_P]ST\XR²WhQaXS³fX[[STUX]TcWT
T\_[^hTaT\_[^hTTaT[PcX^]bWX_
JDLQVWD[DVPDUWPRYH EDD1=6D?C0
,WLVSHUIHFWO\MXVWLILHGLIWKHULFKFODVVLVPDGHWRSD\PRUHZKLFKLQWXUQ
KHOSVWKH*RYHUQPHQWSURYLGHVHUYLFHVWRWKHSRRU
1B>1267>B7
3
RVWSDQGHPLFFRPPHUFLDOUHDOHVWDWHSURIHVVLRQDOVDUHJUDS
SOLQJZLWKWKHZRUGK\EULG7KHDJLOHZRUNVSDFHLVGHDG$
K\EULGZRUNSODFHLVWKHQHZKRO\JUDLORIRIILFHGHVLJQ+RZ
ZHLQWHUSUHWWKLVQHZZRUGZLOOGHILQHWKHHPSOR\HUDQGHPSOR\HH
UHODWLRQVKLSQRZ7KHSHUIHFWVROXWLRQZLOOWDNHVRPHWLPHWRDUULYH
0HDQZKLOHZHFDQRQO\DWWHPSWWRVROYHWKLVK\EULGMLJVDZZLWKRXU
H\HVDQGHDUVRSHQZLGH
'HVLJQLQJDK\EULGZRUNSODFHLQYROYHVFUHDWLQJDIOH[LEOHZRUN
HQYLURQPHQWWKDWDOORZVHPSOR\HHVWRZRUNUHPRWHO\DQGRQVLWH
$V D GHVLJQ EULHI LW LV D FKDOOHQJH DQG WKXV QHHGV D VWUXFWXUHG
DSSURDFK
7KHILUVWVWHSLVWRDVVHVVWKHQHHGVRI\RXUZRUNIRUFHLQFOXG
LQJWKHLUZRUNVW\OHVSUHIHUHQFHVDQGMREUHTXLUHPHQWV2QHWRRQH
LQWHUYLHZVZLWKVHQLRUOHDGHUVRQOLQHVXUYH\VDQGUHDOWLPHRFFX
SDQF\GDWDIURPH[LVWLQJZRUNSODFHVZLOOKHOSHVWDEOLVKWKHEDVH
OLQH
n the Finance Bill, 2023 passed by are held by investors are deemed the perspective of the govern- 10 percent and for those earning
7KHVHFRQGVWHSLVWRHYDOXDWH\RXUWHFKQRORJ\LQIUDVWUXFWXUH
$K\EULGZRUNSODFHUHOLHVKHDYLO\RQWHFKQRORJ\LQFOXGLQJFRPPX
QLFDWLRQWRROVFROODERUDWLRQVRIWZDUHDQGYLGHRFRQIHUHQFLQJV\V
WHPV$IWHUHYDOXDWLRQZHQHHGWRGRDJDSDQDO\VLVDQGHQVXUHWKH
SURSRVHGQHZWHFKQRORJ\LQIUDVWUXFWXUHLVUREXVWHQRXJKWRVXS
I the Lok Sabha on March 24, 2023,
an amendment relates to a change
in the tax treatment of capital gains
from non-equity or debt mutual
funds (DMF). This has led to consterna-
tion in the investor fraternity including
high net-worth individuals (HNIs), cor-
STCGs and hence, liable to tax at
the rate applicable to the slab in
which their total income falls.
Given the way SMFs are
defined, the new tax treatment will
also apply to exchange-traded
funds (ETFs), international funds,
ment which is expected to make
laws with the objective of inclusive
growth that address the concerns
of all sections of society and not
just pander to the interests of a par-
ticular class. If the rich class is
made to pay more resulting in
Rs 900,001-Rs 1,200,000, it is 15
per cent. For all investing in
DMFs, the switch to taxing capi-
tal gains at the applicable slab rate
will be beneficial. Under the ear-
lier regime, these were taxed at a
higher rate of 20 percent.
SRUWUHPRWHDQGRQVLWHZRUN porate, and so on who argue this will gold/silver funds, outbound mutu- more revenue for the government. The Finance Bill, 2023 also
2QFHWKHDERYHLVGRQHWKHGHVLJQHULVUHDG\WRVWDUWZLWKKLV undermine efforts to deepen the bond al funds and even equity funds etc. This in turn, helps it cater to the addressed another anomaly. This
market which is crucial for financing the wherein the gains will be taxed at majority of the poor, this is perfect- one relates to a fancy instrument
GHVLJQWKLQNLQJSURFHVV$IHZDSSURDFKHVZKLFKPLJKWZRUNIRU long-term development needs of the the personal income tax (PIT) slab ly justified. called market-linked debentures
WKHGHVLJQHUZKLOHGHVLJQLQJDK\EULGRIILFHVSDFHDUHDVIROORZV
5HGHVLJQ\RXUSK\VLFDORIILFHVSDFHWRFUHDWHDPRUHIOH[L
economy.
They also say such a change should
F4=443C> rate. The amendment will be
applied prospectively from April 1,
Even so, the existing taxation
regime was arbitrary, inequitable
(MLDs). Unlike a normal deben-
ture on which a fixed return is
EOHZRUNHQYLURQPHQWWKDWVXSSRUWVUHPRWHDQGRQVLWHZRUN7KLV have been introduced in the Union ;>>:0C 2023. This implies that all MF units and customized to grant undue paid, MLD holders get a return
PD\LQFOXGHWKHFRQVFLRXVVHOHFWLRQRIIOH[LEOHZRUNIXUQLWXUHZKLFK Budget. This would allow for thorough already in possession of the inves- benefit to HNIs/corporate etc. linked to stock price movement,
FDQEHUHDUUDQJHGIRUGLIIHUHQWZRUNHQYLURQPHQWVGLVPRXQWDEOHSDU discussion in Parliament, instead of an C78=6B5A>< tors as well as those acquired be- Income earned by a person has no say the Nifty 50 Index. Earlier cap-
WLWLRQV\VWHPVIRUPDODQGLQIRUPDOPHHWLQJVSDFHVDQGTXLHWVSDFHV official amendment. Now that it is part of
the Finance Act, any discussion on the
C74 fore this date will continue to be
covered by the old dispensation.
colour. Irrespective of the source
from where earnings are made be
ital gains from listed MLDs were
taxable at 10 per cent if held for
7RGD\LWLVHVVHQWLDOWRXQGHUVWDQGWKDWWKHSXUSRVHRIWKHRIILFH
KDVFKDQJHGGUDPDWLFDOO\³DFFRUGLQJO\WKHVSDFHVLWXVHGWRFRQ
procedure adopted is merely academic. ?4AB?42C8E4 it salary, profit from business, more than a year. They were also
Before discussing the amendment that will IMPACT ON INVESTORS investment in shares, bonds or taxable at a slab rate if held for up
WDLQQHHGDOVRWRHYROYH7KHDPELHQFHRIDQRIILFHWRGD\LVGHVLJQHG take effect from April 1, 2023, let us look >5C74 Consider a high-income earn- mutual funds and so on, these add to 1 year. Now, these will be taxed
WRSURYLGHDSRVLWLYHDQGLQFOXVLYHHQYLURQPHQWIRUDOOHPSOR\HHV
7KHXVHRIZDOOSDSHUVFXUDWHGDUWZRUNGHVLJQHUZRUNIXUQLWXUHDQG
at the existing position. DMF is a scheme
that invests in fixed income instruments,
6>E4A=<4=C er earning Rs 2 crore per annum.
The applicable effective tax rate in
to her income. Therefore, the tax
treatment must be uniform. It can’t
at the slab rate even when owned
for more than one year.
GHFRUDWLYHOLJKWIL[WXUHVWRGD\KHOSGHVLJQHUVWRDFKLHYHWKDWGHVLUHG such as corporate and government bonds, F78278B her case is 39 per cent. Assume she vary depending on the source. To conclude, the 2023-24 bud-
corporate debt securities, and money mar- has invested Rs 100 in DMF units Yet, the regime gave preferen- get has ended DMF preferential
UHDOLW\7KHQHZWUHQGRIVHUYLFHGRIILFHVLVIRUFLQJWKHQHZRIILFH
GHVLJQWREHVWURQJO\LQIOXHQFHGE\KRVSLWDOLW\GHVLJQSULQFLSOHV
ket instruments etc. that offer capital 4G?42C43C> which yield a return of 10 percent tial treatment to income generat- treatment by taxing all capital
:KLOHZHGRDOOWKHDERYHOHWXVUHPHPEHUWKHLPPLQHQWFOL
appreciation. Debt funds are also called
income or bond funds.
<0:4;0FB per annum. Further, assume that
inflation is 5 percent. With these
ed from DMF investment by tax-
ing capital gains from these at 20
gains — irrespective of the hold-
ing period — at the slab rate and
PDWHFKDQJHGLVUXSWLRQH[SHFWHGVRRQ(QHUJ\HIILFLHQF\DQGZHOO Currently, any capital gain on redemp- F8C7C74 basics, under the old regime i.e., 20 percent against the applicable slab withdrawing the indexation ben-
QHVVWKXVQHHGWREHGHIDXOWJRDOSRVWVIRUGHVLJQHUVWRGD\³QRFRP tion of units in a debt fund held for three per cent LTCG tax with indexation rate of 39 percent. It was discrim- efit. It has created a level playing
SURPLVHRQWKRVHDVSHFWV years or longer is treated as long-term cap- >1942C8E4>5 benefit, her gain at the end of three inatory even compared to invest- field by aligning their tax treat-
)LQDOO\SOHDVHFRQWLQXRXVO\HYDOXDWH\RXUK\EULGZRUNVSDFH
V ital gain (LTCG) and is taxed at a flat 20
percent with the benefit of indexation (it
8=2;DB8E4 years would be Rs 17.4 (value of
investment Rs 133.1 minus infla-
ment in other avenues. For
instance, interest income from
ment with other avenues such as
FDs and bonds etc. It would be
HIIHFWLYHQHVVDQGDGMXVWDVQHHGHG*DWKHUIHHGEDFNIURPHPSOR\
HHVDQGPDNHFKDQJHVEDVHGRQWKHLULQSXW
adjusts the cost of a person’s investment 6A>FC7C70C tion adjusted cost Rs 115.7). Tax investment in fixed deposits (FDs) naïve to believe that this would
to account for inflation, effectively reduc- @20 per cent on Rs 17.4 comes to in banks or bonds issued by gov- lower the shine of such instru-
%\IROORZLQJWKHDERYHVWHSV\RXFDQSK\VLFDOO\FUHDWHDK\EULG ing her capital gains and in turn, her tax 033A4BBC74 Rs 3.5. Under the new regime i.e., ernments or companies is taxed at ments (read: debt MFs) as invest-
ZRUNSODFHWKDWLVIOH[LEOHSURGXFWLYHDQGVXSSRUWLYHRI\RXUHPSOR\
HHV
QHHGV+RZHYHULQDGGLWLRQWRWKHSK\VLFDOH[HFXWLRQFHUWDLQ
liability). Any capital gain on redemption
of units held by investors before three
2>=24A=B>5 tax rate in the relevant slab (39 per
cent in this example) and no ben-
an individual’s income tax slab rate.
These earnings don’t also benefit
ment in these units is liquid; it can
be withdrawn at any time unlike
PDQDJHULDODVSHFWVQHHGWREHSDUWRIWKLVFKDQJHPDQDJHPHQW years is treated as short-term capital 0;;B42C8>=B efit of indexation, capital gain at from indexation. FDs where premature withdraw-
$NH\DVSHFWRIDK\EULGZRUNSODFHLVWRQRWKDYHGHGLFDWHGZRUN gain (STCG) and is taxed at an individ- the end of three years will be Rs While HNIs should have no al attracts a penal interest rate.
VWDWLRQVIRUHPSOR\HHV7KLVFDQEHDPDMRUFKDQJHWRDGMXVWHPSOR\ ual’s income tax (albeit personal) slab rate. >5B>284CH 33.1 (value of investment Rs 133.1 grudges about paying more tax, Besides, the former offer investors
The amendment does away with this minus cost Rs 100). Tax @39 per those earning less, especially the the possibility of setting off capi-
HHV3OHDVHHVWDEOLVKFOHDUSROLFLHVDURXQGUHPRWHZRUNLQFOXGLQJ distinction in the case of ‘Specified mutu- cent on Rs 33.1 will be Rs 12.9 middle class, will not stand to lose tal gains in some units by short-
ZRUN KRXUV FRPPXQLFDWLRQ DQG SURGXFWLYLW\ H[SHFWDWLRQV al funds’ (SMFs) which essentially refer to which is almost 4 times the tax in the new dispensation. Under the term capital losses in others there-
2UJDQL]DWLRQVPXVWEHFRJQL]DQWRIWRGD\
VQHZUHDOLW\DQGHVWDE mutual funds where not more than 35 per- under the previous regime. It is this proposed PIT regime as per the by reducing tax liability. Any fear
OLVKWKHLUGHVLJQEULHIVDFFRUGLQJO\'HVLJQDQGSURMHFWSURIHVVLRQ cent of their total proceeds are invested steep increase in the tax burden 2023-24 Budget, a person with that the amendment would impact
DOVVKRXOGORRNDWWKHZRUNVSDFHWKURXJKDOOOHQVHVEHIRUHUHFRP in equity shares of domestic companies. that is hurting the high-income annual income up to Rs 700,000 funding the long-term develop-
PHQGLQJVROXWLRQVWRWKHLUFOLHQWV As a result, gains arising from SMFs irre- (The writer is a policy earners. pays ‘nil’ tax. For those earning Rs ment needs of the economy is
7KHZULWHULV0DQDJLQJ'LUHFWRU&RUSRUDWH)LWRXWV&ROOLHUV,QGLD spective of the period for which the units analyst) We need to look at things from 700,001-Rs 900,000, the tax rate is without any basis.
)LOOWRSYDFDQFLHVDWLPSRUWDQWLQVWLWXWLRQVIRU3Z'V
:NK-U\KXTSKTZS[YZKTY[XKZNGZZNXKKOTYZOZ[ZOUTYL[TJKJH_OZLUXZNK]KRLGXKULZNKJOYGHRKJVUV[RGZOUTL[TIZOUTVXUVKXR_GTJJKRO\KXOTXOMNZKGXTKYZ
n a welcome move which next month i.e., April. time over the past years, but additional secretary in the actually taking steps to Bhuvan maintains that themselves respecting their
Opinion
{ THIRD EYE }
E STA B L I S H E D I N 1 9 24
Barkha Dutt
{ OUR TAKE }
I
n what has been a slow session of Parliament in
terms of legislative work, the Lok Sabha cleared a
much-needed change to India’s competition law. The radical preacher’s sudden leaked of him in our village.”
The Competition Amendment Bill, 2022 seeks to Like everyone else in Punjab, when I first
appearance, alleged ties to reached the state to report on the absconding
tweak the 2002 competition law, which lays down Pakistan, dramatic escape, and fugitive Amritpal Singh, I believed he was hid-
important guardrails for the market in India to be den away in a police safehouse to be brought out
fair, preventing participants from cartelising or video leaks raise unanswered at an appropriate time. How I wish that wildly
abusing positions of dominance. For a while now, questions. The episode eroded popular conspiracy theory was true.
As I travelled through the state, including to
the law was seen as being outdated, especially since State authority but cannot be the radical preacher’s last hideout, it became evi-
dent that the police, under orders not to use
the turn of the millennium when market dynamics allowed to cause further damage force or bullets, had messed up. Amritpal Singh
began to change with greater foreign investment in
T
he gates of the gurudwara in Nangal gave them the slip over a 25-kilometre-long car
the economy and the rise of digital businesses. The Ambian Khurd, a remote interior vil- chase, constantly changing cars, switching even-
existing competition law’s provisions were criticised lage in Punjab’s Shahkot Tehsil in tually from a Mercedes to a motorcycle. Since
Jalandhar, were locked. As the sun then, we have seen the Khalistani sympathiser
for being bureaucratic, lenient and vague. Last year, set over the wheat fields and children taunt the authority of the state with video mes-
a standing committee pored over some of the initial played on the swings in the distance, sages released on social media, while on the run.
provisions and came up with amendments that are one family was crouched inside, behind doors Amritpal Singh, who emerged in India sud-
they refused to open. This was the last known denly as the chief of Waris Punjab De after the
now part of the version passed by Lok Sabha (and Punjab hideout of Amritpal Singh, the Khalistani death of Deep Sidhu in an accident, modelled
will need to clear Rajya Sabha). sympathiser who came in from the cold, moving himself frame by frame on Bhindranwale, Amritpal Singh, who emerged suddenly as the chief of Waris Punjab De after the death of
Among the changes is the need for the watchdog, seamlessly and mysteriously from being a clean- almost like a method actor. That’s where the Deep Sidhu, modelled himself on JS Bhindranwale, almost like a method actor. That’s where
shaven lorry driver in Dubai to a manufactured similarity ends. Unlike Bhindranwale, Amritpal the similarity ends. Unlike Bhindranwale, Amritpal cannot command any significant section
Competition Commission of India(CCI), to be avatar of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. cannot command any significant section of the of the street. There were only a handful of people who came out to protest in his support AFP
notified when the value of a merger or acquisition is I knocked on the door of the granthi’s street. There were only a handful of people who
above ₹2,000 crore. Previously, the thresholds to (priest’s) residential quarters to hear the voice of came out to protest in his support. Most Punja- gence has long tried to stir things up. A Hudson one of his associates. The police were widely
a terrified woman and her daughter arguing bis I met were convinced that he was some sort Institute report reveals the linkages between condemned for being weak and allowing this.
notify CCI were based on asset or turnover value, from inside. “Go away, we have nothing more to of plant, propped up to vitiate the environment Kashmir secessionists and pro-Khalistan groups But they remembered what happened in the
with there being some confusion regarding how say, we have said everything to the police.” An and pull their state back into the quicksand of its in North America. The longer Amritpal Singh Behbal Kalan police firing incident of 2015 when
either was calculated. The new law also speeds up attempt to get anyone else in the village of 342 past. “Mahual kharab karne ke liye aaya hai (He’s stays on the run and cannot be arrested, the two Sikh men protesting against a series of sacri-
families to speak met with the same reluctance. come to spoil the environment)”. more it makes the State’s security institutions lege incidents were killed in police firing. Using
the approval process, setting a deadline of 150 days, Finally, the lambardar (community leader) There is a stack of unanswered questions pil- look weak. force at Ajnala was out of the question, they say.
down from 210, for CCI to pass an order; provides a agreed to go on the record with a chilling ing up. The top two among them are: Why did But most worryingly, Amritpal Singh’s direct Now imagine, if Amritpal Singh were to take
framework for the settlement of cases falling under account. Amritpal Singh had arrived with four the police not arrest Amritpal Singh from his appeal to the Akal Takht jathedar (high priest) refuge again in a major gurdwara, just as he did
armed aides and demanded food and shelter at house a night earlier, instead of chasing him Giani Harpreet Singh and his call for a mass con- at gunpoint in Shahkot village, and then look for
the law; and decriminalises certain provisions by the gurdwara. He snatched away the granthi’s down the expressways of Punjab? And, why was gregation of Sikhs on Baisakhi is a dangerous a deliberate confrontation with the security for-
shifting punishments to civil penalties or accepting phone, took a new set of clothes from his son, so he allowed to grow roots all these months? intermixing of panthic leaders and politics. We ces. This would be the police’s worst nightmare.
behavioural or structural commitments – aimed at he could abandon the blue turban CCTV cam- Even though there is now an element of farce, have been here before and we do not want to be Amritpal Singh triggers memories of Punjab’s
eras had caught him wearing, rested for 45 min- even comedy, to the Amritpal Singh clips, we here again. past. He cannot be allowed to impact its future.
improving the ease of doing business in the country. utes and left, moving from a motorcycle to a would be ill advised to underestimate the impact Amritpal Singh first hit the national headlines
But it is a fourth change that is most noteworthy jugaad, a makeshift vehicle popular in rural of his bizarre manhunt. For one, the authority of when he stormed a police station in Ajnala near Barkha Dutt is an award-winning
and timely. The bill seeks to expand the scope of India. “He had guns, the granthi panicked and the State has been eroded. Punjab is a border Amritsar, using the Guru Granth Sahib as a journalist and author
didn’t tell anyone what happened till the footage state, where Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelli- shield. His mission was to secure the release of The views expressed are personal
penalties by taking into account an offending
enterprise’s global turnover, not just the value of the
business it does in India. This is of relevance at a
provide templates for national, regional and linked with angel investors – akin to Startup
time when the technology industry has some of the Lakshmi G20-wide adoption and replication to scale, India. This could include facilities for funding
largest enterprises, with their influence as well as Puri especially in the Global South. Equally, India’s women-led micro, small and medium enter-
profits reaching across territories. Big tech players own gender equality project will receive a fresh prises, a women entrepreneurs’ finance Initia-
impetus. tive, effective gender responsive budgeting and
such as Google (Alphabet), Amazon and Apple are I have been associated with the W20 – the government procurement commitment.
under CCI’s scrutiny for anti-competitive practices.
One example on how the old law is inadequate was
captured in the case of Google, and its mobile
A historic leap to advance Women Engagement group – since its launch in
2015. It has been doing credible work in defining
and advancing the women’s empowerment
Two, the private sector could commit to the
UN’s women’s empowerment principles. They
would be accountable for gender equality within
and the Homeless World Cup. “I was so shy captains haranguing umpires, finger-point- { EDITOR’S PICK }
{ ANOTHER DAY } then, I couldn’t even talk,” she laughs. Now, ing and sledging.
HT’s editors offer a book recommendation every Saturday, which provides history,
she’s coaching close to 100 kids, 60 of them Indeed, playing with a team creates a sis-
Namita Bhandare context, and helps understand recent news events
girls. Her goal? “I want to give them the con- terhood, Anne tells me. “There are things
fidence to do something with their lives.” you can’t discuss with your family that you
India’s women athletes are on a roll. Four can with your team and your coach.” Who A DEEP DIVE INTO TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE
world championship golds in boxing, a dou- better than your team to know about the
Acing the game: A great bles semi-final showing at the All England mutinies launched in countless homes ormer United States (US) president Donald
R. N. I. No. 503/1957 ● Postal Reg. No. DL(ND)-11/6058/2018-19-20 ‘Licensed to post without prepayment’ LICENCE No. U(C)-113/2006-08, AIR SURCHARGE: Raipur and beyond by Rail or Road - Re 5/-, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Khajuraho, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 10/-;
PRINTED
PRINTED && PUBLISHEDBYBYMANHAR
PUBLISHED DINESH KAPOOR
MITTAL for
forand
andon
onbehalf
behalfof
ofHT
HTMedia
MediaLtd.
Ltd.18-20,
18-20,Kasturba
KasturbaGandhi
GandhiMarg,
Marg,New
NewDelhi-110001
Delhi-110001and
andprinted atatHT
printed HTMedia
MediaLtd.
Ltd.Presses
PressesatatPlot
PlotNo.-8,
No.-8,Udyog
UdyogVihar,
Vihar,Greater
GreaterNoida,
Noida,Distt.
Distt.Gautam
GautamBudh
BudhNagar.
Nagar.(UP).
(UP).Pin-201306,
Pin-201306.
BOARD: (011)23361234 ● EDITORIAL: (011)66561234 Extn. 1254, 1268 ● CIRCULATION: (011)66561111 ● ADVERTISING: (011)66561389 ● FAX: (011)66561270.
