The State of Delhi stands out for all the ills plaguing the politics of freebies across the country, for many people have been deprived of b
The State of Delhi stands out for all the ills plaguing the politics of freebies across the country, for many people have been deprived of basic amenities
To speak against distribution of freebies, of course, will attract the wrath of those who benefit from them. That is, if we say that electricity, water, travel should not be made free or that television sets or other types of temptations by political parties are wrong and they should end, then it is possible that people unaware of the possible consequences of announcements of such freebies may not like it.
After Independence, the emphasis has generally been on development, poverty alleviation, better social services, drinking water, road, rail, etc. But now some political parties have started making promises to provide electricity, water, transport, television sets and even mangalsutra, all for free, despite poor economic conditions of the states.
Result of such freebies is that states are coming under huge debts and the quality of public services is the major victim. Significantly, Delhi is a prosperous region of the country. The per capita income here is second highest in the country, after Goa. Due to this, the revenue of Delhi is also very high.
A large number of migrants also live in Delhi, who have migrated from other states in search of employment. Their economic conditions are not so good, which can be gauged from the fact that a large number of people had to leave for their villages, as soon as the lockdown was imposed due to the pandemic. The sight of a large number of migrants going on foot, on bicycle or in buses, with just one bag, still haunts us. Most of the migrant labourers are daily wage earners, or engaged in micro businesses. A large number of them live in horrible conditions, where even basic facilities are lacking.
Based on inputs from intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed YouTube to block 45 videos from 10 You
Based on inputs from intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed YouTube to block 45 videos from 10 YouTube channels for spreading false information related to the country’s national security, foreign relations, and public order.
Some of the videos blocked by the Ministry were being used to spread disinformation on issues related to Agnipath scheme, Indian Armed Forces, India’s national security apparatus and Kashmir among others. The content was observed to be false and sensitive from the perspective of national security and India’s friendly relations with foreign States.
“These channels had content that spread fear and misconception among communities,” I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said.
According to the statement issued by the Ministry, the blocked videos had cumulative viewership of over 1.30 crore.
“The content included fake news and morphed videos circulated with the intent to spread hatred among religious communities.
King Charles III understands the importance of India in achieving the world's climate action goals
Prince Charles, who held this title for
King Charles III understands the importance of India in achieving the world's climate action goals
Prince Charles, who held this title for a long time, acceded to the British throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last week. He has a robust Indian connection and has been familiar with Indians for decades. After his accession, he became Head of the Commonwealth, a group of 56 independent countries, representing 2.4 billion people, including India. India was a “jewel in the crown” of the British Empire.
To go back in history, the East India Company came to India in 1600 for trade, and by the 1800s, it had generated almost half of England's commerce. Soon India became a British colony. So, it is not surprising that several members of the British royal family visited India at various times.
Charles came to India 10 times as heir to the British throne, while his parents also visited thrice during the Queen's long reign. Charles indeed developed a warm relationship with India and its age-old traditions like Yoga, Ayurveda, and diversity. He once stated that “having had the pleasure of visiting India so many times, I've always been struck by her extraordinary diversity and the deep well of creativity, ingenuity and resilience upon which she draws. This is a source of great inspiration to me personally”.
Charles has been a strong advocate for global environmental concerns and climate change. He understands the importance of India in achieving the world's climate action goals. Over the decades, Charles developed close relations with many cities in India. They include Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Puri, and Punjab, apart from Delhi and Agra. He was comfortable with the Jaipur and Patiala royal families, who hosted him during his visits.
There were some embarrassing moments when the 16-year-old Bollywood actress Padmini Kolhapure gave him a peck on his cheek when he visited a Bollywood studio in 1980. The same year Charles had visited Haripur village in the Puri district, going through the bumpy roads in the heat and dust. He showed interest in coconut plucking, basket weaving, and paddy harvesting.
