The Trade War Between US and China Is All Set to Intensify with Trump

Vol: 26 | No. 7 | July 2018 | R20

www.opinionexpress.in A MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE

Cover Story Enter The Dragon The trade war between US and China is all set to intensify with Trump threatening to impose curbs on Chinese goods Thank You BIPL %DODML,QIUD3URMHFWV/LPLWHG www.balaji.co.in www.dighiport.in editorial Will India face cascading effect RNI UP–ENG 70032/92, Volume 26, No 7 EDITOR of US-China trade stand-off? Prashant Tewari Associate Editor onald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs worth hundreds of billions of dollars on Chi- Dr Rahul Misra nese imports to the US as a trade war between the world’s two largest economies began on Political Editor DFriday. US tariffs on $34bn (£25.7bn) of Chinese goods have come into effect. China retali- Prakhar Misra ated by imposing a similar 25% tariff on 545 US products, also worth a total of $34bn. Mr Trump said the US might target Chinese goods worth $500bn - the total value of Chinese imports in 2017. BUREAU CHIEF President Trump has announced in his election campaign that he will correct the BoP (balance of Anshuman Dogra (DELHI), Diwakar Shetty (MUMBAI), Sidhartha Sharma (KOLKATA), payment) tilt towards China when he will assume power. Lakshmi Devi (BANGALORE ) DIvyash Bajpai Beijing accused the US of starting the “largest trade war in economic (USA), KAPIL DUDAKIA (UNITED KINGDOM) history” and has lodged a case with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Rajiv Agnihotri (MAURITIUS), Romil Raj “Trade war is never a solution,” said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Bhagat (DUBAI), Herman Silochan (CANADA), How high are the stakes for India in a trade war scenario? In trade Dr Shiv Kumar (AUS/NZ), Nithya Ramesh conflicts, there are no winners. A major factor behind the US-China trade (Fashion & Entertainment ) war is winning at a $12 trillion technology — 5G. One of the key reasons Content partner behind the U.S.’s trade war with China is the desire to get ahead in 5G. The Pioneer The technology is seen as a backbone from everything from driverless cars Pratham Pravakta to future cities. America and China are in a race to become the leader in 5G and set the standards that will define the next generation of mobile Legal Advisors Vishnu Sharma Adv internet. It is being touted as a technology that could support the next gen- Vijai Krishna Adv eration of infrastructure, from the billions of internet-connected devices expected to come online in the next few years, to smart cities and driverless cars. 5G technology Advertisement / Marketing Director could be key to President Donald Trump’s pledge to “make America great again” and China’s ambi- Diwakar Shetty tion to be the world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030. Gopal Chopra Too much protectionism ultimately constricts global growth. Nonetheless, here are some points Administrative Director to consider that will affect the Indian economy: Amit Pandey 1) With Chinese growth being affected by trade wars, will it have an effect on com- Bal Mukund Gaur modity prices, especially metals? Corporate Communication / PR China being the largest consumer of base metals, the current development should have a negative Sanjay Mendiratta impact on prices of base metals. Gold is a safe haven and should benefit. Crude oil too will bear the M M Upadhaya brunt, depending on the severity of the impact and the resultant slowdown in global growth. Graphics & Design 2) In the backdrop of trade tensions, will lower base metal prices be good for India? Writeword Commuications (Studio 8) Not necessarily, as revenues of companies will be adversely affected. However the manufacturing Photographer sector may be benefited due to the cheaper availability of raw material. Ratan Shukla 3) What happens to US crude oil if China does not buy it? According to Wood Mackenzie, while China could secure crude oil from alternative sources such as Overseas Marketing OEMCL Ltd (Mauritius), OEHCL ltd (DUBAI) West Africa which has similar quality as US crude, the US would find it hard to find an alternative market as big as China. However, if crude oil prices fall as a result, then other things staying the Advertisement / Circulation: same, it will benefit India. “However, if lower oil prices are caused due to a full-blown trade war, its Delhi / NCR - Hemant Sharma: D 239 positive impact on the economy can get negated/limited due to other negative developments such Defence Colony New Delhi 110024 INDIA as weaker confidence and/or disruption in global trade,” said Anubhuti Sahay, senior economist at Tel – 011 49060350 Standard Chartered Bank. The Russian, Middle East countries will take a huge beating due to fall Mumbai - Vijay Kalantri – Advisor: New in price of crude oil. ExcelsIor BUILDING, 6tH Floor, A.K. NAYAK 4) How badly can US protectionism hurt India? MARG, Fort, MUMBAI - 400001 (INDIA). There is a lot of uncertainty with respect to how the ongoing retaliatory tariff impositions between Phone: 91 - 22 - 22019265 / 22019160 the US and China pans out, says economist Upasna Bhardwaj of Kotak Mahindra Bank, adding, “So, FAX : 91-22- 22019764 / 22019760 in that sense, investment across borders is likely to get impacted.” The magazine is published and printed by Rajiv 5) Will the trade wars also affect capital flows? Agnihotri for Opinion Express Communications Capital flows will be affected but that’s not due to trade tensions. “It is owing to the fact that the & Entertainments Pvt Ltd, from Kumpu Graphic amount of easy money that was available due to quantitative easing is drying up,” says Madan Sab- Press 2 Ashok Nagar, Lucknow & printed at navis, chief economist at CARE Ratings. The US Fed is in monetary policy tightening mode. A recent Kumpu Graphic Press 2 Ashok Nagar, Lucknow UNCTAD report says foreign direct investment has already slowed down. – 226001 Tele : 91-522-4060880 & 6) Can India substitute Chinese exports to the US to some extent and therefore gain? Nikhil Offset An ISO 9001 : 2008 Certified Company 223, DSIDC Complex, Okhla Industrial This could offer an opportunity for India. “India can become more competitive in segments such as Area Phase - I, New Delhi - 110020 Tele : 91- textile, garments and gems and jewellery since India already has an edge,” says Bhardwaj. However, 26812316, 26810097, 26810458, FAX:91 this is doubtful in the short run because China’s exports to the US are much more diverse and it’s a 45792362 E-Mail : [email protected], tall order for India to fill the gap. [email protected] 7) Will rupee weaken further? Registered Office: OPINION EXPRESS HOUSE The rupee will weaken more on account of capital flows than the impact of trade problems, says 24-A Clyde Road, Lucknow-226001 (India) Sabnavis. At the moment, economists do not foresee the currency to breach the psychological level Phone: 91-522-4060880 of 70 per US dollar. Fax: 91-522-2208242 # 24x7 8) Will the effect on India be less as its economy is more domestic-oriented? mobility +91 9984437000 Don’t forget that our exports plus imports of goods and services constitute around 42% of GDP. email: [email protected] Also, we have a current account deficit dependent on external capital inflows for financing. All disputes are subject to be under jurisdiction of There is no question that economic growth and asset markets will be badly hurt by a full-blown courts in Delhi. trade war. The more important issue is the current global economic order is in danger of being dis- All content published may be subject to copyright, mantled, brick by brick. The ramifications will go far beyond trade—the impact on geopolitics, for seek written permission to re-produce. Opinion instance, could be far more serious. Express is trade mark brand of Opinion Express —Prashant Tewari , Editor-in-Chief Communications & Entertainment Private Limited. Opinion Express July 2018 3 A Monthly News Magazine July 2018 Cover Story Hits & Misses As Modi govt completes four years in office, The Opinion Express brings out its report card

P 6-11 From cakewalk Lens ‘GURU’ 12 to contest 30 44 of Indian Labour and cinema Look who Anti-Semitism 20 swept the floor!

The Reformist 36 Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was an accidental legendary 26 politician with a golden heart Priya’s Power Punch Caste 48 41 Away Scourge of casteism in The Pioneer slow retreat as more How Adi Shankaracharya and more youth marry united a fragmented land for love 4 July 2018 Opinion Express IPL 2018: Chennai Super Kings Win their Third IPL Title

By Opinion Express most of the wins — Dhoni, Raina, Faf In this edition, the odds were particu- and Bravo. The new ones were added, larly high. The team was returning from hennai super Kings (CSK’s) jour- like Harbhajan Singh from MI, to make oblivion, tasked to climb out from the ney to the IPL trophy was not up for the Ashwin gap. Shane Watson well of the spot fixing ignominy without Ceasy. It was all about their hard was assigned a specific purpose as was being thrown off gear. To suit the new work and dedication. After winning the Rayudu in whose abilities there was dispensation, new strategy and play IPL trophy for the third time they have faith, whichever spot he was envisaged capsules were conceived and executed, proved that they are the real kings for- for. Faith worked for CSK at many lev- one of them being the shift from slow ever. It’s truly a dream come true. els — the team’s faith in their skipper, spin attack to a seaming focus. Players We all know MS Dhoni as a master the skipper’s faith in his squad, the got compartmentalised roles and they chaser, man who blooms in adversity, management’s faith in winnability and, stuck to it. The clinical approach was skipper who believes in emotional cryo- last but not the least, the fans’ faith in inserted into everyone’s DNA and win- genics and a wily strategist who not just the yellow jersey. The team got only one nability became a uniform barometer of talks of processes, systems and clinical match to play at its home ground but existence. That’s why the scorn around build-ups, but creates opportunities the fans travelled en masse to the ad- the white hair in the team did not result to achieve targets thus set. His team, opted home in Pune making yellow the in fogginess of the mind. The 30s men Chennai Super Kings (CSK), signifies colour of the stands wherever the team brought experience into competition — his way of life. Two years in the dump went. This belief in the team, this trust, Faf, Watson, Dhoni, Bravo and Raina and a phoenix-like rise to the top is no this loyalty is unique to CSK. The stun- – none of them young but all of them mean achievement. It is signature CSK, ning fact is, none of the iconic players happening, cementing the fortunes of its signature Dhoni. The adversities in CSK is from the home State and yet the team along the journey, often help- were many. Iconic yellow jersey players Dhoni is their one and only Thala and ing stunning comebacks in death overs, had been wearing other team colours, Raina their Chinna Thala! dwarfing oppositions as good and sound thanks to the two-year ban imposed So what is it about CSK that is so as Sunrisers Hyderabad with profes- on CSK. Raina was captaining Gujarat different from other teams? For one, it sional performances. Indeed, CSK is and Dhoni had found and lost skipper- is a concept conceived with sustained about ultimate turnarounds that none ship of Pune. Not all were bought back thinking and impeccable forward plan- other team has been able to fathom. A but those who were, were carefully cho- ning with grey heads like Stephen Flem- presence in nine Finals and three cham- sen with specifics in mind. They made ing and Dhoni getting together to talk pionship points tells you why Dhoni’s for the core team which orchestrated cricket much in advance of the big show. team is the man among the boys.

Opinion Express July 2018 5 Cover story

Hits& Misses

6 July 2018 Opinion Express As Modi govt completes four years in office, The Opinion Express brings out its report card

Prakhar Prakash Misra my is robust with GST system having settled down and reforms firmly on the our years of Modi govern- right path. In a statement, CII Director ment: In the biggest election General Chandrajit Banerjee said over of India’s history, Narendra the last four years, the government has Modi, the three-term chief systematically addressed major pain minister of Gujarat stormed points for the economy such as ease toF power with a thumping majority for of doing business, non-performing as- his vision for a developed India. In his sets of banks, foreign direct investment first major address to the nation from rules, infrastructure construction and Hits the ramparts of the Red Fort on August exit of failing enterprises. 15, 2014, Narendra Modi announced his flagship Jan-Dhan Yojana, which to Achche din may be several date is one of the jewels in his crown. years away, but PM must get full Others are the successful imple- marks for trying : Achche din may be mentation of the several years away, but the NDA gov- Goods and Servic- ernment under Prime Minister Naren- As Modi completes es Tax (GST) and dra Modi must get full marks for trying. the introduction Four years into the government’s re- Misses 4 years, India Inc’s of Insolvency and gime, the economy is not exactly rock- Bankruptcy Code ing. GDP has clocked in at an average of thumbs up to economy; (IBC). With India CII says GST cyclone expected to emerge as the fastest-grow- over, reforms on track: ing major economy As the BJP-led NDA again this financial year, especially af- government completes ter slumping to as four years in office, low as 5.7% due to disruptions from industry chamber structural changes, this could be a big CII today said India’s shot in the arm of economy is robust with Narendra Modi ahead of the 2019 GST system having polls. From Ujjwala settled down and reforms Yojana to Saubhag- ya Yojana — Naren- firmly on the right path dra Modi gets full marks for his efforts, even as some targets are expected to be missed. As Modi completes 4 years, India Inc’s thumbs up to economy; CII says GST cyclone over, reforms on track: As the BJP-led NDA government completes four years in office, industry 7.3% annually between FY15 and FY18, chamber CII today said India’s econo- below the 7.5% notched up in the five years prior to that. Manufacturing is muddling along, but exports are in a shambles leaving private sector investment stagnant, and few jobs on offer. The damage from demon- etisation and GST is slowly coming undone, but business sentiment remains subdued.

Opinion Express July 2018 7 among them : The top five ministries of the Modi government are Defence, External Affairs, New and Renewable Energy, Coal, and Road, Transport and Highways, a survey conducted by Lo- calCircles showed. Indians have given a stellar score to the Defence Ministry — 4.9 on the scale of 5. The government has been applauded for “taking some bold steps like the surgical strikes against Pakistan,” LocalCircles said.

The benchmark equity index BSE Sensex has added about 10,000 points in the last four years breaching the key levels of 30,000 for the first time under Narendra Modi-led NDA government. The S&P BSE Sensex has Sensex leaps 10,000 points! 4 steps were taken to make lives of com- gained as much as 9,970 winning feats that steered stock mon people easier. From self-attesta- market to record highs: In the span tion to doing away with birth certificate points to 34,663 from of last four years, Indian stock markets for passport to Tatkal reforms to easing a level of 24,693 as on have fared considerably well as com- I-T filing, these reforms went unnoticed pared to regional Asian peers and Wall in the four years of Modi-led NDA gov- 23 May 2018, before Street — the world’s largest equity mar- ernment. swearing-in ceremony of kets by turnover. The benchmark equity index BSE Sensex has added about These 5 ministries get stellar score Narendra Modi as PM. 10,000 points in the last four years from people, and Finance is not breaching the key levels of 30,000 for the first time under Narendra Modi-led NDA government. The S&P BSE Sensex has gained as much as 9,970 points to 34,663 from a level of 24,693 as on 23 May 2018, before swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as PM.

Has India created enough jobs? Debate on, but this next challenge will be bigger : While formal jobs have indeed been created, muted household income and savings macro data suggest muted quality of jobs in aggregate. “Job quality is the real issue for Indian macro and markets, manifested in the slowing growth of the middle class,” Gautam Chhaochharia, Analyst and Sanjena Dadawala, Analysts at UBS said in the report.

4 small reforms by Modi that went unnoticed: In 2016, the Lok Sabha repealed 1,175 of 1,827 laws that were identified as obsolete, and many other

8 July 2018 Opinion Express Even after 4 years, Modi is win- tion. China has practically expanded in ning hearts; Survey shows 57% In- India’s next door countries through indians happy with his work : A total Modi’s international frastructure projects and defence coop- of 57% Indians say that the Narendra trips have always eration; it is a great challenge for Modi Modi government has “either met or led NDA government in respect to the exceeded” their expectations in the last generated a buzz. In nation security. four years, a survey said. A majority of the past four years, Indians are particularly happy with Nar- Social Harmony: The Modi govern- endra Modi’s effort in improving India’s the PM has travelled ment must focus on building confidence image globally, handling of Pakistan, with the minority community and the fighting terrorism, infrastructure devel- six continents: 36 SC/ST community in India. It may be a opment and reducing tax harassment, a foreign trips visiting 54 perception that the NDA government led survey report by LocalCircles said. by Narendra Modi has targeted minori- countries; India’s global ties and socially deprived sections of the Four ambitious targets NDA is presence is said to have communities though in government de- poised to miss: After taking over the fence, it is a collective effort of opposition Prime Minister’s Office in 2014, Nar- become stronger ever to portray Modi sarkar to be anti minor- endra Modi shared his vision to make since Prime Minister ity and anti dalit to reap political benefits. India an investor-friendly destination, The sooner this problem is addressed, the which would subsequently lead to job Narendra Modi came better it will be for the nation. creation and development. However, despite ambitious plans like Make in into power after 2014 Foreign Policy India, Narendra Modi, four years later, general elections. Modi’s international trips have is poised to miss some targets. always generated a buzz. In the past Amit Shah says PM Modi works for four years, the PM has travelled six 15-18 hours every day : BJP provided government. Kashmir policy persuaded continents: 36 foreign trips visiting 54 the most hardworking Prime Minister by NDA government has yielded no re- countries; India’s global presence is & the most popular leader in the world sults. In fact, the militancy in the state said to have become stronger ever since to the country, a PM who works for 15- is on the rise. The hawkish approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi came 18 hours a day. We are proud that this has yielded no dividends. China has a into power after 2014 general elections. Prime Minister is a leader of BJP, says pro Pakistan policy and Beijing is look- At one point, he was also criticized for Amit Shah. ing to mediate in the Kashmir matter. his international trips. However, it has Doklam, POK, Burma, South China Sea, been said that in the four years of Modi Challenges: Pakistan and China are Dalai Lama and trade imbalance are the as PM, India’s bilateral ties with major the major source of worry for Modi pending issues with practically no solu- economies have improved.