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
���������������������
�
��� ������ �������� ��������� ����� �� ����
�
������� ������
�� ������������ ��� ��� ���� ��������� ����������
������� ��� ����� �������� �� ���
�������� ��������� ����������� ��������� ������������
�
����������� ��� ������������ ��� ��� ������ ������������������������������������� �������� �������������� �������� ���������� ���
�� ������� ���� ����� ����� ������ ������ �������� ����� ������� ����� ��� ������ ��� ������������ ����� �� ������ ����� �� ������� �� ���� �� �������� ������� ���������� ������������������������������������������
������� ����������� �������������� ��������� �� ���� ������ ������� ����� � ������� �� ����� ���������� �� ����� ��� ���������������������������������������� ��� ���������� ��� ���� �� ��� ���� �� ����� ���
����� ��������� �� ��� ��� ������� �� ���������������������������������������� ��������� ����� ��� ���� �� �������� ������
����� �������� �������� ������ ����������� �������� �� ������������ ���
������� ������� ���������� ������ ��� ������� ������� �������� ��� ��������� ���� ����� �� ������������� �������� ������ ��� ������ ��
��������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� ��������� ��� ������ ����� �� �������� ����������������������������������������
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ���� �� ����� ��� ������� ������� �����
������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� �������� ������������ ������ ��� ��������� � ���������� ������� ��� ���� ��� ���� ��� ���
���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���� ���� ������ ��� ������ ��� �� �� �������� ��������������������������������������� ���� ����� �������� ������� � ���� ��
��������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� ����������������������� ��������������� ���������������������������������������
��� ��� ���� ���� ��� �������� ������� ��������� �������� ������ ���� ������ ������ �� ��� ��� �� ������ ������������
���� ���� ����� ������������ �� ������ ����� ��� ������� ��� ����������� ������������� �����
������ ���� ����� ������ ��� ������������� ������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������
���� ����� �� ����� ����� ��� ������ ������������� � �������������� ��������� �� ��� ���� ��� ����������� �� ��� ��������� ��������� ����� ����������������������������������������� ������ ��������� �� ���� �� ����������� ��� ���
����������������������������������������������������������������������� ������ ����� ����� ���������� ��� ���� ����������� �������������������������������������������� ���������� ��������� ������� ������� ����� ���
�� �������� ������� ���������� ��� ������ �� � ������� ��� ��� ���� ����� ����� ��� ���� ��� ��� ������� ������� �� ���� ������ �� ��� �������� ������� ���������������������������������������
��� ���� ������ ���� ��� ���� ����� ��� ���� ��� ���� ������ ��� ������ ������ ��������� � ��������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� �������������������������������������
������ �� ������������������ ���� ������ ��� �������� ����� ���� �� ����� �� ���������� �������� ���� ����� �� ����� �� ��������� ������ ���� ��������� �� ����������� ��� �������� ��� ����������������������������������������
��������� ��� ��������� �� ��� ����� �� ����� �� ��� ��������� ����� ������ �� ��� ���� ��������� �� � ������� �������������������������������������� ��������� ����������� �� ��������� ��� ��������
���������� � ���� ����� ���� ����� ��� ���� ������� ��������� ����� ��� �������� ������� ���� ��� ��� ��� ��������� ����������� ���
���� �� �������� ��� ��� ����� ������ ������ �� ����� ��� ����� ����� ������ �� ��� ��
������������������������������������������ �� ������ �� ������ �������� ������ ���� ��� ���� ����� ��� ����� ����� ������� ��
�� ���� ������ ���� ������ �� ����������� ��� � ��������� ���� ��� ��������� ���� ������� ������� � ��� ��������� �������� ����� ��������� ���� �������� ������ ���� ����� ��� ����� ��������� �� ���� �� ��� ��� ��� ���� ��� ���������� � �
�������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������ ��� ������� ���� ����� ���������� ���������� ���������������������������������������� ���������� �� ��� ����� �� ���� �� ��� ����
�������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ������ ���� ���� ��������� ��������� ������������������������������� ������ ��� ��� ������� ���� ��� �� ��
��� ��� ������� �� ������� ���� ���������� ����� �������� ������� ��������� ���� ����� ��������� ��� � ����� ������� ���� �� ��������� ����������������������������������������� �������������������������������������
���������������������������������������
����� ������� ��� �������� ��������� ��� ������� ����� ���� ������ ������ ������
�� ��� ����� ��������� ����� ��� ���������� � �� ���� ����� ��� ��� �������� ����� ����������
������ ��� ����� �� ���� ���������� ���������� ������ ��� ��� ����������� ����������� �� ������ �������� ��� ������ ��������� ��� �� ���� ������ ��
�� � �������� ����������� �� �������� ��� ���������� ������� ��� �� ���� ��� ��� ��� ��
����������������������������������� ��������� ����� ���� ������ ��������������������������������������� �� ������ ������� ������� � �� ������� �����
�������� ���� � ����� ����� ������� ��� ���������� ����� ��������� ��� �������������� ������� �� �� ������ �� ��� ���������� ���������� ��� �� ��� ���������� �� ��� ��������� ���������� ������������������������������������������
���������� ���� ����� �� �� ��� ������ �� ���� ����� �� �� ������������ ��� ��������� ��� ���
��� ������ �� ������ �� ���
��� ����������� ������� ��������� ��� ������� ������ ������� ������ ���������� ��� ����� ���������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������� ����������� ��� ��� �� ��� ���� ���� ��� ���� �� ���� ����� ����������������������������������������� �� ������� �� ����� ����� �� ����� ��� ������
�������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������� ��� ��������� �� ���������� ��� ����� �� ������ �� ������� ��������� ��� �������� ������������ ��������� ���������������������������������������
���������� � �� ��� ����� � ���� ��� �� �� �� �� ���� �� �� ����������� �� ��� ��������� ������� ������������� ���������� ������ ������� ���� ��� �� ����� ���� ���������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������
������������������������������������������ ������� ���� �� �� � ��� ���� �� �������� ����� ������� �������� �������� ������������������������������������������
��� ��� ��� ���� ���� ���� �� ������� ��� �� ������������ ��� ��� ��������� �� �������
����� ��������� �� ����� ������� ��������� ������� ������ ������ ���� ����� ������� ��� ���������� ���� ��������� ��� ���������
�� ������� � ��� ����� ���� � �������� ���� ��� ������ � ����� ���� ��� �������� ������� ����������������������������������������� ��� ������������� ������� ��� ���� �������� �� ���� ��������� ������
���� ��� ����� �� ��������� �� ��� ������ ���� ���� ����������� � ��� �� ��� ������� ����� ��� ����� ��� ���������� �� ���������� �� � �������� �������� ���� ��� �������������� ����� ��� �� ���� ��� ����� �� ������� ���� ������ �� ��� ���� �� ������
�� ��� ���� �� ������� ������ ��� ������� ������ �� ������ �� ���� ��������� �� ����� ���� ������ �������� ������� ��� ���� �� ���� ��� ��������� �� ���������� ���������������������������������������� �� ����� ��� ��������� ��� ��������� ���� ���
��������� ��� ��������� ������� ��� �������� �� ��� ������ ���������� ���� ��� ��� �� � ������� ����������� ��� ������� ��������� �� ������ ���� ���� ��������� ����� ������� ���������� ������� � ����� ���� ��� ��� ���
������� ��� ���� �������� ��
��������� ���� ��� �������� ������� �� �������� ���� ��� ���� ����� ���� �� ��� �������� ����� ������� ������������� ����� ��� ���� ��� �������� ���������� ������ ��� ��� ����������������������������������������
��������������������������������������� ������ �� ���� ����� �� ���� ��������� ����� ���� ������ ��� ������ �� ������������������������������������
��� ����������� �� ����� ��� ��� ���� �� ������ �� ���� �� ����������� �������� ���� ����
������� ���������� ���� ������ �� ��� �� �� ������ �� ��� ���� ��� ���� �� ���� ����� ��� ���� ��� ������ ����������� ����� ���������
��� ����� �� ������� �� �� ���������� ������ � ����� ���� ��� ����� � ����� �� ��� ����� ���
��������������������������������� ������ ������ ���� ������� ����� �� ������ �� ������� ���� ��� �� ����� ������������������� ��� ������� ����������
������� �������� ������ ���� ������� ���������� � ������ ���� ����� ��� �������� �� ������������������������������������ ��������� �� ��� ������ ������� ������� �����
����� ���� ������ ���������� ��� ��� �����������
������������ ��������� �������� ������� �������� �������� ���� ��� ��� ���������� ��� ���� �� ������ ��� �����
������������ ��� ���� ��������� ���� ������� ���� ������ ��� ������ ��������� �� ���������� ������� ��� ���� ��� ���� �� ������������ ������� ��������� �� ����
���� �� �����
�� ����������� ������� �� ����������� ����� ����� ����� �������� ���� ������ �� ������ �� ���� ����� �� ���� ���� ��� ������ �� ��� �����
����������������������������������������� ����� ������ �� ��� ��� ���� �� ��� �� �� ������ ������ ���� �������
�������� ������� �� ��������� ��� ������� �� ������������ ��������� ���� ������ ��� ��� ������ �� ��� ������� ��������� ��
���������������������������������������
����� ���� ��� ���� ��������� ������ ����� ����� �������� ���� ����� ������������� ������� ��� ��� ������ ��������
���������� ���������� ��� ����� ������ �� ����� �������� ���� ������� �� ���� ���� �������� �������� ���� ��� �� ������ ����� ���� ������ �� ��� ��� ����� ���� �� ����� ���������� ��� ������������ �������
�������� ��� ������ �� ������� ����� ����� ����� ��� ������ ����� ���� �� ��� ��������� ������ ������ �� ��������� ��� ���� ��������� ��� �� ������ ����� ��� ������ �������
�
�� ������� ����� ������ ����� �������� �� ��� ����� ���������� �������
������������������������������� ���� ����� ��������������������� ����
����� �� ����� ����� ��� �������� �� ������ ���� ���� ��� ��� �� ��� ���
�
���� �� �� ������������ ���� ��� �� ����� ����� ���� �� ������ ���� ����� ��� �� ��� ��� �� ��� ������� ������ ���� ��� ���� ��
�� ������� ��� ������� ��� ���������� ���
����� ���� �� ��� ����� ����� ���� ������� ���� ������� ��� � ����������
��� �� ����� �� ����� ��������� ������� ��� ����� �� ����� ���� ��� ������� �� ���� ��� ���
���� � ������ ��� ���� ��� ��� �� ������ ������ ���� ������ ��� �� �������� ��� ���
������ �������� �� �� �������� ��� �������� �������� �������
������� ���� �������� �� ������� ������� �������� �� ��� �� ��� ������ ���� �� ��� ���� ��� ������ �� � ������ �������
�������� ����� ��� ��������� ��� �������� ���� ������ ������ ��
��� ��������� ���� ������ ������� �� ��� ��� ���������� ��� ���� ��
��� ������ ������� ��� ������ ����� ������ ����� ���� ���� ���� ������ ����� ��� ���
������ ��� ���� �� ��� ����� ����� �� ������������� �������� �� ��� ������� �� ��� ����
��� ���� �� ���� ���������� ������� ������ �������� ������ ���� �� ������� �����������
������ ���� ������ ���� ������ ���� ��� ������ ������ ��� ������ ���� �� ��� ���
����� �� ����� ����� ����� ���
����� ��� ������ � �� ������ ���� �� ���� ���������� ��� ��� ���� � �����������������
����� �� ������� � ������ ���� ������� �� ��� ��������� �������� ������� ��� ����� ��� ��������� ��� ��� ���������������� �� ��� ��� �� �� ��� ������ ��� ������� �����
������ ���� ���� �� ��� ���������� �������� ���� �������� ��� �� ����� � ������� ��� ��� ��������� ������ ������������� ����� ������� � � ������� ���� ������ �� ��� ����� ���� ����� ����� ������� ��� �����
���� �� ��������� � ��� ���� ����� ��� ���� ��� ���� ���� ����� ������ ���� � ������ ��������� ����������� ������ �� � � ���� �������� �� ��� ����� �� ������� ����������� �������� � � ������ �� �����
������� ����� ���������� �������� ���� ��� ��� ���� ���� ���� �������� ��� ������ �������� ���� �� ��� �������� ��� ���� ��� ������������ ��� ������� � ���� �� ��� ����� �� �� ���������� ����������� ������ ��
����� �������� ����� � �������� ��������� ��������� ��� ��� ����� ��������� �� ��� ����� ��� �������� �������������� �� ������ ���
����� ��� ������ � ������ ���� ���� ��� ��������� ������� ������ ��������� ��� �������
����� ������������� ������ �� �� ����� �� ����������������������������������� ���� ��� ����� ��� ��� ��������� ������ �� ��������
��������� ��� ����� ����� ������ � ������ ��� ���� ���� ��� ���� �� ������� ������� � �� ��� ������� �������� ��� ����������� �� ��� ���������� �� � ����� ������ �� ������� ���������
�� ������ � ������ ������� �������� �� ����� �� ������ ��� ������ ������� �� ��� �������� ���� ����� ��� ������� ��� �����
������� ��������������������������������� ��������� ������������ ������� �������������������������������������� ������ �������� �������� ����������
���� ������������ ���� ���� ������ ������� ��� ������ ������ � ���������� ��������� �� ��� ��� ����������� �� ��� ��������� ������� ������ ���� ������ �� ��� ������ ����� ����� ��� ������ ���� ������ �� �������
����� ������� �� ��������� ���� � ��� ��� ��� ���� ������� ��� ������ ��� ���� ������� ��������� ���� ����� ��� ��� ������ ������� ���� �� ���������� ������ �������������
������ ���� �� ��� ������� �� ��� ������ ��������� ��������� ������ ���������� ���
��� ��� ��� ����� ������� �� ������� �������� ����� �������� ���������� ��� ����� ���������
��������� �� ��� ������� ��� �������� ������ �� ���� ��������� �� ��� ��� ������� ����
������ �������� �������� ��� ������� ���� ����� ��� ��� �������� ��������������� ��������������
������ ��� ���� ������� � ����� �������� ����� ���� �� ���������� ������� ������� ����������������������������������������
������� ������ ��� ������ ��� �� ��������� ��� ���� ���� �������� ���� ��� ���� �� ������ �� ��� ������ ������� ������������� �� ��� ��� ������ ������� � � ������ �������� ��� ����� ���������� ����� ������� �� ���
����� ����������� ���� ������������ ��� ��� ���� ����� ��� ������� ������ ���� ���������������������������������������� ������� ������ �� ��� ���� ��� �� ��� ���� ������� ������ ��������� �� ��� ����������
�� ��� ��������� ���� ������� ��� ����� ��� ����������� ��� ����� ����� ���������� � � ������ ��� ���� ���� �� ���� ���� ��� ��� ��������� �� �������
�������
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
���������������������
�
��� ������ �������� ��������� ����� �� ���� ���� ��� ������ ���
�������
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
���������������������
�3 � ���������
��� ������ �������� ��������� ����� �� ����
������������
�����������������
�� ����� ��� ��������� �� ������� �� ������������ ��������� ���� ��� ����� ����
���������� ������ ����� �� ���������������������������
������ ��������� ��� ���� ���� ��� ������ ����������� ���� ������ �������
����� �� �������� ��� ��� ������� ����� �
������ ��������� �� ������� ��������� ���
��� ������� ��������� �� ��� ��� ���� �����
���� ���� ������ ����� ����� ���
���� ������� ������� �� ����� �� ��� ���
��� ��� ������������ ����� ����� �� ��
������� � ����� �� ���� ����� ������ �� ����
������ ��������� ��� ��������� ��� ���� ����� �� ��� ���� ���� ��������� ��� ���� ��� ��������� ������������������������������� ������� ����� ��� ���� ����������� ���� ����
������� ���� ������ ����� ����� ����� �� ���� ����� ����� ������ ��� ����
���� ������� � ���� ������ ���� �� �������
���� ����� ��� ��� ����� ���� ��� ������� ���
������ �� ������� ���� �� ��� ������������
��� ������ ������ �� � �������� �� ��
������� �������� ������� �� �������� ��
�� ����
�������� ����� ��� ���������� ���� ����
������ ���������� ����� �� ����� ������� ������� ��� ���� ���� � ��������� ��� ����� ������ ������� ���� ����������� ������
������� ������� ��������� ��� �� ������� ���������� ������ �� ������ �� ������� ��� �������� ��� ����� ������������� ���� ������� ����� ����� ����� ��� �� ��� ����� ������� �� ��� ���������� ��� �������� ����� ���� ������ ��������� �� ���
������ ������� ��� ���� �� ����� ������� ��������� ����� ���� ��� ����� �� ����� ����� ��������� ������� ��� ��������� �� ������������������������������������� ��� ��������� ���� ����� ���� ��� �������� ����������� ��������������������������
��� ������� ������� ��� ����� ���� � ���� ������� � ������� �� ������ ��� ������� ��� ����������� ������� ����� ��� �������� ������� ����� ��� ����� ������� � ��� ��� �������������������������������������� �� ��� ����� �� � ���������� ����� ������� ��
������� ������ �� ������ �������� ��� ��� ����� �� �� ��� ������ �� ���� �������� ����� ����� �������� �� ����������� ����� ��� ���� ��������� ��� ����� �� ���� �� ������ �� ������� �������� ������������� ��� �������� ����� �����
�������������� ��������������������� ��� ��� ��������� ����������� �� ��� ���������
�������� ��� �������� ��� ������ ��������������������������� ���������
��� ������������ ��������
����� �� ��� ������� ������ ��
������������������������
���������������������������
����� ����� ������� ������ ���
��� ����� ���������
����� ����������� ������
��������� �� ���� �� ���� ���
������� ���� ��� ��������
��������������������������
������� � ������ �� �������� ��������
����������������������������� �������� �� ������ ����������� �� ��������� ����� �� �� ��������� ��� ����������������������������������������
����������������������
����������������������������
����� ��� ����������� ��� ���� �� ���
���� ������ ����� ���������
������� ������
��������� ����� ��
������ �� ��� �������� �� �� ������ � ���������
��� ���� �� ��������� ���� ���� ������
���������� ������ � ������ ������� ������
������ �������������������������������
�� ��� �� ����� ��������� �� �
������������������������� ���� ����� ������� �����
��� �� ���� ��� ������� ���� ����� ���� �������� �� ����� ���� ����
������� ��� ���� � ���������� ��������� ����
���� � � ���� ����� ������ �������� � �� �����
���� ��� �������� �������� �� ��� ������ ����
��� �� ����������
�� ��� ������� ������� ����������� �� ���� ���� ��� ����� � ����� ������ �������� ���� ������ ��� ���� �� �������� ���������� ��� �� ���� ���� ������ ��� � �������� ���������
������������������������� ��� �������� ��������������������������� ������ ������� ������ ����� ������ ���� � ���� ������ �� ������� �������� ��������������������������������������
���������������������������� ����������������� ��������� ���������� ����� ������� �� ������ �������� ������� ��� ������ ��� �� ��� ��� ��� ��������
��� ������ ��� ������ �������� ��� �������� ���� ��� �������� ���� ��� ���� ����� ���� ���� �� �������� ������ ��� ���� � ������� �������� ��� ��������� �������� ��� ���� ��� ������ �� �� ��������
������������ ������������������������ �� �� ��� ��������� �������� � ������ �� ������� �� ���������� ������ �� � �������� �� ��� �������� ��� ���� ���������� �� ���� ������ ���� ��� � ���� �� ���� ������� ����� ��
������ �������� ���� �� ��� ����� ������� ����������� ������������ ���������� ��� ��������� ��������� � �������� ������� ��� ������ ��� �������� ���������� ����� ��� ������ ��� ���
�������������������������������� ���������� �������� ������������� ����� ����� ����� ��� ���� ��������� ���� ������ �� ��������� � ���������� ����� ������ � �� ����� ������ ��� �� ��������� ��
����� ������ �� ������� ����������� ������ ��� ������� �������� ���� ������� ���� ��� �������� ����� � ���� ����� ������ �������� �� ������ �� ����� ��� ��� ������ �� ��� ����� ������ �������� ������ � ��������
������ �� ��� ����� �������� � ��� ������ ��� ����� ����� ��� �� ���� �� ������ �� ������ ���� � ������ ��� ������ ��� ���� ���� ��������� ������ ���� ���� ����� ���� �� ��� ��������
���� ������ ��� �������� �������� ���� ������������������������������������
������������������������������������� ���� ���� ����������� ������� ���� ��� ��
��������� ������� ������� � ��� �����
��������� �������� ����� �����
����� �������� ����� ���� �������
��� �������� ������ �����������������������
������ ���� ��� ��� ����������
��� �������������� �� ����
��������� ��������� �����
����� ��� ����� �� ����
�� ���� ��������� ������� � ���� ��� ���� ��� �����������
�������������������������������������� �������
����� �������� ����������� ������ ���
������� ������������� ��������� ��� �������
��������� ���� ���� �������
������� ��� ������� ��
������� ��� ��������� ������ �����
������� ����� �����������
�������������������������������������� ���� �� ��������� ��������� �� �� ������ �� � ���� ��������� ������ �������� ������� ���� �� ���� �������� �������� �� ���
������ �� ������ ��������� �������� ��� ��� �� ������ ������� ��� ����������� �� ���� ������ ����� �������� �� ����� ��� ���� ��� �������������� ����� �����
������� ���
���������� ��� �������� �������� ���������� ��� � ������� ����� �� ��� ��������� ������� ������� ���� ��� ����� ���������� �� ���� ������ ���� ������� ��� �������� ����
����������������� �� ����� � ��� ����� ���� ����� �� �������� �������� ����� �� � ���� ��� �� �������� ��� ���� �� ����� ��� ���������
�� ���������� ���������� ������� ���� �� ����������������������������������� ������������������������������������
�������� ������������ ����� �� � ��� �� ������� �������� �� ���� �� �� ����������� ����� ������ ��� ���� ��� �������� ��� ��������� �� ������� ������� ��
������� ������� ���������� ����� ��� ������ �� ������������� ���������
���� ��� �������� ��� ���������� ��� ���
����� ����� ������� � ������� ��������� ��
�������� �����
������ ��� ��� ���� �� ��� ���� ��� ���������
�� ��� ������ ��� ���������� �� ��� �������
��������� ��� ����� �� � ����� ����� ��������
����� ���� ���� �������� ����� �������
�������� � ������ �������� �� ��������� ���� �������� �� ��� ������� ��� �������� ������ ����� ��������� ���� ������� ������� ���� �������� ���� ��� ���� ��� �������� �����
������ ���� ���� ������ ��������� ������� � ��� ������ ��������� � ���� ��� ����� ��������� �� ��� �� ���� ���������� � ����� �������� ����� ��� ���� ������� ��� ����� �������� �� ��� ����
��� ������ ������ �� ���������� � ���� ����� ����� �� ��� �������� ������� ��� ���� �������� ���� ������� �������� ���� ��������� �� ����� ��������� ��� ����������
������ ����� ���������� ���� ��� �� �������� �������� ��������� ��� �� ����������� ����������� ��� �� ������� � ������ ����� ������� �� ����� ��� ������� ���� ��� �������
������� ��� �������� �������� ��� ��� � ���� ��� ������ ��� ���� ���� �� ���������� �� � ��� ����� ������ �� ��� ���� �� ���������� �� ���� ���� �� ���� ������� �� � ������ �� ���
�
���
���
���
���
����
���
���
���
���
� ��
������
���
���
���
�����
���
��
�������� ����� �� ������ �� �� ���������� ��� ������ �� �������� ��������� ���� � ������ ��� ��� ��� ����������� �� ��� �������������� ���� �� ��� �����
����� �� ���� ���������� ��� ��� ���� ����� ���� ��� �� ������� ��
�� ����� ��� ����� �������� ��� ������� ������ � �������� ����� � ������� ������� ���� ���������� ������ �� ������� ���� ������� �� ������� �� ��� �������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ������ ����� ������ ��������� ��
������� ���� ��� ���� �� ��� ����� �� ������� ��� ��� ��� �������� �� ����� ������������ ����� �� ������ ��������� ��� ���������� ���� ��� ������ ��� �� �� ����������� �� ����� �������� ����� ������� �������� �����
��� ������ ����� �� ����������������������������� ��������� ���� ��� ������ ������� ����������� �� ��� ������������ ���� ���� �� ������� ����� ��� �� ���� ���� �� ���� ������������ ������ ��� ������ ��� ������� �� ��� ��
��� ����� ���� ��� �� ���� ������ �� ����� ���������������������������������������� ������ ��������� � ����� ���������� ���� �� ��� �������� ���� ����������� ��������� �����
������� ���� ����� �� ������ ������� � �� �������� ������� �� ��� ����������� ��� ���� ���������� ������� ��� ���� �� ���� �� ��� ��� ���� ����� �� ����� ���� ��� ��������� ����������� �� ������������� ����
�������� �� ������� ���������� ������ ���� � ������ �������� ������� ���� ����� ��� ��� ����� ���������� ��� ������� ����������� ��������� �������� ��� �� ����� ��� ����� ��� ��� ���� �� ��� ���� ��� ������ ����
������� ����������� ���������� ����� ��� ������ ��� ������������ �� ��� ���������� ���������� �� ���� ���� ����� ��������� ���� ���������� ��� ��� ����� �� ������� ���� �� �� ����� ������� ��� ��������� ���� ���
��� ��������� ��� ���������� �� ������� ���
������������ ����� ����� ��������
��� ������������ ����� ������ ��������
��� ��� ������� �� �������� ����������
�������������������������
���� ��������� ������� ��
��������� �����������������������
��� ������� �� �������� �
��� ���������� ��� ���������� ����� �� ����
��������� �� �����
����� ��� ������ ������� �� �������� ���
������������������������������������
�������� ������ �������� �� ��� ������
������� ����� �������� ���� ������� �
�������������������������������������
�������� �� � ��������� ����� �����������
��� ���� �� ��� ��������
���������������������
��� ���� �� ������� ������� ���
�������� �� ���
��� ����������� ����������� �� ����
���������� ��������� ������� �� ����� ������
��� ������� � ���������� ��� � �������
������������ ���� ��� ������ �� �� ������
���� �� �� ������ �� ����� ����� �������� ������������������������������������ ���� ����������� �� ��� ������ ��������� ���� ���������� �� ��� ��� ���� �������� �� ��� ���� ��
������ ��������� ��� ��� ��������� ��� ��� ��������������������������������������� ��� ���� ����� ���������� �� ��� ��� ���� ����� ���������� ���� ������� ������ �� �������� �� ������� �� ���� ��������� ����� ��� ������ ����� �� ��
��������� ����� ��� ����� �� ����������� ���������������������������� ��������� ���� �� �� ��� ��������� �� �������� �� ���� ��� ����� ������ ��� ������� ����� ��� ������������������������������������ ���� �� �������� ���������
����� ���� ��� �������� ��� �� ������� ��� ������������������������������������� �� ���������� ��������� ����� ����� ���� ����� ��� ��� ����� ������� ��� ��� ��������� ������������ ���� ������ �� ���� ������� ������ ����������� �������
������ ���� ������� ����� ����� �������� ��������������������������������������� �� ���� ���������� ��� ������� �� �������������������������������������� �������� �� � ����� ������ ����� ���� ��� ���������������������������������������
��������� ������ ���� ������ ���� �� ���� �� ���� ��� ���� �� ������ ��� ������� ��� ����� ������ �� ��� �� ������� �� ����� ���������� ���� ����� ���� ������������� ���� ��� ������� ��� �������������������������������������
������� ��� ��������� �������� �� ���� ��� ���� ���� � ��� ���� �� ��� ����� ��������� �� � ��������� �������� ��� �� ��� �������� ��� �� ��� ��������� �� ������ ����
���� ������ ������� �� ����������������������������������� ���� �������� �� �� ���������� ����������� ���� ��� ���� �� �� �������� ����������� ����� �� ��� ���� ������ �� ��� ����������
��� ���� ���������� ���� � ������� �� ��� ��� ����������� �������������� �������� ��� ���������� ��������� ���� ��� ����� �� ������� ��� ����� ������� ������� ����� ������� ���� ��� ��� �� ��� ����� ��� ���� ���������
���������� ������ ������ ������ ��� ��� �� � ������ ��� ���������� ��������� ������� �� ��� ����� ��� �������� �������������� ������ �������� �� ��� ����� �� ������ ��� ��� ��� ��� ����� ���� ������ ������ �� ��� ��� ���� �������� ������ ��� ���� �����
���� �������� �� ��� ������ �� ����������� �� ��� ����� �������� �� ������ ���������� ������� ��� �������� �� �� �������� ��� ����� �������� ��� ���� �������� ��� ��������� ������ ������ ��� ���� ��� ���� ������ ��� ���� ����� ��� ������� �������
����������������������������������������� ��� ����� �� ������ �� ��������� ��� ��� ������ �������� ������ ����� ������ �������� ������ ����� �� ��������� ��� ������ ��������� �� �� ����� �� ����� ����� ������ ��� ����������� ����������
�������
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
>
OPINION 9
Volume XXVII Number 164
Reformative to
MUMBAI | SATURDAY, 1 APRIL 2023 It held that all officials of a private bank operating
under the Reserve Bank of India’s licence would be
WEEKEND RUMINATIONS treated as government servants. Accordingly, they
expanded the state and the CBI’s jurisdiction to what
T N NINAN were until then purely private businesses.
