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Congress president Rahul Gandhi had attacked Rashtriya Swayamsevak (RSS) on several occasions in the past but his most scathing attack came during his ongoing European tour during which he compared the saffron organisation to Muslim Brotherhood (MB) a day after BJP demanded an apology from him for his ISIS analogy.&nbsp;

MB is a banned Islamist organization in Egypt inspired by Sayed Qutub. The movement was brutally suppressed by Egypt’s military dictatorship.&nbsp;

Qutub himself was counter radicalised by his American experience and in turn, he began the intellectual fountainhead of modern age Islamism.

MB was founded by Hassan-al-Banna in 1928. Muslim Brotherhood believed in armed struggle and it's most famous ideologue Sayed Qutub was executed in 1966. Today his writings are used by Islamist for violent struggles. MB is a religious political group which believes that Islam is not a religion but a way of life. It advocates a move away from secularism and return to the rules of the Quran. Today it is considered as the front-runner of modern militant Islam.&nbsp;

MB ran successfully in elections held in Egypt post Arab Spring. Mohammed Moresi won the elections and became the democratically elected President. However, he was dethroned by the Egyptian Army in 2013. The Brotherhood formally renounced violence in the 1970s and accepted the democratic principle in 1995. Even then Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Russia and UAE recognize the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. &nbsp;

RSS, on the other hand, was founded in 1925 with a clear vision of an India nested in the Hindu identity. The organization was founded by Hedgewar. RSS stayed away from the freedom struggle but was never inspired by the idea of an armed uprising against the state. In its earlier avatar, it considered Muslims outsiders and wanted to create a muscular Hindu India. RSS opposed Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi and since then has been participating in the electoral process by helping erstwhile Jan Sangh and now BJP.

Though it proclaims itself as a cultural organization which keeps away from active political life the fact of the matter is that BJP’s organisational secretary continues to come from RSS. Post-2014, RSS has been actively participating in assembly elections where senior pracharaks have been loaned to BJP. The special case is Northeast.

The only similarity between the both is their belief in the primacy of religious identity. The similarity ends there. Both have had different trajectories in there parts of the world. Though Hindu fringe in India has been active but it is erroneous to compare it with MB. Both RSS and MB contest secularism as an idea but RSS has never launched any violent struggle against the Indian state though it has been banned a number of times. RSS was banned after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It was also banned after the demolition of Babri Masjid. RSS has an idea of India which is based on cultural identity defined through the prism of Hinduism. RSS participates in the democratic process but does not adhere to the idea of civic nationalism. RSS has not inspired arms insurgency in any part of the world.

&nbsp;Why is Rahul Gandhi attacking RSS?

“RSS is trying to change the idea of India. Other parties have not tried to capture India’s institutions. RSS’s idea is similar to the idea of Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab world,” said Rahul Gandhi.

It is personal. RSS always blamed Nehru for banning them and creating a stigma around them. The stigma of Mahatma's assassination impacted RSS considerably. RSS has been able to change the national consensus among Hindus on the issues of secularism and minorities over a period of time. It has run away with symbols like cow and calf which once belonged to the Congress Party. RSS through BJP has spearheaded the sharpest attack against the Gandhis and ran the most malicious and successful campaign in 2014 elections. It not only decimated the Congress but reduced the political stature of Gandhis. Congress also paid the price for being labelled as anti-Hindu.

By comparing RSS with MB, Rahul may be thinking of creating an imagery of RSS as a secret fascist organization. It is unlikely to work. RSS draws its strength from its work in social, rural, civil society, tribal, educational and environmental sector apart from many other areas. It has rebranded itself and adapted to new India. Its Dalit outreach has worked far better than Congress. The difficulty which Congress is facing today is that RSS has many like-minded people in many parts of the civil society whereas Congress has become confined to the electoral process. The controversy may create headlines but a comparison is an acknowledgement of the fact that RSS is the principle opposition to the Congress and despite a number of bans, RSS has been able to change national consensus right under the nose of the Congress Party.

What can RSS do?

Rahul Gandhi’s attack can corner RSS. RSS says that it does not have electoral ambitions but at the end of the day, RSS’s vision is being implemented by BJP. When BJP argues that Congress is run by a dynasty, BJP too stands accused of the same charge. It is run by RSS. The difference being that RSS has built a kinship of ideology whereas Congress today stands organised around the ideology of kinship. &nbsp;Rahul Gandhi will need to do more to counter RSS.&nbsp;

Dissent abroad

It was started by Narendra Modi. He started the trend of discussing domestic issues on international platforms. Congress is trying to make up for it. Modi's meetings are almost like rallies whereas Rahul's is more of an intimate academic session. Nonetheless, it is a start as NRIs today play a very important role in domestic elections and in projecting power abroad. The good thing about Rahul is that unlike Modi he has the courage to take questions. Mostly unscripted which is good for democracy.

Has RSS come of age as an open political player?

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had attacked Rashtriya Swayamsevak (RSS) on several occasions in the past but his most scathing attack came during his ongoing European tour during which he compared the saffron organisation to Muslim Brotherhood (MB) a day after BJP demanded an apology from him for his ISIS analogy. MB is a banned Islamist organization in Egypt inspired by Sayed Qutub. The movement was brutally suppressed by Egypt’s military dictatorship. Qutub himself was counter radicalised by his American experience and in turn, he began the intellectual fountainhead of modern age Islamism. MB was founded by Hassan-al-Banna in 1928. Muslim Brotherhood believed in armed struggle and it's most famous ideologue Sayed Qutub was executed in 1966. Today his writings are used by Islamist for violent struggles. MB is a religious political group which believes that Islam is not a religion but a way of life. It advocates a move away from secularism and return to the rules of the Quran. Today it is considered as the front-runner of modern militant Islam. MB ran successfully in elections held in Egypt post Arab Spring. Mohammed Moresi won the elections and became the democratically elected President. However, he was dethroned by the Egyptian Army in 2013. The Brotherhood formally renounced violence in the 1970s and accepted the democratic principle in 1995. Even then Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Russia and UAE recognize the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. RSS, on the other hand, was founded in 1925 with a clear vision of an India nested in the Hindu identity. The organization was founded by Hedgewar. RSS stayed away from the freedom struggle but was never inspired by the idea of an armed uprising against the state. In its earlier avatar, it considered Muslims outsiders and wanted to create a muscular Hindu India. RSS opposed Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi and since then has been participating in the electoral process by helping erstwhile Jan Sangh and now BJP. Though it proclaims itself as a cultural organization which keeps away from active political life the fact of the matter is that BJP’s organisational secretary continues to come from RSS. Post-2014, RSS has been actively participating in assembly elections where senior pracharaks have been loaned to BJP. The special case is Northeast. The only similarity between the both is their belief in the primacy of religious identity. The similarity ends there. Both have had different trajectories in there parts of the world. Though Hindu fringe in India has been active but it is erroneous to compare it with MB. Both RSS and MB contest secularism as an idea but RSS has never launched any violent struggle against the Indian state though it has been banned a number of times. RSS was banned after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It was also banned after the demolition of Babri Masjid. RSS has an idea of India which is based on cultural identity defined through the prism of Hinduism. RSS participates in the democratic process but does not adhere to the idea of civic nationalism. RSS has not inspired arms insurgency in any part of the world. Why is Rahul Gandhi attacking RSS? “RSS is trying to change the idea of India. Other parties have not tried to capture India’s institutions. RSS’s idea is similar to the idea of Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab world,” said Rahul Gandhi. It is personal. RSS always blamed Nehru for banning them and creating a stigma around them. The stigma of Mahatma's assassination impacted RSS considerably. RSS has been able to change the national consensus among Hindus on the issues of secularism and minorities over a period of time. It has run away with symbols like cow and calf which once belonged to the Congress Party. RSS through BJP has spearheaded the sharpest attack against the Gandhis and ran the most malicious and successful campaign in 2014 elections. It not only decimated the Congress but reduced the political stature of Gandhis. Congress also paid the price for being labelled as anti-Hindu. By comparing RSS with MB, Rahul may be thinking of creating an imagery of RSS as a secret fascist organization. It is unlikely to work. RSS draws its strength from its work in social, rural, civil society, tribal, educational and environmental sector apart from many other areas. It has rebranded itself and adapted to new India. Its Dalit outreach has worked far better than Congress. The difficulty which Congress is facing today is that RSS has many like-minded people in many parts of the civil society whereas Congress has become confined to the electoral process. The controversy may create headlines but a comparison is an acknowledgement of the fact that RSS is the principle opposition to the Congress and despite a number of bans, RSS has been able to change national consensus right under the nose of the Congress Party. What can RSS do? Rahul Gandhi’s attack can corner RSS. RSS says that it does not have electoral ambitions but at the end of the day, RSS’s vision is being implemented by BJP. When BJP argues that Congress is run by a dynasty, BJP too stands accused of the same charge. It is run by RSS. The difference being that RSS has built a kinship of ideology whereas Congress today stands organised around the ideology of kinship. Rahul Gandhi will need to do more to counter RSS. Dissent abroad It was started by Narendra Modi. He started the trend of discussing domestic issues on international platforms. Congress is trying to make up for it. Modi's meetings are almost like rallies whereas Rahul's is more of an intimate academic session. Nonetheless, it is a start as NRIs today play a very important role in domestic elections and in projecting power abroad. The good thing about Rahul is that unlike Modi he has the courage to take questions. Mostly unscripted which is good for democracy.

Why Rahul Gandhi is attacking RSS

A day after Congress President Rahul <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/support-punishment-for-those-involved-in-1984-anti-sikh-riots-rahul-gandhi-161430">Gandhi referred to the 1984 riots</a> in his address to a UK based audience, senior <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/government-ignored-defence-procurement-procedure-in-rafale-deal-chidambaram-161419">Congress leader P Chidambaram </a>on Saturday said that Gandhi should not be blamed for the riots that killed over 3000 people in Delhi.

He said Gandhi has not absolved anyone of the riots and should not be blamed for it.

He said, "Congress was in office in 1984. A very terrible thing happened in 1984 for which Dr Manmohan Singh aplogised in Parliament. You can't hold Rahul Gandhi responsible for that, he was 13 or 14. He hasn't absolved anyone".

He also attacked the BJP over the Rafale deal.

Chidambaram said, "We think that the matter is serious enough and there should be a public debate and a detailed inquiry. Which is why the Congress President and the party has raised it".

Gandhi while addressing UK based parliamentarians and local leaders on Friday said that the 1984 incident was a tragedy and had painful experiences.&nbsp;

Disagreeing with the view that Congress was "involved" in the incident, he further said that he was 100 per cent for the punishment for those involved in any violence against anybody.

Nearly 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the riots in 1984 following the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards when the Congress government was in power at the Centre.