With a slew of bold decisions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned the tide for defence forces to shed the baggage of the past
Prime Mi
With a slew of bold decisions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned the tide for defence forces to shed the baggage of the past
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first post-Independence born Prime Minister of India, is working on a mission mode ever since he assumed the charge of the government in 2014. He has taken historic decisions to redefine the political, economic and military landscape of India, which was viewed globally as a weak nation not due to its potential and capabilities, but due to a lack of strong political leadership. India’s voice was often unheard on global platforms, while internally we had a government that was running through remote control.
In 2013, the whole nation viewed with shock the ugly episode of an angry Rahul Gandhi tearing in public an ordinance brought in by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. Rahul Gandhi was not even the president of the ruling Congress Party. The UPA government was mired in rampant corruption at the highest level, while the Prime Minister was unable to control his ministers. It was also plagued with the disease of “decision paralysis.” It had a natural impact at the international level and India’s global image was badly hit.
But with the arrival of Narendra Modi things began to change globally. Today, India has regained its status as Global Guru and its views on all important issues are not only heard but respected. PM Modi has a firm belief in the professionalism and supremacy of the Indian Armed Forces. He is a firm believer in the fact that no nation can aspire to be a global power without strong and capable armed forces. In 2014, he inherited the armed forces which were suffering from “hollowness”. The equipment held by the armed forces was not only critically low but also suffered from obsolescence. The armed forces were crying for modernisation but the UPA government paid no heed.
Many defence contracts signed by the then government were mired in the charges of corruption putting a halt to any new contracts that were needed for modernisation. At one stage, the then Defence Minister AK Antony had announced even lack of funds as one of the reasons.
With his equanimity and poise in the face of adversity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a role model for the nation’s youth
Prime Minister
With his equanimity and poise in the face of adversity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a role model for the nation’s youth
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the Captain Cool of Team New India, who sticks to his plan for the country without being distracted by whatever is hurled at him by the opposition parties and the ideological baiters. There is much to learn from the personality of PM Modi, for his image remains that of a well-composed person even in the face of crises of unprecedented scales. The youth in the country will find many virtues studying PM Modi’s personality and they would find that staying calm and composed even in the eyes of adversities is the true hallmark of leadership.
Modi has been in public life for decades. His social life as the ‘Pracharak’ of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the political works thereafter in the Bharatiya Janata Party spanned several decades before he assumed the office of the chief minister of Gujarat over two decades ago. His socio-political life made him steady in his life that he brought in the office, while heading Gujarat and thereafter the country as Prime Minister.
Modi has been hurled the most vitriolic personal attacks during election campaigns by the top leadership of the opposition parties, principally Congress. ‘Maut ka Saudagar’, ‘Zeher ki kheti’ are some of the well-documented abuses that were aimed at PM Modi from none other than the working president of Congress Sonia Gandhi.
A section of the civil society ran a campaign against PM Modi, while a few media persons became willing partners. He has been the biggest victim of the media trials. While the media and a section of the civil society sought to look at PM Modi solely from the Godhra lens, he as the chief minister of Gujarat steadily busied himself in qualitative turnaround in the socio-economic fortunes of the state.
The Government is working on developing electric highways powered by solar energy that will facilitate the charging of heavy duty trucks and
The Government is working on developing electric highways powered by solar energy that will facilitate the charging of heavy duty trucks and buses, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday.
Addressing an event organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), Gadkari reiterated that the government wants to develop India's public transport system on electricity.
"The government is strongly encouraging solar and wind energy-based charging mechanisms for electric mobility.
"We are also working on developing electric highways, which will be powered by solar energy and this will facilitate charging of heavy duty trucks and buses while running," he said.
An electric highway generally refers to a road which supplies power to vehicles travelling on it, including through overhead power lines.
Gadkari said that the government is also encouraging toll plazas to be powered by solar energy.
The minister said the road ministry has conducted route optimisation exercises across major corridors and has designed a newer alignment.