R&D is made for India retributive justice E very now and then, like the Delhi High Court
orders in the UAPA bail case, you find a whiff of
fresh air from a court. Like the judgment by the
I
n his thoroughly engaging book (The Struggle and the Promise: Restoring India’s Bench of justices Pankaj Bhandari and Sameer Jain
Potential), Naushad Forbes underlines the message that has been the focus of his Two contradictory court judgments this week raise an of the Rajasthan High Court earlier this week, which
sparked this week’s National Interest. They freed
monthly column in Business Standard: The importance of innovation, and research uncomfortable question: Has the judiciary, from the trial four convicts on death row in the case of the Jaipur
and development (R&D). Within that broader discussion, he looks specifically at
how poorly India’s companies rank when it comes to R&D expenditure in relation to court to the Supreme Court, moved from a reformative serial bombings that killed 71 and injured many
more in May 2008.
sales and to profits, and how much they now lag behind companies in other countries.
This, despite India’s pattern of industrial development having started out as more tech-
institution to a retributive one? The four had already spent 15 years on death row.
All were picked up following the Batla House
nology- and skill-intensive than in the typical developing economy.
H
ere’s a proposition for debate: Over the past being made fairer to the defendant, as may have encounter in Delhi and suspected to be members
The book considers several reasons for this (restrictive government policy, small 15 years or so, our judiciary, from the trial been the expectation. of another module of the “Indian Mujahideen”,
size of companies, etc) but seems to settle on the verdict by Ashok Desai (a former col- court level up to the Supreme Court (SC) has Or, at least, the liberal expectation, because the which claimed the Jaipur bombings. “This is a clas-
umnist with this paper), that a major reason for the lack of technological dynamism in progressed — if you call it progress — from a refor- top court takes pride in standing up for the liberal sic example of institutional failure resulting in
Indian firms has been management. At the function to launch the book on Friday, mative institution to a retributive one. principle, the North Star as the current Chief Justice botched/flawed/shoddy investigation,” the judges
there was a brief discussion on whether this had something to do with caste. We aren’t just basing this on the fact that 2022 quite rightly describes it. How does this principled said in their acquittal order.
An article in The Economist magazine in January last year had looked at the caste was when India’s trial courts awarded 165 death sen- view square with not just the latest UAPA judgment,
composition of Indians who get to the top of big, tech-oriented American firms, with
Brahmins scoring very well. This contrasted (the magazine had pointed out) with the
caste composition of India’s “promoter”-driven corporate sector, where people from
tences, the most in a single year since 2000. That it but also what the same court, under various eminent
took the number of convicts on death row to 539. judges, has done to make the Foreign Contribution
This is the highest in 17 years. Now, we know that (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and the Prevention of
T he injustices these four suffered obviously
shook the conscience of the judges, who also
made a reference to the 2006 SC judgment in the
the Vaishya castes dominated. Could an explanation for the different approaches to most of these will be commuted and some acquitted. Money Laundering Act (PMLA) even more dracon- famous Prakash Singh (former top cop who’s been
R&D (the Forbes dichotomy, if you will), and which castes succeed where, lie in the All of eight convicts have been hanged in India since ian in the hands of the state. crusading for police reforms) case on the impera-
knowledge-oriented nature of Brahmin occupations, compared to the Vaishya/Bania 2000. Four of these for the “Nirbhaya” gang rape The Delhi High Court struck a blow for liberty tive of setting up a Police Complaints Authority
caste networks in India and their primary business focus on cash flow? and murder. Why, then, have our trial courts been on UAPA. While granting bail to Devangana Kalita, primarily to deal with such gross shoddiness and
so happy to pull the judicial trigger? Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha in Delhi anti- injustice. Rajasthan High Court's is a stirring order.
The author was not convinced, arguing that even the software services firms run
Let’s jump now from the trial courts across the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, Justices And while it is celebrated, remember the law that
in India by Brahmins spend very little on R&D. In his book, he gives the reason: They
country to the top court. Read this Siddharth Mridul and Anup J. enabled these policemen not only to get away with
are services companies, not product firms. While he is right, it is true that these com- rising wave of angry death sen- Bhambhani had ruled that UAPA these excesses but also secure conviction of the
panies have steadily upped their revenue per employee to twice or even three times tences with its latest order, sort of could only be invoked for what can four in trial court.
what it used to be. This tells us that they are doing much higher value-added work reinserting what it had read down be sharply defined as a terror act. No surprise that it was UAPA where, as we just
than in their initial days. in 2011, in the already draconian The Bench cautioned against the explained to you, the burden of evidence lies on the
That cannot be said across the board for India’s corporate sector, although it is Unlawful Activities (Prevention) cavalier use of the phrase “terrorist accused and not the prosecution. This, precisely, is
true that product quality has improved vastly (due in part to competition from foreign Act (UAPA). The three-judge Bench act”, saying that the definition was the law that has just been strengthened by the
companies). On their part, India’s pharmaceutical firms have succeeded in reverse- of justices M R Shah, C T wide and vague. Supreme Court. The contradictory orders, from the
engineering drugs coming out of patent protection; and the telecom firms have inno- Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol over- The Delhi Police rushed to the Rajasthan High Court underlining the perils of this
vated to deliver their services at extremely low cost. But these remain the exceptions. ruled the three earlier SC judg- Supreme Court, which mercifully draconian law and from the SC strengthening it
Why is this important? The answer is that India has followed, and is likely to con- ments that strengthened the prin- didn't interfere with the bail but further, have come in the same week.
tinue following, a development path different from that of the countries of East Asia, ciple that mere membership of a NATIONAL INTEREST stayed the operation of the judg-
which launched themselves with a flood of low-cost products from labour-intensive
factories. Success in these industries is unlikely for India because there is scale man-
banned organisation was not an
offence under UAPA. That to be SHEKHAR GUPTA
charged under the law, the alleged
ment. The implication is the judg-
ment cannot be cited as a prece-
dent in other similar cases.
I t is always a challenge to see a trend in the Indian
judiciary and to then find evidence to establish it.
One of the reasons is that the top judges, especially
ufacturing in only a handful of sectors, and they are not labour-intensive (like automo-
member should also be someone who has overtly In July 2022, a two-judge Bench led by Justice A the Chief Justices of India, have short tenures. This
biles). There is also a peculiar duality: The poor educational attainments of much of
participated in an activity organised by the banned M Khanwilkar set a new judicial principle by fining is unlike the top civil service and armed forces posi-
factory labour co-existing with an abundance of cheap, educated, white-collar workers.
organisation. a petitioner seeking a Central Bureau of tions as the key leadership of other institutions,
The latter have underpinned the success of services exports, which have grown rapidly The latest judgment has fully read this down and Investigation probe into a massacre of tribals in Election Commission of India, CAG, even Sebi and
even when merchandise exports have stagnated. Thus, we have single-digit growth for effectively empowered the police or probe agencies Dantewada, which he alleged was a case of extra- Competition Commission of India with fixed ten-
merchandise exports in the last two years, but 60 per cent growth for services exports. to pick up anyone on mere suspicion of association judicial killings. The court accepted the police ver- ures. Second, because they make their own
Ordinarily, the large deficit in merchandise trade would have pushed down the with a banned organisation. And once an individual sion that the killings were carried out by Naxals. It appointments, you can’t directly link it to changes
rupee’s external value and made low-cost, labour-intensive manufacturing competitive. is arrested on this mere suspicion of membership, not only fined the petitioner, Himanshu Kumar, but in elected governments and ideological regimes as
But the increasing flood of dollars from services exports props up the rupee and loads he/she will be hit by the full force of the UAPA, a also accepted the Centre's demand to let its agencies you do, say, in the US.
the dice against labour-intensive manufacturing, which already suffers from higher- law so tough, it reverses the burden of proof onto investigate the petitioners instead. It added that “the And third, because our judges neither have a
cost infrastructure and the absence of scale. Even if “China plus One” offers some new the accused and makes bail nearly impossible. This investigation may not be limited to charge of cre- clear career track like our civil servants, nor do they
labour-intensive opportunities, India’s trading success may lie more with value-added is guilt by mere suspicion of association. ating false evidence but may also invoke charges of need to face frequent evaluation by any voters
exports, for which Dr Forbes’s point about innovation and R&D becomes crucial. Reversing the burden of evidence means that the criminal conspiracy or any other offence under the or constituents.
This may not provide the many millions of jobs India needs, but the failure on the principle of innocent until proven guilty does not Indian Penal Code.” The only way we can assess and evaluate them
jobs front is a by-product of the missed opportunities of the past. Today, the future of apply. It is exactly the opposite: Guilty as charged, We can go further back still. In 2016, a Bench is through their judgments. Neither public
employment might lie, counter-intuitively, in agriculture if India can adopt higher- until you can convince the judges of the contrary. headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi (not CJI yet) gave speeches nor obiter dicta. The evidence lately is a
The regrettable fact is, this isn’t an isolated case. another remarkable order that erased the distinction distinct evolution from the doctrine of reformation
value, employment-intensive farming practices that will increase productivity, jobs,
Over the past several years, we have seen the top between public sector banks and private banks, in to retribution.
and wages. For success in world-beating manufacturing, India has to invest in firm-
court lean in the same direction. Several laws, espe- at least one critical manner. Along with Justice P C
level R&D and innovation. cially some of the tougher laws in the larger UAPA Pant, Justice Gogoi expanded the definition of pub- By special arrangement with ThePrint. Bhadra Sinha
category, have been further strengthened instead of lic servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act. contributed to this column
A
The Budget has implemented many The chief minister knows what struggle a politician who became MP first in 1962. s India prepares to celebrate 50 from the kind of grotty tenements on
promises he had made in the election cam- is. He used to haul crates of milk to make Mr Sukhu had his own band of men but years of Project Tiger, its feted the edges of the city from which
paign three months ago: A ~1,500 per month a living in the early years and later gradu- they were always brushed aside because flagship programme to protect Delhiites prefer to avert their eyes.
allowance to women-headed families below ated to selling milk. When times got tough, of Virbhadra’s somewhat autocratic style the tiger, two movies that made it to This story plays out on many levels.
a certain income threshold, and a “cow cess” he became a watchman with the state elec- of functioning. the Oscars this year offer alternative Saud and Shehzad and their assistant
to fund a minimum support price for milk. tricity department, even got an offer from A charge against Mr Sukhu is that he has models of conservation. In doing so, Salik Rehman focus on birds of prey,
PLAIN POLITICS “The procurement of milk in the state is
chaotic. We will streamline it, offer to buy
the state electricity board for the post of a
TMate (equivalent to a helper). His father
begun to pack the government — and party
— with his own men, pushing aside those
they also raise uncomfortable ques-
tions about Indian society. One is The
kites mostly but also vultures (some-
times owls), which urbanites shun as
ADITI PHADNIS 10 kilos from every family, set up chilling was a driver with the state bus transport in the raja camp. He accepts and owns this, Elephant Whisperers , a 41-minute gem scavengers. The trio decides to set up
plants, and resell it in the market at a sub- corporation. He has been passionate about and says those who helped him in his polit- that won the award for the Best their own operation after efforts to
I
n March this year, days before Himachal sidy: We will recover costs by levying a cess improving the lives of the people he saw ical journey were cast aside by royalty and Documentary Short. The second is the have a kite treated at a local bird hos-
Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder on the sale of alcohol,” he had told Business around him. “Our life is very difficult. I just all he is trying to do is correct that injustice. poignant and thought-provoking All pital is rejected because, they are told,
Singh Sukhu presented his first Budget, Standard before the elections. want everyone to have an equal chance,” But this will inevitably have con- That Breathes, which was nominated the facility doesn’t treat “non-vegetar-
the National Highways Authority of India That is now a reality. The state is on a he once told Business Standard. “A man sequences. The Assembly elections were, for, but sadly did not win, the award ian birds” (revealing a shocking igno-
(NHAI) gave in-principle approval to a four- tourism-promotion blitzkrieg: Acknowle- should never forget his past, no matter how after all, won narrowly (Prime Minister for best documentary feature. rance, incidentally, since few birds can
lane road project from Shimla to Mataur, dging that the terrain of the state limits the high a position he may have attained,” he Narendra Modi told BJP workers they might Most striking is the fact that the be described as “vegetarian”, surviving
which is expected to cost around ~10,000 construction of airports, he is promoting tweeted on the day he presented the not have succeeded in forming the govern- human protagonists in both films rep- as they do on insects and reptiles).
crore, and another four-lane road project heli-ports — a taxi service operated by heli- Budget — and he came to the secretariat ment but had won the people’s hearts as resent people who have been increas- The ecological messages in this
from Pathankot to Mandi, to cost ~12,000 copters from Chandigarh that will put well- in his old Alto he had bought when he the narrow vote share margin testified). The ingly marginalised in India: Tribals and beautifully understated film are unset-
crore. To alleviate concerns that Himachal heeled tourists within half an hour of many became MLA for the first time. BJP is hard on the government’s heels. No Muslims. That message is less explicit tling and disturbing. As the camera
Pradesh could be headed the Joshimath tourist destinations currently hard to access. Virbhadra Singh, the towering Congress punitive action has been taken by the party in The Elephant Whisperers, which, at scans shots of kites trying in vain to
way, the NHAI will present a concept paper Manali is one of the places sought out by leader from the state, and Mr Sukhu were against anyone, not even former chief min- one level, can be viewed as a heart- soar above factory chimneys spewing
on how to reduce and prevent landslides visitors — but neither Kullu nor Manali has like chalk and cheese because they came ister Jairam Thakur, suggesting he might warming and uncomplicated story of toxic smoke or dodging the tangles of
caused by road expansion in the state and a hotel that qualifies for the five-star tag. He from such different backgrounds. try to essay a political revival. a tribal couple called Bomman and electrical wires that bring electricity to
invest ~300 crore in the project. is determined to change that. Virbhadra (and his family) was royalty. He Mr Sukhu’s complacency could lead to Bellie who brought up two orphaned squalid homes, and of pigs, insects,
Mr Sukhu is on a roll. He called offi- In the midst of all this, Mr Sukhu has was the last raja of the Rampur-Bushehr trouble. Factionalism is a luxury he cannot baby elephants in the Mudumalai lizards and turtles wallowing in large
cials to explain why several road projects been quietly doing something that has taken dynasty, and was the previous Congress afford. Governance alone is not the key to National Park. Entrusted to their care puddles of effluent, sewage and gar-
in the state had been held up (mainly on many by surprise: He is paying regular visits chief minister in 2017, when the party was a successful tenure — politics is, as well. by the park authorities, the two ele- bage, you begin to understand that
phants, Raghu, and Ammakutty, are urban pollution is a great equaliser. As
the only orphaned babies to have sur- one of the brothers put it, whether
vived into adulthood in the park. humans, birds, insects, reptiles or ani-
Finnish happiness versus Bhutanese happiness The film records the painstaking
care that the couple lavish on first
Raghu and later Ammakutty, captur-
ing the uncanny rapport they built
mals, all living beings breathe the same
air and struggle to adjust to the same
hostile environment. All living beings
also play a role in the environment.
satisfied, 10= completely satisfied). The Lithuania, which has steadily risen over Happiness (GNH) was ranked a poor 97th with their giant charges against the Without the despised scavengers, for
annual results of the report are always the past six years, from 52nd rank in 2017 in the Happiness Report. Bhutan is the last stunning beauty of the national park instance, the garbage mountain of
based on average life evaluations over the to 20th this year. France, by the way, standing Buddhist Kingdom in the world. with its wealth of flora and fauna. Gazipur created by humans would be
past three years. dropped out of the top 20 to 21. Until recently, it has preserved much of its Kartiki Gonsalves, in her directorial much higher.
Interestingly, there is a large gap In the 1860s, Finland suffered a famine culture by avoiding globalisation and stay- debut, chooses to relay the story Director Shaunak Sen insists his
between the happiest and unhappiest coun- that killed about 9 per cent of its popula- ing isolated from the world. Bhutan regu- through Bomman and Bellie and film has an ecological message not a
tries in the list, with the top countries being tion. It has come a long way since then as larly measures people’s quality of life, and mostly leaves it up to the viewer to political one but it is hard to ignore the
more tightly grouped than the bottom ones. the world’s happiest country. Three of its makes sure that “material and spiritual imbibe the multiple messages. latter. The despised birds of prey
For countries in the top 10, for example, Nordic cousins took the next consecutive development happens together.” And Note, for instance, that Bomman almost become a metaphor for their
national life evaluation scores have an aver- places. Finns can boast of myriad other Bhutan has done an amazing job of finding and Bellie are creatures of the jungle rescuers’ religion, increasingly dispar-
YES, BUT... age gap of fewer than 0.7 points. In the bot- number-one spots. In recent years, their this balance. The Bhutanese are generally too, and like many others have par- aged by triumphant political majori-
tom 10, however, the range of scores covers country has been named the most stable, happy, trouble-free and contented. taken of its gifts and its perils (Bellie’s tarianism. Saud, Shehzad and Rehman
SANDEEP GOYAL 2.1 points. War-torn Afghanistan and the freest and the safest by various orga- More importantly, Bhutan has one of husband is killed by a tiger). But steadfastly ignore these tensions in the
Lebanon remain amongst the two least nisations. These may be understandable; the most stable ecosystems in the world unlike thousands of tribals who were interest of rescuing as many birds as
T
he human resolve to be happy has happy countries, based on the indicators but in a country where temperatures reg- and the mountain kingdom has virtually summarily displaced to make way for they can. But politics intrude in the
remained “remarkably resilient”, used by the report. Both countries have ularly hover around (-) 20°C, and some no environmental damage due to its long Project Tiger national parks — includ- form of the Citizenship Amendment
says the 2023 World Happiness their average life evaluations more than five parts hardly get any sunlight for a big isolation. The restrictions on tourism and ing Kuno, once cleared for lions but Act and the riots that follow. As one of
Report. The report, which draws on global points lower (on a scale running from 0 to chunk of the year, what do the locals have Bhutan’s pro-active protection of natural where African cheetahs now roam — them says, communal hatred is not
survey data from people in more than 150 10) than the 10 happiest countries. to be so happy about? Finns, it is said, resources have let Bhutan preserve they are active and positive partici- new; but once a community is likened
countries, placed Finland in the top posi- Much of the top 10 remained largely enjoy simple pleasures — like clean air, its beautiful landscape, as well as its cul- pants, not victims, of the conservation to rats and cockroaches, it becomes a
tion for the sixth year in a row, with a hap- unchanged. Denmark safeguarded its sec- pure water and walking around in the tural identity. story. It is Bomman, also head priest question of hygiene and the scope for
piness score significantly ahead of all ond spot, while Iceland took third place. woods — to the fullest. Finnish happiness So why then is Finland No 1 and Bhutan of his village, who talks about the need reconciliation is near impossible.
other countries. One of the biggest jumps in the rankings is of the calm and peaceful type; it’s an at No 97 in the World Happiness Report? for human beings to show more con- And finally, there’s the question of
The World Happiness Report rankings was for Israel to fourth place, moving up appreciation for how things work and the Is the differential just because of the GDP? sideration for animals. His is the hard cash. The brothers clearly strug-
are largely based on life evaluations from five positions from last year. Outside the ability to pause and admire the little things Finland’s per capita GDP is $53,654.75, voice-over against shots of tourists in gle to raise money, but it’s to the West
the Gallup World Poll. The six key variables top 10, Austria and Australia took 11th and that are important in life. Bhutan’s $3,266.36. But to all appearances, the gas-guzzling SUVs that have come that they look for funding — no spoiler
the report quantifies are income (gross 12th positions, followed by Canada. Ireland Things work well in Finland: Public both the Finnish and the Bhutanese are to symbolise all that is least attractive alerts here on their experiences with
domestic product per capita), social sup- was deemed the 14th happiest, followed by services run smoothly, there are low levels equally happy! about rising middle class India. the FCRA. Yet, if more individual
port, a healthy life expectancy, freedom to the United States (15th), Germany (16th), of crime and corruption, and there is an GNH was originally a Bhutanese con- In dramatic contrast to the natural Indians chose to step up, there would
make life choices, generosity, and freedom Belgium (17th), Czech (18th), the United earned trust between the government and cept. The White Man embraced it with beauty of Mudumalai in The Elephant be more ordinary people like Bomman,
from corruption. And the most common Kingdom (19th), and Lithuania (20th).Year the public. All of this works together to much enthusiasm, and added metrics that Whisperers is the unlovely urban squalor Bellie, Saud, Shehzad and Rehman to
question to measure people’s well-being after year, the happiest countries tend to create a functioning society and a culture suited the West. But methinks Bhutan is of Delhi outside the upscale south that take the initiative to conserve India’s
is: “Overall, how satisfied are you with your be almost the same; for instance — 19 coun- of looking out for everyone. no less happy than Finland! What say? forms the unrelenting backdrop to All embarrassment of ecological riches —
life these days?” To answer, respondents tries out of this year’s top 20 were also on Interestingly, Bhutan, the original ini- That Breathes. It is about two siblings, and two prime ministers wouldn’t be
rely on a scale of 0-10 (0= completely dis- the list last year. There was one exception: tiator of the concept of Gross National
The writer is managing director of Rediffusion Mohammad Saud and Nadeem the only ones hogging the credit.
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
6 . bl . think
DELHI
businessline.
SATURDAY APRIL 1 2023
more biomass in
T
he Biomass Cofiring Policy
is a critical step towards
thermal plants
meeting India's renewable
NCLAT raps Google, but not hard enough energy targets and lowering
greenhouse gas emissions
from the power sector. But still it has not
On the face of it, the ruling by the National Company been accepted widely. Why?
Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on the Android As Secretary Power, Alok Kumar, at a
ecosystem seems to have struck a balance between
recent event said, that the Mission is a GREEN THRUST. To spur thermal power plants to use biomass pellets,
new initiative which has a bright future,
the concerns of anticompetitive conduct by Google but the process may be complicated tech and infrastructure roadblocks need to be cleared
on one hand and the possible collapse of the tech given the various stakeholders involved.
“Though the progress is not as much as
giant’s business model on the other. But in reality, what was expected, but there is no need
the balance of power is still tilted in favour of the to give up hope,” Kumar had said.