Some Congress leaders have been accused of leading the killer mobs during the riots. They have however denied the allegations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Congress was in office in 1984. A very terrible thing happened in 1984 for which Dr Manmohan Singh aplogised in Parliament. You can't hold Rahul Gandhi responsible for that, he was 13 or 14. He hasn't absolved anyone: P Chidambaram on statement R Gandhi's made on 1984 riots y'day <a href="https://t.co/X1HmU0s9eX">pic.twitter.com/X1HmU0s9eX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1033240171062341632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)

He said, 'Congress was in office in 1984. A very terrible thing happened in 1984 for which Dr Manmohan Singh aplogised in Parliament. You can't hold Rahul Gandhi responsible for that, he was 13 or 14. He hasn't absolved anyone'

A day after Congress President Rahul Gandhi referred to the 1984 riots in his address to a UK based audience, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday said that Gandhi should not be blamed for the riots that killed over 3000 people in Delhi. He said Gandhi has not absolved anyone of the riots and should not be blamed for it. He said, "Congress was in office in 1984. A very terrible thing happened in 1984 for which Dr Manmohan Singh aplogised in Parliament. You can't hold Rahul Gandhi responsible for that, he was 13 or 14. He hasn't absolved anyone". He also attacked the BJP over the Rafale deal. Chidambaram said, "We think that the matter is serious enough and there should be a public debate and a detailed inquiry. Which is why the Congress President and the party has raised it". Gandhi while addressing UK based parliamentarians and local leaders on Friday said that the 1984 incident was a tragedy and had painful experiences. Disagreeing with the view that Congress was "involved" in the incident, he further said that he was 100 per cent for the punishment for those involved in any violence against anybody. Nearly 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the riots in 1984 following the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards when the Congress government was in power at the Centre. Some Congress leaders have been accused of leading the killer mobs during the riots. They have however denied the allegations. Congress was in office in 1984. A very terrible thing happened in 1984 for which Dr Manmohan Singh aplogised in Parliament. You can't hold Rahul Gandhi responsible for that, he was 13 or 14. He hasn't absolved anyone: P Chidambaram on statement R Gandhi's made on 1984 riots y'day pic.twitter.com/X1HmU0s9eX — ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2018 × (With inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi should not be blamed for Sikh riots: P Chidambaram

US tech giant Apple on Saturday announced Rs 7 crore donation towards the ongoing relief work.

 
"We`re heartbroken by the catastrophic flooding in Kerala. Apple is donating Rs 7 crore to support the life-saving work Mercy Corps India and the Chief Minister`s Distress Relief Fund are undertaking to support survivors, help those who have been displaced and rebuild homes and schools," the Cupertino-based iPhone maker said in a statement.

Apple has also added support banners to its homepage, along with the App Store and iTunes Store, allowing customers to donate to Mercy Corps.

"We have also activated a donation button on iTunes and the App Store so customers who wish to donate to Mercy Corps` efforts can do so easily," Apple said.

Apple often uses the iTunes Store and App Stores to raise money for donation during major disasters.

Apple customers can donate $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, or $200 to Mercy Corps using credit and debit cards.

As many as 265 people have lost their lives in rains and floods as hundreds began returning home from relief camps, still leaving 8.69 
+ lakh people in 2,787 shelters.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday that the deaths began since the monsoon rains started on May 29 but 265 of the casualties were reported from August 8 when torrential downpour triggered the worst flooding in the state in nearly a century. 
&nbsp

Apple has also added support banners to its homepage, along with the App Store and iTunes Store, allowing customers to donate to Mercy Corps.

US tech giant Apple on Saturday announced Rs 7 crore donation towards the ongoing relief work. "We`re heartbroken by the catastrophic flooding in Kerala. Apple is donating Rs 7 crore to support the life-saving work Mercy Corps India and the Chief Minister`s Distress Relief Fund are undertaking to support survivors, help those who have been displaced and rebuild homes and schools," the Cupertino-based iPhone maker said in a statement. Apple has also added support banners to its homepage, along with the App Store and iTunes Store, allowing customers to donate to Mercy Corps. "We have also activated a donation button on iTunes and the App Store so customers who wish to donate to Mercy Corps` efforts can do so easily," Apple said. Apple often uses the iTunes Store and App Stores to raise money for donation during major disasters. Apple customers can donate $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, or $200 to Mercy Corps using credit and debit cards. As many as 265 people have lost their lives in rains and floods as hundreds began returning home from relief camps, still leaving 8.69 + lakh people in 2,787 shelters. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday that the deaths began since the monsoon rains started on May 29 but 265 of the casualties were reported from August 8 when torrential downpour triggered the worst flooding in the state in nearly a century.

Apple donates Rs 7 crore to Kerala's flood victims, adds support banners to its homepage, App store

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) said on Saturday denied the reports to rename Ramlila Maidan after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, even as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter, reported news agency PTI.

Citing a news report on the proposed renaming, Kejriwal tweeted, "Changing name of Ramlila Maidan etc after Vajpayeeji will not fetch votes. BJP should change the name of the Prime Minister to get some votes because people are not voting on his name."

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रामलीला मैदान इत्यादि के नाम बदलकर अटल जी के नाम पर रखने से वोट नहीं मिलेंगे 
 
भाजपा को प्रधान मंत्री जी का नाम बदल देना चाहिए। तब शायद कुछ वोट मिल जायें। क्योंकि अब उनके अपने नाम पर तो लोग वोट नहीं दे रहे। <a href="https://t.co/156uKuTQ7V">https://t.co/156uKuTQ7V</a>
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1033237026462740481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Dismissing the news report, North Delhi Mayor Adesh Gupta said that there was no such proposal.

"There is no proposal to rename Ramlila Maidan after Vajpayeeji. All reports suggesting so are wrong," PTI report said quoting Gupta.&nbsp

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari also claimed that there was no proposal to change the name of Ramlila Ground.

"Some politically motivated people are creating the rumour that name of Ramlila Maidan will be changed. We are worshippers of Lord Ram, there is no question of changing name of Ramlila Maidan," Tiwari said.

The mayor denied that some NDMC councillors approached the civic body or his office with a suggestion to rename the ground after Vajpayee.

"No councillor has even made any such suggestion," Gupta said. 
The historic Ramlila Maidan located close to the New Delhi railway station serves as a venue of political rallies and other events, besides hosting Ramleela every year.&nbsp

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari also claimed that there was no proposal to change the name of Ramlila Ground

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) said on Saturday denied the reports to rename Ramlila Maidan after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, even as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter, reported news agency PTI. Citing a news report on the proposed renaming, Kejriwal tweeted, "Changing name of Ramlila Maidan etc after Vajpayeeji will not fetch votes. BJP should change the name of the Prime Minister to get some votes because people are not voting on his name." रामलीला मैदान इत्यादि के नाम बदलकर अटल जी के नाम पर रखने से वोट नहीं मिलेंगे भाजपा को प्रधान मंत्री जी का नाम बदल देना चाहिए। तब शायद कुछ वोट मिल जायें। क्योंकि अब उनके अपने नाम पर तो लोग वोट नहीं दे रहे। https://t.co/156uKuTQ7V — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 25, 2018 × Dismissing the news report, North Delhi Mayor Adesh Gupta said that there was no such proposal. "There is no proposal to rename Ramlila Maidan after Vajpayeeji. All reports suggesting so are wrong," PTI report said quoting Gupta. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari also claimed that there was no proposal to change the name of Ramlila Ground. "Some politically motivated people are creating the rumour that name of Ramlila Maidan will be changed. We are worshippers of Lord Ram, there is no question of changing name of Ramlila Maidan," Tiwari said. The mayor denied that some NDMC councillors approached the civic body or his office with a suggestion to rename the ground after Vajpayee. "No councillor has even made any such suggestion," Gupta said. The historic Ramlila Maidan located close to the New Delhi railway station serves as a venue of political rallies and other events, besides hosting Ramleela every year.

No proposal to rename Ramlila Maidan after Vajpayee: North Delhi civic body

The 82-year-old Kumari just stared on as other inmates tried to lay a floral carpet on the courtyard of a flood relief camp in Alappuzha district.

"I had never ever imagined that we would not celebrate another Onam at that house in the same way," says the homemaker, overcome with memories from last year's celebrations with her family.

"Today is Thiru Onam, but we are in this relief camp. Unprecedented rains and floods have flattened our home."&nbsp

Kumari is among the over 8 lakh people who were displaced by the deadly floods and are now living in thousands of relief camps across the state after losing the savings of their lifetime.

The devastating deluge, which has so far claimed 265 lives, has taken the sheen out of the state's most awaited harvest festival, Thiru Onam, which falls today.&nbsp

But, Onam feast was prepared in schools, colleges, convention halls, mosques and churches which are serving as relief camps in various districts.

Floral carpets were also laid at the camps to soothe the worried minds of flood-hit people. In worst-hit Alappuzha district, 'Onam' was celebrated at a mosque, which has been turned into a relief camp.

The doors of the mosque were opened to accommodate people of all religions on August 18, a mosque committee official said.

"As we saw several houses destroyed, people being displaced, we opened our hall used for offering 'namaz' (prayers).

"This is in true sense religious harmony. The floods have brought people of all religions together," he said.

Bakrid was celebrated here last week and in the same spirit, Onam was being observed today and the feast was prepared by the people in the camp.

"Delicacies like aviyal, sambhar, payasam,.. All have been prepared," the mosque committee official said.&nbsp

In Chengannur, a relief camp inmate said the Onam festivity may be a low key affair this time, but we will overcome and definitely celebrate next year in our homes.

Young Nandana, who returned to her home from a camp in Kochi, is busy drying her textbooks and notes as the sun came out this morning.

"There is no pookalam due to floods," she said.

Many in the camps, sang 'Onam pattu' (songs), laid out flower carpets and prepared 'sadya' (feast) in an effort to bring some joy into their lives mauled by the unprecedented rains and floods, the worst the state has faced in a century.

Women were busy cutting vegetables and men unhesitatingly pitched in to help, to prepare the feast in many camps.

In the Aluva UC College camp, children and Muslim women joined in making the 'pookalam.'

In the famous Thrikakkara temple at Kochi, dedicated to Vamana, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the usual Onam sadya was not held this year.

Onam is celebrated with great pomp across the state, but this time around festivities are the last thing on people's minds as they come to grips with the devastation.

The usual celebrations like laying floral carpets and preparing feasts were comparatively subdued in urban areas also.

The state government has also cancelled Onam celebrations.

The Kerala Tourism's decision to organise Champions Boat League on the lines of Indian Premier League (IPL) from this year starting with Nehru Trophy boat race also took a beating due to the flooding.

Pulikali (Tiger Dance), which is held in Thrissur with artisans donning tiger masks and dancing to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments on August 28, has also been cancelled.&nbsp

Onam commemorates the return of mythical demon king Mahabali to see his beloved subjects at the beginning of 'Chingam', the first month of the Malayalam Calendar.

The devastating deluge, which has so far claimed 265 lives, has taken the sheen out of the state's most awaited harvest festival, Thiru Onam, which falls today.

