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1;67 1  4& fter the two Conjurings from where this    third one with a different name      Aemanates, the nun, haunted or    otherwise, fails to fulfill its basic job — to scare    the night lights and the daylights out of you.  F Yes, the Romanian castle sitting over a 5  gentle mound just off a remote village is visually     perfect for a horror movie and the dark, eerie  (   cloistered convent where the evil sits all blood and   .    fury, evokes the only tinges of feat that come to   8       you throughout the movie. Other than that, it’s 4&      G pretty much a blood-smeared, veiled skeletal nun 
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 around Nathula where the entire movie sits, has they are inept at evoking enough realism into their dance to or hum even a few and totally out of context   ) a kind of static that adds to the proceedings. The clashes with the Chinese on the other side of the weeks after watching the with what is happening at      only glorious thing about it is the fact that it is border. film, it is a sure shot hit as ground zero in reality even    based on true martyrs who lost their lives when The skirmishes look almost frivolous till the far as the masses are if the director aimed to tell      India recorded its solo victory against China by bombardment actually starts towards the end and concerned. But what does the story of Kashmiri   repulsing them at the Nathula pass. Jackie Shroff as the commander out to avenge the one say to a movie which youth.  
 Dutta brings to that screen the Paltan in quite 1962 chicanery of the Chinese looks quite the man we all know ends in a Another feather in the     an insipid manner, failing to capture the emotional out of place, only symbolising the impotence of an tragedy and doesn’t have cap for the director is to get 
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    !+5'! India as a whole and Home visit scheduler, Child ing in illusion and the party resources first right should go  )  ) Chhattisgarh in specific has growth monitoring, Take should go back to the history to Muslims, then Party presi- hhattisgarh Government made phenomenal progress home ration, Due list of vac- pages once again. The then dent’s trip to Mansarovar is just Cwill get an App developed in mother and child care. A cinations and mobilisations Prime Minister Jawaharlal a political stunt. for further bringing down plethora of schemes are dedi- and Anganwadi workers man- Nehru had opposed the reno- Maternal Mortality Rate cated towards mother and agement. These modules have vation of Somnath temple ,- (   (MMR) and Infant Mortality child care like Maternity special focus on nutrition and while the then President of  ' 
!0 Rate (IMR) in the State, offi- Benefit Scheme, ICDS and immunisation and the success India Dr Rajendra Prasad had cials informed. Indradhanush program for of it lies on the efficiency of also protested against partici- '    ! !  Preventive ante-natal, neo- immunisation. Anganwadis.     !+5'! pation in consecration cere- " !  natal and post-natal health These schemes are admin- The solution may be a kit/ mony. But the then Home care which is automated and istered through a huge net- mobile based solution which hhattisgarh Bharatiya Minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai ""-!      !+5'! ed to it, a five-year Capital mobile driven can have work of dedicated communi- can auto-monitor vital statistics CJanata Party president Patel renovated it. Dr Rajendra ''  " ! Investment Plan (CIP) had been tremendous impact in bring- ty health workers called of pregnant women to identi- Dharamlal Kaushik has termed Prasad had desire to visit by he Chhattisgarh State Power chalked out. ing down MMR and IMR in Anganwadis. fy and segregate high-risk/ the Congress president Rahul Nehru refrained him citing  !   TGeneration Company Ltd Under this plan, funds to Chhattisgarh. Also, it can Chhattisgarh has an addi- low-risk and mid-risk preg- Gandhi’s visit to Kailash- constitutional issue. But even  -0  " 0 !0 (CSPGCL) had been effectively tune of around 7,466 crore have result in better health out- tional provision of communi- nancies and facilitate preventive Mansarovar as ‘Political then Dr Prasad participated in " !! utilising ash generated from its been included and time duration comes for women and chil- ty healthcare through its healthcare. hypocrisy’. the event various power plants for devel- for the visionary scheme has dren as more targeted and cus- Mitanin program to address Accordingly, there may be In a statement, Kaushik Kaushik said that the party 1-   opment of low lying areas, rais- been fixed from 2016-17 to tomised initiatives can be first level of health care needs notifications sent to nearest said that Congress is itself in a having politically inclined ing of ash dykes and for agri- 2020-21. directed, they informed. at the village or hamlet level. Anganwadi workers, dilemma over the visit of towards a minority communi- BSP State president further cultural purposes, officials The works for various The mother and child care The recent ICDS-Common Diagnostic centres and Medical Congress president. On Twitter, ty appeasement, then better mentioning a context to Shri informed. schemes including general system in Chhattisgarh needs Application Software has been practitioners. Also, preventive the Congress and co-travellers thoughts emerging from it can- Ramchatritra Manas, Lord CSPGCL had also been schemes such as Chief Minister to be enhanced leveraging a brilliant step ahead enabling measures might be taken which of Rahul are showing mutual- not be justified. Ram says that if anyone is offering fly ash generated from Urban Electrification Scheme, mobile based application. a real time monitoring system include customised medica- ly paradox pictures, which are Mentioning the Ramsetu- against Lord Shiv, then he can- its Madwa Thermal Power Plant Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Presently, there are no systems of ICDS for improving the ser- tion, immunisation etc. raising doubt over the pic- case affidavit, Kaushik said not be called as devotee of (TPP) in Janjgir-Champa district Yojana, Mukhyamantri Manjra used by the Government to vice delivery and ensuring The solution would be easy tures sent by Rahul Gandhi. that Lord Ram was termed as mine. He would go to hell. BJP to the village self help groups Tola Vidhyutikaran Yojana, ensure automated, preventive better supervision of the to operate so that rural women State BJP president said hypothetic. The party some- leader said that Congress has (SHGs) for preparing bricks, EITC, IT projects, civil works ante-natal, neo-natal and post- scheme. may operate it with minimal that it is a shameful act to gain times says it is party of protested against both Gods so they informed. and others are being carried out. natal care making use of con- This is a mobile based intervention from Anganwadis. political mileage and such Muslims, while the spokesper- the Congress is not going to This apart, the State Along with extension of tinuous measuring of vital solution which leverages the All the symptoms, vital statis- actions would not get any suc- son says party has DNA of gain anything and no one can Government had also 4500 kms long 33 kv line, as statistics of pregnant and lac- network of Anganwadis has 7 tics, remedies taken would be cess on what it was intended to. Brahmin while the former stop its downfall. The visit is announced earlier that for devel- many as 290 substations of 33/11 tating mothers, officials modules viz. Household trackable in a single platform He stated that the whole Prime Minister Manmohan just to save his face from dis- opment of power sector and kv are being developed in the informed. Management, Daily feeding, as well. Congress these days are mov- Singh thinks that country’s grace. strengthen infrastructure relat- State. P & &  ")) O&P   ) 21

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hhattisgarh Chamber of CCommerce and Industries has decided to support the call made by Congress party for ‘bandh’ (shut down) on September 10, said CCCI spokesperson duo Vinay Kumar Bajaj and Radhakishan Sundrani. They said that Chamber had received a letter from Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee in which '&      &    &   &   "     "))  &    )& it has stated that All India Congress Committee to protest Chhattisgarh Sarafa the petrol-diesel, cooking gas months the government has against the rising prices of Association, Chhattisgarh Glass along with increasing prices of collected 11 lakh crore as petroleum products had called Association, Merchant food materials, they should profit, the government should a ‘Bandh’ on September 10. A Association, Raipur Scooter come in support for the bandh have considered public welfare meeting was called in which Parts Dealers Association call. instead of profiteering. the office bearers and members among other frontal organisa- He also made appeal to all agreed to support it. tion office bearers were also the business community to The meeting had Chamber present. keep their shutters down on #   chairman Ramesh Gandhi, Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh September 10. The leaders said working president Arvind Jain, Pradesh Congress Committee that silence of the public is $%   Lalit Jaisingh, General chief Bhupesh Baghel and being considered by the gov- Secretary Lalchand Gulwani, Leader of Opposition T. S. ernment as its support. treasurer Prakash Agrawal, Singhdeo had made an appeal They said that taxation on     retailers association, to the public that in support to petroleum products in 52         !   

    ;+,5'!

one year old infant and Athree women are missing     $1)!+ when a boat with 13 villagers was crossing the Indravati river hamtari Congress district in Bijapur on Saturday. The res- Dpresident and former cue operation has commenced MLA Lekhram Sahu suddenly while the divers have been fell ill. He was rushed to a pri- pressed into service for search vate hospital and has been operation. Till news was filed admitted in intensive care unit. missing persons were not Doctors’ state that his condition recovered. is stable and primary tests has As per available sources, not revealed any major prob- the boat of one metre wide lem. and four and a half metres More tests are required to length carrying 12 villagers determine the actual illness. and one infant was crossing to the spot after information daughter of Chandu (16) and On Saturday, in protest the river. When it reached the and they are monitoring the Vekko Rajmait wife of Butalu against the rising prices of middle of river, suddenly the rescue operation. State (22). petroleum products, Congress water current caused imbal- Disaster Response Force It is added that the inci- has staged demonstration after ance in boat and it over- (SDRF) 8 jawans are con- dent occurred at Chatwa which took out rally through turned. Out of the 12 women, ducting the search operation. Dhar, Belnar in Bijapur. different routes of town raising nine reached the banks by Tehsildhar Vinod Sahu had Generally during the mon- slogans. Lekhram Sahu was    )  &     & &  "      ,&   & &     &     &      & & )= swimming while three confirmed the incident. soon period the water current also present in the rally. '& ,&     "   & )    "  ) . *)" & &"    women and the child were The missing persons are in this part is much rapid. The After the rally, a meeting found missing. Bhairamgarh Manu Atami son of Maniram villagers on other side do not was scheduled at District Tehsildar Vinod Sahu along (one year), Vekako Kumli have any option so they have Congress Bhawan. Just before % 
 ?1   O9 P &  P   0  with police personnel rushed wife of Baman (21), Kamli to take boat to cross over. start of meeting, Lekhram Sahu fell unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital for     !+5'! and cost effective way of iron     treatment. ore transportation, officials The Congress party has uring the last two financial informed. arranged the protest and rally Dyears, NMDC Ltd has con- NMDC is also in the     " as per the directive of All tributed 50 crores to the process for developing a green India Congress Committee, ‘Hariyar Chhattisgarh belt on Safety zone at Kirandul against the hike in prices of Programme’ towards tree plan- Iron Ore Mine in Bastar region petroleum products and tation initiative, officials by planting 10000 Saplings for    !+5'! the radar of development. Rafale deal. The meeting was informed. the year 2018-19, officials Baghel, further, states that called for holding discussion Water and soil conserva- informed. hhattisgarh Pradesh 15 years is a long period and on the scheduled ‘Bharat tion works have been taken up It is undertaking all envi- CCongress Committee claimed that most of the Bandh’ on September 10. The in association with ronmental pollution control Bhupesh Baghel has given a call schemes are of Congress final programme of protest in Chhattisgarh State Forest works such as de-silting of taking up afforestation on a stated. to Chief Minister Raman Singh which has been modified in Dhamtari district a successful Department in Reserve Forest check dams/check bunds, tail- planned pattern in consulta- NMDC has also adopted for discussion on vision of the State, even the MGNRE- one, the meeting was called to area to improve the soil quali- ing dams, construction of but- tion with Divisional Forest strategies for climate change development. GA. finalise it. ty and water table in the tress walls at toe of waste Officer (Social forestry) of mitigation such as identifying In an open letter through The Government has not Lekhram Sahu had fought regions. dumps and geo-coir matting on concerned areas with the and evaluating climate change Facebook and Twitter, he says, come up with any such scheme against present Health NMDC is further working waste rock dumps for stabili- objectives such as increasing risks for each business, reduce “Everyone is seeing develop- where the common residents Minister Ajay Chandrakar towards zero waste mining by sation of dumps, they the density around the project the environmental impact of ment in last 15 years but noth- of state has been made self- and defeated him in Kurud. In maximising utilisation of var- informed. and township, stabilisation of processes, products and ser- ing such is seen. But through reliant and is on path of while where necessary it has year 2017, he was Rajya Sabha ious grades of iron ore, they The company had been degraded lands and waste vices and is working towards the statement, there is differ- progress. not been constructed. candidate for Congress but informed. organising monitoring studies dumps for preventing soil ero- creating a positive environ- ence in outlook.” On naxal issues, he states Baghel raised host of sev- lost to BJP candidate To gainfully utilise slimes covering all environmental sion, rehabilitated of mined mental footprint, adoption of On present model of that only claims have been eral issues on health condi- Ramvichar Netam. This time (low grade rejects), beneficia- parameters by recognised lab- out areas, improving the con- a low-carbon growth path development in State, he said made but no progress has tions, corruption among oth- also, he was interested to tion and pellet plants have oratories. The studies indicat- dition of the catchment areas through reduction in specific the people are not included been seen in naxal front. In ers. fight for assembly seat from been set up in Karnataka at the ed that all environmental para- and stream courses and aes- energy consumption and who matters the most. They name of development build- Terming Chief Minister Kurud. mine itself. A larger scale sim- meters are found to be well thetic look of the township enhancing use of renewable are poor and working as ings have been constructed but as a close friend, he said that Meanwhile, large num- ilar plant is being set up in within the limits, officials stat- areas at the Bailadila mining energy sources and reducing labourers while farmers, its utility has not been ensured. CM can fix the date, time and ber of leaders had rushed to Bailadila sector along with 15 ed. complex and its other com- specific water consumption unemployed youth and middle The roads are still under con- place so that an open discus- meet him to enquire about his MTPA slurry pipeline, a green The company has been plexes across the country, they on sites. class family. They are not in struction and even bridges sion can be held. health. '%'  &!%-  &./$' 011 234 ! !%   A?#  '



  "  &"  /    "   )  & +   )" &  !+)! %  # "   @/CD'   ?       "       fter Punjab Minister Navjot  !
     ASingh Sidhu claimed that      %14$+#!1  %14$+#!1 Chugh alleged. Pakistan has decided to allow a shrine. “It is highly unfortunate border corridor to Kartarpur The corridor to Gurdwara wo border states—Punjab and Jammu he BJP on Saturday accused that Sidhu has been praising Sahib gurdwara for Sikh pil- Kartarpur Sahib means also Tand Kashmir on Saturday signed an TPunjab cabinet minister Prime Minister Imran Khan grims, the SGPC offered to building a bridge on the Ravi important agreement to start work on the Navjot Singh Sidhu of “pleas- and thanking him over a pro- build it free of cost. for the pilgrims to reach the 2793 crore Shahpur Kandi dam project. ing” his “friend” Pakistan posal which has yet not been Shiromani Gurdwara shrine easily to pay their obei- The two states have decided to com- Prime minister Imran Khan “at officially received by India,” he Parbandhak Committee pres- sance there, Longowal said. plete the project within three years, said the cost” of the country’s inter- said. ident Gobind Singh Longowal If the corridor is con- an official spokesperson, who pointed out ests. Sidhu on Friday claimed offered to get built the corridor, structed, it would be only 15 that the Punjab Chief Minister Capt “On one hand, Pakistan that Pakistan had decided to including a bridge on the Ravi, minutes of walking distance Amarinder Singh had been pursuing the was offering to open Kartarpur allow Sikh pilgrims direct which was destroyed during from the Indian side to matter with the Central Government over corridor for Sikh pilgrims and access to the historic Kartarpur the 1971 Bangladesh War with Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in the past several months. on the other hand, its Army Sahib gurdwara just across the Pakistan, to help the pilgrims Pakistan, he said. He had, in a recent meeting with Nitin chief was threatening India of border. reach the shrine. The founder of Sikhism Gadkari, Union Minister for Water dire consequences,” BJP nation- Sidhu is rubbing salt into Longowal made the offer and first Sikh Guru Nanak Resources, River Development and Ganga al secretary Tarun Chugh said the wounds of the families of shortly after Sidhu, who knows Dev had spent his last days at Rejuvenation, sought early Resolution of in a statement here. soldiers who were martyred Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. all issues relating to this project. “Sidhu is pleasing his during ceasefire violations at Khan since their cricketing Sikhs from India go to Pakistan A high-level delegation from Punjab, friend Pakistan Prime Minister the border, Chugh said while days, claimed the neighbouring every year on a pilgrimage comprising Minister for Water Resources Imran Khan at the cost of lashing out at the cricketer- country has decided to allow visa to pay their obeisance Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Chief Secretary interests of his own country,” turned-politician. the pilgrims direct access to the there, he said. Karan Avtar Singh and Principal Secretary Water Resources Jaspal Sibgh, held talks with the officials of the Government of Jammu the irrigation component of 653.97 crore. project power station to act as a peaking & Kashmir and signed the agreement. Though work on the project started in 2013, station, besides having its own generation BBB  
   
 The agreement was signed by Karan it was halted in 2014 due to certain obser- capacity of 206 MW and irrigation bene- Avtar Singh Chief Secretary Punjab and vations raised by the J&K Government. In fit of 37,173-hectare CCA to Punjab and From Page 1 BVR Subrahmanyam in the presence of the meantime, the Punjab Government sub- J&K states. It will enable the country to He said this would be done Governor J&K Satya Pal Malik in Raj mitted a revised cost estimate amounting fully utilise the Ravi water as per the Indus “without any hesitation”. 

