ORGANISERVoice of the Nation 40.00 Vol. 72, No. 15 New Delhi October 4, 2020, Ashwin Krishna 3, Yugabd 5122

REDEFINING REFORMS

Since 1991, reform has been a buzzword to justify any decision, mainly related to privatisation. The recent legislations on Agriculture and labour laws set to liberate the farmers and workers from the clutches of quota permit Raj. At the same time, they provide a new meaning to the concept of reforms

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l ISSN : 0030-5014 l Vol. 72 l No. 15 l October 4, 2020 l

OPINION 18 Will Xi Jinping Relent 20 Obnoxious headquarter of Chinese Information Warfare 22 Army Ethics are Minimum Use of Force & Good Faith 36 NEP is Key to India’s Quest for the Superpower Status 10 COVER STORY 38 In Search of Nalanda Agricultural Reforms: Uncovering the Reality

ANALYSIS/ ECONOMY 24 The Green World Order: India could be a Leader 14 OPINION Farmers First or SPECIAL STORY Politics First? 48 Mumba Devi: Guardian Deity of Mumbai

COLUMN 04 Readers’ Forum 05 Editorial 44 Defence Scan 28 AKKITHAM 40 100 YRS OF MOPLAH RIOTS Jnanpith presented to 46 Book Review WWI & the Indian Muslim Akkitham response

Editor: Prafulla Ketkar l Asso Editor : G Sreedathan l Sr Reporter : Nishant Kumar Azad l Web Consultant: Ganesh Krishnan R l Associate Art Director: Shashi Mohan Rawat l Sr Graphic Designer: Mukta Surma Kataria DTP Operator: Manoj Kumar Singh l Cover Page Design : Shashi Mohan Rawat l E-mail: [email protected] l Website: www.organiser.org l Phones: 011-47642018, 20, 22

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READERS’ FORUM

role to achieve the goal of self-reliant other Indian citizens enjoy. These India or Atmanirbhar Bharat. NEP Self-Serving leaders are crying 2020 also lays emphasis on the because the agenda on which their teaching and learning of vernacular politics run is completely ruin as the languages at primary level. It takes people of Kashmir are supporting the into account the diversity of India, its government’s move. traditions, culture and languages. — MAYANK SINGHAL, Delhi — RISHI SHARMA, Kapurthala Selection of Vaccine China’s Ego Hurt APROPOS (Vaccine Nationalism for APROPOS (Mistakes India Should India is the Way Forward, Against Not Make) Organiser, September 27, Blind Support to Corporate Interests) 2020. The five-point consensus Organiser, September 27, 2020. Towards Bhartiyata signed between India and China on From the beginning of the pandemic, APROPOS (The Mughals: Neither the sidelines of Shanghai the WHO is seen as the spokesper- Heroes, Nor Heritage) Organiser, Cooperation Organisation has mixed son of China. India should take every September 27, 2020, the editorial reaction. India should not trust step to end Covid without looking for rightly questions the legacy of China. History repeats itself, and we international reputation. India has Mughals and takes a look on the have many examples when also made significant efforts to get rid symbols of colonialism by them. To Communist China cheated India. It is of coronavirus. Prime Minister break the cycle on a misconception, for the first time any country has Narendra Modi has also said that we should stop looking at colonial challenged China, and we should not three vaccine trials are going on at myths and, instead of this, follow our let this opportunity drift off on setting different levels in the country. But own Bhartiya heritage. We should issues. Let China taste its own policy. coronavirus cases keep rising every inspire New India through Swarajya This time India should also defeat day. The vaccine should be cost- and follow our national figures like the Chinese policy of taking two effective and all people, rich or poor, Chhatrapati Shivaji. Secular-liberals steps forward and one step back- should have access to vaccine. should decide whether they want to ward. — AMIT DUBEY, Bihar be the part of diverse and progres- — MANIKA SOORMA, Varanasi sive India irrespective of religion and Making an creed. Kashmir Valley Atmanirbhar Bharat — DHEERAJ, Mumbai Back on Track APROPOS (Atmanirbhar Bharat APROPOS (Self-Serving Leadership is Abhiyan is not just a Campaign of Knowledge now in Self-Prevention Mode) Few Organisations or the Superpower Organiser, September 27, 2020. The Government But a Responsibility APROPOS (A Light-house for New annulment of Article 370 and 35A and a Task for Every One of Us), India) Organiser, September 20, has shaken Kashmir’s politics. September 21, 2020. This is a very 2020, The New Education Policy Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah inspirational idea. How to achieve 2020 (NEP 2020) approved by the are giving different versions of the Atmanibharata should be a lesson to Indian Government will act as a party’s strategy; Syed Ali Geelani be taught in schools. Local industries torchbearer for the robust young and has resigned from the Hurriyat and should empower women in textile, energetic youth. The New Education the Azadi movement is now a history. automobile, traditional medicine and Policy brings not only marvellous, Major development projects in other sectors. The world is going constructive and innovative changes Health, Tourism, Agriculture, through a tough time due to Covid- in the pattern of education but also Horticulture, Skill Development 19. Time has come for India to formed a comprehensive national Sectors are already under various become Atmanirbhar for its own curriculum framework for teacher stages of implementation, local citi- cause and for the sake of the education. This will enhance the zens of Kashmir are happy as they humanity. quality of education and play a vital will get the same benefits which — DR NAGAMANI, through web

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Redefining Reforms eform has been a buzzword since we adopted the policies of liberalisation, privati- Experience has shown that sation and globalisation in the 1990s. All decisions meant to push different sectors farmers who have opted out to the private players without any protection in the global competition were defined of agriculture have made a R as reforms by the successive Government. It was clearly an antidote to the social- better living for themselves ist thinking that prevailed since the Independence and marketed as the Hindu while many of those who Rate of Growth. Naturally, when the Union Government introduced three legisla- stayed back have become tions bringing changes in Agriculture laws, many people are concerned – for dif- impoverished and indebted. ferent reasons. We need to test them on the parameters of intentions and impli- The closed character of cations instead of political considerations. agriculture is largely due to Out of the three bills related to the Agriculture that got the approval of the governmental restrictions Parliament, most of the confusions are about ‘The Farmers’ Produce Trade and in many regions on non- Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020’. Farmers should get the right farmers entering the price for their produce in the absence of intermediaries is the explicit goal of this sector. Those who make a bill. The socialist mindset and parties that survive on peasant’s politics thrived living out of agriculture solely on the mushrooming of ‘middleman culture’ are naturally opposing this sometimes find no escape. transformation. The Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs), controlled They are also denied access by these so-called farmers, are essentially the business space of commission- to new investments and based manipulators. They are the once who are spreading this rumour about the capital” scrapping of Minimum Support Price (MSP) that Government gives for purchasing specific farm produce. Neither APMCs nor MSP would be scrapped, and the –Sharad Joshi, Founder of nature of Acts and actions of the Union Government makes it amply clear. Shetakari Sanghatana, Whether there should be a separate bill for ensuring MSP or criminalising the pay- Farmer can look to greener ment less than MSP is a question which we certainly can discuss. Over the period, pastures, based on the experience, separate legislation can be considered for the same. Till http://www.sharadjoshi.in/ now, MSP has been an administrative mechanism and not a legislative one. node/53 The same is true about the idea of Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance. The new legislation will empower farmers for engaging with processors, wholesalers, aggregators, large retailers, exporters, etc., on a level playing field. It will assure price to farmers even before sowing of crops, reducing their risk. The apprehensions about ‘contract farming’ and dispute mechanism under it are understandable. Why should we distrust the ability and acumen of our farmers just because benevolent custodians of their interests do so? Equipping and training farmers to deal with these players should be the prior- ity for the real votaries of farmers interests. The absence of competitive culture and quality parameters in the domestic market due to the Quota Permit Raj was the biggest problem with the sudden opening up of the industrial sector to the international players. These new legisla- tions are avoiding the same risk in the Agriculture Sector. While doing so, the Government is not shying away from its responsibility of providing the minimum support to the farmers. They are facilitated with a new set of environment. Instead of pitching the economics on the binaries of Industry vs Agriculture and Urban Vs Rural, creating new bridges for the meaningful interdependence should be our national goal. For that redefining the concept of reforms on Bharatiya parameters is essential. @PrafullaKetkar

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PARLIAMENT SESSION Times Session Extraordinary Legislations Whatever may be the narrative of naysayers, India has shown a new level of commitment to parliamentary democracy by conducting a session amidst CoVid-19 crisis. Not only, all the protocols were followed, landmark bills are passed by both the houses of the Parliament to take the process of reforms at the new level

n NIRENDRA DEV

he monsoon session of Parliament was convened this and quit the cabinet. The draft laws in debate were - year under extraordinary circumstances and with The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) extraordinary preparation. The Standard Operating Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Procedures (SOPs) due to Corona crisis was Bill, 2020. T enforced strictly. Members from each House are to sit Of course, all is not yet lost between Akalis and the across both the Houses and also in the galleries. But BJP though it was the first rebellion within union cab- when it comes to playing back to galleries; the Neta inet since 2014. In 2018, two TDP ministers had quit class has no comparison. And thus, the opposition the Modi government but it was more guided by the lawmakers in the Rajya Sabha specially proved this politics of Andhra Pradesh. doctrine right. On September 21, eight opposition Of course Ms Badals resignation is also triggered MPs belonging to Congress, Trinamool Congress, by local politics and peasantry one-upmanship of AAP and CPI (M) were suspended for their unruly Punjab. The Akali leadership was almost trapped by behaviour and showing disrespect to the chair. Congress and was forced to announce Harsimrat A day before, a well informed lawmaker and floor Kaur Badal’s resignation. leader of Trinamool Congress, Derek O’ Brien tore up Defence minister Rajnath Singh summed it up well the Rule Book and hurled it towards Deputy Chairman when he said resignation of a minister is often guided of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh. by various factors. “There are some political reasons Nevertheless the historical agrarian Bills were behind every such decision. I don’t want to comment passed by both the Houses. on why she took this decision,” Rajnath told reporters. Was he playing down the Akali revolt or was he The Akali Compulsion suggesting something deep? Of course, the Lok Sabha witnessed high drama on Whatever be the reason, there is a theory in circu- September 17 when Union Food Processing Industry lation that the BJP could be possibly thinking about a Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal opposed the farm laws political life in Punjab without Badals. This argument

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The Parliament Session was convened on Septmber 14 amidst corona crisis, following all the health related protocols

gains currency when it is pointed out that the Modi gov- attract more investments and job creation. ernment had awarded dissident Akali veteran S S Dhindsa with Padma Bhushan in 2019; and Badals were Unruly Behaviour and Suspension not aware of the centre’s intent. Local BJP leaders in In fact, Rajya Sabha session was cut short on September Punjab were also trying to reach out to another Akali 23 but not before seven Bills get nod in four hours. deserter – R S Brahmpura. Opposition members stayed away from the proceedings to protest suspension of eight of their colleagues. The Passage of key Bills: suspended Opposition members are Derek O Brien and n On the legislative front, the government has ensured Dola Sen (both Trinamool), Rajiv Satav, Syed Naseer passage of important Bills. Hussain and Ripun Bora (all three Congress), K K n Some crucial draft laws those were given mandatory Ragesh and Elamaram Karim (both CPI-M) and Aam Parliamentary nod or debated and passed in either of Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh. the Houses were ---- the likes of - The Farmers In a letter to Chairman, M Venkaiah Naidu, Rajya (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said later: “I am in Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, The pain, distress, and in mental agony due to whatever hap- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second pened on September 20 in the Rajya Sabha. In the name Amendment) Bill, and the FCRA Bill. of democracy, violent behaviour was shown by hon- n Lok Sabha also passed The Farmers Produce Trade ourable Members from the Opposition. This is brazen and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill. violation and tradition of the Upper House". n On Sept 23, Parliament passed three key labour "The rule book was torn and thrown at me. Some MPs reform Bills that will remove impediments to winding also stood on the table”, up of companies and allow firing of staff without gov- ernment permission in firms with up to 300 workers NGO Business and Transparency from the existing 100. This move is expected to Important discussions took place on the year's hottest