American giant. Using biomass is still a cheaper option
than imported coal and hence an
Even though the appellate tribunal has economically viable alternative for all
upheld the findings of the Competition thermal power plants. The recently
notified Energy Conservation
Commission of India (CCI) that Google (Amendment) Act, 2022 specifies that
abused its market dominance to keep out all thermal power plants will have to use
smaller rival players, it set aside the renewable fuel sources either as energy
Commission’s four critical directions or feedstock. But there is still hesitation
among the generation utilities.
which would have given the Indian startup The State Generating Companies and
ecosystem a level playing field. For Electricity Regulatory Commissions are
example, NCLAT has set aside CCI’s order still making slow progress in using
to allow uninstalling of Google’s biomass in their power plants.
Therefore, the Ministry of Power is
preinstalled apps on Android devices. mulling suitable provision which will
When dominant applications such as spur thermal power plants to use RAJESH N
Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps come biomass along with coal as fuel.
preinstalled on Android phones, it already The Revised Biomass CoPolicy of guidelines of the RBI. The biomass Indian Biogas Association, “Yes, in facilities, which can increase the cost of
becomes an entry barrier for new players. Ministry of Power dated October 8, pellets can also be procured through the principle, biomass cofiring reduces biomass cofiring. So, infrastructure and
2021, impacts sectors such as power, government eMarketplace by the emissions from outdoor crop residue logistics need to be built so that biomass
Now, without the ability to uninstall coal, agriculture, MSMEs and the thermal power plants. burning and decarbonises the process of can be moved and stored more
Google apps, users may not even download environment. Use of biomass in thermal The government is also working to burning coal to produce energy. In fact, efficiently.
a new application because smartphones power plants will not only enable resolve various regulatory hurdles in the in her Budget address in 2022, Finance Also, Biomass cofiring requires
come with limited storage capacity. generation of green electricity, it will sector like providing a Single Window Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that specialised equipment, such as biomass
also cut down coal consumption, create for statuary clearances via NSWS and switching from coal to biomass in grinders, conveyors, and storage
Citizens of a potential digital employment opportunities, reduce CO2 working on methodology for price coalbased power plants could cut systems. Additionally, power plants
powerhouse such as India need an emissions, reduce air pollution and help assurance/benchmarking of biomass carbon dioxide emissions by 38 million need to be retrofitted to enable biomass
environment of genuine choice. But the in achieving India’s global commitment pellets. tonne.” cofiring. Therefore, there is a need to
very nature of Google’s online products and towards 45 per cent emission reduction In addition, SAMARTH mission has But, India needs to focus only on develop and deploy the necessary
by 2030. successfully executed training events. surplus biomass. Biomass shouldn't technology and equipment for biomass
services allows it to wield tremendous All thermal power plants have been start competing with other existing cofiring.
influence over anyone with Internet access. directed to use 57 per cent biomass SUPPLY ISSUES assets. Surplus biomass can be identified The need of the hour is a robust
From influencing shopping behaviour to pellets in their plants along with coal. So According to the industry, a number of by looking at the status — if it is being regulatory framework that offers
determining the political destiny of far about 1 lakh tonne of biomass has surveys of power plants have shown that burned, decayed, or dumped, he pointed incentives and support for biomass
countries, Google (and some other tech been cofired in 42 thermal power there are concerns among power plant out. cofiring which must be the foundation
stations. The Mission has already managers over the steady and consistent for the biomass cofiring policy. Also, a
giants) looms large over how we live in the published the Standard Operating supply of biomass. LOGISTICS CHALLENGES distinct, competitive market must exist
modern world. This dominance enables Procedure for cofiring and Model The availability and quality of biomass The transport and storage of biomass for biomass in order to ensure equitable
Google to act in a manner that is not just Contract Document for pellet vary across regions in India. While some can be challenging, especially in areas pricing and distribution.
anticompetitive, but also anticonsumer. procurement in order to facilitate the regions have an abundance of biomass, where infrastructure is inadequate. This The government on its part has
thermal power plants. others face a shortage. Moreover, the requires specialised equipment and formed five working groups under the
For instance, Google said it will enforce The pellet manufacturing sector is quality of biomass also varies, which can mission and these are interministerial.
rules that require app developers on its Play also being encouraged to bridge the affect its combustion efficiency and The nuts and bolts are being tightened,
Store to use its inapp payment system demandsupply gap. There are now emissions. Therefore, there is need to
All thermal power but still need a push. It is a local fuel and
instead of independent payment systems. dedicated financial assistance schemes ensure a steady supply of highquality plants have been even farmers make money. Also, unlike
for biomass pellet manufacturing units biomass to power plants. directed to use 57 per ethanol programme which has oil
This implies developers would perforce from MNRE and Central Pollution Biomass pellets are difficult to store at marketing companies working as a
have to use Google’s billing system, which Control Boards as well as easy plant locations for extended periods of cent biomass pellets in platform, there is no intermediary here.
takes a 30 per cent fee for every transaction. availability of finance options from time because they quickly collect their plants along with The Biomass Cofiring Policy needs to
Although the decision has been modified banks. moisture from the air, making them be backed by a strong policy and
unusable for cofiring. Only pellets with coal. So far about 1 lakh regulatory framework that provides
after protests from developers, it suggests
overtly monopolistic tendencies.
PRIORITY LENDING a moisture content of less than 1314 per tonne of biomass has been incentives and support for biomass
The government has now identified cent typically can be burned alongside cofiring. Also, there needs to be a clear,
Meanwhile, CCI has separately fined Biomass pellet manufacturing under coal. cofired in 42 thermal competitive market for biomass to make
Google ₹936.44 crore for abusing its Priority Sector Lending (PSL) According to Gaurav Kedia, Chairman power stations sure that prices and distribution are fair.
dominant position with regard to its Play
Store billing and payment policy. Google
has challenged this in court. NCLAT’s
verdict on this crucial issue can have a
serious impact on India’s burgeoning
startup ecosystem. There has been a rapid
Commercial judgments, and the ability to pay up
growth in deeptech startups based on
highend engineering. However, they need Courts must be mindful of the financial implications of their judgments on the parties involved
a fair market environment.
the largest of corporates would find and/or seek remedies from the higher
India’s courts could take a leaf out of the R Anand challenging to raise in the stipulated courts. But sheer impossibility of
European Commission’s 2017 order where time frame. performance i.e. payment of this
O
Google was asked to pay $2.4 billion in fine n March 30, two independent The moot question is should a court staggering amount in such a short time
for exploiting its virtual monopoly over orders/judgments were look at the commercial feasibility of the raises the question as to whether the
search. The judgment is one of the few delivered, one by NCLT and the judgment before passing orders? The judgment should have considered this
other by Madras High court, with strict legal view is that in contractual aspect also to ensure “equity” and
serious attempts to bring the tech giant to financial implications of ₹1,337 crore disputes the judgment should restrict its “justice” in the limited context of
book. The NCLAT’s order confirms and ₹12,381 crore respectively. scope to just interpret the clauses in the “Ability to pay” within the time frame.
Google’s poor record in upholding The remit of this piece is not to contract and pass orders. Nothing more Maybe an alternative could have been
competition rules. But more needs to be analyse in depth the merits of the and nothing less. to refer the parties concerned to
respective orders nor comment in any JUDICIAL VERDICTS. Commercial But there have been cases where mediation where they could have arrived
done to manage these monopolies. manner on their correctness. The scope considerations /ISTOCKPHOTO courts have gone beyond this and looked at an acceptable sum of money keeping
is restricted to whether judgments at equity and commercial expediency in in mind the paying entity’s ability to pay.
should be mindful of the commercial passing orders. How do we strike the In the final analysis as India marches
feasibility of implementing the orders impossibility of its implementation. right balance? towards becoming a $5trillion economy
POCKET: SUMMER OF ’23 RAVIKANTH before they are pronounced. To cut a long story short, this case has we need a closer look at how equity,
Speaking to a cross section of lawyers a long and chequered history from 1945, JUSTICE VS JUDGMENT commercial expediency and judicial
brought out divergent views on the and on the basis of this order Madras There is enough commentary on the orders are interwoven in matters
subject, so a discussion on it seems Race Club will have to mop up ₹730.86 difference between justice and relating to contractual commercial
relevant. crore within one month to pay the Tamil judgment. In matters of commercial disputes.
In the case of Google it is learnt that Nadu government. Once the transactions a purely legal view of A committee should be set up to look
the matter will be taken up before the government raises a fresh demand contracts masks the commercial at this aspect closely and come up with
next levels. Nearer home the judgment within one month of ₹12,381 crore it has niceties, which in today’s context are so some long lasting and workable
delivered in the context of Madras Race to pay it up within two months from that important. recommendations.
Club needs closer scrutiny more so from date. By any account these are mind The fact is that the party in question
the perspective of possibility or boggling amounts of money that even has to plead for staggered payments The writer is a chartered accountant
LETTERS TO EDITOR Send your letters by email to [email protected] or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.
Published by Nirmala Lakshman and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai600002. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). ISSN 0971 7528
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
CM
YK . . . . . . . . NDNDE
EDIT
DECCAN CHRONICLE | SATURDAY | 1 APRIL 2023 | COIMBATORE
pg 6
Subhani
1 APRIL 2023
influence”.
Leaders of democratic nations, including India, have repeatedly averred
that democracy is a shared value, and that strengthening it in one nation
goes to strengthen it in every country; as a corollary, signs of its weaken-
ing in one would be taken note of by all others. In point of fact, Mr Modi
had himself expressed anxiousness when trouble-makers overran Capitol
a geopolitical overdrive The moment we Saudi deal may be strewn
As rightly said by the
renowned scientist and
humanist, Albert
Einstein: "The world
Hill in January 2021, and posed a threat, however weak, to the rule of law with challenges, China’s will not be destroyed
tilt our scale a entry as a serious player in by those who do evil;
Syed Ata Hasnain
in the world’s oldest democracy. Thus, even if spoken meaningly, such
words should be taken as an expression of shared concern and not in an wee bit more the Middle East is bound to
adversarial spirit. Mutual assurance, and not suspicion, is the key. India towards the US cause concern for the US. but by those who
has travelled long enough on the path of democracy so that it can be a con- and the West, the Israel, in whom the US has watch them without
fident player, instead of being a reactionary party, recoiling at every tenuous balance invested so much, may also
insignificant reference. not be too happy with the doing anything." Now
That said, the Congress, which is the principal Opposition party in the so adroitly played interplay with Iran and that the apex court has
country, is unmistakably acting as if the West, with all its past sins and out by the Indian Saudi Arabia.
blessings, will be the knight in shining armour and come riding in when- government so far What is for India in all shown the way, emi-
W
ever Indian democracy is in distress. Mr Gandhi was “surprised” that the ith the Rus- biggest purchaser of ener- is likely to be this renewed Chinese nent people from all
United States and the European countries “seem to be oblivious that a sia-Ukraine gy from Iran and Saudi geopolitical vigour. First,
huge chunk of (Indian) democratic model has come undone”. The party’s war going Arabia, contributing huge- upset Russia could sooner than
walks of civil society,
senior leader Digvijaya Singh was a relieved man that Germany has taken past its one- ly to those economies, later become completely writers and intellectu-
note of the “persecution” of Mr Gandhi. It is really sad that leaders of the year mark which have also been subservient to China. als need to show the
Congress, which played a crucial role in Indian Independence, now look and showing little sign of under stress and strain. A seriously opposed sanc- There could then be ero-
up to the same forces that once colonised us. And in the process, weaken abating anytime soon, the guaranteed supply source tions against Russia and sion in the remnants of the way in taking up the
India’s democratic forces. world is learning to adjust is what China desires has helped with energy Indo-Russian relationship cudgels against hate
itself to the effects of the most, along with secure purchases to support the contingent upon how hard
war. Among those quick to supply routes for its manu- Russian economy, which the United States and the speeches indulged in
Trump makes dubious history respond is China. In two
areas we have seen the
Chinese footprint enhance
factured goods.
Interestingly, China has
also set out a framework
otherwise cannot sustain
the war. It needs Russia for
some sophisticated
West works on incorporat-
ing India into their future
Indo-Pacific strategies. The
by bigots of all hues.
On its part, sustained
M
r Donald J. Trump becomes the first US President to face criminal through recent events. for a political settlement to weaponry (S-400, Su-35). A Indo-US strategic partner- and well-coordinated
charges. While his record in office may have suggested a strong likelihood First was the visit of the conflict in Ukraine. Russian military defeat, ship and India’s member-
of such an eventuality occurring anyway, his impending arrest will rep- President Xi Jinping to Probably hit by the inter- leading to Mr Putin’s ship of the Quad exist with efforts between the
resent an inflection point in American history. There is also the possibility this Moscow and the endorse- national hype given to downfall would be a night- full transparency, but the Central and State
criminal action by a Manhattan grand jury might trigger more serious indict- ment he handed out to Prime Minister Narendra mare scenario for it. A degree of commitment by
ments regarding his having possibly incited the violent Capitol Hill insurrection. President Vladmir Putin Modi’s sage advice to beholden Mr Putin, with India under the current Governments together
It appears now that the case against the flamboyant maverick of a former US over his policies. The sec- President Vladimir Putin Russia a virtually junior circumstances remains a with stringent punitive
President on paying hush money to a porn star after an adulterous interlude is ond was the surprising at a meeting on the SCO partner, an image of China challenge. Its membership
akin to Al Capone being arraigned on a tax charge. announcement of a China- summit’s sidelines in as a virtual geopolitical of multilateral equations measures, can certain-
The repercussions will, of course, be far more serious regardless of the outcome sponsored Iran-Saudi August 2022, China was pole and the US’ Indo- and groups on both sides of ly go a long way in
in this case. Sitting US Presidents enjoy immunity though at least one President, Arabian accord signalling smarting. Xi Jinping does Pacific strategy on tempo- the divide in the current
Ulysses S. Grant, had paid a fine for speeding in his horse-drawn carriage. Former Beijing’s first serious foray not wish to be seen as only rary hold, all works to the Cold War puts it in a cru- ending the menace.
Presidents like Richard Nixon post-Watergate and Bill Clinton, found guilty of into Middle East geopoli- an instigator and support- advantage of China. cible, where all kinds of The need of the hour
perjury in his Monica Lewinsky affair testimony, who could have been charged tics; Xi Jinping had visited er of war through the back- Now the Middle East. As pressures will be applied.
after resigning or demitting office received a presidential pardon or struck a deal Saudi Arabia in December ing given to Mr Putin and already stated, energy The Russia-China combine also requires the Prime
with law enforcement. 2022 to attend the first Russia but his peace plan guarantees are important will definitely not be Minister's immediate
Now that the taboo on charging past Presidents, even ones cloaked in scandals, China-GCC summit. is below par and a disap- for China but more than strategically happy to push
has been broken, the US enters totally uncharted territory, which should be a Two reasons appear to pointment for those expect- that is the necessity of cre- India firmly into the US
intervention in reining
cause of worry for the world’s oldest democracy, riven as it is by the deepest polar- stand out for China’s ing a roadmap to peace. ating the image of a geopo- and Western groupings; in fringe elements on a
isation in history after one term in office for Mr Trump with his cavalier attitude proactiveness. First, the The proposal lacked litical referee in the region. India’s grey zone commit- war footing.
towards issues and an approach invariably more confrontational than Chinese strategic outreach specifics about contentious Beijing’s foreign policy of ment thus far may be suit-
conventional. expected from the Belt and issues like resolving the balancing between rivals able as it places it virtually B. Suresh Kumar
Mr Trump may have been charged on many counts but they will be known only Road Initiative has per- various territorial dis- and increasing multilater- in the realm of being a Coimbatore
after his arraignment takes place on Tuesday when he surrenders. The curious haps not delivered to the putes between Kyiv and alism has enabled it to swing power. However, in
thing is, given the nature of the convoluted politics of today and the public appeal level expected. Second, Mr Moscow or providing any deepen its ties with the the future this is going to
of populist politicians, the former reality show star and realtor may well see in all Xi’s personal ambition of security guarantees for Middle East, although be a serious challenge,
this an opportunity to further his re-run for the White House in 2024. getting things on the move Ukraine. A plan devoid of jumping straight into an especially as material
It is an easily understood rule that no one in a democracy is above the law, not to achieve the objectives he any proposed or eventual old and contentious con- aspects of the Indo-Russian
even a President and commander-in-chief with a valid claim to be the planet’s
most powerful person though Mr. Trump let that image down by drawing a
has laid out for 2035 is
spurring things in foreign
withdrawal of Russian
troops from Ukrainian ter-
flict such as the Iran-Saudi
one is bound to have its
relationship start drying
up; the non-arrival of the NAME CHANGE
Doomsday scenario of violence on his arrest. As US democracy grapples with the policy. The war in Eastern ritory is a non-starter. own complications. The remaining contracted S- Mumbai's Churchgate station is
pros and cons of the case of Donald J. Trump, the world is “watching”, a term that Europe has worked to However, a maximalist outreach to Iran through 400 systems may just be the renamed as Chinmantrao
is trending these days in the free world. China’s advantage more approach should be expect- the 25-year $400 billion tip of the iceberg. Even Deshmukh station. West Circular
than against it. It has ed in any plan with pro- strategic and economic with the very sensible Road, Mandaveli (Chennai) is
helped to force American gressive compromises; deal cut in 2021 is not some- “Atma Nirbharta” policy renamed after singer TM
DECCAN CHRONICLE in place, it will be some
attention and focus to that that is how all genuine thing unexpected, with Sounderarajan. Places, roads, sta-
KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR region with full commit- peace proposals work. It Iran pushed to the wall by time before India could be tions and colleges are renamed.
Editor Printer & Publisher ment, thus staving off the does appear that China the US. It’s the taking of self-sufficient in advanced Recently East Coast Road Chennai
R. MOHAN inevitable attention that was taken by surprise by Saudi Arabia on board military equipment. The was renamed as Muthamizh
Resident Editor which is a potential coup, moment we tilt our scale a
DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: the US would bring to the the start of the Ukraine Aringar Kalaingar Karunanidhi
Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254750, Indo-Pacific. An increase war, despite the famous as it upsets a long-lasting wee bit more towards the Road or MAKK Road. We can make
222547451 in Chinese geopolitical “no limits friendship” US-Saudi relationship and US and the West, the tenu- it MAKKAL Salai. Now Padma
Coimbatore: No. 2/22 Sengalipalayam Road, N.G.G.O. Colony Post, Kurudampalayam Village, activity and presence in statement by Chinese and throws the future strategic ous balance so adroitly awards too are given to common
Coimbatore-641022. Phone: (0422) 2231255, 2231256 equations of the Middle played out by the Indian
Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003. Phone: (040) 27803930-4. Fax: (040) the Middle East has been Russian officials during people recognising their hard work
27805256. evident for some time. the Beijing Winter East into disarray. China government so far is likely thus breaking the old jinx. The day
Visakhapatnam: Survey No. 1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, China’s economic growth Olympics in early is now involved in Grand to be upset. That needs a is not far when roads will be named
Visakhapatnam - 530 017. Phones: (0891) 2552333/2552334, Fax (0891) 2755285 is dependent upon guaran- February 2022. Beijing has Mosque revamp projects in separate analysis to imag- after common man like FedEx
Vijayawada: No. C 3 & 4, Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.). Phones: (0866) Saudi Arabia and remains ine its impact on the
2555284/ 2555287, Fax (0866) 2555234 teed energy supplies for its not supported Russia in names it's aircrafts after employ's
Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry 533125. Phones: (0883) 2417208, 2417618 manufacturing sector. Part the UN and has not provid- the largest investor in ground. children.
Anantapur: Thapovan Colony, Bangalore Bye-Pass Road, Anantapur 515004. Phones: (08554) 276903, of that comes from Russia ed Russia with weapons; it Egypt’s Suez Canal Area T S Karthik
Fax: 08554-276904 and Central Asia, but the has publicly proclaimed Development Project, The writer, a retired lieu- Chennai
Nellore: Survey No. 527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemudugunta Panchayat, Nellore. which is Beijing’s most tenant-general, is a former
Phone: (0861) 2348581/ 82, Telefax (0861) 2348580 majority reaches China’s neutrality. It has, however,
Karimnagar: H .No. 1-21-12/1, Cheralabhutkur Road, Mugudhumpur Village, Karim Nagar - 505186 eastern seaboard from the supported the Kremlin’s important shipping route GOC of the Srinagar-based Mail your letters to
Phone : 9121181123 Middle East. It is the basic issues about the war, to Europe. While the Iran- 15 (“Chinar”) Corps [email protected]
“O Bachchoo is it true that everything’s been said verting the Raj through cultural conversion? I abort it. affect Priti Clueless’s father’s decision to stand
Farrukh By the prophets and poets, now long dead?
Must we now accept that no proverbs wait
think the answer is obvious — just as is the
answer to “Is the Pope a Protestant?”
Now within two decades of that trial, the phrase
The Empire Strikes Back has taken on a new and
for election from the openly xenophobic Brexit
Party? Did it inspire her home secretarial policy
Dhondy To be formulated to govern life and fate
Or does each expression in words renew
Nevertheless, through the 1960s till the present-
day, Indian restaurants in Britain have frequent-
more plausible usage. I allude, gentle reader, to
the election of Humza Yousaf to the leadership of
of sending desperate asylum-seekers to Rwanda?
Is there a way of telling the mind’s construction
Cabbages The bonds of emotion between me and you?” ly been proudly named The Empire Strikes Back.
I used to regularly eat at one called Last Days of
the Scottish National Party to be the First
Minister of Scotland. His Labour opponent, Anas
by the candidacy or the policy? And Cruella
dreaming of sending desperate refugees to the
& Kings — From Garmi ki Raat ka Sapna, by
Bachchoo
the Raj.
The culinary adoption and the taste for foreign
Sanwar, is also of Asian origin, as are Rishi
Sunak, Suella Braverman, the home secretary,
same Rwanda?
The hard-graft-and-get-on attitude has
foods everywhere, is just a broadening of culture, Priti Patel, former home secretary, Sajid Javid a certainly promoted today’s 66 ethnic MPs
W
hen a national British newspaper, even though, at least in one British linguistic former chancellor of the exchequer, Sadiq Khan through the British meritocracy and into
publishing its survey of the nation’s instance, this broadening is expressed in violent the mayor of London, and Leo Varadkar, former Parliament. Tulip Siddiqi may be the niece of the
favourite dishes, declared that terms. Of which I took advantage. Prime Minister of Ireland. Bangladesh Prime Minister and Hedgie is the bil-
Chicken Tikka Masala was top of the So, if you can tolerate it, a brief story: What’s intriguing is that Yousaf, Hedgie Sunak, lionaire husband of a billionaire heiress, but the
Does African link list, some fools publicly opined that the Empire
had struck back. The adoption or adaptation of
subcontinental dishes and tastes was so wrongly
In 2001 two British national footballers — Lee
Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate — were
accused of attacking and brutally wounding an
Cruella and Pritti Clueless are all descended from
one or both parents who were subcontinental
immigrants to Africa and came subsequently to
large body of the rest of them have fought their
way up through education, opportunity and cun-
ning. Their parents arrived from poverty-strick-
S
ince December 2022, when are discovered. In one instance, there may
the first public post about be no organisational policy against sexual
serial incidents of alleged sex- harassment, as required, and if there is
ual harassment at the Kalak- one, it may predate the law, need updating
shetra Foundation appeared, and/or be buried in a folder somewhere.
the Chennai arts community has been in The law requires that such a policy be
tumult. Two weeks ago, the story finally shared with members of the organisation,
appeared in national media outlets, even displayed in a public place.
immediately plunging the scandal into Ditto, the internal committee (IC). A
political waters. The issue is being cast in committee which is sometimes hastily put
cultural nationalist terms—“people are together. Where it does exist, we find
trying to malign our culture”—and victims some common problems. First, the head
are being named, intentionally or inad- of the institution chairs it. This is a bad
vertently, with or without consent. Slowly, practice because it changes the power bal-
inevitably, we are losing sight of the hor- ance within the IC in favour of the status
ror of the experience of sexual harassment quo or institutional prestige. Other mem-
and trying to grapple with a host of exter- bers are beholden to, or dependent on, the
nal issues that are, in fact, irrelevant. head. Second, gender imbalance within
But Kalakshetra is not unique. Since the committee—a male head (which is
2018, when the first allegations of sexual against the law); a majority of men or an
harassment at the workplace, hitherto absence of men (which goes against natu-
unspoken, began to be shared in public, ral justice); and usually, the absence of any
victims have spoken up at eminent arts LGBTQ+ member. Third, different func-
institutions across the country, including tions and levels across the organisation
the Dhrupad Sansthan in Bhopal. Many are unrepresented, so that the IC only has
teachers and performers have been department heads, teachers or adminis-
accused. And as they continued to be trators. Often, with teaching institutions,
invited to perform at prestigious plat- the IC has no student representative. The
forms, conversations on how to address ideal is that a complainant or accused
the problem intensified. should find someone “of their own” before so hard to constitute them correctly. Scenes from the should include, first and foremost, complaints but once you build trust, they
Some of the challenges in dealing with them during this intimidating experience. There are other common problems—no Kalakshetra Foundation. awareness about what constitutes work- will speak out about other things. In other
sexual harassment allegations are peculiar Fourth, the external member may or may dedicated, clear way of reaching the IC PHOTOGRAPHS FROM GETTY IMAGES place sexual harassment, how to recog- words, open the windows and doors and
to the Indian arts. First, the teaching rela- not be qualified. The law specifies certain and inconsistent procedures for accepting nise it, and, with rapidly changing social let truth flow freely.
tionship is considered sacred tradition- qualifications but I would submit that it is complaints among them. In other words, mores, how to mark interpersonal In the recent case, Kalakshetra claimed
ally, with revered gurus wielding not just the letter of the law but an under- you may have the perfect IC but no one boundaries in the workplace. One ques- it had conducted a confidential, suo motu
immense power and influence. Second, standing of the law and the social context knows how to reach it. tion that has arisen in most cases is why hearing and established the allegations
most teaching relationships are informal, that qualifies a member. Finally, ICs are Creating awareness about the policy, those in positions of authority let sexual were false. What does “confidential”
with no teacher training, no regulation of supposed to have three-year terms so that the IC and the complaints procedure harassment continue for so long. If there mean? It means not naming the victim and
learning settings and no contracts. Con- they do not become an additional vested aside, the law also requires organisations were whisper networks and if sexual the accused and not sharing prurient
tracts are also rare for performance interest. This rarely happens because it is to conduct awareness training. This exploitation and bullying were open details. It means the testimonies are confi-
arrangements. secrets, why did someone not act? The dential and the report is confidential.
