<p>As the 23rd GST Council meeting ended on Friday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said that his party will not let the BJP-led NDA government to impose the&nbsp;&quot;Gabbar Singh Tax&quot;, meaning the GST.</p>

<p>Gabbar Singh is a famous decoit in the Bollywood movie<em> Sholay, </em>Rahul had earlier too taken potshots at the BJP government over the GST, calling it the&nbsp;&quot;Gabbar Singh Tax&quot;.</p>

<p>The Congres vice-president&nbsp;said the government&#39;s new tax structure would &quot;break the back of small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will not allow BJP to impose a Gabbar Singh Tax on India. They cannot break the back of the small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions of jobs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GSTCouncilMeet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GSTCouncilMeet</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/928951424473378817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress leader then went on to give some &#39;suggestions&#39;, saying, &quot;correct the fundamental flaw in GST architecture to give India a &quot;Genuine Simple Tax&quot; and advised the government not to waste time&nbsp;with lip service.</p>

<p>&quot;Acknowledge your incompetence, shed your arrogance and listen to the people of India,&quot; he told the government.</p>


He also said how this decision would 'break the back of small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions'.?

As the 23rd GST Council meeting ended on Friday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said that his party will not let the BJP-led NDA government to impose the "Gabbar Singh Tax", meaning the GST. Gabbar Singh is a famous decoit in the Bollywood movie Sholay, Rahul had earlier too taken potshots at the BJP government over the GST, calling it the "Gabbar Singh Tax". The Congres vice-president said the government's new tax structure would "break the back of small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions". We will not allow BJP to impose a Gabbar Singh Tax on India. They cannot break the back of the small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions of jobs. #GSTCouncilMeet — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 10, 2017 × The Congress leader then went on to give some 'suggestions', saying, "correct the fundamental flaw in GST architecture to give India a "Genuine Simple Tax" and advised the government not to waste time with lip service. "Acknowledge your incompetence, shed your arrogance and listen to the people of India," he told the government.

Correct GST with 'Genuine Simple Tax', says Rahul Gandhi

<p>Lashing out at the Centre, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on&thinsp;Wednesday said note ban and GST rollout have broken the legs of Surat as he observed a &ldquo;black day&rdquo; in the country&rsquo;s textile and diamond hub.</p>

<p>Gandhi interacted with industry representatives and workers at Nirman Industries&rsquo; loom factory in Katargam industrial development area after he arrived in the Surat city of the poll-bound Gujarat.</p>

<p>&ldquo;There was an attack on India&rsquo;s economy one year back,&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I interacted with the people here and they told me that notebandi (demonetisation) and then GST have broken Surat&rsquo;s legs. The industry has been finished by the twin blows not only here, but in the entire country,&rdquo; Gandhi said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The people said that they have been threatened. But truth cannot be suppressed, it will come out,&rdquo; the Congress leader told reporters.</p>

<p>He said, &ldquo;Surat is the place which can compete with China and has been doing it. Jobs will either come to India or China. But instead of helping them, the government has destroyed their strength.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Hitting out at the new tax regime rolled out by the NDA government on July 1 this year, Gandhi said, &ldquo;We had told (Prime Minister) Narendra Modiji and (Union Finance Minister) Arun Jaitleyji not to implement the GST in this way.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He said, &ldquo;This is not a political thing, this is not between the Congress and the BJP. This is about India&rsquo;s competitiveness, we have to compete with China. You please do not kill our industries and businesses. But they said that we are going to implement it at 12 midnight,&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You press (media) people were asking us, why we are not allowing GST to be implemented, because we wanted to save Surat and the country,&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;GST means one nation, one tax. But this GST, implemented by Modiji, which has five layers will not work. We had said that maximum cap on taxes should be 18 per cent but they did not listen to us,&rdquo; the Congress leader said.</p>

<p>Gandhi is expected to have a formal interaction with traders in Adajan area of the city this evening.</p>

<p>He is also likely to participate in a candle light vigil, to mark the &ldquo;black day&rdquo;, near Vivekanand statue in Chowk Bazar area of Surat.</p>

<p>The prime minister had announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes as a measure to fight black money, corruption, fake currency and terror funding on this day last year.</p>

<p>The opposition is observing a &ldquo;black day&rdquo; today.</p>


The opposition is observing a ?black day? today.

Lashing out at the Centre, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said note ban and GST rollout have broken the legs of Surat as he observed a “black day” in the country’s textile and diamond hub. Gandhi interacted with industry representatives and workers at Nirman Industries’ loom factory in Katargam industrial development area after he arrived in the Surat city of the poll-bound Gujarat. “There was an attack on India’s economy one year back,” he said. “I interacted with the people here and they told me that notebandi (demonetisation) and then GST have broken Surat’s legs. The industry has been finished by the twin blows not only here, but in the entire country,” Gandhi said. “The people said that they have been threatened. But truth cannot be suppressed, it will come out,” the Congress leader told reporters. He said, “Surat is the place which can compete with China and has been doing it. Jobs will either come to India or China. But instead of helping them, the government has destroyed their strength.” Hitting out at the new tax regime rolled out by the NDA government on July 1 this year, Gandhi said, “We had told (Prime Minister) Narendra Modiji and (Union Finance Minister) Arun Jaitleyji not to implement the GST in this way.” He said, “This is not a political thing, this is not between the Congress and the BJP. This is about India’s competitiveness, we have to compete with China. You please do not kill our industries and businesses. But they said that we are going to implement it at 12 midnight,” he said. “You press (media) people were asking us, why we are not allowing GST to be implemented, because we wanted to save Surat and the country,” he said. “GST means one nation, one tax. But this GST, implemented by Modiji, which has five layers will not work. We had said that maximum cap on taxes should be 18 per cent but they did not listen to us,” the Congress leader said. Gandhi is expected to have a formal interaction with traders in Adajan area of the city this evening. He is also likely to participate in a candle light vigil, to mark the “black day”, near Vivekanand statue in Chowk Bazar area of Surat. The prime minister had announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes as a measure to fight black money, corruption, fake currency and terror funding on this day last year. The opposition is observing a “black day” today.

Note ban, GST have broken textile hub Surat's legs: Rahul Gandhi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met DMK supremo M Karunanidhi at the latter&#39;s Gopalapuram residence here.</p>

<p>The meeting between the two leaders lasted about 20 minutes. Modi sat next to Karunanidhi and held his hands.</p>

<p>Earlier, DMK Working President and Karunanidhi&#39;s son, M K Stalin, welcomed the Prime Minister at the gate and honoured him with a red shawl.</p>

<p>Modi was accompanied by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan and state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan.</p>

<p>DMK leaders including Kanimozhi, who is the daughter of Karunanidhi, were also present.</p>

<p>Later, the wheelchair-bound Karunanidhi made a brief appearance outside and waved at his supporters who cheered him.</p>

<p>Karunanidhi, who was taken ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy, was twice admitted to a private hospital in December last.</p>

<p>Karunanidhi has been since confined to his house, but made one rare appearance on October 19 this year when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK&#39;s mouthpiece, &#39;Murasoli&#39;.</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had called on the nonagenarian DMK patriarch at his residence in December, 2016.</p>


The meeting between the two leaders lasted about 20 minutes. Modi sat next to Karunanidhi and held his hands

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met DMK supremo M Karunanidhi at the latter's Gopalapuram residence here. The meeting between the two leaders lasted about 20 minutes. Modi sat next to Karunanidhi and held his hands. Earlier, DMK Working President and Karunanidhi's son, M K Stalin, welcomed the Prime Minister at the gate and honoured him with a red shawl. Modi was accompanied by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan and state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan. DMK leaders including Kanimozhi, who is the daughter of Karunanidhi, were also present. Later, the wheelchair-bound Karunanidhi made a brief appearance outside and waved at his supporters who cheered him. Karunanidhi, who was taken ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy, was twice admitted to a private hospital in December last. Karunanidhi has been since confined to his house, but made one rare appearance on October 19 this year when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK's mouthpiece, 'Murasoli'. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had called on the nonagenarian DMK patriarch at his residence in December, 2016.

PM Modi meets DMK patriarch Karunanidhi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a meet in Chennai, talked about the importance of vernacular newspapers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the role of newspapers published in regional languages remains as important as it was during the British Raj.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-visit-chennai-today-will-meet-karunanidhi-23571" target="_blank">PM Modi is on a one-day visit to Chennai</a>, Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>In Chennai, Modi talked about utilising editorial freedom for the public interest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;Editorial freedom should be used wisely in public interest.&quot;</p>

<p>He further said that freedom to write does not include the freedom to be factually incorrect.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was attending the attend&nbsp;platinum jubilee celebrations of a vernacular daily.</p>

<p>Modi called the media &quot;a&nbsp;means of transforming society&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that newspapers today are not just restricted to providing news. They have the capability to mould&nbsp;our thinking and open a window to the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said media is a means of transforming society and is therefore referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said that the British government was fearful of the Indian vernacular press because of which they enacted the Vernacular Press Act, 1878 to put restrictions on it.</p>

<p>Calling for a competition among media organisations, Modi said that media must make an extra effort to maintain credibility.</p>

<p>&quot;Healthy competition among media organisations&nbsp;is healthy for our democracy.&quot;</p>

<p>Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said &quot;The press is called the Fourth Estate. It is definitely&nbsp;a power, but, to misuse that power is criminal.&quot;</p>

<p>PM Modi said &#39;India is more than just us politicians&quot; indicating that media should just not write about politics.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A lot of media discourse today revolves around politics. However, India is more than just us politicians: PM Modi in Chennai <a href="https://t.co/I8p3Bw9INI">pic.twitter.com/I8p3Bw9INI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/927415031716651008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He asked media to focus more on their stories and achievements.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It&#39;s the 125 cr Indians, which make India what it is. I would be happy to see media focus a lot more, on their stories&amp;achievements: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/IplJb50VtX">pic.twitter.com/IplJb50VtX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/927415152051236864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;He concluded by asking media to take a lead in battle against climate change.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Natural calamities seem to be occurring with increasing frequency across world. Can media take a lead in battle against climate change?: PM</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/927415777405181952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


Modi was speaking in Chennai where he was attending the platinum jubilee celebrations of a vernacular daily

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a meet in Chennai, talked about the importance of vernacular newspapers. He said that the role of newspapers published in regional languages remains as important as it was during the British Raj. PM Modi is on a one-day visit to Chennai, Tamil Nadu. In Chennai, Modi talked about utilising editorial freedom for the public interest. He said, "Editorial freedom should be used wisely in public interest." He further said that freedom to write does not include the freedom to be factually incorrect. Modi was attending the attend platinum jubilee celebrations of a vernacular daily. Modi called the media "a means of transforming society". He said that newspapers today are not just restricted to providing news. They have the capability to mould our thinking and open a window to the world. He said media is a means of transforming society and is therefore referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy. He also said that the British government was fearful of the Indian vernacular press because of which they enacted the Vernacular Press Act, 1878 to put restrictions on it. Calling for a competition among media organisations, Modi said that media must make an extra effort to maintain credibility. "Healthy competition among media organisations is healthy for our democracy." Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said "The press is called the Fourth Estate. It is definitely a power, but, to misuse that power is criminal." PM Modi said 'India is more than just us politicians" indicating that media should just not write about politics. A lot of media discourse today revolves around politics. However, India is more than just us politicians: PM Modi in Chennai pic.twitter.com/I8p3Bw9INI — ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017 × He asked media to focus more on their stories and achievements. It's the 125 cr Indians, which make India what it is. I would be happy to see media focus a lot more, on their stories&achievements: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/IplJb50VtX — ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017 × He concluded by asking media to take a lead in battle against climate change. Natural calamities seem to be occurring with increasing frequency across world. Can media take a lead in battle against climate change?: PM — ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017 × (With inputs from ANI)

Modi on media: Freedom to write does not include freedom to be factually incorrect

<p>The Congress on Sunday expressed suspicion over the arrest of Abdul Rashid Ajmeri, alleged prime conspirator of the terrorist attack on Gandhinagar Akshardham temple in 2002, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections.</p>

<p>Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI, &quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when this incident happened and he was not able to trace this culprit then. Now 15 years later, just before the Gujarat elections, he as the Prime Minister has been able to get hold of this culprit. Moreover, the culprit is arrested after the visit of the Prime Minister to the temple. There are too many coincidences,&quot; Vadakkan mooted.</p>

<p>He added that Vijay Rupani as Gujarat&#39;s Chief Minister has failed in all fronts of governance but it took Prime Minister Modi&#39;s prodding to capture the chief architect of the crime.</p>

<p>&quot;It also happened very close to Gujarat`s elections, which is suspicious. But yes, I am happy that the terrorist has been arrested,&quot; Vadakkan said.</p>

<p>Earlier on Friday, Ajmeri, was arrested at the Ahmedabad airport after his arrival from Riyadh.</p>

<p>It was alleged that he had planned the terror attack and helped Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in executing it. Ajmeri, an Ahmedabad resident, had absconded to Riyadh before the terror act was committed.</p>

<p>Two terrorists, allegedly with links to Pakistan-based LeT, had attacked the temple in Gandhinagar on September 24, 2002, killing 32 and injuring over 80 people.</p>

<p>The attackers were killed by the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court had, in May 2014, acquitted all six convicts arrested earlier, including three facing death sentences, in the case.</p>

<p>The two-phase polling in the state is scheduled on December 9 and 14.</p>


Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said that Vijay Rupani as Gujarat's Chief Minister has failed in all fronts of governance but it took Prime Minister Modi's prodding to capture the chief architect of the crime.

