Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 Bollywood's top 101 highest paid actors

STORY ON page 30 Trump Expected To Rescind DACA Immigrants are covered by the Obama-era rule

Manmohan Backed Probe Against Dera Chief Despite Pressure From MPs, Asked Us To Go By Law : Ex-CBI Officer Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 COMMUNITY 2 SAM PITRODA Announces Overseas Congress Expansion Worldwide dressed The Indian Na- ducing Sam Pitroda as a legend like Sam tional Overseas Con- a great Patriot and a Pitroda who is our gress USA members in man who brought revo- Chairman Overseas New York. INOC USA lution in Telecom and Congress Dept AICC. hosted a welcome event Communication in India Shudh also stated he for its new leader at the working with the com- will follow all directions Cottelion Banquet Hall plex bureaucracy, a of Sam Pitroda like he in New York on August difficult system and always followed earlier 26th, 2017. The event obsolete resources in Chairman's directions. was attended by all the the 1980's. He said "Our dynamic chapters of Overseas that Sam Pitroda was leader Rahul Gandhi Congress, the executive able to bring the tele- could not have ap- committee and its Na- phone to every house- pointed a better per- tional President Shudh hold in India with his son to lead overseas Parkash Singh. initiative (CDOT) and congress in my opin- (By a Staff Re- pointed Chairman of Dept of AICC, the leg- The event started said that he was fortu- ion" , added Shudh porter) The newly ap- the Overseas Congress endary Sam Pitroda ad- with Shudh Singh intro- nate to be working with Parkash Singh. Janmashtami Celebrated Sri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir Janmashtami Celebrated with more than 4000 people at floral Park

(By a Staff Re- major Hindu festivals, and for us to learn about our tra- seen before. Sankat helping social and cultural Mishra thanked all partici- porter) Sri Sankat Mochan it celebrates the declen- ditions and culture. Last Mochan temple in Floral groups to establish in New pants, elected officials and hanuman mandir celebrated sion of Lord Krishna to the evening witnessed Park, New York, saw more York and now in charge as local govt. for their support, Lord Krishna's birthday with Earth planet in the holy Janmashtami celebrations than 4,000 visitors. Said Deputy Comptroller in Event Emceed by Indu more than 4000 people, the land of Braj, India around all across the United States the head priest, Mr Tiwari, Nassau County visited the Gajwani and day started with Lord 5000 years ago. Festivals with temples and religious “We served food to 4,000 temple to get blessings. Vandanakumar. Nassau Krishna's Pooja and special are always a central part centers across the country patrons”. George Maragos, On this auspicious occa- County Comptroller Annakut in front of Lord of Indian culture. They are participating with great zeal Comptroller in Nassau sion more than 15 dance Maragos honored Krishan with more than 150 not only opportunities for and enthusiasm. This year County, David Wiprin, As- group performed dances Pandit Sanjeev Mishra delicious food items offered families to come together Janmashtami celebrations semblyman in Queens New on the theme of Lord and Event Chair Indu to Lord Krishna. to celebrate but also pro- saw such color and dedica- York, Dilip Chauhan who Krishan and Radha. Gajwani with Proclama- Janmashtami is one of the vide excellent opportunities tion that has never been has been instrumental in Mandir Priest Sanjeev tion. Janmashtami Celebrated by more than 6000 people at Radha Govind Dham ing arduously to set up for ji, a sanyasi preacher with the stage and stalls outside Jagadguru Kripalu Mandir the temple and deck the Parishat, shared with the temple itself for the big audience the significance of block party. The specially Lord Krishna’s descension adorned deities of Radha and the festival of Krishna with their heart cap- Janmashtami. He also led tivating beauty, charmed a brief kirtan chanting ses- one and all. sion after which devotee The program started kids from RGDNY enrap- with delectable varieties of tured the audience with Indian dishes being served semi classical dance rou- to the devotees for dinner tines. The event was also (Agencies) New York : Fes- traditions and culture. Last Janmashtami is one of the to celebrate prasad following which the attended by two special tivals are always a central evening witnessed major Hindu festivals, and it Janmashtami, the one at cultural events for the guests. Ms Mahima part of Indian culture. They Janmashtami celebrations celebrates the descension of Radha Govind Dham evening kick started. Chaudhary , bollywood ac- are not only opportunities all across the United States Lord Krishna to the Earth New York (RGDNY) was The opening act was a tress best known for her for families to come to- with temples and religious planet in the holy land of Braj, one of the most antici- chanting of devotional roles in hits like Pardes, gether to celebrate but also centers across the coun- India around 5000 years ago. pated ones. The day at kirtans by RGDNY’s Dhadkan, and Mr Dilip provide excellent opportuni- try participating with great While New York witnessed a RGDNY started with their devotees following Chauhan, Deputy Comptrol- ties for us to learn about our zeal and enthusiasm. host of big events organized team of volunteers work- which Swami Nikhilanand ler Nassau County. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 3 AIR INDIA's Womens Crew AIA Benefit Gala held Recognized during India Day Parade. tri-state area, attracting The highlights of 30 th 75,000 – 100,000 people. Deepavali 2017 will include Festival of Deepavali meaning Naach Inferno returning to the ‘A row of lamps’ is also popu- stage of Deepavali with col- larly known as Diwali, or ‘Fes- lege and university teams tival of Lights’. It signifies the from around the Tri-State area triumph of ‘Good over as they showcase dances Evil’. The festival will be a full fusing both East and West day celebration with numer- cultures. Presented by Star ous corporate booths, food Plus, the competition will be & clothing vendors, per- showcased globally. The As- formances and activities for sociation of Indians in the whole family including a America (AIA) is the oldest The Association of In- live grand display of fireworks. not-for- profit organization dians in America, NY Among the individuals hon- of Asian Indians in America Chapter (AIA-NY) held its ored at the Gala were founded on August 20, (By a Staff Reporter) During first ever world longest flight was Benefit Gala in support for Vaijinath Chakote, MD, Phy- 1967. It is the grassroots the celebration of India Inde- helmed by Captains Kshamta its 30 th Annual Deepavali sician/ Entrepreneur, Empire national organization of pendence Day Parade in New Bajpayee and Shubhangi Singh. Festival at the Hilton Hotel Medical Services, Aditya Asian immigrants in the York , Air India's all women crew All the on-board positions on the in Long Island on August Mattoo, MD, Nephrologist, United States. With chap- get recognized with Nassau flight — including the pilots, 26 , 2016. The Gala was at- NYU Langone Medical Cen- ters and membership County Comptroller George cabin crew, check-in staff, doc- tended by numerous re- ter, Mr. Chintu Patel & spread across the United Maragos Proclamation Pre- tor, customer care, air traffic spected individuals, past Falguni Patel, Co-Founder States of America, AIA rep- sented by Deputy Comptroller control and ground crew — were presidents of AIA, Commu- and Co- Chairman & resents the hopes and as- Dilip Chauhan. History making held by women. nity Leaders and dignitar- Chief Executive Officer of pirations of those immi- ies including members of Amneal Pharmaceuticals and grants who are united by the media and sponsors Ashutosh Tewari, MD, Chair- their common bond of In- Donald Trump administration that have showcased their man of Urology, Icahn School dian Heritage and Ameri- continued commitment and of Medicine At Mount Sinai can Commitment. This year, introduces green card hurdle support for Hospital. The evening was AIA-NY’s 30 th Deepavali the Deepavali Festival. The blessed by the presence of celebrations are going to be 30 th Annual Deepavali Padma Vibhushan Legend- held on Sunday Oct 1, 2017 Festival will take place at the ary Pandit Jasraj Ji and spe- at the South Street Seaport. South Street Seaport on cial performances from Miss Please look for the announce- Sunday October 1 st from Teen Bollywood USA 2017, ment of a celebrity very soon 12 noon till 7pm, culminat- Manjari Parekh. This is the 30 For more info, please find us ing with a spectacular dis- th year of Deepavali & on Facebook and visit our play of Fireworks. The event 50 th year of the Association website at is one of the largest in the of Indians in America. www.theaiany.org. Is Pakistan Willing to Lose America ? (Agencies) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — For the past 16 (Agencies) WASHING- card, according to risk of causing harm". The years, whenever the TON: US immigration au- USCIS. The new policy standards could include an United States has been thorities will soon require will take effect from Oc- in-person interview, the or- faced with the reality of an in-person interview for tober 1, the report said. der stated. Carter Langston, a failing war in Afghani- certain applicants for In fiscal year a spokesperson for USCIS, stan, it has blamed Pa- green cards, a change 2015, nearly 168,000 im- told Politico that the catego- kistan. Efforts to bring that is likely to slow the migrants in these catego- ries of visas that require in- freedom to the valleys of process of obtaining one ries obtained lawful per- terviews will expand in the Afghanistan, this narra- and may jam the already- manent residency, ac- future, calling it "an incre- tive claims, have been backlogged visa applica- cording to annual statis- mental expansion". The thwarted by a double- tion system, a media re- tics from the Department policy, Langston said, is dealing “ally” that takes interest in harming both the and a half — handing out port said. The new re- of Homeland Security. "part of a comprehensive quirement, which was Most (roughly 122,000) strategy to further improve American aid while sup- United States and Afghani- substantial amounts of aid, confirmed on Friday by a moved from an employ- the detection and prevention porting its enemies. The stan. Those assumptions sophisticated weapons spokesman for the US ment-based visa to a of fraud and security risks narrative inadvertently are wrong. Pakistan joined and the status of major Citizenship and Immigra- green card. The interview to the US". The requirement casts American presi- President George W. non-NATO ally. Pakistan tion Services (USCIS), mandate is part of Presi- for an in-person interview is dents, generals, diplo- Bush’s war on terrorism re- continues to require will apply to anyone mov- dent Donald Trump's plan not, technically, new, said mats, spies and others luctantly but proved itself American military hard- ing from an employment- to apply "extreme vetting" the report. ut the agency who have been part of an effective ally in the fight ware, and middle-class based visa to lawful per- to immigrants and visitors currently waives the inter- the war effort as credu- against Al Qaeda and Pakistani children continue manent residency, Po- to the US. he travel ban view requirement for these lous dupes and casts helped decimate its ranks. to dream of attending litico reportedVisa holders executive order signed visa holders "most of the poor light on the Ameri- That contribution was sul- American universities and who are family members by Trump in January time", according to William can military, stuck in a lied by Pakistan’s failure to of working on Wall Street. of refugees or people who and revised in March Stock, a Philadelphia-based quagmire despite having locate Osama bin Laden in The United States is the receive asylum will also be called for federal de- attorney and former presi- required to undergo an in- partments to develop dent of the American Immi- the world’s most ad- Abbottabad. biggest market for Paki- person interview when "uniform screening and gration Lawyers Associa- vanced weapons and After the Sept. 11 at- stani exports, and Paki- they apply for provisional vetting standards" to tion. Under the new policy, largest financial re- tacks, the United States es- stani-Americans form its status, a stage that pre- identify terrorists or such waivers won't be sources. It also assumes tablished a partnership with seventh-largest diaspora cedes receiving a green people who "present a granted, he said. that Pakistan has a clear Pakistan over a decade group. (Contd on page 22) Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 OP-ED 4 Cults such as Ram Rahim’s must not be allowed to become such a public nuisance The authorities need to take a look at how such cults become almost uncontrollable and stop them from any unlawful activity like stockpiling arms from inception weapons is not uncommon in has asked. Many of these cults these ashrams, and they seem have set up establishments on to stay under the radar of the encroached land and that too authorities until it is too late. hardly ever attracts any Often, the misdemeanors of opprobrium. There have been these so-called godmen are mysterious deaths in many of kept under wraps thanks to the them and allegations of sexual enormous political clout many misconduct as in the case of of them have. In the case of Asaram Bapu who is now Ram Rahim Singh, he issued behind bars. If Ram Rahim calls to his lakhs of followers to Singh was as keen as he support a particular political seemed to be that his followers party in the last round of should not create such a public assembly elections in Punjab. nuisance on his account, he However, whether they enjoy should have reined them in. The popular support or not, they fact that the supporters were cannot be unaccountable to the out in full force was indication law. The manner in which that this had at least the tacit followers think that they can approval of Ram Rahim Singh. (Agencies) The scenes were followers that a massive entitlement that they are above flout the law is seen from the The authorities need to take a very much like those in his mobilisation by the state had to the law. fact that Dera Saccha Sauda look at how such cults become much hyped films. The spec- be undertaken, with trains, In an earlier case, when the supporters gathered in huge almost uncontrollable and stop tacle put on by Dera Sacha schools and telephony being police tried to enter the ashram numbers even after them from any unlawful activity Sauda leader Gurmeet Ram disrupted. Despite appeals for of a spiritual leader in Punjab expressly forbidden by the like stockpiling arms from Rahim Singh and his followers calm, his supporters continued who had been long dead but imposition of Section 144. In inception. Deploying the brought large parts of Punjab their rampage after the verdict stored in a deep freezer by his fact the Punjab and Haryana resources of the state to ensure and Haryana to a standstill. In was announced. But the larger followers in the belief that he high court had pulled up the peace over one man’s the run up to the conviction of question is how these cults are was in deep meditation, they Haryana government for not conviction seems not just a Ram Rahim Singh by a CBI allowed to become a law unto found themselves facing heavily applying the right clauses of huge waste but inefficiency in court in a rape case, there was themselves and how it is that armed supporters who held Section 144. “Why was managing law and order in the such a violent frenzy from his they seem to feel a sense of them off. This sort of pile up of assembly not prohibited?” it first place. Doklam standoff ends: What it means for India, China relations India and China should not see Doklam in terms of point-scoring but rather as a warning of the need for extending their border management framework across other borders as well. the pudding, however, will initial Chinese action of be in the eating. In other demolishing two vacant words, whether Beijing will Indian bunkers was misread. seek to change the Doklam Or Beijing concluded that status quo in a substantial India would feel constrained way over the coming about interceding on behalf months remains to be of the territorial claims of a seen. One will expect third country. Either way, aggressive patrolling in the there was a miscalculation immediate future by both that was potentially sides. There may even be dangerous. The verbal brickbats from announcement of a Beijing, in keeping with the withdrawal indicates neither unusually harsh language side is interested in a wider that has come from the conflict. But there needs to Chinese foreign ministry be some thought about the and media over the past growing regional footprints of few months. Sound and both countries and that their fury signify nothing. spheres of influence will (Agencies) The Doklam bor- “retreating” and that it Sino-Bhutanese border as Keeping its troops and brush