L’affaire Pathankot air base—a mess-up by the Punjab Police, Indian
Air Force, National Security Guard (NSG), Indian Army and Defence Security
Corps, all put together—evokes a sense of déjà vu. In December 2001,
when the Indian Parliament was attacked by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, it was the untrained Delhi Police
that took them on. The Army was hanging around with the then Defence Minister,
George Fernandes, ‘commandeering’ operations from inside Parliament! In
November 2008 (26/11), it was just LeT carrying out a series of 12 coordinated
shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai, killing 164 people and wounding at least 308.
February 12, 2016
Turning a blind eye
The word Vyapam conjures up Madhya
Pradesh’s image as a state full of fake doctors. After all, the organised
racket of admitting bogus candidates through rigged pre-medical tests had been
going on for a decade before it was busted in July 2013. These admission tests
are conducted by the Professional Examination Board or Vyapam—the Hindi acronym
of Vyavasayik Pariksha Mandal. While 1,100 bogus medicos have been detected and
their admissions have been cancelled, many more ‘Munnabhais’ have become
practising doctors in the state. Add to this frequent allegations of corruption
in drug purchase, siphoning of National Rural Health Mission funds, chronic
absenteeism of doctors in rural areas, poor infrastructure of medical colleges,
acute shortage of doctors and the unhygienic condition of operation theatres in
district hospitals.
START-UP: A great idea?
Within the US, and in Europe and
Asia, several states and nations have tried to create another Silicon Valley.
All of them failed, to varying degrees. Clearly, the obvious reasons cited for
the technology-related success in America’s Bay Area—such as a huge pool of
educated people, access to venture capital, and a high-risk entrepreneurial
culture—aren’t enough. More important, Silicon Valley, as was stated by an
article in Scientific American, “has no monopoly on any of those features”.
Most important, government intervention, as was the case in China where Beijing
spent billions of dollars, cannot create an energetic and organic symbiosis
between industry and research.
Bumpy road ahead!
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has
reiterated that his government doesn’t want to run and manage businesses, but
act as a facilitator. If this is the case then the Start-Up India Action Plan
(SIAP), with its 19 broad points encompassing capital, labour, incubation,
industry-academia partnership, financial incentives, and handholding, is a
non-starter. The reason: one of its lynchpin is the ‘Fund of Funds’, a corpus
of Rs.10,000 crore to be set up by the government, where the state-owned Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will be a co-investor, which will decide
the venture funds to invest in, and whose representative(s) will sit on the
boards of these venture funds.
Life of many hues
Vivek
Agnihotri was only 11 years old (born on August 25, 1945) when he completed
middle school in 1956. His father, Narain Prasad, a civil engineer in the
private sector in Kanpur, wanted him to sit for the civil services examination
and took him for an IQ test to a private institute to find out his
propensity—whether for science, commerce or arts. In those days, a student was
supposed to opt for a stream right after Class VIII.
Indian values, English sensibilities
Caught
by the Police, a biography of Anandswarup Gupta,
a 1939-batch Indian police officer who served as the Founder-Director of the
Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) in 1970, has many firsts
to its credit.This, arguably, is the first biography penned by six persons—the
late Anandswarup Gupta himself, his four civil servant sons, Ranjit Gupta,
Harsh Gupta, Madhukar Gupta, Deepak Gupta, and only daughter, Meera Yog, a
retired English professor.
Hot-line to God
When Morarji Desai finally became
Prime Minister, at the age of eighty-one, most people thought he was a changed
man, he had shed his angularities and rigidities; he was no longer the dogmatic
man that he had been. At first glance, he did look a little mellowed, a little
more accommodative than he had been in the late 1960s. But you had only to
scratch the surface and the crotchety old Morarji popped out.
The cat is out of the bag
At last, the
cat is out of the bag. What was driving diplomats around the world crazy is now
making sense.Look at the unanswered questions first. What did Barack Obama and
Narendra Modi discuss in the 'Chai pe charcha' on the lawns of the White
House and again on the lawns of Hyderabad House, New Delhi? Why did Modi
suddenly stop on his way from the washroom to his seat in a conference and hold
the Pakistan Prime Minister in a diplomatically unbecoming half-embrace and
mumble sweet nothings into his ear for as long as 120 seconds? Why did several
heads of state decide to attend the global summit on global warming? Why did
the ISIS target Paris?