  
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Bhawan Srinagar. to 2793.54 crore and requested the Water Treaty with Pakistan, according to Shah had replaced Rajnath Shahpur Kandi Dam, an inter-state pro- Government of India for inclusion of the the spokesperson. It will not only deliver Singh as the party president From Page 1 May 5, 2014 when he first raped her when he ject, was approved by the Government of project in the prioritised list. power and irrigation benefits to the nation soon after it came to power in This struggle will continue till justice is deliv- visited Kerala to attend a Church programme. India as a ‘National Project’ in February The project, when implemented, will worth 850 crore annually but will also May 2014 as Singh quit his post ered to her,” the nun said. The nun had lodged her complaint with 2008 at a cost of 2285.81 crore, including enable the up-stream Ranjit Sagar Dam prevent Ravi water going waste to Pakistan. following his inclusion in Modi's The family of the victim also participated police by June-end and a special police team has Cabinet. He was then elected as in the protest fast held at Kochi's Marine Drive. already recorded her statement six times though the president in January 2016. The embarrassment the nuns' open protest the only concrete action they took against the 2344 The BJP's constitution allows its against it has caused for the Church is sure to rape-accused Bishop was to record his statement president to serve two consecu- grow bigger in the coming days as the victim's just once, that too in his office at the diocesan tive full terms of three years family is set to approach the High Court seek- headquarters in Jalandhar in accordance with > # '' >
Q'    #
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F each. As such, Shah can be elect- ing orders for action against Bishop Franco, most his convenience. ed to the post for one more term. probably on Monday. The victim had approached police after all  %14$+#!1 UPA regime, then how did the ment," Surjewala said. the prime minister and the Shah paid glowing tribute to “The Church has effectively rejected us but her efforts to get justice from within the cost per aircraft had gone up He claimed that air staff defence minister. Vajayee whose contribution to we haven't left it and we won't. We are waging Church failed. Before petitioning police, she had ounting attack against the now. Accusing the NDA gov- qualitative requirements pro- "It mentions transfer of the party, he said was “impossi- our war from within the Church. We own noth- taken her complaint against the Bishop to all the MBJP on Rafale deal issue, ernment at the Centre of "com- vided for 13 India-specific technology, licensed produc- ble” to mention. He said ing but this nun's habit... Our sister (the victim) relevant Church authorities, including Cardinal the Congress on Saturday asked promising national security", enhancements during UPA rule, tion, and lifetime maintenance Vajpayee was the first premier has suffered much. She must get justice. We will George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar the Centre how the price of the the Congress leader asked why which were radar-enhance- support for the aircraft. This who restricted the size of the continue this war even if we have to die,” one Catholic Church and Papal office itself but no fighter aircraft went up when did the BJP-led Centre alleged- ments, helmet-mounted dis- RFP was issued in 2007," he Union Cabinet, created DONER of the nuns told the media after taking part in action was taken on her plea. 'India-specific enhancements' ly forego 'transfer of technolo- play, towed decoy system, low- said. Ministry for the North-East the protest fast. “This is not a protest but it is The nun, her family and many among the for it were the same as were gy' and reduced the number of band jammer, radio altimeter "Why did the Modi gov- states, conducted nuclear explo- the cry of the nuns for justice. That they are laity and Kerala society believe that the special decided during the UPA rule. aircraft under Rafale deal from and ability to start and operate ernment forego transfer of tech- sion in 1998 and created new made to cry for justice is not good for the police team is delaying the arrest of the accused Seeking replies from Prime 126 to 36. "It is now clear that from high altitude airfields. "If nology for manufacture of next States of Uttarakhand, Church. The Church authorities should have due to pressures from their superiors and polit- Minister Narendra Modi and the 'India-specific enhance- these specifications had been generation Rafale fighter aircraft Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. It heard their cry much earlier. Justice should be ical bosses. “Nothing will happen in this case as Defence Minister Nirmala ments' mentioned by Modi and pre-decided during UPA gov- to India through public sector was the Atal-Advani combina- delivered to them,” said senior priest Fr Paul far as the present police chief (Loknath Behera) Sitharaman, Congress Sitharaman on the floor of ernment and these are the same HAL and despite foregoing tion that brought party to power Thelekkat, former spokesman of the Syro- remains in that position,” said a brother of the spokesperson Randeep Singh Parliament and outside are on which the Modi government transfer of technology, how did from a poor two tally of MPs in Malabar Catholic Church to which the Bishop's victim the other day. The nuns who came out Surjewala asked when the 'asso- those which were pre-decided is buying Rafale fighter aircraft the cost increase?" he asked. He the Lok Sabha in 1984, he said. family belonged. Pressure continued to mount on the streets in support of the victim's strug- ciated systems and weapons' by IAF at the time tender of 126 then why Rs 41,000 crore loss claimed that the first Rafale Shah recounted a range of eco- on police and the Church to take action against gle for justice are five of the total nine inmates were the same as approved by Rafale fighter aircrafts issued by was being caused to public?" fighter jet will be delivered by nomic programmes and policies the Bishop with prominent personalities like of the Kuravilangad convent of the Missionaries the Indian Air Force during Congress-led UPA govern- Surjewala, who is also an MLA September 2019 and rest would which were given shape by the former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan of Jesus congregation, controlled by the from Kaithal, said. be delivered by September 2022. Modi-dispensation in over last coming out in support of the victim and her fel- Jalandhar Diocese, and one of the remaining Slamming the Modi gov- "What is more alarming is four years which also “deleted” low-nuns. On Saturday, the Women's Congress three had already abandoned her religious habit ernment for its claims that the fact that these aircraft would over here lakh bogus companies became the first women's wing of a political allegedly following harassments from the Bishop. there was no contract for trans- not have India-specific in the country. party to pledge solidarity with the nuns. “As per Catholic catechism, nuns are betrothed fer of technology under the enhancements and all these The BJP president said the The victim's charge against the Bishop is that to Jesus Christ. It is a pity and a big sin that when Rafale deal during the UPA rule, will get uploaded after 2022. Government had conducted Rs he had raped her at a guest house attached to one of those brides of Jesus is raped by a bish- the Congress leader said accord- With threats from Pakistan and 11,000 crore e-purchases which St Francis Mission Home, her convent at op, considered as the deputy of God Himself, ing to a PIB release, the RFP China looming large, does it not would otherwise would have Nadukunnu, Kuravilangad in Kottayam district, the so-called pious fathers of the Church are issued by UPA government compromise national security," cost the country an estimated Rs 13 times between 2014 and 2016. Her ordeal in being so insensitive and amoral,” said a senior completely exposes the "lies" of Surjewala asked. 33,000 crore. the hands of the Bishop had allegedly started on priest of the Latin Catholic Church.       &&&   &&& From Page 1 ers (OGW's) in Manipur. The OGW's used to collect the extor- “He along with his associates was allegedly threatening and tion money from victims and further distributed the same From Page 1 from the outside harm. extorting money from businessmen and influential people, said between different offices of the banned outfit. He was living Attacking the WTO, Trump “I think it's fine, but they got the DCP. clandestinely in Nepal for the last five years, in order to evade said he thinks that the World to pay us for this. We're watch- Earlier on August 28, Oinam Ibochouba Singh alias his arrest,” said the DCP. Trade Organization was prob- ing the whole world and they Khoirangba, a top commander and self-styled acting chair- “He joined militancy with daydreaming to earn easy and ably the worst of all. take it for granted. man of the banned outfit, was arrested from south Delhi's huge money and live with a lavish lifestyle. Further investi- “But a lot of people don't “For years and years we've Kotla Mubarakpur area. He had allegedly threatened Manipur gation is on,” the DCP added. know what that is, that allowed been protecting these coun- Chief Minister N Biren Singh and some other Ministers. KCP (People War Group) was formed in January, 2016 by China to become this great tries. They're making a fortune. “During interrogation Paikhomba confessed about his a combined extremist group of KCP-Poirei faction, KCP- economic power”. On the trade They've had very little military involvements in terrorist activities in Manipur and recently Tamnganba faction and KCP-Paikhomba faction under the deficit between the US and cost. he shifted his base from Nepal to Bareilly. It was Paikhomba chairman of Laishram Ranjit Meetei. China, which has led to a tariff We have the biggest military who had directed Khoirangba to go to Delhi and set up a base In January 2017, the Special Cell arrested the self-styled war between the world's top two cost in the world. Most of it goes here to conduct their activities. On his directions, Khoirangba convener of the KCP-PWG, Ranjeet Singh Porai alias Rocky, economies, he said, “I'm a big to protecting outside countries, had allegedly given threats to Manipur Chief Minister. and in August 2017 busted a module of the KCP-PWG with fan of (Chinese) President Xi some of whom don't even like Paikhomba used to extort money from different Government the arrest of top leadership including commander-in-chief of Jinping, but I told him, 'we have us,” Trump said. authorities, local businessman, private schools by threaten- the KCP-Tamnganba faction Laishram Ranjit Meitei. to be fair'.” “We're protecting countries ing them with demand letters sent through over-ground-work- “We can't let China take that have -- I got to say, they do USD 500 billion a year out of the have respect for us now, but they United States and rebuild itself,” didn't have any respect for us, he added. The President also and they got to pay. They got to         said the US should get paid for pay, you know, when they're securing the wealthy countries wealthy,” he said.

From Page 1 mm till September 8, this year. Rs 30,000 crore. Gujarat 3.38 and Odisha 2.73. For its part, the National As many as 110 districts Officials said the NDMA's As per the Home Ministry Disaster Management have recorded excess rainfall study is based on parameters data, as many as 1,400 people Authority's (NDMA) 'flood during this year's monsoon. such as areas actually flooded have died due to rain, land- vulnerability index' lists Punjab Despite that the rain deficit during 1950 to 2016, areas slides and floods in 10 States so and Haryana as the States most stood at 7 per cent this year. In vulnerable to flood and met- far in the monsoon season. As vulnerable to floods. Punjab is 2018, as many as 500 people have ropolitan and large cities that many as 254 people died in followed by West Bengal, Bihar, been killed and over 10 lakh dis- fall in flood-prone areas. Uttar Pradesh while West UP, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, placed in Kerala due to floods On a scale of 10, Punjab Bengal witnessed the death of Kerala, Assam, Gujarat and and landslides in the State. has been assessed as facing the 210 people due to floods. The Odisha. The impact of the floods in highest flood hazard risk of toll in Maharashtra was 139 According to the Met Kerala is yet to be completely 6.67, followed by West Bengal while it was 52, 50, 37, 29 and Department, the country assessed, though the 6.43, Bihar 6, UP 4.76, Andhra 11 in Gujarat, Assam, received 718.7 mm rainfall Government estimates that Pradesh 4.49, Haryana 4.12, Uttarakhand, Odisha and against the normal of 768.9 rebuilding would require about Kerala 3.88, Assam 3.84, Nagaland respectively.  (=== From Page 1 Besides global leaders and big investors in aerospace industry, the show will also see participation by think-tanks from across the world. It will provide a unique opportunity for exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry. Besides giving a fillip to the domestic aviation industry it would further the cause of Make in India. The Department of Defence Production is com- mitted to make this a success- ful and result oriented show, it said. '%'  &!%-  &./$' 01 234 ! !%#  
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   "     " 
    6   "  +P )                 48$91+ forces and the paramilitary Gujarat and West Bengal.   forces and assessing their future Pakistan was exploiting its   6
   ecurity agencies have issued requirement, procurement of resident agents and Indian res- Sa detailed advisory to the military hardware, ascertaining ident agents and using Pak mis- B  stakeholders to remain alert to the organisational set up, com- sion in India and in third     Pakistani espionage tactics by munication network, location of countries, cyber space, espe- keeping a watch on the visa vio- cantonments, air and naval cially social media, monitoring lators, tracing Pak nationals bases, rail movement of army of websites of Indian scientif-   48$91+ with valid visas and missing Pak and paramilitary units, annual ic institutions and compro- nationals besides tracking visit- exercise programmes of army mising disgruntled elements of he scheduled visits of ing business delegations from including simulation exercises scientific establishments. TExternal Affairs Minister across the border and fortifying and war games. The focus is also Fake social media profiles Sushma Swaraj and Defence counter intelligence apparatus on gathering telephone directo- are also used for honey-trap- Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Minister is likely to visit Paris )1B!4%1A++) As regards Swaraj's tour, Russian fighter planes have around sensitive defence and sci- ry of defence units, especially of ping officials, compromising later this month to Syria and in October, sources said here $B!4)%:) External Affairs Ministry mounted fresh strikes on the entific research institutions. those deployed along the Indo- computers and extraction of France respectively were on Saturday. The Minister Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar Syrian province of Idlib, amid The advisory comes amid Pak border. information through crank deferred on Saturday. will, however, undertake her )+814)1%:4#! said fresh dates for her visit will a meeting in Tehran among renewed efforts by Pakistani Another area of emphasis by calls through illegal grey tele- While Swaraj's tour was scheduled tour to Egypt on +!94)99& be decided in consultation with leaders of Iran, Russia and intelligence agencies to gather the Pak agencies is on espionage phone exchanges or calls over postponed due to escalating September 20, they said. ))%"+4#)14$ the Syrian Government. "The Turkey to chalk out a common information by seeking to com- in the field of science and tech- VoIP and compromising gov- tension in war torn Syria, The French visit defer- #:A!44):A!)1 External Affairs Minister's visit strategy to deal with the promise officials of Indian mis- nology where Pakistan was try- ernment officials posted in Sitharaman's visit was deferred ment comes at a time when the *I(CCC%!:!!B9 to Syria has been deferred due volatile situation in Southern sions abroad, making pseudo- ing to monitor developments in Indian mission by exploiting due to scheduling issues. She Congress is relentlessly attack- to the prevailing situation in Syria. The Russian military nymous calls to government diverse fields such as nuclear, their weaknesses. was to visit Paris on the invi- ing the NDA government over B+#1)!$98+)1B!4% that country. Fresh dates will has warned its US counter- officials, cyber offensives and space and missile technology Suggested counter mea- tation of her French counter- the 59,000-crore Rafale fight- 99#+4#% be decided in mutual con- parts not to get involved in the like to gather intelligence on and defence research, particu- sures include keeping watch part Florence Parly on er deal with France alleging a sultation with the Syrian side," any military operation in scientific developments in larly those related to technolog- over activities of Pak jathas September 17. The French scam. The Government has visit the Rafale production he said. It would have been the southern Syria. space and missile technology, ical developments for the fron- (Tablighs and Zaireen)/busi- minister had come to India in repeatedly denied allegations in facility later this month to first visit by an Indian External India has been maintaining defence exercises and simula- tier areas besides trying to obtain ness delegations, their places of October last year. the Government to inspect the progress of pro- Affairs Minister to Syria after that all parties should exercise tion facilities among others. classified documents. Most of stay, trans-border smugglers , New dates are being Government deal. duction India specific jets. the civil war-like situation restraint and avoid any steps The thrust areas for the Pak-backed espionage mod- sawari/hawala operators and worked out for the bilateral Meanwhile, an IAF team Some IAF pilots are also likely broke out in that country. that may further escalate the Pakistan-directed espionage is ules were located in the border persons released by courts in meeting and the Defence headed by Deputy Chief will to fly the jet there, it was learnt. According to reports, situation in country. the activities of the Indian armed districts of Punjab, Rajasthan, espionage cases. '    *H)   '  '   #    (#   48$91+     ormer Nepal Prime FMinister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who is now #  $    the Co-Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP),    48$91+ accused persons as per a  ")14$' ,-!!   called on Prime Minister Supreme Court directive and 
  " Narendra Modi here on iming to reform the crim- enabling police custody of the epal will not join the first- 5 !  , " Saturday to discuss bilateral Ainal justice system, the accused any time after arrest Never joint military drill 6  7 ! -!  ties. Centre is considering a slew of as against the current practice among the armies of the Bay of 0 ! 8 '  "The two leaders discussed proposals including bringing of the 15-day deadline besides Bengal Initiative for Multi- !1 ! 1 ! the progress in India-Nepal policing as a subject in the increasing the number of Sectoral Technical and relations, as well as other issues Concurrent List of the working days of the courts so "   Economic Cooperation (BIM- of mutual interest," the Prime Constitution, legislation of an as to reduce the pendency of STEC) members, to be hosted 0!   !-! Minister's Office (PMO) said in omnibus Internal Security Act, cases in the courts, Union by India next week, an advisor " ' " %9: a statement. separation of investigation and Home Ministry sources said. to the Prime Minister said "The Prime Minister fond- prosecution wings of police Trial of heinous or serious here on Saturday. Official sources told ly recalled their previous inter- and establishment of Multi- crimes is being considered to Kundan Aryal, Press Xinhua that the decision was actions, and thanked Dahal for Agency Centre-like organisa- be taken up on priority for Adviser to Prime Minister K.P. made by the Nepali govern- his valuable contributions in tion to share information to the speedier conclusion to improve Sharma Oli, told Xinhua news ment amid growing criticism strengthening India-Nepal rela- @       ) "&)  %& A &A            % &  police on crimes and criminals. credibility of the criminal jus- agency that Nepal will not join from multiple quarters over the tions," it stated. " '( A subject under the tice system and maximum the joint military drill to be country's participation in the Modi also said that India- Concurrent List allows the number of adjournments organized in Pune from first ever military drill among Nepal relations have received a Cooperation (Bimstec) region- tweeted that the two leaders After the merger of the Centre to exercise authority on allowed for the defendants of September 10-16. the armies of BIMSTEC mem- boost with frequent high-level al group's summit. "exchanged views on advancing CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist), the listed subject along with the criminal cases may also be lim- "Nepal will not participate bers. interactions. Earlier in the day, bilateral ties between the two Prachanda is sharing the post States. Currently, policing is a ited to speed up trials. in the BIMSTEC joint military BIMSTEC — founded in Modi last visited the Prachanda met External Affairs countries". of Chairman with another co- State subject under the Possibility of informing drill. This is the official decision 1997 — is a regional bloc Himalayan nation in August to Minister Sushma Swaraj. Prachanda arrived here on chair and Nepal Prime Minister Constitution. The Multi- the victims of crime about the of the government," he said, grouping India, Bangladesh, attend the Bay of Bengal Following the meeting, Thursday on a three-day visit K.P. Sharma Oli. He aims to Agency Centre (MAC) shares stage of investigation in trial without giving details about the Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Initiative for Multi-Sectoral External Affairs Ministry with the aim of improving become the Prime Minister information/inputs to the of cases through SMS with the reasons behind the decision. Lanka and Thailand. Technical and Economic spokesperson Raveesh Kumar bilateral relations. after Oli completes his tenure. police/ paramilitary forces help of CCTNS is also under on terror. consideration of the Ministry. The organisation modeled on SMSs could also be used  ) %% the lines MAC will help share to alert witnesses regarding (('. ((   )    and disseminate information court appearances and   on crime-related informa- putting in place a provision to tion/inputs under the Crime issue e-summons is also being )    .    and Criminal Tracking studied by the Government. *+,  Network System (CCTNS). The Internal Security Act is Setting up of commission- aimed at consolidating the  " " .  
 +  !+4#! erate system of policing in existing laws. urban centres with population A system of continuous n injured trekker was air- over 10 lakh is also under recruitment whereby online Alifted on Saturday from consideration. tests can be taken by interest- the Kalohoi glacier in Jammu The proposal under con- ed candidates regularly and & Kashmir's Anantnag dis- sideration for separation of database of successful candi- trict, authorities said. investigation and prosecution dates created for any Two trekkers, identified as wings of the police includes Government organisation, Naveed Jeelani and Adil Shah exploring the possibility of including police can choose fell into a crevice on Friday and appointment of a Director and subject them to further test died. The third trekker, Hazik General-rank officer as Director or interview to avoid escalation Beigh, has been airlifted for of Prosecution in every State. in number of vacancies in treatment. Efforts were on to The Union Home police resulting in poor police retrieve the bodies of the two Ministry is also reviewing the to population ratio, the sources victims, the authorities added. issue of not handcuffing added.

