The Tribune Analysis 24-11-2020

ARTICLE CONTENTS

 2014-29 period ‘very important’ for India, says Modi  Javadekar criticises ‘TRP-centric’ journalism  US provides missiles, renews pledge to defend Philippines  Indian FS Shringla to visit Nepal on November 26  ‘Afghanistan may become hotbed for Uighur ultras’  India’s Venus mission attracts international payload proposals  Rajkiran Rai elected IBA chief  Govt plans to set up charging infra at 69,000 petrol pumps  Momentum of economic reforms will continue, FM assures industry  Govt likely to announce nat’l master plan soon: DPIIT Secy  Quami Ekta Week observed in Imphal  Subdued Seng Kut Snem held  passes away EDITORIAL DISCUSSION

 End of an era  Revisiting problem of tribal land alienation  Lachit Borphukan and Assamese regionalism

GENERAL STUDIES 2: GOVERANCE

1. 2014-29 period ‘very important’ for India, says Modi  Asserting that the 2014-29 period between the 16th to 18th is “very important” for a young democracy like India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the last six years have been “historic” for the country’s development and a lot remains to be done in the remaining period.  As the age of 16, 17 and 18 years is very important for the youth, so is the time between the 16th and the 18th Lok Sabha for a young nation like India, he said while digitally inaugurating 76 multi- storeyed flats in the National Capital for Members of Parliament.  The (2014-19) has been historic for the country’s progress, and the 17th Lok Sabha has already become a part of history due to a number of decisions it has taken, he said, referring to the passage of landmark legislations aimed at reforming farm and labour sectors besides abrogation of Article 370 and the citizenship law.  “I am confident the next Lok Sabha (2024-29) will also play a very important role in taking the country ahead in this new decade... There is so much for the country that we have to achieve. Be it ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, or eco nomic targets or many other pledges like these, we have to achieve them during this period,” he said to an audience of parliamentarians, including ministers and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.  People of Jammu and Kashmir have also joined the mainstream of development, with many new laws coming into effect in the Union Territory for the first time, he said in a reference to the abrogation of Article 370, which had granted the erstwhile State a special status.  “It is our responsibility that when history evaluates different terms of Lok Sabha, this period is remembered as a golden chapter in the nation’s development,” Modi stated.  The second term of the Modi government is scheduled to end in 2024 when the next general election will be held. The ruling BJP has already set its sight on the next Lok Sabha polls with its president JP Nadda set to undertake a 120- day nationwide tour to tone up the saffron party’s organisational machinery with a focus on regions and seats where it had not done well in 2019. In his speech, Modi referred to the GST rollout, enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

and a law proposing death sentence for those convicted of raping children as among the major achievements of his government’s first term between 2014-19.  India now has resources and a strong resolve to fulfil the dreams of its 130 crore citizens and attain the goal of self-reliance, he said. Asserting that the country’s “new mindset and mood” is reflected in the composition of the 16th Lok Sabha, which had over 300 first-time MPs, and the current lower house, which has 260 MPs elected for the first time, the Prime Minister noted it has over 400 parliamentarians who are in their first or second terms. The current Lok Sabha also has a record number of woman MPs, he added.  Parliament’s performance is at its best in two decades, Modi said. MPs have focussed on “product and process” as well be passing more Bills and also debating more, he added, noting that they engaged in two-three hours of debates in passing more than 60 per cent of Bills in the last Lok Sabha.  On this occasion, he also greeted Birla on his 58th birthday and lauded him for his focus on quality while saving time in running the House.

2. Javadekar criticises ‘TRP-centric’ journalism  Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar on Monday disapproved of “TRP-centric journalism”, saying meters installed in 50,000 houses cannot measure the opinion of crores of people. He also asserted that the freedom of press has to be preserved at any cost in a democracy but media should remember that freedom comes with responsibility.  “TRP-centric journalism is not good. The meters installed in 50,000 houses cannot measure the opinion of 22 crores. We would expand its circumference so that we know what the people watch and what they wish to watch,” he said at an IIMC event.  He advised media students not to be trapped in sensational or TRP-centric journalism and asked them to imbibe the skills of healthy journalism, ensuring that anything good happening in society also becomes news.  Inaugurating the orientation programme of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) for the academic session 2020-21, Javadekar stressed that people should welcome the change emerging in the education sector through digital technology and draw benefit from it. The minister

