Because the world is increasingly becoming less-reliant on china be it for test kits, cures, for products, investments or land, China is slowly but steadily being replaced.

India is emerging to be the most sought-after replacement __ at least in some quarters as it&nbsp;has similar things to offer and unlike China, they come with a guarantee. India is now putting these sought-after assets to use starting with one of its most prized possessions __ land.

India is offering land to foreign investors who wish to reduce their reliance on China. The land&nbsp;had been one of the biggest obstacles for companies looking to invest in India. Not anymore.

India is developing a land pool nearly double the size of Luxembourg&nbsp; --&nbsp;a small European nation -- is spread across 2 lakh 43,000 hectares. India is offering land that can fit two Luxembourg. Over&nbsp;4,61,589 hectares land spread across India. This includes 115,131 hectares of existing industrial land in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh...

Several other relevant areas have been identified across the country. Most of it is unused land available in special economic zones. These are zones with power, water and road access. Areas that will easily attract new investments for the Indian economy.&nbsp;According to reports, 10 sectors have been hand-picked by the Indian government. They are: Electrical, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electronics, heavy engineering, solar&nbsp;equipment, food processing, chemicals and textiles.

These are sectors that will promote manufacturing in India.

Reports say that India has received inquiries from Japan, United States, South Korea and few others.&nbsp;They have expressed interest in relocating certain factories to India. The Centre is taking the state governments along and the states have been&nbsp;'urged' to evolve their own programs for bringing foreign investments. The Indian Prime Minister&nbsp;already chaired a meeting to discuss steps to fast-track strategies and woo investors.

Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India is already in touch with companies from Japan and South Korea while Uttar Pradesh is developing an online system for land allotment. The world has begun financial distancing from China while India is turning out to be a hotspot for new investments.

China's loss could be India's gain.

Because the world is increasingly becoming less-reliant on china be it for test kits, cures, for products, investments or land, China is slowly but steadily being replaced.

Because the world is increasingly becoming less-reliant on china be it for test kits, cures, for products, investments or land, China is slowly but steadily being replaced. India is emerging to be the most sought-after replacement __ at least in some quarters as it has similar things to offer and unlike China, they come with a guarantee. India is now putting these sought-after assets to use starting with one of its most prized possessions __ land. India is offering land to foreign investors who wish to reduce their reliance on China. The land had been one of the biggest obstacles for companies looking to invest in India. Not anymore. India is developing a land pool nearly double the size of Luxembourg -- a small European nation -- is spread across 2 lakh 43,000 hectares. India is offering land that can fit two Luxembourg. Over 4,61,589 hectares land spread across India. This includes 115,131 hectares of existing industrial land in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh... Several other relevant areas have been identified across the country. Most of it is unused land available in special economic zones. These are zones with power, water and road access. Areas that will easily attract new investments for the Indian economy. According to reports, 10 sectors have been hand-picked by the Indian government. They are: Electrical, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electronics, heavy engineering, solar equipment, food processing, chemicals and textiles. These are sectors that will promote manufacturing in India. Reports say that India has received inquiries from Japan, United States, South Korea and few others. They have expressed interest in relocating certain factories to India. The Centre is taking the state governments along and the states have been 'urged' to evolve their own programs for bringing foreign investments. The Indian Prime Minister already chaired a meeting to discuss steps to fast-track strategies and woo investors. Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India is already in touch with companies from Japan and South Korea while Uttar Pradesh is developing an online system for land allotment. The world has begun financial distancing from China while India is turning out to be a hotspot for new investments. China's loss could be India's gain.

India offers land to foreign investors who wish to reduce their reliance on China

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Saturday announced in the Legislative Council that the state government will organize a two-day special Assembly session to pass a law pertaining to women safety on the lines of the 'Disha Act' of Andhra Pradesh.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/andhra-pradesh-dgp-welcomes-new-ap-disha-act-passed-by-state-assembly-268311">Andhra Pradesh DGP welcomes new AP Disha Act passed by State Assembly</a>

The minister while addressing the state Assembly on February 28 had stated that under the proposed law, the whole trial of rape cases will be completed in 21 days and there would be provision for stricter punishment including the death penalty.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/andhra-assembly-passes-disha-bill-to-provide-stricter-rape-offences-268114">Andhra Assembly passes Disha Bill to provide stricter rape offences</a>