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   become operative on com- that of the company, which was valued at York Times is blocked in China by Huge conglomerates like Alibaba, Pvt Ltd.        pletion of certain legal USD 420.8 billion based on its share price Communist Party censors and there was Tencent, Baidu and JD.Com are to China Schaeffler India had filed       formalities post receipt of at the close of trade on Friday. no official statement from Alibaba on what Facebook and Google are to the before NCLT, Mumbai, seeking 4%9)(  (M the certified copy of order Ma told The New York Times that he Saturday. United States. approval of the merger.   from NCLT, Mumbai,” it plans to step down from the company on But in an interview with Bloomberg Ma is the first of his generation of NCLT, Mumbai, has on added. Monday -- his 54th birthday -- referring TV released on Friday, he hinted at his uber-wealthy tech bosses to retire, a rare to his departure as “the beginning of an retirement plans, saying he wanted to fol- move in a country where business figures era” rather than an end. low in the footsteps of Microsoft founder often run their empires well into their 80s Ma, who gave up the title of CEO in Bill Gates, one of the world's most prolif- -- Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing only '  *"+     + &  2013, said he now planned to devote his ic philanthropists. retired in May at the age of 89. " &  ) O ,
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 ASaturday issued its final LImran Rasul has become Mian’s exclusion. 
 ;  verdict upholding the death the second member of the new The government’s climb-       8 ,
O sentences of 75 Muslim Pakistan Government’s down came three days after it          Brotherhood members and Economic Advisory Council had defended the academic’s      supporters — including jour- (EAC) to resign in protest nomination to the EAC led by nalists — for participating in against the exclusion of noted Prime Minister Imran Khan,    protests following the 2013 US-based academic Atif R saying in categorical terms that 7 =  ouster of democratically elect- Mian who was told to step it will “not bow to extremists”. %+9%$-*     ed President Mohamed Morsi. down from the body due to a The Ahmadis are desig- 
    The mass trial has been backlash over his Ahmadi faith. nated as non-Muslims in   4   widely condemned by human Succumbing to pressure Pakistan’s Constitution and  (    rights organizations, with from the hardliners, the their beliefs are considered      Amnesty International calling Pakistan Government on blasphemous in most main-      

  it a “grotesque parody of jus- Friday withdrew the nomina- ( *" stream Islamic schools of   )   tice”, the BBC reported. tion of noted economist Mian, thought. They are often tar-   (  The case dates back to a member of the minority council, saying “if there was geted by extremists and their     ( 2013 when Morsi supporters Ahmadi community, from the one academic on the EAC that places of worship vandalised.      gathered in Rabaa Al-Adawiya " 9 @ .   .   & "  . # )  "  newly-constituted economic Pakistan needs, it was him Mian, a Massachusetts $ 4      ( Square in Cairo’s Nasr City dis- panel, according to media (Mian)”. Institute of Technology-edu-     trict following his overthrow by including incitement to vio- onment, including Mohamed Of the accused, 315 are reports. Wishing the government cated Pakistani-American eco- the Army in July 2013 in lence, murder and organising Badie, leader of the now jailed and 419 are fugitives. “With a heavy heart, I have and the EAC luck for the nomics professor at the presti- >   response to mass protests illegal protests. banned Muslim Brotherhood. Charges were dropped against resigned from the EAC this future, the professor said he gious Princeton University, was  .?2.@ against his one-year rule. The 75 death sentences About 200 defendants were five defendants who died. morning,” Rasul, a professor of remains willing to offer “non- recently named member of the %#', B      The 739 defendants, who were handed down in July and sentenced to five years behind The government’s actions economics at University partisan, evidence-based 18-member EAC to advise the E@     included members of the Saturday’s confirmation of bars, among them award-win- in dispersing the Rabaa el College, London, said in a advice” that can help improve government on economic pol-        Muslim Brotherhood, were them and the additional ver- ning photojournalist Adawiya Square protest were tweet on Saturday. economic policymaking in icy. 