The 82-year-old Kumari just stared on as other inmates tried to lay a floral carpet on the courtyard of a flood relief camp in Alappuzha district. "I had never ever imagined that we would not celebrate another Onam at that house in the same way," says the homemaker, overcome with memories from last year's celebrations with her family. "Today is Thiru Onam, but we are in this relief camp. Unprecedented rains and floods have flattened our home." Kumari is among the over 8 lakh people who were displaced by the deadly floods and are now living in thousands of relief camps across the state after losing the savings of their lifetime. The devastating deluge, which has so far claimed 265 lives, has taken the sheen out of the state's most awaited harvest festival, Thiru Onam, which falls today. But, Onam feast was prepared in schools, colleges, convention halls, mosques and churches which are serving as relief camps in various districts. Floral carpets were also laid at the camps to soothe the worried minds of flood-hit people. In worst-hit Alappuzha district, 'Onam' was celebrated at a mosque, which has been turned into a relief camp. The doors of the mosque were opened to accommodate people of all religions on August 18, a mosque committee official said. "As we saw several houses destroyed, people being displaced, we opened our hall used for offering 'namaz' (prayers). "This is in true sense religious harmony. The floods have brought people of all religions together," he said. Bakrid was celebrated here last week and in the same spirit, Onam was being observed today and the feast was prepared by the people in the camp. "Delicacies like aviyal, sambhar, payasam,.. All have been prepared," the mosque committee official said. In Chengannur, a relief camp inmate said the Onam festivity may be a low key affair this time, but we will overcome and definitely celebrate next year in our homes. Young Nandana, who returned to her home from a camp in Kochi, is busy drying her textbooks and notes as the sun came out this morning. "There is no pookalam due to floods," she said. Many in the camps, sang 'Onam pattu' (songs), laid out flower carpets and prepared 'sadya' (feast) in an effort to bring some joy into their lives mauled by the unprecedented rains and floods, the worst the state has faced in a century. Women were busy cutting vegetables and men unhesitatingly pitched in to help, to prepare the feast in many camps. In the Aluva UC College camp, children and Muslim women joined in making the 'pookalam.' In the famous Thrikakkara temple at Kochi, dedicated to Vamana, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the usual Onam sadya was not held this year. Onam is celebrated with great pomp across the state, but this time around festivities are the last thing on people's minds as they come to grips with the devastation. The usual celebrations like laying floral carpets and preparing feasts were comparatively subdued in urban areas also. The state government has also cancelled Onam celebrations. The Kerala Tourism's decision to organise Champions Boat League on the lines of Indian Premier League (IPL) from this year starting with Nehru Trophy boat race also took a beating due to the flooding. Pulikali (Tiger Dance), which is held in Thrissur with artisans donning tiger masks and dancing to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments on August 28, has also been cancelled. Onam commemorates the return of mythical demon king Mahabali to see his beloved subjects at the beginning of 'Chingam', the first month of the Malayalam Calendar.

With 265 dead and 8 lakh still in relief camps, Onam is sombre in Kerala

This year's monsoon season may have spelt disaster for the people of Kerala but the road to recovery is not far behind. The same spirit was exhibited across the flood-ravaged state where Onam celebrations kicked off on an optimistic note.&nbsp;

Union and state ministers, along with diplomats and eminent personalities across the country, wished Onam to the people of Kerala and hoped for the state to cope with the adversity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and hoped for the people of Kerala to overcome the "adversities they have been facing for the past few days."

"May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as the prosperity of its citizens," PM Modi tweeted.&nbsp;

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May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as prosperity of it’s citizens.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1033227685026181120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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President Kovind hoped that the festival would "mark a new beginning for all those in Kerala recovering in the aftermath of the floods".

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Good wishes to fellow citizens, particularly to our brothers and sisters in Kerala, on Onam. May this festival mark a new beginning for all those in Kerala recovering in the aftermath of the floods, and gradually beginning to rebuild their lives <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentKovind?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentKovind</a>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1033168281132093440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted out saying that Kerala will survive all the hardships today and will make good memories tomorrow.

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People celebrating Onam in one of the relief camp in Kerala. <a href="https://twitter.com/_iSarath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_iSarath</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NammudeKeralam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NammudeKeralam</a> <a href="https://t.co/FmK5nr4V3p">pic.twitter.com/FmK5nr4V3p</a>
— The Great Dictator..! -- #RebuildKerala (@tittoantony) <a href="https://twitter.com/tittoantony/status/1033239510455394304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kerala's Minister of Finance, Thomas Issac, noted the enthusiasm and optimism in relief camps across Kerala. "Camps are celebrating Onam in high spirits: sumptuous feasts, games for children, cultural performances and merriment. We have succeeded in totally transforming the usually morose airs of the camps," his tweet read.

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Happy Onam. Camps are celebrating Onam in high spirits: sumptuous feasts, games for children , cultural performances and merriment. Great ! We have succeeded in totally transforming the usually morose airs of the camps. My Onam feast at SDV school with playback singer smt Chitra
— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) <a href="https://twitter.com/drthomasisaac/status/1033187020791734274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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While displaced people in relief camps found hope and optimism in little celebrations, some temples in Kerala wore a plain look in solidarity with hundreds of those who lost lives in the deluge.

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The special <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Onam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Onam</a> feast being prepared at a relief camp in Chengannur <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a> <a href="https://t.co/yubuqW840P">pic.twitter.com/yubuqW840P</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1033250014032588800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Shri Ayyappa Temple in Anachal has skipped the celebrations this year, officials told news agency ANI.&nbsp;

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Kerala: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Shri Ayyappa Temple in Anachal on the festival of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Onam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Onam</a>. Sukumaran Nair, secretary of the temple, say, 'there are no celebrations this year & we haven't decorated the temple as the people are suffering because of floods' <a href="https://t.co/mmJbx8X9R4">pic.twitter.com/mmJbx8X9R4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1033196906816491521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kerala, which faced the worst floods and rainfall in its history in nearly 100 years, received a respite from unabated torrential rainfall this Monday. State authorities reported floodwaters receding across the state with rehabilitation work in full swing.&nbsp;

Although lakhs of people have returned home, there are still about 8.69 lakh people in 2287 relief camps across the state, officials said.

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I got this picture from an unknown!! 
This made my day ? 
Relief camp onam picture ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOKerala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMOKerala</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dulQuer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dulQuer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Mohanlal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mohanlal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mammukka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mammukka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/actorvijay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@actorvijay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Suriya_offl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Suriya_offl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyOnam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyOnam</a> <a href="https://t.co/I4oZdPNJ8j">pic.twitter.com/I4oZdPNJ8j</a>
— Pooja Vijay (@pooja_vijay22) <a href="https://twitter.com/pooja_vijay22/status/1033223382483972096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The destructive deluge in Kerala claimed nearly 400 lives this monsoon season.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and hoped for the people of Kerala to overcome the 'adversities they have been facing for the past few days'.

This year's monsoon season may have spelt disaster for the people of Kerala but the road to recovery is not far behind. The same spirit was exhibited across the flood-ravaged state where Onam celebrations kicked off on an optimistic note. Union and state ministers, along with diplomats and eminent personalities across the country, wished Onam to the people of Kerala and hoped for the state to cope with the adversity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and hoped for the people of Kerala to overcome the "adversities they have been facing for the past few days." "May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as the prosperity of its citizens," PM Modi tweeted. May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as prosperity of it’s citizens. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2018 × President Kovind hoped that the festival would "mark a new beginning for all those in Kerala recovering in the aftermath of the floods". Good wishes to fellow citizens, particularly to our brothers and sisters in Kerala, on Onam. May this festival mark a new beginning for all those in Kerala recovering in the aftermath of the floods, and gradually beginning to rebuild their lives #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 25, 2018 × Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted out saying that Kerala will survive all the hardships today and will make good memories tomorrow. People celebrating Onam in one of the relief camp in Kerala. @_iSarath #NammudeKeralam pic.twitter.com/FmK5nr4V3p — The Great Dictator..! -- #RebuildKerala (@tittoantony) August 25, 2018 × Kerala's Minister of Finance, Thomas Issac, noted the enthusiasm and optimism in relief camps across Kerala. "Camps are celebrating Onam in high spirits: sumptuous feasts, games for children, cultural performances and merriment. We have succeeded in totally transforming the usually morose airs of the camps," his tweet read. Happy Onam. Camps are celebrating Onam in high spirits: sumptuous feasts, games for children , cultural performances and merriment. Great ! We have succeeded in totally transforming the usually morose airs of the camps. My Onam feast at SDV school with playback singer smt Chitra — Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) August 25, 2018 × While displaced people in relief camps found hope and optimism in little celebrations, some temples in Kerala wore a plain look in solidarity with hundreds of those who lost lives in the deluge. The special #Onam feast being prepared at a relief camp in Chengannur #Kerala pic.twitter.com/yubuqW840P — ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2018 × Shri Ayyappa Temple in Anachal has skipped the celebrations this year, officials told news agency ANI. Kerala: #Visuals from Shri Ayyappa Temple in Anachal on the festival of #Onam. Sukumaran Nair, secretary of the temple, say, 'there are no celebrations this year & we haven't decorated the temple as the people are suffering because of floods' pic.twitter.com/mmJbx8X9R4 — ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2018 × Kerala, which faced the worst floods and rainfall in its history in nearly 100 years, received a respite from unabated torrential rainfall this Monday. State authorities reported floodwaters receding across the state with rehabilitation work in full swing. Although lakhs of people have returned home, there are still about 8.69 lakh people in 2287 relief camps across the state, officials said. I got this picture from an unknown!! This made my day ? Relief camp onam picture ?? @CMOKerala @dulQuer @Mohanlal @mammukka @actorvijay @Suriya_offl #HappyOnam pic.twitter.com/I4oZdPNJ8j — Pooja Vijay (@pooja_vijay22) August 25, 2018 × The destructive deluge in Kerala claimed nearly 400 lives this monsoon season.

In flood-ravaged Kerala, spirit of Onam refuses to sink; PM Modi, President Kovind extend wishes 

Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi, at an event in London on Friday, stated that the nation grapples with a job crisis but the government does not accept that. &nbsp;

During an <a href="wionews.com/india-news/congress-needs-to-be-precise-about-what-it-stands-for-rahul-gandhi-161400">interactive session at the London School of Economics</a>, Gandhi stated that a government's role is that of an enabler.&nbsp;

He said that India has a tremendous amount of energy which needs to be channelised and put together.

Gandhi accused the Opposition of attacking Congress' dynastic politics.&nbsp;

The Congress chief went on to talk about debates that happen in the Parliament and described them as "low-quality".

He called for more powers to be given to the lawmakers in order to improve the quality of the debates in the Parliament.&nbsp;

In his answer to another query, he identified the Right to Information Act (RTI) as the best instrument against corruption.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Gandhi said that India has a tremendous amount of energy which needs to be channelised and put together.

Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi, at an event in London on Friday, stated that the nation grapples with a job crisis but the government does not accept that. During an interactive session at the London School of Economics, Gandhi stated that a government's role is that of an enabler. He said that India has a tremendous amount of energy which needs to be channelised and put together. Gandhi accused the Opposition of attacking Congress' dynastic politics. The Congress chief went on to talk about debates that happen in the Parliament and described them as "low-quality". He called for more powers to be given to the lawmakers in order to improve the quality of the debates in the Parliament. In his answer to another query, he identified the Right to Information Act (RTI) as the best instrument against corruption.

India faces full-blown job crisis, government doesn't accept that: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has described the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as a "very painful tragedy" and said he was "100 per cent" for the punishment for those involved in any violence against anybody.&nbsp

Nearly 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the riots in 1984 following the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards when the Congress government was in power at the Centre.

Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the UK, told the audience of UK-based parliamentarians and local leaders yesterday that the incident was a tragedy and painful experiences, but disagreed with the view that the Congress was "involved".&nbsp

"I think any violence done against anybody is wrong. There are legal processes ongoing in India but as far as I'm concerned anything done that was wrong during that period should be punished and I would support that 100 per cent," he said.&nbsp

"I have no confusion in my mind about that. It was a tragedy, it was a painful experience. You say that the Congress party was involved in that, I don't agree with that. Certainly there was violence, certainly there was tragedy."