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The rule book was torn and To personally serve tea to those thrown at me. Some MPs also who attacked and insulted him a stood on the table, used un- few days ago as well as those parliamentary language against sitting on Dharna shows that Shri me. I kept recalling the entire Harivansh Ji has been blessed incident that happened in the with a humble mind and a big House and was unable to sleep” heart. It shows his greatness” – Harivansh Narayan Singh, — Narendra Modi Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha Prime Minister The New Low - Papers thrown, Mic broken by some opposition members to disrupt the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on September 20, 2020

topic Covid19 and of course the FCRA bill that would the border. impose some restrictions on funds flow into the NGOs Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, thus made important from overseas. statements on conflict with China and how Indian soldiers The Bill was vehemently opposed. In Lok Sabha, Adhir have successfully taken the battle into the enemy camp. Ranjan Chowdhury said - "This Bill will crush dissent and In Rajya Sabha yet again answering to an observation confine unnecessary power in the hands of the (central) from one of his predecessors, A K Antony; the incumbent government.” minister (Rajnath) said “no power on earth can prevent His party colleague, Manish Tewari said - "The FCRA Indian forces from patrolling the border”. provisions need to be relaxed rather than made strin- Of course, despite several meetings between Prime gent”. Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the rela- The government has defended the legislative mea- tionship is not normal between two Asian giants. sure saying, the new law is not to suppress anyone. But both sides have kept the channel of communica- Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai said - “We only tion on and formal parleys at diplomatic and military lev- take action against any organisation under the rule when els are being held. Such a deliberation took place on they do not follow the law”. September 21 itself. The Minister assured that amendment in the law is In Parliament, of course to a pointed question from “not against any NGO as well as any religion”. “FCRA is Trimamool MP, Saugata Roy, the government has specif- a national internal security law…This amendment is nec- ically denied that relations with China and other neigh- essary for Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. bouring countries have deteriorated. Outside Parliament, BJP general secretary India also sounded its displeasure to China over (Organisation) B L Santhosh said - "FCRA Bill will have a media reports that a Chinese company was indulging in far reaching effect on the way NGOs are run in this coun- snooping and data mining practices against prominent try. No more service for gains ... It has to be Seva for India politicians including Prime Minister Modi and society". Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. "Our Embassy in Beijing also raised it with the Foreign Clarity on Stand-Off Ministry of China. The Chinese side conveyed that The Monsoon session also came close on the heels of 'Shenzen Zhenhua' is a private company and had stated raging conflict between Indian and Chinese forces along its position publicly," External Affairs Minister Dr S

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# "Hypocrisy will not wash away The Government of India undertook the COVID-19 challenge with the the sin of doing injustice to India’s highest level of political commitment. farmers...After brazenly violating The nationwide lockdown was a bold rules, procedures and practices decision.... and the step successfully for passing bills and making laws, blunted the aggressive progression of the Deputy Chairman is now COVID. It has been estimated that this shedding crocodile tears for decision (Lockdown) prevented Parliamentary democracy". approximately 14–29 lakh cases and – Anand Sharma, Congress 37,000 to 78,00 deaths" — Harsh Vardhan on Covid

Jaishankar informed Congress MP, K C Venugopal. khaten haen...." Reports in a section of western media said the In Lok Sabha, during zero hour on the first day of the Chinese company is allegedly involved in such data col- session, BJP MP and actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan lection since 2017 to help provide 'intelligence' to has said: "The problem of drug trafficking and addiction Chinese military, government and commercial clients. is on a rise. I regret to say there is a conspiracy behind The issue was raised in Upper House during Zero pushing drug menace in India. Smuggling of drugs is Hour by Venugopal and his party colleague Rajiv Satav being done from Pakistan and China. These are brought on September 16. via Punjab and Nepal. "Iska addiction film industry mein bhi kara dia (The film Drugs and Bollywood: industry has fallen victim to this drug menace", he said. The alleged drug menace in Mumbai’s film world also fig- Countering Jaya Bachchan, vocal film star Kangana ured prominently and later the battle of wits was bound to Ranaut, who had earlier spoken about the drugs in the reach the social media and television channels. entertainment industry, hit out at the veteran actress "Just because there are few people (allegedly (Jaya Bachchan) rather strongly and even dragged her involved in drugs), you cannot tarnish the entire industry," two children (actor son Abhishek and daughter Shweta) actress-turned-lawmaker Jaya Bachchan (Samajwadi into the debate. Party) sparked off row by her remarks in the Rajya Interesting debates took place in Lok Sabha on PM Sabha. She also said: "At a time when the financial situ- Cares Fund wherein BJP MP and Minister of State for ation is in a depressing stage and the employment is at Finance, Anurag Thakur said the real face of Congress the worst level, in order to divert the attention of the peo- should be exposed. He alleged that in 1948, Jawaharlal ple, we are being used to be flogged at the social media Nehru had floated PM National Relief Fund and had pro- and there is no support (for the film industry) from the visions for ‘Congress president’ to be a director. He said government". the Fund was never ‘registered’ following rules but FCRA She was critical of BJP MP Ravi Kishan's remarks in clearance was given. the Lok Sabha on Sept 14 – the first day of the session - During the debate, Adhir Chowdhury (Congress) on the drug cartel and how the Narcotics Control Bureau angrily even went onto call Anurag Thakur a’ Himachal ka probe has intensified. Chhokra’ – a reference which was strongly objected to by Jaya flayed Gorakhpur MP saying - "Jis thali mein Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. n

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Agricultural Reforms: Uncovering the Reality n SHRUTIKAR ABHIJIT

efore delving deep into the core subject, let me tell Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong. Desperate my readers a small story from China and explain a for revolutionising the Chinese society, Mao under- phrase popularly known as "Cobra Effect" in public took an infamous campaign known as the Four Pests policy ecosystem. Cobra Effect is the undesired out- Programme. The programme was launched across come of a policy that instead of addressing the prob- China as a national policy, involving every citizen and B lem, aggravates the issue causing more conse- even school children led by, or instead, forced by on- quences than a solution. Experts traced its origin to ground Communist cadres to exterminate rats, flies, an incident in British India when a British officer try- mosquitos, and especially sparrows, as they were ing to end the population of Cobras caused its popu- according to him, a manifestation of capitalism lation to rise instead. whose hunger never ended and who ate lot many Now let me brief you about an incident in China grains. The savagery that went in implementing it that happened in the after years of its so-called shook the conscience of the world, but the

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actions displayed by the opposition while opposing the three bills related to agricultural reforms. When parlia- mentarians crossed all boundaries of decency and took the Temple of Democracy hostage, it reminds us of those CCP exterminators who stood for two days and nights outside the Polish Embassy adamant on killing the birds and even rendered the Polish Authorities desperate attempts of intervention and saving the birds useless. There is a slight possibility that, had the birds been spared, it could have saved China from extensive famines. We also see a parallel between these birds and our marginal farmers; we see a resemblance between the Polish Embassy officials and the Government of India, desperate to rescue our marginal farmers from their pre- sent state. But here is a happy twist, unlike the Polish Embassy, the nation has stood with the government in their attempt to save our anna daatas, and two of these three undertakings had already taken the shape of full- fledged legislation, thus paving the way for a whole new ecosystem supporting our Agricultural sector.

The disillusioned opposition is also trying to run a misinformation campaign blaming the Modi govern- New Farms Bills are an attempt to ment of acting exclusively and not consulting the double farmer's net income and at parliament before implementing these Bills the same time, provide a legal What is even more intriguing about the opposition is framework for contract farming their adamant attempt to whitewashing the lapses of the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). Although APMCs do serve some purpose, yet selectively Communists were adamant. There also was an incident ignoring their lapses doesn't serve any constructive pur- involving the Polish Embassy in China, where the pose and is counter-productive to the nation’s aspiration Embassy authority had refused Communists to enter its of doubling farmers’ income thus enabling them to lead a premises and kill the innocent birds that had taken refuge dignified life. The APMCs have a firm root in the colonial inside. However, it couldn't deter the CCP from executing era, particularly in the Berar Cotton and Grain Market Act their programme, and they started banging on drums, of 1887, entirely aimed at controlling the agricultural pots and pans, non-stop for two days and nights until all trade in India and exploiting the farmers for the British birds dropped dead with fear and exhaustion. Here, the regime. Similarly, APMCs also became exploitative, as it linear thinking Communist forgot to consider the useful- imposed restrictions and forced farmers to sell their pro- ness of sparrows and how they also protect the harvest duce only via designated channels, consequently con- from insects and pests, and as a result, China suffered a ceding in Cartelization and exploitation of Marginalized massive famine, where if not millions, thousands of farmers. Another significant drawback of APMC's also Chinese lost their lives to starvation. arises from the fact that different states have different Anyway, moving on, readers must be wondering what APMC acts as, intra-state trade in agricultural commodi- this anecdote of the Cobra Effect had to do with the core ties is a state subject, whereas, inter-state trade is a sub- topic? Well, it is extensively visible in the manner and ject of the Union government. Therefore, giving space to

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levy un-uniformed taxation and cess on farmers and denying equitable opportunities. The disillusioned opposition is also trying to run a mis- information campaign blaming the Modi government of acting exclusively and not consulting the parliament before implementing these Bills. However, truth is far away from their nefarious misinformation campaign. For instance, the shortcomings of APMC's were made abun- dantly clear in the observations made by the Standing Committee on Agriculture (2018-19). The standing com- mittee on agriculture for the year 2018-2019 made some critical observations as far as APMCs are concerned, and have been reproduced below for the benefit of readers; 1) Most APMCs have a limited number of traders oper- ating, which leads to cartelization and reduces com- petition. 2) Excessive deductions in the form of commission charges and market fees. 3) Traders, commission agents, and other functionaries organize themselves into associations, which do not allow easy entry of new persons into market yards, stifling competition. A farmer will only sell his produce to a private party or a company when he gets a better price The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) than the one he is already getting through MSP

Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services with the power of choice to bypass the APMCs, they are Bill, 2020 provides sufficient countermeasures in in totality holding the rights of every farmer hostage for safeguarding the farmers from market fluctuation their petty political gains. When they are employing mis- information campaign that MSP is being ended, they are thus empowering them economically in reality, creating unnecessary anxiety and fear among our marginalized farmers, as truth is distant from their 4) The Acts are highly restrictive in promotion of multiple hallucinations. The Agriculture Minister had made it clear channels of marketing (such as more buyers, private on the floor of Parliament that MSP was here to remain markets, direct sale to businesses and retail con- and so as the AMPCs and was not mentioned in the leg- sumers, and online transactions) and competition in islation as it always was and is an administrative mecha- the system. (Source: PRS ). It is also noteworthy here nism to ensure flexibility to increase and decrease MSP that, the standing committee on Agriculture had mem- whenever the need arose. bers from all parties and both houses, Eg. Dr Tapas Moreover, a farmer will only sell his produce to a pri- Mandal, a TMC Parliamentarian from the lower vate party or a company when he gets a better price than house, Md. Badaruddoza Khan, CPI (Marxist) the one he is already getting through MSP, thus delegat- Parliamentarian, Sardar Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, a ing a competitive market for the farmer's benefit. Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Shri Mohd. Ali Khan Evidence also suggests that the number of farmers avail- from the Indian National Congress to name a few. ing the MSP facility has only doubled in the recent years, Therefore, a mystery arises if these political parties, for eg., during the UPA regime (2009-2014) 1.52 lakh who are opposing the Bill now, were wrong then, or metric ton of pulses were purchased under MSP, and in they are solely striving to create turmoil in the nation. the just first five years of the NDA Government it pro- When they oppose the Farmers' Produce Trade and pelled to 76.85 lakh metric tonnes. The first Bill also Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, that seeks to provide E-trading facilities to farmers, while pro- liberates our marginalised farmers and empowers them hibiting state governments from applying fee or cess on