Opinion Express July 2018 9 India and the big economies The country most frequented by PM Modi was the United States, where he Russian President Vladimir Putin and Modi met made five visits including the UN Gen- recently in an informal summit in Sochi, where PM eral Assembly meeting in 2014. Indo- US relations were tensed under the Modi said India-Russia ties have “stood the test of second UPA regime, but has certainly time”. Germany is India’s biggest trade partner in improved since the entry of Modi. Defence, economic and political the European Union, and ties have strengthened ties between India and the US have improved a lot since Modi. The two coun- with each visit Modi paid Chancellor Angela tries signed Logistics Exchange Memo- Merkel. PM Modi also made three visits of strategic randum of Agreement (LEMOA), the defence agreement pending since 2004. importance to France in his four years. Pakistan remains a major policy discussion between the countries. Trump’s tough talk on Pakistan has aligned the na have been strained since the Doklam India’s neighbours US with India’s old frustration with the issue arose and these meetings have Narendra Modi has stressed on re- country. defined the two countries’ relationships lations with neighbouring countries On his trips to the United Kingdom, with each other. Modi was one of the ever since he took office. The prime PM Modi met Queen Elizabeth twice, first to congratulate Xi Jinping when minister paid three visits to Nepal since once in 2015 and recently in April this he was re-elected as the president of 2014. Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh year as well as his British counterpart China. and Bhutan are also on the list. Modi Theresa May. India is the third largest Russian President Vladimir Putin had stressed a lot on how South Asian investor in UK, making their ties crucial. and Modi met recently in an informal countries must work together for better Modi recently signed memorandums for summit in Sochi, where PM Modi said individual economic standings. Before National Clean Ganga Mission, skill de- India-Russia ties have “stood the test of relations went south, Modi had also vis- velopment and vocational programmes time”. Germany is India’s biggest trade ited Pakistan and held talks with then and an agreement between NITI Aayog partner in the European Union, and ties PM Nawaz Sharif. Unfortunately, PM and UK’s Department of Business, En- have strengthened with each visit Modi Nawaz Sharif with whom PM Modi had ergy and Industrial Strategy. paid Chancellor Angela Merkel. PM developed personal relationship reigned Modi also visited China, Germany Modi also made three visits of strategic and the clock went back to square one. and Russia four times in the past four importance to France in his four years. The Kashmir issue and OROP remains years. Relations between India and Chi- the burning obstacles in securing better

10 July 2018 Opinion Express relationship between the two countries, the border tensions and limited hostili- ties are the regular feature at the LOC that Modi government has failed to re- duce and eliminate from the source. India’s relations with Middle East- ern countries have soared since Modi came to power. Summits with leaders of Israel, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Ara- bia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Pales- tine and Afghanistan were held. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Modi showcased a fast friend- ship during the former’s visit to India in January 2018. Modi asked Israeli companies to take advantage of the “liberal- ized FDI regime to make more in India”. Moreover, Netanyahu had described Israel’s relations with India as a “marriage made in heaven”! The Middle Eastern economies have been a priority of the Modi government since India is dependent on them for two-third of the oil imports. Many Indians migrate to the Middle East for jobs too. Other countries PM Modi visited in- cost of the Congress, which has not only clude Japan, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, faced a series of electoral losses, but has Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mex- “The four years can be seen its support base shrinking even in ico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nether- defined for BJP on the key states. The trigger was the historic lands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and Sweden. basis of expansion of the wherein it recorded the lowest-ever tal- party both electorally ly with just 44 Lok Sabha members. Domestic Politics Apart from the recent success in The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led and socially. Now, the Karnataka, where it formed a post-poll National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gov- alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular), ernment has increased its electoral foot- BJP is the central force the Congress is left with just Punjab, print from just eight states in 2014 to 20 in national politics. Mizoram and Puducherry. “Ever since in four years of Prime Minister Narendra the Lok Sabha defeat, electorally it has Modi’s leadership to emerge as the stron- The entire opposition, been a difficult time for us, but the tide gest political force in the country. whether national or is turning in our favour now. All the re- In fact, from just being a “formi- cent Lok Sabha bypolls show that the dable” force in the Hindi-heartland, the regional parties, is now BJP is losing its momentum and popu- NDA is now in power across the North, lar support,” a senior Congress parlia- with the only exception in Punjab, becoming together to mentarian said, requesting anonymity. sides being part of ruling coalitions in oppose us. This is the With less than a year left for the seven of the eight states in the North- 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress East. biggest influence of the is now looking to bring together all op- The BJP is now looking to increase BJP on national politics,” position parties to form an anti-BJP its electoral and social presence in the coalition. The presence of top leaders of East and the South, where the NDA has said a senior BJP leader, more than 15 opposition parties during marginal presence. Party leaders believe requesting anonymity. the swearing-in of H.D. Kumaraswamy that Modi’s unwavering popularity will as the Karnataka chief minister was eventually help the NDA oust regional seen as a show of strength. heavyweights, such as Mamata Baner- This is the biggest influence of the BJP In the last lap of its five-year term, jee and Naveen Patnaik, from their bas- on national politics,” said a senior BJP the NDA is also facing a key electoral tions, before it can increase its presence leader, requesting anonymity. challenge with three states— Madhya beyond the Vindhyas. The increasing dominance of the Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh— “The four years can be defined for BJP in national politics can be estab- currently ruled by the BJP going to polls BJP on the basis of expansion of the lished from the fact that it has wrestled later this year. It will also be a test for party both electorally and socially. away 12 states from the Congress in the the Congress, which is attempting to Now, the BJP is the central force in na- last four years, while the NDA has had rediscover itself ahead of the 2019 Lok tional politics. The entire opposition, 14 electoral victories since Modi came to Sabha elections. whether national or regional parties, power. The emergence of the BJP as the (Writer is Political Editor of is now coming together to oppose us. political powerhouse took shape at the Opinion Express Group)

Opinion Express July 2018 11 From cakewalk to contest It was a landslide for BJP in 2014, but 2019 won’t be the same

Research: Matthew Lillehaugen Text: Ryan DeVries

n approximately less than twelve months, Indian voters from Kan- yakumari to Kashmir will go to the polls to select their next parliament.I The country’s 2019 general election—like previous contests—will be the largest democratic exercise in world history. More than 870 million voters will be eligible to help determine which political party or alliance will form the government and, in turn, who will serve as prime minister. Electoral outcomes are notoriously difficult to predict in India’s fragmented, hypercompetitive democracy. But one need not go out on a limb to de- clare that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Naren- dra Modi would be the front runner if the election were held today. Following the BJP’s decisive 2014 mandate, many analysts confidently proclaimed that Modi would remain in power for at least two, if not three, terms. Opinion polls reveal that Modi remains highly popular after four years in office, and the BJP has managed to methodically expand its national footprint in numerous state elections since 2014. The opposition, comprised of the once-dominant Indian National Congress and a plethora of regional parties, has struggled to counter the BJP onslaught. Yet the election’s clear front-runner is far from invulnerable, despite an- ticipation of a BJP cakewalk in 2019. Although the intricacies of the upcoming race—such as the selection of candidates and the rhetoric of cam- paigns—remain unknown one year out,

12 July 2018 Opinion Express Distrubution of Seats in Lok Sabha Elecctions, 1984-2014 BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—netted another fifty-three seats. Although the BJP campaigned under the banner of “Mission 272” (a number that represents the threshold for a parliamentary majority), few Indians (even within the BJP itself) believed that the party was likely to meet, let alone sur- pass, this mark on its own. The 2014 electoral outcome was historic. No party had obtained a clear majority of Lok Sabha seats on its own since 1984 when the Congress did so after the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi. 2014 was the first time a non-Congress party had achieved an outright majority by itself without the need for a large, unwieldy coalition. Meanwhile, the Congress sank to its lowest total in history—a paltry forty-four seats. Prior to 2014, the fewest seats the Congress had won in a general election was 114 in 1999. In addition, the 2014 election saw record voter turnout: 66.4 percent of eligible voters (or roughly 554 million voters) cast ballots, a sharp uptick from the 58 percent recorded in the two previous underlying structural conditions sug- Indian parliament (the Lok Sabha) by elections. gest far rockier terrain may lie ahead. In capturing 282 of 543 seats (see figure With each passing year, the national particular, four crucial objectives keep 1). Its political allies—members of the reach of the BJP has grown while the BJP strategists up at night: expanding reach of the Congress has shrunk. The beyond regional strongholds, recruit- BJP and its allies now run twenty-one ing new—and retaining old—coalition The 2014 electoral of India’s twenty-nine states—home to partners, withstanding a disappointing outcome was historic. over 70 percent of the Indian population economic performance, and contending (see figure 2). Prior to Modi’s election, with fluctuations in voter mobilization. No party had obtained the NDA controlled just eight states. The party’s performance in the 2019 The BJP’s gains have largely come at election will hinge largely on its ability a clear majority of Lok the expense of the Congress; whereas to address these potential vulnerabili- Sabha seats on its own the latter ran thirteen states prior to ties and the opposition’s ability to ex- the last general election, today it gov- ploit them. since 1984 when the erns in just four. Furthermore, only two Congress did so after the of these (Karnataka and Punjab) have 2014 AND BEYOND substantial populations (with roughly To understand the BJP’s position assassination of former 90 million residents between them). today, one must recall how unusual The lion’s share of the credit for India’s 2014 election results were. Be- prime minister Indira the BJP’s resurgence belongs to Modi, tween 2004 and 2014, the Congress Gandhi. 2014 was the who remains the most popular politi- Party and its allies (known collectively cian in India. In May 2014, 36 percent as the United Progressive Alliance, or first time a non-Congress of Indians surveyed named him as their UPA) ran the central government in party had achieved an preferred candidate for prime minister, New Delhi. Although the UPA oversaw compared to just 14 percent for Con- record economic growth during its first outright majority by gress President Rahul Gandhi. Although term, its second term was markedly less Modi’s rating might sound low from a positive, as a slowing economy, doubts itself without the need comparative perspective, it is remark- about its leadership, and an endless for a large, unwieldy ably high for India’s fragmented po- parade of corruption scandals badly litical system in which 464 parties con- dented the Congress-led alliance’s cred- coalition. Meanwhile, tested the 2014 general election. While ibility. the Congress sank to its Gandhi’s rating had risen to 20 percent In an era of fractured political man- by January 2018, Modi’s popularity has dates in New Delhi, the Modi-led BJP lowest total in history—a remained extremely stable throughout achieved what many analysts believed paltry forty-four seats. his four years in office (hovering around was unthinkable: it won a clear, single- 37 percent). Historically, Gandhi’s rat- party majority in the lower house of the ing has proven erratic, in part due to his

Opinion Express July 2018 13 BJP’s Expanding footprint, 2014

In 2014, the BJP virtually swept areas where it traditionally enjoys strong support in northern and western India (see figure 3). Just eight states—Bihar, twin struggles with consistency and ef- 80 percent). Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, fectiveness. Running the table in two consecu- tive elections will be an uphill battle. Jharkhand, Madhya REIMAGINING THE MAP Indian voters are legendary for their Pradesh, Maharashtra, Pulling off an encore performance of tendency to harbor anti-incumbency the BJP’s sweeping 2014 victory will be sentiments; research suggests that in- Rajasthan, and Uttar a tall order; to compensate for potential dividual members of parliament (MPs) losses in its core areas, the party must are just as likely to get thrown out of Pradesh—accounted for venture into new territory. In 2014, the office at the end of their term as to get over 75 percent of the BJP virtually swept areas where it tradi- voted back in. There are also state- tionally enjoys strong support in north- level anti-incumbency effects that have BJP’s tally in parliament. ern and western India (see figure 3). negative spillovers on national politics. Collectively, these states Just eight states—Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Parliamentary candidates represent- Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, ing a given state’s ruling party enjoy account for 273 seats, of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar an electoral advantage in national elec- Pradesh—accounted for over 75 percent tions, but only when national elections which the BJP won 216 of the BJP’s tally in parliament. Col- are held early in the state government’s (nearly 80 percent). lectively, these states account for 273 term. Once this honeymoon period is seats, of which the BJP won 216 (nearly over, holding power in India’s states

14 November2017 Opinion Express BJP’s Expanding footprint, 2018

becomes a liability in general elections. inconsequential to the overall electoral northeast has rapidly diminished. This poses a problem for the BJP, which picture given that it accounts for just 3.7 Having established a foothold in serves as the ruling party in all eight of percent of India’s population. Yet the northeastern India, the BJP now aims these core states; in five of them, its region boasts twenty-five parliamentary to increase its strength along India’s governments are nearing the ends of seats, a tempting prize for a party that eastern seaboard in major states such their terms. covets new territory to compensate for as Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Because Modi and BJP President losses likely to be sustained elsewhere. West Bengal. In a fifth state, Andhra Amit Shah—a longtime Modi aide and Thanks to a series of recent state-level Pradesh, the BJP has worked primar- a savvy campaign strategist—know en- victories, the BJP now sits in govern- ily through a key alliance partner—the gineering another sweep of these eight ment in seven of these eight states and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The four core states will be difficult, they have is building up organizational and alli- aforementioned states serve as a sort of placed great importance on expand- ance networks across the region; as a firewall the BJP has struggled to pen- ing the BJP’s footprint into parts of the relatively new player in northeastern etrate in national elections. All told, country where it traditionally has been India, the BJP is less likely to fall prey to these five states collectively account weak. Hence, the BJP’s painstaking de- Indian voters’ antipathy for incumbents for 144 seats in the parliament. Each is votion to breaking into India’s north- there than in the party’s traditional home to one (or more) powerful parties east—long considered to be a bastion strongholds. Whereas the Congress re- with strong ties to linguistic, regional, of the Congress and smaller regional tains the capacity to put up a good fight and cultural identities the BJP current- parties. The northeast is often seen as in the Hindi heartland, its stature in the ly lacks.

Opinion Express July 2018 15 BJP’s 2014 Performance in Core States

16 July 2018 Opinion Express However, this firewall may be frac- turing. In West Bengal, the BJP trails the ruling Trinamool Congress Party in terms of statewide appeal. But it views the demise of the two principal opposition forces—the Left (a coalition of left-leaning parties) and the Congress— as providing a crucial opening for it to emerge as the second-largest party. The ruling Biju Janata Dal of Odisha won twenty of twenty-one parliamentary seats in 2014, ceding just one to the BJP. But the latter won one-quarter of the vote and has subsequently performed well in municipal elections. In Tamil Nadu, the BJP is a bit player on its own but sees the potential to make inroads through alliances. Fissures within the state’s ruling party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have given the BJP hope that the party system might be ripe for realignment.