said that the freedom of press has immense value in a democracy and it has to be preserved at any cost.  “But we should keep in mind that freedom comes with responsibility. Therefore, every one of us has to be responsible. As a journalist, you understand both the aspects of the story, but your reporting should lead society in the right direction,” he said at the virtual event.  The minister said journalism is a responsibility, “not a tool to mislead people”. There is no need for any drama or sensation if your story is based on facts.  There are plenty of constructive stories in society, but sadly nobody in the media has time to publish them, he said. Javadekar said the first lesson of journalism is that everything impacting the lives of people is news and it should find adequate space in the media. In this regard, he listed several schemes of the Central government that have helped citizens.  The minister said fibre connectivity in about two lakh villages has transformed the lives of millions of people in rural areas. “One can now watch 104 channels and 50 educational channels free of cost through the Doordarshan free dish. Three hundred community radio stations offer new opportunities to local artists and a change is clearly visible in those areas. “About 2.5 crore people have received houses under Pradhanmantri Grameen Aawas Yojana. “About 12 crore people have received toilets. Equally, eight crore gas connections have been provided under Ujjawala Yojana. Forty crore people have bank accounts now and about 50 crore people have the facility of free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. Is this all not news?” he asked.  “I say, other happenings are also news, but these too are news. Contribution to the growth of society is the duty of journalism,” the minister added.  Apart from Director General of IIMC Professor Sanjay Dwivedi and Additional Director General K Satish Nambudiripad, all faculty members of IIMC from regional centres and students joined the orientation virtually.

GENERAL STUDIES 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. US provides missiles, renews pledge to defend Philippines  President Donald Trump’s administration provided precision-guided missiles and other weapons to help the Philippines battle Islamic State (ISIS) group-aligned militants and renewed a pledge to defend its treaty ally if it comes under attack in the disputed South China Sea.  National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien represented Trump in the ceremony on Monday at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, where he announced the delivery of the cache of missiles and bombs to the Philippine military.  Trump pledged to provide the USD 18 million worth of missiles in a phone conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in April. O’Brien expressed condolences to the Philippines after back-to-back typhoons left a trail of death and devastation in the country and outlined US help to the country battle the coronavirus pandemic.  The US assistance projects normalcy in Washington’s foreign relations as Trump worked to challenge the results of the November 3 presidential election, claiming he was a victim of fraud. Duterte had asked Filipino Americans to vote for Trump but congratulated Joe Biden, through his spokesperson, for winning the election.  O’Brien has represented Trump in a recent online summit between the US and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and an expanded East Asia summit of heads of state attended by China and Russia that was also held by video and hosted by Vietnam.  In his remarks at the turnover of US missiles in Manila, O’Brien cited the Trump administration’s role in the defeat of the ISIS group in the Middle East and last year’s killing of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in Syria, and renewed its commitment to help defeat ISIS-linked militants in the southern Philippines.

2. Indian FS Shringla to visit Nepal on November 26  India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will arrive here on Thursday on a two-day official visit to Nepal during which he would hold talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bharat Raj Paudyal and discuss wideranging areas of bilateral cooperation. Shringla is visiting at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Paudyal.

 This will be a continuation of the regular exchange of high-level visits between the two friendly neighbours, the Nepalese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.  “On the first day of the visit, the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries will hold bilateral meeting and discuss wide ranging areas of cooperation between Nepal and India,” the ministry said in a statement here. He is scheduled to call on the high-level dignitaries of Nepal, it added. Shringla will also hand over COVID-19 related support to the Government of Nepal. He will return to New on Friday.

3. ‘Afghanistan may become hotbed for Uighur ultras’:US plans to pull out more troops  A wary China on Monday urged the US to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in an “orderly and responsible manner” amidst increasing concern here that the war-torn country, which shares borders with the volatile Xinjiang province, could become a breeding ground for Uighur Muslim militants.  Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian’s remarks came after acting US Defence Secretary Christopher Miller last week said that the US would cut its military presence in Afghanistan to 2,500 troops from 4,500 by January 15.  “China calls on foreign troops to leave Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible manner, give terrorist forces no breathing space and contribute to Afghanistan peace and reconciliation process,” Zhao told a media briefing here.  He also condemned the recent Islamic State (ISIS) attack on Kabul, saying “China will continue to firmly support the Afghan government and people in their efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard the national stability and their own security.” Observers say that America’s latest plan to speed up the withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan may have troubling consequences for China as Washington’s withdrawal also coincides with its move to lift the ban on the Uighur militant group – the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM).  Earlier this month, the Trump administration, in a sudden move, lifted the ban on the separatist ETIM, which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN’s 1267 counter-terrorism committee in 2002 for its alleged association with al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and the Taliban.  China has deplored the US move, saying that “fighting ETIM is an international consensus and an important part of the international counter-terrorism fight.”