The Congress on Sunday expressed suspicion over the arrest of Abdul Rashid Ajmeri, alleged prime conspirator of the terrorist attack on Gandhinagar Akshardham temple in 2002, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections. Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when this incident happened and he was not able to trace this culprit then. Now 15 years later, just before the Gujarat elections, he as the Prime Minister has been able to get hold of this culprit. Moreover, the culprit is arrested after the visit of the Prime Minister to the temple. There are too many coincidences," Vadakkan mooted. He added that Vijay Rupani as Gujarat's Chief Minister has failed in all fronts of governance but it took Prime Minister Modi's prodding to capture the chief architect of the crime. "It also happened very close to Gujarat`s elections, which is suspicious. But yes, I am happy that the terrorist has been arrested," Vadakkan said. Earlier on Friday, Ajmeri, was arrested at the Ahmedabad airport after his arrival from Riyadh. It was alleged that he had planned the terror attack and helped Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in executing it. Ajmeri, an Ahmedabad resident, had absconded to Riyadh before the terror act was committed. Two terrorists, allegedly with links to Pakistan-based LeT, had attacked the temple in Gandhinagar on September 24, 2002, killing 32 and injuring over 80 people. The attackers were killed by the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos. The Supreme Court had, in May 2014, acquitted all six convicts arrested earlier, including three facing death sentences, in the case. The two-phase polling in the state is scheduled on December 9 and 14.

Congress questions arrest of 2002 Akshardham attacker ahead of Gujarat polls

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited the NTPC plant in Rae Bareli today after a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ntpc-boiler-explosion-it-started-shaking-then-there-was-a-blast-recalls-worker-23351" target="_blank">boiler had exploded in the plant </a>yesterday killing 26 people and leaving several injured.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul&nbsp;met Union power minister RK Singh at the spot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president expressed his condolences over the deaths and tweeted that he was very upset on seeing the plight of the victims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He hoped for better compensation and a government job for kins of the deceased.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">NTPC ???? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? (1/2)</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/926009894536278018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul claimed the explosion occurred due to &quot;irresponsibility&quot;, he also demanded an investigation into the matter.</p>

<p>He also said the people responsible for this should be strictly punished.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">???????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? (2/2)</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/926010619555278848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rae Bareli has been a Congress constituency for a very long time.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


He further hoped for better compensation and a government job for kins of the deceased

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited the NTPC plant in Rae Bareli today after a boiler had exploded in the plant yesterday killing 26 people and leaving several injured. Rahul met Union power minister RK Singh at the spot. The Congress vice-president expressed his condolences over the deaths and tweeted that he was very upset on seeing the plight of the victims. He hoped for better compensation and a government job for kins of the deceased. NTPC ???? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? (1/2) — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 2, 2017 × Rahul claimed the explosion occurred due to "irresponsibility", he also demanded an investigation into the matter. He also said the people responsible for this should be strictly punished. ???????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? (2/2) — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 2, 2017 × Rae Bareli has been a Congress constituency for a very long time. (With inputs from ANI)

Rahul Gandhi visits NTPC plant, demands investigation in boiler explosion

<p>The Congress on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi government to do a &#39;reality check&#39; across India on ease of doing business.</p>

<p>The Congress&#39;&nbsp;demand has come after the World Bank&#39;s &#39;Doing Business 2018&#39;&nbsp;report said India is one of the top improvers and it ranks among the top 30 countries in three indicators.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference, former union minister and senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the Modi government, which is boasting about the World Bank report, should also do a reality check across the country.</p>

<p>&quot;We don&#39;t have any objection on World Bank report, but, we want to ask a question: what is the ground reality? The latest World Bank report is based on survey in Delhi and Mumbai only. But, what is happening in other parts of the country? Six hundred eighty startups have been shut. Exports have fallen down to a 14 year low. If there was ease of doing business then why did the exports fall? Apart from it, 3.72 crore people have lost jobs. Where is the ease of business?&quot; Shukla asked.</p>

<p>He also said that price rise is a continuous phenomenon under the Prime Minister Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.</p>

<p>&quot;Price rise is continuous. The price of cooking gas has fallen up to 35 percent in the international market, but here in India the subsidised LPG cylinder that cost Rs 412 in 2014 is now being sold at Rs 487.18 in Delhi. The non-subsidised LPG cylinder has become dearer by Rs 141.50,&quot; the Congress leader said.</p>

<p>He also said that people should realise that today the price of petrol and diesel is more or less the same with the price during Congress rule when now the international price of crude oil is 50 US Dollar per barrel whereas we used to purchase at 110-120 US Dollar per barrel.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said the World Bank report on ease of doing business is an answer to Congress and other political parties who have been targeting the Modi government over its economic reforms.</p>

<p>Singh termed improvement of India`s ranking in the World Bank report as a matter of pride not only for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but for every Indian</p>


Addressing a press conference here, former union minister and senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the Modi government, which is boasting about the World Bank report, should also do a reality check across the country

The Congress on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi government to do a 'reality check' across India on ease of doing business. The Congress' demand has come after the World Bank's 'Doing Business 2018' report said India is one of the top improvers and it ranks among the top 30 countries in three indicators. Addressing a press conference, former union minister and senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the Modi government, which is boasting about the World Bank report, should also do a reality check across the country. "We don't have any objection on World Bank report, but, we want to ask a question: what is the ground reality? The latest World Bank report is based on survey in Delhi and Mumbai only. But, what is happening in other parts of the country? Six hundred eighty startups have been shut. Exports have fallen down to a 14 year low. If there was ease of doing business then why did the exports fall? Apart from it, 3.72 crore people have lost jobs. Where is the ease of business?" Shukla asked. He also said that price rise is a continuous phenomenon under the Prime Minister Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. "Price rise is continuous. The price of cooking gas has fallen up to 35 percent in the international market, but here in India the subsidised LPG cylinder that cost Rs 412 in 2014 is now being sold at Rs 487.18 in Delhi. The non-subsidised LPG cylinder has become dearer by Rs 141.50," the Congress leader said. He also said that people should realise that today the price of petrol and diesel is more or less the same with the price during Congress rule when now the international price of crude oil is 50 US Dollar per barrel whereas we used to purchase at 110-120 US Dollar per barrel. Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said the World Bank report on ease of doing business is an answer to Congress and other political parties who have been targeting the Modi government over its economic reforms. Singh termed improvement of India`s ranking in the World Bank report as a matter of pride not only for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but for every Indian

Congress demands 'reality check' across India on ease of doing business

<p>Several Congress leaders paid homage to former prime minister Indira Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indira Gandhi, the first and to date the only woman prime minister of India was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her own bodyguards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former President Pranab Mukherjee, former Prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi paid floral tribute to Indira Gandhi&#39;s memorial site &quot;Shakti Sthal&quot;.</p>

<p>The day marks the 33rd death anniversary of Ms.Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The then PM&#39;s assassination was the result of an outrage over &quot;Operation Blue Star&quot; where she had ordered the storming of troops at Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar.</p>

<p>Over a thousand&nbsp;people died in the anti-Sikh riots aftermath of Gandhi&#39;s death.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&quot;Every drop of my blood will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it strong and dynamic&quot; - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/eDzlLtZCN5">pic.twitter.com/eDzlLtZCN5</a></p>
&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/925189791502581760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I pay my humble tributes to former PM Smt <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> on her Punyatithi. She contributed immensely towards national unity and<br />
integrity.. <a href="https://t.co/bt6NHULOak">pic.twitter.com/bt6NHULOak</a></p>
&mdash; Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashokgehlot51/status/925207459484065792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My tribute to Iron Lady <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> ji, the most powerful, respected and charismatic Prime Minister ever, on her 33rd death anniversary?? <a href="https://t.co/WBx7HR7TUQ">pic.twitter.com/WBx7HR7TUQ</a></p>
&mdash; Kuldeep Bishnoi (@bishnoikuldeep) <a href="https://twitter.com/bishnoikuldeep/status/925190864325951488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What a pic! (Raghu Rai) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indira100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indira100</a> <a href="https://t.co/JKXYuJObhl">pic.twitter.com/JKXYuJObhl</a></p>
&mdash; Rachit Seth (@rachitseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/rachitseth/status/925060794907213825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Proud Nation remembers 2 great patriots today<br />
Sardar Patel &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a><br />
<br />
Common thread was<br />
a)Congress Party<br />
b)Both fought communal forces <a href="https://t.co/LzmYxOmgM9">pic.twitter.com/LzmYxOmgM9</a></p>
&mdash; Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajaymaken/status/925208867633446913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/runforunity-people-tried-to-ensure-that-sardar-vallabhbhais-contribution-is-ignored-pm-modi-23176" target="_blank">People tried to ensure contribution of Sardar Patel is forgotten: PM Modi</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Indira Gandhi, the first and to date the only woman prime minister of India was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her own bodyguards

Several Congress leaders paid homage to former prime minister Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi, the first and to date the only woman prime minister of India was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her own bodyguards. Former President Pranab Mukherjee, former Prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi paid floral tribute to Indira Gandhi's memorial site "Shakti Sthal". The day marks the 33rd death anniversary of Ms.Gandhi. The then PM's assassination was the result of an outrage over "Operation Blue Star" where she had ordered the storming of troops at Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Over a thousand people died in the anti-Sikh riots aftermath of Gandhi's death. "Every drop of my blood will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it strong and dynamic" - #IndiraGandhi pic.twitter.com/eDzlLtZCN5 — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 31, 2017 × I pay my humble tributes to former PM Smt #IndiraGandhi on her Punyatithi. She contributed immensely towards national unity and integrity.. pic.twitter.com/bt6NHULOak — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) October 31, 2017 × My tribute to Iron Lady #IndiraGandhi ji, the most powerful, respected and charismatic Prime Minister ever, on her 33rd death anniversary?? pic.twitter.com/WBx7HR7TUQ — Kuldeep Bishnoi (@bishnoikuldeep) October 31, 2017 × What a pic! (Raghu Rai) #IndiraGandhi #Indira100 pic.twitter.com/JKXYuJObhl — Rachit Seth (@rachitseth) October 30, 2017 × Proud Nation remembers 2 great patriots today Sardar Patel & #IndiraGandhi Common thread was a)Congress Party b)Both fought communal forces pic.twitter.com/LzmYxOmgM9 — Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) October 31, 2017 × Also read: People tried to ensure contribution of Sardar Patel is forgotten: PM Modi

Congress leaders pay homage to Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary

<p>The Prime Minister today flagged off a &#39;Run for Unity&#39; event to mark the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.&nbsp;Patel&#39;s birth anniversary is celebrated as &quot;Rashtriya Ekta Diwas&quot; throughout the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also&nbsp;read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/runforunity-people-tried-to-ensure-that-sardar-vallabhbhais-contribution-is-ignored-pm-modi-23176" target="_blank">People tried to ensure contribution of Sardar Patel is forgotten: PM Modi</a></p>

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<p>Garland of flowers surrounding the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. (ANI)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel. (ANI)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>President Ram Nath Kovind extends the tribute to Sardar Patel. (ANI)</p>
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<p>Vice President Venkaiah Naidu pays floral tribute to Sardar Patel. (ANI)</p>
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<p>The event began with address of Home Minister Rajnath Singh.</p>

<p>Singh in his address at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium&nbsp;pledged to build a new India.</p>

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<p>Prime minister Modi with Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the &#39;Run for Unity&#39; event. (ANI)</p>
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<p>He said that they will fulfill the dream of a unified and great country.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Ek Bharat, shreshth Bharat ke sapne ko poora karenge: HM Rajnath Singh</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/925180370361884673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sportspeople Dipa Karmakar, Sardara Singh, Suresh Raina, Karnam Malleswari were also present.</p>

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<p>Indian sports fraternity also paid tribute to Sardar Patel at the &#39;Run for Unity&#39; event. (ANI)</p>
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<p>Run for Unity (ANI)</p>
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<p>The 1.5 km run came to an end near the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI and PTI)</em></p>


Sardar Patel's birth anniversary is celebrated as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' throughout the country

The Prime Minister today flagged off a 'Run for Unity' event to mark the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Patel's birth anniversary is celebrated as "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" throughout the country. Also read: People tried to ensure contribution of Sardar Patel is forgotten: PM Modi Garland of flowers surrounding the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. (ANI) × Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel. (ANI) × President Ram Nath Kovind extends the tribute to Sardar Patel. (ANI) × Vice President Venkaiah Naidu pays floral tribute to Sardar Patel. (ANI) × The event began with address of Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Singh in his address at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium pledged to build a new India. Prime minister Modi with Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the 'Run for Unity' event. (ANI) × He said that they will fulfill the dream of a unified and great country. Ek Bharat, shreshth Bharat ke sapne ko poora karenge: HM Rajnath Singh — ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2017 × Sportspeople Dipa Karmakar, Sardara Singh, Suresh Raina, Karnam Malleswari were also present. Indian sports fraternity also paid tribute to Sardar Patel at the 'Run for Unity' event. (ANI) × Run for Unity (ANI) × The 1.5 km run came to an end near the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial. (With inputs from ANI and PTI)

In pics: Sardar Patel's birth anniversary celebration

<p>In a significant&nbsp;development <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/post-doklamindia-to-boost-infrastructure-along-india-china-border-22398">in the wake of Doklam border stand-off, China and India</a> have decided to hold &quot;Track Two&quot;&nbsp;meeting at Minjing resort hotel in the city of Cheng Du in China on November 3rd and 4th.</p>

<p>The Indian delegation led by<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-maintaining-sizeable-troops-near-dokalam-sources-21062"> former foreign secretary Shyam Saran would land in </a>China on November 2nd. The invitation for the &quot;Track Two&quot;&nbsp;was extended by China two weeks after the Doklam crisis.</p>

<p>Sources confirmed to WION&nbsp;that the task for this meeting is to understand both China and India in context of Xi and Modi, two powerful leaders of Asia who hold sway over their respective countries. The job of the participants would be to understand each other&#39;s concern.</p>

<p>Sources also said that both countries want to avoid a showdown like Doklam and to this end &quot;Track Two&quot;&nbsp;will have participation by PLA and military from the Chinese side. The idea is to know each other better and discuss contentious issues which cannot be developed outside the public eye. Issues ranging from belt and road project to terrorism would be discussed by the participants.</p>

<p>The issue of border dispute will be discussed between Chen Xiaogong and Jayadeva Ranade. Jayadeva Ranade is a&nbsp;member of the National Security Advisory Board and Chen is former Vice Commander of the Air Force of the PLA and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.</p>

<p>Professor Madhav Nalapat, Director of Geo Politics will address the session of regional stability and terrorism. His Chinese counterpart would be Hu Shisheng. Hu is the Director of Institute of Contemporary International Relations.</p>

<p>This visit assumes importance as many on the Indian side believe that China wants to understand India&rsquo;s concern on the belt and road project.</p>

<p>Sources have also told WION that the thrust would be to ensure that in future a situation like Doklam doesn&rsquo;t arise and China gets to understand the Indian mind under Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s dispensation.</p>

<p>Dipankar Banerjee, the Director of Institute of Peace and Conflict in India and Ashok Kantha from Vivekananda Foundation will also attend the &quot;Track Two&quot; meeting.</p>


The visit assumes importance as many on the Indian side believe that China wants to understand India?s concern on the belt and road project.