The Disha Act 2019, allows stringent punishment for crimes committed against women and enables the death penalty for rape and reduces the judgment period in such cases to 21 working days.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Saturday announced in the Legislative Council that the state government will organize a two-day special Assembly session to pass a law pertaining to women safety on the lines of the 'Disha Act' of Andhra Pradesh.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Saturday announced in the Legislative Council that the state government will organize a two-day special Assembly session to pass a law pertaining to women safety on the lines of the 'Disha Act' of Andhra Pradesh. Also read: Andhra Pradesh DGP welcomes new AP Disha Act passed by State Assembly The minister while addressing the state Assembly on February 28 had stated that under the proposed law, the whole trial of rape cases will be completed in 21 days and there would be provision for stricter punishment including the death penalty. Also see: Andhra Assembly passes Disha Bill to provide stricter rape offences The Disha Act 2019, allows stringent punishment for crimes committed against women and enables the death penalty for rape and reduces the judgment period in such cases to 21 working days.

Maharashtra to organise two-day special Assembly session to pass law on women safety

Expressing concern over the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to officials to take preventive measure and provide assistance.&nbsp;

Cyclone Fani, that has been gaining strength in the south-east Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, the weather department said on Sunday.&nbsp;

It is likely to bring light to moderate rain across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh over the next two days.

"Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with Governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and wellbeing," Modi tweeted.&nbsp;

Expressing concern over the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to officials to take preventive measure and provide assistance.

Expressing concern over the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to officials to take preventive measure and provide assistance. Cyclone Fani, that has been gaining strength in the south-east Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, the weather department said on Sunday. It is likely to bring light to moderate rain across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh over the next two days. "Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with Governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and wellbeing," Modi tweeted.

Cyclone Fani: PM asks officials to take preventive measures

An 18-year-old from Manipur became the latest cricketer to accomplish the rare feat of taking 10 wickets in an innings.

Identified as Rex Rajkumar Singh, a left-arm medium pacer, took a remarkable 10/11 in India’s four-day tournament for under-19 players, the Cooch Behar Trophy.&nbsp;

With figures 9.5-6-11-10, six of his 9.5 overs were maidens and found himself on a hat-trick thrice.&nbsp;

Rajkumar bowled five batsmen, two of his wickets were lbw, two caught behind and one caught by another player.&nbsp;

His efforts helped Manipur bowl Arunachal Pradesh out for a paltry 36 in their second innings at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur on Tuesday, 12 December.

Manipur, who had posted 122 in their first innings in response to the opposition's 138, got the 55 runs they needed in 7.5 overs to complete an easy 10-wicket win.

Singh, who had made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy this season, finished with 15 wickets in the match, having taken 5/33 the first time.

An 18-year-old from Manipur became the latest cricketer to accomplish the rare feat of taking 10 wickets in an innings. Identified as Rex Rajkumar Singh, a left-arm medium pacer, took a remarkable 10/11 in India’s four-day tournament for under-19 players, the Cooch Behar Trophy.

An 18-year-old from Manipur became the latest cricketer to accomplish the rare feat of taking 10 wickets in an innings. Identified as Rex Rajkumar Singh, a left-arm medium pacer, took a remarkable 10/11 in India’s four-day tournament for under-19 players, the Cooch Behar Trophy. With figures 9.5-6-11-10, six of his 9.5 overs were maidens and found himself on a hat-trick thrice. Rajkumar bowled five batsmen, two of his wickets were lbw, two caught behind and one caught by another player. His efforts helped Manipur bowl Arunachal Pradesh out for a paltry 36 in their second innings at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur on Tuesday, 12 December. Manipur, who had posted 122 in their first innings in response to the opposition's 138, got the 55 runs they needed in 7.5 overs to complete an easy 10-wicket win. Singh, who had made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy this season, finished with 15 wickets in the match, having taken 5/33 the first time.

Manipur's 18-year-old Rajkumar Singh picks 10 wickets for 11 runs in an inning

Hours after the news that Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn 'general consent' accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to exercise its authority in the state broke out, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her AP counterpart has done the right thing.

''Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has done the right thing in saying that he won't allow Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in his state,'' Banerjee was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

A 'confidential' government order to this effect, issued by Principal Secretary (Home) A R Anuradha on November 8, was "leaked" late Thursday night.

Banerjee said that BJP is history changer, name changer, note changer, institution changer but not a game changer.&nbsp;

''The country is in danger. BJP project as if they have given birth to the nation but they were nowhere during independence,'' she said.&nbsp;

The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. 
Ever since he snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, Naidu had been alleging that the centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.

The recent raids by Income Tax authorities on some business establishments, run by those close to the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state, have left Naidu red-faced.