Serenity in Sanchi
The ‘Great Stupa’ at Sanchi is the
oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor
Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the
relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure
symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. It
has four profusely carved ornamental gateways and a balustrade encircling the
whole structure.
Making the leap
There is
a great curiosity in certain circles about mystical experiences. Many claim to
have had extraordinary paranormal experiences that they cite as proof of their
spiritual evolution.A common word in people’s spiritual lexicon nowadays
is samadhi, often seen as a certificate of mystical attainment.
What exactly is samadhi? It is a certain state of equanimity in which
the intellect goes beyond its normal function of discrimination. This, in turn,
loosens one from the physical such that there is a space between oneself and
one’s body.
Global pressures build up
THE steep correction witnessed by
the market has shattered the myth that the Indian market will largely remain
unaffected by what happens to the global markets. Despite economic
macro-fundamentals remaining solid and, in fact, benefitting from softening commodity
prices, no market can remain decoupled from what happens in the world. The
other theory many analysts have been putting forward is that the steep
correction has mainly been caused by global factors such as the Fed rate hike,
the massive slowdown in China coupled with devaluation of the yuan and
struggling commodity exporting economies, but the fact remains that local
factors are equal culprits. The market has run up way ahead of fundamentals
and, at 18 times its trailing 12 months earnings post-correction, is still
pricier than most of its emerging market (EM) peers as also many of the
developed markets.
Shah at the helm
bjp president for 3 years
Finally, Amit Shah has become the
president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. It was not an easy walk for
him, though. And his boss, Narendra Modi, did not take any chances and had many
rounds of discussion with top RSS leaders. Sources disclosed that Nitin Gadkari
was the first choice of the RSS, but he has emerged as a great loyalist of
Modi. Besides, his family was not inclined to let him shift to the party, they
want him to remain in the government. So Gadkari backed Modi on the issue of
electing Shah party president. Jagat Prakash Nadda was also emerging as a
consensus candidate with a strong lobby silently supporting his candidature.
Modi’s experiment in Gujarat convinced him that this time Shah was the only
choice. So Nadda’s name did not even crop up for discussion. Once this was
clear, Modi’s job was easier. Shah has to induct new members to show that he
has a solid team to run the party but it will be done after the Budget session
as it is said that many dynamic ministers will be assigned party work. So, for
the next three years, Shah is the unquestioned boss of the BJP. Wait and watch
who moves out from the party and who is inducted into the Cabinet.
Capital culture
celebrating Uttarayana
On January 14, Lutyens’ Delhi had a different colour to it.
The bungalows of some of the Ministers were decorated and lit to celebrate
Makar Sankranti. The celebrations seemed to signal markedly that the BJP is
ruling the nation. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into the
zodiacal sign of Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path. It’s believed
that the sun ends its southward journey (Sanskrit: Dakshinayana) at the
Tropic of Capricorn, and starts moving northward (Sanskrit: Uttarayaana)
towards the Tropic of Cancer. It’s considered very auspicious among Hindus.
Minister of Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar celebrated with fanfare. Bhajan
singers were invited especially from Gwalior. There was, admittedly, no VVIP or
VIP culture evident: Tomar’s admirers and supporters were coming and meeting
the minister. Secretary of Mines Balvinder Kumar, Secretary of Steel Aruna
Sundararajan and SAIL Chairman PK Singh were present. There was seating for
dining and typically traditional vegetarian food was served. Tomar personally
supervised the arrangements. Walking distance away, at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road,
M Venkaiah Naidu was celebrating Makar Sankranti in the august company of
Narendra Modi with half the Cabinet in attendance. Lutyens’ Delhi seems
to be witnessing a change of culture!