Later, during an interactive session at the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) when he was again asked about the anti-Sikh riots, Gandhi said: "When Mr Manmohan Singh spoke, he spoke for all of us. As I said earlier, I am a victim of violence and I understand what it feels."

He was referring to the killing of his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE in 1991.

"So, I am against any sort of violence against anybody on this planet. I get disturbed when I see anybody being hurt. So, I condemn that 100 per cent and I am 100 per cent for punishment for those involved in any violence against anybody. That's crystal clear," said Gandhi.

He said that people, who have not had violence inflicted upon them, think that violence is what one sees in movies.&nbsp

"That's not what it is. I have seen people who I loved very much being killed. I have also seen the person (Prabhakaran) who killed my father being killed.&nbsp

"When I saw Prabhakaran lying on the beaches in Jaffna (Lanka), when I saw him being humiliated, the way he was, I felt sorry for him, because I saw my father in his place and his children in my place," he added.

"So, when you are being hit by violence, when you understand it, it has a completely different impact on you."&nbsp

Gandhi said most people do not understand violence which is a horrible thing.&nbsp

Some Congress leaders have been accused of leading the killer mobs during the riots. They have denied the allegations.&nbsp

Earlier Gandhi had invoked Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru, during his address in Germany, drawing a sharp reaction from the BJP which said Gandhi should apologise for the "heinous crime" at the Golden Temple.

Nearly 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the riots in 1984 following the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards when the Congress government was in power at the Centre.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has described the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as a "very painful tragedy" and said he was "100 per cent" for the punishment for those involved in any violence against anybody. Nearly 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the riots in 1984 following the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards when the Congress government was in power at the Centre. Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the UK, told the audience of UK-based parliamentarians and local leaders yesterday that the incident was a tragedy and painful experiences, but disagreed with the view that the Congress was "involved". "I think any violence done against anybody is wrong. There are legal processes ongoing in India but as far as I'm concerned anything done that was wrong during that period should be punished and I would support that 100 per cent," he said. "I have no confusion in my mind about that. It was a tragedy, it was a painful experience. You say that the Congress party was involved in that, I don't agree with that. Certainly there was violence, certainly there was tragedy." Later, during an interactive session at the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) when he was again asked about the anti-Sikh riots, Gandhi said: "When Mr Manmohan Singh spoke, he spoke for all of us. As I said earlier, I am a victim of violence and I understand what it feels." He was referring to the killing of his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE in 1991. "So, I am against any sort of violence against anybody on this planet. I get disturbed when I see anybody being hurt. So, I condemn that 100 per cent and I am 100 per cent for punishment for those involved in any violence against anybody. That's crystal clear," said Gandhi. He said that people, who have not had violence inflicted upon them, think that violence is what one sees in movies. "That's not what it is. I have seen people who I loved very much being killed. I have also seen the person (Prabhakaran) who killed my father being killed. "When I saw Prabhakaran lying on the beaches in Jaffna (Lanka), when I saw him being humiliated, the way he was, I felt sorry for him, because I saw my father in his place and his children in my place," he added. "So, when you are being hit by violence, when you understand it, it has a completely different impact on you." Gandhi said most people do not understand violence which is a horrible thing. Some Congress leaders have been accused of leading the killer mobs during the riots. They have denied the allegations. Earlier Gandhi had invoked Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru, during his address in Germany, drawing a sharp reaction from the BJP which said Gandhi should apologise for the "heinous crime" at the Golden Temple.

Support punishment for those involved in 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday talked about what he perceives as his party's weaknesses. In an interactive session at the London School of Economics, Gandhi said the Congress is not able to express the ideas very effectively.&nbsp;

He added that the BJP and the RSS are "very clear" about what they want to convey and have no confusion. Congress needs to "be precise about what it stands for," the Congress Chief noted.&nbsp;

"The BJP and RSS are very clear in what they are saying. There is no confusion. RSS spends time on an idea. Congress needs to expand and be precise about what it stands for," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

Gandhi also stated that the party did not fare well in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections due to "internal fight" between the younger and the older generation.&nbsp;

"There are senior leaders with experience and with understanding and there are youngsters who are developing. You cannot break the past because there is a lot of value in some of the senior people. So, in a sense, the present has to be a merger of the future and the past. That's really why Congress ran into trouble in 2014," Gandhi reasoned.

Gandhi said he has tried to bring them together successfully. He also said that the threat in the Congress is "arrogance".

Gandhi said the Congress is not able to express the ideas very effectively.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday talked about what he perceives as his party's weaknesses. In an interactive session at the London School of Economics, Gandhi said the Congress is not able to express the ideas very effectively. He added that the BJP and the RSS are "very clear" about what they want to convey and have no confusion. Congress needs to "be precise about what it stands for," the Congress Chief noted. "The BJP and RSS are very clear in what they are saying. There is no confusion. RSS spends time on an idea. Congress needs to expand and be precise about what it stands for," Gandhi said. Gandhi also stated that the party did not fare well in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections due to "internal fight" between the younger and the older generation. "There are senior leaders with experience and with understanding and there are youngsters who are developing. You cannot break the past because there is a lot of value in some of the senior people. So, in a sense, the present has to be a merger of the future and the past. That's really why Congress ran into trouble in 2014," Gandhi reasoned. Gandhi said he has tried to bring them together successfully. He also said that the threat in the Congress is "arrogance".

Congress needs to be precise about what it stands for: Rahul Gandhi 

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Karnataka Minister Sa Ra Mahesh were today locked in an exchange of words over her itinerary during a visit to the flood-hit Kodagu district.

The entire episode took place in the presence of officials and the media at the district commissioner's office here.

Sitharaman was interacting with a group of affected people here when Mashesh, the district in-charge minister, told her that officials were waiting for her for a review meeting and they have to go for rehabilitation work.

He said she can first address the officials to which Sitharaman too agreed.

However, Sitharaman noted that she was only going by the minute-by-minute programme drawn up for her visit and she had been following the minister in-charge and the itinerary.

"I follow the minister in charge. Central minister follows the minister in charge here. Unbelievable! You have a list of minute-to-minute for me to follow...I am doing as per your schedule," she said.

Sitharaman, Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, then sought to know how many of the officials were from the field taking care of the rehabilitation work and said she did not want the work to be upset.

Later, Mahesh dubbed Sitharaman's comments as a reaction to the demand for funds from the centre to Kodagu.

"She would have known the pain had she contested election by standing with the electorate, going to every house, meeting voters and asked their problems. She has been elected to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka," he told a TV channel.

The district in-charge minister said the state had requested her that the centre should extend relief for Kodagu just like it did for Kerala.

The torrential rains that lashed the district last week has left a huge trail of destruction and claimed at least 17 lives. More than 5,000 people have been rendered homeless.&nbsp

Sitharaman was interacting with a group of affected people here when Mashesh, the district in-charge minister, told her that officials were waiting for her for a review meeting and they have to go for rehabilitation work.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Karnataka Minister Sa Ra Mahesh were today locked in an exchange of words over her itinerary during a visit to the flood-hit Kodagu district. The entire episode took place in the presence of officials and the media at the district commissioner's office here. Sitharaman was interacting with a group of affected people here when Mashesh, the district in-charge minister, told her that officials were waiting for her for a review meeting and they have to go for rehabilitation work. He said she can first address the officials to which Sitharaman too agreed. However, Sitharaman noted that she was only going by the minute-by-minute programme drawn up for her visit and she had been following the minister in-charge and the itinerary. "I follow the minister in charge. Central minister follows the minister in charge here. Unbelievable! You have a list of minute-to-minute for me to follow...I am doing as per your schedule," she said. Sitharaman, Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, then sought to know how many of the officials were from the field taking care of the rehabilitation work and said she did not want the work to be upset. Later, Mahesh dubbed Sitharaman's comments as a reaction to the demand for funds from the centre to Kodagu. "She would have known the pain had she contested election by standing with the electorate, going to every house, meeting voters and asked their problems. She has been elected to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka," he told a TV channel. The district in-charge minister said the state had requested her that the centre should extend relief for Kodagu just like it did for Kerala. The torrential rains that lashed the district last week has left a huge trail of destruction and claimed at least 17 lives. More than 5,000 people have been rendered homeless.

Nirmala Sitharaman snaps at Karnataka minister during press conference

Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Friday said that he would go ahead with the indefinite hunger strike from Saturday regardless of denial of permission from the authority or cancellation of his bail.&nbsp;

Patel said that he would proceed with the fast in jail, in the event of the court canceling his bail, or at home if government authorities deny him a venue for the protest.

"If the court cancels my bail than I am ready to go to jail. I will sit on a hunger strike in jail. I am not afraid of the BJP government or of going behind bars. I am not going to drop my plans out of any intimidation," Patel was quoted as saying by PTI.

Hitting out at the state government, he said, "I am not being allotted a venue (for the fast) because the government is afraid of me. I will sit on hunger strike at my house if need be. However, attempts are being made to stop me from sitting on fast at my house."

Patel was detained by Ahmedabad Crime Branch last week before he was set to take part in a hunger strike.

Hardik and other Patidar leaders were on their way to Nikol assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district when they were detained by the crime branch. The group was intended to take part in a one-day hunger strike over the issue of reservation.

Patel claimed that several national leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee, may come to Gujarat to support him.

"This hunger strike is not a one-day affair. Thousands across the state would sit on fast and it will continue for days. I have also invited people to come to my house to join me in the fast. This is not about me. It is about numerous people" the Patidar leader said.

Earlier this month, Hardik Patel had announced that he would sit on an indefinite hunger strike from August 25 at a ground in Nikol area in Ahmedabad demanding reservations for Patidars and loan waivers for farmers.

Patel said that he would proceed with the fast in jail, in the event of the court canceling his bail, or at home if government authorities deny him a venue for the protest.

Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Friday said that he would go ahead with the indefinite hunger strike from Saturday regardless of denial of permission from the authority or cancellation of his bail. Patel said that he would proceed with the fast in jail, in the event of the court canceling his bail, or at home if government authorities deny him a venue for the protest. "If the court cancels my bail than I am ready to go to jail. I will sit on a hunger strike in jail. I am not afraid of the BJP government or of going behind bars. I am not going to drop my plans out of any intimidation," Patel was quoted as saying by PTI. Hitting out at the state government, he said, "I am not being allotted a venue (for the fast) because the government is afraid of me. I will sit on hunger strike at my house if need be. However, attempts are being made to stop me from sitting on fast at my house." Patel was detained by Ahmedabad Crime Branch last week before he was set to take part in a hunger strike. Hardik and other Patidar leaders were on their way to Nikol assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district when they were detained by the crime branch. The group was intended to take part in a one-day hunger strike over the issue of reservation. Patel claimed that several national leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee, may come to Gujarat to support him. "This hunger strike is not a one-day affair. Thousands across the state would sit on fast and it will continue for days. I have also invited people to come to my house to join me in the fast. This is not about me. It is about numerous people" the Patidar leader said. Earlier this month, Hardik Patel had announced that he would sit on an indefinite hunger strike from August 25 at a ground in Nikol area in Ahmedabad demanding reservations for Patidars and loan waivers for farmers.

Not afraid of going behind bars: Hardik Patel ahead of today's hunger strike

Stepping up attack on the government over the Rafale fighter jet issue, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today accused the Centre of ignoring the defence procurement procedure and "bypassing" several committees to secure the deal.