against each other in der crisis has ended as would continue to patrol well. In effect, both gov- workers indoors is what will third countries with suddenly as it began. In- the area. The two state- ernments seem to have be the real measure of increasing frequency. India dia announced both coun- ments are not contradic- agreed to go back to a sta- China’s intentions. and China should not see tries had agreed to mutu- tory. China does not speak tus quo that existed before Doklam deserves some Doklam in terms of point- ally disengage their troops of what its troops will do. crisis began. introspection on the part scoring but rather as a from the plateau along the Patrolling upto a country’s China’s original sin was of India. Beijing seems to warning of the need for Sino-Bhutan border. claims area is allowed un- the decision to extend a have assumed a passive extending their border Beijing, in keeping with its der the various Sino-Indian road up to the Doklam Indian response to its management framework recent tendency to speak border management agree- plateau in violation of the initial construction efforts. across other borders as in nationalistic hyperbole, ments and will now de 2012 trilateral agreement Possibly New Delhi’s well. said Indian troops were facto be applied to the on the border. The proof of failure to respond to the Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 EDITORIAL 5 Right to privacy: India couldn’t have got a Harvey, the Storm That Humans Helped Cause Even before the devastation from Harvey, southeastern Texas was enduring a year unlike any before. The daily surface temperature of the Gulf of Mexico last better gift in 70th year of Independence winter never dropped below 73 degrees. You can probably guess how many previous times that had happened: Zero. The nine-judge Supreme Court bench, which decided on the case, This sort of heat has a specific effect on storms: Warmer weather causes had to cast away the historical burden of previous judgments heavier rainfall. Why? When the seas warm, more moisture evaporates into the air, and when the air warms — which has also been happening in Texas — it can that refused to recognise privacy as a fundamental right carry more moisture. The severity of Harvey, in other words, is almost certainly The Supreme Court’s declaration that citizens have a ‘right to be left alone’ is related to climate change. a huge milestone in the history of the Indian Republic and civil rights. The court Yes, I know the sober warning that’s issued whenever an extreme weather has ruled that citizens have a right to privacy, which is intrinsic and fundamental disaster occurs: No individual storm can be definitively blamed on climate change. It’s true, too. Some version of Harvey probably would have happened without to dignified human existence. While the court has not spelt out the full contours climate change, and we’ll never know the hypothetical truth. of privacy – it has given an illustrative example as to what privacy means. It said But it’s time to shed some of the fussy over-precision about the relationship privacy includes at its core the preservation of personal intimacies, the sanctity between climate change and weather. James Hansen, the eminent climate of family life, marriage, procreation, the home and sexual orientation. By doing researcher, has used the term “scientific reticence” to describe this problem. Out so, the court has affirmed an unwritten and ambiguous right, though recognised of an abundance of academic caution — a caution that is in many ways admirable internationally as a fundamental human right. By stepping in – the courts have — scientists (and journalists) have obscured climate change’s true effects. also filled a huge void left by our constitution framers. We don’t display the same fussiness in other important areas. No individual Privacy as a right has not been given a separate legal status in any country. case of lung cancer can be definitively linked to smoking, as Heidi Cullen, the Across the world it has arisen out of judicial pronouncements. The nine-judge chief scientist at Climate Central, notes. Few vehicle accidents can be definitely Supreme Court bench, which decided on the case, had to cast away the historical linked to alcohol, and few saved lives can be definitively linked to seatbelts. burden of previous judgments that refused to recognise privacy as a fundamental Yet smoking, drunken driving and seatbeltless riding each created a public right. Interestingly, while doing so, a son, who was part of the nine-judge bench, health crisis. Once the link became clear and widely understood, people changed their behavior and prevented a whole lot of suffering. overruled his father’s previous verdict in the infamous ADM Jabalpur case. While Climate change is on its way to becoming a far worse public health crisis than this judgment has crystallised an amorphous idea – it has also reopened a debate any of those other problems. Already, it has aggravated droughts, famines and on many contentious issues that have been decided in the past. For instance, in deadly heat waves. In the United States, global warming seems to be contributing the case of rights of the LGBT community, this nine-judge bench is of the opinion to the spread of Lyme disease. Now we have Harvey. It has brought yet another that the matter was wrongly decided on the touchstone of privacy. Sexual flood that’s being described as unprecedented. It is terrorizing thousands of Texans orientation of an individual is a matter of privacy. Similarly, the cases of abortion and submerged large parts of the nation’s fourth-largest city, Houston.The immediate and willful termination of one’s life – are set to witness renewed deliberations. So priorities, of course, are protection and rescue, and many Texans are rising to the far, the court has only decided if there is a right to privacy. Now that this is moment. Houston has a certain friendly swagger, a mix of old Texas and new, and settled, it will turn its attention to the government project Aadhaar. Privacy is it’s evident this week. Residents are checking up on neighbors and saving people central to the legal challenge facing Aadhaar, the 12-digit biometric unique identity they’d never met before. The stories are inspiring. number; it is yet to be tested on its touchstone. While privacy in India is still in its They’re inspiring because they involve people coming together to protect one infancy, following immense developments in the field of media, technology and another. And how can people come together to protect one another from future storms and floods? The answer starts with getting real about climate change, scientific thinking, the increasing role of corporations in the lives of citizens which is the main reason storms are doing more damage than in the past. there is an urgent need to address this. The country could not have got a better Obviously, some extreme weather events are unrelated to climate change. But gift from the judiciary for its 70th year of independence. a growing number appear to be related, including many involving torrential rain, thanks to the warmer seas and air. “The heaviest rainfall events have become Unending slowdown: Indian economy heavier and more frequent, and the amount of rain falling on the heaviest rain days has also increased,” as the National Climate Assessment, a federal report, found. India’s economy continues to decelerate with the government’s estimate for first- “The mechanism driving these changes,” the report explained, is hotter air stemming quarter gross domestic product pegging growth at a 13-quarter low of 5.7% in April- from “human-caused warming.” June. The reasons for the protracted slowdown — a slide of five straight quarters from 9.1% in March 2016 — are many and varied. But there is little doubt that the demonetisation exercise combined with the uncertainty around the July 1 adoption of the new indirect tax regime served to significantly dampen economic activity. While the GST-related “inventory deaccumulation” that Chief Statistician T.C.A. Anant referred to may well be reversed in the current quarter as companies across sectors gain comfort with the new tax regime, it is still doubtful whether demand for industrial ISSN No. 1554 06X output is going to attain any meaningful strength. The Reserve Bank of India last month said that its industrial outlook survey had “revealed a waning of optimism in Chairman & Publisher : Karam Singh Thind Q2 about demand conditions across parameters and especially on capacity utilisation, Managing Editor: Sharanjit Singh Thind profit margins and employment.” A look at the sector-specific trends shows that Editor in Chief : Bhupinder Kaur Thind manufacturing expansion in gross value added (GVA) terms has slackened to a near Editor (Political Affairs-India) : Aruna Singh stall at 1.2%. This, from 5.3% in Q4 of the last fiscal and 10.7% a year earlier, is a far from heartening sign. With capacity utilisation expected to weaken this quarter, Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah Special Correspondent : according to the RBI, and with surveys suggesting that consumer sentiment has deteriorated steadily in August, the auguries for a demand rebound are far from Photographers: Ruth Alvarez/Hamad Gagandeep Singh (INDIA) promising. Editorial Intern: Aman Thind Web Coordinator : Jatinder Kumar While expressing concern about the slower-than-expected expansion, the Finance Minister has acknowledged that the challenge before the government now is to work out both policy and investment measures to boost momentum. One option would be to A Publication of NuWay Media Group suspend the fiscal road map for a limited period in order to pump prime the economy through increased capital spending by the government. The risks of fiscal loosening REGD & MAILING OFFICE : are of course manifold, especially at a juncture when several State governments have either announced or are contemplating large-scale farm loan waivers, which would P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 push up interest rates and crowd out fresh lending. Still, there is a thin sliver of a silver lining in the GDP data. The services sector continues to remain buoyant. Quarterly GVA across this broad swathe that encompasses trade, hotels, transport, TelFax : 516 342 1076 communication and broadcasting accelerated to 11.1%, from 6.5% in the fourth quarter, [email protected], [email protected] faster than the 8.9% posted in the corresponding period last year. The civil aviation www.thesouthasianinsider.com sector saw passenger traffic soaring by 15.6%, and construction activity, a provider of Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in jobs, also ticked up by 2%. The Finance Minister has his task cut out: to find ways to community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. 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We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 OPINION 6 How Kejriwal changed tack on PM Modi to end political slide with Bawana win AAP’s victory in Bawana bypoll has given the party cadre a morale boost. The victory mirrors two-fold change in party strategy — connecting with people and not getting into a confrontation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The win for the Aam Aadmi assembly polls in 2015. It Bawana. Many wrote an in slums and unauthorised Party in Monday’s bypoll worked as the party was obituary for the Capital’s colonies, a reason for the in north-west Delhi’s able to retain its vote-bank ruling party based on the AAP’s success, and Bawana assembly especially among the outcome of the civic remaining in 26 Jat- segment implies that Arvind deprived and poor despite elections but forgot that dominated villages. he AAP Kejriwal’s change of the Congress eating into its the five-year-old party has was routed in the 2014 Lok political track — no vote share as compared to the ability to stage a Sabha polls, not winning confrontation with Prime the 2015 polls. The AAP comeback. The victory in one of the seven seats in Minister Narendra Modi and Congress compete for Bawana shows the the Capital. But nine and reconnecting with the same vote-bank. Ved strength of AAP but months later, it created poll people — has shown a Prakash, who joined the describing it as its revival history by winning 67 of positive result. This morale Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi would be wrong. the 70 assembly seats in boosting victory came (BJP) after resigning as Bawana does not Delhi. Born out of a months. “He visited almost public life. His never say after below par an AAP legislator, came a represent Delhi as it does people’s movement every by-lane in this die spirit saw an unknown performance in Punjab, a poor second was the clear not have traditional middle- against corruption, the constituency,” said a party candidate Ram drubbing in Goa and loser as the saffron party’s class voters, who party needed to reinvent senior AAP functionary. Chander winning in failure to win any of the vote share dipped the dominate in more than half itself and reconnect with Kejriwal, who before Bawana. I am sure that the three municipal most. The BJP swept the of the 70 assembly people as it did after the turning to politics was a win will infuse a new corporations in Delhi. In municipal polls in April, constituencies in the 2014 election. It did with right to information and an energy in the party the six months after the winning three out of five national capital. Majority of Kejriwal saddled in the anti-corruption activist, representing alternate series of defeats, a lot has municipal wards in the voters in Bawana live constituency for almost two has had many setbacks in politics. changed in the AAP. The party leadership shied from Now focus on other crimes committed by criticising Prime Minister Modi as it was Gurmeet Ram Rahim and Dera associates boomeranging in polls. The ministers stopped blaming If this sentence the lieutenant governor (the serves to break the Centre’s nominee) for stranglehold of this blocking their proposals dera and others like it considering it was being on the popular termed as “negative imagination, not to politics”. There was a mention on politicians realisation in the AAP that across the board, it cannot blame the Centre then this would be a for its failures and had to healthy precedent His deliver on its promises pleas for leniency, his ranging from free wi-fi protestations that he zones in the city to a had been framed and waste-management other theatrics cut no system to safety of women ice with the CBI judge and a crackdown on water who handed down a mafia to a modern harsh sentence to the transport system and once all-powerful much more. The Modi Gurmeet Ram Rahim over, the authorities in elections, the latest appropriate to come as his government has already Singh, leader of the can focus on other being the last assembly investigate the dera’s supporters are likely shown it will not oppose Dera Sacha Sauda. things connected with elections. But certain financial affairs and to be smarting under the good governance However, in a case of the dera. One is the rules have been other crimes which this blow. A strict moves taken by the AAP forewarned being land it has encroached rewritten here. The have allegedly been surveillance should be government. The Centre forearmed, the upon, the other is the authorities are now of committed by Singh or kept on the many supported Kejriwal’s car- authorities kept a tight massive structures it a mind to attach the those close to him. If branches of the dera rationing plan and crack- lid on things with a has built without dera’s properties to this sentence serves to and on other similar down on public schools massive deployment authorisation. The most pay for the damage break the stranglehold institutions in the charging high fees. of forces, shoot on dangerous is the wreaked by Singh’s of this dera and others state. So, the relatively sight orders and stockpile of followers last week. like it on the popular Singh has paid new party focused on unequivocal warnings sophisticated weapons The Punjab government imagination, not to the price, even though publicising its own good to his supporters who within its premises, has also refused to pay mention on politicians it can be argued that work, especially in the field had run riot when the clearly with the compensation for those across the board, then it is too little too late. of education and health. guilty verdict was intention of taking on who died in the this would be a healthy But the state The AAP reconnected with pronounced in a 15- the law-enforcers if violence on the precedent. While the authorities in its “missing” volunteers, year-old rape charge need be.Political grounds that they were extreme security Haryana, which failed who again got a voice in against him. support and popular in violation of the law measures may have in their duty to prevent the government. Kejriwal The CBI was appeal had allowed the and the state could not warded off any violence the mayhem was back on the streets of pushing for the flamboyant so-called be responsible for today, the authorities