Emphasising that a well developed infrastructure enhances economic activities, creates new businesses and promotes job creation, Gadkari said, "We are constructing 26 greenfield expressways."
Tiranga under attack by BJP, RSS, says Rahul
Facing desertion from the party and its sinking support base, the Congress on Wednesday launc
Tiranga under attack by BJP, RSS, says Rahul
Facing desertion from the party and its sinking support base, the Congress on Wednesday launched its ambitious Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari, the land’s end at the southern tip of the country.
At the launch of the yatra, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin handed over a Tiranga to senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who will lead the yatra over the next five months across 12 States, covering 23.5 kilometres every day. However, the yatra will not cover poll-bound Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the two States that are going to the polls later this year.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Tamil Nadu’s Congress chief CD Meyyappan and a galaxy of stars from the Congress, were present on the occasion.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who is out of the country, in a message said, “In view of the medical check-ups that I am undergoing, I regret my inability to be with all of you in person this momentous evening to launch the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. This is a landmark occasion for our great party with such a glorious legacy — the Indian National Congress. I am confident that our organisation will be rejuvenated.”
She described it as a transformational moment in Indian politics. “I especially want to congratulate some 120 of our colleagues who will complete the entire padyatra that is about 3,600 kilometers long. There will be hundreds and thousands of others who will join the yatra in different states and I extend my greetings to them as well. Speaking for myself, I will be participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra
daily in thought and spirit.
I will, of course, be seeing
the Yatra Live as it progresses. So, let us move forward united and firm in our resolve,” she added.
Addressing a well attended public rally at Kanyakumari, Rahul came down heavily on the BJP Government at the Centre, which he alleged was disintegrating the country by inculcating hatred and fear among the people.
Rahul said the tricolour belongs to every religion, State and language, but it is under attack today by the BJP and the RSS that are dividing India on lines of religion and language. The former Congress president said every single institution of the country is under attack as he sought the support of people to help keep the country united.
“Our tricolour guarantees the right to practice any religion of choice, but today this flag is under attack,” Rahul Gandhi said at the rally.
He said the tricolour did not come easily as it was earned by Indians of every religion, region and language.
Rahul also alleged that India is facing its worst-ever economic crisis along with the highest unemployment rate ever and the country is headed towards disaster.
“This is our effort to soothe the hurt sentiments of the people of India by the BJP during the last eight years. You will see a rejuvenated Congress after the completion of this yatra by Rahul Gandhi,” said C D Meyyappan.
The five- month-long Yatra would traverse 3,500 kms before culminating at Srinagar. Senior leaders of the Congress including K Sudhakaran, VD Satheeshan and Shasi Tharoor were in attendance at the venue where the choir of Congress party recited some of the all time favourite hymns of Mahatma Gandhi.
Stalin handed over the national flag to Rahul Gandhi at the stroke of 5 pm. The next two days will see the Congress boss travelling across the southern districts before entering Kerala. The day began with the All India Youth Congress endorsing a resolution demanding that Gandhi should take over as the president of the party.
Outspoken party leader from Bihar Kanhaiya Kumar claimed the BJP’s 1990 Rath Yatra was for seeking “satta (power)”, but the Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is for “satya (truth)”. Kumar, who has been classified as a ‘Bharat Yatri’ by the party and is slated to walk the entire 3,570-km distance of the Kanyakumari to Kashmir Yatra, said the Congress’ initiative is not solely political.
Asked about how this Yatra was different from the ones undertaken in the past such as the LK Advani-led Rath Yatra in 1990, Kanhaiya Kumar said, “That was a political yatra. That was for satta, this is for satya.” Advani’s Rath Yatra in 1990 had triggered a mass movement in support of building a Ram temple in Ayodhya which brought the BJP political dividends.