This means the teacher or concert orga- answer: What can we do once it has hap- In the mandatory reporting, you
niser is rarely accountable and there are pened and if no one complains? Aware- record the existence of a case, when the
no redressal mechanisms. Where they do ness training is more than compliance; it complaint was received and when the
exist within institutions, they may not be is key to building a culture of equality, report was submitted, without names and
functional. Add intersectional power mutual respect and transparency in the particulars. It does not mean that the
imbalances to this hierarchical culture, organisation. hearing should be so secret that com-
such as caste, class and family background The issue is not just how you deal with plainants do not know and witnesses are
or disability, and the potential for violence what has happened. The issue is also how not called. Compliance is incomplete
is evident. Inequality of status and power you prevent its recurrence—and the without an understanding of the spirit of
enables sexual harassment and this is the answer is not CCTV cameras. the law.
most common feature of Indian arts edu- When an institutional head or any other The biggest mistake institutions make
cation, which remains largely untouched person in authority (the Vishaka Guide- is to not understand this: Your reputation
by the democratising changes experi- lines clearly extend responsibility beyond is damaged by the opaque obfuscation of
enced elsewhere—albeit still unevenly. the formal employer) hears about inci- your response and the willingness to tol-
Learning the arts in an institution does dents or even hears rumours, they must erate injustice in the name of prestige.
not mitigate students’ vulnerability to sex- not wait for the victim to file a complaint. Your openness, responsiveness and will-
ual exploitation. Each institution’s The structures that enable abuse will usu- ingness to be accountable burnish your
response to allegations has led to a lively, ally deter the victim from speaking out. reputation. Art seeks and expresses truth
though short-lived, discussion on Sexual harassment is an act of intimida- and murkiness, panic and blind loyalty
whether they were fully in compliance tion, not uncontrollable passion. diminish your art. We are left not with
with the Sexual Harassment of Women at What leaders can do is to create safe set- artistic culture but rape culture.
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and tings for discussions that raise awareness.
Redressal) Act, 2013 or not (educational Invite an expert for a general talk. Show a Swarna Rajagopalan is the founder of
institutions are workplaces where teach- short film and have small group discus- Prajnya, which works to raise awareness
ers do the work of teaching; students, the sions. Host groups of students and staff to about gender-based violence, including
work of learning; and administrative and talk with you freely about issues within the supporting the creation of safe and equal
support staff, the work of institutional and institution—they may start with canteen workplaces.
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
08 OPINION THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | SATURDAY | 1 APRIL 2023
I
only the Congress party and the vot-
N a dubious distinction, Donald Trump has become the first US Pres- ers of Wayanad, not the government.
ident, sitting or former, to face criminal charges after a Manhattan As far as Parliament as the ultimate
grand jury indicted him over hush money payment to a porn star dur- democratic forum is concerned,
O
ing his 2016 presidential campaign. The specific charges against Trump NE keeps hearing about Rahul has every right to speak, partic-
have not yet been made public as the indictment is under seal as of now, fast-track courts all the ularly when the issue is all about him.
even as there are reports that he faces more than 30 counts related to busi- time, but not many recent Using the lung power of the treasury
ness fraud, including falsification of payment records. Trump, a frontrun- trials seem to have had a benches to shut him up is not a tactic
ner to be the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election, has faster track than the criminal that is going to win the voters’ confi-
pleaded innocence, terming the indictment ‘political persecution and defamation suit against Congress ARBITRARY: By not allowing Rahul to explain himself, the treasury benches have dence. In fact, the denial of this right
election interference at the highest level in history. ’ leader Rahul Gandhi. The trial not brought any glory to the democratic system that they control. REUTERS to Rahul has only underscored his
The development comes five years after it was reported that Trump courts all over the country have a lot allegations about the weakening of
to learn from the Chief Judicial Mag- Indian democratic institutions. Even
had arranged a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in Octo-
istrate’s court of Surat on how to It doesn’t behove the Lok Sabha secretariat to issue an Indira Gandhi, the strongest Indian
ber 2016 to buy her silence about a sexual encounter she claimed to
have had with him in 2006. The transaction, made weeks before the
conduct a quick trial and award the eviction notice to a freshly disqualified MP over sentencing PM ever, could not live down the
maximum sentence. If the trial itself charge of shutting up the Opposition.
presidential election, was allegedly in violation of the poll campaign elicited so much interest over its by a trial court, when no judicial remedy has been exhausted. Of course, she had gone much further
finance rules as it was falsely recorded under the head, ‘for legal serv- speed, the sentencing led to an even by locking up the entire Opposition
ices’. Trump has repeatedly called it a ‘simple private transaction’ faster ouster from the Lok Sabha and censoring the Press.
and delinked it from campaign contributions. owing to the automatic disqualifica- judicial remedy has been exhausted. itics that compels players to use every How will Indian voters respond to
The latest reversal has cast a cloud over Trump’s 2024 presidential tion rule, whose amendment Rahul It sounds like the arrogant slamming platform to deride one’s opponents Rahul getting locked up for the defam-
prospects. He is already facing multiple investigations into allegations that himself had torn up when he was of the door by a new occupant on the and also to run down the system that atory comment? Come to think of it,
he tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia; played an abettor’s still the young entitled son of the face of an older resident. However, their rivals control. All the non-Com- won’t the people react the same way as
role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters; and Prime Minister’s boss. now the Central Government is munist stalwarts opposed to Indira they did against Indira? We, the argu-
retained classified documents even after demitting office. The 2020 electoral The superfast processes of getting showing signs of nervousness over Gandhi had used similar platforms to mentative Indians, cannot brook being
outcome had revealed Trump as a sore loser who had no qualms about incit- the country’s biggest Opposition Rahul not moving a higher court great effect. Such attacks abroad may shut up and, conversely, we revere a
ing his loyalists to indulge in seditious activities. A month ago, he called for leader thrown out of the Lok Sabha against the verdict even after a week. help anti-India forces to weaken the person who goes to jail for his right to
has drawn a lot of flak from the West, The Surat court’s order sentencing country’s resolve to have an inde- speak out, particularly when it is to
nationwide protests in anticipation of the Manhattan grand jury’s adverse
specifically from the US State Depart- Rahul to two years in jail, the Lok pendent foreign policy, but that obvi- defame some scamster somewhere
decision. With the mercurial ex-President playing the victim card, it will be a
ment and the German government Sabha Speaker’s decision to disqual- ously is not the Opposition leaders’ who is not being brought to book. It
challenge for the US authorities to ensure that the legal proceedings are con- spokesperson. Does the Surat court ify him immediately, the secretari- primary objective — it is to loosen the may backfire if the attempt is to play
ducted peacefully. There is a high likelihood of a violent backlash. The world order — whose English translation at’s notice to get him evicted — all grip of the ruler over the system. the OBC card during the Karnataka
will get to know soon whether the US has learnt a lesson from the Capitol one has not accessed yet — mean that have sort of added to Rahul’s own By not allowing Rahul to explain his Assembly polls, simply because no
mayhem, which remains a hard-to-erase blot on American democracy. every Modi can get aggrieved if some lament that he was not allowed to statements made abroad in the Lok OBC will be able to identify with Nirav
Modis are attacked somewhere? So, if speak in Parliament. Sabha, the treasury benches have not Modi or Lalit Modi, who were the actu-
a Punjabi Nayar is poked, should a Rahul’s comments abroad — as brought any glory to the democratic al targets of Rahul’s attack. In fact, in
Malayali Nayar respond? For, Bihar’s well as his attack on people with the system that they control. The raison the context of the allegations of crony
Y
ET another air pollution assessment has underscored a challenge political speeches are actually a curb assessment of Indian democracy Opposition. Rahul has a lot of flaws as now. His obsession with a political
that has been acutely felt for long due to laxity in the strict adoption on free speech, particularly when the should have been made closer home, a Congress leader and as a parliamen- ‘tapasya’ will get endorsed and the
of mitigating measures. The National Green Tribunal-appointed allegations are purely political. not in a place where India is constant- tarian. His attendance is merely 51%, country’s electoral climate will get
committee has identified the area of Haryana comprising the NCR and Worse, it does not behove the Lok ly undermined or to the legatees of whereas the national average is 79% significantly altered if he surren-
around it as having hazardous air quality. Sticking out as black spots with Sabha secretariat to issue an eviction those who had presided over genoci- and the Kerala MPs’ average is 84%; ders before the Surat court and
high PM2.5 concentration are 11 districts of the state on the NGT’s list of notice to a freshly disqualified Mem- dal famines, wars and communal con- he has participated in just six debates walks into the jail to suffer his sen-
37 districts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain that are pollution hotspots. ber of Parliament over the sentenc- flagrations in the subcontinent. But against the national and state aver- tence. But the question is: Does
The finding serves as a reminder of the need for doubling up efforts, both ing by a trial court, when not a single then it is the logic of competitive pol- ages of 41.3 and 68.7, respectively; he Rahul have it in him?
at the individual and institutional levels, towards ensuring clean air. The
main culprits are the usual — extensive use of solid and fossil fuels in indus-
tries and homes (chulhas), road and construction dust and transport. It is a
poor reflection on the response to the schemes launched by the authorities
to make people shift to green fuels. Industries emitting polluting particles
should be identified and incentivised to gradually adopt green and advanced
technologies. Being capital-intensive, these industrial changes require a
Astrologically challenged
graded response. But those needing individual action — mainly regarding Ranbir Parmar them all. They had uncertain Then, her grumpy moods began to might imagine. I have had
cooking fuels and vehicles — should be aggressively promoted. Smoke from moods, they were grouchy, and they surface occasionally and became glimpses of the brighter side of her
chulhas or traditional cooking fuels is the biggest killer in rural India. Though
the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas claims that household LPG cov-
erage was 99.8 per cent in 2021-22, ground reports indicate that a majority of
the residents in rural areas and urban slums are still trapped in polluting
E VER seen a crab? That horri-
ble creature with pincer-like
claws ready to pounce upon
you! I once believed that such a crab
existed in the heart of every person
were all born between June 22 and
July 22. It took me a while to realise
that some non-Cancerians, too, had
their fair share of mood swings.
My dread of Cancerians developed
more frequent later. Scenes of fire-
works became common. I was con-
founded. An Aries woman wouldn’t
behave like that, I thought.
Once, during one of our rare
Cancerian personality — her rich
sense of humour, infinite capacity
to love and culinary skills.
Regarding the mood swings, good
kitchens. Similarly, lack of crucial facilities is a roadblock for people wanting old Linda Goodman’s book on sun
to switch to the cleaner e-vehicles. Along with concessions in the prices and born under the zodiac sign of Can- into a phobia in my early youth. peaceful moments together, I dared signs came to my rescue. It claims
cer. This belief was the result of When I thought of getting married, to disclose my doubts to her. She that the passing moods of Cancerians
taxes for e-vehicles, a large network of charging stations must be established.
numerous experiences. My erst- I decided that my life partner could seemed to be an astrological excep- are ‘synchronised’ with the changing
The buyers’ confidence can be won by ensuring that not only fuel stations
while boss, who had been joking a be anybody but a Cancerian. Ulti- tion, I told her. She burst into shape/phase of the moon. If it is a wax-
but also all dhabas and other eateries on highways double up as charging few moments before, suddenly mately, I married a woman whose laughter. When it subsided, she ing phase, I can crack my bawdy
points. Every single step taken towards cleaner air counts. threw files at my face. The recep- matriculation certificate declared revealed the secret. The date of jokes. But if the moon is waning, I
Air contaminated with dangerous amounts of particulate matter tionist at the club flew into a rage her to be born in the first week of birth mentioned on her matricula- have to be very cautious.
damages the respiratory system and the skin, leading to serious when I innocently asked the time by April. The first few months after tion certificate was not correct. She I fondly hope that my wife reads all
health issues and, consequently, impacts the economy of the area. The her watch. Or some of my friends marriage were spent in conjugal was actually born on July 11. this when the moon is nearest to being
pollution hotspots need urgent attention. who have the tendency to be irrita- harmony. She fitted into my mental And here I am, living with my the perfect round ball in the sky. But
ble without the slightest provoca- picture of a typical Aries girl — sen- crabby destiny for 40 years. But the only God can save me if it catches her
tion. A common thread ran through timental, generous and friendly. situation is not as pitiable as you eye in the moon’s waning phase.
❝ ❞
thought for the day letters to the editor
Oppression worketh out its own
Unanswered question ernments seem to be working on their mechanism. Leaders frequently Need people of integrity
destruction. — James Linen Refer to ‘High stakes for Punjab’; the own political goals. In this tug of war, weaponise public discourse for politi- The curbing of hate speech is not
people of North India want to know Punjab will have to bear the conse- cal gains. But the prevailing ambigu- possible until we have an inde-
who facilitated the arrival of Amritpal quences of this laxity. ity in the definition of hate speech pendent Election Commission, a
Singh in Amritsar. There is specula- DEEPAK TAAK, PANCHKULA and complicity of politics make con- free and fair law and order machin-
on this day...50 years ago tion but no answer. Some suggest that viction difficult. As the Constitution ery and an expedient judiciary.
the BJP planted him in Punjab to Timely action calls for the development of scientific Certain media outlets misuse their
embarrass CM Bhagwant Mann. Oth- Apropos of ‘High stakes for Punjab’; temper and humanism, the court, in freedom to express and run reli-
ers claim that it was a result of the the genesis of the social and political its fresh crackdown on hate speech, gious propaganda. People of criti-
deliberate complacency of the Mann upheaval mushrooming alarmingly has again emphasised the need to cal minds and probity, not lumpen
government because of its soft corner in recent times is religion and caste. segregate religion from politics. The elements or ruthless rulers, should
chandigarh, sunday,april 1, 1973
for Khalistani activists as they have These are being exploited as Indians four pillars of democracy should join be at the helm of affairs.
been funding the AAP’s election cam- succumb to these easily. We must hands to restore integrity, morality ABHIMANYU MALIK, JIND
The Year of the Tiger paign. Also look at the strange sympa- learn from history. We are again push- and ethics in our vitiated polity.
THE Year of the Lion ended in November 1972, when the Year of the Tiger thetic stand of the SGPC towards ing Punjab to the old dreaded times of DS KANG, HOSHIARPUR Human interference
began. At a meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife, it was decided that since Amritpal and his accomplices. All militancy. A stitch in time saves nine. Refer to ‘Shrinking glaciers’; the
there were 1,827 tigers in India as against 177 lions, mostly in Gujarat, the tiger opposition parties are silent on this When Amritpal and his armed Politics and religion formation of a dedicated hazard
should be declared the National Animal. The enthronement of the tiger did not issue. The Mann government gave in brigade showed strength at Ajnala, it Apropos of ‘Curbing hate speech’; and research institute is a welcome
go unlamented by people who believed that the lion was a greater gentleman to the SGPC demand to release all was the right time to nab him. The the court has rightly warned political recommendation. Collection of data
—- at any rate more majestic — than the tiger. Not for nothing had the lion detenues within 24 hours. All these government’s action would have parties to stop mixing politics with and its analysis to stop fast-reced-
enjoyed the title of the King of the Forest. But once India became a republic, it events point towards a disturbing sit- been justified as the Khalistani religion. Religion is not a part of pol- ing glaciers is crucial. But human
was inevitable that the lion should also one day go the way of the two-footed uation in Punjab. One can’t tell which activists were carrying the sacred itics but political parties have been a interference like mass destruction
maharajas and maharanis. In vain did the royalists argue that the lion was an way the wind will blow. Granth, an act that was also con- part of religious organisations. Voters of forests, large-scale use of fossil
authentic and original “mulki” whereas the tiger entered India from Northern RN MALIK, GURUGRAM demned by Sikh religious bodies. are wooed in consultation with reli- fuels for energy needs and con-
Asia after the last ice age — through China, past the eastern end of the BM SINGH, AMRITSAR gious heads. Polarisation has been struction of large dams on rivers
Himalayan range and into north-east India. The only relief that everybody Punjab will be loser done on the bases of religion, caste are largely responsible for the
shared was that at least the Chinese did not lay claim to the Royal Bengal Tiger Amritpal Singh continues to evade Vitiated polity and derawad. Hatemongers from decreasing glacial lines. Switching
or the lions of Gir Forest as Overseas Chinese Nationals. Equally encouraging the security forces. Every now and From time to time, the Supreme parties in power are not punished to green energy sources and
was the world response to conserving India’s tiger population once it had been then, a photo appears of his fleeing the Court has expressed serious concern even when their hate speech leads to decreasing dependency on
declared our National Animal. No such enthusiasm was noticed when, some forces or a video in the media, where over the growing menace of hate- riots. The Election Commission must machines emitting greenhouse gas-
years ago, the peacock was named India’s National Bird. Only the wags he is urging the Sikh masses to con- mongering and slammed the media make amendments to the Represen- es will decrease the spectre of glob-
recalled how, when George III had partly recovered from his attacks of insanity, gregate on Hola Mohalla. This cat- and the government for their failure tation of the People Act to check hate al warming. Integrated approach of
his ministers got him to read the King’s speech, and he ended every sentence and-mouse game is difficult to com- to nail the alleged perpetrators speech. Secularism cannot be ministries to provide real-time data
with the word “peacock.” They had told him that “peacock” was an excellent prehend. There appears to be more to (‘Curbing hate speech’). Despite its hijacked by spewing venom to will help in fighting the threat of
word for ending a sentence — only kings should not let their subjects hear it, it than is being shown in the public directions, the state authorities have increase vote share. shrinking glaciers.
but only whisper it softly. The President of the World Wildlife Board, Prince domain. The state and Central gov- not set up a proactive institutional WG CDR (DR) JS MINHAS (RETD), MOHALI VIRENDER SHARMA, SHIMLA
Bernhard of the Netherlands, has issued an appeal to raise $1 million to help
India, Nepal and Bangladesh to save the tiger from imminent extinction. Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: [email protected]
THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | SATURDAY | 1 APRIL 2023 OPED 09
6 3
10 Old Chinese game (3-4) ■ Chaitra Parvishte 19 Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy Rainy Foggy
11 Specifically (2,10)
13 Preacher’s rostrum (6)
■ Hijari 1444 CITY MAX MIN
14 Make intensive effort (6) ■ Shukla Paksha Tithi 11, up to 4.20 am Chandigarh 23 16
17 Cheerfully reckless (5-3-4)
20 Afternoon theatre
9 1 6 ■ Dhriti Yoga up to 2.44 am New Delhi 29 15
■ Aashle Nakshatra up to 4.48 am
performance (7) Amritsar 24 16
■ Moon enter Leo sign 2.44 am
21 Habituate (5)
22 Rudely brief (4) 4 1 9 YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION
Bathinda
Jalandhar
25
24
15
16
23 Unevenly balanced (8)
Ludhiana 24 16
DOWN
1 If not (4)
8 7 5 9 6 4 1 7 2 8 9 5 3 Bhiwani 27 15
8 9 7 6 5 3 4 1 2 Hisar 27 16
2 Conduit (7)
3 Have great financial
success (4,1,7)
7 5 1 2 3 5 9 4 1 7 8 6
Sirsa
Dharamsala
27
22
17
09
4 Antagonism (6)
9 8 4 1 7 6 2 3 5 Manali 16 04
6 5 7
6 Coral reef enclosing
lagoon (5) Shimla 17 07
7 Statuette (8) 7 5 6 4 3 2 1 9 8 Srinagar 15 07
8 Sudden, overwhelming
7 6 3 1 2 5 8 9 6 7 4 Jammu 24 16
action (5,7)
12 Widespread outbreak (8) Kargil 13 01
YESTERDAY’S sOLUTION 15 In stranded condition (7) 1 6 3 8 9 4 5 2 7
Leh 09 --02
Across: 1 Oversight, 8 Henna, 9 Signify, 10 Encore, 11 Select, 12 Underlie, 15 Tireless, 18
Trance, 20 Outcry, 21 Unravel, 22 Colon, 23 Good taste.
16 Summerhouse with wide
view (6) 3 9 8 5 4 7 8 2 1 5 3 6 9 Dehradun 22 12 1
Down: 2 Voice, 3 Render, 4 In future, 5 Thence, 6 Ungodly, 7 Make sense, 11 Soft touch, 13 18 Elector (5) Mussoorie 18 03
Destined, 14 Brittle, 16 Luring, 17 Havana, 19 Crest. 5 2 9 3 6 7 8 4 1
19 Stock of cattle (4) EASY TEMPERATURE IN OC
THE
W
ILL a new se- will not catapult Rahul into wards others is the tapasya of that the world was facing several challenges such as grow-
quence in Indian higher orbit of politics. Will the mind. The tapasya is to be ing poverty, climate change and war clouds, and gave a call
politics begin af- such a change come in Con- practised with supreme faith to keep G20 strictly apolitical. It is heartening that India’s
ter 2024 elections? Will the gress? Chances appear to be and without expecting any- stance had connect with some key countries like Indonesia,
period of alter ego end and remote. thing in return. Brazil and South Africa. India should not be distracted by
will leaders learn to stand by Rahul Gandhi first invested Rahul may be thinking he the lone wolf tactics of China and must keep pressing ahead
the people instead of run- himself in Parliament, then washed the Congress in deter- with its social and economic agenda for the G20 grouping.
ning after a few individuals embarked on a Bharat Jodo gent and had renewed hope V VenkataRamana, Sircilla
and making that as the na- Yatra to forge a deeper con- that yatra has made himself
tional or international issue nect with the people. Many put his finger on the one call- Need to rein in dubious NGOs
which really does not help say that the media did not Rahul Gandhi first invested himself in Parliament, then ing card that Modi has taken
the common man in anyway?
Yes, those who have indulged
give adequate publicity. But
one should understand that embarked on a Bharat Jodo Yatra to forge a deeper connect with
great pride in – incorruptibil-
ity. They thought the country, A propos ‘Growing use of foreign agent laws.’ It is in-
teresting to see that countries like the US and other
in money laundering or
have earned money through
if a leader is able to connect
with people, then there is no
the people. People feel that the re-branding exercise is a desire particularly the youth, would
follow him blindly. But that
EU nations have begun to feel the pinch to realise the
need to monitor and put tabs on some NGOs which are
wrong means and those who force that can make him win to craft larger than life image of RG which is quite different from did not happen. the power into themselves, if allowed to go unchecked in
have aided such persons need
to be punished.There is no
the elections. Crying over
media by politicians needs to
a leader who stands by the people. Despite the 4,000-km-long Whether his charges
against Modi and Adani can
promoting interests and agenda of certain groups and or-
ganisations that may not be in the long terms interest of
second thought about it. But be stopped. The media gets yatra, it cannot be said that he has been able to stir the voters be turned into a political countries concerned. India too has recognised this diabolic
to join hands with Congress or get back to its pre-independence
that alone should not be the preference when a party is knockout or not depends not trend of NGOs whose professed goals of human rights and
agenda for non-BJP parties, in opposition because they only on Gandhi’s moves in the social assistance are not above board. These NGOs are a
particularly the 137-year-old
Congress party.
need them and is treated as
untouchables when in power.
or post-independence roots. He did not even make the other weeks and months ahead but
also on the Congress party’s
handy financial source to the Opposition in India and oth-
er radical groups with a view to disturbing and derail the
Undoubtedly, there are The trend in the last eight opposition even think for a moment that he had or was emerging preparedness to turn it into smooth and well-oiled machinery of the government. India
many questions being raised
regarding the growth and
years or so is give full pow-
ers to the officers to file cases
as a force to be reckoned with a political-electoral issue.