      arrested and tried for partici- dicts mark the end of the mass Mahmoud Abu Zeid. He was widely condemned as at least The economist said he Pakistan. He is the only Pakistani to )  ( pating in the month-long sit-in trial. detained while taking pictures 817 people were killed in the “profoundly disagrees” with Rasul said while Pakistan is be considered among         in Cairo to protest Morsi’s Among those sentenced of the dispersal of the demon- violence, according to a 2014 the circumstances in which full of talent, it “needs leaders International Monetary Fund’s )  
 removal. to death at the Cairo Criminal stration. He was expected to report by Human Rights Mian was asked to resign from willing to draw on all this tal- list of ‘Top 25 brightest young       Earlier this year, Egypt’s Court were prominent Muslim now walk free after having Watch. the council. ent, and that are willing to economists’.  B   ( Parliament gave military offi- Brotherhood members Essam spent five years in jail pending Saturday’s verdict came “Basing decisions on reli- appeal to our better sides, for His appointment was        cers immunity for the deadly El-Erian, Mohamed Beltagy, trial. shortly after the US govern- gious affiliation goes against my the common good and not sow embroiled in a controversy   5 (  crackdown and any crimes Abdel-Rahman al-Bar and Osama Morsi, the son of ment released tens of millions principles, or the values I am division.” after it was opposed by sever-  
   committed between July 2013 Osama Yassin. Of the 75 peo- the ousted President, was sen- of dollars in military aid to trying to teach my children,” he Rasul quit after another al individuals and reigiuos   ( E@  and January 2016. ple, 44 are in jail and 31 are on tenced to 10 years in prison. Egypt, funds that had been pre- said. EAC member, Asim Ijaz groups, including the hardline 
   B  Those who were sentenced the run. Another 360 defendants were viously withheld due to con- In a series of tweets, Rasul Khwaja, professor of Islamist party Tehreek-i-   (     in the mass trial were accused Another 56 defendants sentenced to 15 years in prison. cerns over the country’s human spoke in favour of Mian’s International Finance and Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), who    of security-related offences were sentenced to life impris- No one was found innocent. rights record. appointment to the advisory Development at the Harvard objected to his Ahmadi faith. 
    23  Q  )  ,          R   4&)     
  Washington: Donald Trump The writer said aides had  B!#:.'/ repeatedly denounced as a reporters travelling with him said Friday he wants Attorney been working to thwart deci- Washington: A former advisor ond person ordered to prison “14 days for USD 28 MIL- “witch hunt,” Trump reiterated aboard Air Force One. General Jeff Sessions to inves- sions by the president they to US President Donald Trump in the sprawling, 16-month LION - USD 2 MILLION a day, resident Donald Trump his insistence that there was no “This thing should have tigate and uncover the identi- deemed misguided. whose contacts with Russians Russia collusion investigation No Collusion. A great day for Psaid on Friday that the collusion between anyone on been over with a long time ago.” ty of the senior administration Trump said revealing the set off the investigation into of Special Counsel Robert America!” Trump tweeted. ongoing investigation into his presidential campaign and The president was in the official who penned an anony- writer’s name was in the inter- possible collusion with Moscow Mueller. It came just over two Senator Mark Warner, the Russian interference in the the Russian government. He midst of a two-day campaign mous op-ed in The New York ests of national security. was jailed Friday for lying to weeks after two former top senior Democrat on the Senate 2016 presidential election is not said it was long past time for swing through states where Times this week that criticised The op-ed ashed the the FBI. Trump aides were convicted of Intelligence Committee, which only bad for the country, it’s the investigation to have ended. Republicans hope to expand the US president as reckless. President as amoral and US District Judge felony crimes in cases that has its own Russia collusion “really, really unfair for the “We have to get it over their narrow 51-49 majority in Trump has demanded claimed there is a “resistance” Randolph Moss sentenced for- grew out of the probe. investigation, applauded midterms.” with. It’s really bad for the the Senate by knocking off that The New York Times dis- within the administration. eign policy aide George Trump suggested the con- Mueller’s work. Despite con- Trump said the inquiry country. It’s really unfair for our vulnerable Democratic Sens. close the author of the essay, The essay has enraged Papadopoulos to 14 days in viction was trivial for a probe stant attacks by the president, should have been wrapped up midterms. Jon Tester of Montana and described by the newspaper as Trump and touched off a furi- prison, acknowledging his that has cost millions since it Mueller and his team “are con- a “long time ago.” Asked about Really, really unfair for the Heidi Heitkamp of North a senior administration offi- ous search inside the admin- guilty plea and his remorse, but launched in May 2017 — while ducting a serious, profession- the investigation, which he has midterms,” Trump told Dakota. cial. istration for its author. PTI noting that he “lied in an ignoring the 35 indictments, al investigation” into the 2016 investigation that was impor- five guilty pleas and one trial Trump campaign’s contacts tant to national security.” conviction Mueller has racked with Russians, Warner said in Papadopoulos was the sec- up so far. a statement. AFP 6  + '").  &     ).  & "   
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      %1+%#: democracy is indifference,” Obama said.  M+19+ ormer US president Barack “The biggest threat to our FObama on Friday came out democracy is cynicism - a cyn- lashes between Kurdish in open against his successor icism that’s led too many peo- Cforces and regime fighters Donald Trump, blasting his ple to turn away from politics in the divided northeastern policies and reminding voters and stay home on Election city of Qamishli killed 18 com- that the economic recovery Day. To all the young people batants on Saturday, the began on his watch and not in who are here today, there are Kurdish forces and a war mon- this regime, saying “he is a now more eligible voters in itor said. symptom and not the cause”. your generation than in any The rare flare-up in the Addressing at the other, which means your gen- Kurdish-majority city near the University of Illinois, Urbana- eration now has more power Turkish border saw 11 regime Champaign, less than two than anybody to change things. fighters and seven Kurds killed, months before the mid-term “If you want it, you can the Kurdish security forces elections that could determine make sure America gets out of known as Asayesh said in a the course of Trump’s presi- its current funk,” he added. statement. dency, he said that the democ- Launching an unprece- The Syrian Observatory racy in the US was facing the dented attack on Trump and for Human Rights, a Britain- biggest threat of “indifference” his policies, Obama said: “It did based war monitor, reported and “cynicism”. not start with Donald Trump. the same death toll for the “In the end, the threat to He is a symptom, not the fighting near a Kurdish check- our democracy doesn’t just cause.” point in the city. come from Donald Trump or “He’s just capitalising on The Asayesh said a regime the current batch of resentments that politicians “patrol opened fire on our Republicans in Congress or the have been fanning for years. A forces with light and medium Koch Brothers and their lob- fear and anger that’s rooted in weapons, causing our forces to byists, or too much compro- our past, but it’s also born out respond to this violation, which mise from Democrats, or of the enormous upheavals killed 11 regime fighters... And Russian hacking. that have taken place in your seven of our comrades”. The biggest threat to our brief lifetimes,” he said.  R     
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hile debating an appropriate to meet a person who hasn’t smiled at hearing the latter got shoved aside to the haphazard sure to see people of all classes and hues buy title for this article, I once that I belong to the hills, specifically Shimla. tiers sloping down the hills. Interestingly, how- cakes, pastries, breads, savouries and the other again committed the error of Over the years, I have come to cherish this ever, native-born discrimination originating so-called ‘foreign’ dishes with the same thinking positively about the instinctive response, delighting in how the much before the arrival of the British came warmth and sometimes explicit excitement as word ‘homeliness’ for the name of a hill station sends my listener on a into play as well, and the haphazard tiers purchasing the other, more Indian stuff. When Wnth time. For some unknown reason, dictio- memory trip to some or the other hills for a themselves developed a hierarchical pattern, so visitors from the plains return to their abodes, naries equate homeliness with the unattrac- few seconds. “Jahaan ki yaadein ab bhi taaza that the topmost layer would be occupied by they fondly recall the eventful treks they had tive, the non-beautiful, and the inelegant, hain” (whose memories are still fresh), as they the higher castes and those at the bottom by across these Malls in thrilling and occasionally although another meaning does try to com- invariably add. Conversely, I am yet to meet a the ‘untouchables’. From a distance, therefore, hyperbolic terms: “Itnaa chaley hum!” (We pensate by referring to ‘being homely’ in the person from the hills who doesn’t exude a a typical ‘Indian’ hill station would echo not walked so much!). For “Mall par jaana must sense of being ‘unpretentious’. I have often sense of satisfaction at voicing his or her con- only colonial splendour and oppression hai!” (It is a must to go to the Mall) is almost wished that such confusion regarding the '(()*+,)"#$%& nection with the highlands. This is true of not through its magnificent buildings that filigreed an innately felt duty, as all roads lead to the word never existed in the first place, so that only the Himalayas but also of people belong- the ridges, but also Indian bias wrapped up in Mall! The freedom of movement along the ‘homeliness’ would simply and unambigu- ing to other raised terrains. a sore, unplanned look — a testimony to impe- connector of the Mall democratises a colonial ously imply something warm, happy, cheer- Mihir Vatsa, a friend and poet from the rial indifference towards urban planning for legacy on an everyday basis, but such democ- ful, and beautiful in a kind of wholesome Hazaribagh plateau in Eastern India, makes the common Indian. As my brother describes ratisation comes with its own interesting oddi- totality. For ‘home’ is a precious word and me aware of similar claims to what might be this predicament, hill stations bore the look of ties. At a time when major cities of the country idea, even as it may mean different things to called “landscape intimacy” or “topophilia” “a beggar wearing a crown”. have been renamed to preserve an indigenous different people. Amply romanticised in cul- in his beloved upland, whose folk too bear ‘ring’ (Calcutta to Kolkata, Bangalore to ture since the beginnings of history and witness to a “ghar ki feeling” (feeling of ost-Independence, however, has been a Bengaluru, Bombay to Mumbai), Shimla’s Mall often intrinsically tied to the concepts of home). It is almost as if hills and mountains different story, as all colonial hill stations continues to be known as ‘the Mall’ (like other belonging and identity, ‘home’ fundamentally 81+91:'+4 themselves prompt you to think of them in Phave metamorphosed into as ‘Indian’ hills stations’), even though post-Independence indexes the lived notions of comfort, ease, distinctive yet familiar terms, terms that nat- towns and cities as any other. The transforma- it was recast as Lala Lajpat Rai Marg after safety, and bonhomie. Homes make us as 1+94)+99& urally mature in the currency of home. tion is a complex one, full of fascinating points the famous Indian leader whose statue still much as we make our homes. +#4+B&)1N5!:49O( Hill stations came into existence with the and idiosyncrasies that can easily fill a book. dons the town-centre. Then again, the Ridge, I first became conscious of home as a consolidation and expansion of the British The most telling of these is the deepening of Shimla’s largest public space presided by the special concept during my childhood when )1&+'9)4:'9& empire in the Indian subcontinent. The heat the affectionate claim of ‘home’ by the com- Christ Church and the Gaiety Theatre, my father’s transferrable job began introduc- #!:8+4):))+:4& and dust of the plain-based cities triggered the mon indigenous population, for most of whom retains its name despite the decades-old ing me to different parts of the Himalayas of :B)1N:%+9O '%1 cartographers and travellers of the East India such spaces embody freedom, joy, and satisfac- change to Nehru Maidan. North India. For as long as I can remember, Company (and then of the Crown) to search tion. From once being the prerogative of the Notwithstanding outdoor pleasures, the home has struck as a fertile, multilayered +)1+!)1)+% for cooler climes that lay in high areas spread- whites, hill stations have come a far way even ‘house’ still remains a most compelling sym- notion, that invariably speaks in different $+A!+)&()1)%1:B ing across the length and breadth of the though some people continue to associate bol of the feeling of being ‘at home’ in hill sta- degrees and intensities through a variety of colony. By the middle of the 19th century, places like Shimla and Mussoorie with an ‘elite’ tions. The much-touted aphorism that “a markers. While the entity of the ‘house’ is )1%:4)!+;')): well-known hill stations, such as Shimla, atmosphere, owing to the few famous Indians house is built by bricks, but a home is built by possibly the most obvious transmitter of )1"+4#:B)1 Darjeeling, Mussoorie, Ooty, and Nainital, had residing there: This actor, that artiste, and that hearts” perhaps needs a little tweaking in the home, the environment which the house started gaining attention in popular conscious- erstwhile maharaja. But like much else, this case of highlands because the phrase presup- finds itself in — a neighbourhood, a locality, %1!%)!:B1+9 ness, established as they were in the image of a elite has itself become the stuff of local folk- poses a necessarily inferior status for material a village, a town, a city — equally, if not 8:!$(N%1!%)!O ‘home away from home’. These stations were lore, so that it is not uncommon to find the ingredients in contrast to heartfelt emotions. more, contributes to the feel and ambience of consciously meant to evoke the ambience of ‘non-elite’ shedding light on the ‘hill life’ of the Materiality, however, matters. Anyone even home. Hilly regions generously lend them- +5!#4))1 the British countryside, natural and cultural, crème de la crème with a vivacity typical of remotely interested in architecture and urban selves to this aspect because the outside and %:4%5):B1+99 so that European templates of architecture and friendly storytelling. Hence, the generation of planning can provide an insight into the the inside are always in a conversation with social customs got transposed to a foreign ter- the ubiquitously found highland phrase: tones, densities, textures, and indeed, feelings each other. Views from one’s windows matter ):84(+B)11:' ritory to generate something new in the lens of “Everyone knowing everyone”. associated with the elements of building, be as an essential part of the house itself, as +)9B'!#'):5') the familiar. Unlike the precolonial mountain- But the invention of such sentiment has they brick, stone, metal, wood, glass... you does the last ray of the sun peeling away ous establishments that sprouted along rivers also to do with the relatively smaller size of the name it. Like the local artisans of the time, from the flank of a distant hill, so that +):45!8+)11'4 in valleys (Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, to name a hill stations to those of the cities, as well as the colonisers of the 19th century also care- pahaad (mountains) routinely become 9+"4)+4)4)+)& few) — water being the fundamental source with the lanes and trails that crisscross the fully assessed the materials and designs that synonymous with ghar (home). for the seeding of civilisations — colonial hill hills to connect with the Mall Road — the life- went into the making of their houses. But for India being a largely tropical country stations shifted the very imagination of urban line of all major hill stations, which daily con- all their foreign look and appeal, Shimla dominated by plains, heights continue to sig- geography, preferring to germinate at the top duit the movement of their residents and visi- houses developed on a fine intermixing of nify a much loved and often revered ‘other’. of mountains and along ridges. Such position- tors. Connections blossom on these Malls that Himalayan and British aesthetics. Hill people themselves are conscious of this ing was synonymous with making grand state- play home to delightful architecture and a host aspect, and it is common to find countless ments about imperial might and supremacy, of shops, restaurants, offices, and bakeries. Yet summits serving as homes to Gods and and because hardly any hill station was another colonial legacy, bakeries too thrive Goddesses and the powers beyond. I am yet designed for the native, indigenous population, with their own indigenisation, and it is a plea- --. 
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ollywood actor Dia Mirza, who school wall because my father was con- has previously shown her love for ducting a workshop and he said, ‘Paint an animals by doing quirky things elephant being born out of an egg.’ And like adopting a leopard, sharing I remember kids raised their hands and her name with a rhinoceros, said, ‘But elephants are not born out of andB posing as a snake for a photo shoot, eggs.’ So my father said, ‘But in your imag- recently launched India’s first wild anthem ination, they can be.’ So, I think when your at the Gaj Mahotsav in Delhi. She said, “I upbringing is so entrenched in an atmos- have always wondered why India does not phere that fosters a relationship with have a wild anthem. The world comes to nature and teaches you that all creativity India to experience our wildlife — it’s such is born out of nature, it becomes impos- a huge tourist attraction. And historical- sible to choose one favourite animal.” ly, we have always revered and wor- Sharing more details from the envi- shipped nature and wildlife. So much so ronment her parents created for her, she that I cannot think of a single human says, “Since I remember, I saw my parents expression — whether it is in arts or cul- as people who were animal lovers and ture or religion or mythology…it is in our environmentally very conscious. My storytelling, our textile design, our archi- mother would never use plastic in our tecture — it is everywhere. Everything we home. My father was constantly innovat- do is inspired by nature. Even the motif on ing design and technology. He built fur- your kurta, my kurta, your handbag is niture and a lot of it was with locally avail- nature. Another reason for making the able material. I can never forget him wildlife anthem was that we wanted to give doing interiors for a restaurant where he the children of this country an opportu- actually designed kulhads to be used nity to correlate our identity and our pride there. A lot of the furniture was built out with wildlife and nature. of cane and bamboo and locally available “People who have seen the video ask material. I can’t also forget my father me, ‘Is all this footage from India?’ And I building a solar basket to heat water in tell them, ‘Absolutely, it’s all ours!’ Our the house. So, it’s these influences that wildlife is visually very engaging and enter- cultivated the relationship that I have with taining. Even our films haven’t explored animals and the environment.” this aspect. It reflects on the fact that many She adds, “They taught me that when- of us in the professions or vocations that ever you use something, think of where we pursue become so cocooned in the idea it’s coming from and where it’s going to of what it should be that we don’t explore go. All items of consumption come from enough. And I think it is time. I hope that nature; that’s a fundamental question that through Born Free Entertainment and every human being should learn about my participation in such work, I can find because we do not associate material pos- narratives that will engage and entertain sessions — whether it’s the homes we live and, at the same time, educate people. It’s in or the materials we build our homes very important to be able to walk the talk. with or the clothes we wear or the jew- If you genuinely love something and +4$+4%'9)'! ellery we wear or anything we use — with express that love, people will find a way $A:%)$ nature. It’s only certain campaigns that to share that with you. have drawn people’s attention to this. For “The anthem goes: Pyaari hai mujhe B!'#9+)&:') instance, now people correlate paper desh ki zameen/Mere desh ki with trees. But the fact is that every sin- zameen/Yahaan na koi kami/Haryaali ki :B!5%)B:! gle item of consumption other than basti hai yahaan/Hawa hawa mein masti papers too, comes from nature. hai yahaan/Kahin sher ver, kahin hiran 4)'! ;')8! “I think Indian culture advocated fru- viran/Kahin ped ghane, ya dhoop kiran. 9+A+4#+44! gality out of this very respect for nature. There is a passage in the middle which But we are living in an era where every- Sunidhi Chauhan has sung. It says, ‘This 81!A!&;:$&+ body is constantly asked to consume, and is my land, this is my world. Just as you the correlation of economic growth is with belong to nature, know that she belongs %:4)4)9&"$ consumption. The question now is, what to you.’ It gives us a sense of ownership, kind of things do you want to consume? which is essential to conservation.” ):%:4'(4$ I have become conscious about not con- Talking about what she loves the most )1%:!!9)+:4 suming single-use plastics. I have become about elephants in particular, the actor conscious about ensuring that the prod- adds, “Their loyalty and gratitude. Human :B%:4:+% ucts I use — whether it’s a make-up prod- beings claim to be the greatest species but uct or other products — are not animal I think elephants might just surpass us in #!:8)1+8+)1 tested and are earth friendly even in their value systems. Unlike us, they never for- packaging. I try to wear as much hand- get to be thankful. They are a matriarchal %:4'5)+:4 crafted and handwoven textile as possi- society. They are very gentle and loving ble because I really think that if you want despite being very big. There’s just too true sustainable development, it has to much to love about animals.” help human lives and help lives that are She does not, however, have a working with nature as opposed to work- favourite animal as almost all of them ing against nature.” were a part of her growing up years. She Summing up her thoughts on India’s says, “I can’t actually think of one because relationship with its wild animals, Dia I remember being fascinated by all. I grew says, “We need to understand that our up in an environment that really cultivat- existence is interdependent with the ed engagement with wildlife and nature. existence of wildlife. They are the bene- So, whether there were cobras that lived factors and they are the ones who ensure in our house and whom I would watch that we have water to drink, food to eat, regularly pass by and never feared or there and clean air to breathe. I always refer to was birdwatching in the morning or the this quote, ‘In the end, we will only pro- first elephant that we painted on the tect what we learn to love.’” ( < D( (/9 3265? 6 2   

he indigenous dhajji that thrive with countless sto- Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha (2015). edly plays out through its dewari timber-framed ries and provide material While Black depicted the intimate claims to space. Tstructures undergirded anchorage to the sense of growth of a young, physically The recent long advertise- by stone and earth infill were identity. While houses essen- challenged girl in amiable ment for Saregama Carvaan, melded with the floor plans tially signify the ‘personal’, edifices such as Woodville a modern electronic version of European Romantic era they simultaneously grow Palace and the Punjab Circuit of the erstwhile humble cottages to issue something into a testimony of the House, Tamasha traced the radio replete with Hindi new, something unseen in ‘social’. Such is their aesthetic journey of a dreamer and film songs of yore, too uses the history of architecture. A diversity that each of them storyteller using another an enchanting ancestral friend and famed Shimla his- contributes to the making of colonial era property perched home, Sunnymead, belong- torian Raaja Bhasin warmly the ‘character’ of Shimla. As a near the town’s famous Christ ing to a dear Shimla friend, labels the cross-currents of word, ‘character’ continually Church. Such is the visual Madhavi Sanghamitra Shimla buildings as “that impregnates the concept of a and affective power of Shimla Bhatia. Deeply sentimental, dearly loved, adopted child hill town, as if the house homes that when you visit the commercial literally — mine, but not mine”. itself urges us to put it on par the Film City in Mumbai conjures the music of living When the celebrated with humans like a sentient (which I did some years ago), in the hills as the passage of traveller of British India, entity. My collection of peo- a ‘Shimla house’ greets you time leads to the loss of a Emily Eden, arrived in ‘Simla’ ple’s personal histories fre- there as well, sequestered in a loved one (a wife and a in the late 1830s for the first quently begins and returns to leafy, elevated corner, and mother who is fond of time, it was after settling in some or the other component made to stand in as a surro- singing) paving way for the her new house Stirling Castle of home: When was it built, gate of a real hill structure. advertised product, with the atop Elysium Hill that she how was it built, which room But along with its visual house imparting its own ele- pronounced the still-nascent provides the best warmth, currency, an archetypal, gant harmony to the har- town “as the best part of which window lends the best imaginary hill home perhaps monies of the transistor. As India”. In her judgment, the view, where did the fireplace also embodies a sense of the music softly lulls the comforts of domesticity exist, when did the particular rhythm that further bespeaks bereaving husband to sleep effortlessly flowered into a table and dinner set get harmony in an almost musi- and sows the seeds of newer larger, general perspective on purchased, and so on. While cal manner. For the intercon- beginnings for the son, the quality and well-being, and it many of these houses belong nected feelings of well-being voiceover concludes with a is this relationship that I still to the rich, a number of and intimacy aren’t just what nod to yaadein (memories) witness in the old-time resi- them are also inhabited by '& "  " 9"  &        = '&    & O& A &     &A = ( < (%%9 *'9  %#; can be seen but also realised emitted by the transistor. dents of Shimla in the con- the middle class, the latter in the mould of a melody. For, after all, it is in the acts temporary age. tracing their ownership to and urban planning wreaks Perhaps their claim to brick and stone chimneys, of the house “guides” us back German writer Goethe’s of memory-making, musical Since the time I turned the fall in the prices post- havoc with its outlandish imagination has to do with and hipped and ridged roofs, into our childhood, and famous maxim, “Music is and otherwise, that the inti- into a cultural ethnographer Independence when buying imagination, these houses the simple fact that they fit which all of us learned to childhood “is certainly liquid architecture; architec- macy of being at home and photographic archivist of or building an individual have entered the realm of into the template of a quin- draw when we were small. As greater than reality”. ture is frozen music”, per- eventually crystallises. my hometown, I have had house with a small, open imagination, evoking cosi- tessential house, complete French philosopher Gaston Cinema often cashes in haps requires a keen consid- '&    &  &% the wonderful privilege of patch wasn’t such an expen- ness, stability, and quietness with gables mirroring the tri- Bachelard beautifully put in on this connection, two fine eration, for it is this equa-  # &  "    entering many different sive venture. Today, as space that are otherwise becoming angles of the background his classic work, The Poetics examples being Sanjay Leela tion that the typical image "" "   & @ "  households of Shimla-waasis shrinks, population explodes, things of the past. mountains, large windows, of Space (1958), the intimacy Bhansali’s Black (2005) and of a highland haven repeat- #" . B
   