The yatras will be carried out in other states as ‘sub-yatras’ and will keep on moving northwards, passing through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot and Jammu, before culminating in Srinagar. Those participating in the yatra have been classified as “Bharat Yatris”, “Atithi Yatras”, “Pradesh Yatris” and “Volunteer Yatris”. The tagline of the yatra is “Mile Kadam, Jude Watan”.
India joined a select group of nations capable of designing and building indigenous aircraft-carrier as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Frid
India joined a select group of nations capable of designing and building indigenous aircraft-carrier as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated to the nation Vikrant, a giant aircraft carrier having a length of 262 metre and a height of 59 metre.
The indigenous aircraft carrier was designed by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy and was built at Cochin Shipyard Ltd, a public sector company, at a cost of `20,000 crore.
The simple but elegant function was attended by Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for shipping Sarbanand Sonowal, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, besides the top commanders of the Indian Navy, including Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Hari Kumar.
The Prime Minister also unveiled the new flag of the Indian Navy that features the insignia of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha ruler who pioneered the setting up of the sub-continent’s first navy.
“We are witnessing a new sunrise in Kerala and Vikrant is an unparallel elixir formed out of hard work, intelligence, responsibility, commitment, and energy,” said the Prime Minister while dedicating the aircraft-carrier to the nation.
The Prime Minister said the success of Vikrant substantiates India’s efforts to indigenise the defence forces. “This is the success of Aatma Nirbharatha. The induction of Vikrant into service would benefit not only India but even our neighbouring countries because the Indian Ocean has emerged as the major maritime root for these countries,” said the Prime Minister.
Amid the growing clamour for Opposition unity after the change in political equation in Bihar, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao
Amid the growing clamour for Opposition unity after the change in political equation in Bihar, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called on his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar to plan a strategy to bring non-Congress parties together to take on the Modi Government in 2024 polls.
The TRS leader shared the dais at a public event in Patna with Nitish and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. He also met RJD chief Lalu Prasad at his residence.
The Nitish-KCR meeting is being seen as an important step in the direction of achieving Opposition unity. When reporters bombarded KCR with questions about whether he was planning a third front, Nitish chipped in saying, “It’s going to be the main front.”
Nitish is reportedly in close contact with the Congress’ high command and may try to convince KCR to take on board the Congress to defeat Modi.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of the KCR-Nitish meeting. Since KCR is rooting for a third front and Nitish is favouring a broad-based unity of the Opposition parties, the two leaders have miles to cover before they reach some understanding on evolving a joint strategy to take on the BJP.
While KCR has been lobbying for a third front and holding talks with the likes of Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Akhilesh Yadav, Nitish is reportedly in favour of bringing together the entire Opposition camp, including the Congress, under one umbrella.
BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi took a dig at his former boss Nitish and KCR saying their meeting is a “get-together of two daydreamers”. Modi said it is a meeting of two leaders who are losing their base in their respective States and “desiring to become Prime Minister of the country”.
Compared to the funds and research carried out on Covid-19 during the past two years, only a fraction of that has been invested to develop d
Compared to the funds and research carried out on Covid-19 during the past two years, only a fraction of that has been invested to develop dengue vaccine and drugs, despite the disease being around for decades and wreaking havoc every year across countries. Given that the rise in climate change-induced temperature is predicted to fasten viral amplification of the disease, it's time all the stakeholders ie the Government, pharma firms, researchers, and non-profit organizations come together to find a specific treatment for the menace, DR KAVITA SINGH, Director, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi South Asia) tells ARCHANA JYOTI
What new treatments for dengue are needed?
Presently the doctors manage symptoms as there is no recommended treatment. Dengue-specific treatments are needed to treat the disease at different stages and to reduce the risk of an infection progressing to severe disease.
Why there has been no treatment yet?
Because it has been a neglected infection. It causes a huge disease burden in endemic countries, which are developing countries, with limited resources for R&D. There have been efforts from developed countries and large Pharma and NIH, the USA for research on immunology and vaccine development, but very limited efforts to develop drugs.