In a significant development in the wake of Doklam border stand-off, China and India have decided to hold "Track Two" meeting at Minjing resort hotel in the city of Cheng Du in China on November 3rd and 4th. The Indian delegation led by former foreign secretary Shyam Saran would land in China on November 2nd. The invitation for the "Track Two" was extended by China two weeks after the Doklam crisis. Sources confirmed to WION that the task for this meeting is to understand both China and India in context of Xi and Modi, two powerful leaders of Asia who hold sway over their respective countries. The job of the participants would be to understand each other's concern. Sources also said that both countries want to avoid a showdown like Doklam and to this end "Track Two" will have participation by PLA and military from the Chinese side. The idea is to know each other better and discuss contentious issues which cannot be developed outside the public eye. Issues ranging from belt and road project to terrorism would be discussed by the participants. The issue of border dispute will be discussed between Chen Xiaogong and Jayadeva Ranade. Jayadeva Ranade is a member of the National Security Advisory Board and Chen is former Vice Commander of the Air Force of the PLA and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Professor Madhav Nalapat, Director of Geo Politics will address the session of regional stability and terrorism. His Chinese counterpart would be Hu Shisheng. Hu is the Director of Institute of Contemporary International Relations. This visit assumes importance as many on the Indian side believe that China wants to understand India’s concern on the belt and road project. Sources have also told WION that the thrust would be to ensure that in future a situation like Doklam doesn’t arise and China gets to understand the Indian mind under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dispensation. Dipankar Banerjee, the Director of Institute of Peace and Conflict in India and Ashok Kantha from Vivekananda Foundation will also attend the "Track Two" meeting.

Post-Doklam, India to hold 'Track Two' meeting inside China

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that&nbsp;people tried to ignore Sardar Patel&#39;s contribution in nation&nbsp;building, but the youth of India respects him and his contribution.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Flagging off the &#39;Run for Unity&#39;&nbsp;event&nbsp;that marks&nbsp;the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at&nbsp;Dhyan Chand stadium in the national capital, the prime minister said people tried to ensure Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel&#39;s legacy is&nbsp;forgotten.&nbsp;&quot;We are proud of Patel&#39;s&nbsp;contribution to India before we attained freedom and during the early years after independence,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress who fought alongside Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru for India&#39;s independence. After the country attained freedom in 1947, he was appointed as the first home minister and deputy prime minister.</p>

<p>Modi concluded his speech by glorifying India&#39;s diversity.</p>

<p>&quot;India is home to many cultures, languages, lifestyle,&#39;&#39; he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Live: PM Modi at &lsquo;Run For Unity&rsquo; flag off from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/quoFM4DNce">https://t.co/quoFM4DNce</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/925179833780285441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The event was held at New Delhi&#39;s&nbsp;Major Dhyan Chand&nbsp;National Stadium,</p>


Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress who fought alongside Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru for India's independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that people tried to ignore Sardar Patel's contribution in nation building, but the youth of India respects him and his contribution. Flagging off the 'Run for Unity' event that marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Dhyan Chand stadium in the national capital, the prime minister said people tried to ensure Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legacy is forgotten. "We are proud of Patel's contribution to India before we attained freedom and during the early years after independence," he added. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress who fought alongside Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru for India's independence. After the country attained freedom in 1947, he was appointed as the first home minister and deputy prime minister. Modi concluded his speech by glorifying India's diversity. "India is home to many cultures, languages, lifestyle,'' he said. #WATCH Live: PM Modi at ‘Run For Unity’ flag off from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi https://t.co/quoFM4DNce — ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2017 × The event was held at New Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium,

People tried to ensure contribution of Sardar Patel is forgotten: PM Modi

<p>PM Narendra Modi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-inside-president-trumps-diwali-celebrations-at-the-white-house-22571">will celebrate Diwali at Gurez valley along the </a>Line of Control(LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/just-having-best-development-ideas-not-enough-prime-minister-modi-21272">PM Modi will be joined by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Command</a> chief Lt General Devraj Anbu and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu in India&#39;s forward post along the Line of Control.</p>

<p>The Indian prime minister landed at Srinagar airport on Thursday morning and went straight to the Gurez sector.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Modi greeted the nation on Twitter as he left for the border to celebrate the occasion with the Indian troops.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ??????? ??????????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyDiwali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyDiwali</a> to everyone!</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi PM (@Narendramodi_PM) <a href="https://twitter.com/Narendramodi_PM/status/920856845425680384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Just after taking office in 2014, PM Modi had spent Diwali in Kashmir after floods had devastated the Valley.</p>


PM Modi will be joined by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Command chief Lt General Devraj Anbu and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu

PM Narendra Modi will celebrate Diwali at Gurez valley along the Line of Control(LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. PM Modi will be joined by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Command chief Lt General Devraj Anbu and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu in India's forward post along the Line of Control. The Indian prime minister landed at Srinagar airport on Thursday morning and went straight to the Gurez sector. Earlier in the day, Modi greeted the nation on Twitter as he left for the border to celebrate the occasion with the Indian troops. ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ??????? ??????????? #HappyDiwali to everyone! — Narendra Modi PM (@Narendramodi_PM) October 19, 2017 × Just after taking office in 2014, PM Modi had spent Diwali in Kashmir after floods had devastated the Valley.

PM Modi to celebrate Diwali along LoC with Indian troops

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar tomorrow to attend the centenary celebrations of the Patna University and launch several development projects worth over Rs 3,700 crore.</p>

<p>This will be the prime minister&#39;s first full-fledged official tour to the state since the BJP became a part of the ruling coalition in Bihar in July this year.</p>

<p>In August, Modi along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had made an aerial survey of the flood-hit districts of Bihar.</p>

<p>After attending the Patna University function, the prime minister will fly by helicopter to Mokama, which is in Patna district about 100 km from the capital city.</p>

<p>Modi will launch a number of development projects there.</p>

<p>The state BJP president has been hinting that a bonanza was on the cards, terming the prime minister&#39;s visit as a &quot;Diwali gift&quot; to the people of Bihar in general and Mokama in particular.</p>

<p>At Mokama, Modi will lay the foundation stone for four Rs 3031 crore national highways projects and as many sewage treatment plants (STPs) and related works worth Rs 738.04 crore tomorrow, an official statement said.</p>

<p>Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, who also holds the portfolio of water resources, will accompany the prime minister for the ceremony.</p>

<p>The four highway projects for which the foundation stone will be laid, include the four-laning of Aunta-Simariya section of NH-31 and the construction of six-lane Ganga Setu at a cost of Rs 1,161 crore.</p>

<p>The other projects were four laning of Bakhtiyapur-Mokama section of NH-31 spending Rs 837 crore, two-lane construction of Maheshkhunt-Saharsa-Purnea section of NH 107 at a cost of Rs 736 crore and two-lane construction of Bihar Sharif Barbigha-Mokama section of NH-82 at the cost of Rs 297 crore.</p>

<p>The sewerage projects include the development of STPs and related network at Beur and Saidpur. These will create a capacity of treating 120 million litres daily (MLD), the statement said.</p>

<p>The project also includes upgradation of existing 20 MLD-capacity system. Besides, sewer network of 234.84 km will also be developed in the Beur and Saidpur zones, the statement said.</p>

<p>In Patna, seven other sewerage projects are already at various stages of implementation.</p>

<p>The existing population in the city is 16.83 lakh and the existing sewage generated in the city is 220 MLD and sewage load is expected to be 320 MLD by the year 2035.</p>

<p>&quot;Considering the existing treatment capacity of the city and existing waste generation and (estimated) waste generation till 2035, a total of 11 projects under World Bank funding are sanctioned for six zones which will create a total of 350 MLD of STP capacity and will lay down 1140.26 km of sewerage network at a cost of Rs 3582.41crore,&quot; the statement said.</p>

<p>After completion of these 11 projects, Patna will become a town having 100 per cent sewerage infrastructure and no sewage water will drain into Ganga, it said.</p>

<p>The impoverished state has high hopes from the prime minister, who had announced a &quot;package&quot; of Rs 1.25 lakh crore in 2015.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, tight security arrangements were in place for the prime minister&#39;s visit.</p>

<p>Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) said seven Superintendents of Police and 12 deputy SPs had been deployed to oversee the security arrangements and regulation of road traffic during nearly five-hour stay of the prime minister in the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Four companies of the Bihar Military Police and a Quick Response Team comprising eight units of Special Task Force and two of Anti-Terrorist Squad have also been deployed,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Special arrangements have been made for Mokama where one company of CRPF and two units of STF will be assisting the local police in maintaining security,&quot; Singhal said.</p>

<p>Preparations were also in full swing at the Patna University for Saturday&#39;s function.</p>

<p>However, a minor controversy has erupted with actor-turned-politician and local BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha raising the issue of not being invited to the programme despite being a Patna University alumnus.</p>

<p>Sinha has also questioned the rationale behind the exclusion of senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and RJD chief Lalu Prasad from the function despite being university alumni.</p>

<p>Patna University Vice-Chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh, however, sought to clear the air over the issue, claiming that the &quot;printing of invitation cards got delayed and that&#39;s why cards have not been sent to them. But, they are very much in our guest list&quot;.</p>


This will be the prime minister's first full-fledged official tour to the state since the BJP became a part of the ruling coalition in Bihar in July this year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar tomorrow to attend the centenary celebrations of the Patna University and launch several development projects worth over Rs 3,700 crore. This will be the prime minister's first full-fledged official tour to the state since the BJP became a part of the ruling coalition in Bihar in July this year. In August, Modi along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had made an aerial survey of the flood-hit districts of Bihar. After attending the Patna University function, the prime minister will fly by helicopter to Mokama, which is in Patna district about 100 km from the capital city. Modi will launch a number of development projects there. The state BJP president has been hinting that a bonanza was on the cards, terming the prime minister's visit as a "Diwali gift" to the people of Bihar in general and Mokama in particular. At Mokama, Modi will lay the foundation stone for four Rs 3031 crore national highways projects and as many sewage treatment plants (STPs) and related works worth Rs 738.04 crore tomorrow, an official statement said. Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, who also holds the portfolio of water resources, will accompany the prime minister for the ceremony. The four highway projects for which the foundation stone will be laid, include the four-laning of Aunta-Simariya section of NH-31 and the construction of six-lane Ganga Setu at a cost of Rs 1,161 crore. The other projects were four laning of Bakhtiyapur-Mokama section of NH-31 spending Rs 837 crore, two-lane construction of Maheshkhunt-Saharsa-Purnea section of NH 107 at a cost of Rs 736 crore and two-lane construction of Bihar Sharif Barbigha-Mokama section of NH-82 at the cost of Rs 297 crore. The sewerage projects include the development of STPs and related network at Beur and Saidpur. These will create a capacity of treating 120 million litres daily (MLD), the statement said. The project also includes upgradation of existing 20 MLD-capacity system. Besides, sewer network of 234.84 km will also be developed in the Beur and Saidpur zones, the statement said. In Patna, seven other sewerage projects are already at various stages of implementation. The existing population in the city is 16.83 lakh and the existing sewage generated in the city is 220 MLD and sewage load is expected to be 320 MLD by the year 2035. "Considering the existing treatment capacity of the city and existing waste generation and (estimated) waste generation till 2035, a total of 11 projects under World Bank funding are sanctioned for six zones which will create a total of 350 MLD of STP capacity and will lay down 1140.26 km of sewerage network at a cost of Rs 3582.41crore," the statement said. After completion of these 11 projects, Patna will become a town having 100 per cent sewerage infrastructure and no sewage water will drain into Ganga, it said. The impoverished state has high hopes from the prime minister, who had announced a "package" of Rs 1.25 lakh crore in 2015. Meanwhile, tight security arrangements were in place for the prime minister's visit. Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) said seven Superintendents of Police and 12 deputy SPs had been deployed to oversee the security arrangements and regulation of road traffic during nearly five-hour stay of the prime minister in the state. "Four companies of the Bihar Military Police and a Quick Response Team comprising eight units of Special Task Force and two of Anti-Terrorist Squad have also been deployed," he said. "Special arrangements have been made for Mokama where one company of CRPF and two units of STF will be assisting the local police in maintaining security," Singhal said. Preparations were also in full swing at the Patna University for Saturday's function. However, a minor controversy has erupted with actor-turned-politician and local BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha raising the issue of not being invited to the programme despite being a Patna University alumnus. Sinha has also questioned the rationale behind the exclusion of senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and RJD chief Lalu Prasad from the function despite being university alumni. Patna University Vice-Chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh, however, sought to clear the air over the issue, claiming that the "printing of invitation cards got delayed and that's why cards have not been sent to them. But, they are very much in our guest list".