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access to technology, inputs, credit, capital and markets.” Therefore, a suitable platform must be provided where an exchange of technology, experience and idea can hap- pen and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, is historical in that manner. Also, it is against the spirit of integral humanism if we concentrate only on the end result and completely ignore the consequences or in this case, the welfare of our farm- ers. Let's explore this issue through the available data. Where, on the one hand, foodgrain production increased from 51 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 252 million tonnes in 2015-16, its contribution to the country's GDP, on the other hand, decreased from a massive 50 per cent to a meagre 15.4 per cent. When farmer suicides were taking the shape of a pandemic, India's contribution in total pro- duction of pulses in the world increased to a staggering 25 per cent, i.e, one-fourth of the whole pulses produced in the world. Similarly, in 2013, when India was boasting a 25 per cent share in worldwide cotton production, one cotton farmer was committing suicide every eight hours. Additionally, the level of indebtedness among farmer

farmers or traders and E-trading platforms for trading out- The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce side of their designated trade area. (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, seeks to Similarly, the second Bill -- The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price liberate our marginalised farmers and empower Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 -- also provides them with the power of choice to bypass the APMCs sufficient countermeasures in safeguarding the farmers from market fluctuation thus empowering them economi- cally. This Bill is a milestone attempt to double the families is also significantly higher in comparison to non- farmer's net income and at the same time, provide a legal agricultural families, with Incidents of indebtedness at framework for contract farming. The Bill makes it manda- 52.5 per cent and 42.8 per cent for agricultural and non- tory to pre-determine the price at which the buyer would agricultural families respectively. procure the products and also offers sufficient counter- Every piece of data that is available in the public measures and the system of appellate authorities for dis- domain suggests that there is something significantly pute resolution in a time-bound manner. Both the Bills wrong in our prior policies and bold steps are needed to have provided adequate safeguards to the farmers while overcome these issues arising out of the archaic and dis- liberalising the sector. criminatory systems. Therefore, it is necessary that the The future of the agricultural sector in India lies in its Upper House lives up to the expectation of citizens and ability to create efficient public-private partnerships as do what it is meant to do, i.e, welfare of the citizens and around 91 per cent of the total farm holding would belong more importantly welfare of our anna daatas in this case. to small and marginal farmers by 2030, who own less And lastly, the three Bills will set a new precedence for than 2 hectares of land. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, the new India that aspires governance to emerge out of the former Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmer colonial mindset of being rulers to being enablers. Welfare, while citing the Agriculture Census had stated: (The writer is a Fellow with Institute for Conflict Research and "These small farms, though operating only on 44 per cent Resolution a think-tank that specialises in monitoring Conflicts, Defence, Security, Diplomacy and Socio-Political issues. The writ- of land under cultivation, are the main providers of food er, has comprehensive experience in monitoring issues related to and nutritional security to the nation, but have limited North-East.)

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DR BOMMARAJU SARANGAPAANI OPINION AGRI REFORMS Farmers First or Politics First? Allowing farmers to have market choices by enabling them to sell anywhere, and to anyone, and to unshackle them from APMC restrictions, is a long felt need. The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, is aimed at ensuring barrier-free trade in farm products bestowing upon farmers unlimited marketing freedom that will help them to come out of the clutches of the monopolistic clout of market yards A farmer with his produce at the APMC yard in Vashi in Navi Mumbai (File photo)

hile the world is reeling through a global remains astonishing is the many different narra- pandemic, politics, protests, and pande- tives that are emerging about the bills. Would any monium surround the Indian parliament. government dare to mess up with the farmers? Are There is a sudden fuss and furore in the the farmers being misled? Is the opposition desper- Indian political scenario with the Modi ate? Did the NDA miscalculate the Punjab local government unleashing its trident of agri-reforms equations and the Akalis? Have the political rival- throughW the three farming bills all set to become ries and petty egos of appeasing everyone sur- constitutional acts. What angered the natural allies faced again? Let’s see what truly holds up in the and long-term friends of NDA (National Democratic new agri-reforms. Alliance) such as SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal) is of Agricultural reforms intending to double farming surprise to many. The bills promise to provide for incomes have been on the agenda of the Modi gov- free trade across markets all through the country, ernment. Since 2014, the government has brought allow for protected contract farming, and ensure some marketing reforms through the adoption of safe stocks of the agricultural produce for the coun- the Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock try's difficult times. While the opposition says the Marketing (APLM) Act, 2017, the Contract Farming farmers are upset, there aren’t many farmers and Services (CF&S) Act, 2018, and the Electronic- who’ve come out to protest. Pushing ahead for National Agricultural Market (E-NAM) system. Atmanirbhar Bharat and unifying the whole Indian Three Ordinances- i) The Farming Produce Trade market into one, the Prime Minister congratulated and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) the parliament for enacting the farm bills. Still, what Ordinance, ii) The Farmers (Empowerment and

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farmers to choose where and to whom they sell their produce instead of selling to registered licensees of their respective state governments in notified market yards. Allowing farmers to have market choices by enabling them to sell anywhere, and to anyone, and to unshackle them from the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee's [APMC] restrictions, is a long felt need. The gov- ernment has now bestowed upon the farmers unlimited marketing freedom that will help them to come out of the clutches of the monopolistic clout of market yards. The Act also paves the way for the emergence of private state-of-the-art mandis and helps farmers with better price discovery. Further, it decrees that "No market fee or cess or levy, by whatever name called under any State APMC Act or any other State law, shall be levied on any farmer or trader or electronic trading and transac- tion platform for trade and commerce in scheduled farmers' produce in a trade area." At present, regu- lated markets are The path breaking imposing a marketing marketing agriculture cess anywhere between 1 to 14 per- reforms initiated by cent. Doing away with Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and the Modi government these levies or cesses Farm Services Ordinance, and iii) The Essential have created a single will bring down pro- Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance that were curement costs of promulgated on 5th June 2020 for giving a big push big common market for farm products, includ- to the farm sector have now become acts. These agricultural products ing food grains. central acts liberate agricultural marketing from the and the freedom to sell Buyers will not require shackles of scarcity laws and outdated restrictions a license; a PAN card that stood in the way of one-nation, one-market. across the country will will suffice. Some economists have described this scenario as certainly ensure The move towards "a 1991 moment of economic reforms for agricul- remunerative prices to enacting Central leg- ture." Our farmers suffer more in the marketing of islation to reduce the their produce than in producing it. Thus, reforming the farmers and boost APMC's domination markets to provide greater flexibility to the farmers their incomes was initiated in 2008 to sell their produce anywhere in the country is by the United going to be a policy watershed. While 1991 stood Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime. The Congress' for the delicensing of industry, 2020 stands for the manifesto of 2019 also proposed to repeal the delicensing of Agricultural marketing. APMC Act and make the trade in agricultural pro- The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce duce, including export and inter-State trade, free of (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, is aimed at ensur- all restrictions. Even though it was not mentioned in ing barrier-free trade in farm products. It allows the BJP manifesto, the Modi government has

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OPINION EDUCATION / NEP 2020

brought these far-reaching marketing reforms.

The Essential Commodities Act of 1955 was a scarcity-era legislation when India was facing acute food shortages to impose stock limits on any trader, processor, or exporter of commodities defined as essential. India has traveled a long distance from a scarcity situation to a surplus situation, being the largest exporter of rice in the world, and the sec- ond-largest producer of both wheat and rice, after China. The legal framework of the 1950s is no longer relevant to the present needs. Storage facil- ities must be expanded to manage our surpluses. As ECA puts limits on the stocks, private sector investments have not grown in storage concerning the present-day requirements. The amendment to the Essential Commodities Act provides for regulat- ing stocks of edible oil seeds, cereals, pulses, pota- toes, and onions only under "extraordinary circum- stances such as war, famine, extraordinary price rise and natural calamity of grave nature." Stock limits will be imposed only when there is a 100 per- PM Modi said that Farm Bills will liberate farmers from the restrictions that tied them down. He also lambasted opposition parties for spreading lies and misleading the farmers cent rise in retail prices in the case of horticultural produce and a 50 percent rise in retail prices in case of non-perishable agricultural foodstuffs. As apprehensions about whether farmers will benefit the processor or exporter can stock up to the or traders due to the deregulation of agricultural installed capacity of the plant, the proposed markets. In matters of disposing of the produce, the amendment removes legal hurdles on stock limits farmers are always at a disadvantage. The traders and provides incentives by allaying the fears of pri- very often try to exploit the immediate necessity of vate investors of excessive regulatory interference. the farmers to sell their produce. Regulated mar- The possible expansion of storage and warehous- kets came into being decades ago to safeguard the ing facilities prevent wastage of farm products and interests of the farmers from the clutches of private ensure relative price stability to the producers. traders. In some states, they are doing an excellent The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) job, while in others, they went into the hands of Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services politicians. The office-bearers of these markets are Act is intended to facilitate and regulate contract being nominated by the ruling party of the states. farming. To reduce price uncertainty, the Act stipu- The nexus between the traders, commission lates that forward contracts should explicitly pro- agents, and political office-bearers worked against vide for a guaranteed price and a transparent price- the interests of the farmers in times of necessity. reference over and above the guaranteed amount. Even though Bihar dismantled them way back in Thus, there is a minimum price guarantee for the 2006, that did not help the farmers. Indeed, there is farmer in contract arrangement and provision for a evidence to show that traders from Bihar are buy- higher price if prices go up. ing food grains below the MSP and selling at the The intention of the Modi government in creating MSP in other States such as Punjab and Haryana. and enabling a legal framework for contract farming Viewed in this context, some are skeptical about and empowering farmers with greater marketing the efficacy of a free trade regime in safeguarding freedom is well appreciated. However, there are the interests of the small and marginal farmers. Of

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them to reap benefits from emerging single com- mon markets and barrier free trade in farm prod- ucts. Now that the government has freed markets, it is high time for bringing reforms on the input sub- sidy front also. Converting fertilizer and other input subsidies to direct cash transfers will go a long way in doubling farm incomes. The path breaking mar- keting reforms have created a single big common market for agricultural products and the freedom to sell across the country will certainly ensure remu- nerative prices to the farmers and boost their incomes. Nevertheless, the opposition could have demanded for better clarity or debate on the three bills, than attempting to create pandemonium. Many provisions of the bills are indisputably farmer friendly. However,the genuine fears, doubts, and apprehensions of the farmers need to be addressed and redressed before opposition parties take advantage of the concerns of the farming com- munity. The issues in rich agricultural regions are different from the problems being faced in relatively course, the marketing reforms have aimed at backward agricultural increasing competition in agricultural trade by Whatever the fear and regions. One should opening an alternative trade channel without dis- apprehensions, the not forget the fact that mantling the existing APMCs. farmer suicides have Millions of small and marginal farmers may still opposition could have been a regular feature have to depend on APMCs as corporate buyers demanded for better in many of the infras- may not prefer to purchase directly from individual clarity or debate on tructurally backward farmers. Reforming the structure and functioning of agricultural regions of these markets cannot be neglected anymore, so the three bills, than the country. allowing free trade in agriculture is vital. attempting to create Strengthening agricul- Some are apprehensive about how individual pandemonium. While tural infrastructure and small and marginal farmers will be able to take institutional support to advantage of the opportunities now available, the opposition says farmers will go a long either with permitted free trade across the country the farmers are upset, way in such regions. or contract farming. Even concerning deregulation there aren’t many Minimum Support under ECA, traders may have an advantage over Price regime across farmers. Since farmers mostly sell their produce farmers who’ve come the broad spectrum of immediately after harvest, they may end up selling out to protest crops and products at low prices. While welcoming the marketing must have to be made reforms, many have expressed their fears that the mandatory. Let’s hope that the apprehensions of changes may disproportionately benefit traders and the farmers will be better addressed sooner than corporates unless the necessary institutional later by the governments to continue to enjoy their reforms are brought simultaneously to strengthen confidence and support. the bargaining power of the farmers. It is imperative (The writer is a retired Professor of Economics at Hindu to organize farmers on co-operative lines to enable College, Machilipatnam)