Subsequently, he announced that his government would not provide police cover to the IT officials for conducting the raids.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Hours after the news that Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn 'general consent' accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to exercise its authority in the state broke out, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her AP counterpart has done the right thing.

Hours after the news that Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn 'general consent' accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to exercise its authority in the state broke out, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her AP counterpart has done the right thing. ''Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has done the right thing in saying that he won't allow Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in his state,'' Banerjee was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. A 'confidential' government order to this effect, issued by Principal Secretary (Home) A R Anuradha on November 8, was "leaked" late Thursday night. Banerjee said that BJP is history changer, name changer, note changer, institution changer but not a game changer. ''The country is in danger. BJP project as if they have given birth to the nation but they were nowhere during independence,'' she said. The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. Ever since he snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, Naidu had been alleging that the centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents. The recent raids by Income Tax authorities on some business establishments, run by those close to the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state, have left Naidu red-faced. Subsequently, he announced that his government would not provide police cover to the IT officials for conducting the raids.

Andhra CM has done the right thing by blocking CBI in his state: Mamata Banerjee

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy of colluding with the BJP to target him.

Telangana`s acting Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday called Naidu a "thief and betrayer".&nbsp;

Naidu was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of a facility by Xiaomi and Dixon Technologies to manufacture Mi LED TVs in this temple town.

Refusing to be drawn into a personal attack, Naidu said he speaks on ideologies and policies and would not resort to personal attacks.

With KCR also targeting Naidu for TDP`s alliance with the Congress in Telangana, Naidu said the party took the step due to political compulsions. The TDP president, however, ruled out a similar arrangement with the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, saying the latter does not have much presence in the state.

Indirectly defending the alliance with the Congress in Telangana, Naidu recalled that the United Front, of which he was the Convener, had taken the Congress party`s outside support to form the government at the Centre.

Naidu alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hatched a conspiracy to target him and the TDP. He also accused Modi of using central agencies against him

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy of colluding with the BJP to target him.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy of colluding with the BJP to target him. Telangana`s acting Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday called Naidu a "thief and betrayer". Naidu was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of a facility by Xiaomi and Dixon Technologies to manufacture Mi LED TVs in this temple town. Refusing to be drawn into a personal attack, Naidu said he speaks on ideologies and policies and would not resort to personal attacks. With KCR also targeting Naidu for TDP`s alliance with the Congress in Telangana, Naidu said the party took the step due to political compulsions. The TDP president, however, ruled out a similar arrangement with the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, saying the latter does not have much presence in the state. Indirectly defending the alliance with the Congress in Telangana, Naidu recalled that the United Front, of which he was the Convener, had taken the Congress party`s outside support to form the government at the Centre. Naidu alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hatched a conspiracy to target him and the TDP. He also accused Modi of using central agencies against him

KCR colluded with BJP to target me, says Chandrababu Naidu

A new garland adorns Dr Ambedkar&rsquo;s statue in Anantapur nearly every day. At around 8:30 a.m., A. Subhan, a flower seller, climbs up the steps to the gold-painted statue with a garland of red roses or lilies woven by his family. Either Subhan or his 17-year-old nephew Bablu make sure this is done regularly.

The ritual started around 2010, after an old statue of Dr Ambedkar, apparently in the way of traffic, was demolished and the present one came up. The statue is located around a kilometre south of the clock tower in the central part of Anantapur town in Andhra Pradesh, within walking distance of Subhan&rsquo;s flower stall.&nbsp;

Other statues close by are rather less fortunate. The first after the clock tower, on the same stretch of road, is of Indira Gandhi. It is covered in jute cloth now but has seen better days when the Congress was in power in Andhra Pradesh (from 2004 to 2014). In 2013, an earlier version of the statue was smashed and burned down by protesters opposing the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana. A new statue was later installed, but it continues to be shrouded. A statue of Rajiv Gandhi on this stretch is also covered. Perhaps these reflect the Congress party&rsquo;s subdued fortunes in the state.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/02-ambedkar-5-rm-the_garland_on_anantapurs_am.width-1440-20171025071936.jpg" />
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The numerous statues of historical figures and politicians in Anantapur town seem to be forgotten after commemorative events, but Dr Ambedkar is remembered every day (Others)
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Several other statues stand on that road &ndash; Potti Sreeramulu (who died in 1952 fasting for a separate Telugu state of Andhra Pradesh), Abdul Kalam Azad, Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Kanshi Ram and Mother Teresa. Occasionally, these too are garlanded. But their flowers soon start decaying, and the leaders seem to be forgotten after commemorative events.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/03-ambedkar-10-rm-the_garland_on_anantapur.max-1400x1120-20171025072019.jpg" />
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Subhan, whose flower shop is not far from the statue, says, &#39;We do it because we admire Ambedkar&#39; (Others)
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Babasaheb Ambedkar&rsquo;s statue though is remembered every day. A. Mallesh, a cashier at an Andhra Bank branch near the clock tower, pays Subhan at the beginning of every month for the garlands. &ldquo;He pays me 1,000 rupees,&rdquo; 36-year-old Subhan, a Muslim, says. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t make any profit, but we do it because we admire Ambedkar.&rdquo; A garland in Subhan&rsquo;s shop costs Rs. 60 to 130, depending on the flowers used.&nbsp;