Electing a President
the race begins
July 2017 will be another
significant and momentous moment in the history of the country as the elected
representatives of the people will elect a new Rashtrapati. Discussion and
speculation have already started. There is a long list of veteran leaders who
are being mentioned as probables. In BJP circles, LK Advani and Murli Manohar
Joshi are at the top of the list. Advani and Pranab Mukherjee are
contemporaries in politics as both joined the Rajya Sabha in 1969 with a
difference of six months. But if political circumstances take on a new
dimension, the ball may fall in another’s court. The decision will, of course,
all depend on the RSS and Narendra Modi. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh
Badal is also a strong candidate. He has travelled a long way in politics after
outwitting Surjit Singh Barnala, Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Jagdev Singh
Talwandi. Sharad Pawar, a tall leader from Maharashtra, who started his journey
at the age of 38 as Chief Minister of the state, is emerging as another strong
candidate. He is a master networker and, after Charan Singh, is the grassroots
farmer leader. Another veteran who is also in the reckoning is Dr Karan Singh,
a most competent political figure who also possesses knowledge of the Vedas and
Upanishads. Pranab Mukherjee, known as a master strategist, may be a
second-term aspirant. But after Dr Rajendra Prasad, no President has been given
the second term though an exception can always be made. The mist will be
cleared in the days to come.
Upper House in the limelight
political lobbying
increases
Get ready for some political
battles. The upcoming months of April and June will see 76 members of the Rajya
Sabha retiring. The Congress and BJP both have to decide whether they want
grassroots, heavyweight political leaders or those who are good at “managing
Delhi” only. The first signal of the changing political scenario will be felt
when nominated members Mani Shankar Aiyar, Javed Akhtar, B Jayshree, Mrinal
Miri and Balachandra Mungekar retire in March. The ministers who will retire
this year from the Upper House are YS Chowdhary of the TDP and Nirmala
Sitharaman, M Venkaiah Naidu, Piyush Goel, Suresh Prabhu, Chaudhary Birender
Singh and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, all from the BJP. Naidu, who is a member from
Karnataka, would like to come back from Andhra Pradesh. The total dynamics of
the seat arrangement will change in Uttar Pradesh as there are not many MLAs
from the BSP and Congress; the SP will get most of the seats. In Bihar, Nitish
Kumar will have to take some crucial decisions as his three comrades, Sharad
Yadav, KC Tyagi and Pawan Varma, are retiring this year. As per the state
arithmetic, the JD (U) can get only two seats so one wonders who will be
ejected. The Congress too will be in a spot as its deputy leader in the Rajya
Sabha, Anand Sharma, is also retiring from Rajasthan this year. Though Ram
Jethmalani is also retiring from Rajasthan, he does not have a chance in the
given political set-up. Anand Sharma’s case will be interesting as he is not a
mass leader. He spends most of his time attending the Delhi durbar. He is a
persona non grata in his own state, Himachal Pradesh, as he is at loggerheads
with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. The Congress has to decide his utility
factor. Tough choices ahead.
Sebi top post up for grabs
A fierce battle is on to grab the
post of Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
Incumbent chairman UK Sinha’s term comes to an end in mid-February. According
to sources, the selection panel headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha has
shortlisted candidates who include State Bank of India Chairman Arundhati
Bhattacharya, former capital markets Joint Secretary Thomas Mathew (now an
Additional Secretary in the President’s office), IDFC CEO Vikram Limaye, former
Chairman of the Forward Markets Commission (FMC), Ramesh Abhishek, Competition
Commission of India member MS Sahoo and current Sebi whole-time member Rajeev
Kumar Agarwal. Now, at the last
minute, the government has reconstituted a search-cum-selection panel so as to
include a representative from the Prime Minister’s Office. While the panel, headed
by the Cabinet Secretary, will continue to have the Economic Affairs Secretary,
the provision of the Finance
Minister nominating up to two persons
as members has been done away with. In the earlier set-ups, there was no member
from the PMO. It does seem as if Modi is aware of the hobnobbing for the
selection for the coveted post. Among the selected candidates, one is politically
very influential and has connections with the Congress party and is still
working in an important post. Another candidate was allegedly involved in the
NSEL scam. It’s learnt that one influential lady in the government is lobbying
to install her proxy. Apart from the bureaucratic and political lobbying, big
business houses are also working for their own candidates. It’s going to be
tough to choose an independent and competent individual.