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BRIG (RETD) ANIL GUPTA OPINION INDIA-CHINA STAND-OFF

Will Xi Jinping

DespiteRelent the propaganda unleashed by the state-controlled media of the invincibility of the PLA forces, Xi is uncertain of an assured victory. Even a stalemate would be viewed as an Indian victory and Chinese failure

and firm. India has outrightly rejected the Chinese Chinese President Xi Jinping suggestion of “meeting half-way.” India rightly insists on its demand of “first-in, first-out,” because it were the he 12-hour marathon military commanders’ PLA troops who have violated the established level meeting, first after the 5-point agreements and protocols and made multi-pronged consensus at Moscow, has once again transgression in our territory in Eastern Ladakh in early ended with all indicators pointing towards a May. PLA is also guilty of not adhering to the decisions stalemate. India on its part is buoyed with arrived at first Corps Commander meeting on 5 June the brilliant pre-emptive tactical actions on for de-escalation and dis-engagement leading to the August 29-30 leading to gaining control of dominating ugly clashes at Galwan. The Galwan clashes resulting tactical features on our side of Line of Actual Control in fatalities on both sides raised hackles to realise that T(LAC) on the southern bank of Pangong Tso. This was it was well-planned cartographic aggression by the followed by readjustments of defences on the northern Chinese with the express consent of the Central bank gaining domination over the Fingers area where Military Commission (CMC) led by Xi Jinping. The the Chinese have transgressed and are unwilling to obstinate attitude displayed by the Chinese thereafter restore status quo antebellum. The brilliant proves beyond doubt that the final decision will also be manoeuvres of the Indian Army have empowered the taken by none other than Xi Jinping whose “China Indian negotiators to negotiate from a position of Dream” and personal ambition is at stake. strength, though China through its mouthpiece Global Xi Jinping is a career politician privileged to have Times and other state-owned/controlled media been born with a “Red Spoon” in his mouth. His father, remains in constant denial mode and blaming India Xi Zhongxun, was ‘Red royalty’—a hero of the instead for the current military stand-off. Despite the Communist revolution who later fell out with Mao Chinese claim, Xi Jinping, the Chinese strongman, is Zedong, according to Ananth Krishnan-an acknowledged globally as the aggressor in pursuance acknowledged China-watcher. After purging of his of his cherished dream of becoming the strongest and father, he was shifted to rural China from the privileged the most powerful world leader. living in Central Beijing, the area earmarked for the Indian stand so far has been determined, consistent then Chinese elite. His struggle thereafter to enter the

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youth wing of the Communist party and the final internal dissension through national unity. Xi’s ambition acceptance into the party is well documented and an is to make China not only stronger but assertive as well. example of focused determination, perseverance and 2020 is a very critical year for Xi Jinping. In his hardship. Despite being born with a Red Spoon, he roadmap for realising the China Dream by 2049, the was not parachuted to the top and had to struggle his centenary year of the People’s Republic of China, way through at every stage. His initial background and there is two intermediary goalposts in 2021 and 2025. subsequent struggle for the rise to power has made 2020 is the launchpad for 2021, the 100th anniversary him ambitious and adamant. of the CPC. Xi had promised the nation that by 2020 Xi took over the reins of the party when it was in he would ensure poverty relief through bringing all disarray. He, therefore, began to consolidate his Chinese above the poverty line and strengthen national power and gradually became all-powerful through defence and Chinese armed forces. The Chinese complete centralisation of authority. He brought to economy had begun to show a downward trend in 2019 end the “collective leadership” system in the itself when China’s growth dropped to its slowest pace Communist Party of China (CPC). He not only in nearly three decades. With the outbreak of COVID managed to gain hold of all the top three posts in pandemic Xi was certain that he would not be able to China but also had a resolution passed for abolishing meet his promised economic targets in 2020. President’s term limit, enabling him to rule indefinitely. The centralisation works well as long as the going is This act of his has not gone down well with the young good. But in times of crisis, many dissenting voices rise and aspiring leaders within CPC who see a dark to the fore. Xi Jinping is now facing a similar situation future for them with bleak chances of rising to the top. at home. As is evident, nothing moves in China without Like all authoritarian leaders, Xi also has a fair his approval or consent. He has failed to meet his number of dissidents and domestic opponents. promised economic targets to remove poverty and is During his consolidation of power, amongst other facing a huge challenge to his authority. Any pullback things, he has relied a lot upon an emphasis on at this time by the PLA troops will be viewed as a defeat ideology and nationalism. He believes that Communist for China, thus negating his second goalpost as well of ideology must prevail upon everything else among the a stronger military. Can Xi Jinping at this juncture afford Chinese populace. The “3 W” strategy enunciated for to take this risk and relent? the PLA is aimed at promoting and ensuring Xi’s calculation is based on the premise that a compliance of the ideology. PLA, as is well known, is prolonged deployment would affect Indian economy not a national army but Army of the CPC. Moreover, more than the Chinese. He is mistaken. India stands his reliance on the indoctrinated cadre of United Front unitedly to safeguard her territorial integrity and would Work Department over career diplomats while not yield until China vacates from the transgressed appointing ambassadors to South Asian and other areas. On the other hand, he is faced with growing target countries indicates his preference for ideology dissension at home. over diplomacy to carry forward his pet Belt and Road Despite the propaganda unleashed by the state- Initiative (BRI) project. He has also given a new image controlled media of the invincibility of the PLA forces, Xi of aggressiveness and assertiveness to the Chinese is uncertain of an assured victory. Even a stalemate diplomacy through “Wolf Warrior” diplomats. He wants would be viewed as an Indian victory and Chinese to be recognised as the most powerful Chinese leader failure. There is no dearth of dissenters at home waiting by challenging the supremacy of the American for Xi’s failure and ensure that he doesn’t get a second President popularly termed POTUS. chance. Is Xi faced with a dilemma of relent or retreat? To fulfill his ambition and imbibe nationalism, he has Knowing the ambitious persona of Xi, he is unlikely to announced his roadmap in what is referred to as “China yield ground to his dissenters so easily. Rather than Dream.” According to Liu Mingfu, a retired Chinese being forced to resign, he would prefer to relent at an colonel and author, “President Xi’s dream is of a opportune time and order PLA to vacate. How and stronger nation with a strong military”. The underlying when is a matter of negotiations and timing? idea behind China Dream is to restore the ex- Middle Meanwhile, India should not dither under any Kingdom’s glory and regain the Chinese supremacy circumstances. through expansionism. It is also aimed at minimising (The writer is a security and strategic analyst)

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JAIBANS SINGH OPINION INDIA-CHINA STAND-OFF

Obnoxious headquarter of Chinese

DelhiInformation police arrested a senior journalist, Warfare Rajiv Sharma, for allegedly violating the “Official Secrets Act.” Also arrested were a Chinese woman and her Nepalese companion. In the course of investigations, it has emerged that Sharma wrote for the Global Times from 2010 to 2014, it was during this period that he was recruited by a Chinese intelligence agent named Michael. How many more Sharma’s are in the payroll of Chinese intelligence and Global Times?

the world of today, information has been the traditional media of newspapers and television identified as the biggest asset; Nations news channels. It reportedly controls more than 3,000 utilise it for creating beneficial narratives on public television channels in the world, over 150 pay- the one hand and dissension within inimical TV channels, around 2,500 radio stations, about domains on the other. Authoritarian regimes 2,000 newspapers, 10,000 magazines and more than are masters in the use and misuse of three million internet sites. information.n It is so because they can ensure full The biggest and by far, the most crucial asset in this internal secrecy and simultaneously apply underhand propaganda machinery is the Global Times. It is a Imeans to gather external information and use it to tabloid that has been appropriated by the Chinese their advantage. Communist Party (CCP) and now attempts to pass off China has taken the front seat in this ignominious as a daily newspaper. Earlier it came out only in the activity and become a master in propaganda. It has Chinese language for internal consumption; in 2009, it gained more proficiency than Russia and Germany started publication in English to cater to “international who have held top positions earlier. Propaganda, readership.” CCP openly acknowledges ownership of when applied to engineer adversarial acts against this media outlet and holds it responsible for India, holds special significance for China and follows commenting on issues with a national perspective. in letter and spirit the famous quotes of their strategist Global Times is reported to have a reach of nearly 2 Sun Tsu, “Supreme excellence consists of breaking million followers. It is from this newspaper that the world the enemy’s resistance without fighting,” and, “The gets to know what China thinks, notwithstanding the fact greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” that the reportage is biased, speculative, toeing the line Information Warfare is carried out through the of the CCP and always telling half-truths if not blatant People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force lies. It is the main asset of the PLASSF. All other media (PLASSF). It is used to influence and intimidate in vehicles take a cue from this tabloid for their equal measure—the concocted mind-games aimed at propagandist responsibilities. The newspaper, sowing seeds of self-doubt within the Indian polity. therefore, has emerged as the headquarters of the China has a huge array of multimedia tools to carry obnoxious Chinese “dirty tricks department.” out “Information Operations.” It leverages online Global Times has remained on the forefront of the operations, audio-visual productions and of course Chinese propaganda machinery all through the

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ongoing India-China police, Sharma conflict in Eastern passed sensitive Ladakh, as it was defense and strategic earlier during the information to Doklam and other Chinese intelligence incidents of border- Qin Shi Rajeev Sharma Sher Singh officials in Kunming. related tension Also arrested were a between the two countries. Chinese woman and her Nepalese companion who During the Galwan face-off in mid-June, when India could be his handlers. In the course of investigations, reported the loss of its three soldiers including Col. it has emerged that Sharma wrote for the Global Santosh Babu, the Global Times slammed Indian Times from 2010 to 2014, it was during this period that media for “unprofessional reporting.” Alongside, its he was recruited by a Chinese intelligence agent Editor-in-Chief, Hu Xijin, issued a warning through a named Michael. How many more Sharma’s are in the personal tweet. “Based on what I know, the Chinese payroll of Chinese intelligence and Global Times? side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley Many skeletons will come out of Sharma’s closet. physical clash. I want to tell the Indian side, don’t be As a response to the Rajiv Sharma issue, Hu Xijin arrogant and misread Chinas restraints as being has said that Global Times has a large number of weak. China doesn’t want to have a clash with India, specialist writers and ordinary authors all over the but we don’t fear it,” he wrote. This unsolicited advice, world, and, “it is very common for someone to write its timing and crude presentation indicate the nexus for us from India.” between the PLA and the tabloid. Chinese media influencers are often termed as a key When the clash escalated, leading to the loss of Line of Effort (LoE). They may be crude but are adept 20 brave Indian soldiers and almost twice the number at identifying and targeting democracies like India that of casualties reported on the Chinese side, it was believe in freedom of speech and expression. Half- Global Times again that came out in aid of the truths repeated with regularity often impact gullible beleaguered Chinese military a week later. It did minds. Some so-called defence experts, who have to admit to Chinese casualties but with a twist. “If China speak but are not privy to information, fall prey to releases the number which is less than 20, the Indian Chinese misinformation and quote it as a credible Government would again come under pressure: source to the detriment of the Nation. Observer.” The “Observer” was added to shed all So far as its internal security is concerned, China responsibility for the authenticity of the post. has no qualms in the use of its high technology A cursory look at the headlines of other pieces threshold to stop the flow of such information that written by the tabloid mainly in the name of two CCP and PLA deem unfit for consumption of its local reporters Yang Sheng and Liu Xuanzun make the population. A recent such example is a ban on the embedded “yellow journalism” of Global Times very WION website in China. clear. “India underrates Chinas will to defend every It is imperative for all Indians and especially Indian inch of territory,” wrote Yang Sheng on September 3. media to remain ever vigilant of the machinations of “Indian troops’ tactics won’t help with negotiations with the evil Chinese propaganda machinery. We should China: experts,” said the writers on September 9 a not allow it to take advantage of our democratic norms little before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to exploit and weaken us with the spread of meeting of foreign ministers of the two countries. Such misinformation through distorted and biased narratives. articles, invariably quoting unknown experts and We should keep absolute faith in our Armed Forces analysts, are being published in the newspaper daily. who are shouldering, most successfully, a very This is crude out and out propaganda. challenging responsibility on our borders. We need The Global Times is also a conduit for purchasing always to remain assured that they will give their lives the services of certain collaborators within India. On but never let down the Nation. If India remains September 19, Delhi police arrested a senior steadfast, the Chinese hybrid war capability will get journalist, Rajiv Sharma, for allegedly violating the nullified, and it will lose its inherent strength. “Official Secrets Act.” According to the New Delhi (The writer is a geostrategic analyst. writer and commentator)