 China accuses the separatist ETIM, which is entrenched in the Uighur Muslim majority province of Xinjiang, of being responsible for numerous violent attacks in the province and outside, including one at Forbidden City in Beijing, killing several people.  The US in recent months has stepped up criticism of China’s treatment of about 12-million Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. Since last year, China faced severe international criticism including from the UN and western countries over allegations that it is holding over a million people, mostly ethnic Uyghurs, in internment camps in Xinjiang in a bid to wean them away from religious extremism. Resource-rich Xinjiang province is the home for Turkik speaking Uighur Muslims. The province is restive for several years over settlements of majority Han Chinese.  China defends the camps, describing the facilities as re-education centres aimed at de-radicalising sections of the Uyghur Muslim population from extremism and separatism. According to Nishank Motwani, deputy director at Kabul-based think-tank, the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, the US troop pull-out will exacerbate a “power and military-security vacuum”.  The gap could be filled by terrorist groups and Taliban fundamentalists angered by China’s repressive policies towards ethnic Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, Motwani told the Hong Kongbased South China Morning Post.

GENERAL STUDIES 3: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. India’s Venus mission attracts international payload proposals  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has short-listed 20 space-based experiment proposals, including from France, for its proposed Venus orbiter mission ‘Shukrayaan’ to study the planet for more than four years. These include “collaborative contributions” from Russia, France, Sweden and Germany, sources in the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said.  ISRO was earlier eyeing June, 2023 for the country’s first mission to Venus. “But we are currently reviewing this mission timeline due to delays arising from the pandemic situation,” an ISRO official said. “Future launch opportunity is either in 2024 or 2026”. It was noted that the optimal launch window (when Venus is closest to the Earth) comes about every 19 months.

 Of the Indian and international payload proposals it received in response to an announcement of opportunity for novel space-based experiments to study Venus, ISRO has short-listed 20.  The one already selected, according to French space agency CNES, is France’s VIRAL instrument (Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gas Linker) co-developed with the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and the LATMOS atmospheres, environments and space observations laboratory attached to the French national scientific research centre CNRS.  “Swedish Institute of Space Physics is engaged with India’s mission to Venus”, sources said.  According to ISRO, scientific objectives of ISRO’s Venus mission are investigation of the surface processes and shallow subsurface stratigraphy; and solar wind interaction with Venusian Ionosphere, and studying the structure, composition and dynamics of the atmosphere.  Venus is often described as the “twin sister” of the Earth because of the similarities in size, mass, density, bulk composition and gravity. It is believed that both planets share a common origin, forming at the same time out of a condensing nebulosity around 4.5 billion years ago, ISRO had noted in its announcement of opportunity.  Venus is around 30 per cent closer to the Sun as compared to Earth resulting in much higher solar flux. Exploration of Venus began in the early 1960s. Venus has been explored by flyby, orbiter, a few lander missions and atmospheric probes. “In spite of great progress made in exploring Venus, there still exist gaps in our basic understanding about surface/sub-surface features and processes, super rotation of Venusian atmosphere and its evolution and interaction with solar radiation/solar wind,” ISRO said.  The payload capability of the proposed 2500-kg satellite, planned to be launched onboard GSLV Mk II rocket, is likely to be 175 kg with 500W of power. The proposed orbit is expected to be around 500 x 60,000 km around Venus. This orbit is likely to be reduced gradually over several months to a lower apoapsis (farthest point).

GENERAL STUDIES 3: ECONOMY

1. Rajkiran Rai elected IBA chief  Indian Banks Association (IBA) today said its managing committee has elected Union Bank of India Chief Executive Rajkiran Rai as the lobby grouping’s Chairman for 2020-21. SBI’s Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara and Mashreq Bank’s Country Head Madhav Nair will be the Deputy Chairmen, while Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of IDBI Bank Rakesh Sharma will serve as the Secretary for the term, an official statement said.  Other elected office-bearers include SS Mallikarjuna Rao, MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank, it said.

2. Govt plans to set up charging infra at 69,000 petrol pumps  The government is planning to set up at least one e-charging kiosk at around 69,000 petrol pumps across the country with an aim to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said today.  The Road Transport and Highways Minister while addressing a virtual conference said that the government has taken several steps to promote electric vehicles, whichinclude reduction in GST to 5 per cent, allowing delinking of battery cost of 2-3-wheelers from vehicle cost as it accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the cost, etc.  “Battery charging ecosystem is very important... government is planning set up at least one electric vehicle charging kiosk at around 69 thousand petrol pumps across the country to induce people to go for electric mobility,” the minister was quoted as saying in a release.  Stressing that India is poised to become a global automobile manufacturing hub in the next five years, Gadkari asked the automobile industry to push for manufacturing flex engines which have versatility to use petrol or ethanol/ CNG as fuels.  “Our auto industry has made significant strides in terms of development of different designs and models, robust R&D, huge market, stable government framework and bright and young engineering minds. India already is the largest manufacturer of two-wheelers in the world,” he said.