One of the most important aspects of developing drugs is understanding the disease pathogenesis. Compared to the research carried out on Covid-19 during the past 2 years, only a fraction of that has been carried out on dengue, despite it being around for decades and causing high mortality in countries such as India (even upto2.6%).
What are the difficulties in developing drugs for viral diseases?
There are many challenges that viruses pose and therefore unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, we do not have broad-spectrum antivirals. Challenges like viruses multiply inside a human cellor they can evolve to become resistant to some antiviral drugs or they have fewer proteins to target drugs against. The DNDi approach for repurposing drugs to treat dengue includes exploring potential antivirals and host-directed therapy, which is likely to be more successful than, only investigating antiviral drugs for treating dengue. However, for any of these approaches, more funding is required to make these efforts successful
Are we ready to take on the challenge?
DNDi is therefore investing in bringing institutes in dengue-endemic countries together through a Denguealliance with a common objective to find a safe, affordable, and effective treatment for dengue. Through this Dengue alliance, we are presently pursuing joint scientific strategies to advance the pre-clinical development of existing candidates with the intent to repurpose and plan to run clinical trials to test the most promising ones.
We initially aim to screen existing drugs used for other illnesses, to see if they are likely to have satisfactory antiviral effects against the dengue virus and also drugs that could inhibit host pathways involved in the progression of illness to severe disease in cell culture models and animal models. This should be the preclinical phase of the studies.
Since we already know the safety profiles of such drugs, this would enable us to directly go into phase 2 and then phase 3 clinical trials. As a long-term strategy, we will also explore new drug molecules, which could also be beneficial for the treatment of dengue.. We will be starting clinical trials aiming to deliver an affordable, effective, safe, and accessible treatment within five years. We are also working together with diverse partners on diagnostics, regulatory, and access strategies, as well as jointly raising funds and mobilizing resources.
Indonesia has approved Japanese firm Takeda's dengue vaccine, QDENGA (Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine [Live, Attenuated]) (TAK-003) for the prevention of dengue disease caused by any serotype in individuals. Why in India, is the dengue vaccine still not a part of the preventive measures?
Although there is a dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV), which is the first vaccine against dengue, licensed in 2015 and available in some countries for people aged 9 to 45 years, the WHO recommends that the vaccine be given only to people with confirmed previous dengue virus infection. As per the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, "The vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, announced in 2017 that people who receive the vaccine and have not been previously infected with a dengue virus may be at risk of developing severe dengue if they get dengue after being vaccinated." We also wait to see more details on the recently approved Takeda's QDENGA for use regardless of prior dengue exposure.
Kindly tell us about DNDi's recent collaboration with the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous body of the Department of Biotechnology.
DNDi India Foundation signed a pact with THSTI in February 2022 under which we both aim to develop a safe, affordable, and effective treatment for dengue. The partnership will conduct preclinical studies with several existing drugs to evaluate their efficacy in lab and animal models before implementing Proof-of-concept clinical trials for the most promising compounds.
‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012,’ came into being after detailed, prolonged deliberations
Parents are often hesitant
‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012,’ came into being after detailed, prolonged deliberations
Parents are often hesitant to file complaints when incidents of child sexual abuse occur. If the police do not extend cooperation, the possibilities of registering the complaint fade away further. Hence, the decision to withdraw the circular that mandated the Assistant Commissioner’s permission to register a complaint is apt.
“Last November, we were visiting Ambejogai. It came to our notice that a minor girl had been sexually violated multiple times. The 13-year-old was pregnant for four months. At 10 am, we went to the police station to file a complaint. Not only did we face multiple obstacles, we had to also undertake several follow-ups. It was only at 10 in the night that the police finally registered a case under POCSO,” said Tatvasheel Kamble, an active member of the Beed District Child Welfare Committee and an activist.
“It was morning by the time we got a copy of the FIR. I wonder, in my absence, would they have even registered the case? What would have happened to this young girl; I can’t even begin to imagine it,” Kamble added. Twenty four persons have been indicted in this case. Hearings are still going on, while a shelter home has accepted responsibility for the girl.