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JASBIR SARAI OPINION COUNTER-TERRORIST OPERATIONS

Army Ethics are Minimum Use of

All through the periodForce of turmoil in &J&K, theGood Army has been Faith maintaining high standards of transparency and punishing those among its ranks who are indicted for violating rules. Yet, the unfortunate reality is that the conduct of counter-terrorist operations against a vicious and well- trained enemy of foreign origin has its own set of challenges, including collateral damage

is being alleged that three men from Rajouri, imbibing of an un-army like culture); no meddling in who had gone to work as labourers in the civil administration (i.e. land disputes or quarrels) Kashmir, have been killed in the course of a and others in the professional domain. counter-terrorist operation in Shopian. The It seems that, in this case, contravention was in gunfight took place on July 18 and the men, respect to the human rights violation. As the legal declared unidentified at that time, have now process commenced, the Army also put in an beent identified based on photographs shown to the advertisement in local newspapers requesting for families. Earlier, the families had registered a missing “credible information” on the case. Ireport for their kin; the DNA reports are awaited. What stands out here is the quick and humane The Indian Army took cognisance of certain reports response of the Army authorities to meet ends of concerning the incident and immediately instituted an justice. Further, the Army has sent out a message that inquiry under the Army Act. Reports suggest that the despite functioning under the protection of AFSPA it process was initiated by the Corps Commander of the does not countenance any act of indiscipline by its Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen BS Raju. soldiers and will not hesitate from investigating and This quick response, by the Army, to a whiff of a appropriately dealing with any such matter that misdemeanour indicates the resolve of the comes to its notice. organisation to ensure the conduct of sensitive There is a human rights cell in all Army counter-terrorist operations from the highest ethical headquarters from the Division level upwards. This platform as laid down in the Armed Forces Special cell takes cognisance of all cases of human rights Powers Act (AFSPA) and the “Do’s and Don’ts” (also violations that are reported by the national/state called Ten Commandments) given by the Chief of human rights commissions, or any other body and Army Staff and approved by the Supreme Court. The immediate inquiries are instituted. Cases that come Army is not ready to tolerate violation of the to light within the service itself are also subject to an established ethical platform under any circumstance. inquiry. The Ten Commandments are, a no rape; no Such cases that deem legal action are dealt in molestation; no torture; willingly carry out civic actions accordance with the stringent provisions of the Army with innovations; respect for human rights; no military Act, 1950. A sizeable number of soldiers have been disgrace. (loss of arms, surrender, loss of post or meted out exemplary punishment in the form of

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considered to be terrorist dens in Shopian, is being probed. The reason behind their jumping out of a window when an operation was launched at their rented accommodation is also being looked into. So far as the Army is concerned, it has accepted that “prima facie” evidence dismissal from service and imprisonment in earlier suggests that the troops who conducted the operation instances in the state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) used power in excess of what is permissible under the itself. In November 2014, the Indian Army convened AFSPA, against the spirit of the Ten Commandments a General Court Martial (GCM) to try five Indian by the COAS. “Committed to ethical conduct during soldiers, including two officers, on charges of anti-militancy operations, the Army initiated an inquiry conducting a fake encounter in the Machil sector of after social media reports indicated the three men were the Kashmir Valley in the year 2010. The GCM found from Rajouri district in Jammu and had gone missing the soldiers guilty and awarded them life at Amshipura,” said Col Rajesh Kalia, the defence imprisonment. spokesperson in Srinagar while adding that, “the probe So far as the incident under reference is will be completed in four weeks.” concerned, security forces have confirmed that the Justice meted out by the Army through its internal operation was conducted jointly by the Army, JK Police mechanism is invariably quick and exemplary; had and the paramilitary forces based on an intelligence this case been tried in a civil court it would have input about the presence of terrorists in Village dragged on for years on end. All through the period Amshipora of District Shopian. The security forces of turmoil in J&K, the Army has been maintaining high have also confirmed that the encounter started when standards of transparency and punishing those holed-in terrorists opened fire on the security forces. among its ranks who are indicted for violating rules. When it ended, three bodies were found there which Yet, the unfortunate reality is that the conduct of are now being said to be those of the labourers from counter-terrorist operations against a vicious and Rajouri. Some arms, ammunition and other warlike well-trained enemy of foreign origin has its own set stores were also recovered from the encounter site. A of challenges, including collateral damage. This said point of significance is that though the operation took all efforts are being made to keep collateral damage place on July 18 and the families had lost contact with at the minimum even at the cost of buying casualties the men on July 17 itself. The terrorists may have within the Army. Alongside, is the need to protect the taken the labourers into their custody a day earlier and soldiers in cases of professional expediency and also then used them as human shields. mete out exemplary punishment in instances of The involvement of this trio with terrorism or dereliction of duty and breaking of established related activities is also under investigation by the protocols. police. Their presence, since their arrival, in places (The writer is a military veteran and a social worker)

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ANALYSIS ECONOMY DR MANOJ SINHA & DR SATISH KUMAR

The Green World Order:

TheIndia world is sittingcould on the brink on catastrophe. be Neithera Leader America nor China is keen to safeguard the world through its roadmap of the Green World Order

here has been much talk of the shifting of power superpower needs to have besides economic and military from West to East. The rise of China, along with powers an ability to intervene politically in any part of the India and Japan, was flared up that the 21st world and prove its unparalleled strength. Another Century is destined to be an Asian century. But qualification is to use nuclear weapons and its reach out there are many disruptions. Will China become a across the globe. China flatly fails on both the parameters as superpower in the same status as Britain and a superpower. The second disruptions against the rising America controlled the International system? One of the China theory are that more than two powers are emerging Tthinkers of world politics, Richard Haass explained that a on the landscape of the International System. The concept Organiser 24 October 4, 2020 OCBER. 4, 2020_Organiser 25-Sep-20 1:45 AM Page 25

The NITI Aayog has warned that the the early Nineteenth Century in Europe along with the political ideology of an unchallenged charter of demand for drinking water will Individualism created a world order which was based on outstrip supply by 2030 if preventive more consumption better development and highly racial steps are not taken. Nearly 600 and with geographical superiority. One after another geo- political theorist from Henry Mackinder to TH Mahan, million Indians suffer from high to Heartland theory to Rim Land were postulated to justify the extreme water stress. About 2,00,000 western interventions and to shape the world system with deaths occur every year due to the keeping the western interests focused. This is how two hundred years of history of the world is with us, which has lack of access to safe water. Experts created a threat of existence not merely for Asian and predict that 21 cities will run out of Africans but for European and American as well. Now the groundwater by the end this year larger question is which country can shelter like a tree in flood. America is the odd man out. It has been the biggest disrupter of the Green World and that’s why it did not sign of Middle Powers like India, the Kyoto Protocol and withdrew from Paris Climate Germany, Japan, South Africa, change. China is developing a huge infrastructure of green and few more are inching up to energy, especially wind and solar. China produced almost shape the world system together. 170 GW of solar energy in 2018 when India was struggling Chinese aggressions in many in double-digit. The fleet of buses and trucks are running parts of Asia are showing her on solar. But China has a dubious character. Dragon wants utter desperations to become the to keep its house clean but litters with fossil fuels in other unparalleled power in the region. parts of the world. It is moving with huge coal plants Chinese led world order does not through its signature campaign of ‘One Belt Road’ system. look taking a concrete shape. The Chinese system does not think magnanimously to If there is a world order which safeguard the planet through its inclusive approach. The could be developed beyond the COVID-19 pandemic has completely eclipsed the Chinese conventional theory of the world credentials in the international system. The way China system, is the Green World manipulated and tempered WHO, which led to a cyclical Order. A world order which expansion of pandemic in the globe, its Green and creates a pitch for non-fossil free Humanitarian face has been unmasked. Rest of the energy system and helps countries are not as big as to shape the Green World develop where the catastrophic situations could be controlled. Order. The only country which shines out in the crisis is, That looks more promising. The economic and military might India. It will have the largest world population of the world may not work as it has been shaping the system. The world by 2024. It has tested democratic credentials and strong is sitting on the brink on catastrophe. Neither America nor constitutional framework. The ancient Indian wisdom is China is keen to safeguard the world through its roadmap of based on ‘Vashudhav Kutumbkam’ which encapsulates the Green World Order. each country in its fold. India has displayed its commitment We have heard of a Panchtantra story, in the extreme for the resolutions of Paris Commitment. The eight folds exigencies of the flood, a tree becomes a shelter for tiger, jump in solar energy in the last six years proved a point. human being, a serpent and peacock. None of them harms India is going to generate more than 450 GW of energy each other; they hang on calmly and mutually. The reason through renewable sources by 2030. The Indian Prime is an apprehension of existence lurks on each of head. The Minister Narendra Modi was awarded as the ‘Champion of disruptions in climate has pushed the different countries in Earth’ by the UN Secretary-General in 2018. He started to the same conditions to shelter on the same tree. The lead the International Solar Alliance. India has made Corona pandemic is a harsh reminder of undergoing important progress towards meetings the United Nations change. The CO-2 is not merely an emission problem but Sustainable Developmental Goals, notably Goal-7 on a stock problem. The beginning of Industrial revolutions in delivering energy access. India’s per capita emissions