The former finance minister also alleged the Cabinet Committee on Security was not taken into confidence by the government before signing the deal.

"Why was the defence procurement procedure ignored in the Rafale deal... And why were the Contract Negotiation Committee and the Price Negotiation Committee kept in the dark about it? The Cabinet Committee on Security was also not taken into confidence," he told reporters at the Congress office here.

He also claimed that there was a huge difference in the price per aircraft secured by the UPA regime and what has now been agreed to by the NDA government.

"The UPA contract priced the Rafale jets at Rs 526 crore per aircraft and the NDA contract priced them at Rs 1,670 crore per aircraft. If these numbers are correct, will someone explain why the prices jumped three times?" he asked.&nbsp

The former finance minister also alleged the Cabinet Committee on Security was not taken into confidence by the government before signing the deal.

Stepping up attack on the government over the Rafale fighter jet issue, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today accused the Centre of ignoring the defence procurement procedure and "bypassing" several committees to secure the deal. The former finance minister also alleged the Cabinet Committee on Security was not taken into confidence by the government before signing the deal. "Why was the defence procurement procedure ignored in the Rafale deal... And why were the Contract Negotiation Committee and the Price Negotiation Committee kept in the dark about it? The Cabinet Committee on Security was also not taken into confidence," he told reporters at the Congress office here. He also claimed that there was a huge difference in the price per aircraft secured by the UPA regime and what has now been agreed to by the NDA government. "The UPA contract priced the Rafale jets at Rs 526 crore per aircraft and the NDA contract priced them at Rs 1,670 crore per aircraft. If these numbers are correct, will someone explain why the prices jumped three times?" he asked.

Government ignored defence procurement procedure in Rafale deal: Chidambaram

US Ambassador to United Nations Nikki Haley expressed solidarity with Kerala flood-victims. "We send special prayers to those who have lost a loved one and to all the families of the region as they begin to rebuild," Haley said in a message tweeted by the US Mission to the UN.

"Our hearts go out to our Indian brothers and sisters in Kerala who have been affected by the worst monsoon and flooding in over 100 years. We send special prayers to those who have lost a loved one and to all the families of the region as they begin to rebuild," the statement read.&nbsp;

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Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric also expressed sadness over the loss of life and the destruction caused by the deluge in Kerala.

Dujarric said that the United States is following the situation in Kerala very closely.

"Our humanitarian colleagues, as well as the country team in India, have been following the recent floods very closely. The United Nations is of course saddened by the loss of life, destruction and displacement caused by floods in India," Dujarric noted.

 
&nbsp;

'We send special prayers to those who have lost a loved one and to all the families of the region as they begin to rebuild,' the statement read.

US Ambassador to United Nations Nikki Haley expressed solidarity with Kerala flood-victims. "We send special prayers to those who have lost a loved one and to all the families of the region as they begin to rebuild," Haley said in a message tweeted by the US Mission to the UN. "Our hearts go out to our Indian brothers and sisters in Kerala who have been affected by the worst monsoon and flooding in over 100 years. We send special prayers to those who have lost a loved one and to all the families of the region as they begin to rebuild," the statement read. pic.twitter.com/171Kf4CQjq — US Mission to the UN (@USUN) August 24, 2018 × Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric also expressed sadness over the loss of life and the destruction caused by the deluge in Kerala. Dujarric said that the United States is following the situation in Kerala very closely. "Our humanitarian colleagues, as well as the country team in India, have been following the recent floods very closely. The United Nations is of course saddened by the loss of life, destruction and displacement caused by floods in India," Dujarric noted.

Our hearts go out to our Indian brothers and sisters: Nikki Haley on Kerala deluge 

By mid-2030, India’s population will likely to be 1.53 billion to that 1.42 billion of China, and by mid-2050, this ‘lead’ will become 25%, more according to a survey.

India's population will be more than that of China by 2050

Floods may have dampened festivities in Kerala but not its spirit. A temple in Thrissur district opened its door for Muslims to offer namaz on Eid.

Kerala temple open its doors for Muslims to offer Eid namaz

WhatsApp said it can’t build software to trace origin of a message on its platform, turning down a demand from the Indian government that wanted a solution to track fake information that has led to crimes like mob-lynching.

WhatsApp says cannot build software to trace messages

Niece of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kanti Mishra has rebuffed another niece of the late leader, Karuna Shukla, over her statement criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for carrying the veteran leader's ashes to different states for immersion.

Speaking to ANI, Mishra said, "He (Vajpayee) does not belong to me or her (Karuna), he belongs to the nation. Everyone cannot go to Delhi so when 'Kalash' comes to their state they get a chance to pay their last respects".

Mishra's statement comes after Karuna, a Congress leader, alleged that the BJP is politicising the former prime minister's death for gains in the upcoming 2019 elections.

Vajpayee passed away on August 16 at All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. Following the cremation of the leader, his ashes were distributed to the presidents of BJP-ruled states for immersion.

Mishra's statement comes after Karuna, a Congress leader, alleged that the BJP is politicising the former prime minister's death for gains in the upcoming 2019 elections.

Niece of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kanti Mishra has rebuffed another niece of the late leader, Karuna Shukla, over her statement criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for carrying the veteran leader's ashes to different states for immersion. Speaking to ANI, Mishra said, "He (Vajpayee) does not belong to me or her (Karuna), he belongs to the nation. Everyone cannot go to Delhi so when 'Kalash' comes to their state they get a chance to pay their last respects". Mishra's statement comes after Karuna, a Congress leader, alleged that the BJP is politicising the former prime minister's death for gains in the upcoming 2019 elections. Vajpayee passed away on August 16 at All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. Following the cremation of the leader, his ashes were distributed to the presidents of BJP-ruled states for immersion.

Vajpayee's niece snubs Karuna Shukla over 'politics on ashes' remark

If tweets and retweets by the boss are an indication of popularity, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Ashutosh and Ashish Khetan had fallen out of favour with party chief Arvind Kejriwal long before they announced their resignation.&nbsp

The diminishing importance of the two leaders, both former journalists who made their political debut when they joined the party, and their tensions with the top leadership is reflected in the chief minister’s timeline, reveals an analysis of Kejriwal’s Twitter account over two months.

From June 18 to August 15, Kejriwal only retweeted two of Ashutosh’s tweets and three of Khetan, far less than those of other leaders who enjoy his confidence. Kejriwal, who has over 14 million followers on Twitter and is the second most followed politician in India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a prolific tweeter and uses the microblogging platform with great effect.

That he chose to virtually ignore his once trusted lieutenants spoke volumes, said party observers. In the same period, Kejriwal retweeted 102 tweets of his party members, including his deputy in the government Manish Sisodia, 80 tweets of journalists and 11 tweets of leaders from other parties. This excludes his own tweets and random retweets. The analysis of his Twitter account also revealed that he retweeted Sisodia 31 times and AAP’s Delhi unit chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj 19 times.

Kejriwal is known to operate his Twitter account himself and is guided by inputs from his social media team, said an AAP leader. He usually retweets posts that speak highly of the Delhi government’s work and information critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Party sources said the unease between Kejriwal and rebel party leader Kumar Vishwas also came to the fore when the chief stopped retweeting his once-trusted lieutenant’s tweets.

Though Ashutosh and Khetan are believed to have resigned on August 15, the latter announced he was quitting earlier this week. Kejriwal is yet to accept their resignations. When Ashutosh announced his resignation from the party on August 15, Kejriwal responded by saying, “How can we accept your resignation, Sir? Not in this birth. Sir, we all love you.” Ashutosh was a close confidant of Kejriwal’s and a back-door negotiator with several rebels, including its lawmakers. This was seen as evidence of the importance of the political newbie who had joined the party just before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Kejriwal used Khetan and Ashutosh as key negotiators to resolve the crisis between him and Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. Party insiders said discontent among senior leaders had been growing since the party nominated Delhi-based businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant N D Gupta for the vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi along with senior leader Sanjay Singh.

They said Ashutosh, Khetan and Kumar Vishwas, a founder member of the party, were upset over the AAP leadership’s choice of the businessman and the chartered accountant for two of the three Rajya Sabha seats in April. All three AAP nominees are now members of the Upper House.

Later, the party chose Pankaj Gupta to contest from Chandni Chowk for the 2019 Lok Sabha election over Ashutosh, who had lost the seat in 2014 polls. Khetan, too, is believed to be upset because the party is not keen on fielding him from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat he had contested and lost in 2014.

If tweets and retweets by the boss are an indication of popularity, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Ashutosh and Ashish Khetan had fallen out of favour with party chief Arvind Kejriwal long before they announced their resignation.

If tweets and retweets by the boss are an indication of popularity, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Ashutosh and Ashish Khetan had fallen out of favour with party chief Arvind Kejriwal long before they announced their resignation. The diminishing importance of the two leaders, both former journalists who made their political debut when they joined the party, and their tensions with the top leadership is reflected in the chief minister’s timeline, reveals an analysis of Kejriwal’s Twitter account over two months. From June 18 to August 15, Kejriwal only retweeted two of Ashutosh’s tweets and three of Khetan, far less than those of other leaders who enjoy his confidence. Kejriwal, who has over 14 million followers on Twitter and is the second most followed politician in India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a prolific tweeter and uses the microblogging platform with great effect. That he chose to virtually ignore his once trusted lieutenants spoke volumes, said party observers. In the same period, Kejriwal retweeted 102 tweets of his party members, including his deputy in the government Manish Sisodia, 80 tweets of journalists and 11 tweets of leaders from other parties. This excludes his own tweets and random retweets. The analysis of his Twitter account also revealed that he retweeted Sisodia 31 times and AAP’s Delhi unit chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj 19 times. Kejriwal is known to operate his Twitter account himself and is guided by inputs from his social media team, said an AAP leader. He usually retweets posts that speak highly of the Delhi government’s work and information critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Party sources said the unease between Kejriwal and rebel party leader Kumar Vishwas also came to the fore when the chief stopped retweeting his once-trusted lieutenant’s tweets. Though Ashutosh and Khetan are believed to have resigned on August 15, the latter announced he was quitting earlier this week. Kejriwal is yet to accept their resignations. When Ashutosh announced his resignation from the party on August 15, Kejriwal responded by saying, “How can we accept your resignation, Sir? Not in this birth. Sir, we all love you.” Ashutosh was a close confidant of Kejriwal’s and a back-door negotiator with several rebels, including its lawmakers. This was seen as evidence of the importance of the political newbie who had joined the party just before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Kejriwal used Khetan and Ashutosh as key negotiators to resolve the crisis between him and Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. Party insiders said discontent among senior leaders had been growing since the party nominated Delhi-based businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant N D Gupta for the vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi along with senior leader Sanjay Singh. They said Ashutosh, Khetan and Kumar Vishwas, a founder member of the party, were upset over the AAP leadership’s choice of the businessman and the chartered accountant for two of the three Rajya Sabha seats in April. All three AAP nominees are now members of the Upper House. Later, the party chose Pankaj Gupta to contest from Chandni Chowk for the 2019 Lok Sabha election over Ashutosh, who had lost the seat in 2014 polls. Khetan, too, is believed to be upset because the party is not keen on fielding him from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat he had contested and lost in 2014.