PM Modi to visit Bihar to attend Patna University centenary celebrations

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the BJP&#39;s victory in the Maharashtra gram panchayat was proof of support for the party&#39;s development agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Wonderful victory of <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Maharashtra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Maharashtra</a> in rural areas shows the unwavering support of the farmers, youth &amp; poor for BJP&#39;s development agenda,&quot; Modi tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also congratulated Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Raosaheb Danve for the &quot;impressive performance&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wonderful victory of <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Maharashtra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Maharashtra</a> in rural areas shows the unwavering support of the farmers, youth &amp; poor for BJP&#39;s development agenda.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/917610739996733440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I congratulate <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Maharashtra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Maharashtra</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Dev_Fadnavis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dev_Fadnavis</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/raosahebdanve?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@raosahebdanve</a> for the impressive performance in Gram Panchayat polls across the state.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/917611043530182656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Fadnavis wrote back saying,&nbsp;&quot;It is the victory of people&rsquo;s faith on your strong leadership &amp; vision of taking development to the last man.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you Hon <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji!<br />
It is the victory of people&rsquo;s faith on your strong leadership &amp;vision of taking development to the last man. <a href="https://t.co/rbKuOm8VGy">https://t.co/rbKuOm8VGy</a></p>
&mdash; Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dev_Fadnavis/status/917619786669989889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The DNA newspaper reported that the results of 2,974 panchayats out of 3,884 were declared on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that the BJP had won 1,457 of the contests, followed by the Congress (301), the Shiv Sena (222), and the Nationalist Congress Party (194).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has of late come under severe flak for the slowdown in the economy, and over the farmer loan issue.&nbsp;</p>


News reports said the BJP had won 1,457 of the 2,974 results declared so far

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the BJP's victory in the Maharashtra gram panchayat was proof of support for the party's development agenda. "Wonderful victory of @BJP4Maharashtra in rural areas shows the unwavering support of the farmers, youth & poor for BJP's development agenda," Modi tweeted. He also congratulated Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Raosaheb Danve for the "impressive performance". Wonderful victory of @BJP4Maharashtra in rural areas shows the unwavering support of the farmers, youth & poor for BJP's development agenda. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2017 × I congratulate @BJP4Maharashtra, @Dev_Fadnavis and @raosahebdanve for the impressive performance in Gram Panchayat polls across the state. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2017 × Fadnavis wrote back saying, "It is the victory of people’s faith on your strong leadership & vision of taking development to the last man." Thank you Hon @narendramodi ji! It is the victory of people’s faith on your strong leadership &vision of taking development to the last man. https://t.co/rbKuOm8VGy — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 10, 2017 × The DNA newspaper reported that the results of 2,974 panchayats out of 3,884 were declared on Monday. It added that the BJP had won 1,457 of the contests, followed by the Congress (301), the Shiv Sena (222), and the Nationalist Congress Party (194). The BJP has of late come under severe flak for the slowdown in the economy, and over the farmer loan issue.

Maharashtra gram panchayat polls: BJP victory proof of support for development agenda, says Modi

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that issues such as cleanliness and hygiene should not be politicised and asserted that even &#39;1,000 Mahatma Gandhis&#39;&nbsp;could not achieve the goal of a &#39;clean India&#39; without the participation of 125 crore Indians.</p>

<p>Addressing a gathering here to mark three years of the Swachh Bharat mission, he said he had been severely criticised when he had initiated the programme and stepped out with a broom to launch it.</p>

<p>Maintaining that it was essential for children to wash their hands before eating as unhygienic conditions had led to several children dying, the prime minister said when he flagged the issue people asked how they would get soap and water.</p>

<p>People went to the extent of saying that the Prime Minister was making these statements just for the purpose of making a speech, Modi said &quot;...If you have to abuse Modi, there are a thousand (other) issues...But we should neither make fun nor politicise issues which are meant to bring about change in society,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>People, including fellow politicians, had slammed him for &quot;spoiling&quot; children&#39;s October 2 holiday, Modi said.</p>

<p>&quot;We cannot achieve the target (of a Clean India) even if 1,000 Mahatma Gandhis, one lakh Narendra Modis, chief ministers and all governments come together. We can achieve it (only) when all 125 crore countrymen come together,&quot; Modi told the gathering.</p>

<p>Asserting that he was convinced that the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi could not be wrong, he said he had endured a lot of criticism.</p>

<p>&quot;But my nature is such that I endure a lot of things. My responsibility is such that I should endure. Slowly, I am increasing my capacity to endure (criticism)...For three years, without hesitation, I continued. I continued as I was sure that the path shown by the Mahatma and what he had said cannot be wrong,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>About five years ago, when children were seen cleaning their schools, it would create controversy with even parents criticising teachers. But now, children helping clean schools is seen as positive news, he added.</p>

<p>Soon, people who participate in cleanliness drives will not make news but pictures of those who stay away from it will be shown on television, Modi said.</p>

<p>The country had come a long way but a lot remained to be done before the &#39;clean India&#39; target could be achieved, Modi said.</p>

<p>He noted that the media and members of civil society had played a key role in propagating the importance of cleanliness. There was need for introspection if the programme had not gained the desired momentum, notwithstanding the support from these sections, he stressed.</p>

<p>Modi said the issue of cleanliness should be looked at from the prism of women, who face difficulties due to lack of toilets, and lauded children for being ambassadors of the key programme.</p>

<p>He said men find it easy to answer nature&#39;s call at any traffic junction. But women hold themselves back till they reach home.</p>

<p>Referring to the need for toilets, he said when women don&#39;t have access to toilets, they go out in the open at the crack of dawn and hold themselves back till sunset to defecate. This could lead to health problems for them.</p>

<p>The prime minister also asked people to not discourage those who were practising cleanliness if the government was telling them to do so.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/should-introspect-if-swachh-bharat-abhiyan-doesnt-have-desired-momentum-pm-modi-on-gandhi-jayanti-20885" target="_blank">Should introspect if Clean India campaign doesn&#39;t have desired momentum: PM Modi on Gandhi Jayanti</a></p>


Modi added that issues like cleanliness and hygiene should not be politicised

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that issues such as cleanliness and hygiene should not be politicised and asserted that even '1,000 Mahatma Gandhis' could not achieve the goal of a 'clean India' without the participation of 125 crore Indians. Addressing a gathering here to mark three years of the Swachh Bharat mission, he said he had been severely criticised when he had initiated the programme and stepped out with a broom to launch it. Maintaining that it was essential for children to wash their hands before eating as unhygienic conditions had led to several children dying, the prime minister said when he flagged the issue people asked how they would get soap and water. People went to the extent of saying that the Prime Minister was making these statements just for the purpose of making a speech, Modi said "...If you have to abuse Modi, there are a thousand (other) issues...But we should neither make fun nor politicise issues which are meant to bring about change in society," he said. People, including fellow politicians, had slammed him for "spoiling" children's October 2 holiday, Modi said. "We cannot achieve the target (of a Clean India) even if 1,000 Mahatma Gandhis, one lakh Narendra Modis, chief ministers and all governments come together. We can achieve it (only) when all 125 crore countrymen come together," Modi told the gathering. Asserting that he was convinced that the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi could not be wrong, he said he had endured a lot of criticism. "But my nature is such that I endure a lot of things. My responsibility is such that I should endure. Slowly, I am increasing my capacity to endure (criticism)...For three years, without hesitation, I continued. I continued as I was sure that the path shown by the Mahatma and what he had said cannot be wrong," Modi said. About five years ago, when children were seen cleaning their schools, it would create controversy with even parents criticising teachers. But now, children helping clean schools is seen as positive news, he added. Soon, people who participate in cleanliness drives will not make news but pictures of those who stay away from it will be shown on television, Modi said. The country had come a long way but a lot remained to be done before the 'clean India' target could be achieved, Modi said. He noted that the media and members of civil society had played a key role in propagating the importance of cleanliness. There was need for introspection if the programme had not gained the desired momentum, notwithstanding the support from these sections, he stressed. Modi said the issue of cleanliness should be looked at from the prism of women, who face difficulties due to lack of toilets, and lauded children for being ambassadors of the key programme. He said men find it easy to answer nature's call at any traffic junction. But women hold themselves back till they reach home. Referring to the need for toilets, he said when women don't have access to toilets, they go out in the open at the crack of dawn and hold themselves back till sunset to defecate. This could lead to health problems for them. The prime minister also asked people to not discourage those who were practising cleanliness if the government was telling them to do so. Also read: Should introspect if Clean India campaign doesn't have desired momentum: PM Modi on Gandhi Jayanti

Even thousand Gandhis cannot clean India, says Modi, without support of 125 crore Indians

<p>Responding to A<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yashwant-sinhas-criticism-of-economy-based-on-personal-frustration-bjp-20807" target="_blank">run Jaitley</a>, Yashwant Sinha has said that the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yashwant-sinhas-criticism-of-economy-based-on-personal-frustration-bjp-20807" target="_blank">finance minister</a>&nbsp;has delivered a well-researched speech but he did not stick to the advice of senior BJP leader LK Advani to refrain from personal attacks.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He delivered a well researched speech but overlooked Advani Ji&#39;s advice to refrain from personal attacks: Yashwant Sinha on FM Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/TH59Jl2wAH">pic.twitter.com/TH59Jl2wAH</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/913640761320644608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Replying to Jaitley&#39;s remark of &quot;job applicant at 80&quot;,&nbsp;Sinha has said&nbsp;he did not come to politics after retirement.</p>

<p>&quot;I&nbsp;left my&nbsp;post in IAS so I could not be asking for a job at the age of 80 years&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I did not come to politics after retirement. I left my post in IAS. So I could not be asking for job at the age of 80 yrs: Yashwant Sinha <a href="https://t.co/Ds3G9qlgYh">pic.twitter.com/Ds3G9qlgYh</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/913640939163238400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also questioned the people calling him useless.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">They say I was useless as a minister. How could they have given me the ministry of External Affairs if I was so useless?: Yashwant Sinha <a href="https://t.co/LzTA73dtE4">pic.twitter.com/LzTA73dtE4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/913641451975614464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hitting at the government&#39;s claim of ending corruption, he said the Pakistan prime minister has been ousted due to his involvement in Panama Case.</p>

<p>&quot;What measures have been taken by the government here against Panama leaks and how much black money has been recovered by Arun Jaitley&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In Pak they ousted PM due to involvement in Panama Case, what did they do here? How much black money did Arun Jaitley bring back?: Y Sinha <a href="https://t.co/YaMEK8G9pU">pic.twitter.com/YaMEK8G9pU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/913642907332091904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He claimed that during his tenure in the finance ministry the inflation was kept under control. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">During my tenure (as FM) there was never a discussion on inflation in Parliament because we had kept it well under control: Yashwant Sinha <a href="https://t.co/NSQvWdchHw">pic.twitter.com/NSQvWdchHw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/913642989909508096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;He said that such claims are made only by those leaders who are not attached to the grassroots&nbsp;level.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Dilli mein baithe hawai neta jinka grasroot se lagav nhi hai vo aisi hi baat karenge,constituency wala kabhi aisa nhi kahega: Yashwant Sinha <a href="https://t.co/qUH0zws8rj">pic.twitter.com/qUH0zws8rj</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/913646998590414849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On September 27, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gst-served-as-second-big-blow-to-economy-yashwant-sinha-hits-back-at-bjp-20780" target="_blank">former finance minister Yashwant Sinha criticised Arun Jaitley </a>for making a mess of Indian economy with measures such as demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He found support in former finance minister P Chidambaram who asked the government to admit the truth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>( Also&nbsp;Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yashwant-sinha-has-shown-the-mirror-shotguns-defence-of-his-colleague-20776" target="_blank">Yashwant Sinha has shown the mirror: Shotgun&#39;s </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yashwant-sinha-has-shown-the-mirror-shotguns-defence-of-his-colleague-20776" target="_blank">defence</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yashwant-sinha-has-shown-the-mirror-shotguns-defence-of-his-colleague-20776" target="_blank"> of his colleague</a>)&nbsp;</p>

<p>To this, the BJP government on September 28 had accused its senior leader Yashwant Sinha of sympathising with &quot;jobless&quot; Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and P Chidambaram.</p>

<p>They said that Sinha&#39;s criticism of the government&#39;s economy was due to his personal frustration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


What measures have been taken by the government here against Panama leaks and how much black money has been recovered by Arun Jaitley, Yashwant Sinha asked.

Responding to Arun Jaitley, Yashwant Sinha has said that the finance minister has delivered a well-researched speech but he did not stick to the advice of senior BJP leader LK Advani to refrain from personal attacks. He delivered a well researched speech but overlooked Advani Ji's advice to refrain from personal attacks: Yashwant Sinha on FM Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/TH59Jl2wAH — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017 × Replying to Jaitley's remark of "job applicant at 80", Sinha has said he did not come to politics after retirement. "I left my post in IAS so I could not be asking for a job at the age of 80 years". I did not come to politics after retirement. I left my post in IAS. So I could not be asking for job at the age of 80 yrs: Yashwant Sinha pic.twitter.com/Ds3G9qlgYh — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017 × He also questioned the people calling him useless. They say I was useless as a minister. How could they have given me the ministry of External Affairs if I was so useless?: Yashwant Sinha pic.twitter.com/LzTA73dtE4 — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017 × Hitting at the government's claim of ending corruption, he said the Pakistan prime minister has been ousted due to his involvement in Panama Case. "What measures have been taken by the government here against Panama leaks and how much black money has been recovered by Arun Jaitley". In Pak they ousted PM due to involvement in Panama Case, what did they do here? How much black money did Arun Jaitley bring back?: Y Sinha pic.twitter.com/YaMEK8G9pU — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017 × He claimed that during his tenure in the finance ministry the inflation was kept under control. During my tenure (as FM) there was never a discussion on inflation in Parliament because we had kept it well under control: Yashwant Sinha pic.twitter.com/NSQvWdchHw — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017 × He said that such claims are made only by those leaders who are not attached to the grassroots level. Dilli mein baithe hawai neta jinka grasroot se lagav nhi hai vo aisi hi baat karenge,constituency wala kabhi aisa nhi kahega: Yashwant Sinha pic.twitter.com/qUH0zws8rj — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017 × On September 27, former finance minister Yashwant Sinha criticised Arun Jaitley for making a mess of Indian economy with measures such as demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He found support in former finance minister P Chidambaram who asked the government to admit the truth. ( Also Read: Yashwant Sinha has shown the mirror: Shotgun's defence of his colleague) To this, the BJP government on September 28 had accused its senior leader Yashwant Sinha of sympathising with "jobless" Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and P Chidambaram. They said that Sinha's criticism of the government's economy was due to his personal frustration.