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ANALYSIS ECONOMY

today are 1.6 tonnes of CO2, well below the global average grim picture of the nature of climate change and its impact of 4.4 tonnes. on the country in the coming decades. The report predicts that the average temperature in India by the end of this Why there is need of Green World Order? Century will rise by about 4.4 Celsius. The average rise So far, world politics was driven by the greed of oil and gas. during 1901-2018 was 0.7 degree Celsius. The Sea surface Churchill after the end of the First World War ventured to temperature in the Indian Ocean during the 1951-2015 use imported oil in place of coal for British fleets since then periods was one degree Celsius which was more than the the oil became the driving force of world global average. The report further explains politics. Geo-Politics of Oil embargos are A report by the Ministry that there will be a decrease in monsoon common; it was displayed many times. Oil of Earth Sciences rainfall and an increase in temperature, which and gas have not only been used as ‘Sticks will raise sea levels and course more severe to hurt or deter foes but also as ‘carrots’ to predicts that the droughts and cyclone. There will be many reward allies and ensure their allegiance. average temperature in other extreme weather events. At least 207 Venezuela Petrocaribe scheme granted India by the end of this natural disasters were recorded globally in massive discounts on crude and oil product the first six months of 2020. Cyclone deliveries to small Caribbean states to Century will rise by Amphan, the strongest on record in the Bay counter US influence in the region. The about 4.4 Celsius. The of Bengal is the world’s costliest damage so alliance between the US and Saudi Arabia average rise during far, $15 billion economic loss estimated. The is a prime example of a strategic relationship cyclone had spoiled the Gulf of Bengal, India in which oil plays a key role. This alliance 1901-2018 was 0.7 and Bangladesh. dates back to 1945 when King Abdul Aziz degree Celsius. The Sea Why can China not become a Global Aban Saud and US president Franklin surface temperature in Roosevelt came to an understanding that Green World Power? the US would provide military assistance in the Indian Ocean during The climate Action Tracker gives China a exchange for access to Saudi oil. the 1951-2015 periods very poor grade. It continued reliance on The consistent reminder of the Climate was one degree Celsius coal. China is still failing at stopping the conference of the UN to switch over from building of the new coal-fired plants. China fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, which was more than is financing coal-fired power plants outside the 25th meeting which took place in the global average of the country, so increasing emissions Madrid, reminded the bigger economies. But elsewhere. Climate Action tracker lists India things are not moving. American president Trump, meeting is the 20 nations whose actions are compatible with with COs of the companies during the pandemic assuring keeping global warming under 2 degree Celsius. China them of carbon led economic development in future. The remains the world’s largest producer of carbon emissions. impact of the fossil-fuel economy is visible. It is a plan to finance and build roads, railways, bridges, Southeast Asia and South Asia potentially will face more ports, and industrial parks abroad, beginning with China’s severe consequences of climate change than other parts neighbours in Central, South, and Southeast Asia and of the world. Asia as a region faces hazards including eventually reaching Western Europe and across the Pacific flooding, droughts, severe typhoons as well as conditions to Latin America. While China has imposed a cap on coal of rising heat and humidity. India is facing the worst water consumption at home, its coal and energy companies are crisis in history. Nearly half of the population is struggling on a building spree overseas. Chinese companies are with drought-like conditions. The NITI Aayog has warned involved in at least 240 coal projects in 25 of the Belt and that the demand for drinking water will outstrip supply by Road countries, including in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Serbia, 2030 if preventive steps are not taken. Nearly 600 million Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. It had a particular Indians suffer from high to extreme water stress. About eye on the coal resources of South Asia, Southeast Asia, 2,00,000 deaths occur every year due to the lack of access Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the to safe water. Experts predict that 21 cities will run out of Russian Far East. Secondly, the Chinese political system groundwater by the end this year. is not transparent. Its next move is unpredictable. Third, A report by the Ministry of Earth Sciences presents a very China is very keen to settle the historical scores after

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becoming the largest economy. Therefore, its intentions could not afford to follow the British economic policy of are based on self-interests which would generate more greed. If two-thirds of the planet failed to satisfy the greed’s conflicts in the International System. of Britain, India had four times the population of Britain, so it would need four planets like earth to fulfil the greed. How India can become a Global World Leader Unfortunately, Independent India became a copy cat of the The Indian government says that India will meet two major western pattern of development. pledges under the Paris Agreement on Climate change External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also said that ahead of schedule. India has promised to ensure that 40 per Climate Change is not merely a fuel issue, but it has a larger cent of its electricity generation capacity comes from non- context. Unsustainable consumption is the fundamental fossil fuel sources by 2030. It will also reduce its emission cause of pollution and ecological destruction. Since the intensity. India has increased its Solar-energy capacity for industrial revolution in the 1850s, our energy use has more than twelvefold since 2014. Indian increased 25 times to feed our consumption; stands are not contradictory. It says what it The energy issue is not land under cultivation has expanded three- does. Democratic credentials are well merely related to fossil fold, in this process world has destroyed 30 respected. This government has prepared a per cent of tropical forests and wiped out 60 blueprint of Green World Order. The share of fuels but also with the per cent of mammals, fish and reptiles. electricity will largely come from renewable pattern of lifestyle. The The climate crisis is a product of greed. sources. The second most fossil fuel sector, ancient wisdom of India is The energy issue is not merely related to which consumes oil and gas is the fossil fuels but also with the pattern of transportation sector. The government is based on “god give me so lifestyle. The ancient wisdom of India is planning to diversify the heavy public much that I should not go based on “god give me so much that I should transport to battery led three-wheelers and hungry, nor my guest not go hungry, nor my guest sleeps without two-wheelers. The large number of batteries food’. But the last two centuries of western driven vehicles could be seen from sleeps without food’. But evolutions of modern economics changed megacities to the small town of India. the last two centuries of the dynamics of development. India blindly According to PM Modi, it is secured, sure and western evolutions of followed the same set of the system. That is pure. India has earmarked 450 GW of how fossil fuels heavily drive Indian growth. renewable energy by 2030 and also provides modern economics India’s energy system is largely based on the 17 lakh solar pumps to farmers under changed the dynamics of use of coal for power generation, oil for Pradhanmantri Kusum Yojana. development. India blindly transport and industry and biomass for heating and cooking. Industry consumes Conclusion followed the same set of almost 56 per cent of mix energy which Inequality and climate change are parts of the system. That is how constitutes of coal, oil, natural gas, electricity the same coin. Therefore, climate change is fossil fuels heavily drive and biofuels. The residential sector is the 2nd also related to lifestyle. A western largest energy consumer at 29 per cent, and economist, Thorstein Veblen who coined Indian growth transport is the third largest sector the terms’ conspicuous consumption and consuming almost 17 per cent of energy. But Invidious Comparisons’ pointed out how individual use India has a strong base of green energy. Each of Indian luxury goods to show off their status. The US top ten per festivals is directly related to nature. Recently PM Modi cent emits six times more than 50 per cent off bottom-up mentioned about Onam. India has to revive its old wisdom to at households. Adam Smith, the father of economics, shape the mindset of its populace and accordingly, the explained in his path-breaking book ‘the Wealth of Nations’ patterns of the world. The containment of greed could reduce it is the industry which is going to make the country rich. the churning of half of the industries of the world. Once it is Adam Smith opposed any government intervention in achieved, half of the green world is created. The rest will industry and commerce. The neo-liberal like Hayek through follow through renewable sources. It looks promising that by his book ‘The Road to Serfdom’ further accentuated the 2030 India can display to the world of a Green World Order. individual actions. But ancient Indian wisdom is opposite (Dr Manoj Sinha is Principal, Aryabhatta College, Delhi University to the views of Adam Smith. Gandhi once said that India and Dr Satish Kumar is Associate Professor MMH College, Meerut)

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Jnanpith presented to Akkitham 94-year-old celebrated poet who ushered in modernism in Malayalam poetry becomes 55th winner of the award

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AKKITHAM

minent Malayalam poet Mahakavi Akkitham A prolific writer, Akkitham's main works Achuthan Namboothiri was on Thursday con- include Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam, ferred with the Jnanpith Award at his resi- Balidarshanam and Dharma Sooryan. Critics dence by Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Shri A K Balan. say the poem Irupatham Noottantinte With this, the 94-year-old Akkitham has Ithihasam has ushered in modernism in become the sixth Keralite to win the award. Malayalam poetry Malayalam writers including G Sankara E Kururp, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, S K Pottekkatt, M T Vasudevan Nair and ONV presentation ceremony was kept modest. Kurup are others who have won the award. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated The prize includes an honorarium of Rs 11 the award ceremony through a video confer- lakh and a bronze replica of Goddess ence. Vijayan hailed Akkitham’s contributions Saraswati. to Malayalam literature. Born on March 18, 1926 in Kumaranalloor in “It was through his original attempts that Palakkad district as the son of Vasudevan Akkitham presented the concerns of both indi- Nampoothiri and Parvathy Antharjanam, viduals and the time to the society. He has Akkitham is known for ‘modernising’ reflected a peculiar originality in his works,” Malayalam poetry. A prolific writer, Akkitham's Minister AK Balan said. main works include Irupatham Noottandinte Poet and advisor (press) to the Chief Ithihasam, Balidarshanam and Dharma Minister Prabha Varma, the president of Sooryan. He has written over 45 works of Thapasya and local politicians were present at poems, plays and short stories. He was con- the award presentation ceremony. The award ferred Padma Shri in 2017. Critics say the function is usually held in New Delhi. It has poem Irupatham Noottantinte Ithihasam has been held at the awardee’s home this time ushered in modernism in Malayalam poetry. reportedly considering his age and the Covid- With Covid restrictions in place, the award 19 situation.

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AKKITHAM How Marxists scuttled Akkitham’s chance to win Jnanpith long back Leftists detest the great poet because he left behind Marxism and embraced Hindu universalism

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he Jnanpith Award came in Mahakavi Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri’s way rather late, though his name is said to have figured on the list of candidates a few times in the past. The 94- year-old Akkitham (as he is popularly known) is one of the most revered poets of Malayalam literature. In 2007, there was near T unanimity on his name among the members of the award selec- tion committee. But Sachithanandan, a staunch Marxist, former Secretary of the Sahitya Akademi and a member of the jury, allegedly played the spoilsport and lobbied for poet ONV Kurup, who was much younger to Akkitham. Finally, the jury selected ONV Kurup for the award. Being a Communist, ONV Kurup was the favoured candidate for the Marxists. For Marxists, Akkitham was a renegade who had deserted the party ideology and joined forces with the ‘class enemy’. If the Marxists had their way, even now Akkitham would not have got the award. This is not to dispute ONV Kurup’s calibre or greatness as a poet or his contribution to Malayalam literature. True to their nature, after the announcement of the award, the Communists were quick to draw mileage out of this. One of the first persons to congratulate him was none other than the present Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan. Born on March 18, 1926 in Kumaranalloor in Palakkad district as the son of Vasudevan Nampoothiri and Parvathy Antharjanam, Akkitham was drawn to revolutionary reform movement initiated by VT Bhattathiripad to end social evils in his Brahmin communi- ty. Akkitham wholeheartedly participated in the movement. To learn English education, he cut his tuft and adopted western dress, which was a taboo among Brahmins then. As a student, he participated in the Congress movement and wanted to contribute to nation-building. He took part in the Quit India movement and other agitations against the British and got arrested. The purpose of his social and political activity was to establish an egalitarian society. He supported casteless mar- riages, widow remarriage and women education. Endowed with a fertile mind, Akkitham was attracted to socialism and Marxism and worked closely with Communist leader EMS

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In 2007, there was near unanimity The biggest criticism of the on his name among the members of Communists against Akkitham the award selection committee. is that he left his “progressive But Sachithanandan, a staunch and revolutionary ideals of his Marxist, former Secretary of the youth days” behind and adopted Sahitya Akademi and a member of “regressive ways” such as the jury, allegedly played the teaching Vedas and performing spoilsport and lobbied for poet yagnas. For them, he was a ONV Kurup, who was much Brahmin obscurantist who was younger to Akkitham trying to bring back ‘Manuvaad’