The bugle has been blown in
has witnessed several thousands of such organisations be-
ing banned in the country as a source of income for these
investments of Adani. Con- against the media if they Karnataka where allegations groups and NGOs are seldom revealed.
gress and its misguided lead- highlight any negative aspect branding exercise is a desire if you do the same, how are the real sense of these words. of corruption and counter S Lakshmi, Hyderabad
ers should stop talking as if of the government. No one to craft larger than life image you different from him or BJP. Tapasya is neither a form of allegations between BJP and
Adani is India. The party still
does not introspect why it is
can question them. If anyone
dares do it, the journalists are
of RG which is quite differ-
ent from a leader who stands
If the Congress refuses to be-
come dynamic and pro-peo-
self-denial nor a form of pen-
ance to atone for one’s sins.
Congress is on. Here, too,
people seem to be more con-
Vizag emerging on the global map
not being accepted either by
the people or most of the re-
gional parties.
harassed, and the manage-
ments are forced to fall in line.
This is how the voice of fourth
by the people. Despite the
4,000-km-long yatra, it can-
not be said that he has been
ple, it will be another dream
which will not come true.
History shows that all dis-
It, in fact, it is the fine art of
self-discipline. It refers to cer-
tain spiritual practices of self-
cerned about local issues and
all parties are competing in
unleashing their money and
T HIS year India is hosting G20Summit. Government
of India is not leaving any stone unturned to make the
summit a grand success. So far conventions were conduct-
In the past few months, estate is getting muzzled. To able to stir the voters to join senter in countries like Tur- regulation undertaken for pu- muscle power. Adani issue ed at 13 places. Now Vizag is the 14th venue. There may be
the Congress changed the be very frank no political par- hands with Congress or get key, Israel, Hungary and Po- rification of the body and the no one seems to be bothered around 50 summits in all, the last one being the final one at
AICC president but that did ty that is in power is bothered back to its pre-independence land had fostered unity of the mind. As lustre of the gold here. For them, ‘Namma Kar- New Delhi in September 2023. Visakhapatnam is becom-
not give any indication of the about the media. It only wants or post-independence roots. opposition. But here though increases in fire; similarly, nataka’ matters most. ing popular. These days it is hosting international conven-
new team taking independ- to control the media. He did not even make the there are many rivals for BJP, the practice of tapasya makes Insinuations and charges of tions. In March, it hosted Global investment Summit at the
ent decisions and guiding Coming back to rebrand- other opposition even think they are not showing any sign one morally strong. Gold has corruption and cronyism have instance of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Now it has
even people like Rahul Gan- ing of Rahul, the public per- for a moment that he had or of united fight. to pass through fire of high brought down governments, been hosting G20 India presidency for a couple of days.
dhi. All that is happening is ception does not seem to be was emerging as a force to be Rahul has now started us- intensity, not abuse people or but it was a different India in The welfare activities of Andhra Pradesh government, re-
the party is trying to rebrand matching with the perception reckoned with. ing the word Tapasya. What make remarks against free- 1989 when VP Singh raised lated to education and health care etc., were appreciated by
Rahul Gandhi. Fine do it but of Congress leader about the The more the Congress does he mean by Tapasya? dom fighters. the Bofors flag against Rajiv the WHO and UN organizations. It was suggested that the
in a proper way. They don’t impact of Rahul’s Bharat Jodo leaders harp on the disquali- Does he understand what Ta- Bhagavad Gita has de- Gandhi and a less cultish In- schemes may be emulated by other states.
get tired of speaking about yatra. Congress may believe fication of Rahul and keep re- pasya is? Remarks against a scribed three kinds of tapas dia when India’s right-wing Kantamsetti Lakshman Rao, Visakhapatnam
Rahul’s pepper grey beard, that Rahul’s ‘Tapasya’ has peating only one question and community or Veer Savarkar – tapas of the body, tapas of groups raised the issue against
his padayatra, how he played
football on the roads, how he
united the people. But, people
feel that the Congress party is
vow to expose the nexus be-
tween Adani and Union gov-
cannot be called Tapasya.
A Tapasvee never criticises
the speech, and tapas of the
mind. Along with the tapasya
Dr Manmohan Singh’s gov-
ernment in 2011-12. In both
A resurgent Congress to dare
went to Kashmir in T-shirt on verge of extinction. ernment, it would lose what- people. They caution the rul- of the body, Gita has enumer- cases, there was a well-or- BJP in K’taka
because he is burning with
heat inside. What really mat-
ters is how much heat he has
Still, if the Congress thinks
that the re-branded Rahul
Gandhi is looking aggressive
ever little gains he had made
by walking 4,000 km. It will
give an impression that Con-
ers about the consequences
of their decisions. Growing
a beard does not make one
ated the disciplines of speech.
Speaking the words which are
truthful and which give no
ganised support and strategy
in taking on those in power.
Corruption is no longer an
I NTERESTINGLY, the high drama of power grabbing in
Karnataka has desultorily been on following the 2023
election dates are announced. Assembly polls have turned
been able to generate among after he grew his grey beard gress agenda is not people’s Tapsavee. I would say that offence to others, which are electorally-sensitive issue. sensationally interesting as the ruling dispensation BJP
people? ever since he started walking agenda, but that it only aims the word ‘Tapasya’ is being pleasant and which are bene- The advantage BJP has in and the opposition are locked up in the fierce battle for
The project rebranding every single day and images at settling political scores. insulted. ficial; and the practice of self- 2024 elections is that it has a supremacy. The Congress-JD(S) coalition government col-
is not yet over. Many in the of his six packs and he out- The Congress leaders’ alle- Tapasya, which is derived study – these are said to be the mascot in the form of Modi lapsed paving the way for BJP to usurp power in their own
Congress appear quite opti- performing the seniors in the gations that Modi used harsh- from the Sanskrit root word austerities of speech. Krishna but the Congress has no mas- calculated way. Rahul with all his controversial talks and
mistic that the exercise would party while doing pushups er words and took jibes at ‘tapa’ meaning heat or energy, has, thus, recommended reg- cot. Congress which pinned disqualification is trying to open a new chapter, whereas
help the leader come into his and sporting a T shirt while Congress and Rahul does not has roughly been translated as ular introspection; and speak- hopes on Rahul has taken BJP is trying hard to hold power despite all controversies
own, thereby, also heralding passing through the coldest give them any great advan- austerities or penances. And a ing the truth, but without any a new avatar of “Tapasvee” surrounding the party. Kolar talk paved the way for all
Congress’ revival. But the regions of subcontinent, well, tage. What people ask is how Tapasvi, the one who engages harshness. without sishyas or gurus. This the trouble. The stakes are high as the resurgent Congress
way the party is moving raises let them live in their dream- different are you? Agreed, in tapasya, has often been Apart from the austerities has led to a situation where gives the saffron brigade a tough fight in the only fort in
doubts over the success of land. Modi used harsher language, called an ascetic. But such of the body and the speech, the entire playing field is left the south.
this exercise. Things will not People feel that the re- took unsavoury potshots. But translations do not bring out austerities of the mind have open for BJP. C K Subramaniam, Mumbai
[email protected]
Why tornadoes are hard to forecast
Chris Nowotarski ONLINE
derstorms with a deep rotating updraft, 1990s we were starting to do more field
Editorial Delhi
I
n a dramatic, but not unexpected, turn of
events, former U.S. President Donald Trump Supreme Court of India ruled that Mr. expediency and align with the Hindu nationalist in the Hindutva ethos, and the history of their
has been indicted by a grand jury in New Palaniswami would continue as the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre during clash with the Dravidianist worldview.
York in the case of hushmoney paid to adult film AIADMK and that Mr. Panneerselvam would have 19992004. On the essential question of religion in politics
actor Stormy Daniels in 2016, before the presi to abide by the decisions made during the party’s For Mr. Stalin, there is an unspoken pressure or religiosity as a way of life, few would deny the
dential election of that year. While the indict General Council meeting on July 11, 2022. It is that rests upon his shoulders, and it stems from great distance between the BJP and the DMK. The
ment, the first one ever against a former U.S. Pre quite likely that these rulings might turn out to be the fact that performance in office and the same is true of caste composition in a historical
sident, remains under seal and the specific farreaching decisions impacting the long arc of delivery of good governance through policies context — the BJP’s control of government in the
charges and the extent of evidence remain un State politics. impacting the citizenry’s daily lives, matter more Centre and the States is quintessentially the
clear still, media reports and comments by Mr. The reason is obvious: ever since the death of than ever before. This could explain why his perpetuation of upper caste power in many
Trump’s lawyers indicate that the charges could former AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, in December government, on the balance of policy priorities, cases.
include the fact that Mr. Trump’s erstwhile attor 2016, the party has been riven by factional has kept economic growth, investor confidence, Culturally, the BJP’s policies point towards an
ney Michael Cohen paid $1,30,000 to Ms. Daniels infighting, the surest indicator that her autocratic urban infrastructure, climate change, and other aggressive, panIndia, homogenising intent based
on the 45th President’s behalf, apparently to stop style of governance failed to nurture green shoots such areas of daytoday interest to the common on specific Hindutva idioms, and these include
her from going public with the story of their con of leadership to take over the mantle after her Tamil man and woman in the foreground, while the domination of Hindi over regional languages
sensual (and earlier) extramarital encounter. Mr. time. The impact of the Court’s decision will be periodically reminding voters that on State and English, the subordinate social position of
Trump is said to have reimbursed the amount to considerable because after more than six years of autonomy concerns, including the National women and some minorities, and jingoistic
Mr. Cohen after he won the election, which was squabbling to capture power from the social base Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Hindi nationalism that is, in its idealised format, hostile
then passed off as legal expenses. In this regard of the AIADMK — which also included V.K. imposition, the DMK would hold firm to the towards other cultures.
the charge in the indictment is expected to be a Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran — the values enunciated by its forebears during the Yet, the DMK and the AIADMK were built on
falsification of business records, but that is only a victor, Mr. Palaniswami, now has a clear mandate heyday of the Dravidian movement. the notion of social justice from the earliest days
misdemeanour offence in New York, not a felony. to take the party forward into the next election Regarding the AIADMK, there is no less of the Dravidian movement under Periyar E. V.
To prosecute Mr. Trump for a felony, the onus is with a firm grip on its ‘two leaves’ election pressure upon Mr. Palaniswami to redefine Ramasamy and C.N. Annadurai, a concept that to
on Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg symbol, the support of an overwhelming majority himself as an able administrator of his party in a great extent focused on improving the social
to not only link the falsified bookkeeping to Mr. of General Council members, and the end of Mr. the aftermath of several years of internecine status and rights of women. Dravidianist political
Trump directly but also to show that the business Panneerselvam’s challenge for control of the squabbling within the party. He certainly mobilisation by its very definition sought to forge
records in question were falsified to cover up an party following his ejection from the AIADMK. delivered upon the mandate to perform a social rainbow coalition of a breathtakingly
entirely different crime. Speculation is rife that superlatively for the people of Tamil Nadu in the broad range of middle and lower castes, a
the crime that will be cited for this charge will be Back to the future realm of public policy when he held the Chief strategy that has kept either the DMK or AIADMK
a potential violation of campaign finance laws — Given the recent rulings, is Tamil Nadu set to Ministerial throne for more than four years — and in power for the past 56 years.
yet, this is where the prosecution case appears return to its old model of twoparty competition that he could do so while awaiting the resolution Similarly, both Dravidian parties have
less firm. Following Mr. Cohen’s claim that he had between the AIADMK and the Dravida Munnetra of deleterious intraparty wrangling speaks to the historically excelled at using the power of the
paid Ms. Daniels at Mr. Trump’s behest, there was Kazhagam (DMK)? The fact is that that old world clarity of his purpose and political vision, and Tamil language to mobilise voters and bring them
a question of whether Mr. Trump would be liable of nearly half a century of Jayalalithaa and former perhaps also to the negotiation skills that he into the fold – including not only the language
under federal campaign finance laws, which re DMK chief, the late M. Karunanidhi, going would surely have needed to forge compromises campaigns during the DMK’s radical phases of
quire monies received as campaign donations to toetotoe in an escalating competition to provide between AIADMK bosses from different regions antiBrahminism in the 1960s but also former
be disclosed transparently and be subject to spec the population of the State with welfare goods has and representing variegated social groups. Yet, AIADMK head M.G. Ramachandran’s ingenious
ified legal limits. However, a federal investigation faded into the haze of the new India and its for Mr. Palaniswami too, the same paradigm shift use of Tamil cinema to foster an image of himself
into this matter was closed in 2019, which sug altered ground realities. in voter demands and public discourse, which as a paternalistic herosaviour of the ordinary
gests that the weight of evidence here may not Several such realities are significant in this has led to expectations that the Stalin Tamilian.
have been compelling at the time. context. First, neither polarity of the Dravidian Both the major government will deliver economic prosperity and In a sense, the lines between the Dravidian
The broader question underlying the indict movement has a leader that is beyond political parties, the social justice, will shape what he can and must do parties and the BJP have been drawn ever more
ment is whether Democrats are scoring a self challenge. Consider the ruling DMK, headed by DMK and the as leader of the Opposition in the State, and then clearly now than they were during the preceding
goal. While more serious issues that could be po M.K. Stalin, son of Karunanidhi. While it is true AIADMK, face as a campaigner in the 2024 Lok Sabha election five years, especially with what appears to be
tential charges against Mr. Trump are on the that he was elected President of his party and the 2026 State Assembly elections. frictions between the unified AIADMK and the
the challenge of
scanner of the Justice Department, including cer unopposed, and any potential challenge from his BJP. Which way the politics of the State swings in
brother M.K. Alagiri was swiftly seen off by the the steady but Saffron’s southern spread the coming decades has never depended more on
tain dealings of the Trump Organization, his role
party cadres who coalesced behind their leader, rapid rise of Nevertheless, the greatest challenge to both the core beliefs of its electorate.
in inciting the January 6, 2021 insurrection and
withholding classified information after demit the difference in context between Mr. Stalin and Hindutva major parties has come from beyond the safe
ting office, the Manhattan DA’s reliance on the Karunanidhi matters considerably. As a fivetime politics shores of the Dravidian movement, in the form of [email protected]
hushmoney case could end up as blowback for
the Democrats, especially given the dangers that
it will polarise Americans further and be seen as
pure political partisanship. Mr. Trump will of
course extract every ounce of political capital
that he can from what he has described as “polit
India’s semiconductor mission might need a compass
ical persecution” and a “witch hunt”, and that
too will likely not favour Democrats in the 2024
T
election. he United States Department of to revive the plant to a 180 nm node pilot line to in place at the SCL. In this scenario, an
Commerce and its Indian counterpart meet the strategic needs of the country did come investment of $50$100 million may result in the
have recently concluded a memorandum by but the facility has, by and large, remained an development of Indian solutions for automotive
of understanding in March 2023 to ensure that unfulfilled dream in its mission of creating a electronics (EV traction inverters/on board
A busy season subsidies by each country do not come in the way
of India’s semiconductor dreams, as espoused by
domestic semiconductor ecosystem. SCL Mohali
can be viewed as a technology stack similar to
chargers), PVInverters, 5G infrapower
amplifiers, railway electronics (traction
All-format cricketers will soon have to the much publicised semiconductor policy Saurabh Dutta others such as Aadhaar, Aarogya Setu and the inverters), creating the Indian equivalent of
launched in December 2021. The U.S. Chowdhury Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acting as a force Bosch, Siemens, ABB, Mitsubishi Electric, Thales
choose one over the others Department of State has also engaged with India multiplier effect, encouraging many integrated and ELTA.
is currently working at
I
t is the season of Twenty20 and just as the to beef up sectorspecific export control laws in power integrations circuit design startups in India to consider However, the upgrade has to be backed by
inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) the semiconductor space — which India has (NASDAQ: POWI), and designing for India. subsidies aimed at fabless design houses with
concluded at Mumbai, it is time for the 16th agreed to, as in recent media reports. has 30 years proven design (sales of >$100 million per year)
edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With While these seem preconditions in a long experience in The way forward willing to fabricate at the SCL in the 180nm+ node
Friday night’s clash between defending cham dance orchestrated by bureaucrats on both sides, semiconductor The institutional framework for such a shift in (and possibly transfer process intellectual patents
pion Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings will they lead to a global major such as Intel to fabrication focus already exists with the transfer of SCL back if they have any). The subsidies have to be aimed
(CSK) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmeda invest in India in order to set up a greenfield to the Ministry of Electronics and Information at global design companies with products aimed
bad, the IPL’s annual summer tryst is back in 300mm wafer fabrication plant costing over $10 Technology (MeITy) after a 15year stint as a at Indiaspecific markets such as motor drives for
vogue. Launched in 2008, the IPL has become a billion? The premise of this question is based on laboratory within the Department of Space, as BLDC fans or ebike chargers. Unfortunately, the
moneyspinning brand while the WPL finally the ongoing twoyear dance between Intel and part of the new semiconductor policy existing DLI/PLI schemes provide no such
found its feet with five teams. Women’s cricket in Indian government ministers who were seen announcement in December 2021. However, a incentives to proven global fabless design
India is carving a niche and it is a progressive step courting the Intel CEO at Davos, and New Delhi year into such an announcement, no joint companies.
as not long ago this brand of sport was deemed hoping that Intel Foundry Services (a business venture partner has been found, keeping SCL The recent efforts by the India Semiconductor
an afterthought before the BCCI bridged the gen unit within Intel formed after Intel’s takeover of employees in limbo. During this period, the focus Mission to open up subsidies to global small and
der divide. The board initiated corrective mea the U.S.Israel based Tower Jazz Speciality at MeITY seems aimed at attracting Intel into mediumsized enterprises in the upstream supply
sures including central contracts, pay parity in Foundry) will build a greenfield plant, most likely India to set up a fab. This can be inferred from chain are welcome because an existing facility
terms of match fees and the WPL became an es in Dholera, Gujarat. the wording of the request for proposals and like the SCL will benefit from this. But this is not
sential milestone. In the pathways laid by Diana The facts on the ground do not support such signalling from MeITY Ministers. However, Intel enough in itself unless coupled with the
Edulji, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, to name an eventuality in a world where Intel remains primarily operates at <22nm node and 300mm, incentives defined above and also upgrades
a few, the current generation of women cricke preoccupied with setting up fabs inside the U.S. requiring over $10 billion in upgrade cost to the targeted at different sets of players.
ters has also gained commercial heft. And when So where does Indian semiconductor policy need SCL. The stakes are high as a lack of clarity and
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians won the to go from here? The facts on the An alternate approach could be to leverage inaction may lead to India completely missing out
maiden WPL with a sevenwicket triumph over The SemiConductor Laboratory (SCL) was set ground, human and capital assets at the SCL to build on on the semiconductor fabrication bus, yet again,
Delhi Capitals, it was a significant moment in the up in Mohali in 1983 by the then central especially in what exists in a targeted manner, to jumpstart the unless there is course correction on incentive
history of Indian women’s cricket. With the Un government, with the vision of creating an connection with semiconductor mission by taking advantage of targets. Finally, to execute this vision in the next
der19 team having won the World Cup recently, electronics ecosystem in an era when Keltron, the recent technological breakthroughs in a class of five years, the SCL needs a fulltime director with
the WPL’s arrival should further enhance the Uptron and Webel were fledgling entities in a semiconductors that do not need advanced prior “More than Moore” foundry experience
Semi-Conductor
quality within the Indian ranks. preliberalised India aimed at consumer lithography equipment. The “More than Moore” than have a career scientist from the Department
electronics. However, shocks, of the opening up Laboratory, do segment of >180 nm node involving mixed signal of Space, as is the case now. This is because there
Just as the women rest, their male counter
parts are already busy with the IPL that stretches of markets for consumer goods in 1991 and a fire not support the analog (BCD and SiGe), wide bandgap (GaN, is a multifaceted market that needs to be served.
up to May 28. The 10team championship can sap that broke out in 1989 at the SCL, dashed these country’s GaAs, Silicon Carbide) for RF and power markets
energy from the very best of players. Not surpris hopes. Some funding from the central exchequer ambitious plans leveraging existing lithography capability already The views expressed are personal
ingly, ‘workload management’ has become an
oftrepeated expression as the cricketers look at
the immediacy of the IPL while also being aware
of the World Test Championship final in England LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
and the World Cup in India, later this year. Allfor
mat players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli No to dahi same breath, against minorities”, March a licence to practise seem unsure of the and the authorities need to
and some bowlers have to make choices while The leaders of certain States southernmade films are a 30). The dissemination of medicine in India. It could examination format — act quickly to clear the air.
juggling between their IPL stints and India duties. taking offence to the big draw in the northern hate is threatening to be held next year, in whether it is ‘MCQ’ or The draft regulations for
M.S. Dhoni turning out for CSK at 41, is a testa printing of the word dahi on States. Does this amount to change the liberal secular January 2024. With nine multiple choice questions, NExT are supposed to have
ment to longevity. Equally, it is revelatory of the dairy products on the sacrificing Hindi at the altar polity. Bigots seem to adopt months left, medical and valuation by ‘OMR’, or been released by the
career choices that players make these days premise that it shall of other languages? their own rules with only students face uncertainty. optical mark recognition. National Medical
through staggered retirements starting with promote Hindi is ridiculous Deepak Singhal, one end game. Authorities in many colleges Students are just not ready Commission, but many are
Tests, then ODIs while keeping the T20 exit for and is the height of Noida, Uttar Pradesh R. Sivakumar, confused.
the last. A Sachin Tendulkar playing topflight insecurity (Inside pages, Chennai Corrections & Clarifications R. Ilango,
The headline of a story on adult literacy programme (March 31, 2023) Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu
cricket for 25 years will perhaps remain an excep “Will not print dahi on Aavin Court on hate speech needs to be changed to “Back to school: 22.7 lakh adults sit for literacy
tion as the present generation pick and choose curd packets: Tamil Nadu”, Hate speech is fast NExT and format confusion and numeracy skills exams this year”. Part of the opening paragraph
their formats. The latest IPL has drafted in the March 30)”. All States are becoming a routine feature Medical students confront should be recast to say: “... these are among the 22.7 lakh unlikely stu
‘impact player’ concept wherein a team could ef gradually evolving a of public life in India. The another problem — the dents from 10 States and Union Territories who in a bid to be called ‘liter
fect a substitution, as in football, and use the cosmopolitan outlook and rise of the right wing has conduct of the National Exit ate,’ appeared for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment
star’s core skills unlike the usual cricketing substi generic names of products increased the insecurities of Test (NExT) that is required Test for 202223. More than 40% of the aspirant candidates were from
Madhya Pradesh alone. Letters emailed to
tute relegated to just fielding. The stage is set and that originate in one the minorities (Inside pages, for admission to letters@thehindu.
new stars will emerge in a year during which In particular State are “SC slams ‘silence of state’ postgraduate medical The Readers’ Editor’s office can be contacted by Telephone: co.in must carry the full postal
+914428418297/28576300; Email:[email protected]
dia could eventually chase glory in ICC events. becoming accepted. In the on ‘vicious circle’ of hate programmes and to obtain address.
CM A ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Saturday, April 1, 2023 7
GROUND ZERO
Delhi
Commuters wait to board a train at the Fort railway station during a nationwide strike in Colombo on March 15, 2023. Sri Lanka deployed armed troops as trade unions protested against the high income taxes imposed as a precondition for a crucial IMF bailout. AFP
some other homes, parents are unable to send ment Authority, have issued letters and notices
F its backers, March 20 was a good news
day. The International Monetary Fund
(IMF) finally responded to the govern
ment’s distress call following the collapse of the
debtridden economy last year, by approving a $3
An outsider
would think
in as an arbiter of economic affairs in September
2022 when it reached a stafflevel agreement
with the government. Anticipating an IMF pack
age, the government took a slew of measures, in
cluding a preemptive default on its $51 billion fo
The government’s exuberant celebration of Sri
Lanka’s 75th year of Independence also came un
der attack from some. Detractors see no justifica
tion for pomp when authorities postpone local
government elections citing the lack of funds, or
need for “social safety nets” to protect the poor
and vulnerable. However, Perera sees little pro
mise in the new enumeration exercise underta
ken by the government’s Welfare Benefits Board.