'How much black money did Arun Jaitley bring back': Yashwant Sinha

<p>On the second day of his <em>Navsarjan Yatra</em> in poll-bound Gujarat, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-adds-to-long-list-of-gaffes-20108">Rahul Gandhi</a> addressed the assembly seats in&nbsp;Jamnagar, Rajkot and Morbi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress VP Rahul Gandhi begins day 2 of Navsarjan Yatra from Jamnagar, after a successful first day. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%AA%AF%E0%AB%81%E0%AA%B5%E0%AA%BE_%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%8B%E0%AA%9C%E0%AA%97%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%B0_%E0%AA%96%E0%AB%87%E0%AA%A1%E0%AB%82%E0%AA%A4_%E0%AA%85%E0%AA%A7%E0%AA%BF%E0%AA%95%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%B0?src=hash">#????_??????_?????_??????</a> <a href="https://t.co/48JhBI7vGY">pic.twitter.com/48JhBI7vGY</a></p>
&mdash; Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/912531893693718528">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul&nbsp;Gandhi said the state government should run from Gujarat and not from Delhi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">State government should run from Gujarat and not Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat&#39;s Khijadiya</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912558432502214656">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Taking a jibe at the central government, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitter-reacts-to-rahul-gandhis-artificial-intelligence-learning-19926">Rahul Gandhi </a>said the present government in Gujarat is being controlled through &quot;a remote control from Delhi&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Aajkal Gujarat ki sarkar remote control se chalti hai, Delhi se chalti hai: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat <a href="https://t.co/WSa26ydGPP">pic.twitter.com/WSa26ydGPP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912565296921157632">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Referring to the &#39;Make in India&#39; initiative, the Congress vice-president said that it is &quot;shameful that&nbsp;the &#39;Statue of Unity&#39; is being &#39;made in China&#39;.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The grand statue of unity is a tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel and is under construction in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Sardar Patel ji ki murti ban rahi hai,aur wo bhi China me ban rahi hai.Uske peechey &#39;made in China&#39; likha hua hai,sharm ki baat hai-R Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/Zbaasjza0T">pic.twitter.com/Zbaasjza0T</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912580454099718151">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>( Also&nbsp;Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-takes-a-dig-at-modi-after-bhu-clash-20648">Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at Modi after BHU clash</a> )</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president is on a three-day visit to Gujarat.&nbsp;He began his first day on Monday by offering prayers at Dwarkadhish temple in Dwaraka followed by an address to the party workers and villagers in Bhatia village in Jamnagar district.</p>


Taking a jibe at the central government, Rahul Gandhi said that the present government in Gujarat runs from a remote control from Delhi

On the second day of his Navsarjan Yatra in poll-bound Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi addressed the assembly seats in Jamnagar, Rajkot and Morbi. Congress VP Rahul Gandhi begins day 2 of Navsarjan Yatra from Jamnagar, after a successful first day. #????_??????_?????_?????? pic.twitter.com/48JhBI7vGY — Congress (@INCIndia) September 26, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi said the state government should run from Gujarat and not from Delhi. State government should run from Gujarat and not Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat's Khijadiya — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017 × Taking a jibe at the central government, Rahul Gandhi said the present government in Gujarat is being controlled through "a remote control from Delhi". Aajkal Gujarat ki sarkar remote control se chalti hai, Delhi se chalti hai: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat pic.twitter.com/WSa26ydGPP — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017 × Referring to the 'Make in India' initiative, the Congress vice-president said that it is "shameful that the 'Statue of Unity' is being 'made in China'." The grand statue of unity is a tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel and is under construction in Gujarat. Sardar Patel ji ki murti ban rahi hai,aur wo bhi China me ban rahi hai.Uske peechey 'made in China' likha hua hai,sharm ki baat hai-R Gandhi pic.twitter.com/Zbaasjza0T — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017 × ( Also Read: Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at Modi after BHU clash ) The Congress vice-president is on a three-day visit to Gujarat. He began his first day on Monday by offering prayers at Dwarkadhish temple in Dwaraka followed by an address to the party workers and villagers in Bhatia village in Jamnagar district.

Gujarat government on remote control: Rahul Gandhi

<p>In his inaugural address to the BJP Executive Meeting, &nbsp;BJP President Amit Shah slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on dynastic politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows &quot;politics of appeasement and dynasty&quot;.</p>

<p>During a speech at the University of California at Berkeley Rahul Gandhi defended dynastic politics. He said &ldquo;Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Akhilesh Yadav, Stalin and even actor Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts... So don&rsquo;t go just after me.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Citing the examples of the current president, vice president and prime minister, the BJP chief said that they have reached to their position due of their work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amit Shah also&nbsp;claimed that the economy is flourishing well under the present government than compared to how it was under the UPA government. He presented figures to substantiate his claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party president also appreciated the government&#39;s response to the handling of Naxalism and terrorism. He said&nbsp;more terrorists were killed during the last three years than any other spell of three years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He attacked the TMC government in West Bengal and the Left in Kerala for the&nbsp;alleged political violence on BJP workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;event was followed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal&#39;s address in which he said his party was relentlessly working&nbsp;in the interest of the people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to the latest verbal attacks by Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Goyal said that Gandhi has been undermining the country for which he has received a befitting reply from the Amit Shah.&nbsp;He said he was confident that BJP will register a &quot;historic win&quot;&nbsp;in the upcoming Gujarat polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the party leader Amit Shah will hold a <em>padyatra</em>&nbsp;(journey by road) &nbsp;in Kerala from October 3-17, to connect with the people.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash">#Visuals</a> from BJP National Executive Meet in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/slrL5L15gZ">pic.twitter.com/slrL5L15gZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912182725737455616">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Govt is relentlessly working in the interests of the poor: Union Minister Piyush Goyal during BJP National Executive meet <a href="https://t.co/x4xENKwQIx">pic.twitter.com/x4xENKwQIx</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912207510890672128">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Amit Shah ji said that from October 3-17 BJP workers will do a &#39;padyatra&#39; in Kerala and connect with the people: Piyush Goyal</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912207725957832704">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi ji has been undermining India these days, Amit Shah ji gave a befitting reply with facts: Piyush Goyal on BJP Natl Exec meet <a href="https://t.co/VEuFUtNKLh">pic.twitter.com/VEuFUtNKLh</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912208440197496833">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Amit Shah ji ne kaha vanshvaad Congress ki sanskriti hai: Piyush Goyal</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912209871734312960">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP will register a historic win in upcoming Gujarat polls: Union Minister Piyush Goyal <a href="https://t.co/uW6GdfLoPL">pic.twitter.com/uW6GdfLoPL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912213671798960128">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
The two-day BJP National Executive meet in New Delhi, which will conclude&nbsp;today after PM Modi&#39;s address, is being attended by an estimated 2000 party leaders including&nbsp;1400 Members of Legislative Assembly, 337 Members of Parliament, and all Members of Legislative Council.</p>

<p>The meet will trace the political and economic development of the&nbsp;government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It&nbsp;coincides with the 100th birth centenary of independence leader Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Amit Shah said the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows 'politics of appeasement and dynasty'

In his inaugural address to the BJP Executive Meeting, BJP President Amit Shah slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on dynastic politics. He said that the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows "politics of appeasement and dynasty". During a speech at the University of California at Berkeley Rahul Gandhi defended dynastic politics. He said “Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Akhilesh Yadav, Stalin and even actor Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts... So don’t go just after me.” Citing the examples of the current president, vice president and prime minister, the BJP chief said that they have reached to their position due of their work. Amit Shah also claimed that the economy is flourishing well under the present government than compared to how it was under the UPA government. He presented figures to substantiate his claims. The party president also appreciated the government's response to the handling of Naxalism and terrorism. He said more terrorists were killed during the last three years than any other spell of three years. He attacked the TMC government in West Bengal and the Left in Kerala for the alleged political violence on BJP workers. The event was followed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal's address in which he said his party was relentlessly working in the interest of the people. Referring to the latest verbal attacks by Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Goyal said that Gandhi has been undermining the country for which he has received a befitting reply from the Amit Shah. He said he was confident that BJP will register a "historic win" in the upcoming Gujarat polls. He added that the party leader Amit Shah will hold a padyatra (journey by road) in Kerala from October 3-17, to connect with the people. #Visuals from BJP National Executive Meet in Delhi pic.twitter.com/slrL5L15gZ — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × The Govt is relentlessly working in the interests of the poor: Union Minister Piyush Goyal during BJP National Executive meet pic.twitter.com/x4xENKwQIx — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Amit Shah ji said that from October 3-17 BJP workers will do a 'padyatra' in Kerala and connect with the people: Piyush Goyal — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi ji has been undermining India these days, Amit Shah ji gave a befitting reply with facts: Piyush Goyal on BJP Natl Exec meet pic.twitter.com/VEuFUtNKLh — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Amit Shah ji ne kaha vanshvaad Congress ki sanskriti hai: Piyush Goyal — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × BJP will register a historic win in upcoming Gujarat polls: Union Minister Piyush Goyal pic.twitter.com/uW6GdfLoPL — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × The two-day BJP National Executive meet in New Delhi, which will conclude today after PM Modi's address, is being attended by an estimated 2000 party leaders including 1400 Members of Legislative Assembly, 337 Members of Parliament, and all Members of Legislative Council. The meet will trace the political and economic development of the government. It coincides with the 100th birth centenary of independence leader Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.

At BJP's executive meet, Amit Shah takes potshots at Rahul Gandhi for defending dynasty politics

<p>Each time India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits a foreign country, he makes it a point to meet and address the Indian diaspora living in that place. Clearly,&nbsp; the Indian government has come to recognise that diaspora is a valuable strategic asset. They are the new elite of this world. But having said that, unlike China, India does not seem to fully reap the economic and political potential of the nation&#39;s diaspora successfully enough. Indian government&rsquo;s engagement with its diaspora hasn&#39;t evolved beyond recognising its importance to a more active state yet.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>China&rsquo;s diaspora policies in action: &ldquo;going out and inviting in&rdquo;</strong></p>

<p>The overseas Chinese enjoy an extremely strong sense of shared identity as well as a powerful attachment to China. They have played a crucial role in China&#39;s economic growth, providing the lion&#39;s share of inward investment. But this is not solely due to the patriotic feeling one has towards his motherland but due to China&#39;s extensive diaspora engagement policy and institutional apparatus.</p>

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<h5>There are several programmes, such as the &lsquo;Changjiang Scholars Programme&rsquo; or the &lsquo;Hundred Talents Programme&rsquo; which offer high salaries and research funds for overseas Chinese.</h5>
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<p>The government has made a concerted attempt to embrace all ethnic Chinese, regardless of nationality or date of migration, as part of the Chinese family and, hence, tied to the Chinese nation. At the Third Plenum of the Fourteenth Party Congress in 1993, the Chinese government launched the &lsquo;twelve words&rsquo; policy of supporting overseas studies and encouraging the return of Chinese students.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Xi Jinping in 2013 expanded the &lsquo;twelve words&rsquo; policy by adding four additional words &lsquo;fahuizuoyong&rsquo; (playing a role), pledging that the CCP and the government would ensure that the Chinese diaspora could play a significant role when returning to China, and that it could contribute to China&rsquo;s development when remaining overseas.</p>

<p>There are several programmes, such as the &lsquo;Changjiang Scholars Programme&rsquo; or the &lsquo;Hundred Talents Programme&rsquo; which offer high salaries and research funds for overseas Chinese. Similarly, &ldquo;1000 Talents&rdquo; programme offers high-level academic positions to senior Chinese scholars with PhDs up to 20 times higher than what a local faculty makes. It also seeks to draw innovators in specialist engineering and high technology sectors that will create companies or jobs in China. Moreover, China&rsquo;s &ldquo;Roots Seeking&rdquo; programmes for overseas youth promotes Chinese language and culture abroad. It has over the last two decades aggressively courted the return of its highly-skilled diaspora through a variety of employment and scholarship programmes.</p>

<p>CCTV, China&rsquo;s state broadcaster, is also aiming to grow an international network to carry its soap operas and news worldwide. CICC streams Chinese content from CCTV and provincial broadcasters to overseas Chinese audiences and is now setting its sights at non-Chinese audiences too. The CCTV-4 channel has three different time-shifted feeds&mdash;Beijing Time, Greenwich Mean Time, and Eastern Standard Time.</p>

<p>Therefore, the vision of Xi Jinping to revitalise the nation and to realise the Chinese Dream, since 2012, has provided a foundation for the current efforts in China&rsquo;s diaspora engagement. Increasing attention has been paid to attracting Chinese talents overseas because of their technical know-how and their exposure to international practices.</p>

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<h5>At a recent celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2017, Prime Minister Modi said: &ldquo;We are converting the brain drain to brain gain&rdquo;.</h5>
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<p><strong>India&rsquo;s diaspora engagements: &lsquo;going out and trying to invite in&rsquo;</strong></p>