COALITION DYNAMICS Sustaining previous hard-won gains and breaking new ground in pockets of the country outside BJP strongholds, however, will require partners. On this score, the BJP’s prognosis is mixed. On the one hand, thanks to the widespread sense that the BJP has the wind at its back, the party has become the central pole around which politics in India revolves. This distinguished position once belonged to the Congress, but its recent electoral stumbles and the BJP’s abundant successes have decisively changed the equation. In three recent state elections—in Goa, Manipur, and Meghalaya—the BJP failed to emerge This distinguished position once belonged to the as the single largest party. Nonethe- Congress, but its recent electoral stumbles and the less, thanks to its allure as an alliance partner, the BJP formed governments BJP’s abundant successes have decisively changed in all three states by winning over several smaller parties who decided to join the equation. In three recent state elections—in Goa, a party gaining momentum rather than Manipur, and Meghalaya—the BJP failed to emerge one appearing to lose it. Across states, the BJP, not the Congress, seems to be as the single largest party. the default governing party. Yet recent events suggest that the BJP’s electoral coalition is showing from the central cabinet in New Delhi to likelihood that a sizeable chunk of the signs of strain. Existing BJP allies are express disappointment with the Modi state’s twenty-five seats would be out of voicing concerns about the party’s government’s failure to help Andhra the BJP’s reach. In Maharashtra, pro- methods, raising the possibility that Pradesh tap additional central govern- vided the opposition coalition remains its electoral coalition could fracture. ment funds. When the BJP refused to intact, the split with the Shiv Sena could Two of the BJP’s biggest allies, the Shiv budge, the TDP announced its deci- create a three-way race. Sena in Maharashtra and the TDP in sion to formally exit the alliance. These Luckily for the BJP, the opposition Andhra Pradesh, have recently put the ruptures, while not fatal or irreversible, remains in disarray. The Congress has BJP on notice that they are unhappy potentially complicate the BJP’s elec- been slow to rectify the organizational with its “arrogant” leadership style. The toral arithmetic in 2019. If the BJP is and leadership deficiencies laid bare Shiv Sena announced in January 2018 successfully tarred as anti-Andhra, it in 2014. As one senior party leader has that it would contest the 2019 elec- would be difficult for the party to notch mused, the Congress has faced electoral tions alone, rather than with the BJP. a pre-poll alliance with any of the major crises before, but what it faces today is In March, the TDP pulled its ministers regional parties there, increasing the an existential crisis. While it will likely

Opinion Express July 2018 17 gain seats in 2019, one Congress leader also grown restive. In 2014, India was privately admitted that a triple-digit fig- plagued by slumping growth, ballooning ure would be a stretch at present. Left In 2014, India was deficits, stalled investments, and soar- parties have seen a precipitous decline plagued by slumping ing inflation—offering the BJP untold nearly everywhere save for the state of opportunities to critique the Congress Kerala, its last remaining stronghold. growth, ballooning Party’s mismanagement of bread-and- The upstart Aam Aadmi Party, which deficits, stalled butter issues. Although invocations of came to power in the Delhi state assem- Hindu majoritarianism also populated bly by way of an assertive, agitational investments, and the BJP’s entreaties, it was the BJP’s in- brand of politics, has struggled to ex- sistence that it would rectify the declin- tend its reach beyond the national capi- soaring inflation— ing economy that resonated across the tal. Moreover, parties opposed to the offering the BJP untold country. Yet as economic progress under BJP have failed to coordinate and pool Modi has fallen short of expectations, their votes so as to keep the BJP out of opportunities to critique anxieties about the lack of job creation power. the Congress Party’s have led to massive popular protests in There have been two notable excep- state after state. While the intensity and tions where opposition parties have mismanagement of scope of voter disaffection with India’s set aside their differences and forged a bread-and-butter issues. economy is not certain, there are signs degree of bonhomie. The first was the that disquiet is rising among rural vot- 2015 state election in Bihar, where a so- ers who decisively backed the BJP four called grand alliance of opposition par- years ago. Given that farmers account ties joined hands to keep the BJP from that does not come naturally to rivals for roughly half of India’s labor force, winning power. The opposition alli- who bitterly jostle for political space. rural economic woes raise alarm bells ance won a resounding victory, but this The effects of the BJP’s own alliance for every incumbent politician. short-lived marriage of convenience ul- drama will be mitigated if the opposi- BJP strategists once believed that timately ended when one party defect- tion proves unable or unwilling to do economic revival would be the hallmark ed. More recently, in March 2018, two business together in 2019. of the 2019 campaign. Unfortunately for rival regional parties in Uttar Pradesh them, the economy has not experienced buried their long-standing differences ECONOMIC ANXIETY a uniform revival. Growth, while high by to jointly defeat the BJP in a special But it is not only allies the BJP must international standards, remains well by-election. Regional players could give worry about retaining; many voters below the country’s potential. A failure the BJP a run for its money in their re- who were swayed by Modi’s promise to deal quickly with a systemic banking spective states, but doing so will require to usher in acche din (good times) by crisis has bogged down the domestic them to work cooperatively—something reenergizing the Indian economy have investment cycle. Inflation, which has fallen from the double-digit levels of the tenure of the Congress, remains a risk in an election year when the pressure to spend will be elevated. Further- more, the Modi government’s decisions to abruptly remove high-value currency notes from circulation and enact the sweeping Goods and Services Tax reform have hurt short-term growth, irrespective of their longer-term mer- its. More importantly, for the average Indian, job growth has been anemic. According to the Reserve Bank of In- dia, total employment actually shrank between 2014 and 2016. While it appears that nonfarm jobs grew over this period, farming jobs declined—perhaps as a result of successive droughts. The BJP is betting that its flagship welfare schemes might inoculate it against its patchy economic record. Criticized for having cozy links to corporate capital, Modi’s administration has doggedly tried to burnish its pro- poor credentials by doubling down on major welfare schemes—such as grant- ing every household a bank account, initiating free cooking gas connections to families below the poverty line, and ensuring universal affordable housing.

18 July 2018 Opinion Express These efforts notwithstanding, economic travails are especially apparent in rural India. Although once the bai- liwick of the Congress, many rural voters in 2014 switched their allegiance to the BJP—a party that has historically performed better with city-dwellers. The rural shift toward the BJP could easily swing back to the Congress; for instance, available data suggests that support for the BJP alliance among farmers has declined over the past year. Indeed, recent distress in the farming sector is likely sending chills down the spines of BJP leaders. Despite Modi’s promises to double agrarian incomes by 2022, agriculture remains in a state of disrepair. While the causes of this distress are largely structural, proximate factors such as the decline in the prices of several agricultural commodities and shortfalls in farm production have stimulated outrage among many rural Indians. A clear warning shot was fired in De- cember 2017 during elections in Guja- rat, a longtime BJP bastion. Although it retained its majority in the state assembly, the BJP encountered serious rural opposition—especially in the key region of Saurashtra—where the Congress pre- vailed by capitalizing on caste politics and the waning fortunes of farmers. In 2014 also experienced the biggest gains CONCLUSION March 2018, as many as 50,000 farm- in BJP vote share. With the novelty of One year in advance, many details of ers in Maharashtra descended on the Modi and BJP rule in New Delhi wear- the 2019 race remain unknown, but its state capital of Mumbai to demand the ing thin, there is a risk that voter turn- structural drivers are quickly coming into BJP state government move swiftly to out will return to ordinary levels, reduc- view. Modi and Shah are wasting no time aid them. How widespread this disaf- ing the BJP’s enthusiasm advantage. in recalibrating their approach to miti- fection has spread is unclear. All eyes One key demographic the BJP be- gate the BJP’s unexpected challenges. For will be on upcoming state elections in lieves it can energize in 2019 is women. instance, the government’s most recent Karnataka (in May 2018) and Chhattis- Although they do not vote as a bloc per budget was packed with pro-poor rheto- garh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan se, the party believes several of its wel- ric and numerous sops meant to allay (in December 2018) to discern whether fare schemes have special resonance rural anger. As existing allies are growing this alleged drop-off in rural locales is with women and can influence their wary with the BJP’s modus operandi, the sustained. votes. This is significant because Indi- party’s high command has stepped up its an females are voting in greater num- outreach to smooth frayed relations. And, VOTER MOBILIZATION bers than ever before. In 2014, women concerned about waning voter enthusi- A final concern for the BJP in 2019 voted at higher rates than men in six- asm, Modi has directed the party’s elected is voter mobilization. In 2014, the party teen of India’s thirty-five states and representatives to redouble efforts to con- successfully channeled popular disaf- union territories. At the state level, fe- nect with constituents. In one instance, fection with the incumbent Congress male turnout now regularly surpasses Modi is reported to have warned sitting Party into record voter turnout (66.4 male turnout. BJP MPs that they must amass at least percent). Voter turnout had previously Looking ahead, the BJP’s predica- 300,000 followers on social media or risk peaked at 64 percent in 1984 and fell ment is how to mobilize voters as an losing their party tickets. The opposition to between 56 and 62 percent in sub- incumbent party. One possibility is is making adjustments as well. Gandhi sequent election cycles. As Neelanjan that the party will choose to invoke the and the once-dithering Congress appears Sircar has pointed out, there was a Hindu nationalist card more expressly more focused and consistent. The oppo- strong association between the growth and more intensively to rile up its base. sition, at least rhetorically, is embracing in voter turnout and the improved for- Such a move toward polarization would the need to forge a common anti-BJP tunes of the BJP in the 2014 election. A become even more likely if the opposi- front in 2019. Twelve months is an eter- key source of strength came from young tion successfully bands together to forge nity in politics, but one thing has become voters. Research has demonstrated a common anti-BJP front. Yet such a evident: once thought to be a cakewalk that states with the largest increases in risky strategy could turn off as many (or for the BJP, the 2019 election is turning the share of young, first-time voters in more) voters as it galvanizes. into a contest.

Opinion Express July 2018 19 Look who swept the floor! Karnataka Elections 2018: Unholy alliance needs a dip in holy Ganges

Swapan Dasgupta way for the 2019 general election. The BJP was intent on demonstrating that inning the trust vote Yeddyurappa may well its march through the whole of India naturally involved dodgy is unstoppable. Having established a moves. Yet, as Indira Gan- live to fight another day firm foothold in Assam and the rest of dhi often demonstrated, but, for the moment, North-east India, an area where the saf- theW electorate always nurtures a grudg- fron flag was a novelty in the past, the ing respect for those who can beat the H D Kumaraswamy is Narendra Modi-Amit Shah army was odds, ethics being no bar in war. If the the new Chief Minister now intent on establishing its hold in battle, for the BJP, was all about defeat- southern India, Karnataka being the ing the Congress — and, by implication, of Karnataka, courtesy gateway. The Opposition, on the oth- the Old Establishment that is putting er hand, was anxious on two counts. up a spirited resistance to Modi’s domi- the Congress. In normal First, the post-election combination of nance of Indian politics — the challenge circumstances, this the third party and the second party is was always worth accepting. a possible template for what they hope Last Saturday, in a terrible anti-cli- post-election battle of will happen after 2019 — a grand com- max, the BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa numbers would have bination of all anti-BJP forces, united opted out of the floor test and in effect by a common concern for secularism. handed over the mantle of chief minis- been viewed as yet Secondly, for the beleaguered Congress, tership to the leader of the third party in another disagreeable the loss of Karnataka was too major a the Karnataka Assembly. Yeddyurappa blow to countenance. Rather than risk may well live to fight another day but, muddle, the likes being reduced to what Modi mocked for the moment, H D Kumaraswamy is as Punjab-Puducherry-Parivar and be- the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, of which India has ing resource-starved for 2019, the Con- courtesy the Congress. In normal cir- experienced on gress would rather get a toehold at any cumstances, this post-election battle of cost, even if it involved participating in numbers would have been viewed as yet innumerable occasions. — what may turn out to be — an ATM another disagreeable muddle, the likes government. of which India has experienced on in- Now that the BJP failed to muster numerable occasions. It would have The difference was on two counts. the numbers, there are bound to be been interesting but hardly worth the First, the Karnataka battle was trans- questions raised. Should the party have carpet bombing coverage the country formed into a facet of national politics. staked a claim to form the government, has witnessed on the news channels. There was a positioning game under- knowing fully well that the other side

20 July 2018 Opinion Express had more MLAs? Should it not have How last Saturday’s outcome of the and insatiably power hungry; that it has taken the high moral ground and opted confidence vote will influence political learnt absolutely nothing from the elec- to sit in opposition, knowing fully well thinking in Karnataka in the next year toral drubbing it received; and that it is that the inverted pyramid model of gov- will depend on two factors. First, how shameless enough to re-appoint former ernment formation tends to be woefully the new government will be able to cope Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as Legis- short-lived? On the other hand, why with a fragile majority will set the tone. lature Party leader. Just as much as the concede the battle to the enemy without Secondly, much will depend on whether BJP needs to show how the spirit of the at least a fight? the BJP’s argument that it sought to mandate for change was violated, it will These questions are not unique. In abide by the spirit of the Assembly elec- have to direct its artillery fire against the 1996, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as leader tion mandate is more persuasive than Congress. The importance of the Con- of the single largest party, was invited the claim that the BJP has to be stopped gress lies not merely in its brand name by the President to form a government. from winning another state at all cost. but the fact that the party is still the ral- He accepted, despite knowing that he From the BJP’s perspective which lying point for a very powerful section of lacked the numbers. For a few days the option — being in government or op- the Old Establishment that wants Modi BJP tried — rather amateurishly, I may position —was preferable? There are no out as soon as possible. Weaken the Con- add — to persuade other non-Congress clear cut answers. Winning the trust vote gress and the rest is a relative pushover. parties to support Vajpayee. When it naturally involved dodgy moves. Yet, as There is little opprobrium likely to was clear it was a hopeless project, the Indira Gandhi often demonstrated, the be attached to Kumaraswamy for set- party extracted full mileage through electorate always nurtures a grudging tling for the best bargain. The JD(S) a dramatic resignation speech of Vaj- respect for those who can beat the odds, set about to win the day despite coming payee, a speech that elevated his stature ethics being no bar in war. If the battle, third and it has done so. There is little and was a factor in the BJP coming to for the BJP, was all about defeating the point targeting him, just as there was power in 1998. Congress — and, by implication, the little point assaulting Madhu Koda, the It is doubtful that Yeddyurappa’s Old Establishment that is putting up a one-man brigade who ended up as Chief speech had the same effect as Vajpay- spirited resistance to Modi’s dominance Minister. The guilty party, as always, ee’s oratory. He will no doubt be seen of Indian politics — the challenge was was the Congress. The Karnataka expe- as a martyr by his core Lingayat contro- always worth accepting. The real issue rience shows that nothing has changed. versy. But overall, the projection will be is how the BJP can put the Congress in Power is the glue that keeps the Con- that Modi and Shah were thwarted by the doghouse. That is where political gress alive. Take it away and, hopefully, a determined ‘secular’ opposition. The communication becomes all-important. the Ganga and Cauvery will be cleaned. BJP’s defeat will become an occasion In the event the JD(S)-led government (Writer is a senior journalist for ‘secular’ triumphalism, just as his is established clumsily, the BJP will and Member of Parliament, victory would have generated the same have to go to town with the message being a presidential nominee to elation among the Modi supporters. that the Congress is brazen, shameless the Rajya Sabha)

Opinion Express July 2018 21 A scam, the deeper rot Politician-business-banker nexus makes bank lendings prone to corruption

Kapil Sibal ity. Borrowers usually manipulate the value of the collateral to lure the bank to he daily revelations of the Scamsters use public give large advances. Valuation reports PNB (LOU) scam have shaken money to become are often tailor-made to suit the bor- the people’s confidence in the rower’s need for capital. Occasionally, banking system. Essentially, millionaires. The public bankers look the other way, aware that businessT canaries have manipulated the valuation of the collateral is suspect. the banking system, bypassing protec- banking system in India Quite often the scamster, to increase the tive mechanisms. The Reserve Bank of helps them do that. level of his borrowings, sets up dummy India’s (RBI) circulars directed banks companies to buy and sell products just to connect the Swift Communications Bank managers should, to convince the bank of his business System with the Core Banking System. in principle, not be risk turnover. The underlying transactions Failing to do so has exposed the vulner- are seldom scrutinised by the bank. In ability of our banking procedures. Col- averse. this way, public monies are fraudulent- lusion between bank officers and scam- ly siphoned. Sometimes corrupt bank- sters has revealed that institutional ers in collusion with the borrower take a corruption is rampant. the course of a project is adequate to percentage of the loan amount as bribe. Scamsters use public money to be- service the debt both in good and bad Discounting bills relating to letters of come millionaires. The public banking times. All bank advances should also credit, without ensuring the genuine- system in India helps them do that. be secured by adequate collateral to re- ness of the underlying transactions, is Bank managers should, in principle, cover outstanding debt even if a project yet another way banks are put to loss. not be risk averse. But risks can only incurs losses. One of the greatest weaknesses of be justified after a proposed venture is When the economy is in an upswing our banking system is the pressure that properly scrutinised.The banker must mode, banks are happy to lend because is brought to bear on managements to ensure that the revenue stream during they share the entrepreneur’s prosper- make advances. Government nominees