Namboothiripad. The Communist Party twice tried to these ideas brought him close to the Sangh. give him party membership which he declined. By that Akkitham served as president of Tapasya, a Sangh- time, the incisive thinker in him realised the limitations of inspired platform for promotion of art and literature, for Communism. He strayed into Indian philosophy, which more than seven years. The progressives who enjoyed he found more profound and complete, much to the cha- monopoly over the area of art and literature had to yield grin of the Marxists. His unending quest brought him space to a group of writers who were proud of their close to Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy. One of the persons Bharateeya cultural ethos. He wholeheartedly attended who left a lasting impression on Akkitham was Gandhiji. functions organised by RSS. An unabashed supporter of In one of his poems, he compares him to Krishna and the Sangh’s initiatives to bring about social change, says both have taken birth for ‘dharma sansthapanam’ Akkitham witnessed how his dream of a casteless soci- (re-establishment of dharma). ety is being realised in real life. In an interview to The biggest criticism of the Communists against Mathrubhumi, he says: “I happened to mention Akkitham is that he left his “progressive and revolution- Kesavadev’s speech in which he asked to burn ary ideals of his youth days” behind and adopted Ramayana, during the ninetieth birth anniversary of “regressive ways” such as teaching Vedas and perform- Balagokulam founder M. A. Krishnan. Today everybody ing yagnas. For them, he was a Brahmin obscurantist has started reading Ramayana. Ramayana is the soul of who was trying to bring back ‘Manuvaad’. While EMS India. …I recalled Madhavji (former Sangh pracharak) had lamented that his study of Vedas and rituals in who attempted to renovate temples and make casteless younger age was a waste of time, Akkitham used his Brahmins priests of temples. Both were my friends. The knowledge in Vedas as a tool to spiritually uplift people crux of my speech was that everyone started reading belonging to so-called lower castes who were denied Ramayana due to the efforts taken by them.” that right and bring about equality. He found himself In the vitiated literary and cultural landscape of quite at home with this ‘evolutionary’ idea than phony Kerala, Akkitham is like the holy plume of smoke ema- ‘imported’ revolutionary ideas that thrived on widening nating from the yagna kundam, carrying with it the ever fault lines and creating social schisms. Commonality of enlivening and cleansing fragrance of celestial herbs. n

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Jnanpith gets Akkitham He is the last surviving social reformer who revolutionised the lives of not only the Namboodiri households but even that of people in lower strata of society

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nanpith gets Akkitham,” that was how M Satheesan, which come to my mind,” said the nonagenarian who Malayalam literary and political critic described it has not lost any of his mental prowess. when the mass media beamed the announcement by Parappanangaadi Unnikrishna Panickar , thanthrick “J the Jnanpith Award Committee that Akkitham scholar and ace astrologer, had a hearty laugh when Achuthan Namboodiri is being honored with the coun- he was told the comment made by Akkitham. try’s biggest literary prize for the year 2019. Jnanpith award is a recognition which reached Akkitham, as he is popularly known, is Kerala’s Devayanam, the poet’s Mana traditional Namboodiri one and only Maha Kavi (Great Poet) who is a house- house) at Kumaranalloor in Kerala’s Palakkadu dis- hold name for his works which has played a major trict. Akkitham, who set the State’s cultural and politi- role in demolishing and destroying orthodoxy and cal platforms ablaze with his revolutionary poems in conservatism associated with the Brahmin communi- 1950s and 1960s had forecast the collapse of ty to which he belongs. Aged 94, he is the last surviv- Communism and disintegration of the Union of Soviet ing social reformer who revolutionized the lives of not Socialist Republics way back in 1970s itself. He has only the Namboodiri households but even that of peo- not written much of poetry during the last two ple in lower strata of the Kerala society. decades because of his engagement with translation “I would like to be known more as an astrologer of Sree Maha Bhagavatham, the great purana of because my forte has been astrology, a science. I Bharata, into Malayalam. learnt scientific astrology. Poetry is something like a The Bhagawatham, all slokas of which were as hobby for me and I scribble the occasional thoughts immortal as that of the great Purana, found new

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beauty in Malayalam language as Akkitham sculpted the work with alphabets and grammar in a style hitherto unheard and unseen in Malayalam. The sloka “Narayanaaksharam Punya Jihwagre Yasya Varthathe Narayanasthamanwethi Valsam Gowreeva Valsalaa… became “Naavinthumbil Punya Narayanaaksharamirikkukil Narayanan Thedi Varum Pasu Valsatheyennapol..” . The beauty of the transla- tion was stated by Prof P G Haridas, president, Tapasya, Kerala’s largest and oldest literary and cultural forum of which Akkitham himself was the founder president : “ We could not have asked for more. I rate this as literature at its peak,” said Haridas, who describes Akkitham as the all-time great of 21st century’s Malayalam literature. Though his friends and followers, including Jeevan Akkitham’s sorrow began the day when the Kumar, editor, Yajnopaveetham and Prof K P Sasidharan Jawaharlal Nehru rejected the request by the of Kozhikode are unanimous that the top award should freedom fighters of the country to make Sanskrit have reached his hands at least two decades ago. “It is true that Akkitham is last of the titans of Malayalam liter- the national language ature. He is a born poet while the new age writers are light years behind him. They are yet to pen down lines He attributed his knowledge of Sanskrit and Sanskrit which would get engraved in our minds,” said Prof literature as the reasons behind his poetry. “The great Sasidharan, former head of the department, Malayalam, poets of yesteryears, Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer, P Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode and Kerala’s lead- Kunhiraman Nair, Kumaran Aasan, Vallathol Narayana ing literary critic. Menon, Edassery Govindan Nair, Olappamanna The author of “The Epic of the 20th Century”, the best Subramanian Namboodirippadu, Vailoppilli Sreedhara poetical work to emerge in Malayalam literary landscape Menon were all Sanskrit scholars. Same was the case sans any media blitzkrieg was not amused or enthused with novelists like Uroob (P C Kuttikrishnan), Thakazhi by the country’s biggest award a writer could aspire for. “I Sivasankara Pillai, Keshava Dev, Sanjayan who were all feel nothing. How can you be happy when you see the well read in Sanskrit. Their works had originality in them country moving backwards,?” asked Akkitham on a and were literature of global standards. Do we have writ- Sunday morning when this writer met him at ers of such genre now? M T Vasudevan Nair fits the bill. Devayaanam. But others do not come anywhere near the above men- He said he is yet to find out the reason for the back- tioned writers,” said Akkitham. ward journey of the nation. “Everything is decided by God He said the world of Malayalam poetry is weak and in Almighty. Daivadheenam Jagatsarvam! Nothing belongs the death bed. “A person who thinks of himself/herself to us. All pre-destined by Him,” Akkitham pointed as a poet, novelist, short story writer or a literary critic upwards to the sky. does not become anyone of these. One who considers Akkitham’s sorrow began the day when the Jawaharlal himself as a born artist is doomed to fail. All living entities Nehru rejected the request by the freedom fighters of the are manifestations of God. One’s confidence should not country to make Sanskrit the national language. “All be in the pride but in one’s infinity, depth and complete- aberrations in our educational system started the day it ness,” explained the grand old man of Malayalam litera- was decided by Nehru to make Hindi the national lan- ture. This was his response when asked why modern day guage. Had Sanskrit been the national language, the writers fail to come out works matching that of the old- country would have been the knowledge house of the timers. world,” said Akkitham. Akkitham pointed out that literature, be it poem, novel,

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dition,” said Akkitham. Mulk Raj Anand had figured in the life history of Malayatoor Ramakrishnan a former IAS officer who was a widely read Malayalam writer. Ramakrishnan in his reminiscences has mentioned how Anand while on a visit to the former’s college had impressed upon him not to waste life in this small Kerala and persuaded him to come to Bombay which was waiting for intellectuals like him. “When I went to the palatial residence of Anand in Bombay’s Malabar Hill, he refused to meet me. And final- ly when I managed to meet him, he asked me to get the hell out the city and go back to Kerala. This was the true My interest in Communism had its origins in our Mulk raj Anand,” Ramakrishnan wrote in his memoirs! vedas and Upanishads. But the moment I learnt That much for India’s Left ideology. that the ideology of Marx has no humane face, I The poet also made it clear that he had nothing to do with RSS or the Hindutwa. “I was more into learning Marx gave it up… Upadhyaya stood for a political and and his ideology. But having read Sanskrit works, Vedas economic ideology which had strong mooring in the and Upanishads, I understood that the Marxian ideology teachings of India’s sages and rishis. This was was doomed to fail because it would not and could not match the greatness of Indian culture, tradition or her- what made us to think alike – Akkitham itage,” he said. Akkitham had played a major role in getting rid of short story or drama, is an ongoing process. “What some of the outdated and irrelevant traditions prevailing Valmiki and Kalidasa wrote were based on their own in the Namboodiri community. The re-marriage of world of experiences. Each person born in this earth has Namboodiri widows, the thought of Namboodiri women his/her own universe of experiences and they should be going for work were unthinkable and unimaginable even able to realize the same. Don’t you remember the old during the early phase of the 20th century. He together Persian saying, ‘You fool, look into the heart and write’,” with V T Bhattathirippadu and E M S Namboodirippadu Akkitham reminds the new generation. (yes, the same EMS who was the first chief minister of Coming back to the topical issues haunting India, the Kerala) worked overtime and made use of all kinds of anti-CAA rallies and Shaheenbag kind of demonstrations platforms and avenues to end this social evil and dogma. happening across the country, Akkitham said he does not The poet blames the complacency which had set in rule out the possibility of India getting disintegrated fur- the Namboodiri community as the reason behind these ther. “The epicenter of all our problems was the division social evils. “We have to blame ourselves for the same of the country into India and Pakistan. The communal as the Namboodiris were financially sound , up in the discord which we see now had its origin from the birth of social hierarchy and had nothing to worry about. But Pakistan. Jawaharlal Nehru himself is responsible for it,” when they came across reality in life and faced difficul- said Akkitham who had closely watched the shadow box- ties, they had to change, change permanently,” said ings that took place in the political arena during the days Akkitham. leading to the emergence of India from the shackles of The same was the case with the oppressed and the slavery. depressed classes who were denied opportunities to Though India gained political freedom, the cultural and learn Sanskrit, Vedas and Upanishats for centuries. literary spheres were seized by the Communists. ‘Mulk Akkitham was the leader of the social revolution which Raj Anand and Ali Sardar Jafri were their foot soldiers. turned the prevailing customs upside down and threw the Both of them were experts in distorting and interpreting doors opened for people in the lower strata to learn the facts to suit the convenience of the Communists. They great Indian system of knowledge and tradition. “I was created a bloc of writers who were oriented to the import- totally against the practice of Brahminism by an exclusive ed concept of literature. It is sad that we do not have writ- class. Nothing should be denied to the people of this ers to counter this western onslaught on culture and tra- great land in the name of religion, caste and class which