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think, how they feel. For instance, the $    '4# way she relates to Ayah, who was always just a servant, but through the course of the novel, she does become more sensi- ##!89    tive to the other woman. And even with respect to Chakarbatty, she starts with         being rather snooty, but by the end of it, she develops sympathy for who he is. She might not express it in a grand gesture   8 8+++  but I have tried to show that she becomes more sensitive.

aman Singh, who is a writer Is the animal imagery — Kitty’s initial Sharp class barriers are created in the and daughter of former description reads like a cat’s — intentional? book only to be undone later. Why? Prime Minister Manmohan The animal imagery was not intentional. The class barriers were very sharp in that Singh, had given readers a It is something that you have picked up on world. What I tried to show was that it is peek into her parents’ lives and it is interesting; I will think about it. possible for two individuals to cross those Din her last book, Strictly Personal: Maybe it was there on a subconscious level. barriers. It can be done at an individual Manmohan and Gursharan. Now, she is level, even though you couldn’t do it on a back with a book — Kitty’s War — that Why did you choose this particular societal level. deals with the direct as well as indirect period in history — World War II? impact of World War II on colonial I was never interested in history as a stu- Why do you call the town Peepli? India. It was not a natural inclination dent; I found it very boring. And for most My previous book — a novel called The towards India’s history that led the of my adult life, it meant nothing to me. Sacred Grove — had a village called Pipri. author to this book, though. It was dur- It’s only when I started working on my last So, I just changed it a little bit and never ing a discussion with her parents for her book, which was a biography of my par- thought about it. In it, I have tried to give previous book that Daman got an ents, and when I started asking them the flavour of either a large village or a account of what it was like to grow up about their lives, that the history of those small town. So, it could be any place real- at the time of World War II. And that times became real for me. It was not just ly. I didn’t make it a special place. made her want to find out more. The a textbook with names and places that you author talks about the process of writ- had to mug up. It was then that I got real- Do the Railways serve as a metaphor ing this book and the random associa- ly interested in history. Of course, this is in your book for the conflict between war tions she made while choosing names of modern history. I am still not very inter- and development? characters in the narrative. She also tells ested in other kinds of history. And what When I started research for my book, I us that for her next book, she is planning fascinated me was, of course, not what the found out that one of the services that was to research on how mental asylums func- Government was doing or what the big badly affected by the war was the Railways. tion and what Governments do to help leaders were doing. But what ordinary That’s why I zeroed in on it. Because it gave patients admitted there. people were doing — how did they me a chance to express what was going on. think? How did they feel? How did they At that time, our colonial Government was In the first few paragraphs of the novel, deal with such complex and difficult (< D( (/9 starved of funds because all resources were you describe the protagonist, Kitty, things that were going on? So, I was real- being pumped into the war. So, there was almost like a cat — soft and little, seek- ly interested in that aspect. And I think The role of Japan brings out the fact that men into the ‘public world’? a general slowdown in administration; any ing comfort, unsuccessfully trying to some of it comes into this book as well. the war was not just being fought in I hope not (laughs)! I hope I didn’t create new project would be shut down or put on shut out the outside world. Why do you While talking to my father about his Europe, far away and in parts of Africa; the this gender barrier. I think Kitty as a per- hold. The Railways, which was about a 100 call her Kitty? childhood — when he was a boy attend- war was practically at our doorstep. The son was just more inward-looking. And I years old then, was a growing industry. The My answer to that is actually very silly ing school in Peshawar — he said he threat was real. From what I have read, all think she was somewhat protected from war meant they had to stop any expansion, (laughs). When I was growing up, I had would often listen to the radio and fol- along the East Coast, we had ‘built up’. I the war, or from what was going on in the hold new projects, repairs were delayed, a cook book written by an Anglo-Indian, low the news of World War II. And at that mean, the Army was on alert to deal with world. So that’s why she is not affected by equipment was getting faulty or overaged Kitty Riddle. And that name just stuck time, I thought to myself, “What does an invasion. It was a real threat. And it’s it in the same way that Jonathan is. because they could not replace it on time. in my head. So, when I was thinking of World War II have to do with us?” So, not something that is written about much. But what I found really startling was a name for my book, it just popped out. after I recorded that interview, and I had The novel ends around August 1942. But What kind of war is Kitty involved in? that the war was on in, say Africa, and And without even thinking, I named the to research the time and period, I start- in December that year, I think, Calcutta We are talking about the war that is bogies and tracks were being sent there main person Kitty Riddle. I didn’t even ed reading about what World War II was actually bombed! This is again some- going on inside her mind, where she is from India. I found this really bizarre. You consider other alternatives. Some people meant for India. And it was really a sort thing I had no clue about — I thought to being pulled in different directions. She have railway tracks in India, and the said, “Why such a common name? You of revelation — I had no idea. Firstly, the myself: “In World War II, we were feels that England is home, but she is liv- Government thinks, “Oh well, these are could have used something more military aspect. You know, India actual- bombed? Nobody told me that!” ing in India. She connects with every- not particularly important tracks. So, unique.” But somehow Kitty Riddle was ly played a big role for the allies. And thing that is British, but her upbringing uproot them and send them out.” So, the already in my mind. I don’t even switch then, of course, the social and econom- ',,89/*+ Kitty struggles with the fact that has not really exposed her to what is Railways, too, went through a lot of tur- to using Katherine in the novel. Because ic aspect. I decided then that this is what Jonathan is too preoccupied with India. So, she is living in a bubble. And moil. Coming back to the book, Kitty is it was part of the culture to use nick I want to write about. (   the war to write love letters to her. it’s through the course of the book that a railway girl; they affect her father as he names. But of course, she needed a prop- / 
 $: ; Is that an attempt to show how at the she actually starts understanding a lit- is a rail fanatic. And when he sees what er name also. So, I have mentioned Can you shed some light on the role time of war, most women are forced tle more — not very much — about what is happening, he is heartbroken. That’s Katherine only once or twice. of Japan in our colonial past? into the ‘private world’ and most Indians around her are like, how they how it enters her world. 8 22<>

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     ntelligence gathering these days is not all care- democracy. ing for neglect, stagnation and in their transport company, the National Logistics    5  1  ful-not-to-squeak “gum shoe”. The old style Intelligence plays a more stunting. Prime Minister Morarji Cell. The vehicles on their return to Karachi from      I“private detective”, overcoat and hat pulled inward-looking and repressive Desai actively cut R&AW down- the NWFP would carry processed heroin for     down low over the brow, has acquired a lot of sup- role in totalitarian regimes and to-size. Prime Minister Rajiv global shipment.” Other stringent American laws     O     plementaries. The two world wars ushered in the dictatorships. The history of Gandhi revived its fortunes crack down on drugs, but so what?   

   breaking of secret-code ciphers, and monitoring of organisations such as the KGB somewhat; even as Prime The Soviets were no slouches in the espionage +  1 
   Ham Radio frequencies. Spying became as much (Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Minister PV Narasimha Rao game either. In the days of the Cold War, they put    O  an HQ expert feature as the agent in the field. Bezopasnosti) in the erstwhile more or less ignored it. money and effort into India to try and expose      '       Speed is of the essence now to thwart threats, USSR (Union of Soviet Prime Minister Narendra “the CIA hand”. The much talked about second   (
     increasingly from terrorism with a nuclear over- Socialist Republics), the STASI Modi has a healthy respect for volume of the Mitrokhin papers has nearly 17,000    (1  
  hang. The tools at hand have multiplied. There is (State Security or State Security intelligence and has demonstrated stories planted in the Indian media between 1972    (    HUMINT — Human Intelligence; received from Service) in the former East it with the prominence given to and 1975. But of course, as India has changed and 
 +      both trans-border and undercover resources, and Germany, SAVAK in pre-revo- the National Security Adviser, Ajit grown into an emerging economic power, and the          still, in 2018, probably the best way for qualified lutionary Iran, Egypt’s Doval, a former spy himself. PM USSR has collapsed into history, the chess pieces professionals good at finding nuggets amongst Mukhabarat, all point to “the Modi has gone out of his way to have had to be rearranged. The Chinese too have “unprocessed intelligence”. There is also OSINT — midnight knock” purpose of arrange for international intelli- become increasingly important players in the 64)2)= that which comes through third countries who intelligence gathering. gence sharing particularly to pre- world intelligence community. !5   ,)3&&('&44*      1 2 have access to target countries. TECHINT, mean- “Enemies of the State”, a code vent Islamic terrorism and eco- According to Sood: “They freely use diplomat- ing technical intelligence gathered from snooping phrase for dissidence, had such 56 nomic offences and absconders. ic cover in missions abroad, deploy their defence devices, voice transcripts, recordings, and increas- unfortunates jailed, tortured Intelligence, it appears, is almost attachés and use journalists.” They also infiltrate 8EC  ingly the social media. There is satellite and photo and eliminated. %  $ 77 invariably run from the top eche- academia, defence manufacturers and even the    $  ( surveillance/reconnaissance — IMINT. COMINT In terms of international lons of the political pile. Vikram CIA itself, using their ethnic Chinese employees   (     — from monitoring communications and conver- espionage, the most extensive Sood’s book takes the reader on a whose sympathies can be aroused. Chinese  (  4    sations. ELINT — radar and electronic intelli- and well-funded is certainly the CIA (Central tour of the world’s intelligence services and their Intelligence sponsors a number of think tanks in         3   gence-intercepts, decrypted cipher messages, topo- Intelligence Agency). Other admired and dreaded modus operandi, using an elegant prose to do it. China via its Ministry of State Security (MSS), ( ( graphical information. Intelligence organizations such as Israel’s Mossad For example, Sood describes the American most useful in reciprocal interchanges with other        
   Is there just too much information being gen- and Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) are collaboration with the Pakistanis in his chapter think tanks and in the ever popular “Track II         erated to afford timely analysis? The author of partially CIA trained. Of course, the fanatical dedi- on the ‘Asian Playing Fields’: “Apart from the Diplomacy”. Since everything is state owned, how-      ( this book, Vikram Sood, former R&AW cation to ideology and country, observed in the money generated by the Americans and the ever, all roads in China do lead to Beijing. Vikram       (Research and Analysis Wing) Chief who retired Mossad and ISI, make them much harder to infil- Saudis, opium cultivation in Afghanistan and the Sood narrates tale after tale of string-pulling and   )    in 2003 after 31 years in intelligence, thinks it is trate. processing of opium into heroin in Pakistan was shadow-boxing around the rich and influential  $   %   best suited to developing and executing medium In India, the true mother of external intelli- encouraged to finance the war…. By 1990 the secret societies of the world, with profound effects  !      to long-term strategies. This book, written in a gence was Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her region accounted for 70 per cent of the total glob- on the future course of events.   (        
 rich anecdotal style, certainly affords an insight, legendary R&AW Chief RN Kao. Subsequent al production….The CIA would deliver weapons '& 
      )  "     3        6 particularly on the operability of the process in a administrations took a less supportive view, mak- at Karachi and the ISI would carry them inland )  "

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his year it was not the Ecologically Sensitive Zone. shoulder to the Gadgil report, previous experiences of havocs Sadeesan, MLA of North Tmighty ancient king The Gadgil report recom- maybe another story of vote created by floods, the country Paravur, one of the worst- Mahabali who visited his sub- mends immediate steps to bank politics. has “Water Control Boards” affected areas, said, “There jects during the festive days of address the issue of a serious And Kerala decided to which are local government wouldn’t have been so many Onam, but an unfortunate del- deficit in environmental gov- bypass the suggestions of bodies who maintain the com- casualties if the Government uge embraced Kerala. Tens of ernance all over the Western Gadgil and decided to declare plex system of managing the had followed all procedures.” thousands were directly affect- Ghats. It states, “Western Ghats all human settlements in the ditches, dams, reservoirs, CPI(M) MLA Raju ed when incessant downpour region, acres of Cardamom Western Ghats outside ecosen- canals and pumping stations. Abraham said even before any forced the State Government to Plantations, has been classified sitive zone, as legal. With their foresight and tech- warning, Ranni in open floodgates of 33 brimful as forest land.” The report also nological developments, they Pathnamthitta had started dams resulting in the overflow asserts, “Idukki dam does not Improper precautionary are able to keep a check on the flooding, adding there were of all major rivers, causing even have a spillway for allow- measures dangerous threat posed by lapses in the opening of shut- severe flood. Particular areas ing monsoon spills into the There are 44 rivers in floods. Taking the cue from ters of various dams. Even experienced landslides which river.” It further said, “A large Kerala. The State manages 82 them, Kerala too should have Wayanad CPM district secre- crumbled houses and hopes of number of farmhouses and dams and reservoirs. And this construction policies especial- tary P Gagarin said there were people in the twinkling of an resort projects are being set up year till August 26, the State ly in lowlands and other strin- complaints that people were eye. all over the Western Ghats on received 2396.3 mm of rainfall. gent measures adapted to meet not informed properly before- The weather department land holdings ranging from 10 (See chart) the catastrophe. hand. issued red alerts in all 14 dis- acre to 500 acre. Foreseeing the annual cli- If the Kerala Government tricts of the State which were Developmental activities asso- matic events, we should have a truly wished to lessen the effect Conclusion paralysed by floods leading to ciated with these projects are flood area mapping and prop- of floods, dam reservoirs No one can foil nature’s loss of life and resources, dam- fury, but a timely and concert- aging homes, schools, hospitals, *,-
)'$G)+#:+ :+*%%$E% '#9%%$E% #:$+%&C%#+*# ed efforts can attenuate the shops, etc. H99I H99I HJI effects. As the whole State is recov- The weekend home in the ering from the terrible shock, 955'Q1 E(=D? E(@DC O >I  Western Ghats are more lavish the blame game has already Western Ghats were a dense Ghats: A post-Independence tion in per capita Income. "44'! >(*=@ @ >(@@@ > EC 4 and energy-consuming than a begun. Some point a finger at jungle, an undisturbed abode story Average floor area occu- city home; this is not luxury, it the State Government for its for wild elephants and tigers. Post Independence, we pied per person is a matter of !4"'9 >(?== D E(ODC ? ?=  is actually extravaganza which poor dam management, many Tea plantation became a major took the baton from colonial- concern when a major portion +$'""+ @(*** * E(D*E = I> 9 should be curtailed. The dif- others accuse the Central activity transforming the entire ists and resumed with double of the nine districts are eco- "!#:$ >(>D= E >(OCI O E> 4 ference between colonial Government of not supporting landscape of the forest into their speed the work to destroy logically sensitive. exploitation of the Western the State adequately. The moot manicured tea gardens. Further Western Ghats to the core. Consumerism, which has its ":99 E(*=I @ E(C@D I *>  Ghats and the exploitation question is: Did we miss to find in 1907, Harrisons & Crosfield, Most of the biodiverse forest roots in the British industrial ":))& >(@C= E(*@E E *E  post-Independence can be sim- out the root cause of these which was set up as Tea Traders areas were destroyed for build- revolution of the 18th century, ":Q1+":$ >(DID >(>*C ? >I  ply put as: the former were can- calamities? in Liverpool, bought and estab- ing big concrete structures for has intruded the indigenous did enough and straightfor- Kerala had been warned lished Malayalam Plantations resorts and hotels and for culture of Kerala and has now 955'! >(O@= > E(=OE I *C  ward in its destruction, while several times by various Indian Limited. With the birth of growing crops, such as coffee, resulted in people spending 59""$ >(>D* O E(@>E = =@ 9 the latter cited “development” ecologists, academicians, plantation in the areas in the cinchona, sisal, cardamom, more on building big palatial as a reason to justify the thinkers and writers that it 19th century, what was once a and, of course, tea. Now for houses, imposing hotels and 5)14)1+)) E(IOD E(@*= * ?*  destruction of nature. should take care of the Western dense forest with many endem- more than half a century, resorts. )1+!'A44)15'!IOO = O=> E ??  With a large and growing Ghats, a mountain range which ic flora and fauna became an Harrisons Malayalam has The mass construction of )1!+'! >(C== O E(D>? > E? 4 population, there is unques- stretches through nine dis- open tourist destination. grown through the acquisi- big houses without considering tionable need for space, tricts of Kerala and is one of the In fact, the deforestation of tion of smaller companies and the ecological sensitivity of the 8&4$ >(DD? * >(>DE @ >O  resources and money. But eight hottest hotspots of bio- the Ghats by the British had individual estates, and is area concerned is ominous. '+%
#%&%$$+*&*)+50256./52@40(@99 should we stop caring for the logical diversity in the world. started considerably earlier. In crowned as one of the largest From an ancient culture which '*#:L $-%+'#''&:%-C%#+9$+ balance between consumerism But the warnings were ignored. view of the growing deficien- establishments in the Western considered both man and and eco-sustenance? The systematic destruction of cy of oak in England, they Ghats. nature as the manifestation of When an expert like the Western Ghats has serious depended on a permanent sup- The company has ten tea the Supreme and thus advo- Gadgil, after thorough studies, consequences, threatening to ply of teak timber from estates with a plantation area of cated living in harmony, we are calls “Kerala floods 2018” a drown Kerala. The destruction Malabar, writes EP Stebbing in about 6,000 hectare and 12 tea slowly moving towards a life of roads, terracing, vegetation er strict regulations for con- should have been relatively man-made disaster, shouldn’t of the Western Ghats has a his- his book The Forests of India, factories. Kannan Devan Hills consumerist pleasure which cutting, construction and land- structions in and around the emptied. Kerala has two rainy we launch a probe into the tory, which began way back London 1922. Plantations Company Private has no space to care for our scaping, all proving dangerous flood expected areas. seasons: the Southwest mon- floods? We are left with two from pre-Independence peri- Colonial offspring, not Limited, which is another pio- planet or its inhabitants. to biodiversity.” Places like Kuttanad in soon and the Northeast mon- options now: Either go to the od. committed to this land or its neer in tea plantation, has a The Syro-Malabar Catholic Alleppey district have the low- soon. This means that even if root causes, fix it properly, resources, are destroying nature total area of 23,783 hectare, all Repudiating Western Ghats Church, the State’s largest est altitude in our country and Kerala loses some amount of make necessary precautions Colonial roots of and it is obvious that colonial- located in the high ranges of protection proposals church which accounts for the flood due to rain is not an water during Southwest based on comparative studies Western Ghats destruction ism has only looted and the Western Ghats. Western Ghats Ecology maximum number of people uncommon affair. However, Monsoon, the State could com- and technology; or hail the post JD Munro, a colonial spin- destroyed the lands under its To our utmost surprise, Expert Panel under the lead- inhabiting the Western Ghats, the place still follows the same pensate with the rainwater flood rhetorics! off and lawyer employed under rule. But did we think that the Kerala now leads the nation in ership of Madhav Dhananjaya strongly opposed the Gadgil old construction models. from Northeast Monsoon. then Travancore Government destruction of the Western floor area per capita but as per Gadgil submitted its detailed report. The State even wit- Netherlands is a country “Preparedness of the State (The writers are Kerala- in 1877, bought nearly 600 Ghats stopped, if not abruptly, the Ministry of Statistics & report to preserve the Western nessed a massive protest by the which faces the same issue of was zero during the floods,” based researchers with keen kilometres of land in the post-Independence? Really! Programme Implementation Ghats on August 31, 2011. Church against the report. flood control as about two- says Prof Amita Singh, chair- interest in science, philosophy Western Ghats and started tea of the Government of India, The report clearly spotlighted Kerala’s then Government and thirds of its area is vulnerable person of Special Centre for and the study of Indian civili- plantation. Till then, the Consumerism in Western Kerala stands at the 16th posi- the Western Ghats as an the Opposition gave a cold to flooding. Learning from Disaster Research, JNU. VD sation)