Ashutosh and Khetan: Arvind Kejriwal’s Twitter timeline told tale of fall from grace

The Centre today said Rs 600 crore released two days ago to flood-hit Kerala was only the advance assistance and additional funds would be released when an inter-ministerial team visits the state again and assesses the damage.&nbsp;

The Home Ministry statement came amidst a row over accepting funds from foreign governments for Kerala after the United Arab Emirates offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) and the government declared that it will not take any financial assistance from foreign governments in sync with an existing policy.

“It is clarified that Rs 600 crore released by Centre is the advance assistance only. Additional funds would be released from NDRF on assessment of the damages as per laid down procedure,” the statement said. On Tuesday, the central government had released Rs 600 crore to flood-hit Kerala as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Rs 500 crore) and Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Rs 100 crore) during their visits to the state.

The home ministry said during the floods in Kerala, the Centre has provided urgent aid and relief material in a timely manner and without any reservation. The situation has been regularly monitored by the Prime Minister on daily basis and he visited the state on August 17-18, 2018. On his instructions, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, regularly monitored and coordinated rescue and relief operations by holding daily meetings from Aug 16-21, 2018.

Senior officers of Defence Services, NDRF, NDMA and Secretaries of Civilian Ministries attended these meetings. Kerala Chief Secretary participated in these discussions through video conference. Following the decisions taken during these meetings, the Centre launched massive rescue and relief operations. In one of the largest rescue operations, 40 helicopters, 31 aircraft, 182 teams for rescue, 18 medical teams of defence forces, 58 teams of NDRF, 7 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were pressed into service along with over 500 boats and necessary rescue equipments. They successfully saved over 60,000 human lives by rescuing them from marooned areas and shifting them to relief camps, the statement said.

Defence aircraft and helicopters have made 1,084 sorties of duration 1,168 flying hours and airlifted 1,286 tonne of load and carried 3,332 rescuers. In addition, a number of Navy and Coast Guard ships were pressed into service to carry relief material to Kerala. The search and rescue operations and mobilisation of resources alone would cost the central government hundreds of crore of rupees.

The statement said after floods and landslides in Kerala last month, an interim memorandum was submitted by the state government on July 21 and immediately an inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) was constituted, which visited the state on August 7-12 for on-the-spot assessment of the damages. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had visited Kerala on July 21 followed by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh on August 12. Since there was a second spell of floods in the state, the state government has stated that they will submit an additional memorandum on the fresh damages caused by the floods and landslides once rescue efforts are over.

Since submission of additional memorandum by the state government will take time, with a view to assist the state in meeting relief and rescue expenditure, the central government has released Rs 600 crore in advance pending assessment by IMCT and decision of a high level committee. This is in addition to Rs 562.45 crore already made available in State Disaster Relief Fund of the state.

In addition to the financial support, the Centre has made available large quantities of emergency food, water, medicines and other essential supplies, including additional allocation of foodgrains, as requested by the state. Financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by notified guidelines on State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

State Disaster Response Fund has been constituted in each state in which the Centre contributes 75 per cent for general category states and 90 per cent for special category states of hilly regions every year as per the award of the successive Finance Commissions. As per the guidelines, the central government provides its allocation to SDRF of each state in advance in two installments. In case of any natural calamity, State meets the expenditure of relief and rescue from the SDRF already available at its disposal.

In case of any natural calamity beyond the coping capacity of a state, the state government submits a detailed memorandum indicating the sector-wise details of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations of immediate nature. On receipt of a memorandum, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is deputed by the Central Government for on-the-spot assessment of damages and additional requirement of funds.

The report of IMCT is considered by the Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Union Home Secretary in conformity with the norms and then by a High Level Committee (HLC), chaired by the Home Minister for approving the quantum of additional assistance from the NDRF, the statement said.

The Centre today said Rs 600 crore released two days ago to flood-hit Kerala was only the advance assistance and additional funds would be released when an inter-ministerial team visits the state again and assesses the damage.

The Centre today said Rs 600 crore released two days ago to flood-hit Kerala was only the advance assistance and additional funds would be released when an inter-ministerial team visits the state again and assesses the damage. The Home Ministry statement came amidst a row over accepting funds from foreign governments for Kerala after the United Arab Emirates offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) and the government declared that it will not take any financial assistance from foreign governments in sync with an existing policy. “It is clarified that Rs 600 crore released by Centre is the advance assistance only. Additional funds would be released from NDRF on assessment of the damages as per laid down procedure,” the statement said. On Tuesday, the central government had released Rs 600 crore to flood-hit Kerala as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Rs 500 crore) and Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Rs 100 crore) during their visits to the state. The home ministry said during the floods in Kerala, the Centre has provided urgent aid and relief material in a timely manner and without any reservation. The situation has been regularly monitored by the Prime Minister on daily basis and he visited the state on August 17-18, 2018. On his instructions, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, regularly monitored and coordinated rescue and relief operations by holding daily meetings from Aug 16-21, 2018. Senior officers of Defence Services, NDRF, NDMA and Secretaries of Civilian Ministries attended these meetings. Kerala Chief Secretary participated in these discussions through video conference. Following the decisions taken during these meetings, the Centre launched massive rescue and relief operations. In one of the largest rescue operations, 40 helicopters, 31 aircraft, 182 teams for rescue, 18 medical teams of defence forces, 58 teams of NDRF, 7 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were pressed into service along with over 500 boats and necessary rescue equipments. They successfully saved over 60,000 human lives by rescuing them from marooned areas and shifting them to relief camps, the statement said. Defence aircraft and helicopters have made 1,084 sorties of duration 1,168 flying hours and airlifted 1,286 tonne of load and carried 3,332 rescuers. In addition, a number of Navy and Coast Guard ships were pressed into service to carry relief material to Kerala. The search and rescue operations and mobilisation of resources alone would cost the central government hundreds of crore of rupees. The statement said after floods and landslides in Kerala last month, an interim memorandum was submitted by the state government on July 21 and immediately an inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) was constituted, which visited the state on August 7-12 for on-the-spot assessment of the damages. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had visited Kerala on July 21 followed by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh on August 12. Since there was a second spell of floods in the state, the state government has stated that they will submit an additional memorandum on the fresh damages caused by the floods and landslides once rescue efforts are over. Since submission of additional memorandum by the state government will take time, with a view to assist the state in meeting relief and rescue expenditure, the central government has released Rs 600 crore in advance pending assessment by IMCT and decision of a high level committee. This is in addition to Rs 562.45 crore already made available in State Disaster Relief Fund of the state. In addition to the financial support, the Centre has made available large quantities of emergency food, water, medicines and other essential supplies, including additional allocation of foodgrains, as requested by the state. Financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by notified guidelines on State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). State Disaster Response Fund has been constituted in each state in which the Centre contributes 75 per cent for general category states and 90 per cent for special category states of hilly regions every year as per the award of the successive Finance Commissions. As per the guidelines, the central government provides its allocation to SDRF of each state in advance in two installments. In case of any natural calamity, State meets the expenditure of relief and rescue from the SDRF already available at its disposal. In case of any natural calamity beyond the coping capacity of a state, the state government submits a detailed memorandum indicating the sector-wise details of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations of immediate nature. On receipt of a memorandum, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is deputed by the Central Government for on-the-spot assessment of damages and additional requirement of funds. The report of IMCT is considered by the Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Union Home Secretary in conformity with the norms and then by a High Level Committee (HLC), chaired by the Home Minister for approving the quantum of additional assistance from the NDRF, the statement said.

Centre to give more funds to Kerala; Rs 600 crore only advance assistance

While declining to pass any order on the conversion of Tata Sons into a private company from a public limited firm, NCLAT today asked Tata Sons not to force Cyrus Mistry to sell his shares in the company till his appeal is pending.&nbsp

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) said that pending the litigation here, the Cyrus Mistry camp which was seeking a status quo over it cannot be “forced to sell shares”.

The bench said it would decide over the issue of conversion of Tata Sons to a private company at later stage during the pendency of appeal. A two-member bench headed by its Chairperson Justice S J Mukhopadhaya admitted Mistry’s appeal and directed Tata Sons and other respondents to file their reply within 10 days.

NCLAT has listed the matter on September 24 for next hearing. On August 14, NCLAT had reserved order over the interim relief sought by Cyrus Mistry camp. Mistry had challenged the orders of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) which had dismissed his plea challenging his removal as chairman of the company.

In September last year, Tata Sons had received shareholders’ nod to convert itself into a private limited company from being a public limited company, limiting in effect Cyrus Mistry family’s ability to sell their stake to outsiders. A public limited company allows shareholders to legally sell their stake to anyone, but a shareholder of a private limited firm cannot sell the shares to external investors.

The Mistry camp had challenged the July 9 order of the Mumbai bench of the NCLT which dismissed their pleas against his removal as Tata Sons chairman, as also the allegations of rampant misconduct on part of Ratan Tata and the company’s Board.

A special bench of the tribunal had held that the board of directors at Tata Sons was “competent” to remove the executive chairperson of the company. NCLT bench members B S V Prakash Kumar and V Nallasenapathy had also said that Mistry was ousted as chairman because the Tata Sons’ Board and its majority shareholders had “lost confidence in him”.

Under the Companies Act 2013, an order of NCLT can be challenged before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). Mistry, who was the sixth chairman of Tata Sons, was ousted from the position in October 2016. He had taken over as the chairman in 2012 after Ratan Tata announced his retirement.

Two months after his removal, Mistry’s family-run firms Cyrus Investments Pvt Ltd and Sterling Investments Corp approached the NCLT as minority shareholders, against Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, and some other board members. Mistry in his pleas primarily argued that his removal was not in accordance with the Companies Act and that there was rampant mismanagement of affairs across Tata Sons.

He also alleged that Tata Trust chairperson Ratan Tata and trustee N Soonawala interfered with the day-to-day operations of the group companies, they acted as shadow directors, and all of the above caused massive revenue loss for the group.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Friday declined to stay the conversion of Tata Sons into a private company.

While declining to pass any order on the conversion of Tata Sons into a private company from a public limited firm, NCLAT today asked Tata Sons not to force Cyrus Mistry to sell his shares in the company till his appeal is pending. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) said that pending the litigation here, the Cyrus Mistry camp which was seeking a status quo over it cannot be “forced to sell shares”. The bench said it would decide over the issue of conversion of Tata Sons to a private company at later stage during the pendency of appeal. A two-member bench headed by its Chairperson Justice S J Mukhopadhaya admitted Mistry’s appeal and directed Tata Sons and other respondents to file their reply within 10 days. NCLAT has listed the matter on September 24 for next hearing. On August 14, NCLAT had reserved order over the interim relief sought by Cyrus Mistry camp. Mistry had challenged the orders of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) which had dismissed his plea challenging his removal as chairman of the company. In September last year, Tata Sons had received shareholders’ nod to convert itself into a private limited company from being a public limited company, limiting in effect Cyrus Mistry family’s ability to sell their stake to outsiders. A public limited company allows shareholders to legally sell their stake to anyone, but a shareholder of a private limited firm cannot sell the shares to external investors. The Mistry camp had challenged the July 9 order of the Mumbai bench of the NCLT which dismissed their pleas against his removal as Tata Sons chairman, as also the allegations of rampant misconduct on part of Ratan Tata and the company’s Board. A special bench of the tribunal had held that the board of directors at Tata Sons was “competent” to remove the executive chairperson of the company. NCLT bench members B S V Prakash Kumar and V Nallasenapathy had also said that Mistry was ousted as chairman because the Tata Sons’ Board and its majority shareholders had “lost confidence in him”. Under the Companies Act 2013, an order of NCLT can be challenged before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). Mistry, who was the sixth chairman of Tata Sons, was ousted from the position in October 2016. He had taken over as the chairman in 2012 after Ratan Tata announced his retirement. Two months after his removal, Mistry’s family-run firms Cyrus Investments Pvt Ltd and Sterling Investments Corp approached the NCLT as minority shareholders, against Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, and some other board members. Mistry in his pleas primarily argued that his removal was not in accordance with the Companies Act and that there was rampant mismanagement of affairs across Tata Sons. He also alleged that Tata Trust chairperson Ratan Tata and trustee N Soonawala interfered with the day-to-day operations of the group companies, they acted as shadow directors, and all of the above caused massive revenue loss for the group.