22 July 2018 Opinion Express occasionally, instead of acting as watch- dogs, put in a quiet word at the highest level. Those receiving advances through such manoeuvring then finance politicians and political parties. That is why attempts have been made in the past to persuade governments to nominate credible professionals as nominees on the board of banks. But these positions are used to extend patronage to those politically committed to the party in power; often party members are re- warded with these positions. Borrow- ers build relationships with politicians since many managers of the public sector banks also look for political patronage. This politician-business-banker nexus makes the functioning of the banking system opaque and subject to corrupt manipulation. In many instanc- es, politicians may not be aware that in helping the borrower, the banker is

Scams extending over several years will normally be detected if bank procedures are meticulously followed. If not, the assumption is that all officers within the system are culpable. Regulatory procedures are clearly inad- steps taken to improve governance and That is not all; the equate. new strategies devised for public sector internal auditors will The extent of the PNB (LOU) scam banks? After 14 long months in that po- is yet to be fully exposed. Public sector sition, what steps were taken by him to also be presumed to be banks will now start looking at transac- liberate government-owned banks from tions of all borrowers with a fine tooth the machinations of vested interests? part of the cover up. comb. This,in turn, will impact the flow Also the several audits conducted with- of credit. An economy that is already in the PNB were obviously ineffectual badly bruised will suffer yet another while the fraud was going on. failing to comply with the due diligence body blow. The finance minister’s opti- The rot runs deeper. The finance required before extending credit. There mism about GDP, in the best of times, minister must acknowledge that there is yet another aspect that needs ur- has not been well-founded. Economic are structural issues that need attention. gent attention. All advances made are activity will start limping with yet an- The promise of reforming the banking required to be scrutinised within the other dismal year of economic growth. sector has come a cropper. Mission In- bank’s hierarchy, especially where the Harshad Mehta and Ketan Parekh dradhanush has failed miserably. The credit facilities extended are of a certain manipulated the stock market. The re- finance minister would have realised magnitude. percussions of manipulating the bank- by now that mere capitalisation of the Scams extending over several years ing system are far more serious. It will public sector banks will not overcome will normally be detected if bank pro- take a long time to set things right. The the endemic problem of NPAs. Absent cedures are meticulously followed. If finance minister has already started that, I fear what we may witness will not, the assumption is that all officers blaming the regulators for this mess. be a lot of sound and fury. In the midst within the system are culpable. That is He must find out how the Department of all the mayhem, the most expensive not all; the internal auditors will also of Financial Services discharged its chowkidar in the world will blame the be presumed to be part of the cover up. supervisory obligations. Was the Bank UPA and spew venom against the Con- External auditors will be hard put to ex- Board Bureau merely an ornamental gress party. plain why a scam of the magnitude that setup functioning in the comfort of the (The writer, a senior Congress we are witnessing went undetected. The extraordinary perks it enjoyed? Will Vi- leader, is a former Union RBI was also clearly not vigilant enough. nod Rai be kind enough to apprise of the minister)

Opinion Express July 2018 23 Spectrum Muddle Delhi High Court must fast-track the 2G scam appeals on daily basis to bring justice J Gopikrishnan is totally against the landmark judgments Shamsher Singh Judgment and emanding for fast tracking in Bhajan Lal Judgments on corruption 2G cases appeal, on the very cases. The Shamesher Singh Judgment first day of hearing of CBI clearly says Minister is the final respon- and ED’s appeal on May 25 sible person and not the officers. Here Din Delhi High Court, the Special Public Judge Saini erratically put blame on of- Prosecutor Tushar Mehta said the 2G ficers and doubtfully gives clean chit to Scam is a monumental scam and shame Raja, who is indicted by Supreme Court on the Nation. He was objecting to the on many words while cancelling the 122 usual delaying tactics played by some licences in February 2012. accused claiming that they have not yet Judge OP Saini has totally ignored received notice and some demanding the crucial witnesses and terms them for more time to reply for the notice is- as they have political differences with sued on March. Now the case is heard Raja. This is totally against the spirit of by Justice SP Garg and he is going to the Bhajan Lal judgment which says the retire in June and a new Judge has to political differences is not at all the mat- hear the appeal arguments from August ter and only fact of the statements only first week. to be considered. If a person is a friend As rightly demanded by Tushar will he depose against? The cases crop Mehta, the appeal of CBI and ED against The very idea of the up due to difference of opinion and this the very bad judgment of trial court accused persons now is a basic fact. Judiciary has only to look Judge OP Saini must be heard on daily into the facts raised by the witness and basis. The Judiciary must take call to acquitted is to drag the not the other matters. I have submitted the undo the bad trail court judgment, appeal process to four a detailed note on the errors and faults which is totally against the findings of in the trial court Judgment to CBI, ED Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. It – five years. Such is the and Special Public Prosecutor as dutiful is another question, how trial Judge OP citizen of this country. Saini arrived in such a bizarre conclu- level of money spin in Now Enforcement Directorate (ED) sions and totally ignored the concrete this case which I can is seeking data from Stock Exchange proofs of money transfers between for- Board of India (SEBI) doubting on the mer Telecom Minister Raja’s firm and vouch as a reporter who prior knowledge of some accused about his party controlled TV channel from started tracking this the controversial Judgment of Judge co-accused telecom operators. OP Saini. According to ED, few weeks The very idea of the accused per- humongous scam from before the Judgment, there was a huge sons now acquitted is to drag the appeal volume of buying in the almost dead process to four – five years. Such is the late 2008. shares of certain companies owned by level of money spin in this case which accused persons. It is high time to finish I can vouch as a reporter who started as totally erroneous. The Judge has ig- the probe on this regard and the agen- tracking this humongous scam from nored the spirit of Prevention of Cor- cies as well as Judiciary must fast track late 2008. The more than 1500-page ruption Act and even went up to give this probe on the fixing of cases. judgment of the trail court is totally bad clean chit to Minister A.Raja by put- The Government, CBI, ED and Spe- in law with many errors and full of false ting blame of officers. The trail Judge cial Public Prosecutor must reiterate narrative. I have read this bad Judg- has even blamed officers whom he has their demands for the fast track hear- ment of Judge OP Saini many times and not yet examined. Without examining on the appeal against controversial it is totally against the Supreme Court ing a person, how Judge blamed then 2G Judgment in Delhi High Court. The Judgment cancelling all the 122 li- PMO’s top officers TKA Nair and Pulok Delhi High Court must allot specific cences. It is also against the Delhi High Chatterjee. Don’t know why these two time for daily hearing in 2G cases and Court’s Judgment which was ratified officers keeping criminal silence when Chief Justice must take a call to bring by Division Bench and Supreme Court they were blamed by trial judge without justice in the trial court’s judgment on the allotment of licences on dubious examining them. They should have ap- which itself looks like erroneous. First-Come-First-Serve basis by Minis- proached Delhi High Court at least to ter A.Raja. rectify this. Are they shouldering the sin [J Gopikrishnan is Special CBI and ED in its appeal petition committed by their boss and real boss? Correspondent with ‘The described Judge OP Saini’s judgment Above all, the trial court Judgment Pioneer’ daily]

24 July 2018 Opinion Express

The Reformist Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was an accidental legendary politician with a golden heart Prashant Tewari education system in the light of rich Indian intellectual and cultural tradi- yama Prasad Mookerjee was During this period, Sir tions. He did not take resource to the among the lending intellectual Asutosh Mookerjee easy task of just critiquing the colonial academicians and education- education system, but as a critical insid- ist of his time. It is not very of- ( 1864-1924), er, he provided reasons for doing so in tenS that we come across a person who larger Indian historical perspective and lives for fifty-two years and remains father of Dr Syama prepared a blueprint and implemented in politics only for fourteen years but Prasad Mookerjee, it too in his capacity as the vice chancel- within that short period rises to great lor. heights and makes history. Dr Syama revolutionaised Indian During this period, Sir Asutosh Prasad Mokerjee was born on 6 July higher education by Mookerjee (1864-1924), father of Dr 1901 in Calcutta (Now Kolkatta) and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, revolu- breathed his last on 23 June 1953 in changing the character tionaised Indian higher education by captivity at Srinagar under mysterious of the Indian universities changing the character of the Indian circumstances. His lifespan and matter universities from mere college affili- of death bear uncanny resemblance to from mere college ated academic bodies to post graduated his dearest disciple Pandit Deeendayal department of teaching and research. Upadhyaya. affiliated academic Sir Asutosh Mookerjee, who had mul- His engagement with education was bodies to post graduated tifarious talent as a lawyer, mathema- not coincidental. He came from a fam- tician and educationalist had groomed ily of educationists. His Father, Asutosh department of teaching his eldest son Rama Prasad for the le- Mookerjee, was vice chancellor of the and research. gal profession and second son Syama University of Calcutta, and had earned Prasad for the field of education. After a the sobriquet “lion of Bengal”. Inciden- brilliant career in the university of Cal- tally, like his father, Mookerjee served university from 1934 to 1938. Mook- cutta and securing first position in his as the youngest vice chancellor of the erjee advocated reforming the Indian graduation and post graduation, Syama

26 July 2018 Opinion Express At that time, the Diarchy system had recently been introduced in India by the Montague- Chelmsford Reforms (1919 ) and Education was one of the transferred subjects, which simply means one in which Indian had some say. In 1929, Syama Prasad disagreed with this and resigned his seat in the Council to come back as an independent candidate.

Prasad studied law to become a mem- inedible imprints on history with their been reduced to being known as the ber of the Indian Bar in the Calcutta vision, voice and accomplishments. founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh or as High Court, and there after set sail for Syama Prasad Mookerjee was one such a crusader for Kashmir. Consequently, England to become a Barrister and en- personality who played a pivotal role his contribution to domains beyond ter the English Bar. But Syama Prasad’s in the Indian history in the first half of politics remains unacknowledged. A se- principle intention of going to England the twentieth century and continues to rious and vigorous consideration of his was to study the working of the univer- exercise influence. In fact, the present educational views and vision still eludes sities in Britain. After accomplishing generation must follow Dr Mookerjee us and is not a part of the discussions what he had in mind, he returned to life to serve the country. The challenge in the mainstream education system India to become a member of the syndi- of present day political structure is tre- in India even today. Mookerjee was an cate of the University of Calcutta. At the mendous wherein the polity is commer- academician at heart who deftly donned age of twenty three, he was the youngest cialized for personal gains. The thugs the mantle of a politician. His discon- member of this syndicate. At that time, and loom pins has high jacked the polit- tent with the then power structures the Diarchy system had recently been ical scene of the country, fighting popu- and pressures persuaded him to join introduced in India by the Montague- lar elections for a simple person is just active politics, which he perceived to Chelmsford Reforms ( 1919 ) and Edu- next to impossible. So taking clue from be a potent means of changing the na- cation was one of the transferred sub- Dr Mookerjee life: firebrand educated tion in general and its education system jects, which simply means one in which person must take a pledge to cleanse the in particular. Dr Syama Prasad Mook- Indian had some say. In 1929, Syama system. We need to bring merit in the erjee’s principal achievements in the Prasad disagreed with this and resigned political system that is grossly lacking fields of education were during the year his seat in the Council to come back as in the present setup including the very of his vice-chancellorship of the Univer- an independent candidate. At this junc- own party that idolize Dr Mookerjee. sity of Calcutta between 1934 and 1938. ture in his life, he was purely concerned Historical being often get reduced Dr Mookerjee supported nationalist with education and not with politics. to images as seen throughout human scholar who wished to undertake seri- Every human being is unique with history. Mookerjee has been a victim ous research in Indian history from an multiple selves and infinite possibili- of perception, mainly political, as his Indian viewpoint, he encouraged exca- ties. Exceptional are those who leave contribution in the public sphere has vations, opened the first museum of In-

Opinion Express July 2018 27 from his sister-in-law, Smt Tara Devi, in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. wife of his elder brother Justice Rama Nehru wanted an agreement with Lia- “ Where the mind is Prasad. Post Muslim League confer- quat Ali led government but Dr Mooke- without fear and the head ence in 1940, the Hindu’s of Bengal be- jee was opposed to an agreement. This ing persecuted were looking for a leader led to his resignation from the cabinet. is held high: who could look after their interest. Dr Further, KASHMIR POLICY OF Pandit Mookerjee was persuaded to leave the Nehru forced Dr Mookerjee to estab- Where knowledge is education filed and join active politics. lish separate way in politics. Now Dr free: Where the world Dr Mookerjee’s activism in politics Mookerjee was leader without a party. came at a difficult time. The Congress Sri Guruji Golwalkar, Sarsanhchalak has not been broken up was powerful in Bengal but was always of RSS suggested him to start a politi- into fragments by narrow hesitant to speak for the right’s of the cal party to be backed by RSS cadre. He Hindus, often bowing down to the Mus- finally founded Bharatiya Jan Sangh on domestic walls: lim league pressure tactics. Vinayak 21 Oct 1951. Damodar Veer Sarvarkar, the All India Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a Where words come out Hindu Mahasabha leader came to Ben- proud Indian and great nationalist. He from the depth of truth: gal in August 1939 and Dr Mookerjee was Indian by heart and advised us to joined him in the Hindu Mahasabha keep our head erect because of the in- Where tireless striving soon. Even Gandhiji welcomed his en- herent power of assimilation that the try in politics and suggested that some- Indian mind has shown itself capable of stretches its arms body is required to lead Hindu’s after extraordinary abilities. According to Dr towards perfection: Malaviya’ Ji .. Gandhiji had great re- Mookerjee, the aim of our culture has spect and admiration for Dr Mookerjee been the complete realization of life. Where the clear stream abilities. It was on Gandhi ji insistence Nature, man and God make for life’s that Nehru included Dr Mookerjee in entire knowledge and service. He had of reason has not lost the first union cabinet of independent the firm belief that the cause of Indian its way into the dreary India. As a minister, Dr Mookerjee advancement is just and righteous and was credited with several pioneering standing at the foot of Himalayas and desert sand of dead schemes namely Damodar VALLEY near holy rivers that have from time im- habot: Corporation, fertilizer factory at Sindri, memorial witnessed the mighty career Chittarajan Locomotive Works and Hin- of Indian civilization, which no power Where the mind is led dustan Aircraft of Bangalore. He estab- can crush, let us draw inspiration from lished All India Handicraft Board, All the glorious past, sustain fortitude and forward by Thee into ever India Handloom Board, and the Khadi strength to face the trials and turbulence widening thought and and Village Industries Board were set of the present and fearlessly contribute action-Into that heaven up to supply the much needed organi- our humble share in the rebuilding of a zation and finance required by cottage tree and united India of the future. Let of freedom, my father, let and small scale industries to survive us gather in our own voices of India’s my country awake. and develop. In July 1948, the Industri- oppressed millions and proclaim in the al Finance Corporation of India, a gov- words of our beloved poet our determi- ernment sponsored institution acting nation to march along the path of truth dian history, culture and archaeology in as an investment banker, collecting pri- and justice and to consider no sacrifice, the university and invited international vate saving on government guarantee no preparation is great for the emanci- universities to send their students to of repayment and distribution them in pation of out Motherland. study India civilization, culture and the forms of advances and long term loans Dr Mookerjee and his party BJS Sanskrit language. He promoted the to industrial borrowers, was formed. had extremely strong view on Kashmir; languages of India. In fact, in 1937, he Within one year in politics, Sarvakar “Kashmir” is an inalienable part of In- invited Rabindranath Tagore to deliver appointed him the president of the All dia and should be treated as any other the convocation address in Bengali - India Hindu Mahasabha, this enabled state. BJS was pro Hindu and propa- this was the first time ever that a con- him to tour entire country. Dr MOOK- gated ultra nationalism. Referring to vocation address was delivered in Ben- ERJEE became all India leader. His Nehru’s threat of crushing Jana Sangh, gali in the precincts of the University of courage, determination, organizational Dr Mookerjee said: I will crush this Calcutta. skills, oratorical skills and tireless work crushing mentality of yours. Dr Mook- Syama Prasad had to face great trag- propelled him to national fame and he erjee aligned with Pandit Dogra against edies. His elder sister, Kamla was wid- became rallying point for Hindus all Sheikh Abdullah and emerged as the owed, remarried, again widowed and over the country. It was in 1940 in La- most vociferous speaker in the entire died early. His father, Sir Asutosh, a hore that he addressed a rally of RSS opposition. On the request of Pandit guiding light in his life died premature- and observed: I see in this organization Dogra, on 8 May 1953, he set out on a ly at the age of sixty in 1924. Then came the one silver lining in the cloudy sky of journey by passenger train from Delhi the worst tragedy, when his beloved India. In 1950, the East Pakistan Gov- railway station accompanied by Vaid wife of only eleven years, Sudha,died. ernment launched an anti Hindu pro- Guru Dutt, Atal Bihari Vapayee, Tek Dr Mookerjee was left to take care of gram all over the East Pakistan with the Chand and Balraj adhok along with few his four children. He remains in public intention of de-Hindusing the country. media persons. He was arrested by J&K life only because of the help he received As a result, huge Hindu exodus started police on the grounds that he was about