<p>India has always tried to harness the potential of its diaspora community but its importance has been emphasised like never before lately. At a recent celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2017, Prime Minister Modi said: &ldquo;We are converting the brain drain to brain gain&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The government has eased travel and residency policies for diaspora members, which helps in fostering more back-and-forth exchange. It has merged the erstwhile OCI and PIO cards so that the diaspora members can now enjoy lifetime visa access to India and certain educational and financial benefits comparable to those of citizens. It has also simplified rules and procedures and has set up &ldquo;single window&rdquo; clearances to members of the diaspora community who are desirous of implementing socially relevant projects in India. The government has also launched a new training plan for low-skilled Indian youth who are seeking blue collar jobs abroad so that they are better prepared and less likely to be exploited or abused.</p>

<p>This new outreach towards the diaspora can be seen from the long list of countries the Indian Prime Minister has visited to interact extensively with different classes and categories of Indian diaspora. India hopes to cultivate soft power among those of Indian heritage out of such engagements. As India gets remittances worth 3.4 per cent of its GDP, making India the largest remittance receiving country, the prime minister has also asked diaspora members to invest in various social projects, such as in improving rural sanitation.</p>

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<h5>India is already struggling with unemployment so it is also not able to offer lucrative employment opportunities to the overseas Indians like China is.</h5>
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<p><strong>India needs to walk the walk</strong></p>

<p>While India is surely talking the talk but India needs to walk the walk too like China. A lot more has to be done to reap benefits from the Indian diaspora. To start with, challenges, such as poor infrastructure, red tape, labour market regulations, etc. needs to be taken care of which refrains a PIO or NRI to invest in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While India also has programmes like &lsquo;know India&rsquo;, but there are not extensive like China, considering the number of intakes that India has is around 35 and China 30000. India is already struggling with unemployment so it is also not able to offer lucrative employment opportunities to the overseas Indians like China is. In the number of scholarships given to diaspora children, India lag far behind as it only supports 100 children in comparison to China&rsquo;s 3000 annually.</p>

<p>Although India&rsquo;s official radio broadcaster, All India Radio, covers over 108 countries in 27 languages, India&rsquo;s official television broadcaster, Doordarshan, lags behind. In comparison, China&rsquo;s national radio and television have emerged as the binding force of the whole Chinese diaspora community.</p>

<p>India needs to expand its globally oriented programmes and schemes in number and reach. They have to become visible worldwide for promoting India&rsquo;s interests and to attract a much wider diaspora. Hence, with some policy initiatives, India can multiply the economic value of diaspora contributions, use their talent and industriousness and make it more attractive for them to step up participation in India&rsquo;s development.</p>

<p>To conclude, although the focus of the Chinese and Indian governments differ in their engagements with its diaspora but both the countries recognise diaspora not just as economic remittances but also social remittances in the form of knowledge, expertise, ideas and practices. India, however, needs to ramp up its efforts if it wants to match the level of engagement maintained by China.</p>


To equal China's diaspora engagement, India needs to take care of poor infrastructure, red tape, and labour market regulations which refrain a PIO or NRI to invest in India.

Each time India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits a foreign country, he makes it a point to meet and address the Indian diaspora living in that place. Clearly, the Indian government has come to recognise that diaspora is a valuable strategic asset. They are the new elite of this world. But having said that, unlike China, India does not seem to fully reap the economic and political potential of the nation's diaspora successfully enough. Indian government’s engagement with its diaspora hasn't evolved beyond recognising its importance to a more active state yet. China’s diaspora policies in action: “going out and inviting in” The overseas Chinese enjoy an extremely strong sense of shared identity as well as a powerful attachment to China. They have played a crucial role in China's economic growth, providing the lion's share of inward investment. But this is not solely due to the patriotic feeling one has towards his motherland but due to China's extensive diaspora engagement policy and institutional apparatus. There are several programmes, such as the ‘Changjiang Scholars Programme’ or the ‘Hundred Talents Programme’ which offer high salaries and research funds for overseas Chinese. × The government has made a concerted attempt to embrace all ethnic Chinese, regardless of nationality or date of migration, as part of the Chinese family and, hence, tied to the Chinese nation. At the Third Plenum of the Fourteenth Party Congress in 1993, the Chinese government launched the ‘twelve words’ policy of supporting overseas studies and encouraging the return of Chinese students. Xi Jinping in 2013 expanded the ‘twelve words’ policy by adding four additional words ‘fahuizuoyong’ (playing a role), pledging that the CCP and the government would ensure that the Chinese diaspora could play a significant role when returning to China, and that it could contribute to China’s development when remaining overseas. There are several programmes, such as the ‘Changjiang Scholars Programme’ or the ‘Hundred Talents Programme’ which offer high salaries and research funds for overseas Chinese. Similarly, “1000 Talents” programme offers high-level academic positions to senior Chinese scholars with PhDs up to 20 times higher than what a local faculty makes. It also seeks to draw innovators in specialist engineering and high technology sectors that will create companies or jobs in China. Moreover, China’s “Roots Seeking” programmes for overseas youth promotes Chinese language and culture abroad. It has over the last two decades aggressively courted the return of its highly-skilled diaspora through a variety of employment and scholarship programmes. CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, is also aiming to grow an international network to carry its soap operas and news worldwide. CICC streams Chinese content from CCTV and provincial broadcasters to overseas Chinese audiences and is now setting its sights at non-Chinese audiences too. The CCTV-4 channel has three different time-shifted feeds—Beijing Time, Greenwich Mean Time, and Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, the vision of Xi Jinping to revitalise the nation and to realise the Chinese Dream, since 2012, has provided a foundation for the current efforts in China’s diaspora engagement. Increasing attention has been paid to attracting Chinese talents overseas because of their technical know-how and their exposure to international practices. At a recent celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2017, Prime Minister Modi said: “We are converting the brain drain to brain gain”. × India’s diaspora engagements: ‘going out and trying to invite in’ India has always tried to harness the potential of its diaspora community but its importance has been emphasised like never before lately. At a recent celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2017, Prime Minister Modi said: “We are converting the brain drain to brain gain”. The government has eased travel and residency policies for diaspora members, which helps in fostering more back-and-forth exchange. It has merged the erstwhile OCI and PIO cards so that the diaspora members can now enjoy lifetime visa access to India and certain educational and financial benefits comparable to those of citizens. It has also simplified rules and procedures and has set up “single window” clearances to members of the diaspora community who are desirous of implementing socially relevant projects in India. The government has also launched a new training plan for low-skilled Indian youth who are seeking blue collar jobs abroad so that they are better prepared and less likely to be exploited or abused. This new outreach towards the diaspora can be seen from the long list of countries the Indian Prime Minister has visited to interact extensively with different classes and categories of Indian diaspora. India hopes to cultivate soft power among those of Indian heritage out of such engagements. As India gets remittances worth 3.4 per cent of its GDP, making India the largest remittance receiving country, the prime minister has also asked diaspora members to invest in various social projects, such as in improving rural sanitation. India is already struggling with unemployment so it is also not able to offer lucrative employment opportunities to the overseas Indians like China is. × India needs to walk the walk While India is surely talking the talk but India needs to walk the walk too like China. A lot more has to be done to reap benefits from the Indian diaspora. To start with, challenges, such as poor infrastructure, red tape, labour market regulations, etc. needs to be taken care of which refrains a PIO or NRI to invest in India. While India also has programmes like ‘know India’, but there are not extensive like China, considering the number of intakes that India has is around 35 and China 30000. India is already struggling with unemployment so it is also not able to offer lucrative employment opportunities to the overseas Indians like China is. In the number of scholarships given to diaspora children, India lag far behind as it only supports 100 children in comparison to China’s 3000 annually. Although India’s official radio broadcaster, All India Radio, covers over 108 countries in 27 languages, India’s official television broadcaster, Doordarshan, lags behind. In comparison, China’s national radio and television have emerged as the binding force of the whole Chinese diaspora community. India needs to expand its globally oriented programmes and schemes in number and reach. They have to become visible worldwide for promoting India’s interests and to attract a much wider diaspora. Hence, with some policy initiatives, India can multiply the economic value of diaspora contributions, use their talent and industriousness and make it more attractive for them to step up participation in India’s development. To conclude, although the focus of the Chinese and Indian governments differ in their engagements with its diaspora but both the countries recognise diaspora not just as economic remittances but also social remittances in the form of knowledge, expertise, ideas and practices. India, however, needs to ramp up its efforts if it wants to match the level of engagement maintained by China.

Like China, can Modi harness the potential of the Indian diaspora?

<p>Rattled by the recent spate of train derailments in the country, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, assured the people about the ambitious project and said that that the bullet train has not seen a single accident in Japan.</p>

<p>&quot;It has been a zero-accident train in Japan and I am sure the track record will remain the same in India,&quot; Piyush Goyal said.</p>

<p>Ahead of Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the bullet train project, Goyal said that the country`s rail network will be transformed and revolutionised with the initiative.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given directions for a holistic development of the Indian Railways,&quot; Goyal said, adding, India`s transport sector is all set to change and &quot;it is indeed a matter of celebration.&quot; Goyal further said that the new initiative will help boost the employment in the country. &quot;The coming of bullet trains to India will not only boost employment , but also will help India to export it,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe will also be visiting India to attend the `Bhoomi Poojan` and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rs. 97,636-crore Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail link, using Japanese bullet-train technology. During the visit, Prime Minister Abe will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and is expected to serve as the &quot;top salesman&quot; for the adoption of the Shinkansen technology by other Indian railway systems, with China also aiming to win orders for the projects, the<em> Japan Times</em> had reported, earlier in August.</p>

<p>The 500-km railway will link Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India, with services planned to commence in 2023. This train is based on Japanese high-speed technology called Shinkansen, known for its safety and comfort. India has pledged to build high-speed railways, focused on the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.</p>

<p>When Prime Minister Modi went to Japan last November, he travelled by Shinkansen with his Japanese counterpart from Tokyo to Kobe to visit a bullet-train plant of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., a maker of Shinkansen cars.</p>


'It has been a zero-accident train in Japan and I am sure the track record will remain the same in India,' the new railway miniser said

Rattled by the recent spate of train derailments in the country, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, assured the people about the ambitious project and said that that the bullet train has not seen a single accident in Japan. "It has been a zero-accident train in Japan and I am sure the track record will remain the same in India," Piyush Goyal said. Ahead of Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the bullet train project, Goyal said that the country`s rail network will be transformed and revolutionised with the initiative. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given directions for a holistic development of the Indian Railways," Goyal said, adding, India`s transport sector is all set to change and "it is indeed a matter of celebration." Goyal further said that the new initiative will help boost the employment in the country. "The coming of bullet trains to India will not only boost employment , but also will help India to export it," he said. Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe will also be visiting India to attend the `Bhoomi Poojan` and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rs. 97,636-crore Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail link, using Japanese bullet-train technology. During the visit, Prime Minister Abe will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and is expected to serve as the "top salesman" for the adoption of the Shinkansen technology by other Indian railway systems, with China also aiming to win orders for the projects, the Japan Times had reported, earlier in August. The 500-km railway will link Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India, with services planned to commence in 2023. This train is based on Japanese high-speed technology called Shinkansen, known for its safety and comfort. India has pledged to build high-speed railways, focused on the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. When Prime Minister Modi went to Japan last November, he travelled by Shinkansen with his Japanese counterpart from Tokyo to Kobe to visit a bullet-train plant of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., a maker of Shinkansen cars.

Piyush Goyal assures people Indian bullet train will be safe

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indonesian-minister-to-meet-suu-kyi-amid-protests-over-rohingya-19834">Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is under pressure </a>from several countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia&nbsp;and Pakistan to ensure the safety of&nbsp;Rohingya Muslims who have fled the country in large numbers.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brics-summit-day-2-pm-modi-president-xi-set-to-meet-today-19868">Prime Minister Modi who is on his way to Myanmar after attending</a> the BRICS summit in China is due to meet top officials, including Suu Kyi.</p>

<p>&quot;PM Modi is going there and our foreign secretary has already briefed the foreign secretary of India on this. If international conscience is awakened then that would put pressure on Myanmar,&quot; said H.T. Imam told Reuters.</p>

<p>On Monday, Indonesia&#39;s foreign minister met Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and army chief Min Aung Hlaing to discuss means of delivering humanitarian aid to members of Myanmar&#39;s Rohingya community&nbsp;and appeal to the two leaders to stop the violence against&nbsp;Rohingyas &nbsp;even as Indonesians protested outside the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta.</p>

<p>Experts feel Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is not doing enough to stop the violence against the Rohingya community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The security authorities need to immediately stop all forms of violence there and provide humanitarian assistance and development aid for the short and long term,&quot; Retno said after her meetings in the Myanmar capital.</p>

<p>&quot;Indonesia is taking the lead on this and ultimately there is a possibility of ASEAN countries joining in,&quot; H.T. Imam, political adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told Reuters.</p>

<p>&quot;If we can keep the pressure on Myanmar from ASEAN, from India as well, that will be good,&quot; he added, hinting at Modi&#39;s impending visit to the country.</p>

<p>According to the UN, at least 123,600 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh straining the country&#39;s economy.</p>

<p>The latest violence erupted in Myanmar&#39;s northwestern Rakhine state a fortnight ago when Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army base. The ensuing clashes and a military offensive led to the death of at least 400 people, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attack led to the Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh.</p>


PM Modi who is on his way to Myanmar after attending the BRICS summit in China is due to meet top officials, including Suu Kyi.

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is under pressure from several countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan to ensure the safety of Rohingya Muslims who have fled the country in large numbers. Prime Minister Modi who is on his way to Myanmar after attending the BRICS summit in China is due to meet top officials, including Suu Kyi. "PM Modi is going there and our foreign secretary has already briefed the foreign secretary of India on this. If international conscience is awakened then that would put pressure on Myanmar," said H.T. Imam told Reuters. On Monday, Indonesia's foreign minister met Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and army chief Min Aung Hlaing to discuss means of delivering humanitarian aid to members of Myanmar's Rohingya community and appeal to the two leaders to stop the violence against Rohingyas even as Indonesians protested outside the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta. Experts feel Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is not doing enough to stop the violence against the Rohingya community. "The security authorities need to immediately stop all forms of violence there and provide humanitarian assistance and development aid for the short and long term," Retno said after her meetings in the Myanmar capital. "Indonesia is taking the lead on this and ultimately there is a possibility of ASEAN countries joining in," H.T. Imam, political adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told Reuters. "If we can keep the pressure on Myanmar from ASEAN, from India as well, that will be good," he added, hinting at Modi's impending visit to the country. According to the UN, at least 123,600 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh straining the country's economy. The latest violence erupted in Myanmar's northwestern Rakhine state a fortnight ago when Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army base. The ensuing clashes and a military offensive led to the death of at least 400 people, Reuters reported. The attack led to the Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh.