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he long-awaited Counter Terror with Modi’s “Act East” policy of building Washington cannot guarantee New Delhi adverse impact on relations with either sentiments of the Islamic identity by peaceful ways. THomeland Security Plan draft between on India’s relations with countries to the a special waiver from sanctions if it buys Russia, Iran or China are not going to have harping on the issue of numerical pre- During the last two decades, the the US and India is a welcome sign towards east. An informal quadrilateral system with new weapons from Moscow. Schriver a place in the strategic policy formulation ponderance has helped certain terrorist increasing drug smuggling and the nexus developing international cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region’s major democra- said in reference to the US Congress grant- in the present scenario. organisations in creating base for its between drug smugglers and terrorists fighting transnational terrorism. cies — India, the US, Japan and Australia ing powers to the President to waive sanc- Another area which requires attention claims and fighting proxy war for quite have posed a serious problem to the inter- The September 6 meeting between the — is also developing. While the dialogue tion had created a misconception that is chemical weapons in the possession of some time. nal state-security networks and com- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was focused on strategic and Defence Washington would not impose sanctions terrorists. Actually chemical weapons are The question now arises is whether the pelled various nations to organise them- Defence Secretary James Mattis, and issues, there have been signs of stress in on New Delhi. normally not easily detectable and are eas- anti-terrorist operations are merely a selves and wage a relentless war against India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma the trade and services sectors. Before the “I would say that’s a bit misleading,” ily transportable compared with conven- work of simple police and paramilitary net- them. But mere implementation of vigor- Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala start of the dialogue, the Indian media Schriver said in a speech at the Carnegie tional weapons. International cooperation work or that of a special force trained for ous drug laws cannot become effective Sitharaman in New Delhi has provided a talked about the possibility of the US Endowment For International Peace in in terms of forming strict laws and regu- counter-terrorist activities? The deploy- unless the judicial procedure is modified much needed impetus to work out a new imposing sanctions against India if it Washington as reported by AFP. “We lations that prevent acquisition of such ment of special forces in countering ter- for ensuring speedy trials. The concept that security roadmap in enhancing the bought S-400 Triumf air Defence missile would still have very significant concerns chemical weapons can provide a strategic rorist activities has become a reality in one man’s terrorist can be another man’s Defence capabilities and dealing with system from Russia. India will acquire five if India pursued major new platforms and management in dealing with nuclear ter- many countries. In this regard, the expe- freedom fighter must be done away with; most obnoxious form of modern threat missile systems worth over 40,000 crore systems from Russia. I can’t sit here and rorism. The forthcoming cooperation may rience of different countries can help. For local populace should cooperate with law that is terrorism. and the talks are in advanced stage with tell you that they would be exempt, that also develop a foolproof mechanism to put example, the way West German Police enforcement machinery even at the cost The initiation of multi-layered secu- Russia and the deal may be announced we would use that waiver.” an end to the accessibility to Cyclotric defeated terrorist faction, the way the of personal misery; and prompt and strict rity cooperation which is better known as before summit talks between President He said the prospect of India buying Methylene Trinitrate (RDX), Erythritol French Army took measures to improve decisions should be undertaken by vari- Indo-US 2+2 talks was planned during Vladimir Putin and Modi in October. India the S-400 missile system from Russia is Tetranitrate ( Penta ) and sophisticated their anti-terrorist capabilities need to be ous nations for controlling terrorist psy- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to put forth its views on the proposed mis- “troubling” for the US. weapons like AK 56 and AK 47 assault rifles. studied. The Italian Police too had to com- chologically. In changing environment the the US in 2017. The strategic dilogue — sile deal with Russia and conveyed to the Against this backdrop, India has been Besides, the revolution in communi- bat large-scale terrorist violence from new- security apparatus and police need to slated to be held in April, but was post- US that it is going ahead with the contract trying its best to impress upon the US cation network, growth of international fascist groups and the Left-wing challenges diversify its activities by bringing togeth- poned because of changes in the leader- as India needs the missile systems to bol- about its regional security environment, its narcotic trade spread through the Golden of the Red Brigades. It is commendable er technical and professional expertise ship of the State Department after Rex ster its air Defence system. This comes decades old strategic and Defence ties with Triangle on the borders of Myanmar, Laos that the US security and Intelligence net- based on many decades of experience in Tillerson resigned and Pompeo was in the against the backdrop of the US imposing Russia and assert that New Delhi will move and Thailand and golden Crescent through work avoided any further terrorist attack maintaining internal security. In this process of taking over — is a centrepiece military sanctions against Russia under the forward with the proposed contract. The the network of Afghanistan and Pakistan after September 11. regard the most crucial thing is to devel- of the growing ties between the US and Countering America’s Adversaries US was also apprised of the fact that India have posed new forms of threat. The coop- India can learn a lesson or two from op capability to anticipate security needs. India as Washington wants to scale up rela- Through Sanctions Act(CAATSA) some has almost finalised the deal with Russia eration in policing dealing with drug traf- this. Unless we develop a high-level Against the backdrop of various threats tions by extending the strategic vision from months back. and there is not going back on it at this ficking will provide a strong mechanism Intelligence network to anticipate any such looming large, it is to be admitted that the the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. The act allows the US Administration stage, sources said. to crack the nexus between terrorists and threats, the talk of combating strategies 2+2 dialogue is a pragmatic move. The Outlining the new approach, Tillerson to punish entities and countries engaging Clarifying India’s stand on the CAAT- drug dealers. The increasing cases of drug would only remain chimera. In addition remarkable scholarships, phenomenology said last year that India and the US were in significant transactions with the Defence SA, Sitharaman in June this year had said peddling and their support to terrorists to strict anti-terrorist acts, some kinds of and decision-making process adopted by “two bookends of stability on either side or Intelligence establishment of Russia. it is an American law and not a United and subversive activities have compelled positive programmes which can replace the people who make difference in strate- of the globe”. “We need to collaborate with However, the US Congress on August 1 Nations law, and India has conveyed its the Government to enforce drug laws vig- the frustration of terrorists can prove effec- gic policy orientation of India undoubted- India to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is granted President Donald Trump and position on the issue to the US. orously and promptly. This can become tive. There is also a need to promote open ly present a holistic and analytical view on increasingly a place of peace, stability, and Pompeo the power to waive sanctions. There has been a major paradigm shift highly effective if the speedy and proper institutions, including political institution, the need for immediate attention in the field growing prosperity — so that it does not However, the matter gained urgent in nations’ foreign policy outlook. trail is ensured. to absorb the ethnic, religious and polit- of strategic modernisation. become a region of disorder, conflict and currency in India as days before the 2+2 Countries of the world have become How to frame a strategy dealing with ical pressure and allow them (the radicals) predatory economics,” he said in a refer- talks was to begin, Pentagon’s assistant sec- more pragmatic in dealing with others and religiously misled terrorists and nip it in to vent their feelings in a proper way. This (The author is a Chandigarh-based ence to China’s role in the region. retary of Defence for Asian and Pacific started having one to one relationships. the bud will be main challenge. There have will change their mind and thus encour- Professor of Political Science and an expert Washington approach also meshes Security Affairs Randall Schriver said that Therefore the apprehension of having been a number of cases to ignite religious age them to settle their differences in some on strategic affairs) 
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-! he guessing game is on over the number of Lok Sabha seats 7   that will go in the kitty of the BJP and the Congress. 1!+14"!A& According to some surveys, the BJPT might face losses, while the Congress is in for some gains. Union Minister and RPI leader, Ramdas Athawale, has been reiterating that the BJP will lose some seats. But in the same breath, he predicts that the NDA will form the Government and only Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister. This has, however, made one thing clear: The BJP and its alliance partners are apprehensive that they are going to lose some seats. On the other hand, the Congress believes it will gain only what the BJP loses. The Congress leaders — on the basis of internal and media houses’ sur- veys — feel that the BJP will lose around 100 seats, and if this happens, the Congress will gain more than half of that ie more than 50 seats. The Congress feels that 50 to 60 seats belonging to the BJP will come to it and the rest will go to the alliance partners. If the BJP loses in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, the Congress will benefit directly, while the BJP’s loss in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will be a boost for the SP, BSP, and RJD. Apart from this, if the equation of seats changes, the regional parties will benefit. For example, in Tamil Nadu, the DMK’s loss will be the AIADMK’s gain.   P     here is no tradition of setting up a Tcore committee in the Congress, especially for elections. But this time is different; the party has formed a core committee nine months prior to polls. Apart from that, a campaign committee and manifesto committee have also been set up. It is being said that the nine-mem- ber core committee will be solely respon- sible for coordination during elections. leaders will be given separate responsibili- to stop them from joining any alliance FIR has been filed only to target Sonia’s seems that he doesn’t want the Assembly The Congress is mostly worried ties. For example, for some time now, against the BJP. Some regional stalwarts son-in-law, Robert Vadra. Along with Elections along with the Lok Sabha polls. about pre-poll alliances before the next Ahmed Patel has been talking to Mamata. say the Central Government will not take Vadra, BS Hooda is also named in the It is noteworthy that in Telangana, both Lok Sabha Elections. Many regional ksha- When the TMC chief came to Delhi, he any action against them in the election FIR. If police takes action on the basis of elections are held simultaneously. trapas are not ready to surrender before went to meet her, and it was Patel who had year as it is bound to have repercussions the FIR, then the Congress might face In Telangana, elections are sched- the Congress. In the Hindi belt and even communicated to Mamata to cancel the for the Government too. Arrest of any problems before the elections. The case uled for next April and May, but KCR in North-Eastern States, regional parties meeting of the Opposition parties she had Dalit, Backward, or tribal leader or raids might be handed over to the CBI like wants elections this December. If he rec- consider themselves bigger than the arranged on August 30, as the Opposition on them will only lead to sympathy for other land scams of Haryana. ommends the dissolution of the Congress. So, although they are gearing leaders had to go to Chennai to attend the them and this will not be good for the It must be noted that the Assembly Assembly right now, then the Election )% 
 up for tie-ups, very few seats will be allot- prayer meeting for M Karunanidhi. BJP. On the other hand, the BJP sources Elections might be held in Haryana Commission might conduct polls along       ted to the Congress. The Congress lead- Sources in the Congress say Ghulam say the Central agencies might take along with Lok Sabha polls next year. with the four States where elections are ;,5  )% ers say it is not feasible for Rahul Gandhi Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel will talk to action only to shift focus to corruption. Before that, there is buzz that BS Hooda scheduled at the end of this year. to talk about alliances everywhere. leaders of UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand. All Levelling of corruption charges against will be given command of the Congress. It might be that KCR is apprehensive      In almost all States, Rahul has regional leaders like Lalu Prasad, Akhilesh the Opposition leaders is the only way to Hooda has been on a Jan Kranti Yatra of the BJP, despite showing an inclination ;,5    appointed relatively low-profile leaders as Yadav, Mayawati, and Hemant Soren hold divert attention from Rafael and other and is getting good support. towards it. At the same time, he is also in-charges. While Shaktisinh Gohil has them in high regard. In the same manner, issues. Probably this is why Robert Vadra In the FIR, Vadra’s name appears as worried about the Congress and TDP. ECC (    been given charge of Bihar, RPN Singh AK Antony and Chidambaram will hold is in the news again. It took four years to he is the director of Sky Light People are saying that the TDP and  ( % has been made responsible for party alliance talks in five southern States. It is register an FIR against Vadra, which also Hospitality. What is interesting is that Congress are going for an alliance in affairs in Jharkhand. Gaurav Gogoi’s under the same strategy that Rahul has names former CM of Haryana, names of two more companies are in the Telangana. They feel that if the Assembly      appointment as the in-charge of West appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as the Bhupinder Singh Hooda. They allegedly FIR, but the names of their directors are Elections are held along with the Lok   ( (  Bengal raised a few eyebrows. Let alone in-charge for Maharashtra. bought land at a throwaway price, not mentioned. And that is why Vadra Sabha polls, there might be communal Mamata Banerjee, even the Congress changed its land use, and then sold it at a says this is only political vendetta. polarisation. The BJP might benefit in *C  )% leaders are not giving much importance         high price. It is to be seen who will be in both elections owing to Modi. If the fight    *C OC  to Gogoi. That is why it is being said that ill the Central Government take the line of fire next. O     P turns out to be four-or three-cornered, Rahul has formed the core committee at Waction against the Opposition lead- he Chief Minister of Telangana, K then there is a chance of a hung     ;,5 the behest of Sonia Gandhi. ers in the election year? Sources say that        TChandrashekar Rao, has been tilting Assembly. It seems that KCR has been     The committee comprises leaders like most of the regional leaders have become ome people are questioning the towards Modi and the BJP. He has gearing up for elections for a long time Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, and P apprehensive over this. It is being said Smotive and timing of the FIR in the promised that he would support the BJP and now wants to jump into the fight by      Chidambaram. There is buzz that all these that the kshatrapas are being threatened Haryana land deal case. They say the after elections, if the need arises. But it giving a jolt to the Opposition. )   Q   R