Mallesh&rsquo;s reverence for Dr Ambedkar is rooted in his own experience of caste discrimination. &ldquo;There was no food, no water, no oil for the head, no books to read, no slate to write on [in my village],&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Now the god has provided us with everything &ndash; god meaning Ambedkar.&rdquo; Mallesh is a Madiga Dalit from Atmakur village of Anantapur district. &ldquo;In our village, there was only one well for drinking water,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;We were only allowed to take water when the [land-owning] farmers came to draw water. Otherwise, there was no water. Madigas couldn&rsquo;t touch [the well].&rdquo;

At school in Anantapur town, Mallesh and other children from Dalit and tribal communities had to sit in a corner of the classroom, while the upper caste students sat in the front. &ldquo;We had to carry mud from outside [and spread it on the floor] for writing. We didn&rsquo;t have slates,&rdquo; he remembers. &ldquo;If someone said &lsquo;Hey Madiga! Take the mud out&rsquo; we had to throw it out.&rdquo; &nbsp;The teacher too often insulted the Dalits by referring to their caste and would beat them with palm canes.&nbsp;

Mallesh, now 59, had to drop out of the school after Class 7 to support his mother when his father, an agricultural labourer, died. He worked as a helper at a government hostel in Anantapur and started applying for government jobs. In 1982, he found work as an attendant at Andhra Bank for a monthly salary of Rs. 500. By 1985, after an interview at the bank, he got a better-paid post as a clerical assistant.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/04-ambedkar-9crop-rm-the_garland_on_anantapu.max-700x560-20171025072106.jpg" />
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In 2010, while working as a clerical assistant at the bank, A. Mallesh decided &#39;just like that&#39; to garland Dr Ambedkar for as long as he could (Others)
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Mallesh has also worked in various Dalit unions and organisations and was until recently the zone-wide president of the SC &amp; ST Employees Welfare Association at his bank. He has participated in various protests against caste discrimination. Around 1995, he recalls, he went on a 10-kilometre march from Anantapur to Alamur with left parties and other activists to protest an instance of caste discrimination. Mallesh was also the president of Dandora, a Dalit group formed in the 1990s, but moved out of it by the 2000s due to political differences.

Around 1996, Mallesh prepared for and passed his Class 10 exams. Eventually, this helped him move up from his clerical assistant&rsquo;s post to his present job as a cashier in 2013 &ndash; which now pays him a salary many times more than his initial Rs. 500.&nbsp;

In 2010, while still a clerical assistant, Mallesh decided &ldquo;just like that&rdquo; to garland Dr Ambedkar for as long as he could. He remembers a small informal meeting of bank employees and others from Dalit communities, where they volunteered to pool donations for the garlands. But Mallesh didn&rsquo;t want to chase people for money every month, so he and M. Gopal, an attendant at another branch of Andhra Bank, decided to share the cost. Gopal stopped contributing last year and now only Mallesh pays for the garlands.

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While Subhan garlands the Ambedkar statue early every morning (left), the statue of Indira Gandhi (right) has for long remained wrapped in jute cloth (Others)
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Mallesh doesn&rsquo;t like reading or being lectured about Ambedkar. He says he learnt about Ambedkar by just living the life of a Dalit: &ldquo;I can imagine the kind of hardships he would have faced, based on the hardships I experienced. We can learn just by looking at what he has done for us. Isn&rsquo;t he the one who wrote our Constitution?&rdquo;