Even in the presence of a person, who’s an active member of a system that claims to protect children from sexual violence, the registration of the crime took its own sweet time. Across districts, most activists share similar experiences.
A liquor trader paid Rs 1 crore to a company managed by an associate of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the CBI has claimed in i
A liquor trader paid Rs 1 crore to a company managed by an associate of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the CBI has claimed in its FIR on alleged corruption in the framing and implementation of the excise policy 2021-22.
The agency, which carried out raids at Sisodia's official residence in central Delhi and 20 other locations in seven states and Union territories on Friday, named 15 people in its FIR registered on August 17 under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In addition to Sisodia, who also holds the excise portfolio, the CBI has named as accused then excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, then deputy excise commissioner Anand Kumar Tiwari, assistant excise commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar, nine businessmen and two companies.
The FIR was registered on a reference from the office of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena routed through the Union Home Ministry.
The agency has alleged that Sisodia and other accused public servants recommended and took decisions pertaining to the excise policy 2021-22 without the approval of competent authority with "an intention to extend undue favours to the licencees post tender".
It said Vijay Nair, former CEO of Only Much Louder, an entertainment and event management company, Manoj Rai, former employee of Pernod Ricard, Amandeep Dhal, owner of Brindco Spirits, and Sameer Mahendru, owner of Indospirits, were actively involved in irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy brought in November last year.
We must cleanse our hearts first for Krishna to enter it
Vedic scriptures explain that Krishna is the Supreme Lord. Vedic scriptures
We must cleanse our hearts first for Krishna to enter it
Vedic scriptures explain that Krishna is the Supreme Lord. Vedic scriptures explain that Krishna is the Supreme Lord. Brahma Samhitasays, Isvarah paramah Krishna/ saccidananda vigrahah, which means ‘Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body.’ So, now the question is, if Krishna is God and is eternal then why he has to appear or take birth? We can understand this by the analogy of the sun. When early in the morning we see sun in the eastern horizon we say that sun has appeared (or is born) and when it sets in the evening, we say the sun has disappeared. But the sun is always there in the sky. Based on our seeing it or not seeing it, we say, it appeared or disappeared. Similarly, Krishna is eternal. When we see him on earth, we say that he has appeared and when he finishes his pastimes and returns to the spiritual world, we say he has disappeared because we cannot see him.
Janmashtami is the day when Krishna appeared in this world. He appeared on the eighth day of dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada (August–September). But why does God, Krishna, take birth in this world? What is the need? Krishna answers this in Bhagavad Gita 4.7. He says that he comes here to establish religious principles and to teach people like you and me how to live righteously. He comes to lead us from darkness to light - tamaso ma jyotirgamaya. Krishna appeared in a pitched dark prison cell in the middle of the night to Devaki and Vasudeva who were bound by iron shackles and were living in constant fear of Kamsa. As soon as Krishna appeared, the dark prison cell got illuminated. Not just that, Krishna’s appearance dispelled fear from the heart of Devaki and Vasudeva. Before Krishna appeared, Kamsa had killed six sons of Devaki immediately after they were born. When Devaki and Vasudeva had just got married, a celestial voice had predicted that the eighth child of Devaki will be the cause of Kamsa’s death. Upon hearing this ominous voice, Kamsa wanted to kill Devaki, his own sister. To save his wife’s life, Vasudeva promised Kamsa that he will deliver all the child of Devaki to him, and Kamsa can do whatever he wants to do with the child. So, one after another Kamsa mercilessly killed the six children. The seventh child was mysteriously transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva’s other wife who was living in Vraj, from the womb of Devaki. That child was Balarama. Krishna appeared as the eighth child and as predicted, he killed the atrocious demon, Kamsa.