NCLAT declines stay on converting Tata Sons into private company; says Cyrus Mistry can’t be forced to sell stake

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Anantnag region of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

Security forces received information regarding three militants were hiding in Kokernag area of Anantnag district upon which the area was cordoned off.

The combing operation turned into a gunbattle after the firing upon a search party of the forces who retaliated.&nbsp;

"As the cordon was tightened, the militants fired at the security forces triggering the ongoing gunfight," police sources said.

The terrorists had opened fire at a patrol party of the security forces.

A soldier said the encounter began early in the morning and security forces were trying to flush out one more militant after gunning down two.

Some arms and ammunition have been recovered from the encounter site at Garol in Kokernag, a police official said.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain ultra is yet to be ascertained.

The encounter comes days after militants shot dead three policemen in three different locations in the strife-torn province.

(With inputs from agencies)

"As the cordon was tightened, the militants fired at the security forces triggering the ongoing gunfight," police sources said.

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Anantnag region of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. Security forces received information regarding three militants were hiding in Kokernag area of Anantnag district upon which the area was cordoned off. The combing operation turned into a gunbattle after the firing upon a search party of the forces who retaliated. "As the cordon was tightened, the militants fired at the security forces triggering the ongoing gunfight," police sources said. The terrorists had opened fire at a patrol party of the security forces. A soldier said the encounter began early in the morning and security forces were trying to flush out one more militant after gunning down two. Some arms and ammunition have been recovered from the encounter site at Garol in Kokernag, a police official said. The identity and group affiliation of the slain ultra is yet to be ascertained. The encounter comes days after militants shot dead three policemen in three different locations in the strife-torn province. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: Two terrorists killed in encounter in J&K's Anantnag

At least two militants were killed in an ongoing encounter between security forces and militants in Anantnag region of Kashmir on Friday.

Two militants killed in ongoing encounter in Kashmir

By Daniel Parsons and Christopher Skinner

The Indian state of Kerala has been devastated by severe floods. More than 350 people have died, while more than a million have been evacuated to&nbsprelief camps. Tens of thousands remain stranded.

The crisis is a timely reminder that climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of severe flooding across the world. Although no single flood can be linked directly to climate change, basic physics attests to the fact that a warmer world and atmosphere will hold more water, which will result in more intense and extreme rainfall.

The monsoon season usually brings heavy rains but this year Kerala has seen 42 per cent&nbspmore rain than would be expected, with more than 2,300mm of rain across the region since the beginning of June, and over 700mm in August alone.

These are similar levels seen during Hurricane Harvey, that hit Houston in August 2017, when more than 1,500mm of rain fell during one storm. Tropical cyclones and hurricanes, such as Harvey, are expected to increase in strength by up to 10 per cent&nbspwith a 2℃ rise in global temperature. Under climate change the probability of such extreme rainfall is also predicted to grow by up to sixfold towards the end of the century. The rivers and drainage systems of Kerala have been unable to cope with such large volumes of water and this has resulted in flash flooding.

Much of that water would normally be slowed down by trees or other natural obstacles. Yet over the past 40 years Kerala has lost nearly half its forest cover, an area of 9,000 km², just under the size of Greater London, while the state’s urban areas keep growing. This means that less rainfall is being intercepted, and more water is rapidly running into overflowing streams and rivers.

One of the most striking things from the videos and images emerging from the area is the brown colour of the flood waters and the extreme damage caused by landslides. Our recent research has shown that geomorphology – the processes of erosion and deposition that shape the Earth’s surface – is sensitive to rainfall intensity, so more frequent and more extreme floods mean more rapid changes across our landscapes.

How ‘extreme’ are the Kerala floods?

The floods have been described as “the worst in 100 years” by Kerala state’s chief minister. Similar descriptions are often used to try and define the magnitudes of a flood, such as a “one-in-100 year flood event”, despite it being widely recognised that such descriptions are ineffective for communicating flood risk. Our ways of thinking about probability and the risk of flooding, as well as measuring its magnitude, are in desperate need of updating. The 100-year flood, the flood that has a 1 per cent chance of occurring in any given year, does not register in public consciousness.

A different way of thinking about it is that a 100-year flood at a given location has close to a one in four chance of occurring within the term of a 25-year mortgage. A 25 per cent&nbspchance your house will flood before you’ve finished paying for it is far more relatable and more likely to get people to consider and engage with their own individual risk.

Likewise, governments, both regional and national, along with agencies and first responders, need to develop improved flood maps and update them to incorporate uncertainty. Alongside this, we need more effective communication and public engagement to develop flood risk literacy – long term this will help improve policy decisions. The UK’s 25-year environment plan is a step in that direction.

Most critically we have to accept that, with the changing climate and changing patterns of rainfall, the behaviour of rivers will also shift. All our assessments of flood risk currently assume a static, steady-state system where rivers respond in the same way they have in the past. An increase in rainfall, and in particularly extreme events, will cause our landscapes to adjust. Rivers and their basins will become more dynamic and prone to change.

How quickly rivers change, and how quickly we respond with urban drainage and flood mitigation measures, will play a significant role in our evolving flood risk. Layered on this will be how rapidly societies, and their governments, begin to adopt more resilient ways of living with water.

Flooding is a challenge across individual, local, regional and global scales, and is set to increase in the future and its impacts will become more damaging. We need solutions across each of these scales to improve individual and societal resilience – so when flooding does occur it isn’t the disaster we are currently witnessing unfold in Kerala.

(Daniel Parsons is Professor of Process Sedimentology and Associate Dean for Research, University of Hull Christopher Skinner is Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Numerical Modelling of Fluvial Geomorphology, University of Hull)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/kerala-shows-the-risk-of-severe-floods-is-still-evolving-101880">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp

The crisis is a timely reminder that climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of severe flooding across the world.

By Daniel Parsons and Christopher Skinner The Indian state of Kerala has been devastated by severe floods. More than 350 people have died, while more than a million have been evacuated to&nbsprelief camps. Tens of thousands remain stranded. The crisis is a timely reminder that climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of severe flooding across the world. Although no single flood can be linked directly to climate change, basic physics attests to the fact that a warmer world and atmosphere will hold more water, which will result in more intense and extreme rainfall. The monsoon season usually brings heavy rains but this year Kerala has seen 42 per cent&nbspmore rain than would be expected, with more than 2,300mm of rain across the region since the beginning of June, and over 700mm in August alone. These are similar levels seen during Hurricane Harvey, that hit Houston in August 2017, when more than 1,500mm of rain fell during one storm. Tropical cyclones and hurricanes, such as Harvey, are expected to increase in strength by up to 10 per cent&nbspwith a 2℃ rise in global temperature. Under climate change the probability of such extreme rainfall is also predicted to grow by up to sixfold towards the end of the century. The rivers and drainage systems of Kerala have been unable to cope with such large volumes of water and this has resulted in flash flooding. Much of that water would normally be slowed down by trees or other natural obstacles. Yet over the past 40 years Kerala has lost nearly half its forest cover, an area of 9,000 km², just under the size of Greater London, while the state’s urban areas keep growing. This means that less rainfall is being intercepted, and more water is rapidly running into overflowing streams and rivers. One of the most striking things from the videos and images emerging from the area is the brown colour of the flood waters and the extreme damage caused by landslides. Our recent research has shown that geomorphology – the processes of erosion and deposition that shape the Earth’s surface – is sensitive to rainfall intensity, so more frequent and more extreme floods mean more rapid changes across our landscapes. How ‘extreme’ are the Kerala floods? The floods have been described as “the worst in 100 years” by Kerala state’s chief minister. Similar descriptions are often used to try and define the magnitudes of a flood, such as a “one-in-100 year flood event”, despite it being widely recognised that such descriptions are ineffective for communicating flood risk. Our ways of thinking about probability and the risk of flooding, as well as measuring its magnitude, are in desperate need of updating. The 100-year flood, the flood that has a 1 per cent chance of occurring in any given year, does not register in public consciousness. A different way of thinking about it is that a 100-year flood at a given location has close to a one in four chance of occurring within the term of a 25-year mortgage. A 25 per cent&nbspchance your house will flood before you’ve finished paying for it is far more relatable and more likely to get people to consider and engage with their own individual risk. Likewise, governments, both regional and national, along with agencies and first responders, need to develop improved flood maps and update them to incorporate uncertainty. Alongside this, we need more effective communication and public engagement to develop flood risk literacy – long term this will help improve policy decisions. The UK’s 25-year environment plan is a step in that direction. Most critically we have to accept that, with the changing climate and changing patterns of rainfall, the behaviour of rivers will also shift. All our assessments of flood risk currently assume a static, steady-state system where rivers respond in the same way they have in the past. An increase in rainfall, and in particularly extreme events, will cause our landscapes to adjust. Rivers and their basins will become more dynamic and prone to change. How quickly rivers change, and how quickly we respond with urban drainage and flood mitigation measures, will play a significant role in our evolving flood risk. Layered on this will be how rapidly societies, and their governments, begin to adopt more resilient ways of living with water. Flooding is a challenge across individual, local, regional and global scales, and is set to increase in the future and its impacts will become more damaging. We need solutions across each of these scales to improve individual and societal resilience – so when flooding does occur it isn’t the disaster we are currently witnessing unfold in Kerala. (Daniel Parsons is Professor of Process Sedimentology and Associate Dean for Research, University of Hull Christopher Skinner is Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Numerical Modelling of Fluvial Geomorphology, University of Hull) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Kerala shows the risk of severe floods is still evolving

In a relief for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Supreme Court today ruled that there will be no re-election in the local body seats that were won by Trinamool Congress uncontested in May this year.&nbsp;

The apex court said that whoever was aggrieved with the election results can file their petitions before the concerned court within 30 days.

The Trinamool Congress had won over 20,000 uncontested posts in the West Bengal Panchayat polls held in May this year.

Out of 58,692 posts in Gram Panchayats, Zilla Parishads Panchayat Samitis, 20,159 were uncontested.

The West Bengal had been hit by violence during the panchayat polls, with opposition parties, particularly BJP alleging the TMC of using terror tactics to win the elections.

In a big relief for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, the Supreme Court on Friday said there will be no re-election in local body seats that went uncontested in panchayat polls in May.

In a relief for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Supreme Court today ruled that there will be no re-election in the local body seats that were won by Trinamool Congress uncontested in May this year. The apex court said that whoever was aggrieved with the election results can file their petitions before the concerned court within 30 days. The Trinamool Congress had won over 20,000 uncontested posts in the West Bengal Panchayat polls held in May this year. Out of 58,692 posts in Gram Panchayats, Zilla Parishads Panchayat Samitis, 20,159 were uncontested. The West Bengal had been hit by violence during the panchayat polls, with opposition parties, particularly BJP alleging the TMC of using terror tactics to win the elections.