28 July 2018 Opinion Express to act in a manner prejudicial to public for harmony and saw education as the safety and peace. He was taken in pre- main instrument of enforcing it in the ventive custody and he was kept in a Several people had country. Mookerjee’s concern for edu- isolated concrete hut in highly cramped sought enquiry to find cation were integral t his yearning for and uncomfortable conditions. Dr India’s independence. Free India of his Mooherjee condition worsed and sadly out background and the dreams was an able country capable he died in confinement without proper of catering to the needs of all stages of medical care on 23 June 1953. Several conspiracy behind it. education as part of one comprehensive people had sought enquiry to find out Dr Mooherjee untimely national system-from primary to uni- background and the conspiracy behind versity levels. He saw education in India it. Dr Mooherjee untimely and suspi- and suspicious death holistically: gender-men and women, cious death on the other hand took on the other hand took area-rural and urban: religion-Hindus, place in secret, far away from family Muslims and Christians, of all segments and friends in hostile territory which place in secret, far away from primary to higher education, and was even beyond the jurisdiction of the all constitutive elements of human per- Supreme Court of India. It is therefore from family and friends sonality-physical, mental, intellectual, natural that Dr Mooherjee family, col- in hostile territory rational, aesthetic, relational, moral and leagues, admires, party men and un- spiritual-as equal participants. Educa- related men who took an interest in which was even beyond tion to Mookerjee was the instrument public affairs would demand an enquiry the jurisdiction of the for attaining independence. He had im- into it. bibed the principle that true education Thus, ended the life of one of the Supreme Court of India. liberates but the liberation was not an greatest sons of Mother INDIA. The abstract category but an ontological cat- party that Dr Mooherjee founded, the egory that meant freedom from causes ideals for nation building that he set be- culture hence to integrate the variables, of suffering and bondages-economic, fore the people and workers ultimately we need a person like Dr Mookerjee to social, political and spiritual. found their realisation in the form of demolish the barrier of caste and creed We must take lesson from Dr Mook- commitment to protecting national- and division of languages. The public erjee life and adopt values that he shared ism and to work towards realizing a life must not be treated as a profession for the public life to build stronger na- great and united India. The life of Dr to build family businesses but the ob- tion. Education, merit and values must Mookerjee as seen through the prism of jective should be to serve over 1.3 bil- come first in public life and it is more ideas of many luminaries, will enthuse lion people living in this great country. relevant for the party that is presently generation to come with his ideas and Dr Mooherjee was a strong believer in ruling the country because most of the ideals for which he made the ultimate Indian cultural values like service, sac- values professed by Dr Mookerjee can sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice made rifice and care for all, among others, turn around the country in a stronger, by Dr Mookerjee must be put to use in and advocated the primacy of social peaceful yet powerful nation. building the modern India. The first harmony, for he saw internal conflicts (Writer is Editor-in-Chief and the foremost thing is that we must as the main cause of India’s plummet- of Opinion Express Group and bring merit and honesty in the public ing fortunes. On umpteen occasions member of Editorial Board of life. India is a continent with varied in his discourse, he stressed the need The Pioneer)

Opinion Express July 2018 29 Labour and Anti-Semitism Anti-Semitism appears to be rife in some corners of the Labour Party

Kapil Dudakia did not want him, yet by a quirk of the voting methods used by the Labour Par- he astute reader of internation- ty, the vote bank politics of the Unions al politics would have noted and the far-left dominated membership that in the UK the Labour Par- he was brought to power. The victory of ty (socialist)has been having Corbyn was almost like a signal to the aT torrid time of late. In particular, ac- far-left of the Party to do whatever they cusation after accusation has surfaced, wanted to do. To the horror of the cen- both from within the Party membership trist Labour MP’s, Corbyn supporters as well as from those on the outside. saw this as a green signal and went on So, what say you all are these accusa- a political rampage. Within a short pe- tions related to? And the answer in a riod of time a far-left group calling itself nutshell, it’s with regard to overt and ‘Momentum’ started to take over the covert racism against the Jewish com- Labour Party narrative. It was almost munity, and the turning of a blind eye as if the old Labour Party had been to the anti-Semitism hijacked by the far- that appears to be rife left, and the Unions in some corners of the Konversations who now seemed Labour Party. to have been given There has been a with Kapil unchecked access Corbyn were now in power. Labour long-standing myth to do whatever they MP’s in their last-ditch stand passed a that the Labour Party in the UK is on wanted to do. In effect the Labour far- vote of no confidence in Corbyn by 172 the side of the ethnic minorities. I use left seemed to be empowered toattack votes to 40 following the resignation of the word, ‘myth’, because in my view anyone who stood in their way, or in the around two-thirds of Corbyn’s Shadow and experience it has become apparent way of their leader. The pent-upvenom Cabinet. Now under any other democ- over the past several decades that may- over decades of frustration of the far- racy and for any other leader who had be this perception that the Labour Party left was unleashed, and it seemed that any honour and integrity, that would has enjoyed thus far might not be a true their initial targets appeared to be their certainly mean walking away. Howev- representation of its real under belly. own MP’s and the centre of the Party er, Corbyn defied all logic in the knowl- So let’s start with the new leader of membership. edge that he had a majority of the mem- the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn. He The alarm bells were not just ring- bership votes, and the vote bank of the became the unexpected leader of the ing, they were exploding with the news Unions that would keep him in place Labour Party on 12th September 2015. I that the old guard of the Labour Party anyway. Labour MP’s were no longer in say unexpected since even his own MP’s was finished and the new comrades of any position of influence. Labour had

30 July 2018 Opinion Express Labour and Anti-Semitism

reached a bizarre position where the to have been anti-Semitic in nature of British Jews, called it a whitewash for Parliamentary MP’s overwhelmingly were therefore to be investigated. On 30 peerages scandal. The tone was set, in- rejected Jeremy Corbyn, yet the Party June 2016 the findings were presented creasingly it became clear to most peo- membership voted him in. The Labour stating that although antisemitism and ple that something was not quite right. Party as we knew it was finished. other types of racism were not endemic The Jewish community was outraged to So by now you must be asking the within Labour, there was an “occasion- the core. If this was not bad enough for question, where and how does this anti- ally toxic atmosphere”. The report was the Labour Party, a cross-party Select Semitism issue arise? Well, in 2016 the seen by most independent readers as Committee on antisemitism described Labour Party instigated what was called a white wash. This became even more the Chakrabarti Inquiry as “compro- the Chakrabarti Inquiry. It was to inves- toxic when the British public discovered mised”. It criticised the Labour party’s tigate allegations of antisemitism and months later that the Chair of the same handling of anti-Semitism, concluding other forms of racism in the Labour Par- inquiry, Shami Chakrabartiwas sud- “the failure of the Labour Party con- ty. At that time comments made by two denly made the Labour appointment to sistently to deal with anti-Semitic inci- high-profile Labour figures, Naz Shah the House of Lords. Marie van der Syl, dents in recent years risks lending force and Ken Livingstone had been deemed vice-president of the Board of Deputies to allegations that elements of the La-

Opinion Express July 2018 31 bour movement are institutionally anti- and it seems that it is not just the Jew- Semitic”. ish community that is angry with the Now to most sane people you would I am reminded of the Labour Party. I have come across many have thought that the writing was on community leaders from the Hindu, the wall,and it was very clear. However, first visit by PM Modi to Sikh and Jain communities who have either the Leader of the Labour Party the UK. It was under the also expressed serious concern and res- was deluded, compromised, part of the ervations about the Labour Party. When problem or just plain stupid to grasp stewardship of the then you delve a bit further you come across the seriousness of the issues emerging. PM,David Cameron who time and again, community leader af- Whatever might the truth be, what was ter community leader telling you that abundantly clear to most independent welcomed the Indian they now perceive the Labour Party to by-standers was that Labour was in be anti-India. In fact, they went on and trouble on the anti-Semitism issue and PM with incredible stated that the impression they were that it was not going to go away. hospitality. getting was that Corbyn wasfundamen- In early 2018 devastating news tally anti-Modi with some suggesting broke. It turns out that Jeremy Corbyn that he was also anti-Hindu. (and some other senior members of the ion that they had, had enough of the I am reminded of the first visit Labour Party) were part of several Fa- rhetoric and platitudes from the Labour by PM Modi to the UK. It was under cebook groups. It also emerged that in leader. the stewardship of the then PM,David some of the discussions taking place in I have of course touched on just the Cameron who welcomed the Indian PM these groups, there seemed to be anti- tip of this messy racist iceberg. The La- with incredible hospitality. I remem- Semitic views expressed openly. In bour Party has hitherto ridden a wave ber the huge event that took place at what became a farce, Corbyn’s defence of support from various ethnic minority Wembley Stadium when PM Cameron was that he did not know of these views groups who have seen it as a champion and PM Modi were on stage together as being expressed in these groups, even for equality and human rights. How- good friends. During that visit it was though he was a member. In the end ever, and increasingly, people are be- remarkable how the senior figures from the leaders of British Jewry wrote an ginning to question whether this is in the Labour Party were absent at most of open letter to the Labour Party and Jer- fact a true representation of the Labour events taking place. It was almost as if emy Corbyn stating, ‘enough is enough’. Party now, or whether it has managed they had gone into hiding, trying their Never in the history of modern day poli- to escape close scrutiny by offloading- best to avoid coming into contact with tics has the Jewish community been so such accusations onto the Conservative PM Modi. The people noticed this open outraged, and so abused, that they felt Party. undermining of the Indian PM by the compelled to write in the bluntest fash- I have done a bit of digging myself Labour Party. It was only towards the

32 July 2018 Opinion Express end of the visit that a hastily arranged their displeasure. meeting between the Labour leader and When you investigate the matter PM Modi took place – which I am told When you investigate further it transpires that most of the was a face-saving exercise for Corbyn. the matter further it EDM (Early Day Motions in Parlia- I am told, PM Modi gave him a few ment) that are negative to Israel and minutes only. A clear sign to the labour transpires that most of India tend to be led by Labour MP’s. leadership that they cannot disrespect No surprise there I suppose. In factthe the biggest democracy on the planet the EDM (Early Day Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn support- and hope to get away with it so easily. Motions in Parliament) ed an EDM seeking a Visa ban for Shri I asked many community leaders as Narendra Modi. Yes, you read that cor- to why the leader of the Labour Party that are negative to rectly.Even more startling, he wanted to had behaved in such a disgraceful fash- Israel and India tend to ban PM Modi from the entering the UK. ion. Their answer was enlightening. As So readers in India, think about this far as they were concerned the Labour be led by Labour MP’s. seriously. You now have the leader of Party was now a Party that was inter- No surprise there I the Labour Party in the UK, who could twined with the Pakistani community. potentially become the next PM of UK, Labour needed the Sunni and Kashmiri suppose. who has openly sought to ban PM Modi vote and could not do anything to alien- from the UK. Add to that the fact that ate that community. In effect it seems you still have some Indians in the UK the Labour Party had decided that har- nity, they would not be able to dam- who will blindly vote for Corbyn and La- vesting the Sunni vote was more pro- age their overall votes. There is a lot of bour. I am informed that some of these ductive to them than trying to keep the truth in that view. History showed us very same Indians are also key advisors votes of the other minorities. Again, one there is still a sizeable Hindu, Sikh and to PM Modi. Now how mad is that? was left a bit perplexed. Surely such a Jain vote that always goes to the labour It’s almost as if the Indian PM is being strategy would be disastrous. And once Party. This blind allegiance means that advised by, and is listening to, the very again the very same leaders came back the Labour Party can get away with dis- people who want to undermine him and to me and said, not quite. It seems that respecting their faith, their culture and India. Folks you cannot make this up if the Labour Party had rightly concluded their country of origin, knowing that you tried. This is ground reality and I that the Hindu, Sikh and Jain vote was they groups are too brainwashed to vote would hope that someone in PM Modi’s in the bag anyway, and given that these for anyone else. The Jewish vote for La- camp might see enlightenment and act communities are not as well united and bour on the other hand has gone down accordingly, and quickly. If they want organised like the Pakistani commu- dramatically – they know how to show to know more, then I am always avail-

Opinion Express July 2018 33 able to share my thoughts. party has become “commonplace, con- ment, must also deliver on some of the So let us move back to how the un- spicuous and corrosive”.In May of this core issues emerging. India stands at der belly of the Labour started to get year, in many parts of the UK we had the gateway of a glorious future. The exposed. The Jewish lobby is very pow- our Local Elections to elect Councillors dreams of Bharat Varsh can be achieved erful in the UK (as it is anywhere else in and Councils. The Labour Party had where each and every Indian will be re- the world). I salute the Jewish commu- been stating for months that this would spected, valued and will find a place nity since they have learnt the lessons be a total wipe out for the Conservative in the nation to fulfil their aspirations. of history and have concluded, never Party. The reality has now hit them This is not a time to blink, it’s time to again will they allow the racist from the hard. As the results were announced, stare your destiny in the eye and secure far left,or the far right, to dictate the the vast majority of Labour supporters it. agenda and leave them in a precarious were left devastated. Their prediction of In the words of Swami Vivekananda position. As soon as they raised their winning everything in sight was way off ji:“Arise awake and stop not until the voice and took proactive action, we saw the mark. In the end, the Conservative goal is achieved.” the fear in the Labour Party spreading. Party after 8 years in Government held Jeremy Corbyn was forced to accept on to most of the Councils and the wipe Twitter: @kk_OEG that his ideological positioning was not out that was predicted, never mate- The writer is a seasoned busi- compatible with British society. Ev- rialised. The reason, the anti-Semitism nessman and a leading thought ery media channel, including the pro- row took its toll. The Jewish commu- provoking writer from the UK. Labour media, ran the story to the end nity showed that not only can they af- His command of detail and his with remarkable editorials that more or fect and impact elections where they are ability to see issues and events less showed that Jeremy Corbyn was in large numbers, but their reach goes years before they come to frui- unfit to be a leader. We had endless much wider and affected results across tion is worthy of note. He has apologies from him as well his senior the country. advised very senior politicians on MP’s in the Shadow Cabinet. Do I think India is the emerging giant. India a variety of issues. Being inde- the public believed a word of it? Simple under PM Modi has garnered huge re- pendent of thought, he does not answer, it seems most of the British spect around the world. However, it compromise, nor does he bow to public don’t believe a word he utters has yet to take people to task when In- pressures to become politically on this subject. It has become toxic to dia or Indians are undermined or disre- correct.He understands the East, such an extent that even his own Jewish spected. PM Modi needs all the support and he lives in the West. A unique MP’s like Luciana Berger stated in Par- he can get from the nation. However grasp of perspectives that is often liament that anti-Semitism within the with that support he, and his Govern- food for thoughts for all of us.