unleashed by his Delhi connecting with maximum possible spiritual leader to play them. must not let down their supporters, have got people, which he had not sentence. Now that the role of kingmaker Now it would be guard in the days to off far too lightly. done after winning the the sentencing is Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 OPINION 7 The psychology of why Gurmeet Ram Rahim and similar ‘godmen’ are so popular Dressed in silken robes and floral headbands, the filmic version of him flying like superman and killing imaginary enemies, what could he possibly represent to his followers? It is important to see groups as a retreat to a mass of people who are unconsciously seeking a figure who can shelter them from the devastation of being disenfranchised. which demands that all members leaders who, under normal appeal of this cartoonish figure subjugate themselves to the conditions, would be rejected, who can incite this hysteria and group. Freud (1920) observed like cult leaders; Hitler being only violence that can bring a that larger groups tend to regress the most notorious. Often country to a standstill. Dressed more than smaller units. This impulsivity and violence run high, in silken robes and floral may be because the as some kind of mass cleansing headbands, the filmic version of commonality of the assumptions is delusionally promised. him flying like superman and that bind them tend shrink with The Dera Sacha Sauda is killing imaginary enemies, what the size of the group. one such sect – a deadly could he possibly represent to Unconscious fantasies seal combination of magic and his followers? It is important to together groups who share a ruthlessness – that has existed see groups as a retreat to a body of assumptions. Basic for nearly 60 years. It is believed mass of people who are assumptions that underlie that 400 members of this sect unconsciously seeking a figure Confronted in the world In return for this, the group groups vary. Wilfred Bion (1959) have been castrated inside the who can shelter them from the mostly by our helplessness we demands our allegiance and suggests that in small groups sect’s headquarters to bring devastation of being find ourselves pining to belong loyalty. The difference is there are three types of leaders: them closer to god. Its leader, disenfranchised. somewhere we feel safer, less between whether the group caring leaders reflecting a basic Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh aka Ram Rahim (only vulnerable. The family is the elects to be with a leader who is need for a group to depend on Baba Love Charger was pseudonyms proliferate) most basic group we have once more or less omnipotent and somebody; ruthless leaders accused of murder and has changed his clothes frequently imagined this comfort in. The hence whether the refuge is one reflecting a basic unconscious been convicted of rape and and was seen waving to bands disappointments intrinsic to living of immunity to suffering or a need for the members to be found guilty of sexually of followers who were often in push us towards seeking strengthening of the capacity to protected from and led against assaulting two Dera sadhvis. coordinated attire. While he affiliation with our groups which suffer. Buddhism may offer us frightening enemies (fight/ Leaders of such groups may seemed quite removed from we become a part of sometimes the serenity of surrendering to flight assumption); and a seize for themselves what anything sacred or reverential, by choice and at other times by suffering, while many other cults messianic, omnipotent leader other group members are it is perhaps a sign of the force. Groups promise us a offer omnipotent leaders who who could care for the group forced to renounce and this disturbing times we live in – badge of belonging and hold up an unconscious promise without the group having to is a part of what is expunged where Superman meets something bigger than to combat it on our behalf; a think or work, in other words, from the group’s Hanuman waving the national ourselves. There is a safety in system of religious veneration a leader with magical skills. consciousness. The hostility flag – is no longer a scene from numbers and the leader (either and devotion directed towards a Leaders of large groups often we witness today is to a a slapstick movie but a figure of imaginary or real, elected or particular figure or object. exert a dramatic effect on the judgement that threatens the a religious leader. It seems the self-styled) comes to be reposed Groups vary in these body of members who appear not to fragile fabric of a group built old religions are losing out to with the often unconscious assumptions, but what is clear retain individual minds and on perversions and lies. neon lights and Bollywood wishes of the group. is that groups have an identity throw themselves behind It is impossible to fathom the gimmickry. China Miscalculated How To Handle India, Allowed Face-Saving Exit To the considerable relief of all par- positions to the west. But India accom- sibly for its boycott of the Belt and Road What are the consequences? In the ties involved, India and China agreed plished its objective of ensuring that Initiative - do not withstand scrutiny, given near future, it heralds a return to some yesterday to end a 74-day stand-off by China would cease road building to its that events unfolded at a site where In- possible normalcy in India-China rela- their security forces near the trijunction south. dia had natural advantages. tions. The two sides demonstrated that, with Bhutan. India initiated the announce- The Doklam situation has provoked The reasons for the stand-off's con- despite the rhetoric, a peaceful and dip- ment with a short statement that simply a host of commentary, much of it ill-in- clusion are easier to fathom. China had lomatic solution could be found. But the said that an "expeditious disengagement formed, in part due to uncertainty and attempted to threaten and cajole India long-term implications will be more un- of border personnel...has been agreed initially vague reports about its exact lo- through public messages, mocking vid- certain. India has shown considerable to and is ongoing." China confirmed that cation, the competing legal claims made eos, and travel advisories intended to limit resolve, not just in an effort to protect its India had withdrawn border personnel. by China, Bhutan, and India, and the Chinese tourists from traveling to India. own security interests but those of its Its spokesperson added that Beijing extraordinarily harsh rhetoric by China's None of that worked. Indian forces were neighbours. China, meanwhile, has would "continue to exercise its sover- officials and state media leading to con- also better positioned on the ground, with done considerable damage to its repu- eignty and uphold its territorial integrity" cerns about escalation. But three ques- more robust supply lines than their Chi- tation in India, less by precipitating the and reportedly that its forces "will con- tions remain. Why did the situation nese counterparts. The forthcoming problem, and more by its poor handling tinue to patrol in Doklam region." Beijing come about? Why did it end? And what BRICS Summit in the south-eastern Chi- of the situation. Whether on the border acknowledged that "adjustments" would might be the long-term consequences? nese city of Xiamen risked being over- or beyond - in other domains, including be made on the ground. The exact reasons and timing for shadowed. It would have been awkward regional security, multilateral affairs, or A lot was left unsaid, and deliberately China's actions which precipitated the and embarrassing for China to welcome economic and trade relations - it would so. China did not say that its own troops impasse on June 16 may never be an Indian prime minister as a guest even not be surprising if New Delhi was to had fallen back or that it was calling off known. Construction activities meant to as Indian forces were present in (what approach its relations with Beijing with the road building activities in the disputed strengthen China's position in disputed Beijing believes to be) Chinese territory. greater wariness. Particularly following territory that had provoked the stand-off. territory have become a common prac- Finally, the 19th Congress of the Chi- its behaviour on the South China Sea, it Equally - and more importantly - Chi- tice, including in the South China Sea. nese Communist Party was looming, and would be natural for India not to trust nese officials did not confirm that road It is also now clear that China's leaders an unresolved stand-off with India risked Chinese promises on the disputed fron- building would continue or deny a dis- miscalculated, and did not anticipate an having domestic political ramifications. tier, but to continue to remain vigilant. engagement of forces. Affairs had been Indian intervention as their forces pushed For these reasons, it was in Beijing's in- If the Chinese state has hurt its repu- choreographed so that both sides could forward in territory disputed with Bhutan. terest to ensure an early resolution to tation, so has the press, which did not claim victory. China was satisfied with Speculative theories that China intended the stand-off, assuming a face-saving acquit itself very well over the course of Indian forces withdrawing to their prior to teach a lesson to India - including pos- formula could be found. the past two months. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 OPINION 8 There will be more Gurmeet Ram Rahims, it’s a question of demand and supply Freeing India of the menace of charlatans — the likes of Ram Rahims — is a far stiffer challenge than cleaning up India through the ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. One mighty figure has fallen, but week’s collective revulsion poverty, discrimination, make no mistake: The jailing of before it gets back to normal inequalities and resultant Dera Sacha Sauda chief again. Freeing India of the frustration force millions of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is menace of charlatans — the people to flock to such holy men not the end of the road for self- likes of Ram Rahims — is a far and women for succor. The styled ‘godmen’ and ‘godwomen’ stiffer challenge than cleaning up ‘godmen’ and ‘godwomen’ give in the country. A country as large India through the ambitious people a false sense of identity as India is a huge catchment for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. There and bonding, burnished by the unscrupulous people to prey on. is no broom readily available to charities such as free medicare No matter how much we are sweep them away and the and education that they run with repelled by the exploits – or cocktail of poverty, ignorance, their ill-gotten wealth. Coming rather misdeeds – of Ram Rahim superstition, insecurities and under their spell gives the and his fanatical followers who caste hierarchies will vulnerable masses a false sense rampaged across states last unmistakably continue to breed of security and an illusion of week, this is definitely not the more godmen and godwomen in dignity.Since the ground last time the unholy deeds of so- the times to come. Some of them realities are unlikely to change, called ‘holy men’ will outrage us. are continuing to flourish in it is prudent for us to brace Our memory is short various parts of the country ourselves for more ‘unholy’ and we are more likely to forget under the radar. Their ranks will scandals in the future as in the Brahmachari, the following will never run out of supply. We the Ram Rahim episode the undoubtedly swell as more join past. There can be no law to ban decades threw up equally may therefore cry hoarse as moment the next big news story in. people from reposing their blind disputable characters such as much as we may like over the breaks. Life will move on and it It is easy to take the high faith in someone and there will Chandraswami, Balak unscrupulousness of someone is likely to be business as usual moral ground and argue that neither be a dearth of gullible Brahmachari, Asaram Bapu like Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, until some other Baba or Mata Indians should stop investing in people or those ready to exploit and others. It finally boils but there actually is no respite somewhere in the country hits such fake holy men and women them in this country of billion- down to a business of from them. The Dera Sacha the headlines with his or her marketing synthetic spirituality. plus people. demand and supply and as Sauda head was only the latest misdemeanours. There will But such platitudes have little If the 1970s was long as demand exists, fed by to shame us, but certainly not expectedly be a replay of last meaning where back-breaking dominated by Dhirendra inequalities and ignorance, we the last. Doklam defused: Why it will take a lot of effort for India, China to rebuild ties In the wider Indo-Pacific region, India will be seen as the only power to have stood up to China’s aggressive policies. Recognition is Japan’s, and later US endorsement, of India’s stand The announcement in Beijing and important is the need for a change in the stand-off at Doklam. The stand-off unexpected and caught the Chinese New Delhi on August 28, 2017, of a China’s attitude towards India – a point also triggered adverse reaction in India unprepared. In the ten days prior to simultaneous disengagement of Indian made by Prime Minister Modi in his talk which, already upset at the US$ 52 billion Beijing going public with news of the and Chinese troops – who had faced- at China’s prestigious Peking University trade deficit, has begun scrutinising stand-off, there were undoubtedly off on the high altitude Doklum Plateau during his visit to Beijing in April 2015. Chinese commercial activity in India. deliberations in the PLA and Chinese for three months – is a welcome first China’s track record in abiding by Countries in India’s immediate Communist Party (CCP)’s top leadership step. It came after China continuously agreements has, however, been dodgy. neighbourhood, like Pakistan and Nepal, echelons leading to the decision to try insisted for three months that the disputed Ready recent examples are its reneging have closely monitored developments and browbeat India into submission and, 89 sq km Doklam Plateau is Chinese within three years in 2008 on the surrounding Doklam with both, pointedly, if necessary, use military force. India’s territory and made a variety of threats agreement by which it accepted Sikkim staying silent. Both can be expected to refusal to yield ground, or seek to against India of the kind not seen in the as a state of the Indian Union; backing reassess their policies towards India, compromise its way out as anticipated past forty years. After a disingenuous off from the agreement on not disturbing while Pakistan will additionally re- by China on the basis of past record, initial statement implying that Indian ‘settled populations’ which pertained to evaluate China’s reliability. Islamabad will would have prompted the rethink to opt troops alone had withdrawn, China later, Arunachal Pradesh; and, most recently, have noted China’s assessment that US for de-escalation. in reply to a specific question, clarified violating the 2012 agreement not to alter President Trump’s recent announcement Finally, the important 19th Party that troops from both sides had pulled the status quo and cease building the on Afghanistan and terrorism increases Congress scheduled to be held in back. India separately announced that road through the Doklam Plateau. China pressure on Pakistan and heralds a October-November 2017, makes Xi the bulldozers and earthmoving has not hesitated to go back on realignment in geopolitics of the region. Jinping politically vulnerable. Xi equipment brought by the Chinese had agreements with other countries either. In the wider Indo-Pacific region too Jinping has used ideology and been removed, making it apparent that he Doklam stand-off has far reaching India will be seen as the only power to nationalism as his main instruments China has undertaken to cease building implications. It differed markedly from have stood up to China’s aggressive to strengthen the CCP’s monopoly on the road to Gyemochen through the previous stand-offs including others that policies. Recognition is Japan’s, and power and boost his personal Doklam Plateau, which was the main actually lasted considerably longer. later US endorsement, of India’s stand. authority. He is also in the midst of reason for India’s objection. During the Doklam stand-off, China’s In effect, India challenged China at implementing the most extensive While China and pro-Chinese state-owned propaganda apparatus Doklam and paused the seeming reform the PLA has seen in its 90 analysts will now talk of looking ahead mounted an unprecedented offensive not momentum Beijing had created to years of existence, and could not and continuing relations as before, the seen in over forty years and which aggressively expand strategic space and afford to take the chance that in case fact remains that China’s unrelenting revealed that the Chinese Communist territory, thereby denting Beijing’s image. he orders the PLA to ‘teach India a propaganda over the past three months leadership cared little about improving Military and political considerations lesson’ it is unable to secure a has damaged the relationship. It has Sino-Indian ties and had scant regard have been important. China’s People’s decisive victory or suffers a bloody dissipated what little trust existed in the for Indian sensitivities. Memories of the Liberation Army (PLA) was in an nose. Smarting at the setback, the Sino-Indian relationship, rebuilding threats are unlikely to recede for a very untenable position at Doklam. India’s PLA and Xi Jinping will in all probability which will require a long time. More long while. It ensured world attention on swift and robust response was look for a way to retrieve hurt pride. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 INDIA CURRENT AFFAIRS 9 How Ram Rahim took the ladder of Punjab politics to rise in religio-business In 1994, Ram Rahim bought 50 acres of land at Salabatpura in Punjab’s Bathinda purportedly from the money collected by disciples. This centre now has more than 100 acres. Jailed for 20 years on talents early on, as he started followers, when the dera chief Tuesday in a rape case, Dera expansion plans within a couple used the ladder of politics to Sacha Sauda (DSS) head of years of taking over at the age establish himself as a parallel Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s fall is as of 23. In 1994, he bought 50 power centre. dramatic as was his rise, acres of land at Salabatpura Already, by 1996, the dera particularly in Punjab, the hub purportedly from the money had a sizeable vote bank in of his sect’s activities. Up to collected by disciples. This Malwa, and the dera head had 1994 — besides the Sirsa centre now has more than 100 decided to “secretly” extend his headquarters in Haryana — in acres. support to SAD’s Sukhbir Singh Punjab the dera had only one “Baba disliked Malout’s Badal when he fought the Lok naam charcha ghar (preaching geographical location as it is Sabha poll for Faridkot seat . centre) of five acres at Malout close to the border with Sukhbir defeated Congress and the alliance formed the would provide them space as in Muktsar district in 1994. That Rajasthan, part of the region on candidate Jagmeet Singh Brar. government. Then, in 2002 Capt well as vote bank of the too had been set up in the time the tri-junction of Punjab, Political experts in Malwa Amarinder?Singh-led Congress suppressed classes. Apart from of Shah Satnam — Gurmeet’s Haryana and Rajasthan. He opined that this was the time formed the government and also politicians, even administrative predecessor and the second decided to shift the dera base when even the effluent classes, enjoyed full support of the dera, and police officers start visiting dera chief after its founder Shah to Salabatpura in Rampura Phul seeing the increasing political albeit secretly,” said a Bathinda- the dera for good postings, and Mastana — who had died in region of Bathinda as the area clout, started getting attracted based veteran journalist. “This this period saw many landed Jat 1990 soon after handing over was more easily accessible to towards DSS. sent the message fast and loud Sikhs and rich Bania community the ‘gaddi’ (seat). followers even from Moga, “In 1997, the dera supported among political classes in members in prime grain-market By 2007, the DSS?empire Barnala, Faridkot and Mansa SAD-BJP in the assembly polls villages that joining the dera towns of Malwa got attracted too.” had grown to 98 centres spread districts,” said a political leader over 800 acres. That was also who was once close to the dera. 18 ‘shahi betiyan’ taken out from Dera Sacha Sauda’s campus in Sirsa the year that Gurmeet Ram This forms the Malwa region of Authorities in Haryana’s commissioner Prabhjot Singh respective destinations. “With Rahim got into crosshairs with Punjab, largest of the three Sirsa district on Tuesday got 18 said. this, only 250 to 300 people are the Sikh community after he cultural divisions of the state. minor girls taken out from the Officials said the minor girls now left in the Dera (campus),” allegedly committed blasphemy He gathered followers during Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) sect will undergo a medical he said. by dressing up as the tenth Sikh a time when Punjab had barely headquarters near Sirsa town to examination. The officer said that peace master, Guru Gobind Singh, at come out of militancy, and undergo a medical examination. The move comes after sect is prevailing in Sirsa town and the dera’s state headquarters at several dominated classes and “Eighteen girls, aged up to 18 chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim relaxation in curfew has been Salabatpura near Bathinda. That Dalits were searching for social years, were taken out from the Singh was convicted of rape of given up to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, led to clashes, and the baba space. Soon, naam charcha Dera after completing all legal two of his female disciples in except for the roads leading to never came to Punjab for any ghars came up in Mansa, formalities. At present, these girls 1999 and sentenced to 20 years the Dera complex, eight km from activity since. The case has, Barnala and Sangrur. The are under the supervision of a in prison by a CBI special court. the town. “Internet services have though, been cancelled by the number was up to 20 by 2002 in child protection officer and, later In other steps, the deputy also been restored. Educational Punjab police during the Malwa alone. He still had a large they will be sent to child commissioner said the district institutions and banks have re- previous regime of the SAD-BJP following Haryana. protection institutes being run at administration has also sent 650 opened and the people are busy combine. The period between 2000 and different places,” Sirsa deputy people of the DSS to their in their day-to-day work.” Gurmeet had shown his 2007 is called “golden time” by Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 10 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 11 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 SPECIAL REPORT 12 Godman’ Rampal acquitted in two criminal cases, murder case verdict awaited The Haryana court’s ruling comes three years after thousands of his followers clashed with police and paramilitary personnel that left at least six people dead. (Agencies) A Hisar court acquitted self- Rampal’s lawyer AP Singh. The Indian force to deter a public servant from styled godman Rampal on Tuesday in Penal Code sections pertain to causing discharging his duty) of the IPC. Another connection with two criminal cases damage to public property and person. case was registered against Rampal and registered against him, citing lack of The 66-year-old leader, who runs a sect his followers Purshotam Dass, Raj evidence. Judicial Magistrate, Hisar, housed in a sprawling 12-acre ashram Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Rajender Singh, Mukesh Kumar pronounced the verdict, in Hisar’s Barwala, first burst into Rahul and 30-40 other persons on acquitting Rampal, head of Satlok prominence in the late 90s after touring November 18, 2014 on a complaint of Ashram, Barwala and his followers here. Haryana as a bhajan singer. On August Sukhdev Singh of Ratia (Fatehabad) for (LIVE?updates) 24, the judge had deferred the date of rioting, unlawful assembly, disobedience persons. Rampal had resisted a police Rampal would remain in jail as hearing to August 29 after the police cited to an order lawfully promulgated by a operation for his arrest on the Punjab he is facing other charges including tension in the wake of the Dera Sacha public servant and wrongfully confining and Haryana court orders. He had even sedition, the defence counsel said. The Sauda case. On November 17, 2014, a any person. Rampal was arrested after refused to appear in the High court to court is yet to announce a decision on case was registered against Rampal and a tense standoff between some his reply to charges like contempt of court. more serious allegations of murder, his followers under sections 186 supporters and the police after close to He had holed himself up inside his attempted murder and sedition that have (Obstructing public servant in discharge 15,000 of his followers were evacuated ashram in Barwala, Hisar. Rampal would been filed against him “He has been of public function), 332 (Voluntarily from the sprawling ashram premises in remain in jail as he is facing other acquitted in the two cases (426 and causing hurt to deter public servant from 2014. The standoff had then turned charges including sedition, the defence 427). It’s a victory of truth,” said his duty), 353 (Assault or use of criminal violent, resulting into the death of five counsel said. Gurmeet Ram Rahim was revered like god...acted like beast, says judge A CBI court on Monday sentenced self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years in jail and fined him Rs 30 lakh for raping two disciples, saying he acted like a “wild beast” and didn’t even spare his “pious” followers. social fabric. The purpose of just potential offenders as also by marry prostitutes, played punishment is designed so that preventing the guilty party from commendable role in drug de- the individuals in the society, repeating the offence, it is also addiction and 133 welfare works which ultimately constitute the designed to reform the offender were in progress under his collective, do not suffer time and and reclaim his as law abiding guidance. He also brought on again for such crimes. It serves citizen for the good of the record a booklet of social works as a deterrent, the court said. society, said the court undertaken by the dera and Quoting another apex court Reformatory, deterrent, and made a reference to various order of 2014, the CBI court said the punitive aspect of commendation certificates it is the duty of the court to punishment thus play their due received for good deeds. impose adequate sentence, for part in judicial thinking while Quoting yet another apex one of the purposes of imposition determining the question of court judgment, the CBI court (Agencies) Handing out a 20- “Both the victims had put of requisite sentence is awarding appropriate sentence, said that after order of year rigorous imprisonment to Ram Rahim on the pedestal of protection of the society and the judge said in his order. conviction, it is mandatory duty Dera Sacha Sauda chief God and revered him like that. legitimate response to the Earlier, the dera chief had of the court to consider the Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, However, he committed breach collective conscious. In a way, pleaded for a lesser sentence on question of award of convicted for raping his two of gravest nature by sexually it is an obligation to the society, the grounds that he has compensation to victim of crime. “sadhvis” (female followers), a assaulting such gullible and blind which has reposed faith in the completed 50 years and is However, it is the discretion of special Central Bureau of followers. Such criminal acts of court of law to curtail evil. suffering from hypertension, the court to award or not to Investigation (CBI) court on convict, who is stated to be While imposing the sentence, acute diabetes and spinal disc award the compensation. It has Monday said the convict does heading a religious organisation it’s the court’s accountability to problem leading to severe been further held that Section not deserve leniency as he did — Dera Sacha Sauda at Sirsa remind itself about its role and backache for the past eight 357 of the Code of Criminal not spare his pious disciples — are bound to shatter image reverence for the rule of law. It years. His long incarceration Procedure (CrPC) confers a and acted like a wild beast. of pious sacred spiritual, social, must evince the rationalised hence would adversely affect his duty on the court to apply its “In other words, he’s a man cultural and religious institutions judicial discretion and not an health. He also placed on record mind to the question of who neither has concern for existing in the country since time individual perception and moral medical treatment documents. compensation in every criminal humanity nor has any mercy in immemorial. This, in turn, propensity. Gurmeet also pleaded that he case. his nature,’’ said CBI special reflects irreparable damages It has also been observed by has an elderly mother who is Disclosure of application of judge Jagdeep Singh, caused by the acts of convict to the apex court that old saying suffering from various age- mind is best demonstrated by pronouncing the quantum of the heritage of ancient land,” the “law can hunt ones past” cannot related diseases. recording reason in support of sentence from the makeshift judge said in his order. be allowed to be buried in an Citing his welfare works, the the order or conclusion. The SC court in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail. Justifying the quantum of indecent manner and the dera head said he has motivated has also held that Section 357 Making scathing remarks on punishment, the judge referred rainbow of mercy, for no thousands of people to do social of the CrPC does not impose any Ram Rahim, the judge said if the to the Supreme Court judgments. fathomable reason, should be works, such as plantation drives. limitation on power of the court acts of convict in sexually He said the fundamental purpose allowed to rule. The conception “The convict is carrying out to award compensation, but such exploiting his female disciples of imposition of sentence is of mercy has its own space but social works in Haryana, when jurisdiction cannot be exercised and threatening them with dire based on the principal that the it cannot occupy the whole the state government has failed at the whims and caprice of a consequences were taken note convict must realise that the accommodation. Further, it has to do so,” his counsel claimed judge. Before issuing a direction of, then such kind of person do crime committed by him has not also been observed that though before court. to pay compensation, the not deserve any sympathy of the created only a dent on the life punishment is designed to He also argued that the capacity of the accused to pay court. of victims, but a concavity in the protect the society by deterring convict motivated people to the same must be judged. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 SPECIAL REPORT 13 Doklam standoff ends: Why India, China must build a stable, lasting friendship now India and China should declare a 1,000-year cessation of hostilities. Whatever the immediate differences, both must recognise and regard each other not just as nations, but as great civilisations (Agencies) On Monday, the towards India is nothing new. In Kashmir. Of course, there was ministry of external affairs in a the last few years, we have been no mention that China’s claims two-point statement on the unable to move even an inch over Arunachal Pradesh arise “Doklam disengagement towards resolving our disputes out of its takeover of Tibet, which understanding” announced an along the 3,488-kilometre the Tibetan Government in Exile “expeditious disengagement of border we share with China. views as illegitimate and illegal. border personnel at the face-off Thumbing its nose over How does one make sense site.” Typically, China’s official India’s concerns, China has of China’s all-round bellicosity Xinhua News Agency confirmed powered ahead with its $46 and muscle-flexing? According It’s military ambitions, it appears, has already met Pakistani army the news as India’s withdrawal billion corridor through Pakistan- to defence analyst Brahma is to supplant the US over the chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in of troops, without mentioning if occupied Kashmir (PoK). This Chellaney, the roots of China’s next couple of decades. But Dushanbe, Tajikistan. With the its own troops would also back amounts to a refusal to accept “imperial overreach” lie in the economic and military power is Peoples Liberation Army primed off. As India prepares for the 9th that even PoK is a disputed “Chinese dream”. This is the not enough. China will also need up over the past few months for BRICS summit to be held at area, let alone Balochistan, Communist Party of China’s cultural and political legitimacy, hostility, India must also prepare Xiamen, China, from September where the Gwadar port, the ambition to make the country the which it lacks now. Instead, for any eventuality, not taking 3 to 5, this could decrease terminus of its uber-ambitious world’s leading power by 2049, China is becoming increasingly lightly China’s threat to teach it tension between the two nations. One Belt, One Road project, is the centenary of communist rule unpopular the world over, a lesson. Ideally, however, India But if the Indian Army located. in that country. Its current especially in Asia because of its and China should declare a chief’s comments are anything