On weekends or festival days Mallesh sometimes garlands the statue himself. He is planning to petition the district administration to install a shade to protect it from sunlight, wind and bird droppings. &ldquo;First we will try to get it for Ambedkar,&quot; he says, &quot;then we will ask the same for Jagjivan Ram and then for Kanshi Ram.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Although the flowers on Dr &nbsp;Ambedkar&rsquo;s statue might not be noticed by many in Anantapur, the sweepers who clean the roads in the early mornings know about it. &ldquo;Someone, probably someone big, garlands the statue every day. I don&rsquo;t know who does it,&rdquo; says G. Ramalakshmi, a Dalit woman employed by the town&rsquo;s municipal corporation to clean the streets. As she says this, she touches her fingers to either side of her chin, in a gesture of devotion, &ldquo;When I see the statue with the garland I think that the god [Ambedkar] is doing well. We pray to him while coming to work every day.&rdquo;

This&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/the-garland-on-anantapurs-ambedkar-statue/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a>&nbsp;was originally published on 17/ 10/2017 on the&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">People&#39;s Archive of Rural India</a>.

Photo Credit: Rahul M.

?When I see the statue with the garland I think that the god [Ambedkar] is doing well. We pray to him while coming to work every day.?

A new garland adorns Dr Ambedkar’s statue in Anantapur nearly every day. At around 8:30 a.m., A. Subhan, a flower seller, climbs up the steps to the gold-painted statue with a garland of red roses or lilies woven by his family. Either Subhan or his 17-year-old nephew Bablu make sure this is done regularly. The ritual started around 2010, after an old statue of Dr Ambedkar, apparently in the way of traffic, was demolished and the present one came up. The statue is located around a kilometre south of the clock tower in the central part of Anantapur town in Andhra Pradesh, within walking distance of Subhan’s flower stall. Other statues close by are rather less fortunate. The first after the clock tower, on the same stretch of road, is of Indira Gandhi. It is covered in jute cloth now but has seen better days when the Congress was in power in Andhra Pradesh (from 2004 to 2014). In 2013, an earlier version of the statue was smashed and burned down by protesters opposing the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana. A new statue was later installed, but it continues to be shrouded. A statue of Rajiv Gandhi on this stretch is also covered. Perhaps these reflect the Congress party’s subdued fortunes in the state. The numerous statues of historical figures and politicians in Anantapur town seem to be forgotten after commemorative events, but Dr Ambedkar is remembered every day (Others) × Several other statues stand on that road – Potti Sreeramulu (who died in 1952 fasting for a separate Telugu state of Andhra Pradesh), Abdul Kalam Azad, Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Kanshi Ram and Mother Teresa. Occasionally, these too are garlanded. But their flowers soon start decaying, and the leaders seem to be forgotten after commemorative events. Subhan, whose flower shop is not far from the statue, says, 'We do it because we admire Ambedkar' (Others) × Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue though is remembered every day. A. Mallesh, a cashier at an Andhra Bank branch near the clock tower, pays Subhan at the beginning of every month for the garlands. “He pays me 1,000 rupees,” 36-year-old Subhan, a Muslim, says. “We don’t make any profit, but we do it because we admire Ambedkar.” A garland in Subhan’s shop costs Rs. 60 to 130, depending on the flowers used. Mallesh’s reverence for Dr Ambedkar is rooted in his own experience of caste discrimination. “There was no food, no water, no oil for the head, no books to read, no slate to write on [in my village],” he says. “Now the god has provided us with everything – god meaning Ambedkar.” Mallesh is a Madiga Dalit from Atmakur village of Anantapur district. “In our village, there was only one well for drinking water,” he recalls. “We were only allowed to take water when the [land-owning] farmers came to draw water. Otherwise, there was no water. Madigas couldn’t touch [the well].” At school in Anantapur town, Mallesh and other children from Dalit and tribal communities had to sit in a corner of the classroom, while the upper caste students sat in the front. “We had to carry mud from outside [and spread it on the floor] for writing. We didn’t have slates,” he remembers. “If someone said ‘Hey Madiga! Take the mud out’ we had to throw it out.” The teacher too often insulted the Dalits by referring to their caste and would beat them with palm canes. Mallesh, now 59, had to drop out of the school after Class 7 to support his mother when his father, an agricultural labourer, died. He worked as a helper at a government hostel in Anantapur and started applying for government jobs. In 1982, he found work as an attendant at Andhra Bank for a monthly salary of Rs. 500. By 1985, after an interview at the bank, he got a better-paid post as a clerical assistant. In 2010, while working as a clerical assistant at the bank, A. Mallesh decided 'just like that' to garland Dr Ambedkar for as long as he could (Others) × Mallesh has also worked in various Dalit unions and organisations and was until recently the zone-wide president of the SC & ST Employees Welfare Association at his bank. He has participated in various protests against caste discrimination. Around 1995, he recalls, he went on a 10-kilometre march from Anantapur to Alamur with left parties and other activists to protest an instance of caste discrimination. Mallesh was also the president of Dandora, a Dalit group formed in the 1990s, but moved out of it by the 2000s due to political differences. Around 1996, Mallesh prepared for and passed his Class 10 exams. Eventually, this helped him move up from his clerical assistant’s post to his present job as a cashier in 2013 – which now pays him a salary many times more than his initial Rs. 500. In 2010, while still a clerical assistant, Mallesh decided “just like that” to garland Dr Ambedkar for as long as he could. He remembers a small informal meeting of bank employees and others from Dalit communities, where they volunteered to pool donations for the garlands. But Mallesh didn’t want to chase people for money every month, so he and M. Gopal, an attendant at another branch of Andhra Bank, decided to share the cost. Gopal stopped contributing last year and now only Mallesh pays for the garlands. While Subhan garlands the Ambedkar statue early every morning (left), the statue of Indira Gandhi (right) has for long remained wrapped in jute cloth (Others) × Mallesh doesn’t like reading or being lectured about Ambedkar. He says he learnt about Ambedkar by just living the life of a Dalit: “I can imagine the kind of hardships he would have faced, based on the hardships I experienced. We can learn just by looking at what he has done for us. Isn’t he the one who wrote our Constitution?” On weekends or festival days Mallesh sometimes garlands the statue himself. He is planning to petition the district administration to install a shade to protect it from sunlight, wind and bird droppings. “First we will try to get it for Ambedkar," he says, "then we will ask the same for Jagjivan Ram and then for Kanshi Ram.” Although the flowers on Dr Ambedkar’s statue might not be noticed by many in Anantapur, the sweepers who clean the roads in the early mornings know about it. “Someone, probably someone big, garlands the statue every day. I don’t know who does it,” says G. Ramalakshmi, a Dalit woman employed by the town’s municipal corporation to clean the streets. As she says this, she touches her fingers to either side of her chin, in a gesture of devotion, “When I see the statue with the garland I think that the god [Ambedkar] is doing well. We pray to him while coming to work every day.” This article was originally published on 17/ 10/2017 on the People's Archive of Rural India. Photo Credit: Rahul M.