34 July 2018 Opinion Express Grammy chief to step aside after furor on women he head of the Recording Acad- emy, the professional group of Tmusicians that administers the Grammys, said Thursday he would step aside months after an uproar over his remarks on women. Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow, whose 16-year tenure has been the longest of any chief of the body, said he would not seek an extension after his contract ends in July 2019. A calm, bespectacled record industry executive who has put a focus on pressing for the music business’s interests in Washington, Portnow was a largely uncontroversial figure until the latest Grammy Awards. Asked by a reporter after the gala

Asked by a reporter after the gala why more women were not winning the music industry’s biggest prize, Portnow said that female musicians should “step up,” while also speaking of the need for more mentorship. why more women were not winning the music industry’s biggest prize, Portnow said that female musicians should “step up,” while also speaking of the need for more mentorship. Top female stars including Katy Per- ry and Pink voiced outrage over his remarks and a group of women executives in the music business called on Portnow to step down as part of the “Time’s Up” movement against gender inequality. Portnow, in his statement, did not The spotlight on the gender imbal- diversity, in part by switching the Re- address the incident but said he wanted ance came after men dominated the cording Academy to online balloting to an orderly transition to choose his suc- winners at the 60th Grammy Awards, ensure better representation. cessor. although women -- Adele and Taylor For the first time, hip-hop domi- “The evolution of industries, insti- Swift -- had won the top prize of Album nated the top nominations at the lat- tutions, and organizations is ultimately of the Year the two previous years. est Grammys, although funk revivalist the key to their relevance, longevity and Portnow had nonetheless been cred- Bruno Mars was the night’s big winner. success,” he said in a statement. ited with promoting racial and genre Agencies

Opinion Express July 2018 35 The Pioneer How Adi Shankaracharya united a fragmented land

hose who insist that history is something remarkable: unite a land graphs (prakarana), he repeatedly real, and mythology false, go with diverse communities and diverse, sought a formless divine (nirguna brah- against the very grain of Adi seemingly irreconcilable, worldviews – man) being the only reality, outside all Shankaracharya’s non-dualist from the Buddhists, the Mimansakas binaries. This is evident in his commen- maxim:T Jagat mithya, brahma satyam, (old Vedic householders) and the Ve- tary on Vedanta, the Brahma-sutra- which means the world, including dantins (the later Vedic hermits), to the bhasya, his Sanskrit poems Vivekachu- measured scientific conclusions, that Shaivas, the Vaishnavas, and the Shak- damani and Nirvana-shatakam and his we experience is essentially illusory or tas. This is evident in his copious liter- treatise Atma-bodha. Many consider rather, mind-dependent epistemologi- ary outpourings. this to be an acceptance of the Bud- cal truths. The only mind-independent dhist theme of the world being a series ontological truth is brahma, variously Political sage of disconnected transitory moments, translated as God, soul, consciousness, Shankara’s philosophy is avowedly hence amounting to nothingness (shu- language, or the infinitely expanded, Vedic. Unlike Buddhists and Jains, he nya-vada), while giving it a Vedic twist, eternal, unconditioned mind. traced his knowledge to the Vedas and which is why Shankara was often ac- This doctrine of reducing the world submitted to its impersonal authority, cused of being a disguised Buddhist to mere illusion, popularly known as which made him a believer (astika). In (prachanna bauddha). maya-vada, enabled Shankara to do his commentaries (bhasya) and mono- But Shankara’s poetry (stotra) also

36 July 2018 Opinion Express celebrates several tangible forms of Shringeri in present-day Karnataka to Adi Shankara, who travelled the the divine (saguna brahmana) as they Badari in Uttarakhand, from Kanchi breadth of the land, communicated appear in the Puranas. He composed in present-day Tamil Nadu to Kashi in through the one language that con- grand benedictions to Puranic gods: Uttar Pradesh, along the slopes of the nected the intellectual elite of the land: Shiva (Daksinamurti-stotra), Vishnu Himalayas, the banks of the rivers Nar- Sanskrit. (Govinda-ashtaka) and Shakti (Saun- mada and Ganga, and along the eastern To appreciate the spirit of this time, darya-lahari). This makes him the first and western coasts. we must understand the fundamental Vedic scholar, after Vyasa, overtly to Shankara then is not an ivory tow- tension of Indian society between the link Vedic Hinduism to Puranic Hindu- er philosopher; he is a political sage, world-affirming, ritual-bound house- ism, an idea further elaborated a few engaging with and responding to the holder and world-renouncing, ritual- centuries later by other teachers of Ve- historical context of his time. Through rejecting hermit. danta, such as Ramanuja, Madhva, and philosophy, poetry and pilgrimage, he Vallabha. Shankara even wrote on tan- attempted to bind the subcontinent of Householder vs hermit tra, which made its presence explicitly India that was constantly referred to in When Alexander of Macedon at- felt around that time. Hindu, Buddhist, and tacked India in For all his talk of formlessness and Jain texts as well as 327 BCE, the Vedic nothingness, and the world being an in the Vedic ritual of Through philosophy, worldview favoured illusion, Shankara went on to connect sankalpa as Jambu- the householder, holy spots of India such as the 12 jy- dvipa, the continent poetry and pilgrimage, while the Buddhist otirlingas, 18 shakti-peethas and four of the jambul tree, and (and Jain, and Aji- Vishnu-dhaams to create pilgrim routes Bharat-varsha, the he attempted to bind vika) worldview fa- that defined India as a single land. In land of the Bharata the subcontinent voured the hermit. his legends, he travelled from Kerala kings. In Shankara’s to Kashmir, from Puri in present-day of India that was time, the Vedic Odisha to Dwarka in Gujarat, from Historical constantly referred to worldview was split context into the Mimansaka In his commentary in Hindu, Buddhist, worldview that fa- on the Brahma-sutra and Jain texts as well voured the house- (1.3.33), Shankara ob- holder, and the Ve- served, “One can say as in the Vedic ritual dantik worldview that there never was that favoured the a universal ruler as of sankalpa as Jambu- hermit. there is none now,” an dvipa, the continent of Some people ar- acknowledgement of gue that this shows the fragmented nature the jambul tree, and the influence of of his society at his Bharat-varsha, the Buddhism on Ve- time, and refusing to dism, causing Hin- accept the mythology land of the Bharata du supremacists of Chakravarti, or uni- to bristle. What is versal emperor, found kings. often overlooked is in Buddhist, Jain and the influence of Ve- Hindu lore. dism on Buddhism, Most historians agree that Adi Shan- for by Shankara’s time, the intellectual karacharya lived in the 8th century CE, hermit Buddha had been replaced by or 1,200 years ago, 1,300 years after the the more-worldly Bodhisattva, and his Buddha. feminine form, Tara, who valued com- This period was a major cusp in passion (karuna) over wisdom (prag- Indian history – between the collapse nya). of the Gupta Empire 1,500 years ago, And while the Brahminical elite and the Muslim conquest of South argued over the ritual ways (karma Asia 1,000 years ago. Harshavardhan marga) of the Mimansika and the intel- of Kannauj had died, the Rashtrakutas lectual ways (gyan marga) of the Vedan- held sway on either side of the river tin, the storytellers (suta) of India from Narmada, constantly at war with the Vyasa to Valmiki were reshaping Hin- Pratiharas of the North, Palas of the duism dramatically with the composi- East, and Chalukyas of the South. Re- tion of the Puranas, where the hermit gional languages and scripts which are Shiva was being compelled to marry now so familiar had not yet emerged. the Goddess, Shakti, and Vishnu was South Indian temples did not have their duty-bound to take care of Lakshmi and characteristic gopuram gateways, the Saraswati. Ramayana had yet to be translated into Tamil, Jayadeva had yet to write the Biography Gita Govinda that introduced the world Shankara was born to a poor Brah- to Radha. min (Namboodri) family in Kerala. His

Opinion Express July 2018 37 father’s name was Shivaguru, suggest- traditional varna-ashrama-dharma, ing Shaiva roots. His father died when where caste purity and pollution mat- he was very young, and he was raised by tered, so his acceptance of the chandala Shankara then his mother, known to us only as Aryam- as his guru holds special significance. encountered the great ba (noble lady). She was a worshipper The incident led him to compose the of Krishna, indicating Vaishnava roots. Manisha-panchakam where he looks Mimansaka scholar Despite his mother’s protests, he chose beyond divisions that create dualities Mandana Mishra at to become a hermit as he favoured the (dvaita) and affirms non-duality (ad- prevailing Vedantik worldview to the vaita). Wisdom is seen here as the tool Mahismati in Bihar Mimansik. His guru, Govinda Bhagav- to transcend caste. and convinced him atapada, whose name suggests Vaish- Shankara then encountered the great nava roots, who chose the hermit’s life Mimansaka scholar Mandana Mishra at of the superiority of on the banks of the river Narmada, was Mahismati in Bihar and convinced him deeply influenced by Buddhism. of the superiority of knowledge (gyana) knowledge (gyana) From Central India, Shankara over ritual (karma). But then, Man- over ritual (karma). moved to Kashi where he encountered dana’s wife, Ubhaya Bharati, playfully a chandala, keeper of the crematorium, challenged him to knowledge of erot- But then, Mandana’s the most polluted of professions in the ics (kama-shastra). When the celibate wife, Ubhaya Bharati, Hindu caste hierarchy. When Shankara Shankara pleaded ignorance, the lady asked him to move aside, the chan- asked him how he could claim to have playfully challenged him dala chastised him saying, “My body, understood the world without experi- or my soul, the form, or the formless, encing sensual pleasure and emotional to knowledge of erotics the limited, or the limitless?” This in- intimacy. What followed is shrouded in (kama-shastra). cident had a deep impact on Shankara, mystery, and edited by latter-day puri- as it made him question the invalid- tans. ity of the flesh proposed by the hermit Shankara used his yogic powers to Kashmir, and animate it long enough to tradition. Shankara was steeped in the enter the corpse of Amaru, the king of enjoy all kinds of pleasure of the flesh.

38 July 2018 Opinion Express dinary son with a long lifespan. Accord- ing to legend, a child prodigy, he was supposed to die at the age of eight, but was given an extension of eight years so that he could excavate the truth of the Vedas. His commentaries and mono- graphs were so brilliant that Vyasa, the mythical organiser of the Vedas, himself extended his life by another 16 years to spread his ideas to the world.

Decoding Shankara Scholars wonder if Shankara, the philosopher, who valorised knowledge, was also the Shankara who composed devotional poetry. Was the Shankara who established pilgrimages the one who also spoke the futility of mindless ritual, so beautifully expressed in Bhaja Govindam? Was he Vedic or Tantric? Was he Shaivite, Vaishnavite, or Shak- ta? Is he this or that, or both, or neither? Was he anti-Buddhist or a subversive pro-Buddhist? The diverse fragments of his life mirror the diverse fragmented worldviews that shaped India in his time, and continue to do so today. The diversity of India relative to the Middle East, Europe and America is undeniable. It bewilders the world. For outsiders, it is chaotic, on the verge of collapse and division. For insiders, there is meaning underlying the mad- ness. The outsider and insider view of India is therefore divergent. Outsiders tend to see India’s diversity in divisive terms: it is either the Legend has it that it led Shankara to not perform household rituals like fu- outcome of hierarchy (casteism, Brah- write erotic love poetry known as Am- nerals. As a hermit, Shankara had given minism imposed through Manusmriti), aru-shataka. In Kashmir then, and later up his role as son, and so had no obli- or complex postmodern arguments are in Shringeri, in present-day Karnataka, gations to the woman who was once his used to say India did not exist, mirror- Shankara established temples to his mother. But Shankara here displayed ing the shunya-vada of Buddhists that personal deity, Sharada, who is com- the spirit of a defiant revolutionary. denies continuity. By contrast, Shan- monly identified as Saraswati as she When prevented from performing her kara, an insider, used the doctrine of holds a book. However, she also holds rites in the crematorium, he carried his illusion to democratise fragmented a pot and a parrot, symbols of house- mother’s body to the backyard of her and limited worldviews: all views, all hold and sensual life, indicating Shan- house and performed the rituals there. perceptions, all understanding of these kara’s acknowledgment of the senses, He then proceeded to travel across words are imperfect and incomplete, the flesh, matter itself: in other words, India, establishing his institution but they delude us into assuming they tantra. Shankara’s association with the (matha) in the four corners of India, are perfect and complete. tantrik geometrical symbol of the divine all the while visiting and mapping pil- To understand Shankara, we need feminine, the shree-yantra, reinforces grim routes. He is said to have estab- to break free from the fixed Abrahamic this. Was the goddess inspired by Ub- lished the various akharas of hermits binary of one true God and other false haya Bharati, or his mother, who kept who were told to use their knowledge gods, which even influences much of to- presenting householder wisdom? We and their physical and yogic powers to day’s political and scientific discourse, can only speculate. protect Hinduism. He even organised and move into the Hindu, rather fluid, Shankara returned to Kerala to per- their movements across pilgrim spots binary where the divine can be limited form his mother’s last rites on learning and their meetings during the Kumbha (god, without capitalisation) and lim- of her death. This was his promise to her mela. itless (God, with capitalisation), and when she finally gave him permission to Shankara died at the young age of where the relationship of form and become a hermit, after he survived an 32 in the Himalayan region. The story formless divine is much like the rela- attack by a crocodile. goes that his father, on being given a tionship between sound and meaning However, in Vedic tradition, having choice by the gods, wanted a great son without which no word can exist. renounced household life, a hermit can- with a short lifespan, rather than an or- Shankara sees the world around him Opinion Express July 2018 39 Shankara’s philosophy is for the intellectual elite, and his poetry and pilgrimage routes for the less intellectual masses. This condescending suggestion is often made by those who imagine themselves to be intellectual for they fail to see Shankara’s diverse body of work as an integrated whole. Like any ancient or medieval figure of Indian history, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction about Shankara’s life. Scholars are not sure which of his literary works are authentically his, and which are attributed to him to gain le- gitimacy or popularity. Depending on what one cherry picks, Shankara can be turned into an incarnation of Shiva, a champion of Hinduism who drove out Buddhists, a prodigious and prolific lo- gician and poet, a savarna casteist Hin- du, or a reconciler of paradoxes. What is most interesting is that his hagiography (exaggerated biographies), composed centuries after his birth, are often referred to as dig-vijaya, or con- quests, and his encounters with philos- as full of fragmented ephemeral limited were popular with the masses. Shan- ophers such as Mandana Mishra are de- truths, just like Buddhists. However, un- kara, by contrast, realised how stories scribed in combative and triumphalist like Buddhists, he insists that they exist and songs connect with people and cre- terms. on a platform of an unfragmented eter- ate the highway to an expanded vision This obsession of defeating intel- nal limitless truth that attributes mean- of life. So he embraced Puranic temples lectuals in debates has more to do ing and value to existence. The former and their rituals, which were relatively with indulging the ego than expanding is accessible; the latter is transcenden- more inclusive (caste rules still pre- knowledge. And it is highly unlikely tal and elusive. Life’s experiences are vailed), and far more artistic, and pub- that a Vedic philosopher would engage full of limited and temporary joys and lic, than the more rigid exclusivist Vedic in such activity, for the Vedas view ego sorrows. Without a transcendental un- rituals. And this played a huge role in (aham) as the eclipse that blocks our derpinning, life becomes meaningless, establishing Shankara’s popularity as view of brahma, which resides within valueless. the saviour of Hinduism. everyone as atma. Rejection of brahman, that there Rather than arguing which com- Ego thrives on violence and viola- is something permanent and unifying mentary, poetry, pilgrimage, worldview, tion and so chooses argument (vi-vaad) within and without all of us, results or god, is a superior or comprehensive over discussion (sam-vaad). In vi-vaad, in nihilism, and leads to the monas- fragment, Shankara insists that the only we listen not to understand but to re- tic obsession with oblivion of the self truth that matters is brahman, which is tort, thus remaining trapped in igno- (nirvana), while acceptance of brah- unreachable through reason and argu- rance (avidya). In sam-vaad, we listen man enables one to enjoy the beauty of ment, and can only be accessed through to refine our ideas, gain knowledge life, its colours (ranga), its juices (rasa), faith, via the Vedas. (vidya). Perhaps our understanding of its emotions (bhava), its experiences Is this real, or strategic? We cannot Shankara is contaminated by the ambi- (anubhava), as diverse expressions of be sure. What we can be sure is that, tions of his not-so-intellectual fans and the divine, rendered more beautiful by with nothing superior, and everything followers who relish the idea of domi- mortality. Hence, the importance given illusory, there can be mutual respect, nation. Sounds familiar? by Shankara to the exciting characters awareness of each other’s inadequacies, But the more we argue with a bad of Hindu mythology whose tales in the and the empathy to mutually comple- idea, the more it entraps us. We end up Puranas evoke Vedic truths, and anchor ment, or supplement, rather than sub- as loyal opposition. It is important to let them to pilgrim spots across India, on stitute. go, and seek alternate ideas. This essay the top of mountains, in caves and at Tranquillity escapes us as long as we is an attempt to present that alternate confluences of rivers, an idea that would shun knowledge. Knowledge is acquired idea: see jagat mithya, brahma satyam horrify a traditional Vedic ritualist. when we make our pilgrimage into oth- (verse 20, Brahmajnanavalimala), not One reason why Buddhism did not er views – as Shankara engaged with his as a statement to invalidate experience, thrive in India is its avowed distancing guru, the chandala, Ubhaya Bharati and or establish Hindu supremacy, but as a from the arts, viewing it as temporal finally his mother – and have faith in a simple framework to allow, accept and indulgence, in contrast to Puranic Hin- larger transcendental mind-indepen- even assimilate myriad ideas, find unity duism, where the gods danced and sang dent reality, the brahman. in diversity, in India, and the global vil- to reveal wisdom. The Buddhist elite Debate lage. shunned rituals at Buddhist shrines that There are many who believe that (Courtesy: Scroll.in)