Violating the rules
Punjab has faced two terror
attacks–Dinanagar, in July last year, and the more recent one on the Air Force
base in Pathankot–in about six months. The two incidents prompted an analysis
of the working of the Punjab Police. The Home Ministry is worried about the way
the Punjab government is handling the state police. It is revealed the Home
Ministry has indicated caution is in order about a tendency to appoint promotee
police officers to head most districts of Punjab on posts earmarked for Indian
Police Service (IPS) personnel. This is allegedly in violation of rules. In all
of Punjab’s eight border districts, including Pathankot and Gurdaspur, no
single direct recruited IPS officer has been posted either as Senior
Superintendent of Police or Commissioner of Police (SSP or CP), according to
sources. Only three directly recruited IPS officers are working in these
positions in Hoshiarpur, Bathinda and Muktasar. The state has 141 IPS officers,
including promotees, working in different posts against the total strength of
172, according to the Home Ministry. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh
Badal’s stand is, Don’t question the appointments, let the DGP decide who is
the best person to post where. But everybody knows how a DGP works in the
state. The rule of the Home Ministry states, “the state government is supposed
to take permission from the Centre for posting of a non-cadre officer in cadre
posts beyond three months.” But Punjab has never sought such permission.
Agenda for the nation?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
busy in January, interacting with all the Secretaries to the Government of
India. Most of the Secretaries were hard at work preparing presentations and
were burning the midnight oil. The first round of meetings was held on January
12. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as also Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
Arvind Panagariya, besides all Secretaries, were present. After the
interaction, the Prime Minister formed eight groups of Secretaries to run
India. The subjects on which the groups have been set up include ‘good
governance–challenges and opportunities’, ‘employment generation strategies’,
‘farmer-centric initiatives in agriculture and allied sectors’, ‘education and
health–universal access and quality’, ‘innovative budgeting and effective
implementation’, ‘accelerated growth with inclusion and equity’, ‘Swachh Bharat
and Ganga rejuvenation’ and ‘energy efficiency and conservation’. It has also
been decided that one Secretary will act as a rapporteur in each group and
moderate the group meetings. It is learnt that Modi was happy with the various
presentations and asked questions and made suggestions. Now it has to be seen
how the ideas and presentations from the board room are injected into the
system so that India can be transformed.
Dalit bashing in Prasar Bharati?
Is Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar
now targeting the Director-General Doordarshan? Someone on the verge of
superannuation after a spectacular career is reported for “insubordination and
incompetence” to the Secretary in Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Sunil Arora. Lal Rosanga, D-G Doordarshan, comes from the Mizoram and has risen
up the ranks. He is known for his professional acumen but has been constantly
derided by the CEO in open fora. Many senior officers confide that the CEO has
often denigrated the dignified DG. Sources reveal that he has even taunted him
innumerable times for not using ‘good English.’ Sources say that the showdown
seems an after-effect of a lady adviser getting booted out for intemperate
language and unruly demeanour that caused strike in Doordarshan last year. The
DG had refused to induct incompetent advisers, who were not allowing competent
professionals (read government servants) to perform official duties. She
caballed with the CEO and got officers suspended, resulting in strike. The
protest march even went to the residence of Arun Jaitley, Minister for
Information & Broadcasting. But the story does not end here. The CEO has
more than once made casteist remarks against the DG. While a section of
staff is gearing up to approach the concerned forum and seeking immediate
intervention of the Chairman, the letter alleging insubordination is also being
seen as serious intrusion into the professional arena. There are reports that
the CEO is targeting the North-Eastern region to embarrass the Central
Government keeping in mind the volatility in Arunachal Pradesh and coming
elections in Assam! Earlier too, he had attempted to rope in another Dalit
DG, a known Hindi litterateur, and failed.
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