3. Momentum of economic reforms will continue, FM assures industry  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today assured the industry that momentum of economic reforms will continue to make India a hotspot of global investment. India has turned the crisis created by COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity to push the economic reforms, which remained pending for decades, she said while addressing the National MNC’s Conference 2020 organised by industry chamber CII.  “Even at the time (of) COVID pandemic, the Prime Minister has not lost an opportunity to take deep reforms to undertake those kinds of reforms which have not seen the light of the day over the decades. The momentum for reform shall continue. Several more active reform-related steps are being taken up,” Sitharaman said.  The financial sector is being professionalised and the government will continue with disinvestment agenda, she added. Sitharaman said the government will make sure that there is greater momentum in bringing out the new privatization policy for public sector units.  The Finance Minister had in May announced that there will be a maximum of four public sector companies in strategic sectors, while state-owned firms in other segments will eventually be privatised. This will be part of a new coherent Public Sector Enterprises Policy to be formulated to push reforms in central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), she had said while announcing the fifth and last tranche of over Rs 20-lakhcrore ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ package.  During the first tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, you had reforms like direct benefit transfer using technology, the introduction of goods and services tax (GST), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), etc.  “We are strengthening the National Company Law Tribunal and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal through which the company law-related tribunal will function far more efficiently. Commercial courts are being set up,” she said.  With regard to bringing in further ease for global players to set up their shops, the Finance Minister said an effective unified single window will be made available so that access to regulators, policymakers and facilitators are all available at one point.

 To attract funding in the key sectors of the economy, the Finance Minister said the Budget announcement of tax exemption for sovereign funds was fulfilled in spite of COVID-19 pandemic when most countries were under the lockdown

4. Govt likely to announce nat’l master plan soon: DPIIT Secy  The government is expected to announce soon a national master plan for providing multi-modal connectivity across the country with a view to reducing logistics cost and time, a top official said today.  The Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Guruprasad Mohapatra, said that all the infrastructure-related ministries including civil aviation, shipping, and railways have been given a timeline that by 2024, multi-modal connectivity of the global quality will be provided to various production centres in the country.  The proposal will go to the Cabinet and once it is approved, definite timelines will be given to infrastructure ministries for the plan. “We all are aware that India needs to do a lot for improving logistics in the country. One major initiative that is expected to be announced by the government soon is a national master plan for providing multi-modal connectivity all across the country wherever any economic activity is happening, (it) could be an industrial cluster or industrial park,” he said at the CII’s MNC conference.  He added that the logistics division under the Department of Commerce is also working on a policy, wherein defined activities have been identified to reduce logistics cost and time. “I am sure that with these initiatives , you (industry) will see a lot of improvement in the logistics sector,” Mohapatra said.  He also said that the department is working with the industry to identify particular activities of government which add to the compliance burden and in a definite time frame, “we are addressing those issues”. He expressed hope that more and more compliance burden for the industry would be reduced in the next few months.

 About the ongoing work on setting up of a single-window system for faster approvals and clearances both at Centre and State level, the Secretary said it is expected to be put in place by March-end.  It will help investors in getting information on the status of approvals and faster clearances. When asked about the vehicle scrappage policy, he said it is under consideration of the Ministry of Road Transport. “...Whether the customer needs to be incentivised, that is the larger issue which the ministry is working on with stakeholders.. and I expect that once that is resolved, there should not be any problem in approving this policy,” he added.

GENERAL STUDIES 5: ASSAM CULTURE 1. Quami Ekta Week observed in Imphal  today observed Quami Ekta Week here under the aegis of the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills Department for the Welfare of OBCs and SCs, besides the Department of Minority Affairs. The Director of Tribal Affairs and Hills, C Arthur Worchuiyo, CMO of Tribal Affairs and Hills, Dr Vumkhoneh and Director, Department of Welfare for the OBCs and SCs NgBhogendra were present during the day’s observation.  Speaking on the occasion, Director Arthur highlighted the schemes implemented by the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department and stated that under the state plan various schemes were implemented like Rural Shelter/ Housing, Distribution of Sewing Machines, Distribution of Water Storage Tank, Financial Assistance to Self-Help Groups (SHG)/Women Societies (exclusive for women) and Material. Grant under SCA to TSS, financial assistance to Agriculture/Horticulture Schemes, Animal husbandry, Skill development Training and to Village and Small Scale Industries, he said.  The CMO of Tribal Affairs and Hills, Dr Vumkhoneh also highlighted welfare schemes implemented under the Medical and Public Health Department. He mentioned that financial assistance for medical treatment for ST patients was given to ST, BPL patients after recommendation made by the Medical Board of TA and H Mortuary Van Service for transportation of dead body to their respective villages, besides free ambulance with driver.  Skill development training of ST students in paramedical courses were conducted and 60 student of the first batch completed their training at Shija Hospital and most of them got placement in