China has not only general secretary, Chinese intimidation of its smaller 1,000-year cessation of to go by, we should not be too repeatedly blocked India’s President Xi Jinping, is merely neighbours. By standing up for hostilities. Though, we have no optimistic, let alone be lulled into membership to the Nuclear carrying out this mandate. In the Bhutan at Doklam, it is India, idea what the world will look like complacency. Delivering the Suppliers Group or vetoed upcoming 19th Party Congress, which has behaved with 1,000 years from now, if our past General BC Joshi Memorial United Nations resolutions to Xi is expected to be cleared to surprising firmness in thwarting record is anything to go by, our Lecture at Savitribai Phule Pune label Masood Azhar a global lead China for another five years. Chinese designs. two civilisations have probably the University on August 27, General terrorist, but has also cozied up Given that the US seems to Given the recent appointment best chance of surviving into the Bipin Rawat warned that China considerably to Pakistan in the be sliding from its pre-eminent of the much-decorated and next millennium. Whatever the is trying to “change the status last few years. No wonder that position, this may seem, on the battle-tested 63-year-old immediate differences, both India quo” on our border and incidents when the 14th Dalai Lama visited surface, to be a logical and General Li Zuocheng as head of and China must recognise and like Doklam are likely to the Tawang monastery in realisable goal. After all, China the joint staff department, China regard each other not just as “increase” in future. Arunachal Pradesh in April, may become the world’s leading wants to send the message that nations, but as great China’s belligerence China threated to intervene in economic power before 2049. it will continue to act tough. Li civilisations. Did Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s Dera use law to How Ram Rahim took the ladder of Punjab silence Honeypreet Insaan’s husband? politics to rise in religio-business Vishwas Gupta, son-in-law of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh faced a In 1994, Ram Rahim bought 50 acres of land case of dowry after 11 years of marriage, and an FIR in a cheque at Salabatpura in Punjab’s Bathinda purport- bounce case filed in Gujarat and another in Rajasthan. edly from the money collected by disciples. This centre now has more than 100 acres. stay mum. After 11 years of (Agencies) Jailed for 20 years on Tuesday in a rape case, marriage, Vishwas moved out of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) head Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s fall is as the Dera to Sector 15 in dramatic as was his rise, particularly in Punjab, the hub of his Panchkula with his parents in sect’s activities. Up to 1994 — besides the Sirsa headquarters in July, Joshi recalls.What followed Haryana — in Punjab the dera had only one naam charcha ghar was straight out of a Bollywood (preaching centre) of five acres at Malout in Muktsar district in flick. A team of Dera strongmen, 1994. That too had been set up in the time of Shah Satnam — led by one Pradeep Singh, who Gurmeet’s predecessor and the second dera chief after its was later arrested, started founder Shah Mastana — who had died in 1990 soon after handing clocking his every movement. over the ‘gaddi’ (seat). By 2007, the DSS?empire had grown to Vishwas moved the Punjab and 98 centres spread over 800 acres. That was also the year that Haryana high court for Gurmeet Ram Rahim got into crosshairs with the Sikh community protection in October, accusing after he allegedly committed blasphemy by dressing up as the the Dera chief and Honeypreet tenth Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, at the dera’s state (Agencies) It was Valentine’s to the Rohtak jail as his of adultery. The Dera hit back. headquarters at Salabatpura near Bathinda. That led to clashes, Day in 1999 when Vishwas “attendant”. And an attendant of Honeypreet filed a case of dowry and the baba never came to Punjab for any activity since. The Gupta was asked by Dera the Dera chief is what she was after 11 years of marriage, case has, though, been cancelled by the Punjab police during Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet all through her marriage, says claiming Vishwas was the previous regime of the SAD-BJP combine. Ram Rahim Singh to marry MS Joshi, a Chandigarh-based demanding Rs 2 lakh from her. Gurmeet had shown his talents early on, as he started expansion Priyanka Taneja in a simple lawyer, who later got Vishwas “The Guptas had ancestral plans within a couple of years of taking over at the age of 23. In ceremony of exchanging bail in a dowry case filed in property and his father had 1994, he bought 50 acres of land at Salabatpura purportedly from garlands at Sirsa. Sirsa.“Vishwas was taken to retirement benefits. Why would the money collected by disciples. This centre now has more than Taneja, who was later named Bangkok and hill stations in India they demand Rs 2 lakh?” says 100 acres. “Baba disliked Malout’s geographical location as it is Honeypreet and adopted by the with Honeypreet, who used to Joshi. More was in the offing. close to the border with Rajasthan, part of the region on the tri- Dera head, shares his quirky stay inside the babaji’s room. In Vishwas was soon facing an FIR junction of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. He decided to shift the fondness for bling and movies. May 2011, she stayed with Ram in a cheque bounce case filed in dera base to Salabatpura in Rampura Phul region of Bathinda as On Friday, she was the only Rahim at a Kodaikanal hotel. In Gujarat and another in Rajasthan. the area was more easily accessible to followers even from Moga, one from “family” to accompany June, he saw them together in His petition to court says a sale deed Barnala, Faridkot and Mansa districts,” said a political leader who Gurmeet to the CBI court that an objectionable position at the of his 11 kanal ancestral land had was once close to the dera. This forms the Malwa region of Punjab, pronounced him guilty of rape Dera. He was allegedly beaten also been forcibly executed in largest of the three cultural divisions of the state. and flew with him in a chopper up by Ram Rahim and told to favour of the dera. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 HEADLINES THIS WEEK 14 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 ADVERTISMENT 15 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 16 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 US CURRENT AFFAIRS 18 Deluged Texas Braces for More Rain, and Years of Recovery revived memories of Hurricane food and water, and restoring And he praised Texans for Katrina in 2005, when early electricity to hundreds of rushing to rescue their estimates vastly understated both thousands of people who were neighbors. the material devastation and the left without power. Countless abandoned cars death toll, and recovery efforts Mr. Long said that FEMA was and trucks blocked the region’s lasted years. shipping two million liters of flooded roadways, raising The administrator of the water and two million meals to questions about whether and Federal Emergency the region. Other government how their drivers had escaped Management Agency, Brock agencies, charities and safely. They sat at odd angles, Long, said on Monday that he corporations were also moving some showing no more than a expected more than 450,000 supplies into the region. few inches peeking above the people to apply for federal In Harris County alone, water, while others sat half- assistance. several thousand people smashed in roadside ditches or “We’re going to be here for stranded in vehicles and alone in muddy fields. several years helping you guys buildings by the water were Almost every evacuee had a (Agencies) HOUSTON — As storm, six of them in Harris recover,” he said. “The state of rescued by law enforcement and dramatic story to tell. one of the most destructive County, which includes Houston. Texas is about to undergo one firefighters using motorboats Glenda Walton, standing in a storms in the nation’s history But the painstaking and of the largest recovery housing and helicopters, and legions of damp gray T-shirt among five pummeled southeast Texas for a heartbreaking work of clearing missions the nation has ever volunteers used their own boats family members in an evacuation fourth day, forecasts on Tuesday streets, going door to door, seen.” to ferry people to safety. center, could think only of the morning called for still more rain, assessing damage — and For the time being, efforts are Governor Abbott activated the day’s events. She said she making clear that catastrophic finding victims — has not yet focused on the most basic entire Texas National Guard to watched as a woman hugging a flooding that had turned begun. Scenes of people and elements of keeping people alive aid in rescue and recovery, tree lost her grip, got caught in neighborhoods into lakes was pets being rescued from the — plucking stranded survivors raising the number of troops the churning water, and just the start of a disaster that roofs and upper floors of houses from the flood, providing shelter, involved to 12,000 from 3,000. drowned. would take years to overcome. Local, state and federal officials conceded that the scale Hurricane Harvey: The Devastation and What Comes Next of the crisis was so vast that they were nowhere near being able (Agencies) Overwhelmed by the news with the limits of its growth.Here are some Houston police officer, a family trapped to measure it, much less fully since Harvey made landfall? Here is an of the most powerful photos of the in a van beneath surging floodwater, and address it. overview of coverage by The New York devastation and a before-and-after look at a mother whose shivering 3-year-old was Across a region that is home Times, which sent nearly two dozen the affected areas. found clinging to her unresponsive body. to millions of people and includes journalists to Texas. Survivors face hurdles of Houston, the nation’s fourth- The latest can be found in their own, with help likely to largest city, no one has a clear Thursday’s live storm briefing. be slow in coming. Managing idea how many people are With rainfall topping 50 the shelters that are housing missing, how many evacuated, inches in some areas, Harvey tens of thousands of them how many hunkered down or devastated a swath of Texas remains “the biggest battle were trapped in their stretching from the Houston that we have right now,” Brock waterlogged homes, or how area into Louisiana. “Our Long, the administrator of the many inundated houses and whole city is underwater,” Federal Emergency vehicles are beyond saving. Derrick Freeman, the mayor Management Agency, said on It is “one of the largest of Port Arthur, Tex., said on Thursday. Rich and poor alike disasters America has ever Wednesday. (Read an have had their homes and lives faced,” Gov. Greg Abbott said, account from one of our upended.There were many warning against expecting reporters on his trip home to positive stories, too. A huge anything resembling recovery nearby Beaumont.) volunteer effort operated with little any time soon, or a return to the Even as the rain and wind official guidance. A businessman way things were. “We need to moved on, the region continued to suffer If you can do so safely, please share turned his mattress store into a safe haven. recognize it will be a new normal, consequences of the storm. Explosions your own photos and videos here, or leave And the women and cat in a viral photo of a new and different normal for rocked a chemical plant early Thursday, us a voice mail message. Listen to a flooded nursing home are safe. The this entire region.” and many hazards lurk beneath the Thursday’s episode of “The Daily” to learn Houston Independent School District also Local officials reported 10 floodwaters that soaked the region. The about how Houston was built to flood.At said that all students will receive three free deaths possibly related to the storm has also forced Houston to grapple least 39 people have died, including a meals a day for the school year. Trump being Trump: US President confuses two blonde journalists during press conference (Agencies) At a joint press who both had blonde hair, to be lady,” while the crowd laughed, conference at the White House the same person.Niinisto had the two blonde reporters included. with Finnish President Sauli called on a member of his “They are sitting side by side.” Niinisto, Donald Trump mistook travelling press corps during the Maria Annala, the Finnish two journalists, who both had bilateral news conference to ask Boston-based journalist had the blonde hair, to be the same a question. “Again?” Trump perfect repartee: “We have a lot person. The US President has asked Niinisto, perhaps thinking of blonde women in Finland” she added yet another feather in his the Finnish president had chosen said. Twitterati responded to the cap. His cap of gaffes, that is. the same reporter to ask a incident, some apologizing to the During a joint press conference question the second time. “You’re journalist on Trump’s behalf, while at the White House with Finnish going to give her the same one?” others wondered why he does not President Sauli Niinisto, Donald Clearly embarrassed, Niinisto get confused when dealing with Trump mistook two journalists, said, “No, she is not the same male reporters. US CURRENT AFFAIRS Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 19 A late August HowHow DoesDoes HarveyHarvey hurricane menacing the Gulf Coast. CompareCompare WithWith Residents plucked from rooftops. A HurricaneHurricane Katrina?Katrina? convention center Here’sHere’s WhatWhat WeWe repurposed as an emergency shelter. A test of KnowKnow a presidency. (Agencies) Although it is still untouched for days. The storm Katrina: Rain was not the main jurisdictions — like Bay City, have been approved for unfolding, Harvey, now a tropical inflicted more than $100 billion problem with Katrina, which which expected 10 feet of water emergency assistance, which storm, evokes comparisons to in damage, with most of it yielded 5 to 10 inches of rainfall downtown — urged residents to includes financial help with rent, Hurricane Katrina in 2005. caused by wind, storm surge in a 48-hour period. leave. More than 30,000 people repairs and lost property. FEMA Here’s a quick rundown of what and the failure of the levees. Harvey: By contrast, Harvey remained in shelters in the has so far disbursed about $57 we know about similarities and Katrina also left three million brought a deluge, with up to 50 region Thursday. million to citizens in Texas. differences between the two. people across the region inches of rain in some areas — Assistance The Takeaways So Far The Cities without power. more than Houston receives in Katrina: The storm displaced Katrina: Evacuation chaos and Katrina: Before the storm, New Harvey: Local officials said a year. over a million people and mostly unfounded panic over Orleans — with its distinctive there were at least 39 deaths in Evacuation damaged or destroyed 275,000 riots and violence made issues Creole-Acadian-French- Texas so far that were related Katrina: The mandatory homes. Almost a million of race, poverty and Haitian-Vietnamese cultural or suspected to be related to the evacuation of New Orleans was households received individual government failures impossible mélange — was a small city of storm. Officials said they were announced a day before the assistance from the Federal to ignore. The breaches of the about 455,000 people that lay prepared for that number to storm hit. An estimated 100,000 Emergency Management levees compounded those in large part below sea level, inch higher as floodwaters people remained stuck in the Agency. problems and represented an ostensibly protected by a began to recede. city. A few weeks later, in Harvey: Tens of thousands of engineering failure of grave system of levee walls. Its As for the economy, the Gulf another chaotic evacuation, homes were either damaged or proportions. population never fully recovered region’s capacity as an oil and more than 100 people died destroyed. But the vast majority Harvey: Harvey will likely from the evacuation and gas hub — Houston accounted leaving the Houston area to of homes in Harvey’s path are sharpen an ongoing debate over destruction and remains below for 2.9 percent of the nation’s escape Hurricane Rita. not insured against flooding, whether Houston, a city driven 400,000. gross domestic product in 2015 Harvey: Houston did not call on according to figures from the by real estate, has overbuilt at Harvey: Houston is a sprawling, — does not appear to have residents to evacuate, then National Flood Insurance the expense of flood control. car-dependent, diverse city, been seriously compromised. urged those who could to Program. FEMA officials While Katrina showed a failure low-lying but not below sea So far in Texas, there are shelter in place. However, as the estimated that 450,000 people to build well, Harvey might come level. It has a population of more 300,000 