Bengal panchayat polls: Relief for Mamata Banerjee, Supreme Court says no re-election in uncontested seats

Once-a-century rains that have pounded the Indian state of Kerala and displaced 1.3 million people are in line with the predictions of climate scientists, who warn that worse is to come if global warming continues unabated.

The monsoon rains upon which farmers in the southwestern state depend for their food and livelihoods dumped two-and-a-half times the normal amount of water across the state last week, according to Indian meteorologists.

It is difficult to attribute any single extreme weather event -- such as the Kerala flooding -- to climate change, said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pashan, near Mumbai. &nbsp;

At the same time, "our recent research shows a three-fold increase in widespread extreme rains during 1950-2017, leading to large-scale flooding," he told.

Across India, flooding caused by heavy monsoons rainfall claimed 69,000 lives and left 17 million people without homes over the same period, according to a study he co-authored, published last year in Nature Communications.&nbsp;

In Kerala, all 35 of the state's major reservoirs were brimming with rainwater by August 10, forcing local authorities to open the sluice gates on the Idukki Dam for the first time in 26 years.

"These floods that we are seeing in Kerala right now are basically in line with climate projections," said Kira Vinke, a scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

"If we continue with current levels of emissions -- which is not unlikely -- we will have unmanageable risks," she told AFP.&nbsp;

The weather patterns behind these destructive downpours are well understood, even if the fingerprint of global warming is still hard to distinguish from what scientists call "natural variability".

Rapid warming in the Arabian Sea and nearby landmass causes monsoon winds to fluctuate and intensify for short spans of three-to-four days, Koll explained.

During those periods, moisture from the Arabian Sea is dumped inland. &nbsp;

South Asia's 'hotspots' 

"Over the last decade, due to climate change, the overheating of landmass leads to the intensification of monsoon rainfalls in central and southern India," said monsoon expert Elena Surovyatkina, a professor at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a senior scientist at PIK.&nbsp;

The changes observed so far have occurred after an increase in Earth's average surface temperature of only one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

On current trends, India's average annual temperatures are set to rise 1.5 C to 3 C compared to that benchmark by mid-century, according to a World Bank report entitled "South Asia's Hotspots".

"If no corrective measures are taken, changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures will cost India 2.8 per cent of its GDP and will drag down living standards of half its population by 2050," the World Bank said in a statement.&nbsp;

The 196-nation Paris climate treaty calls for capping global warming at "well below" 2 C (3.6 F), and 1.5 C if possible.&nbsp;

But voluntary national pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even if respected, would still see temperatures rise at least 3 C.&nbsp;

Flooding is not the only problem India's burgeoning -- and highly vulnerable -- population will face as a consequence of global warming.

"What we will see with climate change in India is that the wet season is going to be wetter and the dry season drier," said Vinki.&nbsp;

"Already we are observing that the monsoon is becoming harder to predict with traditional methods."

If manmade carbon emissions continue unabated, some regions in northeast India could literally become unlivable by the end of the century due to a deadly combination of heat and humidity during heatwaves, recent research has projected.

Indeed, large swathes of South Asia, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin, could approach the threshold for survivability outdoors.

Coastal cities, meanwhile, are especially vulnerable to sea level rise, driven by melting ice sheets and expanding ocean water, on the one hand, and subsidence due to over-development and the depletion of water tables, on the other.

"If no corrective measures are taken, changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures will cost India 2.8 per cent of its GDP and will drag down living standards of half its population by 2050," the World Bank said in a statement.

Once-a-century rains that have pounded the Indian state of Kerala and displaced 1.3 million people are in line with the predictions of climate scientists, who warn that worse is to come if global warming continues unabated. The monsoon rains upon which farmers in the southwestern state depend for their food and livelihoods dumped two-and-a-half times the normal amount of water across the state last week, according to Indian meteorologists. It is difficult to attribute any single extreme weather event -- such as the Kerala flooding -- to climate change, said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pashan, near Mumbai. At the same time, "our recent research shows a three-fold increase in widespread extreme rains during 1950-2017, leading to large-scale flooding," he told. Across India, flooding caused by heavy monsoons rainfall claimed 69,000 lives and left 17 million people without homes over the same period, according to a study he co-authored, published last year in Nature Communications. In Kerala, all 35 of the state's major reservoirs were brimming with rainwater by August 10, forcing local authorities to open the sluice gates on the Idukki Dam for the first time in 26 years. "These floods that we are seeing in Kerala right now are basically in line with climate projections," said Kira Vinke, a scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. "If we continue with current levels of emissions -- which is not unlikely -- we will have unmanageable risks," she told AFP. The weather patterns behind these destructive downpours are well understood, even if the fingerprint of global warming is still hard to distinguish from what scientists call "natural variability". Rapid warming in the Arabian Sea and nearby landmass causes monsoon winds to fluctuate and intensify for short spans of three-to-four days, Koll explained. During those periods, moisture from the Arabian Sea is dumped inland. South Asia's 'hotspots' "Over the last decade, due to climate change, the overheating of landmass leads to the intensification of monsoon rainfalls in central and southern India," said monsoon expert Elena Surovyatkina, a professor at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a senior scientist at PIK. The changes observed so far have occurred after an increase in Earth's average surface temperature of only one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. On current trends, India's average annual temperatures are set to rise 1.5 C to 3 C compared to that benchmark by mid-century, according to a World Bank report entitled "South Asia's Hotspots". "If no corrective measures are taken, changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures will cost India 2.8 per cent of its GDP and will drag down living standards of half its population by 2050," the World Bank said in a statement. The 196-nation Paris climate treaty calls for capping global warming at "well below" 2 C (3.6 F), and 1.5 C if possible. But voluntary national pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even if respected, would still see temperatures rise at least 3 C. Flooding is not the only problem India's burgeoning -- and highly vulnerable -- population will face as a consequence of global warming. "What we will see with climate change in India is that the wet season is going to be wetter and the dry season drier," said Vinki. "Already we are observing that the monsoon is becoming harder to predict with traditional methods." If manmade carbon emissions continue unabated, some regions in northeast India could literally become unlivable by the end of the century due to a deadly combination of heat and humidity during heatwaves, recent research has projected. Indeed, large swathes of South Asia, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin, could approach the threshold for survivability outdoors. Coastal cities, meanwhile, are especially vulnerable to sea level rise, driven by melting ice sheets and expanding ocean water, on the one hand, and subsidence due to over-development and the depletion of water tables, on the other.

Once-a-century rains that pounded Kerala match climate change forecasts

Congress president and&nbsp;leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi said he would seek to shift the focus of India`s economic policy towards supporting small and medium-sized firms if he won power at an upcoming election.

The fourth-generation politician of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty spoke to reporters and academics in London, criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for concentrating economic support on big companies at the expense of job-creating smaller enterprises.

Speaking ahead of an election due early next year, Gandhi used a broad question and answer session covering foreign policy toward neighbours China and Pakistan and even Brexit, to sketch out his approach to Modi.

"Of course we have to support the large industries, but the focus has to shift to developing small and medium businesses," he said at the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

The centrist Congress party has been critical of the Modi government`s job creation record, and Gandhi said the solution to the unemployment problem was a shift away from what he called Modi`s focus on "large industrialists".&nbsp;

"You`re not going to get the jobs from there," Gandhi said.

"You are going to get jobs from small and medium businesses, you are going to get jobs from a transformation of agriculture, you are going to get jobs from construction, you are going to get from building housing."

He said the party could also consider "strategic plays" such as opening up the air travel sector like China has done.

Modi`s inability to generate tens of millions of jobs for the country`s youth - a promise which helped him secure the largest mandate in three decades in 2014 - would be the biggest threat to his bid for another term in the general election due by May, political analysts have said.

The government told parliament in July that creating jobs was a priority. The labour ministry said it was "encouraging" the private sector, fast-tracking various projects involving substantial investments, and increasing public spending on various state-run employment-generation programmes.

Opinion polls show Modi remains the front-runner to win another five-year term, but his Bharatiya Janata Party has suffered reverses in some local elections in the past few months that have energized the opposition.

Balancing role

On foreign policy, Gandhi said India was uniquely positioned to act as a balance between the West and China, defusing tensions that have emerged during Beijing`s ascent to economic superpower status.&nbsp;

"India can play a balancing role - India has some of the design elements, some of the ideas that can bring people together and build a bridge," he said.&nbsp;

"We specialise in reducing confrontations."

He was less optimistic about the prospect of renewing relations with neighbouring Pakistan after its new Prime Minister Imran Khan offered an olive branch to India by proposing talks to resolve a long-standing dispute over Kashmir.

"Pakistan ... is a number of institutions, so the difficulty from an Indian perspective is which institution do you talk to? Some of those institutions are hostile to India," Gandhi said.

"I don`t think you can pull a solution out before the solution is ready, and I don`t think that solution is ready."&nbsp;

Congress president spoke to reporters and academics in London

Congress president and leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi said he would seek to shift the focus of India`s economic policy towards supporting small and medium-sized firms if he won power at an upcoming election. The fourth-generation politician of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty spoke to reporters and academics in London, criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for concentrating economic support on big companies at the expense of job-creating smaller enterprises. Speaking ahead of an election due early next year, Gandhi used a broad question and answer session covering foreign policy toward neighbours China and Pakistan and even Brexit, to sketch out his approach to Modi. "Of course we have to support the large industries, but the focus has to shift to developing small and medium businesses," he said at the International Institute of Strategic Studies. The centrist Congress party has been critical of the Modi government`s job creation record, and Gandhi said the solution to the unemployment problem was a shift away from what he called Modi`s focus on "large industrialists". "You`re not going to get the jobs from there," Gandhi said. "You are going to get jobs from small and medium businesses, you are going to get jobs from a transformation of agriculture, you are going to get jobs from construction, you are going to get from building housing." He said the party could also consider "strategic plays" such as opening up the air travel sector like China has done. Modi`s inability to generate tens of millions of jobs for the country`s youth - a promise which helped him secure the largest mandate in three decades in 2014 - would be the biggest threat to his bid for another term in the general election due by May, political analysts have said. The government told parliament in July that creating jobs was a priority. The labour ministry said it was "encouraging" the private sector, fast-tracking various projects involving substantial investments, and increasing public spending on various state-run employment-generation programmes. Opinion polls show Modi remains the front-runner to win another five-year term, but his Bharatiya Janata Party has suffered reverses in some local elections in the past few months that have energized the opposition. Balancing role On foreign policy, Gandhi said India was uniquely positioned to act as a balance between the West and China, defusing tensions that have emerged during Beijing`s ascent to economic superpower status. "India can play a balancing role - India has some of the design elements, some of the ideas that can bring people together and build a bridge," he said. "We specialise in reducing confrontations." He was less optimistic about the prospect of renewing relations with neighbouring Pakistan after its new Prime Minister Imran Khan offered an olive branch to India by proposing talks to resolve a long-standing dispute over Kashmir. "Pakistan ... is a number of institutions, so the difficulty from an Indian perspective is which institution do you talk to? Some of those institutions are hostile to India," Gandhi said. "I don`t think you can pull a solution out before the solution is ready, and I don`t think that solution is ready."

Rahul Gandhi to support small and medium-sized firms if he wins

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