different health centres while the second and third batches of over 200 students are undergoing training.  At present, such health centres are run at Impa of Tamenglong, Chamu of Ukhrul, Thingpuikuol of Churachandpur and Molcham of Chandel. A doctor and other paramedical staff have been giving 24x7 healthcare service to the village and its surrounding areas, he said.  Quami Ekta Week is observed all over India to mark the birth anniversary of the first women Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi. The day is celebrated to enhance the love and unity among people all across India. The week is observed every year with the main theme ‘Secularism, Anti-Terrorism and Nonviolence’.

GENERAL STUDIES 5: ASSAM POLITY 1. Subdued Seng Kut Snem held  The annual year-ending festival of the indigenous Khasi faith, the 121st Seng Kut Snem, was celebrated today at the Weiking Field here, but a major attraction of the festival, the colourful dance, was given a miss due to the pandemic.  Traditionally, a procession is taken out each year from the Fire Brigade ground to the Weiking Field with a large number of people of all ages dancing and singing, though this year this procession was not taken out. In the morning, the Seng Khasi Kmie hoisted the Seng Khasi insigne at the Seng Khasi Hall in Mawkhar.  Later in the afternoon, around 100 attendees were part of the celebration held at Lympung Weiking, Jaiaw. This festival marks the Seng Khasi movement in which the indigenous people of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region began a movement against British atrocities on the indigenous way of life.  As part of the movement, 16 young men formed an organisation called the Khasi Young Men’s Association on November 23, 1899 to preserve and safeguard the indigenous way of life, also known as Niam Trai Niam Tre.  To commemorate the first anniversary of the movement in 1900, the Seng Kut Snem was celebrated and has continued till date to remind the people of the movement and its objectives. At the Weiking ground where the dance is held, is a major attraction of the festival, was not performed. However, all other rituals were held by the priests to thank God almighty.

 The festival is also a form of community prayer for protection of the distinct identity of the Khasi race. Unlike the earlier years, stalls wherein one could savour different Khasi cuisines and buy Khasi souvenirs were also absent.  On the occasion, two medical professionals, Dr Werlok Kharshiing of the Woodland Hospital and Dr RS Thangkhiew of Super Care Hospital was felicitated for their contribution to the society. Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chief Minister and leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma all greeted the people on the occasion.

2. Tarun Gogoi passes away  Three-day State mourning from today  Longest serving Chief Minister of Assam  Tarun Gogoi, three-time former Chief Minister and one of the tallest political figures in post- Independence Assam, is no more. The veteran Congress leader, who also holds the record of being the longest serving Chief Minister of Assam, breathed his last at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) at 5:34 this evening due to multiple organ failure. He was 86.  Chief Minister announced that the State government would observe three- day State mourning with effect from tomorrow in honour of the former Chief Minister who would be cremated with State honours. He also paid his last respect to the mortal remains of Gogoi at the GMCH.  Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was at the GMCH during the time of Gogoi’s death, formally announced the news, saying, “I want to inform the citizens of Assam with pain and sorrow that former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi breathed his last today evening at 5:34.”  The veteran leader was admitted to the GMCH on November 1 following post-COVID complications. Earlier, he was admitted to the same hospital on August 26 after he tested positive for COVID-19.  He was discharged from the GMCH on October 25 following two months of treatment. Later, after recovering from COVID-19, Gogoi had developed some post-COVID complications, necessitating his