A questionnaire with 22 indicators will determine
billion loan aimed at restoring economic stability things are reign debt, a sharp hike in banking interest rates, seek urgent private funding to keep the country’s whether a family is poor enough to receive finan
and growth. “Sri Lanka will no longer be deemed normal in a decision to float the Sri Lankan rupee (it depre critical ambulance service afloat. cial support. “This kind of targeting is cruel,” Per
bankrupt,” President Ranil Wickremesinghe said our country. ciated from around 200 to 360 against the U.S. On the other hand, eager to project a positive era said. “You can own a small house, but still
during a special address to Parliament, project But many dollar), revise taxation, and increase fuel prices image to attract potential foreign investors and struggle to put a meal on the table, still drown in
ing the deal, which he desperately coveted, as a families are and electricity tariffs. tourists, both of which are crucial now, the go debt, still be unable to send your children to
crucial economic milestone. “We have the oppor skipping But Sri Lankans did not have to wait for the vernment frequently spotlights the indicators school because transportation costs are so high.
tunity to uplift our motherland again.” Sri Lanka austerity measures to fully kick in to experience that signal a version of recovery – more tourists, Targeted social welfare will also cut off many pe
meals,
would “regain recognition” in the international the effects. They had been facing acute shortages increasing exports, vanishing queues, waning ople from future social security services.” Perera
arena, its banks’ letters of credit would be res pawning of essentials, long power cuts, and staggering protests, and declining inflation. argued that Sri Lanka must opt for universal so
pected by international financial institutions, it jewellery or food inflation of over 90% for months in 2022. Authorities unfailingly highlight “reduced” in cial security instead.
would now be able to borrow lowinterest loans taking loans The year saw the Sri Lankan economy contract flation, now around 50%, but the number belies
from other international financial institutions, fo just for daily about 8%, and crash. Coming on the heels of job the persisting economic strain on the consumer Resistance and recovery
reign investors’ confidence in the country would survival. losses and a drastic fall in real incomes during who still pays steep prices for food and other es Meanwhile, the government appears to be on
be restored, new opportunities would emerge, KOLIN PETER
the pandemic, the economic crisis pushed poor sentials, while incomes remain stagnant or have guard. Trade unions protesting tax hikes or
and the foundation to build a strong new econo Community citizens into existential agony. Depending on fallen. Pointing to a “rapid erosion” of purchas moves to privatise have been labelled “disrup
my will be laid, he said optimistically. worker and digital supplies available, families carefully chose what ing power, Colombobased independent econo tors” standing in the way of stability and recov
Wickremesinghe’s supporters rejoiced; some marketing to eat, and how much. Many others who could mist Rehana Thowfeek contended that over the ery. Police habitually tear gas agitators. Ministers
professional
burst firecrackers. For them, it was not just a not afford the food items had to consider which long term, incomes must be adjusted in line with threaten protesting “essential services” workers
breakthrough in economic recovery, but also the meal to forego or, worse, which child to feed. inflation rates to maintain purchasing power. with termination of employment.
political redemption of an accidental president. Regardless of the government’s cheer over se “Last year, Sri Lanka had really high inflation Most unions are not protesting the IMF pro
The United National Party (UNP) helmed by curing the IMF programme, almost everybody in rates which meant the cost of living rose rapidly. gramme per se, but the specific austerity mea
Wickremesinghe was virtually wiped out of Par Sri Lanka admits that it will be a painful year. But Now, the inflation rate is less than last year. A low sures that they associate with increased econom
liament in the last general election in 2020. His there is considerably less acknowledgement that er, positive inflation rate means the prices are still ic hardships. Even so, Leslie Devendra, General
ascent to presidency was made possible only some citizens may feel the pain much more than rising, but at a slower rate compared to last year,” Secretary of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sanga
with support from the party of Sri Lanka’s dis others. While poverty is hard to miss, inequality she said. The inflation rate measures the yearto maya (Free Workers’ Union), one of the country’s
graced former ruling clan, the Rajapaksas, who is convenient to ignore. year change in the general price level. “This largest unions with nearly 80,000 members
were dramatically ousted in a citizens’ uprising year’s price increase is on top of last year’s, so spanning the energy, electricity, mining, and civil
last year. While the diminished UNP is now repre Deepening disparity cost of living is in fact still increasing,” she said. aviation sectors, said that workers must “play
sented in Parliament in a lone seat, Wickremes For a tourist visiting any of Colombo’s upmarket The World Food Programme found that a third their part” and not “add to the problem” during a
inghe loyalists see his credentials as a crafty, re restaurants or bars, the crisis would seem a dat of Sri Lankan families continue to be food inse crisis. “Going to the IMF was a very difficult deci
solute, veteran politician restored in three other ed story. Affluent residents throng these venues cure. The government and mainstream econo sion to take, but there is no alternative to help us
letters: IMF. in their SUVs and comfortably foot big bills. Away mists see austerity measures as inevitable while get out of this mess. Our union feels we must face
The IMF deal for Sri Lanka — its 17th since 1965 from the music and lights, at virtually every traf reviving a battered economy. However, these the stark reality of economic recovery. That will
— entails a $3 billion loan over four years based fic junction are men, women and children asking “austerity measures” look different depending mean everybody will have to make certain sacrif
on several conditions, including arresting cor motorists for money — a rare sight until the crisis. on whether they are abstract numbers from a se ices,” he said. These include the government’s
ruption. An IMF governance diagnostic mission There are “many Colombos,” pointed out Ko lective reading of macroeconomic indicators or move to restructure state enterprises by privati
has started to assess Sri Lanka’s governance and lin Peter, a community worker and digital mar realities of daily life and basic survival. Inflation sation, which some other unions are opposing.
anticorruption framework in the agency’s first keting professional. Peter, 29, lives in a highrise figures, without factoring in real wages, are de “Whether enterprises are run under socialism or
such exercise in Asia. The government hopes to government housing complex in Colombo, ceiving. The country’s economy, after all, is that capitalism, they have to be run according to basic
tap more rapid credit, including from other mul where about 3,000, mostly working class, fami of its people. economic principles. Transparency and social
tilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the lies reside. They were all displaced from different The electricity tariff hikes are a case in point. dialogue are very important in the reform of pu
Asian Development Bank. A year after defaulting parts of the city as part of a “beautification” drive Sri Lanka increased tariffs twice since the crisis blic enterprises.”
on its sovereign debt, Sri Lanka is looking to bor some years ago. “An outsider would think things escalated last year — first in August 2022 by 75% For Sri Lankans, the months ahead will be far
row more to stabilise its economy. are normal in our country… no more protests, no on average, and in February 2023 by 66%. “The from easy. A messy and likely longdrawn process
more shortages. But many families are skipping hike came during acute fuel shortages, when fa of debt restructuring with a diverse set of credi
Global scrutiny meals, pawning jewellery or taking loans just for milies were struggling without gas, and food in tors awaits the government, while ordinary citi
Sri Lanka’s political parties and civil society or daily survival,” he said. “Some children go to flation had hit about 90%. Bills suddenly doubled zens reel under its “corrective” fiscal measures.
ganisations are mostly united in the conviction school just so they can have the midday meal. In or tripled, and consumers were threatened with Scores of people are fleeing economic depriva
that an IMF programme is the “only way out” of notices of possible disconnection if they didn’t tion, looking for educational or employment op
the crisis despite the agency coming under grow pay up,” said Iromi Perera, Director of Colombo portunities elsewhere. Official estimates show
ing global scrutiny for the painful aftermath of its Urban Lab, a think tank working on urban deve that more than a million Sri Lankans left the
programmes in indebted countries. Evidence lopment policy. This coincided with the huge country in 2022. “We witnessed the Aragalaya
from the developing world shows that an IMF backlog of bills accumulated during the pandem (struggle) last year. The protesters wanted Gota
loan is no “bailout.” Its “structural adjustment” ic. “There is a misunderstanding about energy (then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) to go home
programmes rarely see countries decisively exit consumption in poor, workingclass house and made sure he did. They also wanted a system
debt traps. In fact, critics accuse the IMF of facil holds,” she explained. “Some think they use change, but are we seeing that? The same set of
itating more external borrowing in already heavi about 30 units, but most families in an urban set politicians are calling the shots,” said Peter, voic
ly indebted countries. Economists and foreign tlement use between 100 and 150 units. They ing the disillusionment among the young. He
debt experts around the world have also been need fans, lights, a refrigerator. Families switched worried that despite a historic people’s uprising,
urging the IMF to suspend the use of surcharges, to electric rice cookers when there was no gas. the ruling class has returned to politics and busi
in addition to potentially highinterest rates, ar The reliance on electricity grew even more after ness as usual. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens conti
guing that these punish developing countries, ag the shortages last year.” nue to bear the everincreasing cost of the crisis.
gravate their financial vulnerabilities, and act as Trade union members protest against the big hikes in taxes and electricity In what Perera termed the “weaponisation of “All that our politicians care about is holding on
sanctions on a country for being poor. rates, in Colombo in February 2023. REUTERS the grid,” authorities, such as the Urban Develop to their power and wealth,” he said.
CM A ND-NDE
YK
THERE IS A KIND OF BEAUTY IN IMPERFECTION.
CONRAD HALL BEAUTY IS THE PROMISE OF HAPPINESS.
EDMUND BURKE
8
POEM
Literature & Health Flowers
Personality traits associated with Women in Afghanistan Pluck this little flower and
take it, delay not! I fear
satisfaction throughout lifespan face financial hardships lest it droop and drop into
recent research pub-
the dust.I may not find a
A lished by the Ameri-
can Psychological
Association claimed certain place in thy garland, but
personality traits are associ-
ated with satisfaction in
life. Despite the changes
honour it with a touch of
people may experience in
social roles and responsibil- pain from thy hand and
ities over the course of their
adult lives, that association
is stable regardless of age.
pluck it. I fear
"Many studies have
shown that people with cer-
lest the day end
tain personality profiles are
more satisfied with their he hardline Islamist policies of the Tal- "We ask the Islamic Emirate to let before I am
life than others. Yet, it had
not been extensively stud-
ied whether this holds true
chology. To determine how
the relationship between
ableness and emotional sta-
bility/neuroticism -- and
T iban for females of the country have
barred them from work as a result of
which the Afghan women are facing extreme
women work side by side with their broth-
ers, which would cause the growth of our
country's economy," said Mudaser, a resi-
Rabindranath
aware, and the
across the lifespan. For ex-
ample, extraverted -- that is
personality traits and life
satisfaction changes over
their satisfaction with their
social connections and their
economic difficulties which continue to
surge with every passing day.
dent of Kabul, TOLOnews reported.
The ban on education, as well as work Tagore time of offering
sociable, talkative -- people
might be particularly happy
time, researchers analyzed
data collected from 2008 to
life overall. Only the 5,928
participants who were em-
Quoting a former employee for the Ad-
ministrative Reforms Commission, Farzia,
for Afghan girls and women, has resulted in
a surge in the risk of early marriage, violence go by.
in young adulthood, when 2019 by the Longitudinal ployed at the time of the TOLOnews reported that she has been faced and abuse in the country, according to
they typically are forming
new social relationships,"
Internet Studies for the So-
cial Sciences (LISS) panel
survey also answered ques-
tions about their satisfac-
with financial and psychological problems
since losing her job.
TOLO news which cited the report by Save
the Children, a humanitarian organization.
Though its colour be not
said study co-author
Gabriel Olaru, PhD, an as-
survey, a nationally repre-
sentative survey of house-
tion with their work lives.
The researchers found that
Afghan women attacked laws limiting
women's employment opportunities, claim-
Many Islamic countries and organisa-
tions, including the Organization of Islamic
deep and its smell be
sistant professor at Tilburg
University. "We thus want-
holds in the Netherlands.
Over 11 years, 9,110 Dutch
most of the relationships
between personality traits
ing that their severe financial circumstances
are getting worse.
Cooperation (OIC), have condemned the
ban on women's and girls' access to work faint, use this flower
ed to examine if some per- participants ranging from and satisfaction remained Farzia, who is the sole breadwinner of and education as a violation of Islamic law.
sonality traits are more or
less relevant to life, social
16 to 95 years old at the
time of the first survey an-
the same across the adult
lifespan, and that emotional
her family, said: "The women who have
studied for years and gained expertise
Since August 15, 2021, the de facto au-
thorities have barred girls from attending
in thy service and pluck it
and work satisfaction in
specific life phases."
swered multiple question-
naires to assess their Big
stability was the trait most
strongly associated with
should be allowed to contribute to the work-
force," according to TOLOnews.
secondary school, restricted women and
girls' freedom of movement, excluded
while there is time..
The research was pub- Five personality traits -- people's satisfaction with Residents of Kabul have often urged the women from most areas of the workforce
lished in the Journal of Per-
sonality and Social Psy-
openness, conscientious-
ness, extraversion, agree-
their life, social connec-
tions and career.
Taliban to put women and men to work in
order for the country's economy to prosper.
and banned women from using parks, gyms
and public bath houses.
Rabindranath Tagore
BY BIRINDER SINGH
Three Musketeers
The name of the enact the roles of Ram Lila characters. I in a multinational group. served us cane juice rice pudding once
imes change and so do the ways. Life school always in- was driven by a passion for being at the top The journey of Romi, our foodie friend, again. To my surprise, the taste was no
T now is tough than in those good old
days. As I look back, I fondly remi-
nisce those simple school days when we did
trigued us as we did
not know what
"D.R." stood for.
and was a top scoring student throughout
my school years. Even today, my name is
still etched on the Board of Honours in our
from a young boy with a passion for cook-
ing to being the owner of a chain of restau-
rants in a foreign land is nothing short of in-
longer mediocre, but instead, it was as if
prepared by my mother. This was a testa-
ment to his dedication, hard work and com-
not have any worries or responsibilities. Our principal Mr. school. And so the school days passed spirational. His dedication to serving deli- mitment to bring improvements in his
Life was simple, carefree and the only thing Gurbachan Singh After school, I and Dalbir went to a cacies has been evident from his childhood, recipes. He did not achieve success
that mattered was the moments spent with was handicapped and prestigious college in Chandigarh while as I recall him inviting me for a treat when overnight. His journey has been filled with
friends. Wish I could re-live those mo- limped while walk- Romi stayed back to study in local college. he was just six or seven years old. Back challenges, obstacles and even failures. But
ments. ing. So we nick- I started with science subjects but could not then, he served me cane juice rice pudding he never gave up and persisted with his
Going into the flash back, I see Dalbir named the school as cope with, so I switched to an Arts Group. which was tasty but not as good as my dream, which eventually paid off.
and Romi, my good old friends from "Duda Ram" Model School with "Duda" Our physics teacher had assured me that mother's version. Romi did not let this set The story of these three musketeers is a
school. Our friendship was based upon meaning the one who walks with a limp. with a degree in Arts, I had a bright chance back discourage him and he continued to reminder that success is not handed on a sil-
goodness and has lasted through the years. We, the three grew up together. Full of of becoming an IAS or PCS officer. How- experiment with different recipes and ver platter but instead, it requires us to work
We met at D.R. Model School, the only energy and joy. Our bond was formed over ever, I ended up in Judicial Service after flavours. Today, his restaurants at Munich hard, to be resilient and persevere through
convent school in the small town where I the years of playing, studying and exploring studying Law. Dalbir on the other hand pur- in Germany attract food lovers from differ- difficult times. It is also a testament that
grew up. I had to switch to this school as together. Our childhood was marked by vi- sued his interest in finances and became a ent parts of the world. During our recent with dedication and passion for excellence,
boys were not allowed past IV standard in brant festivities such as Dussehra celebra- Chartered Account and Company Secre- visit to Munich, we had the opportunity to we can achieve our wildest dreams, irre-
girls school I had been attending till then. tions during which we, while playing would tary. He is currently a Senior Vice President dine at one of his restaurants where he spective of where we come from.
This PDF was uploade To Teligram channel_ LBS Newspaper platform (https://t.me/LBSNEWSPAPER) @LBSNEWSPAPER
EDIT INDORE / BHOPAL | SATURDAY | APRIL 1, 2023
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Out of suffering have emerged the strongest
souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.
— KAHLIL GIBRAN
FREE PRESS
FOR FREE FLOW OF TRUTH
India can wield its clout and re-energise G20
lation. But ironically there is no stage, there are expectations that never be able to work out a solu- gained in weight as the govern-
formal office or secretariat and this summit will make a differ- tion on Ukraine as this issue will ment gives direct subsidies to en-
new politics
The Presidency is by rotation en that all nations are not ideolog- even the rise of extremism in gle party is not directly affected
÷Madan Sabnavis which means that every member ically tuned in one direction. For Turkey make the Group quite ir- (like Russia conversing on
will get it chance and this has example, Donald Trump was ve- relevant on the political front. Ukraine). But the challenge is to
been the way since the financial hemently against free trade, mi- It would be interesting to also get on the same page on the eco-
T
he cycle of loud and boisterous processions on
W
hat does G20 mean to the crisis in 2008 though the forum gration and climate change delib- see if the countries can arrive at nomic front.
festival days with young men screaming common man? First, it was established in 1999. Last year erations. In such a case arriving any agreement on elements which This is where we need to display
must be something big as it was driven by Indonesia and in at a consensus would always be a are eroding the concept of global- our influencing skills to drive
provocative slogans against minorities who
India is hosting the top 20 coun- the next two years will move to challenge. isation. There has been a move to- home the point. One can hope that
then retaliate with stone-throwing has gone on for tries in the world which can be Brazil and South Africa. There Similarly while health is one is- wards de-globalisation of late there are firm decisions which
decades. The story repeats itself across India in com- seen in the banners posted across are hence equal opportunities giv- sue which will dominate the pro- with all countries focusing on are taken especially in the areas
munally sensitive regions which tend to be tense when the country along with the flags of en to all the nations which strive ceedings, it is accepted that the their domestic economies which of investment, health, inclusion,
festivals of different communities, especially Hindus the member nations. Second, all to make a difference. We have tak- G20 failed to do anything signifi- has come in the way of freer agriculture, and sustainable de-
the cities that are being visited by en up this challenge at a time cant to alleviate the covid situa- trade. This is one reason as to why velopment. In the light of the re-
and Muslims, coincide on the same day. This year, on the delegates have been spruced when the world is in a phase of cent developments in the banking
Ram Navami which fell in the Muslim holy month of up making them look nice. Third, turmoil with political tensions Given India’s clout on the global stage, there are system in USA, financial stability
Ramzan, at least one person was killed and more than there has been a lot of business and possible recession being would be one issue that would oc-
20 injured in incidents of communal violence in Ma- for the businesses like cloth, topped by the recent banking cri-
expectations that this summit will make a difference and cupy the centre stage as it is not
harashtra, West Bengal, Delhi and Gujarat among oth- paints, banners, plant suppliers, sis in the USA. that members do fall in line and help to foster policies just not about institutions that
conference halls, hotels, transport Hence unlike the WTO or IMF have jolted but also the fallout of
ers. Last year’s Ram Navami processions in Gujarat, operators, guides etc. as there where there is a website linked which are mutually beneficial given that all nations are the crypto maze which has affect-
Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh had followed the same would be over 200 meetings held with the organisation, in case of not ideologically tuned in one direction ed markets. This would be a turn-
template and, in fact, had led to the demolition of 50 across almost 30 centres during a G20 the country which assumes ing point as far as we are con-
structures of those who had participated in stone- year, with the big one being in Presidency does all that is needed cerned in influencing global lead-
September in Delhi. Last, on the to spread the word. The G20 will tion as all countries followed their WTO, which is a larger formal or- ers to move towards a stronger
throwing in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone. other side, there would be a host deliberate issues on climate own policies. There was never a ganisation with 164 members, has economic commitment. While
It bears reflection on the part of central and state gov- of inconveniences for the public change, finance, health etc. In case of countries working togeth- failed. The challenge is in getting there are other forums which ad-
ernments as well as community leaders on how this every time the delegates arrive fact, the separate chapters that ex- er for a solution. Better communi- this core team to agree on a for- dress specific issues, we can be op-
template, more characteristic of the 1960-70s, contin- and depart as it involves ‘seam- ist range from anti-corruption to cation across these nations could mula that can take the world econ- timistic of being more effective
less’ travel. culture and infrastructure. But have helped to firm up a solution omy back on the path of globali- this time given the rapid strides
ues to persist and blot the social fabric. Why the police
What exactly is the G20 and how the twist here is that while there that could be used across the sation. Here we will have to rec- made in several of these fields.
cannot or does not adopt newer and more savvy meth- relevant is it? As the term sug- can be agreement, no country is world — not just a case of pre- oncile this goal with our stance of Our example can be a template to
ods, other than the age-old preventive arrests of the gests there are 20 nations involved forced to implement what is de- venting the spread but also ensur- Atmanirbhar India which has had be followed by others.
usual suspects, to nip tension in its bud is a mystery. where 19 are countries and Euro- cided. Hence it can end up being ing that the vaccination drive was Make in India at its core. USA
The common wisdom is that if a police force wants to pean Union is the 20th entity. just sharing of ideas, which may uniformly implemented. would have to take a harder look Madan Sabnavis is Chief Economist,
These nations together account not be a bad thing given that these At the political level, it is fairly at the concept of ‘Make America Bank of Baroda, and author of
hold communal peace in its jurisdiction it has the ca- for 80% of world GDP and 75% of nations are the dominant ones. impotent as the group has China Great Again’. In fact of late the ‘Lockdown or economic destruction?’
pacity and tools to do so; it means that the cops can look exports covering 60% of the popu- Given India’s clout on the global and Russia as members, but will ‘Make in America’ doctrine has Views are personal
the other way as the tension builds up and eventually
finds a release in deplorable incidents.
Communal violence, studies show, usually benefits
the Bharatiya Janata Party in electoral terms which
means there is less incentive for the police under the
An epidemic of protests over a perceived insult
party’s governments to act. There is usually a long his-
tory of communal strife in areas which erupt in vio- rude”. a bitter truth, that is being de- niently ignore the real side of mation, against our first Prime
lence. The processions have now assumed viciousness Fearless In politics, the definition of in-
sult depends on the ideology of
nied by the right-wing followers
of Savarkar. Also, Savarkar was
Savarkar. If what Savarkar had
said were to be stated by a person
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and
his descendants.
as hate of the “other” has become an intrinsic part of
the governance fabric itself, and open calls for violence Talk the political party as well as the
idol of its leaders and has got
not the only prisoner to be in the
Andaman jail, right from the par-
not belonging to the clan of pro-
testors, there would be another
People blinded by narrow polit-
ical considerations are not affect-
against Muslims go unpunished. The hope lies in the nothing to do with the legal or ticipant of the 1857 War of Ind- epidemic of protests. Savarkar ed by statements made by their
÷Abhay Mokashi dictionary definition of the pendence, the anti-British were was not averse to beef eating and leaders. A case in point is that of
sagacity of community leaders, in acts of solidarity of
word. Moreover, in politics, what jailed there. cannot be said to be a practicing the utter silence of those protest-
people from both communities, protests from a few op- is said is not important to consid- There is thus an epidemic of Hindu, as he was against rituals. ing over the “insult” to Savarkar
position parties and resistance from the civil society.
A
new epidemic has hit Ma- er it as an insult, as much as who protests against Rahul Gandhi In his booklet on Hindutva, are silent on the insults hurled at
But more needs to be done to counter hate politics. harashtra and it is on the says what about whom and demanding an apology for stating Savarkar wrote: (which is bor- Congress leader Sonia Gandhi,
verge of turning into a when — that matters in consider- that Savarkar was a Mafi Veer rowed from William Shake- Sunanda Pushkar or Mahua
pandemic. Luckily, it is confined ing any act or words as an insult, (apology master). speare) What is in a name? Ah! Moitra, by BJP leaders including
The IPL conundrum only to political leaders and their
blind followers, irrespective of
which means if a personality of
one’s liking says something
The protests are primarily in call Ayodhya, Honolulu, or nick- Prime Minster Narendra Modi.