hinese President Xi and other problems. The initia- Jinping recently pledged   S        TOC 
      
 tive involves hundreds of pro- C$60 billion in financing jects, most of them built by for projects in Africa in the       (%     N   O  Chinese contractors and form of assistance, investment financed by loans from Chinese and loans, as China furthers state-owned banks, across an arc efforts to link the continent’s  !P-   provide African countries of 65 countries from the South economic prospects to its own.   "-  with $60 billion in funding Pacific through Asia to Africa Speaking to a gathering of that Xi said had either been and the Middle East. African leaders in Beijing, Xi   !
" ! delivered or arranged. In a major blow to China’s said the figure includes $15 bil- !'     Xi also promoted Beijing’s ambitions, Malaysia recently can- lion in grants, interest-free   ! ! ! initiative to build ports and celed Chinese-financed projects loans, and concessional loans,  ! ! other infrastructure as a tool for worth more than $20 billion, $20 billion in credit lines, $10 “common prosperity” in a world saying they were unnecessary billion for “development financ- 
 (  facing challenges from trade and would create an unsustain- ing”, and $5 billion to buy  !! !A protectionism. Addressing busi- able debt burden. Deeply indebt- imports from Africa. In addi- )  '
  nesspeople prior to the formal ed Pakistan is also reportedly tion, he said China will encour- -
opening of the Forum on reconsidering some projects in age companies to invest at least China-Africa Cooperation, Xi the multi-billion dollar China- $10 billion in Africa over the ''-!   said the ‘Belt and Road’ initia- Pakistan Economic Corridor that next three years.  !  tive will expand markets. He is a key link in the BRI. China’s outreach to Africa - !    tried to mollify concern that The Beijing forum brings aims to build trade, investment, Beijing wants to build strategic together leaders from China and and political ties with a conti-  !! ! influence, promising Chinese more than 50 African countries. nent often seen as overlooked by '' '  investment comes with “no Dozens of African leaders met the US and other Western political strings attached”. with Xi ahead of the conference. nations. That has provided “Unilateralism and protec- Xi made no mention of the lucrative opportunities for mit, South African President tionism are on the rise. political and debt concerns that Chinese businesses, while Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a Economic growth lacks robust overshadow some BRI projects. African nations are often happy stinging rebuttal to criticism of drive,” Xi said in a speech. But Chinese officials previously to accept China’s offers that China’s development aid in “China-Africa cooperation have rejected accusations that come without demands for safe- Africa. Ramaphosa said the under the BRI is a way to com- projects leave host countries too guards against corruption, waste meeting “refutes the view that a mon prosperity that brings ben- deeply indebted to Chinese and environmental damage. lion at the previous summit in on specific projects, although Xi agricultural experts to Africa, new colonialism is taking hold efits to both our peoples.” lenders. Xi said, “China does China has denied engaging South Africa three years ago. Xi said China was planning initia- and providing scholarships, in Africa, as our detractors African and other Asian not interfere in Africa’s internal in “debt trap” diplomacy, and earlier said the money came tives in eight areas, including vocational training, and trade would have us believe”. leaders have welcomed ‘Belt and affairs and does not impose its Xi’s offer of more money comes with “no political strings providing $147 million in emer- promotion opportunities. China’s latest pledge comes Road’ but some projects have own will on Africa.” after a pledge of another $60 bil- attached”. No details were given gency food aid, sending 500 During a speech at the sum- on top of a 2015 promise to prompted complaints about debt '& % '  )& 
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major exhibition exploring the diverse dress codes of AMuslims, and the first of its kind dedicated to displaying Islamic culture within a fashion context, is to open this month. From the launch of Vogue Arabia to Uniqlo and Dolce & Gabbana branching into modest fashion lines, Islamic style has become a burgeoning global market in recent years — and a profitable one, too. Figures from Thomson Reuters forecast that the global fash- ion spend by Muslims will reach $373bn (£288bn) by 2022. Focusing on — though not limited to — clothing aimed at Muslim women, Contemporary Muslim the role of head coverings, sportswear Fashions will take over San Francisco’s — including Aheda Zanetti’s contro- de Young museum from September 22, versial burkini, which was temporarily and aims to shine a light on the evolu- banned from some French beaches — tion of Islamic style via Nike hijabs, and showing custom designs from online influencers and couture gowns. couturiers including Oscar De La The show opens with an explo- Renta and Yves Saint Laurent, ration of modesty, incidentally a fash- designed to accommodate religious ion buzzword of recent years thanks considerations. These include pieces to the increased interest of western which ensure heads, sleeves and cleav- retailers and designers. It focuses on ages are covered. /
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heresa May has said she did not enjoy watching the BBC drama TBodyguard, which focused on the relationship between a Rightwing Home Secretary and her personal pro- tection officer. The Prime Minister switched off after 20 minutes of the first episode and told reporters while visiting Africa that she preferred watching programmes that were not so close to home. “I watch TV to /)&>%+* ,+*5 unwind,” May said. “I’m not sure a drama about a female Home Secretary is the best way for me to do that.” The PM is a fan of the American police ))18;99        B 64#  show NCIS, The Great British Bake Off, and Strictly Come Dancing — a notable choice given the mixed recep- protection officer — David Budd, B
 (  
 (  (       tion for her dancing at a South played by Richard Madden — a war African school, where she joined in veteran bitterly opposed to her politics. he dog days of August used Corsini. His wife, the redoubtable into ‘A woman and her mobile’, and with teachers and parents shortly after Hawes said she had looked to Amber to be the deadest time of Principessa Giorgiana, is a key fixture featured the following lyrics: “Tells me her arrival on Tuesday morning. Rudd for inspiration rather than May, year, at least for glamorous of the festival often spied dancing on ti amo /On Instagram-o / Spelling is In Bodyguard, Keeley Hawes plays partly because Rudd was Home social gatherings. But thanks table-tops until the small hours. dodgy /Mostly emoji.’ Julia Montague, a Conservative MP Secretary at the time of filming. “We’re to three bright young musi- Lady Marina Windsor, 25, grand- Even the Royal family came in for who supported military intervention in not playing Amber Rudd. That wasn’t Tcians, that has suddenly all changed. daughter of the Duke of Kent and a some ribaldry during a song dedicated Iraq and wants to restrict civil liberties what we were going to do. But she’s a Now, on the last weekend of summer, cousin of The Queen, has spent the to the Corsinis — “May we salute thee / by updating phone-tapping legislation, very good example. She was brilliant people pack their bags for Florence for summer working backstage here. Principe Filippo / You have more grace but ends up in a relationship with her for me to research,” Hawes said. a four-day extravaganza of opera, Another of the Queen’s cousins, Flora / than the Prince Philip we know.” dance music, and high society party- Ogilvy, 23, co-hosted a dinner party for A vital ingredient is the Corsini ing. The New Generation Festival was 70 with Count Julian Solms, at his family, who ruled Florence since the <   $3.    
launched last year with the aim of home in the Torrigiani gardens. Guest 1100s; one ancestor, Pope Clement championing young performers. The of honour was Alice Walton, the XII, commissioned Rome’s Trevi foun- idea was to create a Glyndebourne- American arts patron and Wal-Mart +)O4:),');:') tain. Principally, the family are now esque experience in Italy, the place heiress. But it’s not invitation only (yet, )1:5! A!& involved in wine and olive oil produc- where opera was actually born. though there’s talk of that in the future) tion, but they are wildly social and Hard to believe nobody had and tickets are cost only 35 if you are 4+#1)814)1 love music, each summer travelling thought of it before — outdoor opera in under 35, with full price tickets ranging %'!)+4%: across Italy by campervan, literally a beautiful Florentine garden, what’s from 95 to 2,500. singing for their supper. During the not to like? It opened in the gardens of The brains behind the festival are $:84()1'$+4% festival, the younger children run the Palazzo Corsini recently, with a three young Englishmen. Roger B+4$)19A around ringing bells to announce the dazzling new staging of Mozart’s Don Granville, 30 and Frankie Parham, 29, show’s about to start. Yet, for all the Giovanni. It was followed by a perfor- met at prep school and have gone into $!+B)+4#+4): exuberance, there is one sad note — mance of Shakespeare’s Henry V, with business as impresarios. They were ;')+B'99&9+) the absence of Prince Filippo Corsini. music by William Walton, and conclud- introduced to Max Fane, 26, a wildly He was the 21-year-old son of ed with a final Don Giovanni. talented conductor, and the idea was 9+:4+K;!4 Giorgiana’s son Duccio, and sole male But it’s not just about the opera. born. “It’s mad to think there was no B:!):!+4#9:4 heir. In October 2016, he was knocked Every night when the curtain comes Glyndebourne in a country where it is off his bicycle in Knightsbridge by a down, the audience find themselves actually hot,” says Granville. “Where it’s )!+48+4)!K lorry, the eighth cyclist to be killed in drifting into a beautifully lit limonaia nice to sit on the grass because it’s not 81!,QQ%) London that year. A late-night concert — a barn for storing lemon trees in wet, and where the food is delicious.” in the Church of Ogni Santi is named winter — where a jazz act flown in Forget the standard hampers you B9:84+4B!:48 in his honour. from New York is playing. This in turn usually see at open air music festivals &:!"+59&+4# Back in the Corsini gardens, the gives way to a late-night set of dance too, there are no limp prawn sand- )1++4)'!4#+A dress code is black tie or Renaissance music by Dutch DJ Harold Van Lennep. wiches and tubs of coleslaw at picnics masks, or “any fabulous outfit you care 2 have apologised for can- “We don’t know what has hap- This heady cocktail of old and here. This is Tuscany, home to the 8&):9)4+#1) to choose”. One New York grandee told celling a concert after Bono pened and we’re taking medical new, formality and fun is intoxicating, Florentina steak and finest Chianti ):B$4%'+% me he had forgotten his tuxedo, so had Ulost his voice. The Irish band advice. As always, we appreciate our and attracts a colourful crowd. wines. Guests at the opening night it Fed-Exed over, only for it to be were playing in Berlin on Saturday but audience’s understanding and all our Princess Michael of Kent was in the guzzled ravioli and roast veal, knocked impounded in Customs. had to stop after only a few songs as fans’ support in Berlin and those who front row with daughter Lady back with gallons of Corsini wine. When, finally, he put it on, he their lead singer struggled on stage. travelled from afar. We will update Gabriella Windsor last year, while As an added twist, they were enter- found it no longer fit, having put on The band said in a statement: you very soon.” actress Goldie Hawn could be seen tained by London cabaret act Bounder weight since its last outing. A tailor was “We’re so sorry for tonight’s cancella- The statement, shared on the wide-eyed watching opera’s bawdiest & Cad. Perhaps it was just as well not quickly sent for, who turned out to be tion. Bono was in great form and band’s official website, was signed by lothario, Don Giovanni, being dragged everyone could understand the lyrics none other than the late Salvatore great voice prior to the show, and we Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr and screaming into hell. of some of their racier songs, such as Ferragamo’s personal tailor, aged 80. He were all looking forward to the second the Edge. Bono, 58, had halted the gig The backdrop to the stage is the the very literal interpretation of Bach’s adjusted the girth minutes before cur- night in Berlin, but after a few songs, and told fans: “I think we can’t go on, crumbling façade of the Palazzo ‘Air on a G-String’. A rendition of tain-up. The show must go on! he suffered a complete loss of voice. it’s not right for you.” Corsini, home of Prince Filippo Verdi’s La Donna E Mobile translated '& % '  )& 644*!"(