readmission into the GMCH on November 1. His condition had deteriorated on the evening of November 18, after which he was first put on non-invasive ventilation (NIV).  Later, on November 21, he was put in mechanical ventilation when his urine output went down significantly. Subsequently, on November 22, Gogoi underwent dialysis for six hours but it failed to result in any improvement in his condition. He leaves behind his wife Dolly Gogoi, son Gaurav, daughter Chandrima, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and grandchildren, along with a host of other relatives. His son, Gaurav Gogoi, is the Lok Sabha MP from Kaliabor constituency and also the Deputy Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha.  Gaurav Gogoi today expressed gratitude to the team of medicos at the GMCH for their effort to treat the former Chief Minister. He also thanked the State government for extending assistance during Gogoi’s medical treatment, besides expressing gratitude to the Congress party. Gogoi, who strode the State’s political arena like a colossus for over five decades and dominating its politics for 15 consecutive years as Chief Minister between 2001 and 2016, also made stellar contribution in bringing peace and development to the State.  A vibrant personality, Gogoi was popular cutting across the political spectrum and his unique sense of humour and informal mannerism endeared him to the masses. His ever-smiling visage, quick wit and ebullient persona never failed to serve him in good stead – be it in locking horns with a difficult opposition in the Assembly or handling a demanding press. He belonged to that rare breed of politicians who spoke their hearts out without mincing words.  The love of the masses Gogoi enjoyed is borne out by the widespread concerns and prayers aired in social media as also outside during his illness. Since the past two days following reports of his worsening condition, people from different walks of lives have been visiting the hospital in large numbers, inquiring about the health of their favourite leader and praying for recovery.  There will not be a single leader among the present-day politicians in Assam who commanded the love and respect of diverse sections of the people, including his political rivals – was the common refrain of those mourning his death at the GMCH this evening. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who reached the city on a special flight from Dibrugarh this evening, straightway went to the GMCH to pay his last respects to the departed soul. Sonowal said that Gogoi was a father figure to him.

 “The State has lost a great leader. Gogoi dedicated his entire life in selflessly serving the nation and laid the foundations for a strong value system,” Sonowal said. “For me personally, it is like losing my own father. He guided all of us to serve the nation with honesty and sincerity. At times he used to give us some stern directions but with affection in his heart, like fathers do with their sons. We are now deprived of that love and affection... I pray for his soul and offer my heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family,” he said. Sonowal had recently visited the GMCH to inquire about Gogoi’s health in what proved to be the last meeting between them.

EDITORIAL DISCUSSION

GENERAL STUDIES 5: ASSAM POLITY 1. End of an era  A political era came to an end with the demise of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in the Guwahati Medical College Hospital in the evening of November 23 following postCovid complications.  Gogoi, who was not only considered a stalwart in State politics but also an influential figure in national politics for decades, will be best remembered for improving the economy and law and order situation of Assam after he took over as the Chief Minister in 2001.  Gogoi was the first person to hold the post of the Chief Minister of the State for three consecutive terms and though he remained a Congressman all throughout his political career, he always maintained cordial relations with members of other political parties and got his due respect from people of all walks of life including his political rivals.  When he took over as the Chief Minister for the first time, the economy of Assam was in shambles and the Government was not even in a position to pay the salaries to its employees regularly. The law-andorder situation was also in a mess. But with his able leadership, Gogoi managed to turn the tide and improved the economy of the State considerably, while, the law-and-order situation started improving.  An accord with the militant outfit Bodo Liberation Tiger was signed during his tenure as the Chief Minister, which led to the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule. Majority of leaders of the ULFA also came overground to start the process of talks with the Government,while, two factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland also started talking with the Government during the tenure of Gogoi as the CM, which led to overall improvement of the law-and-order situation in Assam.  Another major achievement of Gogoi as the Chief Minister, for which he did not get enough credit, was the holding of the National Games successfully in 2007. Very few people thought at that time that given its financial position, Assam would be able to create necessary infrastructure to hold the National Games. But Gogoi was always confident and fulfilled his dream of holding the Games.

 The sports infrastructure created at that time would be beneficial for the State and its sportspersons for years to come and only because of that infrastructure, Assam could host the South Asian Games later.  Though the Congress lost the polls to the BJP and its allies in 2016, Gogoi continued to serve as a legislator till his last breath and he was politically very active. He even appeared in the Supreme Court as a lawyer opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. With his demise, a political career, which started in 1968 when he was elected as a member of the Jorhat Municipal Board, came to an end.  He also left his mark in national politics as he was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 and subsequently in 1977, 1991, 1998 and 1999. He also served as a central minister in the Narashimha Rao Government in 1991. Gogoi also moulded the careers of a number of political leaders by acting as their father figure.