The garland on Anantapur's Ambedkar statue

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched a record 104 satellites in one go from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday morning.

India has become the first country to successfully carry so many satellites in a single mission, surpassing Russia which launched 39 satellites in a single mission in June 2014.

Scientists gathered for the launch in the southern spaceport of Sriharikota burst into applause as the head of India&#39;s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced all the satellites had been ejected, AFP reported.&nbsp;

The rocket took off at 9:28 am (0358 GMT) and cruised at a speed of 27,000 kilometres (16,777) per hour, ejecting all the 104 satellites into orbit in around 30 minutes, according to ISRO.

The rocket&#39;s main cargo was a 714-kilogram satellite for earth observation but it was also loaded with 103 smaller &quot;nano satellites&quot;, weighing a combined 664 kilogrammes, according to AFP.&nbsp;

Nearly all of the nano satellites are from other countries, including Israel, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and 96 from the&nbsp;United States.&nbsp;

Last June, India set a national record after it successfully launched a rocket carrying 20 satellites, including 13 from the US.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The earlier record of 37 satellites was held by the Russian Space Agency

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched a record 104 satellites in one go from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday morning. India has become the first country to successfully carry so many satellites in a single mission, surpassing Russia which launched 39 satellites in a single mission in June 2014. Scientists gathered for the launch in the southern spaceport of Sriharikota burst into applause as the head of India's Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced all the satellites had been ejected, AFP reported. The rocket took off at 9:28 am (0358 GMT) and cruised at a speed of 27,000 kilometres (16,777) per hour, ejecting all the 104 satellites into orbit in around 30 minutes, according to ISRO. The rocket's main cargo was a 714-kilogram satellite for earth observation but it was also loaded with 103 smaller "nano satellites", weighing a combined 664 kilogrammes, according to AFP. Nearly all of the nano satellites are from other countries, including Israel, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and 96 from the United States. Last June, India set a national record after it successfully launched a rocket carrying 20 satellites, including 13 from the US. (WION with inputs from AFP)

In new world record, ISRO launches 104 satellites into space on board single rocket

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