The six sons of Devakiwho were killed by Kamsa represent six rebellious proclivities of the mind – kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (envy), mada (pride), matsara (illusion).As long as we allow these six enemies to reside in our heart, Krishna will not appear in our heart. If we analyse our life, we will find that we suffer in this world because of these six vices which are called anarthas. In Bhagavad Gita 16.21, Krishna says, lust, greed and anger are gateway to hell so every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul. As soon as we succumb to these lower nature troubles begin in our life. Our mind remains out of our control because of these impurities. It is important that we cleanse our heart of these six enemies which bring inauspiciousness in our life and seek Krishna’s shelter? This has been beautifully explained by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of Gaudiya Vaisnavism and the pioneer of Bhakti Movement. He says that the best way to take Krishna’s shelter is by chanting his holy names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra which cleanses our hearts. Once our heart is cleansed our mind will come into our control. And when the mind is under our control then we can always live in peace and bliss.So, this Janmashtami let us try to alleviate our life by inviting Krishna to reside in our heart.
(The author is the Spiritual Guru of International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
The past few years have put democratic institutions of the country in a spot amid cult dominance
India has been a democratic country for 75
The past few years have put democratic institutions of the country in a spot amid cult dominance
India has been a democratic country for 75 years, but in the last five to six years, the debate about democracy and authoritarianism has suddenly hit the conscience of Indian academics, media channels, and public space. The question is, why is this the case in the last few years even while the country celebrates the 75 years of Independence and democratic life?
Why are we so perplexed and doubtful of our democratic system’s success after 75 years of its accomplishment? Is it because of rising trends or apprehension of authoritarian tendencies? If we carefully observe the debate, we can conclude that this indeed is the case in the minds of the people.
The first apprehension of this trend comes from the politics of labelling the people into electorally wanted or unwanted categories. Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar (June 6, 2022) in an article said that after July 7, 2022, the current Bharatiya Janata Party will not have a single MP or MLA from the Muslim community, which according to the 2011 Census comprises 14.2 or approximately 172.2 million people in the country. It isolates and reduces the Muslims to politically insignificant constituency, which is similar to authoritarian policy of anti-Semitism. Besides, the nature of politics is divisive and creates a binary geography of friends and foes, which is nourished by rewarding the dissemination of mindless separatist or demonized statements of party leaders, short quotes, videos or messages.
The idea of an internal enemy or outsider living inside is constantly invented or reinvented to create a politics of anxiety among the majority and to polarize them in a fashion that reduces their politically diverse or heterogeneity interests into homogeneous interests. A scientific justification for this aversion of the minority is given through pathologizing or presenting them as conspirator, traitor, unfit so that they can be locked up in the minds of the majority in the line of social Darwinist thinking of survival of the fittest. This trend is so obvious that it draws popular attention towards the challenges of democracy.
Another factor explaining the challenges of democracy and rise of authoritarianism in India can be located into new trends which set up a new moral conscience that gives priority to duties over rights. In a programme titled “Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav Se Swarnim Bharat Ke Ore,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “for the last 75 years, we have only kept talking about rights, fighting for rights, and wasting our time” that kept the country weak. He suggested that for the next 25 years, India must adopt a new vision that prioritizes duties over rights. However, it is noteworthy that he emphasized the duties of the people to the nation rather than duties of the government to the people. The emphasis on duty is situated in an intriguing analogy between the time of colonial rule, when people suffered, struggled, and sacrificed for national freedom, and the present situation, in which an independent nation, though free, still requires sacrifice and suffering for an imagined or utopian future vision of a nation devoid of any socio-political and economic crisis.
While the US and China spar, India should seize the opportunities in the global supply chain shifts
The Indian economy has the world’s most
While the US and China spar, India should seize the opportunities in the global supply chain shifts
The Indian economy has the world’s most remarkable growth rate and is projected to grow at 7.1-7.6 per cent in 2022. The rising fuel prices caused by the Russian-Ukraine war have created instability worldwide. The South Asian nations like Sri Lanka and Pakistan are already experiencing the consequences, and even Bangladesh is now requesting a bailout loan from the IMF.
A recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected India has a zero per cent chance of getting into recession. Whereas a country like the U.S. has a 40 per cent chance, and China has a 20 per cent chance of getting into recession. So, it’s important to note how the US-China rivalry could affect India’s economy in the long term.
The rivalry started more recently on Donald Trump’s last day in office. The US raised the issue of China’s crime against humanity and genocide in the Xinjiang region against the Uyghurs and banned all imports from the area.
Second, the Joe Biden administration continued some of Trump administration policies, with more focus on action. It maintained the tariffs on Chinese imports and sanctioned Chinese officials over policies in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. The US banned dozens of Chinese companies and stressed competing with China.
Third, the collaboration on climate change and agreed to boost cooperation and work together on increasing renewable energy as both the countries are the world’s top emitters of greenhouse gases. But, the collaboration on climate change got more tension.
In a relief for Uddhav Thackerary camp, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana on Thursday asked the Election Commission no
In a relief for Uddhav Thackerary camp, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana on Thursday asked the Election Commission not to take any decision on the Eknath Shinde faction’s plea that it be considered the real Shiv Sena and granted the party’s poll symbol.
The bench said it would take a call by Monday on referring the matters related to the recent Maharashtra political crisis to a Constitution bench.
The SC also told the poll panel that if the Thackeray faction seeks time to file a response to its notices on Shinde faction’s plea, it should consider their request and grant reasonable adjournment.
“Counsels submitted the issues which may arise to decide this case and whether to refer the matter to a five-judge Constitution bench. This will be decided taking into consideration the submissions and the issues framed,” said the bench.
“We will take a call and at the same time, the date fixed by the EC is August 8 to submit a reply by the petitioners (Shinde group). If they (Uddhav) want some more time in view of the pendency of the matter then they will file an application seeking time. It is open for EC to grant reasonable adjournment,” the bench, also comprising justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli, said.
The apex court was hearing the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and its rebel MLAs during the recent Maharashtra political crisis which raised constitutional issues including those related to splits, mergers of political parties, defections, and disqualifications. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the Shinde faction, submitted a revised list of legal issues on petitions filed by the rival Uddhav Thackeray group. Salve said the anti-defection law cannot be an “anti-dissent” law.
“There is no per se illegality principle, until and unless there is a finding of disqualification,” Salve said. The bench, at this juncture, said, “If you are completely ignoring the political party after being elected then it is a danger to democracy.”
GST registered businesses with annual turnover of Rs 10 crore or more will have to generate e-invoices for B2B transactions from October 1,
GST registered businesses with annual turnover of Rs 10 crore or more will have to generate e-invoices for B2B transactions from October 1, the finance ministry said.
Currently, businesses with turnover of Rs 20 crore and above are required to generate electronic invoice for all B2B transactions.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on August 1 notified lowering the e-invoice threshold to Rs 10 crore and above from October 1. The GST Council, comprising finance ministers of Centre and states, had decided to implement electronic invoice in a phased manner.
Under Goods and Services Tax (GST) law, e-invoicing for business-to-business (B2B) transactions was made mandatory for companies with turnover of over Rs 500 crore from October 1, 2020, which was then extended to those with turnover of over Rs 100 crore effective January 1, 2021.
From April 1, 2021, companies with turnover of over Rs 50 crore were generating B2B e-invoices, and the threshold was brought down to Rs 20 crore beginning April 1, 2022.
Going forward, The CBIC plans to further lower the threshold for e-invoice generation to Rs 5 crore.
Deloitte India Partner MS Mani said this will further expand the GST tax base and provide more data to the tax authorities enabling better compliance.
"The progressive reduction of the e-invoicing threshold indicates that, over a period of time, e-invoicing will become mandatory for all categories of GST taxpayers," Mani added.