2. Revisiting problem of tribal land alienation  Human connection to land is common. As land had been uncultivated in the earlier days, the question of rights over land did not arise in those days. But gradually in course of time the pressure on land became heavier with the growth of population and this situation was taken in full advantage by the despots who tried to hold absolute rights over land. Assam was no exception to this rule of absolute ownership of the king over land.  The Ahom kings alienated a good portion of land of their kingdom to varied categories of their subjects and institutions. With the annexation of Assam by the British in 1826, the revenue administration started keeping in view the pattern of administration that prevailed during the Ahom rule.  However, the British did not acknowledge the claims of the grantees that enjoyed proprietary rights during the Ahom rule. During the Ahom rule, two types of land rights existed, namely, (i) absolute proprietary rights of Lakhirajdars, and (ii) some kind of an occupancy right of paiks who were actual cultivators.  Keeping in view of the abovementioned land rights, the British enacted the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886. It was a comprehensive and well-drafted regulation and laid down the

foundation on which the present land revenue administration is based. This Regulation is considered the Magna Carta of the land laws in Assam.  Chapter X of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 as amended in 1947 has provided for creation of tribal belts and blocks as for the purpose of protecting the backward and aboriginal indigenous people of Assam and restricted transfer, exchange and lease of land in these blocks and belts in the interest of tribals.  Under Section 162(2) of this Regulation, no person shall acquire or possess by transfer, exchange, lease, agreement or settlement any land in any area or areas constituted into belts or blocks in contravention of the provisions of Chapter X of this Regulation and Rules made thereunder.  Section 164B of this Regulation provides that both the transferor and the transferee for contravention of Section 162 of this Regulation shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.  The various ethnic communities are the most backward fragments of the Indian society so far as their education, health, economy, etc., are concerned. Before the advent of the British, the interaction between the tribes and the mainstream non-tribal population was less. But a sort of relation in terms of trade and commerce did exist.  The coming of the British brought in a lot of changes. All the agricultural and the forest land were brought under the control of the colonial administrators. Assam came under the onslaught of the new land policy of the British. This plight of the tribal peasantry further worsened with the growing number of migrants penetrating into Assam from the neighbouring erstwhile East Assam from the early second decade of the 20th century with the sole motive of increased production and revenue which eventually had an impact on the ethnic and social milieu of Assam.  The problem of land alienation affected the tribes and their control over their traditional land holdings. The British administrators in order to protect the land from further alienation devised a means popularly known as the Line System.  According to this device, a line was drawn on the village map taking into consideration the people inhabiting the village and no occupation of land by the immigrants beyond that line was allowed. It was brought to the notice of the Line System Committee that the tribal villages were the worst

victims of unregulated encroachment of vacant land by the aggressive immigrants from Mymensingh resulting in disappearance of many tribal villages.  The tribal inhabitants moved further into the sub-montane zone. In November 1939, the Congress coalition government in Assam headed by late Gopinath Bardoloi adopted a resolution on the report of the Line System Committee and for the first time, the conception of tribal belts and blocks in their elementary form was imagined. But the seemingly good intentions of the Gopinath Bardoloi-led ministry in creating tribal belts and blocks under Chapter X of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 failed miserably in safeguarding tribal interest.  Usurpation of tribal land by non-tribal continued unabated. Another development that caused the alienation of land is the Assam Ceiling Act, 1956. First the landlord owning excess land under the Act disposed of their excess land. All these factors compelled the tribal population to migrate to remote areas leaving their original abode.  The problem of land alienation is posing a serious threat to the very existence of the indigenous people of Assam. The existence of a protected belt or block depends fully or partially upon the policies of the State Government. The major de-notification of the existing South Kamrup (Guwahati) Tribal Belt took place in the year 1969 to facilitate the establishment of the State capital at Dispur, State Zoo, Guwahati Refinery and the military cantonment. The government order No. RSD 26/64/Pt/38 of July 30, 1969 excluded many villages from the preview of Chapter X.  This measure of the government uprooted many of the tribes from their native villages. Many of them lacked documentary evidence of their ancestral lands. Furthermore, many of them did not possess such documents, being unaware of the necessity to do so.  At the same time, the tribal people settling in many areas are not able to acquire the land patta and they are not in the position to pay the premium fixed by the Government. Already illegal selling of the land at lucrative prices is going on. And the order passed by the government by including this tribal belt through the Assam State Capital Region Development Authority (ASCRDA) will make the situation serious. Studies have shown how the transfer of land has affected the various aspects of socio-economic life of the tribal people.  Moreover, natural disasters like flood and erosion are eating away large chunks of areas rendering tens and thousands of people landless. Besides the developmental projects like the establishment of industrial and irrigation projects are itself of grave nature which are displacing a large group of

people. The situation is grim and deeprooted which calls for urgent intervention of the State as de- constitution of land would deprive many of the tribes of their land which were their source of subsistence.