people without power. rain continued on Monday, a were likely to seek federal aid. to represent a warning about than two million people, with a Rainfall growing number of other So far, 95,745 people in Texas climate change. system of bayous and waterways to manage flooding. The Storms Katrina: It made landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi border on Aug. 29, 2005, as a Category 3 storm and measured 350 miles across. However, the relatively low classification, based on wind speed, was deceptive because Katrina produced the highest storm surge ever recorded in the United States. Harvey: It made landfall in Rockport, Tex., on Friday as a Category 4 storm, measuring 200 miles across, but was quickly downgraded. But flooding and rain topped 47 inches in some areas by the time Harvey was downgraded to a tropical depression Wednesday. Deaths and Damage Katrina: One of the deadliest hurricanes ever to strike the United States, Katrina was responsible for 1,833 deaths, and some bodies were Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE 20 The rise, fall and redemption of Mumbai’s encounter cop Pradeep Sharma In the ’80s, the cops from the famous “Batch of ’83” smashed the underworld. S Hussain Zaidi connects that era with the arrest and recent reinstatement of Pradeep Sharma of the Mumbai police (Agencies) The killer duo was officers from the 1983 batch branded as the Billa-Ranga of including Bhosale, Salaskar and Mumbai, after the men who Sharma at the helm. murdered teenaged siblings Geeta and Sanjay Chopra in Emboldened by the official 1978 in Delhi. Known as Javed- decree and empowered by their Rahim, they were noted history immediate bosses, the trio went sheeters and had spread a reign all out against the Mumbai mafia. of terror in Mumbai during the Pitched battles were fought on late Eighties. Javed Khan, who the streets of Mumbai. had escaped from Thane jail, “It is wrong to call us the killer facilitated his crony Abdul batch. We were officers with Rahim’s flight from Aurangabad killer instincts. Those were the jail. Both of them had taken times when the underworld was refuge in Mumbai. Tales of their at its peak. Our seniors knew that cruelty include raping a wife in only aggressive policing could front of the husband and then rein in the mafia,” explains an slaughtering the husband in front encounter specialist who retired of the distraught wife. as assistant commissioner of The Mumbai police had expecting an assault. They were Last week, Pradeep Sharma towards a Sicily-like reputation police (ACP). already spread a dragnet for caught totally off guard. once again made headlines with the mafia completely out of However, Sharma feels that them but were unable to catch Fazed and upstaged, the when he was reinstated into the control. the batch had a uniform strategy them. In those days, the khabri wounded police team was staring police force. The batch of 1983 is dubbed of taking on the underworld or police informer would often death in the face — they could “Ironically my husband was as the “killer batch” of the because of their mentor, Arvind provide false leads to the police see that Javed had a gun. In a never indicted for 111 encounter Maharashtra police. Inamdar, who opted for and make a quick buck. The reflex action, the sub-inspector killings that he was involved in They have all been in violent retirement in 2000 and has the policemen of the Eighties had a unholstered his service revolver and had to spent time in jail for skirmishes with underworld distinction of having been lot of self-respect and pride in and fired at them. He kept firing an encounter he never did,” gangsters from various gangs transferred 29 times in 35 years. their service. They had lost hope until he finished all the six bullets says Swikriti Sharma, sitting in including Dawood Ibrahim, “Inamdar had a totally of catching the duo but they still in his revolver. Javed and Rahim the living room of her sixth floor Chhota Rajan, Arun Gawli and unconventional and pragmatic didn’t want to have two collapsed. flat in the Andheri suburbs after Amar Naik. Between themselves approach to policing which he dangerous fugitives loose in the Two things became history her husband’s reinstatement they were responsible for instilled in the entire batch,” city. after that. Javed and Rahim earlier this month. eliminating over 500 gangsters explains Sharma. One night in August in 1989, became a lesson for all the other However, Sharma does not in police encounters or extra- The gangs were almost the police control room received wannabe criminals who were want to talk about his encounters. judicial killings. decimated by the encounter a tip-off that Javed and Rahim polishing their kattas or country- “Why can’t you focus on my Before the Nineties, specialists. The score card led were holed up in a chawl at made hand guns. And of course other accomplishments? I have encounters were far and few — with the names of big hits like Maneklal Estate in Ghatkopar the nondescript sub-inspector, arrested over 1,200 hardened like when police officer Ishaq gangsters Sada Pawle, Amar West in the north eastern Pradeep Sharma, started his criminals, detected several Bagwan bumped off Manohar Naik and others. Arun Gawli, the suburbs of Mumbai. The innings as an encounter intricate cases, and reformed Surve in 1982 or sub-inspector only gangster from Mumbai who information was relayed to the specialist in the Mumbai police. over two dozen hardcore Rajendra Katdhare killed Rama had not escaped India, was so Ghatkopar police station and To date, he has killed the convicts and rehabilitated them Naik in 1987 or sub-inspector terrified that he decided to join immediately a sub-inspector and maximum number of gangsters, in the mainstream,” Sharma Emmanuel Amolik killed politics. The Dawood gang three constables were sent to drug peddlers, and even says. Then in a candid moment Mehmood Kalia in 1987. There actually stopped recruitment of scour the shanties of Maneklal Pakistani nationals from the he says, “Do you know, it was I were apocryphal reports that hitmen. Abu Salem went globe- Estate. Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group. who discovered and transformed Dawood was instrumental in all trotting and abandoned the The officer chose to check Sharma is credited with killing a humble waiter into a famous these encounters and that he perpetration of reckless killings the zigzag bylanes of the chawls over 112 gangsters in a span of cop like Daya Nayak?” Nayak officially got rid of his rivals in Mumbai. Ashwin Naik took while the constables went door 17 years between 1989 to 2006. became Sharma’s most famous through police action. refuge in an obscure hideout in to door knocking and looking for He was suspended and protégé’. Nayak was the only However, after the Nineties New Delhi. the notorious duo. Suddenly, subsequently dismissed three encounter specialist who shot to and especially after the serial The encounter specialists one constable hit pay dirt. years after the controversial fame due to his association with blasts of 1993 which became the became power centres of their Javed, by now aware of the Lakhan Bhaiyya encounter in Sharma. Otherwise encounters Mumbai mafia’s Anno Domini, own and began calling the shots. police raid, came out of hiding November 2006. Ram Narayan were the mainstay of the officers encounters became the norm. Eventually the race for getting and confronted the policeman. Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiyya from the famous 1983 batch of Soon after the former police the maximum head count, He whipped out a sword and (considered to be mafia don Maharashtra state police commissioner, RD Tyagi took created animus within the group, struck the constable on his arm, Chhota Rajan’s close aide) officers. over in 1995, he instructed the each one accusing other of causing a deep gash. He also was killed in 2006 in a fake Officers like Praful Bhosale, crime branch and zonal deputy favouring a particular gang. But managed to inflict injury on the encounter by 13 policemen of Vijay Salaskar, Ravindra Angre, commissioners to make a list of that is another story. second constable. Their DN Nagar police station. Aslam Momin and of course 10 wanted criminals from each They got aligned with screams of pain alerted the sub- Pradeep Sharma was in jail for Pradeep Sharma belonged to zone and complete their cases. politicians and senior police inspector who rushed to the almost four years between 2009 this batch. After a year’s training In fact, the then DCP officers for their vested spot, only to be attacked by to 2013 until the trial court at the Nashik Police Training Satyapal Singh (who became interests. Some of the Javed’s friend Rahim. This was acquitted him of all charges in School, they joined the force in Mumbai police chief later) and encounter specialists an era when criminals actually the case (though 13 other cops 1984. That was the year when DCP Param Bir Singh, the amassed disproportionate peed in their pants at the sight were convicted and given life Dawood made a hasty, current Thane police assets, while others parked of a khaki uniform — which is imprisonment). unplanned escape from Mumbai commissioner, reportedly their ill-gotten wealth in why the policemen weren’t Back in the police force and when Bombay was hurtling formed encounter squads with philanthropist activities. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE 21 What Is In It That People And Politicians Flock To Deras As per an estimate there are about 10,000 deras in Punjab alone but only about a dozen of these have mass following. (Agencies) The widespread BJP on the eve of Assembly headlines for all the wrong violence by the followers of Dera elections in the state in 2014. reasons. Some other Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet BJP had emerged winner for the controversial deras include Ram Rahim following his first time ever since the Nirankaris, Dera Bhanearwala conviction in a rape case has formation of the state. and Divya Jyoti Sansthan. brought the ‘Dera culture”, as it In return the government had As per an estimate there are is called in Punjab and Haryana, been patronising the Dera. Chief about 10,000 deras in Punjab into sharp focus. Minister Khattar has shared the alone but only about a dozen of Not only some of the deras stage with the now convicted these have mass following. The have massive following, these Dera chief on several initial concept of deras was a have become an instrument of occasions. Videos of the state place of gathering of followers politics. While these deras education minister Ram Bilas of a particular guru who was depend on politicians for various Sharma bowing down before the generally on the move. Later abolishing caste divisions. Ronki Ram, who has done facilities and patronage, the baba and offering a donation of larger deras began to have their Unfortunately the concept has extensive studies on the rise of politicians flock to them for the Rs 51 lakh to the Dera are getting fixed premises. got diluted now. Even Sikhs have deras, says that these are now large vote banks they constitute. viral on social media. Many Majority of people who get started discrimination. There are “in the process of becoming new For the followers, the word of the close observers believe that the attracted towards deras belong separate gurdwaras and even religions (or forms of a new Dera chief is final and free passage granted to lakhs of to the marginalised sections of separate cremation grounds for religion). The Dera Sachkhand irrevocable. No wonder political followers was quid pro quo. the society, mainly Dalits and the “lower castes” Sikhs. Ballan represents this trend”. leaders cutting across party Dera Sacha Sauda has other “lower castes” who do not Though the deras had been There are quite a few Sikh make a beeline to these deras remained in engulfed in get respect and equality in the existing since ages, the modern deras but the popularity of non- before the elections to seek controversies over various society. It is significant to note form of deras took shape and Sikh deras has mounted by leaps ‘blessings’. issues like the murder of baba’s that the population of Dalits in proliferated as an aftermath of and bounds. While the Sikh Such is the clout some of driver and that of a journalist Ram Punjab is 34 per cent of the total Green Revolution. With rising deras rever Guru Granth Sahib, these deras enjoy that Chander Chattarpati, who had population of the state - the prosperity and jobs, Dalits found considered the eleventh guru of governments are ready to go the been exposing activities inside highest percentage in the entire that although many of them were the Sikhs, the non-Sikh deras extra mile to keep them pleased. the Dera headquarters at Sirsa country. doing well they were still being has a living guru. The devotees The current Haryana in Haryana. The Dera chief has While there has been discriminated against. That is consider them as God and are government led by Manohar Lal also accused of ordering discrimination on the basis of also the time the Dalits began to ready to make any sacrifice for Khattar, for instance, remains castration of several devotees caste in the Hindu society for assert their identity. Evidently them. For them babas can do highly indebted to the Dera besides hurting the sentiments long, their hopes had risen they began to look for places, no wrong. This was evident in Sacha Sauda and its head of the Sikhs. during the various reformist including deras, where they the recent mayhem unleashed Gurmeet Ram Rahim who had But this is not the only Dera movements. Sikhism also came found the concept of equality. by the supporters of Dera Sacha openly extended support to the which has remained in the into being with the promise of A prominent social scientist Sauda chief. Doklam Stocktaking: Who Were India’s Friends In Need And What It Gained Or Lost In The Stand-off In the last nine weeks, India was repeatedly subjected to humiliating threats from China while India was doing its best to underplay its seriousness. (Agencies) After more than two ‘trespassing’ into its territory and the war dialogue and negotiation, what had time being, there is no guarantee that months of tense standoff between the cry from its state controlled media was stopped Narendra Modi to call Xi Jinping China will not restart it again. Chinese and Indian troops at Doklam, a no less than what India’s nationalist or even to take up the matter at the Though there is usual chest thumping deal has been put in place on 28 August media have been giving to Pakistan day diplomatic level with China before sending by a section of Indian media and some 2017 to bring an end to it. On 18 June, in and day out for the last two years. Indian troops to a disputed territory strategic experts about the success of Indian troops had gone into Doklam to China has been seething with anger between two neighbours. It seems India India’s power projection in Doklam, there stop China’s construction workers after Narendra Modi’s decision to sign underestimated possible Chinese is very little introspection over the futility building a road on a narrow plateau at Logistics Exchange Memorandum of reactions before sending troops to of this long standoff, which was Bhutan-China-India tri-junction. The Agreement (LEMOA) with the USA and Doklam. The way this standoff came to threatening to lead to a full-scale war Indian army had been sent to support also, to boycott Xi Jinping’s pet project an end just a few days before Modi’s between two nuclear powers anytime. Bhutanese objection to road construction Belt and Road Forum (BRF)’s inaugural Xiamen trip to attend the BRICS summit Has India achieved anything from this in an area which Bhutan claim its own conference in Beijing. Doklam came in raises many more questions about the military stand-off? In the last nine weeks, but is under the China’s effective handy for China to pay back India. nature of the deal. While India claims India was repeatedly subjected to jurisdiction. In spite of Indian army The aim of India’s troop moving to that both the countries will withdraw their humiliating threats from China while India intervening on behalf of Bhutan, China Doklam was to reclaim the jurisdictional troops from Doklam, China immediately was doing its best to underplay its refused to withdraw its workers from the control of the disputed territory for Bhutan clarified saying the deal only asks for seriousness. Except for a half-hearted disputed territory. by not allowing China to construct its road the Indian troops to withdraw, which it support from Japan, which received a For nine weeks, nearly 300-400 project. But, when China threatened has immediately honored. There has sharp rejoinder from China, no other soldiers from each side were present at retaliation, India came down from its been no joint statement, which adds country came openly in India’s support. the stand-off location. Though Indian aggressive position and wanted to settle further confusion about the actual content No one from the region and not even army had moved in 2500 additional the dispute through negotiation instead. of the deal and its interpretations in the Bhutan. It seems even Bhutan has not troops to the epicenter of the stand-off, In early August, while speaking in the future for other border disputes. Chinese been happy with India’s military China, apparently confident over its Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister forces continue to patrol the disputed intervention. There have been several position and power, did not go for any Sushma Swaraj ruled out war as an area, and the deal seems to have reports that even Bhutan had asked India large-scale mobilization of its troops. option and emphasized dialogue as the explicitly not prohibited China to to withdraw its troops from Doklam, and However, China repeatedly threatened only way out of the Doklam standoff. undertake the road construction project these reports have never been officially India with terrible retribution for If the Indian government wanted and even if it has come to a halt, for the denied by Bhutanese authorities. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 CONTD. 22 Is Pakistan Willing to Lose America ? China’s rising global status, economic assistance to Af- stan over the past decade. American forces later that Navy SEALs have already and its explicit push for re- ghanistan. Afghanistan’s lead- Pakistanis have hemmed and year. dropped in to assassinate ter- gional influence, has reduced ers have recently taken to bra- hawed, offering up low-level American military leaders rorists; American military and Pakistan’s dependence on the zenly welcoming an ever-in- Haqqani operatives and occa- have publicly heaped scorn on civilian assistance has already United States, but the rumors creasing Indian footprint in sionally trimming the space Pakistan. But American spies dropped to a trickle of what it of the demise of America’s im- Kabul and beyond. Pakistani available to them. have killed ordinary people on was. And the trust between Pa- portance in Pakistan are hawks used to be merely sus- And the Haqqanis have the streets of Pakistani cities, kistani generals and American greatly exaggerated. picious of collusion between evolved from a relatively minor while the United States govern- commanders in Afghanistan is Despite these factors, nei- the most anti-Pakistan Afghans player in the Taliban world to ment has dissembled about already at a historical low. ther the United States nor Pa- and the Indian establishment. being the dominant operational their status. American officials President Trump’s speech has kistan has gained all that it In the past two years, that sus- group. The United States who have appealed for a more only aggravated the concerns would like from the relation- picion has turned into convic- doesn’t believe that the rise of nuanced understanding of the that motivate Pakistan’s behav- ship. Pakistan has not been tion. the Haqqanis was possible country have been forced out ior in Afghanistan. Mr. Trump’s able to convince the United For its part, the United without support from Pakistan. of their jobs and even investi- call for greater Indian involve- States of the validity of its pri- States has failed to convince Neither Pakistan nor the gated by federal agents. ment in Afghanistan has stoked mary interest in Afghanistan — Pakistan of the urgency of its United States has been able to Pakistan is hardly innocent the fire that burns deepest in preventing it from becoming a primary interest in Afghanistan convince the Taliban to nego- of its own failures. Terrorists Pakistan. On this, it is not the “proxy for India” and stemming — shutting down the Haqqani tiate in good faith for a peace- facing sanctions from the Pakistanis who are irrational fears of “encirclement” in Pa- network, the principal planner ful settlement in Afghanistan — United Nations freely cross but those who attempt to mini- kistan despite India’s procla- and executor of the most le- the one supposed issue on borders to attack neighboring mize Pakistan’s concerns. Pa- mations of merely offering thal terrorist attacks in Afghani- which there is a complete con- countries without any fear of kistan would not risk the wrath vergence between the two being intercepted, and some of the United States if its con- 5.7% GDP A Matter Of Concern, Says Jaitley countries. even appear on television, con- cerns were imaginary. “In coming quarters we really require to work on both— in The torturous United ferred with a respect most poli- Pakistan’s willingness to lose States-Pakistan relationship ticians would crave. Pakistan American patronage is the terms of policy and investment— to improve upon these figures,” has seen several dramatic has a damning ability to be- clearest indicator that its inter- he said. However, he did not rule out the immediate effects of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the economy, especially the lows. It is only the American have in ways that has often left ests in Afghanistan are not a grievances that have been reg- even its friends shaking their product of ambition, or grandeur, informal one. “Most manufacturers were de-stocking that is why istered; the humiliations seem heads in disbelief. but of deep and existential fears trading went up as sales were taking place but stocks were being sold,” he said.Contradiction between service improving and reserved for Pakistan. Every- President Trump’s threats about the damage an unchecked one remembers the killing of and his unpredictability have India can do to Pakistan. manufacturing going down essentially is the GST impact, he added Bin Laden in 2011 and the filled Pakistan with anxiety in his address. India’s GDP growth slumped to a three-year low of 5.7 per cent during April-June — lagging China for the second subsequent embarrassment of about what may be coming Trump Expected To Pakistan. Few recall the killing despite a difficult history. straight quarter — as manufacturing slowed ahead of the GST launch of 24 Pakistani soldiers on the American drones have already amid demonetisation effect. China clocked a record 6.9 per cent growth Rescind DACA, in January- March as well as April-June quarters. The expansion in border with Afghanistan by dropped tons of ordnance; gross domestic product (GDP) was 6.1 per cent in the preceding quarter Senior Official Says and 7.9 per cent in the same period last fiscal. The previous low of 4.6 Despite Pressure From MPs, Manmohan Backed Probe U.S. Representative Steny per cent was recorded in January-March 2014. Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Against Dera Chief, Asked Us To Go By Law Democrat in the House of Allahabad HC Slams Government For Permitting Felling The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stood by the CBI Representatives, released a and ordered us to go by the law. He went through the statement statement expressing concern Of Thousands Of Trees For Ramdev's Food Park made by two Sadhvis before a judge and did not succumb to the about reports that Trump may pressures from Punjab and Haryana MPs,” said Narayanan, a terminate the program, saying and Ashok Kumar remarked “the government cannot justify its native of Kasaragod in Kerala, who was in Mysore on the day this would be “devastating” to act of cutting down of trees on the basis that it will give adequate Ram Rahim was sentenced by the CBI special court to 20 years compensation to an affected individual”.”Environment is for the many Dreamers. “In the absence in jail. He also praised his boss Vijay Shanker for ignoring pressure whole society. The government can compensate an individual but of Congress enacting bipartisan how will it compensate the entire society,” the court asked while from the powerful Punjab and Haryana MPs. “He (Vijay Shanker) immigration reform, which must hearing a petition filed by Asaf of Gautam Buddh Nagar district ordered us to go ahead and complete the investigation in just 57 remain our goal, the President who challenged the allotment of 4500 acres of land to the Sansthan. days as ordered by the High Court”. The CBI had started the ought to continue providing The petitioner alleged that he had been granted a 30-year lease probe into the following an anonymous letter in 2002. The rapes peace of mind to DREAMers for 200 bighas of land for plantation of trees and the state were reported between 1999 and 2002 and the victims came that they need not live in fear of government has now allotted the same for the proposed food park forward only after the CBI started probe in December 2012. being sent away from the only which was “illegal”. The petitioner has further alleged that about The whole episode of Ram Rahim’s conviction and sentencing home many of them have ever 6,000 trees planted on the land leased out to him were likely to be witnessed violence by his followers that left at least 38 people known,” Hoyer said. cut down for the food park, inflicting a heavy damage to the dead and more than 200 injured. environment. The court deferred further hearing on the matter which will be heard today. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 US NEWS 23 Thigh’s the limit! Barefoot Michelle Obama shows off a lot of leg in a wrap skirt as she relaxes on a yacht in Mallorca - after covering up in a dark hat and hoodie to work out in the blazing sun (Agencies) Michelle Obama of her security team flanking have a Secret Service detail looked ever the A-lister as she her.Michelle is in Mallorca to for the rest of their lives, stepped out for a workout and visit American diplomat James Barack having restored lifetime a yacht trip in Mallorca, Costos and his partner, protection for former presi- Spain. Michael Smith. dents in 2013. Costos and Smith The former First Lady, 53, Her husband, former Presi- are longtime friends of the shielded herself from the sun dent Barack Obama, does not Obamas, and have previously with shades and a black hood appear to have accompanied hosted the family several times to enjoy a hike around the is- her on the international trip. at their residence in Palm land on Thursday. She was The day after her hike, Springs, California. surrounded by members of Michelle boarded a yacht, Barack and Michelle jetted off her staff tagging along for the wearing a white crop top and to the glamorous home during sweat session, with members a stylish wrap skirt with a bird their first trip out of Washington, pattern, letting the fabric flow DC on the day of President to show her toned legs. Donald Trump’s inauguration in She accessorized her out- January. fit with a straw bag from Smith, a designer, previously Madewell, giving the outfit a redecorated the Oval Office and chic beachy wibe. Michelle the Obamas’ private quarters was seen aboard the yacht during their time at the White later in the evening on Friday, House. Later on, he was moved enjoying time with a group of to welcome the first family into friends. At one point on Fri- his house. 'When they were day, she changed into differ- here, it occurred to me that ent clothes, and was spotted more than 50 years ago JFK had wearing a black outfit and a stayed just down the road at Bing hat while leaving a restaurant. Crosby’s home,' Smith told Ar- Both she and her husband will chitectural Digest in 2015. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 BUSINESS 24 Finance ministry may provide capital support for merger of PSU banks The government is keen that at least one merger proposal reaches a logical conclusion by next March-end. banks. On receiving a proposal from Jaitley, after the Cabinet decision last to create a bigger and stronger entity so stressed banks, if the ministerial panel finds week, had said that the government has that the dependence on public exchequer that the merger is going to create a strong not set any target for consolidation. There is minimised.” Earlier this year, the bank, it will not let it go for want of fund are now 20 public sector banks (PSBs) government had approved the merger of shortage, the sources said, adding that other than SBI. These state-owned banks SBI’s five associate banks with itself. In acquisition will come at a cost. “First, the are grappling with Rs 6 lakh crore worth March, the Cabinet also approved the merger proposal should come from the of non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad merger of Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) board,” said a source, who did not want loans, which is about 75% of the total with SBI. Five associates and BMB The finance ministry is open to to be named. “If the Alternative Mechanism distress. After in-principle approval for became part of SBI on April 1, 2017, providing capital support for facilitating finds the match viable, the finance ministry consolidation, the banks would take catapulting the country’s largest lender consolidation among state-owned banks, could provide capital support to the steps in accordance with the law and to among the top 50 banks in the world. which are reeling under mounting bad acquiring bank if there is a shortfall,” he Sebi requirements. The final scheme State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur loans, official sources said. said. Sources said the government is will be approved by the Cabinet. An (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad The Union cabinet has approved the keen that at least one merger proposal official source said: “It is not necessary (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), setting up of an alternative mechanism, reaches a logical conclusion by the that a larger public sector bank should State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State or a panel of ministers, to decide on end of the current fiscal, which is next overtake a small or mid-size lender. If there Bank of Travancore (SBT), besides BMB, consolidation proposals for state-run March-end. Finance Minister Arun is synergy, two or three banks can merge were merged with SBI. Silicon Valley outsider, Trump critic: Who Don’t get lured by schemes is Uber’s new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi with abnormal returns: Sebi Uber chose Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief executive of Sebi DGM Surya Kant Sharma the students to keep details travel company Expedia Inc, as its chief executive. of schemes and agents for future reference, cautioning them against ponzi offerings to avert any financial loss. changing Uber’s culture that has contrast to the “tech bro” culture included sexual harassment and former CEO Travis Kalanick allegations of deceit and established at Uber. corporate espionage. Uber also is losing millions every quarter • The Iranian-American as it continues to expand and businessman came to the United invest in self-driving cars. States as a child in 1978 with In Khosrowshahi, Uber’s his parents following the Iranian board has picked an executive Revolution. He received a with a track record of driving bachelor’s degree in growth while also delivering engineering from Brown profits - precisely what the University and got his start at Uber Technologies Inc chose unprofitable Uber needs to investment bank Allen and Co. Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief satisfy investors. He has also “We sure didn’t feel like executive of travel company proven capable of making refugees, but in hindsight I Expedia Inc, as its chief Expedia the leader in another guess we were — my father and Securities market regulator Mathura. executive on Sunday, handing industry full of change and mother left everything behind to Sebi has cautioned the youth At the regional seminar titled him the challenge of leading the competition — online travel. come here — to be safe and give against falling for any scheme ‘Investor’s education’, ride-services company out of a Here are 10 things to know their boys a chance to re-build promising abnormal returns, organised jointly by BSE and the long crisis. about him: a life,” he wrote, according to a especially ponzi ones. “Instead Securities and Exchange Board Khosrowshahi, 48, would • Khosrowshahi, who ran New York Times report. of going through allurement, of India (Sebi) here, he stressed take on the daunting task of Expedia for 12 years, was not • In 2015, Khosrowshahi was investors are advised to go on proper investment and mending Uber’s image, known to the public to be among the highest paid CEO in through terms and conditions of protection of investors from repairing frayed relations among the top candidates for the job. America, mainly because of a the scheme carefully before frauds. He advised the students investors, rebuilding employee He is not a fixture in the celebrity nearly $91 million stock option investing,” Sebi DGM Surya to keep details of schemes and morale and creating a profitable executive community. And since grant. He is also on the board of Kant Sharma said on Monday agents for future reference, business after seven years of Expedia is based in Bellevue in the New York Times Company while delivering his keynote cautioning them against ponzi losses. Washington, he is a Silicon and sports merchandise address at a seminar in Amar offerings to avert any financial He faces the difficult task of Valley outsider, offering a company Fanatics Inc. Nath Girls Degree college in loss. The official also explained various government I-T dept imposes Rs 7,900 crore penalty on Vodafone for tax dues programmes, including Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna, The Income Tax Hutchison Holdings Ltd over its those taxes, it said. deal. Now, the tax department Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti decade old sale of mobile phone Hutchison Telecom, an indi- has by an order dated July 3 Department has Bima Yojna and Sukanya imposed Rs 7,900 crore business in India to Vodafone rect wholly owned subsidiary of imposed “a penalty of approxi- Samridhi Scheme. He asked penalty on the tax Group Plc. CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd, had mately Rs 7,900 crore”. participants of the seminar to opt demand of the same In a filing to the Hong Kong received a draft assessment or- The company said “taxes for Atal Pension Scheme. amount on a unit of stock exchange, the company der from the Indian Tax Authori- cannot be validly imposed” as Sharma made out a case for billionaire Li Ka- said its unit Hutchison Telecom- ties dated November 24, 2016 on the tax demand order was educating the poor to avail of shing’s CK Hutchison munications International Ltd “the alleged gains” made in the passed on “the basis of retro- benefits from government Holdings Ltd had late last year received a tax 2007 deal with Vodafone. spective legislation seeking to schemes. Summing up the seminar, Rekha Verma, The Income Tax Department demand notice of Rs 7,900 crore The tax department on Janu- overturn the judgement of the Manager IDC, Sebi, advised has imposed Rs 7,900 crore and on August 9 received a pen- ary 25 this year issued the final Supreme Court of India in alty order of a similar amount. assessment seeking Rs 7,900 January 2012, which ruled that investors, not to keep unused penalty on the tax demand of funds and rather develop the The CK Hutchison unit con- crore in taxes on capital gains the Acquisition was not taxable the same amount on a unit of habit of investing money in tinues to dispute the validity of made in the Rs 16,430 crore in India, are in violation of the billionaire Li Ka-shing’s CK saving and recurring schemes. Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 TRAVEL 25 THE SUN was at its harshest in Kolkata, the heat was melting the tarmac and sending people off the roads into the cooler comfort of their houses. But for me it was time to take out my leather. Last year I had led a group of Harley riders and members of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) into Bhutan in what was the ride of a lifetime for all of us. There was great excitement among the riders who had signed up for the ride this year. This ride promised to take the riders much deeper into Bhutanthan last year and an opportunity to explore the Dragon Kingdom up close. HOGs from all over the country, some from as far as Kochi, Goa and Bengaluru were heading towards Phuntsholing from where the 2nd International India HOG Ride would be flagged off. Phuntsholing is the main border town of Bhutan for travellers by road. It is about three hours ride from Siliguri and is located adjacent to Jaigaon on the Indian border. Indians do not require a visa to enter Phuntsholing but will need to Punakha Dzong, which is one of the oldest administrative capitals of Bhutan. Located on the confluence of the river Po Chhu and Mo Chhu, it welcomes the visitor through an old wooden bridge. After a quick visit to the Dzong, we headed towards the bank of the river further upstream for an impromptu picnic. After spending a couple of relaxing hours, we headed towards Hotel Zangtho Pelri where a sumptuous buffet consisting of Ema Datsi which is a fiery combination of cheese few drinks we discussed the towards Punakha. The three and green chilies, Jasha Maru route and ride plan for the next hour ride to Punakha a traditional chicken few days and retired early. crosses Dochu La Pass preparation and red rice was The bikes were saddled and (10,000ft), which offers one served along with a variety of refueled early in the of the most stunning views Indian dishes. Most of us morning and we were in Bhutan apart from housing lazed around in the open air roaring to go. The Bhutan the famous 108 stupas. bar at the hotel before HOGs led the convoy When we rolled into the retiring for the night. Day 3: through the city before Valley, we were greeted by The bikes were given a quick heading off South towards the sights of the famous wash in the morning and after Buddha Dordenma, the Rice Terraces of Punakha attending to a few minor Highest seating Buddha in where the popular red rice technical issues with a couple the World. After a brief of Bhutan is grown. Our next of bikes we headed towards photo-op, we roared stop was the impressive Bumthang. procure an entry permit for There was an air of excitement further travel. Day 1: We and anticipation all around when entered Phuntsholing late we went down for breakfast afternoon on May 19 and the before heading to the first thing that hit us was what immigration office for our a stark difference a border can permits. While we waited for make. The roads are cleaner, their permits, we headed to the buildings with their Kizom Café which is very multicoloured wooden façade popular locally and serves some give a very warm and delectable cakes and savouries. welcoming feel to the visitor, the After a quick riders brief we cars and bikes don’t honk and headed off for Thimphu. This the people although busy, have stretch of road is one of the best a very calm demeanour. We in Bhutan for riders and after a checked in at Hotel Druk, relaxed ride, the convoy which is located barely a few reached Riverview Hotel in meters off the border. Day 2: Thimphu by evening. Over a Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 HEALTH & FITNESS 26 Eating seasonal fruits and veggies reduces colon cancer risk. Here’s how Seasonal diets lead to a diversity of bacteria in our gut, which boosts immunity and cuts down risk of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Go for real fruits over juices Stanford University’s school of fruit), tubers and honey. The and seasonal fruits and medicine in California studied team found that the gut vegetables over canned ones. tribes living in the Savannah, microbiota of the Hadza varied According to a study, eating known as The Hadza and seasonally, in harmony with what seasonal fruits and vegetables collected stool samples from 188 food was available. They may boost your gut health and individuals, aged eight to 70 discovered that they do not get reduce the risk of inflammatory years. They were then the common gut ailments that bowel disease and colon compared with samples from plague the Western world such cancer. According to Italians, who ate normal as inflammatory bowel disease researchers, gut bacteria of an Western diet. or Crohn’s disease, ulcerative indigenous group of people in The diet of The Hadza people colitis and colon cancer. Africa was about 30% more varies with seasons since Processed diets, as well as the diverse than in Western nations. storage of food and its availability use of antibiotics, caesarean revealed that the Hazda had a in response to what we’ve been The scientists have long known throughout the year is not an sections and other lifestyle more diverse gut microbial eating,” said another researcher that diversity of our gut bacteria option in the Rift Valley. Their diet changes have helped reduce the system. “Our own microbiota Justin Sonnenburg. The has an immune system boosting comprises of five items that variety of our gut bacteria, the can change significantly from research was published in the effect. The team from the include meat, berries, baobab (a authors noted. The results day to day, or even within hours, Science journal. Say goodbye to boring workouts. Try these four fun fat-burning exercises now Falling behind on your New Year’s resolutions? These four fitness activities are perfect to get you back on track. such as Nimrat Kaur and Monica Dogra), trainer Cindy Jourdain uses training protocols from crossfit, martial arts, yoga and dance. One of the reasons her sessions are so popular is because she trains in groups. This helps people stay motivated together. A former professional ballerina, Jourdain Whether you’ve been poling, this new-age yoga has its first trampoline requirements. ensures that her students sweating it out in the gym helps build a strong core fitness center at Rush in Boot camp workout: improve their stamina for years or have just while working on Ballard Estate. “This is the The best part of a boot and become aware of finished your first 5K run, flexibility. Aerial yoga is only form of workout that camp session is that it can be their bodies. A single these fun fitness practiced with the help of lets you burn over 1000 done at home or in your session can help burn up activities will help you a cloth hammock calories in an hour,” says backyard without investing into to 1000 calories. “High stay healthy and suspended from a ceiling. Bhavna Harchandrai, a any equipment. It includes an intensity circuit base motivated. The elegant moves are self-taught trainer. The intense mix of various exercises WOD (work out of the Pole exercise: also a good way to workout lets you such as aerobics, high- day) will definitely keep Channel your inner exotic practice mindfulness, concentrate on abs without intensity training (pushups, the heart rate high dancer with some calorie- which makes this exercise straining the back as it pullups, lunges and crunches) throughout resulting in burning pole workout. It a perfect stress buster. aligns with the spine of the and military-style drills. For burning more calories is athletic, graceful and Trampoline exercise: A practitioner. The instance, at Cindy’s Boot and promoting fat loss,” is the perfect whole body popular workout exercises can be Camp (a popular destination says Jourdain. workout. “Poling internationally, Mumbai customised based on your with Bollywood celebs improves mobility, helps build stamina and gives you a rock solid core,” says Aarifa Bhinderwala, a Mumbai-based certified pole trainer. The gravity defying tricks and transitions help build focus, coordination, endurance and complete control over one’s body. “Pole workout is getting popular as it works on the whole body in a single session,” adds Bhinderwala. Aerial yoga: Just like Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 HEALTH & FITNESS 27 Dear women, here are 6 tests you must regularly undergo after turning 30 As you grow past 30, you may not feel or look very different from the way you did a few years ago, but your body is changing slowly.

Age is just a number. When Regular medical checkups healthy. Your total cholesterol, swings, sudden weight gain or * Breast cancer test: Due to it comes to energy and and health screenings continue HDL (good) cholesterol, LDL loss, irregular menstrual cycles rapidly changing lifestyles, enterprise, you are as young or to be very important. Good health (bad cholesterol) are among and abnormal sleep habits etc. incidence of breast cancer is old as you chose to be. But it is habits and preventive medical numerous factors your doctor The thyroid hormone disorder is growing. It is important to get a essential to look after your health care can help you continue to can use to predict your lifetime detected through the blood test regular check-up done for and be prepared for the physical enjoy wellness of mind and body or 10-year risk for a heart attack which includes T3, T4, and TSH. breast cancer as if detected changes that accompany and build the foundation for or stroke. *Pap smear: Get a pap test early, it’s almost curable. ageing. As you grow past 30, good health over many decades. The only method to determine every two years or both a pap test *Eye check-up: In late 30s, you may not feel or look very Here are some important tests cholesterol levels is the blood and an HPV test every five years all of us start facing problems of different from the way you did a that should be taken once you’ve test. If a woman has bad (you can get both tests at the same vision due to multiple lifestyle few years ago, but your body is crossed into your 30s. cholesterol i.e. above 130 mg/ time). If you have risk factors such factors and excess use of changing slowly. Bone loss *Blood pressure: It is dL, she should get it checked as previous abnormal screening computer, mobile screens etc. begins in the 30s and can lead recommended that women in every year. The American Heart results, HIV infection, a weakened Eyestrain, blurred vision, pain, to bone-thinning later in life. their late 30s should get blood Association recommends all immune system, you should be red eyes, dry eyes, etc., are Muscles start losing their ‘tone,’ pressure checked once every adults aged 20 or older have their screened annually. common complaints women affecting fitness, strength and year as high BP can result in cholesterol, and other traditional ‘Pap smear test’ is used to have. Eye problems can also balance. To stay fit, plan out an serious ailments involving heart, risk factors, checked every five detect the infection of the cervix, cause headaches. exercise programme, eat a kidney and brain. Mild change years. which may show the signs of Get an eye exam twice between balanced healthy diet, rich in in the food habits, lifestyle and * Thyroid test: Malfunctioning cervical cancer. During the test, ages 30 to 39. If you have vision calcium and fresh fruits, use medicines can easily keep your thyroid gland can result in weight a sample of cells is obtained problems, a family history of eye mild cleansers, moisturisers, BP in check. gain, autoimmune disease and from the surface of the cervix. problems, a history of eye injury or avoid prolonged sun exposure *Cholesterol: Keeping your much more. Get a thyroid test Talk to your health care have diabetes, increase your and stay active with mild weight- cholesterol levels under check is done every five years or if you professional about what’s right frequency as advised by your eye bearing exercises. a great way to keep your heart experience symptoms like mood for you. care specialist. How well do you know your condom 8 quirky never-heard-before facts about the rubber Switzerland had their condom ambulances and the CIA used condoms during the Cold War for intimidation. desto see Fallopio convince men nowadays 6. Not knowing how to use Combarrelles to carry out such experiments. You might think using a condom is in France. 4. They don’t really desensitize common sense, but type ‘how to use a Researchers This might have been the case before, condom’ on Google and you get say these but not anymore. Today’s condoms have 3,52,00,000 results. paintings could different flavourings too! (achari chicken 7. Cold War Condoms be 12,000 to tikka anyone?) During the Cold War, one strategy 15,000 years 5. The German military started it considered by the CIA was parachuting old. It was in the 19th century that the big condoms into the Soviet Union, and 2. Didn’t German military started large scale use writing ‘medium’ on them. This was always cover of condoms, supposed to be a method used to tell the full length which was the Soviet Union women that American Before the 15th followed by the men were superior even in this aspect century, American of life. It’s time for a history lesson on Chinese men used to cover their glans army in the 8. Condom Ambulance condoms. Yes, we know you’re on top with oiled silk paper. Japanese men used 20th century. In Sweden, if you were in dire need of of your game, at least when it comes to tortoise-shell ‘caps.’ Clearly, Japanese a condom, you condoms, from how best to use them to condoms have come a long way since could call for a the mind-numbing numbers of flavours then. condom available in the market. But how much 3. 16th century renaissance ambulance. No do you know about the history of Gabriele Fallopio, an anatomist and longer available in condoms? physician from France is credited with Sweden, we’re Help is at hand. Here are some lesser- designing what the condoms look like sure this was one known facts about condoms that you now: He had made a linen condom of the more may find intriguing: which was kept wet with a chemical revolutionary ideas 1. Not a new invention solution, and tied to the penis with a relating to condoms The design of condoms has definitely ribbon when dry. Fallopio tested his that saw the light of improved over the last 100 years, but invention by having 1,100 men try it day. the condom as a product is not new. while they had sex with women suffering The oldest recorded use of condoms from syphilis. He claimed none of the dates back to a cave painting in Grotte men got any infections. We would love Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 BOX OFFICE INSIDER 28 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 BOX OFFICE INSIDER 29 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 BOX OFFICE INSIDER 30 Wednesday 31 August to 06 September, 2017 BOX OFFICE INSIDER 31 Wednesday 24 August to 30 August , 2017 ADVERTISMENT 32