40 July 2018 Opinion Express Caste Away Scourge of casteism in slow retreat as more and more youth marry for love

ditor’s Note: As the Indian and politics collide violently in a cycli- place frequently, but those are either Republic turns 70, Tufail Ah- cal struggle for power in Indian democ- between youth based in cities, or be- mad begins a journey through racy. I noted that Jainism, Buddhism, tween those who have studied in towns the country to examine the Christianity, Sikhism, and Bhakti and and returned to villages. In fact, cities workingE of democracy at the grassroots Sufi movements have failed to eliminate have emerged as drivers of democratic level. Inspired by the French author caste, and raised the question if democ- social change in India: As part five of Alexis de Tocqueville, who toured Amer- racy could eradicate caste from India. this series examined. ica and wrote Democracy in America, There are two contrary trends in Indian While intercaste marriages are lim- the author — a former BBC journalist democracy: While caste remains alive ited in number and therefore do not and now senior fellow at the Washing- in politics and society, it is also giving show large-scale social change in most ton-based Middle East Media Research way to more democratisation in some regions of India, they do show an in- Institute — will examine how sociologi- regions, most notably in Gujarat. creasing trend. The situation in Gujarat cal realities of India and the promise of For thousands of years, India has is revealing. Dr Jayesh Shah, an author democracy interact with each other in been an unequal society whose cohe- and research consultant at the Centre shaping the lives of the Indian citizen. sion originated from caste-based dis- for Culture and Development, an NGO This report is the tenth in a series called crimination. However, democracy — as based in Vadodara, said caste is becom- “Democracy in India”. a movement of ideas and enlightenment ing insignificant for those below 40 Surat: In this series, I try to focus on about equality and individual rights — years of age. “But this happens at social how society impacts democracy in India has been inculcating democratic and ra- level. Socially, there is a different situa- and in what ways democracy moulds so- tional attitudes among youth. In some tion. Politically, the situation is differ- cietal modes and behaviours. The third regions of India, a noticeable trend is ent: There is more caste”, he observed, part of the series discussed how caste that intercaste marriages are taking perhaps in an indication of caste-based

Opinion Express July 2018 41 Inter-caste Marriages in the state of Gujatat

Castes Married within caste Married to Upper castes Married to OBC Married to SC Married to ST Married to other Religious/ Other languages (States)

1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 Upper Patel 82.6 77.9 72.1 12.3 13.7 12.2 02.4 03.8 05.6 00.1 00.5 01.2 00.7 00.8 01.7 01.9 03.3 07.2 Castes Brahmin 49.6 50.4 46.8 30.3 33.7 31.8 08.0 06.0 09.2 01.8 01.1 02.1 00.4 00.4 00.5 09.9 08.4 09.6 Baniya 63.6 59.0 57.2 21.8 23.9 22.6 11.4 07.6 12.8 00.0 01.0 01.7 00.0 02.4 03.4 03.2 00.1 02.3 Soni 63.6 46.3 42.8 31.8 38.9 41.6 04.6 05.6 08.2 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 09.2 07.4 Rajput 43.0 33.7 31.1 19.4 30.4 28.9 21.5 15.0 22.3 00.0 03.3 02.7 05.4 04.0 06.2 10.7 13.6 08.8 Lohana 50.0 40.0 35.2 25.0 40.0 42.6 16.7 08.0 09.8 00.0 01.0 00.0 08.3 00.0 02.3 00.0 11.0 10.1 OBC OBC 46.6 53.6 17.5 64.6 46.0 67.9 - - - 00.8 01.7 02.2 01.5 02.6 03.8 08.3 07.5 08.6 SC SC 83.0 74.3 66.7 01.9 06.9 07.7 00.8 01.7 02.2 - - - 04.8 08.0 11.2 09.5 09.1 12.2 ST ST 47.8 53.7 52.3 14.8 07.6 14.1 01.5 02.6 03.8 04.8 08.0 11.2 - - - 16.2 08.2 18.6 Data compiled by Dr Jayesh Joshi , Source: Offices of Regitrar of Marriages (Gujarat) All figures are in percentage political mobilisation in the last Gujarat than 25 percent in 2000 and further to and democratic rights are entering the Assembly elections. over 33 percent in 2010. The percent- consciousness of the people, especially Shah found that in Gujarat, there age of SCs marrying upper castes was youth. Intercaste marriages would not has been a rise in intercaste marriage in less than two percent in 1980, but rose be possible without democracy. the past few decades. He carried out a to 6.9 percent in 2000 and further to 7.7 Whether upper castes or Dalits, no study of official data on marriage reg- percent in 2010. More Patels, an upper Indian youth now wants to retain caste. istrations in Gujarat between 1980 and caste, are marrying outside their caste This is a revolution of the mind democ- 2010. Over these decades, not even half now than they did a few decades ago. racy is ushering in India’s youth. “In of Brahmins in Gujarat married within In 1980, over 17 percent Patels mar- next 20 years, our politicians cannot Brahmin caste, with intra-Brahmin ried outside their caste, with this figure divide us on caste lines. In 20 years’, in marriages declining from 49.6 percent rising to over 22 percent in 2000 and the time of my grandson, there will be in 1980 to 46.8 percent in 2010. nearly 28 percent in 2010. no caste”, Shah said. While he is right, It means 53.2 percent Brahmins Since these statistics are based on Shah’s optimism appears valid in the married outside their caste in 2010. The marriage registrations in Gujarat, they context of Gujarat. Elsewhere, caste re- figure for Brahmins marrying into Other indicate a real social change in Indian mains a basis of social discrimination Backward Classes (OBCs) was around 8 democracy. “Intercaste marriages are and a political tool, despite changes at to 9 percent for different years, while also happening in villages and small the social level and in cities where it be- roughly two percent married someone towns, not only in cities,” Shah said, comes invisible. from a Schedule Caste and about half a adding: “Caste had become redundant In Gwalior, my conscience was percent married someone from a Sched- in Gujarat over past few decades, but shaken when a Dalit youth, perturbed ule Tribe (ST) over these decades. from 2015 onward there is a political over my argument that democracy has Similarly, as per Shah’s data, the consolidation of castes. Political par- led to empowerment of lower castes, percentage of Rajputs marrying Ra- ties tell youths: You belong to a certain shot back at me: “What empowerment jputs is declining: 43 percent in 1980, caste”. He noted that there is a “dual be- you are talking about it? Our entire 33.7 percent in 2000 and 31.1 percent haviour” whereby people in Gujarat are life is spent in our own mental strug- in 2010. It shows around 70 percent rejecting caste socially, but accepting it gle against ourselves, against apman Rajputs in Gujarat marry outside their politically. (abuse) we suffered through centuries”. caste. Interestingly, at least every fifth A key impact of democracy is that A Khasaria (name changed), a youth Rajput married into OBCs, the actual the Indian government promotes inter- who works in a government department figure being 22.3 percent in 2010. In caste marriages. In 2013, a scheme was in Gwalior, said that in offices, SCs and 1980, the percentage of Rajputs mar- introduced to give financial incentive upper castes work together, but they sit rying SCs was zero, but it rose to 3.3 of Rs 2.5 lakh if the marriage involved at separate tables during lunch. percent in 2000 and 2.7 percent in a Dalit. Many state governments offer During April 2018, when I inter- 2010. Of the Rajputs marrying STs, the financial incentives for intercaste mar- viewed members of the Dalit commu- figures were 5.4 percent in 1980, which riages. On 7 May, it emerged that Ma- nity, the protests over the Supreme rose to 6.2 percent in 2010 (see the sta- harashtra plans to bring in a law that Court order staying automatic arrests tistics table). promotes intercaste and interreligious under the SC/ST Atrocities Act were In 1980, 17 percent of SCs married marriages. Such efforts indicate that front and centre in their minds. Most outside their caste, which rose to more the constitutional values of equality interviewees were afraid to reveal their

42 July 2018 Opinion Express has arrived),” he said and pointed out Inter-caste Marriages in the state of Gujatat that there is not a single Dalit judge in any of the benches of the high court of Castes Married within caste Married to Upper castes Married to OBC Married to SC Married to ST Married to other Religious/ Madhya Pradesh. “In lower courts too, Other languages (States) not even five percent judges are from the SC/STs”, he said, giving a rough es- 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 1980 2000 2010 timate, and added that political parties Upper Patel 82.6 77.9 72.1 12.3 13.7 12.2 02.4 03.8 05.6 00.1 00.5 01.2 00.7 00.8 01.7 01.9 03.3 07.2 in power approve only the names of upper caste judges for high courts and the Castes Brahmin 49.6 50.4 46.8 30.3 33.7 31.8 08.0 06.0 09.2 01.8 01.1 02.1 00.4 00.4 00.5 09.9 08.4 09.6 Supreme Court. In May, several news stories Baniya 63.6 59.0 57.2 21.8 23.9 22.6 11.4 07.6 12.8 00.0 01.0 01.7 00.0 02.4 03.4 03.2 00.1 02.3 emerged which showed discrimination against Dalits. Union minister Uma Soni 63.6 46.3 42.8 31.8 38.9 41.6 04.6 05.6 08.2 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 09.2 07.4 Bharti found herself in the midst of Rajput 43.0 33.7 31.1 19.4 30.4 28.9 21.5 15.0 22.3 00.0 03.3 02.7 05.4 04.0 06.2 10.7 13.6 08.8 controversy after she skipped a meal with Dalits and had to apologise for it. Lohana 50.0 40.0 35.2 25.0 40.0 42.6 16.7 08.0 09.8 00.0 01.0 00.0 08.3 00.0 02.3 00.0 11.0 10.1 Rajnish Kumar, a Dalit villager at Loh- garh in Aligrah district, was surprised OBC OBC 46.6 53.6 17.5 64.6 46.0 67.9 - - - 00.8 01.7 02.2 01.5 02.6 03.8 08.3 07.5 08.6 around 11 pm when Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Suresh Rana arrived at his SC SC 83.0 74.3 66.7 01.9 06.9 07.7 00.8 01.7 02.2 - - - 04.8 08.0 11.2 09.5 09.1 12.2 home unannounced with food ordered ST ST 47.8 53.7 52.3 14.8 07.6 14.1 01.5 02.6 03.8 04.8 08.0 11.2 - - - 16.2 08.2 18.6 from a catering service. On 4 May, Anupama Jaiswal, the basic education Data compiled by Dr Jayesh Joshi , Source: Offices of Regitrar of Marriages (Gujarat) All figures are in percentage minister in the Uttar Pradesh, landed in controversy for saying that ministers brave “mosquito bites” at Dalit homes. In Jaipur, I met Dr Omprakash Siravi, director of Dr Ambedkar Studies Centre at the University of Rajasthan, and asked him to comment. “In villages, even though the food is the same, Dalits and non-Dalits sit separately to eat”, he said, adding: “We will see change when Dalits are also able to eat at the home of upper castes.” He also noted that educational levels among Dalits in rural areas is low and caste-based discrimination remains associated with mid-day meals at schools in rural areas across India. Caste remains a building block of In- dian society, though it is also changing: As the intercaste marriages in Gujarat reveal. Casteism remains a sobering reality even in government offices, courts and panchayats. But, positive changes can be seen too. The oppressed castes are becoming more vocal. Intercaste marriages take place in urban areas. In some regions, in this case Gujarat, names, even when they were not saying in violent protests against Sanjay Leela intercaste marriages are taking place in anything controversial. Bhansali’s movie in which even an in- both urban and rural areas. In cities, R Soni (name changed), who works sult is missing against Padmavati.” This youth do not care for each other’s caste. in a government department in Gwal- is because Phoolan Devi was a Dalit, Ideas about caste are flowing from the ior, said that in Bundelkhand region he said, while Padmavati was an upper Indian polity into civil society. This is of Madhya Pradesh even bank manag- caste Rajput woman. “The problem is because political parties engage in com- ers, who come from the most educated that the upper caste educated class is petitive politics and remind people of class of Dalits, can’t rent homes in areas not even willing to accept that there is their castes at election times. “After two dominated by upper castes and have to discrimination against Dalits”, he add- decades or so”, Shah said, “Politicians move to “Dalit areas”. ed. will have to surrender to civil society.” Another Dalit youth in Gwalior told An advocate in Gwalior district The author is touring India to me that there is no change in mansikta court noted that even lawyers are di- write a series on the workings of (psyche) of upper castes. “You enjoy the vided along caste. “I heard an upper democracy. He is a senior fellow movie on Phoolan Devi in which she is caste advocate saying that ab swarn yug at the Middle East Media Re- undressed completely. But you engage aa gaya hai (now the era of upper caste search Institute, Washington DC.

Opinion Express July 2018 43 Lens ‘GURU’ of Indian cinema PC Sreeram is considered as one of the greatest Asian cinematographers

Nithya Ramesh

heeni Kum’, ‘13B’, ‘Paa’, ‘Sham- itabh’, ‘Ki and Ka’, ‘I’, ‘Remo’, ‘C‘O Kadhal Kanmani’, ‘Pad Man’ and many others are his achievements behind the camera are the stron- gest testimonials to his cinematograph- ic brilliance than anything. He worked for more than 40 films across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kanna- da. In addition to his master lenswork P. C. Sreeram is also a director who has directed three films. Recently, his work on ‘Pad Man’ garnered a lot of praise and rightfully so. He became a hot star 30 years ago and still is even today for his works.

You’ve worked on so many great movies over time. What is it The film must interest me and if that which excites you about the something more has been contributed film industry these days? When R.Balki narrated to the film then it subconsciously hits What excites me is a good script me. I watch films only for its content where I can find my imagery connec- me the script of ‘Pad and I don’t know why that I don’t see tions. After ‘Pad Man’ I worked on an- Man’ I wasn’t aware of for the cinematography in the film. other movie called ‘Praana’ starring Sometimes I don’t even know who are Nithya Menon, a single artist movie the whole idea. When the cinematographers out there. If they directed by VK Prakash and Resul Poo- I was doing the film have done a good job then I say he or kutty has tried live sync surround sound she has done a good job and that is the for the first time in India giving a new I didn’t know what it way I have been a film watcher. I watch dimension in sound. The whole thing is movies regularly and I don’t separate a single artist film and when I was nar- meant to me because cinematography from film. I am influ- rated the idea I jumped at the chance to as a gender I was away enced by all the great works and that is shoot this movie as it was entirely new what matters to me. and a different concept with lot of inter- from that subject and my esting things. awareness about it was What is your approach to visu- When R.Balki narrated me the script alisation while shooting the film of ‘Pad Man’ I wasn’t aware of the whole limited. and how does it depend on scene idea. When I was doing the film I didn’t to scene? know what it meant to me because as Let me talk about the recent film a gender I was away from that subject end I could see that the taboo was bro- ‘Pad Man’ that was watched all over and my awareness about it was limited. ken when people went and watched the the country and worldwide. I always I wanted to do this film as the whole film. Now it is a proud film to talk about. thought what is going to happen to this concept of this movie was centred on These whole new ideas and concepts film and how do you place it because the subject of promoting menstrual hy- keep me holding onto the film industry we had to expose a gender related issue giene for women and was the first of its and going into the unknown as I believe which could be sensitive. Of course, the kind in the film history and it was again that when you walk into unknown ter- generation has changed and everybody a completely new idea. The first 10 days rain it gives you a hype. had their own point of view including of shoot was the most difficult for me as my wife. I had gathered a lot of infor- I felt that there is a story and then there What makes a good cinema? In mation about this, I even spoke to my is no story, it seems like a documentary terms of cinematographers, who sister and asked how did these things film but not a documentary film. At the do you like? take place when she had to go through