As Modi visits, Aung San Suu Kyi under pressure to end Myanmar's Rohingya crisis

<p>If not anything else, escalation of India-China standoff in the Doklam plateau at the Bhutan-China border will put Bangladesh in a precarious situation. Another Indo-China war will make it worse. Had this been in the seventies, especially in the years right after Bangladesh&rsquo;s birth, the country wouldn&rsquo;t have worried much about China and put its weight behind India.</p>

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<h5>China, the new global economic super power, is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, over taking India a few years back</h5>
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<p>But, since those years,&nbsp;a lot of water has passed under the bridges over the Ganges, Padma and Yangtze and miraculous changes have taken place. China, the new global economic super power, is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, overtaking India a few years back. China is also the biggest potential investor in capital-crunched Bangladesh.</p>

<p>Alongside trade and investment, military cooperation between China and Bangladesh has steadily increased for two reasons. One, China has no border with Bangladesh and&nbsp;there is hardly any possibility of military conflict between the two nations. Two, Chinese armaments are affordable and come with some reasonable standard. For similar reasons, many other small to medium size developing countries resort to Chinese weapons and equipment. However, when the Chinese ambassador to Dhaka bragged about Beijing-Dhaka cosiness on military cooperation, it&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t make too much sense; for example, it is fundamentally different from China-Pakistan military cooperation.</p>

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<h5>As far as defence is concerned, at least, the current government of Bangladesh don&rsquo;t consider India as any imminent threat.</h5>
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<p>Some Indian politicians,&nbsp;strategists and media fail to grasp Bangladesh&rsquo;s subtle stand on Dhaka-Beijing dynamics as well as Bangladesh&rsquo;s defence concerns and defence architecture. They unwisely get worried and raise alarms. In the current geo-economic reality, Bangladesh can&rsquo;t shut its door on China and be deprived of what China is generously offering and which no other countries can match up to. &nbsp;China is giving to Bangladesh massive and much needed FDI in infrastructure and manufacturing which will also bring export earnings, jobs for the ever increasing work force, better public service and pave the way for more domestic and external investment. The Chinese are also economically benefitting from&nbsp;such ventures.</p>

<p>As far as defence is concerned, at least, the current government of Bangladesh doesn&#39;t consider India as an&nbsp;imminent threat. They are quite pragmatic and understand India&rsquo;s general approach towards national security matters. The present government in Bangladesh would have been more comfortable to work with a secular Indian government rather the right wing one. Having said that, good will and trust building endeavour from both the sides are significant.</p>

<p>There are certain facts and widely accepted defence strategies from which Bangladesh can&rsquo;t really escape. When one is surrounded by a highly militarised zone, e.g. the Indian north-east, and a semi-hostile neighbour i.e. Myanmar, which is constantly pushing the Rohingyas into Bangladesh, then it needs some degree of military preparations, just in case it gets into any worst case scenario. Bangladesh, after all, is a sizable country of 160 million people and it&#39;s already world&rsquo;s 33rd&nbsp;largest economy with an impressive growth rate of more than 6 per cent.</p>

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<h5>The worst thing for Bangladesh would be if the Chinese and Indians start fighting each other in a big way and Bangladesh is forced to take a side.</h5>
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<p>The first post-independence Awami League government didn&rsquo;t have a good relation with China as the latter supported Pakistan in 1971. The disconnect between Awami League and China lingered for years. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina undertook an initiative to break the ice when she was a leader of the Opposition quite a few years back and made a trip to the Land of the Dragon. The Chinese remembered her diplomatic effort and rather than supporting BNP, its perceived friend in Bangladesh and Hasina&#39;s political opponent, China stayed away from the tumults of Bangladesh&rsquo;s recent domestic politics.</p>

<p>However, the worst thing for Bangladesh would be if the Chinese and Indians start fighting each other in a big way and Bangladesh is forced to take a side.</p>

<p>So far, Bangladesh has&nbsp;been careful about Indian sensitivities and honoured it even by accepting losses, the same can&#39;t be said about India though. Only China made a viable offer to construct the much needed deep seaport while India decided to put it on the back burner as it considered such a port as one of the dots in the so called Strings of Pearls. In the recent Belt and Road summit in Beijing, Bangladesh sent a low profile official though many expected Sheikh Hasina to join.</p>

<p>But Bangladesh is a relatively weaker country in a reasonably volatile region and, therefore, can&rsquo;t afford to be too isolated and put all the eggs in one dubious basket. It&rsquo;s not clear how long India&rsquo;s Nehruvian defense philosophy would last, especially, amidst the ongoing right wing drumming. Under pressure, Prime Minister Modi is already trying to be aggressive. Domestically, the BJP often say anti-Bangladeshi things, especially in the east and north-eastern India. Such news pour&nbsp;into Bangladesh quite easily in this age of information super connectivity. Deep inside, Bangladesh worries that it could become a victim of future saffron aggression.</p>

<p>With an imploding Islamic world and a disinterested U.S, only China offers crucial geostrategic support to Bangladesh. No high officials of the Bangladeshi diplomatic corps or top policy-making forums will, however, utter this openly, but they know it far too well. And there is hardly anything irrational in that. For a long-lasting and genuinely close Bangladesh-India relation,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s better that there is no divergence between what the government says at the bilateral level and what the political forces say&nbsp;domestically. At the end of the day, India and Bangladesh share&nbsp;a very special relationship and no matter what the current political and economic exigencies are, the relationship needs to be protected to ensure stability and peace in the region.</p>


Bangladesh needs investment and military equipment from China but it can't offend India either.

If not anything else, escalation of India-China standoff in the Doklam plateau at the Bhutan-China border will put Bangladesh in a precarious situation. Another Indo-China war will make it worse. Had this been in the seventies, especially in the years right after Bangladesh’s birth, the country wouldn’t have worried much about China and put its weight behind India. China, the new global economic super power, is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, over taking India a few years back × But, since those years, a lot of water has passed under the bridges over the Ganges, Padma and Yangtze and miraculous changes have taken place. China, the new global economic super power, is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, overtaking India a few years back. China is also the biggest potential investor in capital-crunched Bangladesh. Alongside trade and investment, military cooperation between China and Bangladesh has steadily increased for two reasons. One, China has no border with Bangladesh and there is hardly any possibility of military conflict between the two nations. Two, Chinese armaments are affordable and come with some reasonable standard. For similar reasons, many other small to medium size developing countries resort to Chinese weapons and equipment. However, when the Chinese ambassador to Dhaka bragged about Beijing-Dhaka cosiness on military cooperation, it doesn’t make too much sense; for example, it is fundamentally different from China-Pakistan military cooperation. As far as defence is concerned, at least, the current government of Bangladesh don’t consider India as any imminent threat. × Some Indian politicians, strategists and media fail to grasp Bangladesh’s subtle stand on Dhaka-Beijing dynamics as well as Bangladesh’s defence concerns and defence architecture. They unwisely get worried and raise alarms. In the current geo-economic reality, Bangladesh can’t shut its door on China and be deprived of what China is generously offering and which no other countries can match up to. China is giving to Bangladesh massive and much needed FDI in infrastructure and manufacturing which will also bring export earnings, jobs for the ever increasing work force, better public service and pave the way for more domestic and external investment. The Chinese are also economically benefitting from such ventures. As far as defence is concerned, at least, the current government of Bangladesh doesn't consider India as an imminent threat. They are quite pragmatic and understand India’s general approach towards national security matters. The present government in Bangladesh would have been more comfortable to work with a secular Indian government rather the right wing one. Having said that, good will and trust building endeavour from both the sides are significant. There are certain facts and widely accepted defence strategies from which Bangladesh can’t really escape. When one is surrounded by a highly militarised zone, e.g. the Indian north-east, and a semi-hostile neighbour i.e. Myanmar, which is constantly pushing the Rohingyas into Bangladesh, then it needs some degree of military preparations, just in case it gets into any worst case scenario. Bangladesh, after all, is a sizable country of 160 million people and it's already world’s 33rd largest economy with an impressive growth rate of more than 6 per cent. The worst thing for Bangladesh would be if the Chinese and Indians start fighting each other in a big way and Bangladesh is forced to take a side. × The first post-independence Awami League government didn’t have a good relation with China as the latter supported Pakistan in 1971. The disconnect between Awami League and China lingered for years. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina undertook an initiative to break the ice when she was a leader of the Opposition quite a few years back and made a trip to the Land of the Dragon. The Chinese remembered her diplomatic effort and rather than supporting BNP, its perceived friend in Bangladesh and Hasina's political opponent, China stayed away from the tumults of Bangladesh’s recent domestic politics. However, the worst thing for Bangladesh would be if the Chinese and Indians start fighting each other in a big way and Bangladesh is forced to take a side. So far, Bangladesh has been careful about Indian sensitivities and honoured it even by accepting losses, the same can't be said about India though. Only China made a viable offer to construct the much needed deep seaport while India decided to put it on the back burner as it considered such a port as one of the dots in the so called Strings of Pearls. In the recent Belt and Road summit in Beijing, Bangladesh sent a low profile official though many expected Sheikh Hasina to join. But Bangladesh is a relatively weaker country in a reasonably volatile region and, therefore, can’t afford to be too isolated and put all the eggs in one dubious basket. It’s not clear how long India’s Nehruvian defense philosophy would last, especially, amidst the ongoing right wing drumming. Under pressure, Prime Minister Modi is already trying to be aggressive. Domestically, the BJP often say anti-Bangladeshi things, especially in the east and north-eastern India. Such news pour into Bangladesh quite easily in this age of information super connectivity. Deep inside, Bangladesh worries that it could become a victim of future saffron aggression. With an imploding Islamic world and a disinterested U.S, only China offers crucial geostrategic support to Bangladesh. No high officials of the Bangladeshi diplomatic corps or top policy-making forums will, however, utter this openly, but they know it far too well. And there is hardly anything irrational in that. For a long-lasting and genuinely close Bangladesh-India relation, it’s better that there is no divergence between what the government says at the bilateral level and what the political forces say domestically. At the end of the day, India and Bangladesh share a very special relationship and no matter what the current political and economic exigencies are, the relationship needs to be protected to ensure stability and peace in the region.

Why a war between India and China is bad for Bangladesh

<p>The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day today after opposition repeatedly disrupted the proceedings by raising slogans on the plight of farmers and related issues.</p>

<p>The adjournment for the day was announced by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan soon after the House resumed business at noon for the Zero Hour after two consecutive adjournments forced by the opposition members who stormed the Well and raised slogans.</p>

<p>When House assembled for the day and took up the Question Hour, opposition members, mostly from the Congress, trooped into the Well raising slogans saying the Prime Minister should respond to the concerns over farmers&#39; plight and the agrarian crisis.</p>

<p>Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the Lok Sabha had concluded a discussion on the issue by sitting late last night.<br />
But as the slogan-shouting continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was forced to adjourn the house till 1130 AM, just about ten minutes after it had assembled at 11 AM.</p>

<p>When the House resumed business at 11.30 AM, the opposition members belonging to Congress, TMC, Left and other parties again trooped into the Well and started raising slogans pressing for their deamands.</p>

<p>As the unruly scenes continued, the Speaker appealed to the protestors to return to their seats and then adjourned the House till noon.<br />
However, when the House resumed to take up different issues during the Zero Hour, the opposition members again came into the Well raising slogans.</p>

<p>Holding placards, some members, who are part of the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma), trooped into Well demanding a CBI probe into the gutkha (a tobacco product) scam.</p>

<p>A minister in the Tamil Nadu government, which is run by AIADMK (Amma) group, and some officials have come under the scanner for alleged bribery to facilitate the sale of banned gutkha in the state.</p>

<p>Sensing the opposition mood and as it became difficult to continue the business of the House amidst the noisy scenes, the Speaker called for the listed papers to be tabled and then adjourned the House for the day.&nbsp;</p>


Opposition mostly from Congress trooped into the Well raising slogans, saying Prime Minister Modi should respond to the farmers' concerns

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day today after opposition repeatedly disrupted the proceedings by raising slogans on the plight of farmers and related issues. The adjournment for the day was announced by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan soon after the House resumed business at noon for the Zero Hour after two consecutive adjournments forced by the opposition members who stormed the Well and raised slogans. When House assembled for the day and took up the Question Hour, opposition members, mostly from the Congress, trooped into the Well raising slogans saying the Prime Minister should respond to the concerns over farmers' plight and the agrarian crisis. Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the Lok Sabha had concluded a discussion on the issue by sitting late last night. But as the slogan-shouting continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was forced to adjourn the house till 1130 AM, just about ten minutes after it had assembled at 11 AM. When the House resumed business at 11.30 AM, the opposition members belonging to Congress, TMC, Left and other parties again trooped into the Well and started raising slogans pressing for their deamands. As the unruly scenes continued, the Speaker appealed to the protestors to return to their seats and then adjourned the House till noon. However, when the House resumed to take up different issues during the Zero Hour, the opposition members again came into the Well raising slogans. Holding placards, some members, who are part of the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma), trooped into Well demanding a CBI probe into the gutkha (a tobacco product) scam. A minister in the Tamil Nadu government, which is run by AIADMK (Amma) group, and some officials have come under the scanner for alleged bribery to facilitate the sale of banned gutkha in the state. Sensing the opposition mood and as it became difficult to continue the business of the House amidst the noisy scenes, the Speaker called for the listed papers to be tabled and then adjourned the House for the day.