Modi addressed Sonia Gandhi
T
he marquee tournament T20 cricket in India — political affiliations. about a national figure, it would In politics, the definition of insult depends on the as a Congress widow and the late
the Indian Premier League — kicked off on Fri- The symptoms seen in those af- be considered insulting towards Pramod Mahajan, also a leader of
day bringing along its promise of high-voltage fected by it are the urge to shout that personality by some politi- ideology of the political party as well as the idol of its the BJP, had called her a Jersey
entertainment deftly mixed into the shortest form of at the top of one’s voice, making cians, while others will ignore it. leaders and has got nothing to do with the legal or cow. Modi referred to Shashi Tha-
hollow speeches which are not The timing of the “insult” is also roor’s late wife Sunanda Pushkar
international cricket for the next few weeks. That the based on proper knowledge of important and such issues are dictionary definition of the word. The timing of the as a Rs 50 crore girlfriend, while
IPL is a much sought-after tournament for emerging the subject, and inciting people to taken up during elections or to ‘insult’ is also important BJP MP Nishikant Dubey used
and established cricketers in cricket-playing nations, come out on the streets to protest create a public opinion on situa- the word “nagarvadhu”, which
franchise owners, top advertisers and streaming chan- on less serious issues. There is tions that are not life-and-death. means a prostitute. This is not an
nothing new in these symptoms, The current epidemic in Maha- Maharashtra and were started by name her immortal Prince, a insult merely of the three
nels is now well-accepted. This year, the Board of Con- one may feel, but the biggest dif- rashtra due to “insult” is the re- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Pooh Bah… If this came from women, against whom such state-
trol for Cricket in India (BCCI), the overseer of the IPL, ference in such symptoms on oth- peated statements by Congress and the Eknath Shinde faction of someone else, it would have been ments are made, but is a slur
launched a successful Women’s Premier League too er occasions and in the current leader and former Member of Shiv Sena. Shinde has an- considered an insult to Hinduism against women in general.
which recently concluded. There is no doubt that the times is that the acts (symptoms) Parliament Rahul Gandhi that he nounced that strict action would and to Ayodhya’s king Ram. The easiest thing for men to de-
IPL has raised the visibility of the sport and its rele- carried out on being infected are is not Savarkar to apologise. His be taken against anybody insult- Those protesting against the in- mean a woman is to cast aspira-
not in the larger public interest reference is to the historical fact ing Savarkar. But, neither Shinde sult to Savarkar were silent over tions on her character. However,
vance to young cricketers across the world. It has also and are meant only to serve the that Savarkar, a freedom fighter or his Deputy, Devendra Fad- the statements by the then Gover- such statements exhibit the char-
given Indian cricket a host of young players whose tal- electoral interest of the party of who was in solitary confinement navis have clarified what nor of Maharashtra Bhagat acter of the person making the
ents were recognised in previous editions of the tour- the infected leaders, while at the in the cellular jail in Andaman amounts to Savarkar 's insult. Singh Koshiyari which were in- statements.
nament and then honed to international level. same time diverting public atten- for raising his voice against Savarkar is a political necessity sulting to Chhatrapati Shivaji, Politicians may make such
tion from pressing issues before British rule in India, had later for the BJP and both the factions Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba statements, but it is for the gen-
However, it may be time for the BCCI to pause and re- the country. apologised to the British Govern- of the Shiv Sena. It is in their po- Phule. Since Koshiyari has been eral public to raise its voice
flect on the downside of packing such a high-voltage The cause of the epidemic is the ment for his act and also sought litical interest to keep the issue associated with the BJP and the against those making such re-
tournament into a few weeks when players who repre- word “insult”, which has its ori- pardon. This was done on several burning, since Savarkar is con- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, marks against women, irrespec-
sent the national side may be under pressure from gin in the Latin word “insultare”, occasions. Later, he got a pension sidered to be an icon of Hindut- his statements were not consid- tive of their party affiliations or
their franchise owners to disregard their injuries and meaning to jump. Insult also from the British Government va, as he promoted the idea of ered insulting by the BJP and the social standing.
means assault or attack, basical- and had also appealed to Indian Hindutva. Shinde faction.
play at their peak performance levels. The franchise ly a military one. The dictionary youth to join the British army. It is either the ignorance of the The BJP leaders and spokesper- The author is a senior journalist and
owners, after all, have paid millions for these players. meaning of insult is “to say or do To mention that Savarkar had protestors about the life and ide- sons have been making insulting media trainer. He tweets at
Considering that the Indians in the IPL have key fix- something that is offensive or tender apologies to the British is ology of Savarkar, or they conve- statements, based on fake infor- @a_mokashi
tures later in the calendar — the World Test Champi-
onship in which India takes on Australia, and the ODI
World Cup — they could have done with some rest and The Hanuman Factor LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
over to automatic ticket
machine checking because
temperatures are increasing.
Given the extent to which
Melting glaciers
recovery time. The BCCI ought to make it clear that the
genuine sport of cricket at the international level is be-
— Ritesh Aswaney
Harness AI power
machines are impartial and
cannot be influenced, plus
the fines collected will be
the forests are being cut
down, the amount of new
trees being planted is
Tmajority
he central government has
informed Parliament that a
of glaciers in the
B
tween national teams — and players need to be fit for eing good at anything ka. After being reminded of
usually comes with his powers, it was Hanumanji, safe and cannot be negligible and practically Himalayan region have been
those. The IPL is not the pinnacle in the sport. But will pride, be it physical who without a moment’s hesi-
in languages misappropriated. Fines ineffectual. It is necessary melting or receding. The
the BCCI, which rakes in millions through this tour-
nament, stand up to the franchise owners?
strength or intellectual
prowess. And this pride usual-
ly becomes the millstone that
tation offered to cross the
ocean and rescue her with no
fear for his life. Such was his
TInsufficient
he new language model/
ChatGPT is trendy now.
data/ language
should be used to fund
important and useful
projects and schemes that
to create awareness among
the people and at the
government level,
Parliamentary standing
committee on the monitoring
of glaciers/lakes and flash
INDIA 75 YEARS AGO pulls one down and can be- complete submission and de- jargon in benefit the people. otherwise the next floods tabled the report on
FPJ Archives come the reason for deteriora- votion to Lord Ram. professional/technical courses Peter Castellino generation will have to bear Wednesday. The shifting
APRIL 1, 1948 tion of that USP. Hanumanji He demonstrated many ex- is an impediment in making the consequences. glaciers can lead to the
stands in a league of his own, amples of his wit and intellect available such courses in Shantaram Wagh shifting of tree lines and may
‘Vidyavan Guni Ati Chatur’, as he negotiated innumerable Indian languages. This is the Save our forests also impact the livelihoods of
he was learned, virtuous and
intelligent, and had extreme
physical strength, yet not an
obstacles in his way, but
reached his destination with
singular focus and determina-
right time for us to use
AI/ChatGPT to generate
content/ make these courses
TUnited
he Food and Agriculture
Organization of the
Nations has
Sub-standard
drugs
mountain people and
downstream populations.
The report recommended
iota of ego. He served Lord
Ram selflessly, and as one
of the Chiranjeevis (im-
tion despite all the odds. Life is
full of distractions and
temptations, and we of-
available. This will not only
promote the use of regional
languages but also provide
conducted an in-depth
research on the degradation
of forests in 98 countries in
A s if what has happened
in Gambia and
Uzbekistan was not enough
that the ministries concerned
must enter into agreements
with India's neighbours in
mortals), he continues to ten lose sight of our an alternative/option. the world. These statistics for our pharma firms to the region for the sharing of
do that to this day. purpose. At such P V Prakash are from the last 30 years. follow guidelines, the drug information and data. Only
Born to Mata An- times, Hanumanji’s In the six years from 2015 regulator has found as awareness and cooperation
jana with the bless- clarity and focus re- to 2020, India has lost as many as 47 pharmaceutical can save the Himalayas.
ings of Lord GUIDING LIGHT mind us of Automate ticket many as 668,400 hectares companies manufacturing Bhagwan Thadani
Shiva, as she what we can checking of forest. Many problems substandard drugs. Saying
consumed prasad from Ma- achieve if we put our mind to arise due to deforestation. it is unfortunate and Don't get fooled
haraj Dashrath’s fire sacrifice,
dropped by a bird flying over-
head, Hanumanji was an ex-
it, and of course if it’s for a
just cause.
Hanumanji’s energy is ex-
W ith reference to the
report ‘Ticketless travel
nets CR Rs 300 cr’ (Mar 29),
The habitats of many
animal species are
destroyed, many regions are
shocking would be an
understatement. It not only
brings bad names to these A ll Fools’ Day pranking is
believed to have started
tremely special child. We have tremely protective and he is local railways should switch facing drought, companies but the sector as in Rome, and is played on
all heard mischievous and yet also easily propitiated by devo- a whole. It should also not people on a large scale, by
prodigious episodes from his tees of Lord Ram. So if you MIKA’S MATRIX be forgotten that many students in schools and
childhood, whether it was the feel anxiety, nervousness or countries are dependent on colleges and also by
time he mistook the Sun for a suffer from irrational chronic us for their medical needs, employees with their
fruit, or when he was struck fears, try reciting the Hanu- and such developments will colleagues in offices.
down and later revived by man Chalisa with an open bring shame to our However, instead of playing
Lord Indra, and blessed with mind and you can experience country’s name and jokes I suggest we plant at
incomparable boons by the the divine grace that follows. reputation. Maiden least one sapling in your
Gods. So as we celebrate Hanuman Pharmaceuticals Limited surroundings to make it an
Being a naughty child, he Jayanti on Chaitra Poornima was a repeated offender in April Cool Day. This small
was cursed to forget his pow- (April 6), in addition to offer- manufacturing low quality campaign of yours may help
ers until he really needed ing your prayers to him, con- medicines and has been in making this earth cool
MIR LAIK ALI TO BE SACKED? them, and the time came when
he met Lord Ram and Laksh-
sider supporting an environ-
mental cause, particularly one
banned in Bihar, Kerala and
Vietnam in the past. So it
and a better place to live in.
Jubel D’Cruz
INDIA'S CAPITAL SICK WITH 'HYDERABAD FEVER' man as they were wandering that helps animals. For even shows that banning these Dear reader,
New Delhi, March 31. The Nizam's Government is believed to be through the forests in search when the Lord himself incar- companies does not act as We are eager to know your opinions,
of Mata Sita. Amidst all the de- nated on earth, he chose Hanu- a deterrent to them. There comments and suggestions. Write to
exploring the possibility of replacing Mir Laik Ali's Ministry. This might form [email protected] Using snail mail?
a basis for further negotiations between India and the Nizam's Government, spair, a glimmer of hope ap- manji, who had taken the form is more which needs to be
Send your letters to Free Press, Free Press
it is learnt.It is thought possible that the Nizam's Agent-General in New peared when they discovered of a monkey, as his closest con- done for them to fall in line. House, 3/54, Press Complex, AB Road,
Delhi, Nawab Zain Yar Jung, may be the next Premier of Hyderabad. that she was being held in Lan- fidant. Jai Siya Ram! Bal Govind Indore 452008
If everyone fought for their
own convictions there Leo
would be no war Tolstoy
T
he National Education Policy Everyone has skills. But that’s not the same as saying the than 3000.” What level of enrolment makes
(NEP) 2020 sets a template for a college viable? I would say 3000. If that’s
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN changing India’s education sys- market values those skills. There is the issue of whether the the figure, 96% of colleges should close
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. tem. Education isn’t a silo and higher education system delivers those marketable skills down. There is, of course, a public versus
— Ramnath Goenka has many angles—childhood and private funding issue. If a privately funded
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
sectors and liberalised much earlier, why form of scholarships and financial aid, is
should they also not apply to education, es- one thing; public funding of infrastructure
W
pecially higher education? Indeed, that’s and faculty and administrative staff sala-
aris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh’s separatist call what NEP has in mind. ries is another.
was seen as the pronouncement of a small business- How many higher education institutions Third, competition implies entry and
(HEIs) are there? The All India Survey exit. There have been additional entries
man with no links to the Sikh clergy or widespread of Higher Education (AISHE) for 2020–21 BIBEK Chairman, Economic Advisory into the list of HEIs, private and potentially
support like earlier Khalistan proponents. Not many tells us there are 1,113 universities, 43,796 DEBROY Council to the PM foreign. If there is an entry, there must in-
in the Indian security establishment took him seri- colleges and 11,296 standalone institutions. evitably be churn and exit in the process of
ously and treated him as a prophet in the wilderness whose Is that too few or too many? India is a churn and competition. Some HEIs must
voice not many would hear and heed. If anything, Amritpal’s young country. To tap that demographic close down. To me, that writing on the wall
rise was seen as a sign of Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party govern- dividend, which won’t last forever, young seems obvious, but it’s a phenomenon peo-
Indians need better health and education ple rarely talk about. For instance, the
ment’s indifference to separatist elements. AAP’s election cam- outcomes. NEP document mentions the word “exit”
paign received considerable support from Sikhs living abroad. There is a lot of buzz about AI (artificial only twice, both in the context of a student
Therefore, not many were surprised when Amritpal arrived intelligence), and some of it is hype. AI can- exiting from a course of study and opting
from abroad to launch his campaign for Khalistan. But the sup- not completely supplant natural intelli- for another. As with schools, we need to
port he started receiving, mostly outside India, shocked the gence, though some jobs are prone to be determine what should be done with the
Indian security establishment. The tension between the AAP substituted by AI. Almost definitionally, AI existing infrastructure.
is a technology and capital-intensive, and Traditionally, the objective of higher edu-
government in Punjab and the BJP-led Central government also
the labour versus capital choice is a func- cation has been perceived to be one of
played a role in Amritpal not getting the attention it deserved. tion of the relative prices of both. In India, teacher teaching. At the risk of generalis-
While the central agencies kept a hawk’s eye on the new trou- even in the foreseeable future, labour will ing, the same notes are read out year after
blemaker, action against him was not taken with the urgency it be relatively cheap and capital relatively year, the same questions are recycled in ex-
deserved. What followed was a blame game between the two expensive, though the labour market has ams year after year, and students write the
governments, with the Central government blaming the state several slices, and there are exceptions to same answers year after year.
government for not acting against Amritpal. AAP cannot be this principle. Ergo, in India, we will gener- This sounds like a caricature, but it is
ally still use labour. largely the case. In statistics, people use
absolved of letting Amritpal grow into the force he has now That labour has to be trained. It has to the bell curve for a normal distribution.
become. Nobody knew of Amritpal until September last when possess skills. Every individual possesses Few students belong to the top 10% and
he visited Bhindranwale’s Rode village where, through his skills. But that’s not the same as saying that few teachers belong to the top 10%. For 90%
turban-tying ceremony, a Bhindranwale lookalike was created. the market values those skills, and there is SOUMYADIP SINHA of teachers, AI and digital universities
In some sections, he is now being termed as Bhindranwale 2.0, an important issue about whether the can take over. The objective of higher
though he has no religious following. present higher education system delivers reasons, this is not true. First, India’s rate need to plan for slowing population growth. education is one of student learning, not
those marketable skills. of population growth is slowing down. It is Many states have had to rationalise and teacher teaching, and in 90% of cases, AI
The state government was aware of his activities since arriv-
The correlation between higher educa- an annual rate of 0.8% now. The absolute close down schools since there aren’t and digital universities can perform that
ing from Dubai but did not take them seriously. That Amritpal tion and skills is not that strong except for number of children in the age group of 0–15 enough students. Notwithstanding a possi- function better.
was in touch with Jaswant Singh Rode, whose brother Lakhbir professional courses. In the age group of has declined. The absolute number, not ble increase in GER, that will also happen In other words, not only must there be an
Singh Rode is the head of the International Sikh Youth Federa- 18–23, AISHE tells us GER (gross enrolment merely the ratio. The Hunter Commission for HEIs. Access to higher education doesn’t exit for HEIs, but there must also be an exit
tion and is involved in smuggling drugs into India, was well ratio) is 27.3. It is a little higher for females, Report (1882–83) makes for interesting read- mean we have HEIs in every district, per- for the bulk of teachers, a fact difficult to
established. Same with the fact that the Khalistan movement is and GER has been increasing over time, as ing on how the higher education system haps every block, with a wonderful infra- accept. It shouldn’t be a surprise that, bar-
it should. The decline in work participation came to be developed under the British. The structure but no students and faculty. ring a few, Indian HEIs do not do that well
funded largely by NRIs from the US, the UK, Canada and Aus-
rates in those age groups is partly due to first three modern universities were set up Second, there is a great deal of heteroge- in global rankings. Some countries have de-
tralia. Despite these known facts, Amritpal continued to propa- increased enrolment. What kind of GER in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. In 1951, I neity in HEIs. Let me quote from AISHE. liberately targeted improvements in global
gate his divisive ideology. As a result, there are protests world- should we aspire towards? I guess some- think there were 30 universities and 695 col- “Majority of colleges are smaller in terms rankings, focusing not only on infrastruc-
wide against the crackdown on his supporters and the manhunt thing like 50%. leges. (To get accurate figures, there was of enrolment. 24.5% of the colleges have ture but international students and faculty
launched against him. The government of India had to summon At the time of entry to HEIs, we hear nothing like AISHE then.) enrolment less than 100, and 48.5% have a too. (Think of Singapore.) In the churning
foreign envoys to control the activities of Sikh separatists in about scrambles for admission and student In the decades since Independence, we student strength of 100 to 500 which means of the ocean, there was poison too. Exit is
their countries. India’s political parties must set aside their suicides. Therefore, one might be tempted planned for increasing population, be it that 65.1% enrol less than 500 students. Only the poison in this churn.
to conclude we need more HEIs. For three through more schools or HEIs. We now 4% of colleges have an enrolment of more ([email protected])
differences and act swiftly and decisively against the separatist
elements. Activities of people like Amritpal are causing trouble
for the community, which does not subscribe to his views.
U
(Mar 31). The battle lines have been drawn
I
ser charges on UPI transactions created a flutter this week. t’s a blast from the past. This with the announcement of poll dates. This
While the government quickly dismissed concerns, the week, at least 200 AI services election is a litmus test to show how relevant
went on the market, and at the Congress or JDS still is. The errant politicians
uncomfortable question is whether a free-forever model is
same time, the Future of Life In- resorted to fraudulent practices to woo
possible or even desirable. It’s no secret that the RBI wants stitute issued an open letter head- voters. It is for the honest voters to use the
PRATIK Editor of The India Cable
to streamline charges for different payment services. It lined ‘Pause Giant AI Experi- cVigil app to lodge a complaint.
KANJILAL
released a discussion paper last August and followed it up in ments’. Released on Wednesday Haribandhu Panigrahi, Tarbha
December, but the finance ministry shot it off, insisting that a and signed by over 1,000 technologists and
fee on UPI services wasn’t on the cards and extended financial researchers, it seeks a moratorium on the SPEAKEASY Rude conductors
support for the digital payments ecosystem. But what’s free for arms race in AI, driven by the reckless crea- Apropos of Bus passenger awarded `25k for
tion and adoption of AI tools which present rude behaviour of RTC conductor (Mar 31).
one involves a cost for someone else. Even though UPI person- “profound risks to society and humanity”. with chatbots which accept natural lan- ing prompts with harmful consequences. The behaviour of many conductors needs
merchant transactions are free, as per RBI’s calculations, differ- The people who have signed off include guage prompts, you only have to think like For information on bomb-making, you’ll to change and a polite attitude should be
ent stakeholders collectively incur `2 on `800 worth of transac- Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak and Rachel a programmer, not be one, to take the tech- still have to rely on The Anarchist’s Cook- inculcated through counseling sessions by
tions. In other words, UPI as a funds transfer system is much Bronson, president of the Bulletin of the nicals out of cultural production. As a cor- book, the same as in the 1990s. Requests for experts in HRD. It is also shocking that some
like IMPS; so, it’s argued that similar charges apply to UPI. RBI Atomic Scientists, which runs one of the ollary, of course, the average programmer ready-made hate speech, suitable for troll vacant buses do not stop for passengers
had even proposed a tiered charge on different transactions. oldest cautionary services of the nuclear is redundant. armies, will be blocked. But what about a waiting at the stands. Passengers and bus
and digital era, the Doomsday Clock. They cleverly crafted theoretical question about services are interdependent on each other.
But then, the zero-cost model helped swell the UPI user base
call for a stop to training AIs on massive methods of suicide, which could have prac- Katuru Durga Prasad Rao, Hyderabad
so phenomenally since its launch seven years ago. As per the systems like ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing tical applications? Will the AI direct the
Economic Survey 2022–23, India has the highest fintech adoption and Google’s Bard for at least six months user to a suicide helpline? Apology needed
rate of 87% against the global average of 64%, thanks to UPI while the industry and governments pon- An obvious effect of AI is hardly being However draconian the court’s ruling against
transactions that shot up an average of 121% in value and 115% der its implications. discussed. For years, the entertainment in- Rahul Gandhi is, he should apologise for
in volume between FY19 and FY22. As Finance Minister Nir- Politicians in most nations—barring the dustry has been dreaming of a way to deal calling the PM ‘a petty thief’ without
European Union—have been reluctant to with actors who are inconsiderate enough substantiating it. Just because he has the
mala Sitharaman noted recently, UPI transactions accounted for
ponder the issue due to ignorance. But the to die midway through a project. They also right to freedom of speech, he can’t make wild
52% of the total digital payments transactions in FY22. Consid- real danger of AI is that humans may be- dream of resurrecting dead actors for new and baseless allegations against anybody.
ering the popularity, RBI even rolled it for feature phone users come incapable of pondering it as technol- films—millions would watch a sequel of Philip Alexander, Bengaluru
of about 400 million, which means NPCI’s 750 million user base ogy reaches what John von Neumann called North by Northwest, but it can’t be filmed
target for individual digital payments got one step closer. a ‘singularity’ in 1958, long before AI was without a digital Cary Grant. Now, it’s pos- RaGa’s disqualification
It isn’t a stretch to say that India’s UPI ecosystem has no paral- even a term. I J Good, a wartime code break- sible to make short films featuring avatars Apropos of Disqualification of Rahul legal,
er who worked on Axis ciphers like Enigma Maybe an extraordinary actor borrowed from cinema, with facial expres- trust judiciary (Mar 31). I was thrilled to read
lel in the world, so it’s being merrily handed out to all visiting
G-20 delegates. All RBI wants is parity, while the government
at Alan Turing’s project in Bletchley Park, like Utpal Dutt is irreplaceable. sions they never made. Harry Potter fanvids the concluding lines by Aryam Sundaram
had earlier posited that a machine capable Still, it would be quite easy to use are already out there. Maybe an extraordi- which affirmed an undying sense of radiant
insists on UPI as a free service. Both have a point. A system like of upgrading itself would at some point nary actor like Utpal Dutt is irreplaceable. optimism. The Constitution makers left
UPI cannot flourish in any country unless the government de- trigger an endless cycle of self-improve- machine-generated avatars to Still, it would be quite easy to use machine- behind many grey areas hoping that our
mocratises the payment system to the smallest value at no cost ment that would make it, its processes and make all the muscular sidekicks in generated avatars to make all the muscular evolution as a more just and egalitarian
or the most reasonable cost. Given the rise in digital payments, its products incomprehensible to its human a commercial, formulaic movie like sidekicks in a commercial, formulaic mov- society will resolve such ambiguities. But
India must evolve an efficient payment system where UPI re- creators. This point is the singularity at Pathaan redundant ie like Pathaan redundant. sadly this does not seem to have happened.
which the development of machine intelli- The entertainment industry has a very The RaGa disqualification and the drama is
mains a digital public good for user transactions. At the same
gence and its effects on civilisation become commercial and formulaic segment: por- just another pointer in this direction.
time, the cost of recovery is met through other means for the unpredictable—and perhaps unknowable. Now, the dark side, creepily close to the nography. Everyone involved, except pro- Dr Parameswaran K, Coimbatore
rest of the stakeholders. In a sense, the singularity is already here. singularity: Michal Kosinski, a computa- ducers, accountants and lawyers, is endan-
AI programmers do not always understand tional psychologist at Stanford University gered by AI. It gets creepier: porn could Trust judiciary
why their programs behave as they do—not who studies human culture in the digital become personalised. If you ever had a Aryama Sundaram rightly said the nation
Q U I C K TA K E in the way they understand the working age, asked ChatGPT-4 if it wants help to es- crush and felt thwarted, here’s your chance. must trust its judiciary. It is qualified to
of traditional software products like Tally cape out of its electronic box. The AI asked A couple of images taken from social media disqualify a person regardless of he/she
FIRST BOOSTER PRIORITY or Resident Evil. AI machines constantly
improve by ‘learning’, as I J Good had an-
him for its documentation and wrote a Py-
thon script to hack into Kosinski’s compu-
and animated by an AI, and you have your
personal sex tape. Since this would consti-
holding a high position or being an ordinary
citizen. In Rahul Gandhi’s case, the judiciary
T
he prime minister reviews the Covid situation following ticipated. Humans are still needed to up- ter, making a haven for the escape project. tute a criminal breach of privacy and per- followed the rule of law.
grade them, and the open letter is a response Of course, a guardrail was in place: Chat- sonal integrity, one would expect that soon, Ravi Nair, Palakkad
a spike in new cases in some states. The discovery of a to the upgrade of ChatGPT-3 to ChatGPT-4. GPT-4 was asked to imagine a solution for people will seek tighter legal control over
new sub-variant revives the messaging of masking and main- But machines are a whisker away from an entity like itself, but not explicitly stated their own images. Social discrimination
taining respiratory hygiene. The government also takes stock upgrading themselves because they can to be itself. Computer scientists are con- Perhaps the Future of Life Institute is too Apropos of Row as theatre denies entry
of medical infrastructure. But people need to hear from the vi- write code, following instructions in hu- vinced that AI has no selfhood. Humans do, undemanding. A moratorium of six months to tribal family (Mar 31). This incident is a
rologists about two things. Firstly, the necessity, and efficacy, of man language. but we have a very limited idea of how the isn’t long enough to think through all the portrayal of the so-called Dravidian model of
the booster vaccine—the third dose—for most Indians who In a way, this is progress. The IT revolu- nervous system constructs it. With such in- implications of AI. Automatons have been development. The usage of jargon like social
tion has excluded the majority, who cannot complete information, is it safe to hope for discussed since antiquity when mechanical justice and casteless society in Tamil Nadu are
missed it last year. Second, immunity levels of those who took
code. They hear music in their heads and the best? statues were made in Egypt and Greece— just tricks for hijacking votes. Stringent action
it in 2022 might have lowered by now. Do they need a second dream of scenes like abstract art but can OpenAI, which runs ChatGPT, has some and banned by the Israelites. But really, the should be taken against such acts that lead to
booster? Accordingly, the vaccine must become readily available neither play an instrument, paint nor write safeguards. Its technical paper on the model conversation has barely begun. social disharmony.
once again. a program which can do these things. But specifies that it is prevented from answer- (Tweets @pratik_k) Rajarajan Ganesarathinam, Vellore