44 July 2018 Opinion Express the same phase. She said that it used to be exactly similar to what was shown in the movie. A deserving and artistic example of this is one scene the same movie where me and Balki were discussing how do we go about a scene in which Akshay Kumar will be talking to Radhika Apte about the feminine issue. Initially, we were thinking more about the general look of the scene and how something might be staged in a location. I remember lot of discussions was going on with the assistants and they were all talking and suddenly every one of us agreed to set it in the corner of the room. That corner space had got light mood, art direction, the sunlight and also the script showed family’s economy in the scene. You have to know the space to place it and automatically light and all the other aspects will fall in place. If you have only thing that makes me decide to work doesn’t matter whoever the actors are. watched ‘Pad Man’ you will see that in with certain directors. For the movie As a policy when they don’t respect the film, the corner was very clear. So ‘Praana’ which is yet to be released, I mine then they don’t belong there. Ak- at the end of the film when you find it didn’t know the director at all. Actress shay kumar being a man of that calibre good or your search ends there that Nithya Menon had called and spoke to comes to the sets at 5:15am when he is means we have got an answer and you me, then I got a call from the writer of told 5:30 am. And if I say 5am then he have done the homework properly. All the film as well. But when I first heard will be on sets at 4:45am(laughs). Thats things that were shown in this movie is the script from the director I instantly the kind of discipline. And when I am true. I observe being there and react to got connected to it and knew that it is shooting indoors I am not bothered the script and put in there. about the time, I start the shoot as late Another movie is ‘Cheeni Kum’ as 2:30pm and go on till we wrap with which is all about a chef and restaurant. Camera movements the best shots. That is how I have been I literally went into the whole space. working all my life. If people respect The thing is you have to be there and get depends on the light then I will be there. it into your system, and put it back into parameters such as the the space in which you want to create. What is that you see in a script? I am not a person who says only when mood, subject, light, Earlier for a script there used to be a you study you can do it. For me just be- lot of discussions, we had plenty of time ing there is enough. location and all these are and the economy was different. Now of a greater intensity. I the cinema has completely changed to a What has been your favourite new era. I see that the script should be camera to use? How are the cam- go with the flow. exciting content-wise or if it is a com- era movements motivated? mercial film then what is it in for me ei- Camera is only an equipment. ther economically or technically. When Equipment is important but I don’t my kind of film. Only when the director it comes to choosing scripts my mind have anything favourite as such. thinks that the film can connect us both is totally blank because suddenly from Camera movements depends on me and money come together. nowhere a script comes and there will the parameters such as the mood, sub- I don’t have a checklist of rules. I be a spark in the script that connects ject, light, location and all these are of just have one special way of working. I me to it. It has to be new and exciting. a greater intensity. I go with the flow. am particular about the first light which It is not like I know the script already I see what the director sees, capture it comes early in the morning. The light or if I was present when the script pro- on camera and show the same on the speaks at that time and when I observe cess was happening. To be honest it screen. It again depends on the what it everyday it has got so many stories to is never planned or in my mind hunt- has to be shot and the answer is just ev- tell. I have to pitch the story into that ing only for particular genres of film to erywhere you have to search for it. light and if I miss the light I miss the work for. Suddenly someone says read whole plot. I do not exist there. A film the script and let me know, that is when What makes you decide to needs to be shot in 48 to 60 days with thing opens up. It has to be spontane- work with certain directors? Do lots of planning involved. Preparation ous. That is how it has been for last 5 you have a special way that you planning itself takes 3 to 4 months. You to 6 years when it came to choosing a like to work with a director? cannot go beyond certain cost factors script. It is very simple, I fall for the script without compromising on anything for when I like it because I know that I have which I shoot early mornings. My first What type of film would you somebody like minded. Script is the shot has to be taken at 5:30am and it love to work that you haven’t

Opinion Express July 2018 45 go into the past. I think the concept of looking back is losing its relevance. It is very beautiful to think about it, though sometimes, it is tiresome.

Now is the drone era. Which film/films did you use drone and what is your approach towards it? Most of the scenes were shot using drone for ‘Pad Man’ as we were shooting in a village called Maheshwar in Mad- hya Pradesh. The village was very old and narrow. We could have thought of putting a track or jimmy and could have done a simple job if the location was somewhere else. It would have been difficult if we shot it that way. I don’t think Kuruthipunal (River of Blood/ Tamil 1995: DOP PC Sreeram with actor Kamla Hasan it was possible to use any other equip- on shoot ment to shoot the top angle shots in the narrow ally other than drone. When worked on yet? people watch the film they will not be I really don’t like to process my mind able to find out that most of the scenes to think about the future films that I Earlier I was doing were shot using drone except for one want to do as there is so much to learn too many ad films, as I scene at the end of the movie which is a while I am living and working in the lengthy shot as it is an easy guess. Also present. I love reading books because had to balance my life I used extensive drone shot for the song that makes me go into a particular space economically. I was “aaj se teri”. The drones came in handy of whole new world and it helps move and these drone shots gave another di- to the next level. I am reading this book doing the maximum mension to the whole film showing the called “Taj Mahal” and I suddenly rea- beauty of that particular equipment. It lised I have been reading history. Right number of ad films all depends on how you use it and where now I am happy with what I have been in India. Now I have you want to use it to tell a story. doing. At the end everything depends upon the right kind of script that I listen stopped them for the How different was your experi- to and choose. I am waiting and that is past 4 years as I found it ence working with directors like always the best to do for things to come. R. Balki and Mani Ratnam? That is how it has been happening and too monotonous. I like to work with directors who it will come(smiles). Sometimes when I bring the best in me. There are many di- get films I may not like it and have to let rectors that I have worked with and had it go for which I am ready to do. have been a lot of moments. I really a wonderful journey, among them Balki Earlier I was doing too many ad don’t want to think about it. They all and Mani Ratnam are popular names. I films, as I had to balance my life economically. I was doing the maximum number of ad films in India. Now I have stopped them for the past 4 years as I found it too monotonous. It is the same thing and nothing changes. That is when I decided to take a break and start over again. May be I will discover myself in a better way than I did and if I start taking things for granted then it is not right for me. I cannot blame it as there is good money in the ads.

Can you think of a shot, either in the last few years throughout your career, that has been particularly challenging and was very satisfying when you completed it? Every shot by itself is challenging. It is difficult for me to remember anything in particular because once the movie O Kadhal Kanmani (Tamil/ 2015): Director Mani Ratnam with DOP PC Sreeram discuss- is over I forget it. But yes there would ing a scene during a shoot in a hospital

46 July 2018 Opinion Express Quick bytes Describe yourself in single line? The best is yet to come(smiles).

Top 2 books on your shelf? “Taj Mahal” and “I am a troll”.

Something that you cannot stand? Not shooting the first shot of the day when the sun comes up in the morning.

You cannot start your day without? I cannot start my day without reading a book.

What do you hate the most? Sometimes being tolerant when it is like directors who make me feel excited out for you that means the application not possible and it happens a lot. about the work and to be honest they has been correct. It comes out of the both fall on the same category. Balki’s script and the nature of the project and What are the films that you are script is of different calibre and focuses just the tone of the scene. That is why most proud of? on human relation- you have to follow I usually don’t like to go to the past. ships. I see what he the light pattern what It is only provoked. sees. We connect well Mani focuses much is called in the film. with each other. The colour palette How do you see cinematography Mani focuses much on romance genre changes, the costume on romance genre changes, the back- growing in India? and makes the sto- and makes the stories drop changes auto- Good works will always be recogn- ries intense. While intense. While we matically the outdoor ised. There are lot of new platforms we were shooting two light will change ac- coming up for cinematography. years back for ‘OK were shooting two cordingly and how to People are appreciating direction, a Kanmani’ depending years back for ‘OK capture it and make it good light is appreciated and even on the script me and part of the happening good sound is appreciated. Now in mani agreed to make Kanmani’ depending is what one can give India unlike before people talk if the the scenes more wild on the script me and a unique visual iden- sound of the film is beautiful and as he wanted to make tity. they go watch the movie just for that, it more romantic. We mani agreed to make they talk about a film’s cinematog- made the scenes look the scenes more wild What have you raphy along with the story. That is a more intense and wild been working on good thing about growing evolution within the limits of the as he wanted to make recently? of Indian cinema. story to get another I finished shooting level of excitement for it more romantic. for ‘Praana’, a single the script, to make the artist movie starring year I did three films back to back. The film more exciting and We made the scenes Nithya Menon di- next schedule of films will start in June. not to show off that I look more intense rected by VK Prasad My next movies that I am going to do exist. and Oscar award win- depends on the script that I choose. I and wild within the ner Resul Pookutty and Balki are working on a script which If you were given limits of the story to has tried live sync we will be doing end of this year or next multiple individual surround for the first year. Again it is a long way to go and too film which are dif- get another level of time in India. The early to talk. ferent in some ways excitement movie will be released but they have to be in August in Hindi, Do you have any final words for shot in the same lo- Malayalam, Kannada the readers of OPINION EXPRESS cation and at same and Telugu. magazine and your fans across the time of the day. How would you I also finished shooting for a Telugu globe? consciously think of shooting movie ‘Naa Nuvve’ which is a romantic Let me keep it simple and say that these films giving them their own comedy film starring Nandamuri Ka- only your work speaks go for it and do it visual identity? lyan Ram and Tamannaah in the lead the right way till it comes right. It can be same location and same roles and awaiting release in May. (Writer is Bureau Chief- time but at the end if the film stands I have taken a gap now because last fashion and entertainment)

Opinion Express July 2018 47 Priya’s Power Punch Through her avant-garde, she has created a niche for herself

riya Priyadarshini aka Priya Jain has been in the business of the family which has had di- versify interest in sectors like Pmanufacturing Industry, Real Estate, hospitality, Retail & Exports. Under her vision the family business has pros- pered great heights. She is promoting FashionGypsy (fashiongypsy.co.in) an online platform to promote and market lifestyle brands as a marketing tool, a fable of fine design that brings the rich appeal to every lifestyle genre. Priya is inspired by the historic city of Delhi and other old beautiful cities of India. The luxury foray & social media platform adds an element of panache to everyday design. Priya Jain belongs to a very affluent business family of Delhi, the national capital of India. Her father late DK Jain was the pioneer of Make in India story wherein he established the famous Luxor Group. Priya has diversified family business, her collection of various designs of lifestyle which fashiongypsy promotes looks at refined living of the present modern day in a new light. From fashion that you wear on your self to décor elements for your home, to tableware and travel gear and different kind of experiences in Spas, Restaurant also contributed to promote Indian Art Laksham in delhi to promote education & Hotels. It adds a luxe touch to many and Artists in India and abroad. and self awareness for street children of realms of design. She has also participated in different delhi. Surface ornamentation, the luxury charities and cultural events and deep- • Priyadarshini is associated with of refined textures, an evolved color ly committed to be a local Indian who helping hands in Mumbai a charity palette and an experiment with shapes thinks globally. Priya Jain treats ob- based organization which raises funds and forms gives this social media plat- stacles as learning experiences and op- through events exhibitions etc. for the form FashionGypsy.co.in a fresh spurt portunity to look in different directions. welfare of children and there needs suf- of energy. She has the ability to find solutions to fering from cancer in associated with Redefining lifestyle in India and or- every situation and widening her focus Tata Memorial Mumbai. chestrating a luxury fable the collection to tap in competitive markets. • Priyadarshini recently supported that includes the finest in tableware, Priya Priyadarshini is a social en- shiksha abhiyan in Kathmandu Nepal fashion, silver, jewellery, art, home dé- trepreneur and has been promoting so- with Ms Maya Toffu for the welfare and cor, hotel, spa and restaurant. The col- cial causes for the upliftment of women education of the children in this SAARC lection is a delight to experience and and children. She has been associated country and the neighboring countries pride to possess. with many NGO’S and registered chari- around India. She is a dynamic women entrepre- ties with a quest to do development in • Priyadarshini is always supporting neur with an experience in business this area in delhi and in other cities in through the year sisters of the people over last 10 years. She has ability to India. Her main endeavor and goal is to society – Delhi branch in aid of poor do a multi-task jobs and willingness to remove poverty for street children and women slum children and aged people. take risk in business as well. women empowerment through women • She is also serving food with water She has provided valuable vision to enterprise and education. In the recent every month to various different trusts the various different projects research times she has contributed with her ef- like – Sai Baba Trust, Aims Society and and developmental capabilities to cre- forts and skills to these various causes. many other around Delhi. ate new products in the field of Hospi- • Priya Priyadarshini recently pro- REPORT FILED BY Anshuman tality, Education, and Real-estate. She moted a gala dinner for the charity NGO Dogra in association with AIAI.

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Opinion Express July 2018 49 Get Set for Kick-off ! he 21st FIFA World Cup, to be held for the first time in Russia, will start on June 14, 2018 and will continue for a little over a month. Though Russia is a huge country spanning across 11 time zones, for the ease of travel and logistics management, Tthe matches will be held in stadiums in the western part of the country, across four time zones — Moscow (UTC +3), Ka- liningrad (UTC+2), Samara (UTC+4) and Ekaterinburg (UTC+5). Here, we bring you the timings of all matches in IST: Fixtures and match-timings (Date and time in IST) June 14, 2018, Thursday June 25/6/2017, Monday Russia vs Saudi Arabia 8:30pm Saudi Arabia vs Egypt 7:30pm June 15, 2018, Friday Uruguay vs Russia 8:30pm Egypt vs Uruguay 5:30pm Iran vs Portugal 11:30pm Morocco vs Iran 8:30pm Spain vs Morocco 10:30pm Portugal vs Spain 11:30pm June 26, 2018, Tuesday June 16, 2018, Saturday Australia vs Peru 7:30pm France vs Australia 3:30pm Denmark vs France 7:30pm Argentina vs Iceland 6:30pm Nigeria vs Argentina 11:30pm Peru vs Denmark 9:30pm Iceland vs Croatia 11:30pm Croatia vs Nigeria 5:30pm June 27, 2018, Wednesday June 17, 2018, Sunday South Korea vs Germany 7:30pm Costa Rica vs Serbia 12:30am Mexico vs Sweden 7:30pm Germany vs Mexico 8:30pm Serbia vs Brazil 11:30pm Brazil vs Switzerland 11:30pm Switzerland vs Costa Rica 11:30pm June 28, 2018, Thursday June 18, 2018, Monday Japan vs Poland 7:30pm Sweden vs South Korea 5:30pm Senegal vs Colombia 7:30pm Belgium vs Panama 8:30pm Panama vs Tunisia 11:30pm Tunisia vs England 11:30pm England vs Belgium 10:30pm June 19, 2018, Tuesday Poland vs Senegal 5:30pm Round of 16 Colombia vs Japan 8:30pm June 30, 2018, Saturday Russia vs Egypt 11:30pm Group C winners vs Group D runners-up 7:30pm June 20, 2018, Wednesday Group A winners vs Group B runners-up 11:30pm Portugal vs Morocco 5:30pm July 1, 2018, Sunday Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia 8:30pm Group B winners vs Group A runners-up 7:30pm Iran vs Spain 11:30pm Group D winners vs Group C runners-up 11:30pm June 21, 2018, Thursday July 2, 2018, Monday France vs Peru 5:30pm Group E winners vs Group F runners-up 12:30am Denmark vs Australia 4:30pm Group G winners vs Group H runners-up 11:30pm Argentina vs Croatia 11:30pm Group F winners vs Group E runners-up 7:30pm June 22/6/2018, Friday Group H winners vs Group G runners-up 11:30pm Brazil vs Costa Rica 5:30pm Quarterfinals Nigeria vs Iceland 8:30pm July 6, 2018, Friday Serbia vs Switzerland 4:30pm Qualifer 1: Winner (Group C winner vs Group D runners-up) 7:30pm vs Winner (Group A winners vs Group B runners-up) June 23/62018, Saturday Qualifer 2: Winner (Group E winners vs Group F runners-up) 11:30pm Belgium vs Tunisia 5:30pm vs Winner (Group G winners vs Group H runners-up) Germany vs Sweden 8:30pm) July 7, 2018, Saturday South Korea vs Mexico 11:30pm Qualifer 3: Winner (Group F winners vs Group E runners-up) 11:30pm June 24, 2018, Sunday vs Winner (Group H winners vs Group G runners-up) England vs Panama 5:30pm Qualifer 4: Winner (Group B winners vs Group A runners-up) 12:00am Japan vs Senegal 8:30pm vs Winner (Group D winners vs Group C runners-up) Poland vs Colombia 11:30pm Semi-finals: July 10, 2018, Tuesday

50 July 2018 Opinion Express