3. Lachit Borphukan and Assamese regionalism  As we watch our beloved motherland getting disintegrated and defragmented before our very eyes and perceive the severe crack appearing in the backbone of the unified Assamese society, we yearn to find saviours and leaders who will restore it to its past glory again.  At this point of time we want characters and personalities who have unconditional love for their motherland, who is ready to sacrifice everything for the cause of their motherland and who can surmount insurmountable odds for the safety and security of his or her nation by virtue of determination. This is the moment when Lachit Borphukan’s character and personality and the Lachit Divas become so relevant. How could these heroes sacrifice their lives to save their motherland? What were the values which they acquired and practised? Why is there an acute shortage of such personalities in present-day societies?  Where have we lost our values and beliefs which inspired us to see levels of patriotism, courage and grim determination to win at all costs, fighting the most insurmountable difficulties? This is the time when every As samese needs to ponder over this point and this makes the Lachit Divas today very relevant for every Assamese community to thrive and prosper and regain a free, independent state or nation.  The National Defence Academy has accorded the highest military honour in the name of Lachit Borphukan. Opening the pages of history of the period covering the years 1667 to 1671 when Swargadeo Chakradhwaj Singha was the king of Assam and the nation had to prepare itself to fight against the Mughal invaders, our spirits rise witnessing the missionary zeal arising out of intense love for one’s motherland to free the portion captured by the Mughals and chase them away by overpowering them.  Swargadeo Joyadhwaj Singha (who had to face the brunt of defeat against Mir Jumla) and Swargadeo Chakradhwaj Singha, his successor, could never rest calm as vassal kings after their defeats against the Mughals. It is worthwhile to mention that during the time of the Ahom-Mughal

conflict, Assam could resist the Mughals several times beginning from the first attack by Muhammed Ghori.  Therefore, Swargadeo Joyadhwaj Singha’s successor Chakradhwaj Singha along with his ministers worked incessantly to prepare themselves to perfection for the great battle. Now a very efficient general had to be handpicked and the king selected the brave heart and versatile Lachit Borphukan for the job.  Historical records are replete with heart-warming descriptions and one feels tempted to quote a few lines from SK Bhuyan’s Lachit Borphukan and his Times: “Nowhere in recorded history had the Assamese nation showed such capacity for organization, discipline and combined action as in Lachit Borphukan’s war against the Moguls. For four long years, the whole nation acted like one man.  The slightest indication of slackness and delinquency was promptly and rigorously suppressed... Personal ease and comfort and consideration for one’s kith and kin gave way to sleepless vigilance and the longcherished dream of victory.” Imagining such a situation in present-day Assam appears to be a mirage. Where, when and how have we moved away from such levels of nationalism, integrity and work culture to a state of affairs where selfish interests, egocentrism, delay, deprivation and double standards have become the norm that is eating into the core? What will be written of our age and how will it be described by posterity a hundred years later?  At the onset of the Battle of Saraighat, when Lachit Borphukan fell terribly ill and the soldiers feeling demoralized wanted to flee, he plunged into the battle arena and exclaimed: “His Majesty has given me the supreme command of the army here and placed at my disposal vast stores of provisions so that I may fight with the enemy. Should I now desert the fight and revert to the embraces of my wives and children?”  His valour, grit and courage were the chief motivators for the receding army and they plunged valiantly to fight alongside their leader. The Mughals could not stand the dash and fury of the attack which was ignited by the solid determination to win at all costs. Ram Singha, the general of the Mughal army, was defeated but could not refrain from exclaiming: “Glory to the King! Glory to the Counsellors! Glory to the Commanders! One single individual leads all the forces! Even I, Ram Singha, being personally on the spot have not been able to find any loophole and opportunity!”

 These appear to be golden words written in golden letters in our books of history. As the past and the present are inextricably connected, knowledge and awareness about one’s own past appear indispensable for a community or a nation to thrive and prosper.  The above-mentioned anecdotes constitute a very small portion of the vast eventful historical records which constitute our history and heritage, the knowing of which develops deep love and attachment towards our very own motherland.  The European traveller Tavernier in his Travels in India writes: “Assam is one the best countries in Asia for it produces all that is necessary to the life of man.” Sahabuddin Talesh in his Tarikh-e- Aasham marvels at the forts, the palaces and gardens and the spirit of the people of Assam. Darweez mentions that the people of this land are very dignified having superior qualities.  When the globalized world is concerned about sustainable values and sustainable code of ethics, it iscsurely high time for us as individuals constituting the Assamese community to peep into our own glorious and heroic past, comprehend it and connect with our future, to better understand our interweaving of culture and civilization in the process of creating a wider and richer tapestry of Assamese culture and civilization.