 L..2666   stand idly by and let that happen,” said of dissolving after the death of its and it had a popula- out as we progressed. The process took   =       33     Andrea Zahumensky, KFC US chief longtime Mayor. But now it’s tion of 141 a year later. The us about 10 weeks, a lot of things L 3     ast food chain KFC is offering expect- marketing officer. “We hope that this rebounding, with expectations to double city’s population dwindled when its last were trial and error.” olice in central Mexico they’ve Fing parents the chance to birthday celebration honours the its population — from two residents to remaining business, the grain elevator, The skateboard, which Pcaught a man who made off win $11,000 for their child Colonel and encourages the next gen- four. The McLean County community took its last load in 1956. measures 8 feet, 8 inches with a hearse — complete with a by naming them eration of people aspiring to live of Ruso was on the verge of disincorpo- Schmaltz hopes others will follow wide and 3 feet, 7.5 inches corpse inside. The Tlaquepaque Harland after Col the American dream.” ration when its population dropped fol- him to Ruso, which is about 40 miles tall, appears in the 2019 police department says on its Sanders. The chain said  lowing the July death of 86-year-old (64 kilometres) southeast of Minot Guinness Book of World Facebook page that the hearse the first baby named Bruce Lorenz. It takes a minimum of near Strawberry Lake. “Other people Records, the record- had been readied to take the Harland to be born on     three residents for a community to be have expressed interest in moving out keeping organisation body of an 80-year-old September 9, the O    3 P incorporated, according to the North there. We don’t want things to slow said. Ciaglia said the board man from a hospital in Colonel’s birthday, and Maine fisherman who hauled Dakota Century Code. “We want to down,” he said. “I’m about preserving was designed to function in neighboring registered with the restau- Ain a translucent ‘ghost lobster’ keep it going for Bruce’s sake,” Laurinda what little is left of Ruso. I’m proud the same way as a much- Guadalajara to a rant will win $11,000 to go off the state’s coast snapped photos Roloson, the city’s auditor and one of of being out there.” smaller board, with the funeral home. Police toward their college educa- before returning the crustacean to the Ruso’s two remaining residents, told the  main differences being say a 40-year-old tion. The amount of the ocean. Mike Billings posted photos to Minot Daily News. Her husband, Terry its size, a supporting man has admitted cash price was chosen in Facebook showing the translucent Roloson, is the other Ruso resident. @?!  3 33 steel frame and using seeing the keys left in honour of KFC’s famous white lobster he caught off the coast The city discovered that Greg  P  3    race car tires. He said the the vehicle and deciding 11 herbs and spices. of Stonington. The lobster’s lack of Schmaltz qualifies as a resident because Los Angeles man’s massive skate- board is a major attention- to take it late Friday night. KFC said the US pigment is a trait found only in one he has a Ruso mailbox and makes daily Aboard, measuring 35 feet, 7 inches grabber. Officers were alerted and they Social Security out of every 100 million lobsters, checks on his horses and chickens on long, has been certified by Guinness “One time in New York, soon spotted the hearse along a Administration lists experts said. Billings said he threw land within city limits. So on Thursday, World Records as the largest in the we were driving out of Times highway and detained the sus- Harland as the 3,257th the lobster back into the water he’s expected to become the city’s next world. Joe Giaglia, director of California Square and a police offi- pect, whose name was most common baby name because it was too small to keep. Mayor. Schmaltz and his wife, Michelle, Skateparks, originally created the big cer pulled me over. I given only as Annibal of 2017. “Even though vin-  currently live in Velva but plan to move board for MTV series Rob Dyrdek’s thought I had done Saul. Police said last tage names are making a later this year to Ruso, where they have Fantasy Factory and is a 12.5 scale repli- something wrong and week he’s been turned comeback, our iconic     3  a residence under construction. “We’re ca of Dyrdek’s own board. “The hardest then he said: ‘Can I get on your board?’ over to prosecutors. Both founder’s name was   L   looking at fall to finish everything up,” part was not having any directions or So he literally pulled me over to take a the hearse and the body dwindling in popularity, orth Dakota’s smallest incor- Greg Schmaltz said. blueprints,” he told Guinness World picture on the skateboard!” Ciaglia said. were recovered. and we couldn’t just Nporated city was on the verge Ruso was first incorporated in 1909, Records. “We just started and figured it   
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   ( of Shri Krishna’s      manifold avatars       came into origin   (  when the   ( TBhagavata sect of Krishna  P f Europe faced the summer of discontent this year,       cult assigned to him the title Kerala’s experience was the autumn of despair. And   L:     of God himself (bhagavan- Iit is not going to get any better, with the human     svayam), although earlier, greed and ego showing no signs of restraint. Incidents    
 they used to treat him either like these serve as a grim warning to the humankind,         as the partial or full incarna- which — inebriated with the power of its feats of sci-
       tion of God Vishnu. Besides,  9 
 ence and technology — seems to be acquiring a false   (M    varied references to Krishna’s sense of invincibility. For those of us who have only    
  , manifold avatars are avail- heard of the apocalypse, Kerala floods offer but a short 8  '
  able in Bhagavad Gita, when trailer of the shape of things to descend if we do not      L'    it states that Krishna’s titled as vilasa/ashvarya he is held to manifest par- those serve archavatara mend our ways. The many names with which the dif-        avatars appear in the world forms; gunavatara, yuga- tially, and in some others, as as the symbols of divine ferent religions call the impending disaster to befall on    for the protection of the vatars, and lila-avatars, fully, to help people in times Krishna, worshipping mankind appear to be a distinct possibility, given the       good ones, destruction of the which can be recognised as of crisis, and wherein, he whom with concentration, increase in frequency of Kerala-like catastrophes that     evil-doers, and establishment Narayana, Brahma, Vishnu, takes possession of a person the devotee may develop are now too global to be ignored. As the going gets 
    of righteousness. Rudrashiva; those presid- or an image (in his archa- intense devotion. hotter around the world, the prospects of melting glac-      M Gradually, on the analo- ing over the four yugas; vatara form) by making Apart from the simple iers, rising oceans, and cracking earth seem to be lurk- gy of Vishnu’s avatars, the and the 10 avatars starting them the medium (in the devotees, the yogis and intel- ing. If the Biblical deluge was to punish a humanity Bhagavatas also inculcated a from the fish. Of these form of poet, prophet, lectuals also worship images, gone awry, the idea of pralaya in the Hindu religion    separate theory regarding avatars, the chief ones preacher) by his own mani- but those which are present signalled God’s ire for the humankind gone astray.       Shri Krishna’s manifold being gunavataras, are festation. The Bhagavatas — in their minds and not out- Qayamat in Islam has similar connotations. All these, avatars. With the result, a those that are categorised in such a manner, which giv- wardly going to the temples. then, are the ultimate outcome of the unsavoury ways 
  ( grand scenario of avatars of on the basis of their main ing vent to the form of image They just make their minds of mankind. It is not just about pollution of the envi- +
  Krishna was prepared by quality — either of sattva, worship of Krishna in the dwell upon those images. ronment, though that is also a reason. There is more to     +  .+/ them. Different categories of rajas, or tamas. form of the charya or Thus, in their image wor- be thought and dreaded — the serious and alarming     Krishna avatars were named Similarly, the yuga- paricharya of Krishna’s ship, all the attributes of the rise in the pollution of thought processes. Spurious  #   with different terminolo- avatars were those that images or the archas — had Lord are transferred to the ideas are poisoning the human mind as it acquires an      gies. Firstly, it was professed appeared for the furtherance +4:./( also conceptualised Krishna’s images itself. Another cate- unusual streak of haughtiness, challenging the  K
  that Shri Krishna manifests of the evolution of the world new avatars in the form of gory of Krishna’s avatars supremacy of Mother Nature, a creation of God. For      himself through four forms process. Thus calculating, the 14+B) his many images installed at named antaryamis was also the non-believers, there are explanations in science as   )   —svayamrupa (in which he Bhagavatas, sometimes count 5!)+99&(4$ various Krishna temples. construed, as these forms or well as philosophy. While science talks about the inter-  himself abides), avesharupa Krishna’s avatars as 24 and As such, the doctrine of avatars of Krishna easily connectedness of the world, which is a neatly designed '
 8  ( (in which his part abides), other times as innumerable. +4:)1!(B'99&( archa-avatars of Krishna occupy and dwell in the perfect system in an equilibrium state, and any distur-  (   shaktisvarupa (in which his Besides the aforesaid avatars ):1955:59 was also evolved. It is held hearts of devotees, and being bance brings about a corresponding change so that the E*C(CCC   power abides), and tadekat- of Krishna, the Bhagavatas that when the idols of more close to them, these act equilibrium is restored. This homeostatic tendency is #     marupa (with whom he also ascribe 39 vibhava- +4)+:B Krishna undergo the cultic as the evokers of their sha- inbuilt, though rather impossible to detect. Philosophy,     identifies himself). avatars to Krishna. Further, 4$ 1)" rituals, they constitute the ranagati and prapatti-bhava. on the other hand, talks about the natural teleology     K The avatar in which Krishna is held to incarnate direct blessed forms of the Being more close, these also which, doubts notwithstanding, explains the natural 9 .%  /( Krishna always abides is in in another four-fold forms 5:+:4:B Lord in which he is always appear more compassionate phenomenon rather lucidly for anyone willing to see   .)/( the form of dual imagery of known as real, eternal, mani- 5!:4:!4 manifested. Thus, the to the seekers. the big picture. Even though acceptance of this princi-   .)/( Radha-Krishna. While in fest, and unmanifest. He is images forming handy Hence, the manifold ple is not wide, rejecting it with certainty is still not  .8   his next form called ave- stated to reflect himself in +#;&"+4# mediums of worship repre- idols of Shri Krishna are authenticated. It is this teleological argument that finds   / $   sharupa, Shri Krishna mani- forms which are the embodi- )1)1 senting themselves as the treated as the innumerable favour with most philosophical schools, and Buddha’s   
  fests as poets through the ments of his very powers. avatars of Krishna, in fact, avatars known as concept of dependent origination named    %  great sages like Narada, For, it is held that Krishna as $+'+4)1 reflect the various aspects of antaryamis. These being Pratityasamutpada logically asserts the principle. The $ %  .%$%/ Sanat, Sanak, Sanandan, and Devakiputra at Mathura dis- B:!:B5:)( his concept and also serve single for an individual incidents of disaster that keep arising at a nagging pace 5
 ON*CC poets like Valmiki and played himself as the embod- 5!:51)(:! as symbols of divinity that devotee also act as their full must be taken seriously and there’s a need to instill a % O  (   Vyasa. Next, applying his iment of its manifest power. Krishna stands for. For, controller. Thus, it may be sense of urgency globally. Ignoring them as stray       power, Shri Krishna is But at Vrindavan, as 5!%1! these are direct manifesta- maintained finally that the events may be at our own peril. It is unfortunate that  *&+" !,#- thought to manifest himself Yashoda’s son, he revealed tions of God. Bhagavata doctrine of world leaders of consequence appear not to be as through Shri Radha and all himself as the embodiment The ideology of treating Krishna’s manifold avatars, deeply concerned as they should be. Rather, they are the souls or the jivas of the of unmanifest power. As the images as the avatars of besides that of his super- pursuing the path of disaster, most prominent being      world called gopis. Vasudeva Krishna at Dwarka, Krishna or the direct bodies avatara on the eighth of the response of US President, whose country should Regarding the incarna- he displayed himself in the of the Lord was framed on dark half of Bhaadra month have taken the lead. It is time to acknowledge that we    tions that are quite identi- avatar of his real/eternal the basis of the apara avatars in the Dvapara Age, invests are running out of time. And this time around, there is cal with Shri Krishna are shakti. Here, it may be stated of Krishna, which specifies him with multiple avatars no divine sermon to suggest that a concept like Noah’s included those in which he that by adding the notion of that the idols correspond of fivefold nature, which Ark is very much the need of the hour. The difficulty manifest his very own part Krishna’s manifold avatars to the direct bodies/forms reflects devotees’ deep lov- lies not only in identifying a Noah, but is also in the (sva-amsha) through the into the Krishna cult, the of Shri Krishna. Made of ing faith towards him and failure to realise that the world is for living in peaceful Vyuhas, who are stated to Bhagavatas could add into five elements, these his varied manifestations coexistence instead of chaotic individualism, that has be represented by his elder the Krishna concept many idols — when being superim- with the help of which, he become the norm. It is time people rise to the occasion brother Balarama, his son set of new faiths and deities posed with the divine quali- blesses his devotees in times rather than the Government leaders, who cannot see Pradyumana, and grandson in the form of purushavatars, ties of Shri Krishna — of crisis. beyond the end of their nose. Aniruddha. Besides, gunavatars or lilavatars. become Chaitanya or the '&       (   &+   )     .  .      Krishna’s other avatars are In some of the avatars, God in person, and thus also "&  & "  )" ) + = 9     &   ))&+=F = 

e lose out because we are too God is not just any person; He is the one  
   lazy to make the efforts who owns everything. (5.29) This is like        %    Wrequired to gain what all link- ignoring the boss of a company while N O   ing with God has to offer. I have written :  ? working in the company. Some give      many times about the benefits of God excuses based on science. As there is no (   
  consciousness. Still, I will mention a few. scientific proof of God’s existence. He ) (     God consciousness gets us the elusive does not exist. Do we know everything   '"( peace and happiness, which we all crave. +        3    there is to know? If it was so, all the pre-       (Gita 2.66) God provides what we lack sent scientists are wasting their time. I %     and protects what we possess. (9.22) God have one simple question for these non-       helps us in getting out of trouble. (18.58)       # ( ,+)"'!;+14:+ believers, “Why do we helplessly pray       God gives us knowledge, which removes when we are badly stuck?” The answer is     
 the darkness of ignorance. (10.11) how dangerous this ego is? It effectively simple. Because it is natural for a soul —      Association of God brings wealth, suc- destroys. (18.58). Then, there are lame part of God — to seek help from God. (       cess, other opulence and moral princi- excuses. Give me proof of God’s exis- There is no dearth of excuses for  
EC ples. (18.78) God even grants us libera- tence. Follow God’s instructions and you being lazy. Others are trying to cheat us     tion (5.24) and, subsequently, a place in will realise the reality of God as count- in the name of God. There is some merit       Vaikuntha also if we so deserve. (8.13) less people have done and are presently in this argument. Some are cheating, yes,     Compare these with what we gain by doing. This is like asking an airline to but that does not invalidate God’s reality 1
(    studying, learning, etc for almost two prove that a particular flight is safe. The as such. This is like rejecting all the doc-         
  ( decades; we are able to maintain our- officer concerned invites the person to tors just because there are some quacks       selves. Yes, this is important but why not board the plane and he will be able to posing as doctors. What about those     L& ( get what is most precious in our human experience a safe flight as millions do preachers who spend their entire lives      N birth. Is what God expects from us too every day. Faith in God is not like eating living by the principles they advocate?   O     ( difficult? He says develop my conscious- an ice-cream, which can be tasted Lastly, these folks are unfortunate      
 ness. (18.61) We have some conscious- instantly; this can be realised by efforts because either they did not have any      ness, eg politicians have political con- made a little longer. exposure to God in their previous lives      sciousness. How many reach the top of Many do make a start and give up as and this one also or they have a tremen-     > the ladder, and even then, how long soon as some trouble is encountered. dous amount of ignorance, which does   (M 5 5 ( does that last? No, ego comes in the way. What did we expect? That God will not allow them to have an open mind.  1   Why should we follow God’s instruc- change the nature of the world and coming out of trouble as stated earlier, weakness. Those who are engaged in All in all, whatever may be the reason, Q    tions? I will decide. I am independent; I make it trouble-free just because we but having such outrageous expectations God-worship have something lacking in the faithless lose out. .1  %   / am intelligent; I am not going to be dic- took some preliminary steps on the spir- shows lack of seriousness. Then, some them. That is the reason they took the &   )"     # tated by someone else. Do we realise itual path. God helps His devotees in feel that turning to God is a sign of shelter of God. Such thinking is weird.    &   )"F&=  
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)26 7   =  " ;1!);1'145$$: That the whole universe is a unified uni- vibratory and cyclic motions, if the Sun icking up threads from the previous graphical reflection of the energy map of tary organism, where no existence has a rises at a particular point of the zodiac issue, as I began explaining as to the heaven at the time of one’s birth. reality independent of the entirety, which today, it will appear almost four minutes Phow astrological tools are applied in To figure out the rationale underlying includes the observer. In this scheme of earlier on that very location the very next practical terms, a question was posed by this discipline, a look into genesis of cre- things all existences are necessarily set day. It, thus exhibits a linear motion as audience: “How can physical objects such ation becomes imperative. Bear in mind; into and interdependent mechanism. well. Taking note of this existential reality, as planets and stars doing their rounds in creation chain took off with energy Each existence though forming parts, but Ancient India’s learned masters, conceived the cosmos, at such a great distance from streams excited with a roaring sound by all put together make out a self-sufficient both the macro and micro units of time in us, affect us? And how scientific is the the Primal-Source, following ‘Entropy’ — whole. It thus implies that any change in relative frame. It will be interesting to note methodology?” a self-excited disorder. Science terms this the cosmic energy pattern, varying wide- here that Ancient India’s learned masters Well, you need to first understand as Big-Bang event, which is phrased as ly every moment, has to have related had understood much before the modern that planets and stars are not to be taken Pranava in Ancient Indian philosophy. bearing on life cycle on earth. Here science that time scales applicable on dif- just as physical objects moving in the cos- Following a progressive course of evolu- again, energies available from every ferent dimensions of existence would vary, mos, as they are mistakenly understood. tion through play and interplay of nature source is received at a corresponding as does a story in the Indian epic They, in fact are pointers to energy driven energies, the manifest plural world point in the brain, with a sub-influence Mahabharata mean. Accordingly, all units streams playing through nature from the with name and form came into being. on the related region. And every point of of time are primarily scaled in correspon- front, each reflecting specific characteris- And we all know that energy and matter the brain administers set function of the dence with period motion of the Sun and tic features. It is difficult to take into are interconvertible. So, in a way all form body, mind, and psyche. Based on expe- Moon, the front players in the immediate account innumerable energy streams existences are raised on an energy plat- rience gained through long drawn obser- galaxy. Both of them can be easily tracked playing through the cosmos. So, to have a form, all primarily sourced to nature. vation of the correlation between plane- down with precision on a day-to-day generalised view, the energy providers Here again, going by the scientific concept tary bodies in motion and our life- basis. So, even time, in Indian Astrology’s have been grouped into zodiac signs and of “The theory of non-location”, all energy trends, every planet and zodiacal sign scheme of things, resonates a three- planets, to serve as mile posts. In this particles rooted to the same source, are in has been assigned specific signification. dimensional character, worth being rec- scheme of things, every zodiac sign intimate and immediate connect with the Immediately shot up another question onciled with the run of life perceived in reflects upon energies extended by a clus- rest. And all energies playing through from the audience: “Planets move in a linear scale. The issue continues… ter of stars in the backdrop of sky divided nature are sourced to a singularity cyclic order, whereas run of life is per- '&      .

" " into 12 belts, each reflecting specific char- (Primal-Source). So, there remains corre- ceived in linear time frame. How do you  )" " = DD  &&  acteristic features. Planets represent ener- spondence and interrelation between all reconcile the two?” /,2210. &  .   @@  . gy streams excited by them as well as existences on earth and energies playing Well, energy particles have a three-   %% & KK 2221 110? those passing in close proximity, again through nature. dimensional existence. It simultaneously ' < 332,222,HH38H8H?I382810 #< )) J"  F&=  each carrying specific characteristic fea- Modern science and Ancient Indian vibrates, rotates, and also keeps marching D  < =&=  tures. The two read together make out a Philosophy agree on another count also. ahead. So do planetary bodies. Besides its

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