Lok Sabha adjourns for day amid Opposition protests over farmer issues

<p>It happens to be one of the most successful trips made by an Indian prime minister to the US. Evidently, Modi and Trump have found a &quot;true friend&quot; in each other. The &quot;bear hug&quot; and the &quot;handshake&quot;, as well as the joint declaration, indicate that the Modi-Trump summit is far from the cold meeting that happened between Nehru and Kennedy in the 1960s. While India&#39;s first prime minister in his disdainful attitude could find little common ground with a rich and arrogant Kennedy, Trump and Modi have agreed on a number of mutually shared interest areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There was little doubt that Modi would find anything less than a sympathetic ear in Trump on matters relating to Islamic terror. However, it came as a surprise to many that, the two leaders would find a common ground of interest in matters related to trade and technology. But Modi&#39;s opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal clearly brings out how keen the Indian prime minister is to project the bilateral business partnership as the sign of shared commitment to a similar set of political system. Ever since independence, India has done business with the US but never has it been so forthright in claiming that the both countries belong to the same political camp.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>The success of the Modi-Trump meeting effectively displays how political-economic imperatives can overturn the historical trajectory of a bilateral relationship</h5>
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<p>The success of the Modi-Trump meeting effectively displays how political-economic imperatives can overturn the historical trajectory of a bilateral relationship. A close analysis of Modi and Trump&#39;s joint declaration at the conclusion of the meeting reveals that in spite of all the rhetoric surrounding &quot;Make in India&quot; and &quot;Make America Great&quot;, both the leaders, in the name of &quot;unleashing amazing prosperity and growth&quot; are willing to find common areas&nbsp;of economic cooperation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Just before leaving for his US trip, Modi wrote that India sees the US as the country&#39;s &quot;natural partner&quot;. Diplomatically speaking, this is a clear departure from the Cold War days when India refused to side with the US and insisted on a non-aligned posture. The global fawning of terrorist networks and the two country&#39;s bitter experience with terrorism not only brought the countries together on defense and strategy related matters, it also ensured that the two countries would now collaborate on the technological frontier to make, as Modi said, &quot;our seas, cyberspace and outer space&quot; more secure.</p>

<p>As the imperatives of a globalised economy press hard on both India and the US, both countries are now actively seizing all opportunities to build a partnership based on common trade and technological interest. Thus, while US companies, such as Amazon, Apple, Google seek markets in India, the latter hopes that the &quot;thriving&quot; Indian-American community in the US will help in furthering India&#39;s economic interest abroad. Modi&#39;s diplomatic visits are, therefore, closely coupled with events, such as meetings with Indian CEOs of multi-national corporations, building bridges with prospering start-ups, while the prime minister constantly emphasised on how the Indian-American community can act as a metaphor for what the two countries are capable of achieving if they decide to nurture enterprise and reward hard work.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Through the celebratory reference to enterprising Indians, Modi is understandably trying to press a case against the recent Trump administration&#39;s announcements over H1B visas. Indians constitute the highest number of H1B visa holder in the USA, numbering somewhere around 1,26,692 in 2016. A significant majority of these visa holders are engineers, more particularly IT professionals. Companies in the US need their expertise which is available at a much cheaper rate than an American or European professional. The sheer number of Indian tech professionals in the US&nbsp;make them crucial in a bilateral relationship. This is evident from the eagerness Modi has shown showcasing&nbsp;India&#39;s strength in information technology to claim a position of leadership in what he sees to be the digital age.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The future of the bilateral relationship between the two countries now seems to be grounded on the power of emerging technologies, new infrastructure, and the &quot;enthusiasm and excitement of very hardworking and very dynamic people.&quot; What we are witnessing in the international arena is actually reflective of how India is changing domestically. The Modi government&#39;s mantra has become better governance that balances political openness with goal-oriented technocracy. While the level of&nbsp;political openness in India is still a debatable issue, the present regime has shown unwavering commitment to develop India along the technocratic path where the quality of governance matters more than regime type.</p>

<p>&quot;There is a high tide of hope for change in India&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi boldly proclaimed to the world on the eve of his meeting with President Donald Trump. Clearly, as India emerges as a leading economic power in the global circuit, much in India is changing. The process of democratisation, howsoever fraught, is giving away to a pursuit to build an effective technocratic government in India. Such a government is interested more in &quot;good governance&quot; and less in politics. Instead of carrying forward the Nehruvian ideal of a democratic socialist state as India&#39;s answer to underdevelopment, Narendra Modi believes in the endless &quot;possibilities of technology and innovation&quot; to solve the national problems.</p>

<p>Technocratic regimes, like the one PM Modi, is trying to build, carry an assurance of certainty. It promises to deliver what the citizens universally proclaim they want: world-class infrastructure, affordable health care, sanitation, electricity, connectivity, and housing. Modi&#39;s mantra of &quot;minimum government, maximum governance&quot; seeks to achieve its promised goals of transparent governance and economic development without politicising the agendas. The American citizens, including a large number of Indian professionals and business personnel who are tired of red-tapeism of the previous regimes, are wholeheartedly embracing these new shifts in outlook.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The business community in India and foreign investors are cosying up to the idea of India developing as a smart technocracy. They want national infrastructure in roads, railways and power, to which Modi has pledged nearly $200 billion in long-term funding. They need these to expand their business and don&#39;t care much that in the global South often this infrastructure building comes with serious problems of population displacement. For the level of technocratic governance India is hoping to achieve, such a regime will increasingly find mass politics disruptive. The very nature of mass politics is messy;&nbsp;it is incompatible with the technocratic mindset which prioritises rigour over haphazard democratic cycles.</p>

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<p>If democracy is messy and can, on occasions, act as a hindrance to developmental goals, bilateral relation often takes an unpredictable course. For instance, all the hopes pinned on making information technology an important component of bilateral relation can go unrealised&nbsp;if more Indian engineers, such as Srinivas Kuchibhotlas get killed in the US. Similarly, if the Trump administration does get away with imposing stricter control over the issuance of H1B visas, all the praise about&nbsp;hardworking Indian-American community may remain only as a rhetoric.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similarly, the high hopes of building a partnership in the energy sector can also encounter stumbling blocks, particularly because Trump in the recent past has taken&nbsp;a swing at India for taking boatloads of money in the name of climate change. With Qatar in crisis, India needs liquid natural gas (LNG) supply from the US. In the declaration after the summit, Trump did say that the US is &quot;looking forward to exporting more American energy to India&quot; but this will come with a price tag. The President has admitted that his government is &quot;trying to get the price up a little bit.&quot; Trump&#39;s commitment to delivering LNG to India does not come from a commitment to build a clean environment. For him, it is a business proposition: more gas for more money and more jobs. The moment Trump feels any of this business deal is not what he calls to be &quot;fair&quot; and &quot;reciprocal&quot;, the promises of working together will go unrealised.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thus, it is for time to tell if the friendship between the leaders will last the shifting dynamics of international relations and, more importantly, if at the implementation level, the two countries can find a compromise between &quot;Make in India&quot; and &quot;Make America great&quot;. At the end of the day, no matter how hard a technocratic regime tries to deliver in the name of development, it always flounders in the treacherous rocks of democratic politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


The business community in India and foreign investors are cosying up to the idea of India developing as a smart technocracy

It happens to be one of the most successful trips made by an Indian prime minister to the US. Evidently, Modi and Trump have found a "true friend" in each other. The "bear hug" and the "handshake", as well as the joint declaration, indicate that the Modi-Trump summit is far from the cold meeting that happened between Nehru and Kennedy in the 1960s. While India's first prime minister in his disdainful attitude could find little common ground with a rich and arrogant Kennedy, Trump and Modi have agreed on a number of mutually shared interest areas. There was little doubt that Modi would find anything less than a sympathetic ear in Trump on matters relating to Islamic terror. However, it came as a surprise to many that, the two leaders would find a common ground of interest in matters related to trade and technology. But Modi's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal clearly brings out how keen the Indian prime minister is to project the bilateral business partnership as the sign of shared commitment to a similar set of political system. Ever since independence, India has done business with the US but never has it been so forthright in claiming that the both countries belong to the same political camp. The success of the Modi-Trump meeting effectively displays how political-economic imperatives can overturn the historical trajectory of a bilateral relationship × The success of the Modi-Trump meeting effectively displays how political-economic imperatives can overturn the historical trajectory of a bilateral relationship. A close analysis of Modi and Trump's joint declaration at the conclusion of the meeting reveals that in spite of all the rhetoric surrounding "Make in India" and "Make America Great", both the leaders, in the name of "unleashing amazing prosperity and growth" are willing to find common areas of economic cooperation. Just before leaving for his US trip, Modi wrote that India sees the US as the country's "natural partner". Diplomatically speaking, this is a clear departure from the Cold War days when India refused to side with the US and insisted on a non-aligned posture. The global fawning of terrorist networks and the two country's bitter experience with terrorism not only brought the countries together on defense and strategy related matters, it also ensured that the two countries would now collaborate on the technological frontier to make, as Modi said, "our seas, cyberspace and outer space" more secure. As the imperatives of a globalised economy press hard on both India and the US, both countries are now actively seizing all opportunities to build a partnership based on common trade and technological interest. Thus, while US companies, such as Amazon, Apple, Google seek markets in India, the latter hopes that the "thriving" Indian-American community in the US will help in furthering India's economic interest abroad. Modi's diplomatic visits are, therefore, closely coupled with events, such as meetings with Indian CEOs of multi-national corporations, building bridges with prospering start-ups, while the prime minister constantly emphasised on how the Indian-American community can act as a metaphor for what the two countries are capable of achieving if they decide to nurture enterprise and reward hard work. The sheer number of Indian tech professionals in the US make them crucial in a bilateral relationship × Through the celebratory reference to enterprising Indians, Modi is understandably trying to press a case against the recent Trump administration's announcements over H1B visas. Indians constitute the highest number of H1B visa holder in the USA, numbering somewhere around 1,26,692 in 2016. A significant majority of these visa holders are engineers, more particularly IT professionals. Companies in the US need their expertise which is available at a much cheaper rate than an American or European professional. The sheer number of Indian tech professionals in the US make them crucial in a bilateral relationship. This is evident from the eagerness Modi has shown showcasing India's strength in information technology to claim a position of leadership in what he sees to be the digital age. The future of the bilateral relationship between the two countries now seems to be grounded on the power of emerging technologies, new infrastructure, and the "enthusiasm and excitement of very hardworking and very dynamic people." What we are witnessing in the international arena is actually reflective of how India is changing domestically. The Modi government's mantra has become better governance that balances political openness with goal-oriented technocracy. While the level of political openness in India is still a debatable issue, the present regime has shown unwavering commitment to develop India along the technocratic path where the quality of governance matters more than regime type. "There is a high tide of hope for change in India" Prime Minister Narendra Modi boldly proclaimed to the world on the eve of his meeting with President Donald Trump. Clearly, as India emerges as a leading economic power in the global circuit, much in India is changing. The process of democratisation, howsoever fraught, is giving away to a pursuit to build an effective technocratic government in India. Such a government is interested more in "good governance" and less in politics. Instead of carrying forward the Nehruvian ideal of a democratic socialist state as India's answer to underdevelopment, Narendra Modi believes in the endless "possibilities of technology and innovation" to solve the national problems. Technocratic regimes, like the one PM Modi, is trying to build, carry an assurance of certainty. It promises to deliver what the citizens universally proclaim they want: world-class infrastructure, affordable health care, sanitation, electricity, connectivity, and housing. Modi's mantra of "minimum government, maximum governance" seeks to achieve its promised goals of transparent governance and economic development without politicising the agendas. The American citizens, including a large number of Indian professionals and business personnel who are tired of red-tapeism of the previous regimes, are wholeheartedly embracing these new shifts in outlook. The business community in India and foreign investors are cosying up to the idea of India developing as a smart technocracy. They want national infrastructure in roads, railways and power, to which Modi has pledged nearly $200 billion in long-term funding. They need these to expand their business and don't care much that in the global South often this infrastructure building comes with serious problems of population displacement. For the level of technocratic governance India is hoping to achieve, such a regime will increasingly find mass politics disruptive. The very nature of mass politics is messy; it is incompatible with the technocratic mindset which prioritises rigour over haphazard democratic cycles. The business community in India and foreign investors are cosying up to the idea of India developing as a smart technocracy × If democracy is messy and can, on occasions, act as a hindrance to developmental goals, bilateral relation often takes an unpredictable course. For instance, all the hopes pinned on making information technology an important component of bilateral relation can go unrealised if more Indian engineers, such as Srinivas Kuchibhotlas get killed in the US. Similarly, if the Trump administration does get away with imposing stricter control over the issuance of H1B visas, all the praise about hardworking Indian-American community may remain only as a rhetoric. Similarly, the high hopes of building a partnership in the energy sector can also encounter stumbling blocks, particularly because Trump in the recent past has taken a swing at India for taking boatloads of money in the name of climate change. With Qatar in crisis, India needs liquid natural gas (LNG) supply from the US. In the declaration after the summit, Trump did say that the US is "looking forward to exporting more American energy to India" but this will come with a price tag. The President has admitted that his government is "trying to get the price up a little bit." Trump's commitment to delivering LNG to India does not come from a commitment to build a clean environment. For him, it is a business proposition: more gas for more money and more jobs. The moment Trump feels any of this business deal is not what he calls to be "fair" and "reciprocal", the promises of working together will go unrealised. Thus, it is for time to tell if the friendship between the leaders will last the shifting dynamics of international relations and, more importantly, if at the implementation level, the two countries can find a compromise between "Make in India" and "Make America great". At the end of the day, no matter how hard a technocratic regime tries to deliver in the name of development, it always flounders in the treacherous rocks of democratic politics. (WION)

Why did President Trump find a true friend in Prime Minister Modi?

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