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AKKITHAM

are all man-made fencings and rules,” said Akkitham. The Sri Ramaswamy Temple at Kadavallur near his hometown is a standing monument of Akkitham’s tenaci- ty. The annual anyonyam (an intellectual wrestling event) on Rig Veda held in the months of November-December see vedic scholars from all over the globe assembling at Kadavallur. Only the best scholars could graduate as champions. The age-old vedic debate contest is held under the supervision of Kadavallur Anyonya Parishat and is described as the one and only event of this kind taking place anywhere in the world. “My interest in Communism had its origins in our vedas and Upanishads. But the moment I learnt that the The Legend of the 20th Century and other poems. No ideology of Marx has no humane face, I gave it up. There wonder, the Marxists fielded a political Bhikshamdehi to are people who describe me as Sanghi, RSS and even attack him with terms like Fascist and communalist! BJP. I do not have anything to do with this organisations. The poet blames the inertia that has set in the govern- I had not read what Dr K B Hedgewar or M S Golwalkar ments which ruled India since 1947. “The first thing they had written about Hindutwa. But what I had professed as should have done was to ban religious conversion. Sanatana Dharma could be seen in their writings and Besides the creation of Pakistan by tearing apart India, speeches. Similar was the case with Deendayal the unbridled freedom given to foreigners to convert Upadhyaya who was the proponent of Integral Hindus to other religions played havoc with the soul of Humanism. Upadhyaya stood for a political and econom- the country. Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, was ic ideology which had strong mooring in the teachings of against the practice of religious conversion. I mentioned India’s sages and rishis. This was what made us to think about this and advocated strongly for the same way back alike,” explained Akkitham. in 1975. We simply adore the picture of Gandhi but we The poet explained with elan that the theory of ideolo- fail to see his heart,” said Akkitham. While addressing the gy is engraved in the age old Indian ethos. “The social- Gandhi Peace Foundation delegates at Kozhikode in ism being spread by westerners would succeed only if it Kerala, the Maha Kavi pointed this out and quoted a is implemented through Indian culture. The Indian philos- sloka “Even a Gold Vessel cannot cover the power of ophy existed much before the advent of religions. We fol- truth”. lowing the so called Gregorian calendar itself is a blun- The 94-year-young Akkitham Achuthan Nampoodiri is der. The modern day calendar says this is the 2020th not enthusiastic about discussing poetry. “My mission as year. So, where were we before 2020? The CE 2020 is a poet is over. It is my passion in astrology which sus- the same as that of 5121 Kali Yuga. There are 4,26, 882 tains my energy and spirit. Now it is for the younger gen- years remaining oin Kali Yuga before we advent to the eration to take off from where me and my colleagues left. next Yuga. Krita Yuga was 1,72, 8000 years long while The world of literature is vast and is in an ever expanding Treta Yuga was 12, 96,000 years long. Who and how mode. So, there is lot to write, lot to speak.. it is an these years could be accounted? It could be done only Akshaya Paatra.. which is eternally overflowing. Those with the Indian system of knowledge,” said Akkitham. He who are keen in writing poems and stories can get unlim- is blunt in his opinion that the Gregorian calendar is ited quantity of spirit and energy from it. But please absolutely wrong. remember, don’t try to write just for the sake of writing. If Akkitham who has authored thousands of poems in you do that, it will never be literature,” the poet in his 94 years (and counting!) and who was described as a Akkitham wound up the session and went back to a brief Left of the Centre writer suddenly became a persona non siesta. grata for the comrades when he questioned and chal- While coming back from Devayanam, one cannot hold lenged the social evils being practiced by the Marxists. back the prayer to God almighty. “This person should The CPI(M) is known for its ideology of physically annihi- remain among us for another hundred years. He is the lating the enemies. This was unacceptable to the poet in divine musician deputed by the supreme power to sing Akkitham who questioned the practice in his works like His songs and hymns”. n

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DR RASHMINI KOPARKAR OPINION EDUCATION / NEP 2020

NEP is Key to India’s Quest for the Superpower Status The inter-disciplinary, professional and vocational training envisaged in the NEP will play a significant role in achieving the Key to India’s quest to becoming a superpower is a robust education system supported 'Self-Reliant India' that the Prime Minister by quality education at affordable cost (Pic credit: IndianEra.com)

talks about. On the other hand, quality cation, as well as around two lakh suggestions gath- education at affordable cost will promote ered from Gram Panchayats and urban local bodies across India, are reflected in the policy, which has India as a global study destination, come out as a comprehensive document. restoring its role as a Vishwa Guru NEP has brought about some radical changes in the Indian educational system. Firstly, the current he Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Shri structure of 10+2 in school education will be Narendra Modi’s leadership, approved the changed to 5+3+3+4, whereby children between the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP) on age group of 3 to 5 will also be included in the formal July 29. This is an epoch-making policy, sug- education. NEP suggests that the first 5 years of gesting path-breaking changes in the current education, the foundational phase, should be in the education system. Provisions in this policy will lead mother tongue. Secondly, under this policy, the grad- toT complete de-Macaulay-ization of Indian educa- uation course will be extended to four years, with tion. The NEP is rooted in Indian ethos, and aims to multiple exit options. NEP maintains that the transform the nation into ‘an equitable and vibrant research environment has to be cultivated right from knowledge society’. At the same time, it has the graduation, and gives necessary provisions in that strength to create a generation of bright young men direction. It provides for the setting up of the National and women, who can truly represent new India. Research Foundation to promote research in vari- NEP was one of the promises in Bhartiya Janata ous fields. Party’s manifesto for 2014 General Elections. This One of the key features of the NEP is its policy was a result of years of sustained delibera- emphasis on interdisciplinary education, which will tions, which started with the formation of put an end to the unnatural classification of arts and Subramaniam Committee in 2015. Based on this science in Indian universities. Students can choose committee’s report submitted in 2017, another com- any subjects according to their interest. Along with mittee, headed by former ISRO chief Shri this, NEP talks about promoting Indian languages, Kasturirangan, prepared a draft NEP in 2019. This culture, traditions and thought, and makes draft was then circulated nationwide and sugges- provisions for the children to get acquainted with all tions were invited from various stakeholders. In fact, this in school life. It stresses on the study of Indian advice from a number of experts in the field of edu- languages and literature, with special emphasis on

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Sanskrit. tionalization of education at length. Various provi- NEP clearly defines the fundamental principles sions are made to make India a global hub of higher which will act as a guide for the educational institu- education by attracting a high number of foreign stu- tions. It aims at achieving foundational literacy and dents. To this direction, the government gives schol- numeracy by all students by the third grade. It arships to students from many small countries to emphasizes on conceptual understanding rather encourage them to study in India. According to NEP than rote learning and exam-centric learning. It also provisions, courses on Indian language, Yoga, talks about cultivating life skills like communication, Ayurveda, Indian art, music, history, culture, etc will cooperation and teamwork. Most importantly, it be designed keeping international standards in seeks to instill among students a ‘deep-rooted pride mind. At the same time internationally relevant cur- in being Indian, not only in thought, but also in spirit, ricula will be developed in science and technology. intellect and deeds’. Moreover, 100 top rated foreign universities will now In the 21st century, India is continuously marching be allowed to open branches in India. towards becoming a superpower. In recent years, Foreign students who return home after studying India has become a major player on the world stage in India take a positive view of India. Also, Indian stu- due to its vibrant economy, membership in key inter- dents who go and study abroad take Indian culture national organizations, and improved relations with with them. In fact, over the last 3-4 decades, Indian many countries. It has strengthened its engage- students who have gone to western countries for ments in the Indian subcontinent, as well as in Africa, higher studies, have played an important role in Central Asia, the Gulf, and SouthEast Asia. India has building the country's international image. In a built cooperation with many countries in the fields of sense, these young students act as informal ambas- information technology, education, skills develop- sadors of India. While they are already going places ment, health, yoga, pharmacy, tourism and enter- on the basis of their knowledge of science and IT, it tainment. And this role is going to enhance in the is also important to teach them about Indian history, coming years. culture and philoso- At this backdrop, creating a vibrant young gener- The NEP is indicative of phy at an early ation that can represent this emergent India is one of India's strengthening stage. Against this the major challenges before our country. Education backdrop, provision and knowledge play an important role in the overall international role. On for inter-disciplinary progress of any nation. On one hand, the inter-disci- one hand, it aims at education sounds plinary, professional and vocational training envis- preparing our youth for vital and timely. aged in the NEP will play a significant role in achiev- In the nutshell, the ing the 'Self-Reliant India' that the Prime Minister changing the global NEP is indicative of talks about. On the other hand, quality education at environment through India's strengthening affordable cost will promote India as a global study modern sciences and international role. On destination, restoring its role as a Vishwa Guru. one hand, it aims at NEP states, “Providing universal access to quality technology. On the other preparing our youth education is the key to India’s continued ascent, and hand, it envisions a for changing the leadership on the global stage in terms of economic vibrant generation that global environment growth, social justice and equality, scientific through modern sci- advancement, national integration, and cultural is rooted in Indian ences and technolo- preservation”. In the coming decade, India will have culture and philosophy gy. On the other the highest young population in the world, which fur- hand, it envisions a ther underscores the importance of education in vibrant generation that is rooted in Indian culture and general and NEP in particular. The current young philosophy. Therefore, one can confidently say that generation is ambitious and has a global outlook, the NEP will be a key in India’s Quest for the and their aspirations are perfectly reflected in the Superpower Status in coming years. NEP. (Author is Assistant Professor, Centre for Russian and The new policy has included the issue of interna- Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, JNU)

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KRITIKA RAMYA & PRATYUSH PRABHAKAR OPINION NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY & BIHAR

In Search of Nalanda Quality education and holistic development can only be achieved if all the players in the field of education be it, students, teachers, institutions, or bureaucracy collectively and actively strive for Photo Courtesy: Indranil Bhoumik Indranil Courtesy: Photo excellence. Bihar is crying for re- knowledge powerhouse of the world. The vision of establishing itself as the hotspot of NEP 2020 is to transform Bharat into an equitable education it used to be in times of Nalanda and vibrant knowledge society providing quality and Takshashila. Are we listening? education to all and thereby regaining the status of Vishwa Guru. Some of the fundamental principles of NEP are multidisciplinary holistic education, creativity he National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and critical understanding, life skills, promotion of envisages an Indian system of quality multilingualism encouraging creative and critical education and aims to achieve the SDG thinking, light but tight regulatory framework, 2030. The real question is, ‘Can India research, internalisation, and continuous review. emerge as Vishwa Guru once again?’ And When we talk about NEP and Bihar, the current where does Bihar lie in the scheme of things? literacy rate in Bihar is 70.9 per cent. As per the latest The theory of animism believes that like humans, all report titled ‘Household Social Consumption on other entities have souls too. Drawing from the beliefs Education in India’ by the Ministry of Statistics and Tof animism, why should institutions and public policies Programme Implementation, National Statistics Office be devoid of a soul. History tells us that organisations which is slightly higher than the Census 2011 literacy and policies which have been infused a soul and made rate of Bihar which was 63.82 per cent. However, it with a visionary mindset have survived and thrived over is quite less compared to states like Kerala, which has changing times and tumultuous events. a literacy rate of 96.2 per cent. With a low median Landmark policies with an empathetic soul and age, lower-than national average literacy rate, a large written with a futuristic approach have the potential underemployed and unemployed population and a to change the course of history and define the future. large section of the young population being The recently approved NEP 2020 under the aegis of compelled to migrate for educational as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the principles of employment purposes, there are all the reasons for access, equity, quality affordability and accountability Bihar to look towards the NEP with hope. in its soul, has the potential to transform the education In recent times, Bihar has been witnessing a landscape of the country and position India as the deplorable state of education especially in terms of

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rural education, be it the declining results of of institutional structures of the country in bridging the matriculation and intermediate examinations, rampant divide between policy and its implementation. He also cheating, lack of quality of teachers, corruption in gave a nexus between the phenomenon of exodus in recruitment, pending arrears in salary, quality and states like Bihar and Bengal triggered due to availability of mid-day meals, etc. institutional decline in the educational sphere. Dr Institutions have to play a key role in Manisha highlighted the importance of Teacher training driving the NEP to its fruition. Once called and consolidating language and learning in the road to Oxford of the East, Patna University and achieving the mandate of NEP in Bihar. She recalled Bihar, in general, has witnessed an that the female literacy rate in Bihar in 2005 was as low institutional decline in the sphere of as 15 per cent in districts of Purnea, Bihar when the education. Colleges which used to be the national literacy rate was 65 per cent. The food cooked hotspot of ideas, knowledge and even in mid-day meals was rotten, and the children of poor political revolution in some ways wear a social caste were entirely out of the education dreary look. Those who can, prefer to go dynamics. Prafulla Ketkar talked about the role of Rajya out of Bihar immediately after school, Shiksha Aayog and decentralisation in the area of which was not the case until a few years education. He insisted on public-private partnerships in back. The institutions out of the capital city the field of education but was averse to the ides of are better left undiscussed. The revival of commercialisation of education. He stressed on education in Bihar and making a success creating special education zones in India and balance story out of NEP must involve a revival of between investment needs and challenges of institutions. Right from building infra to commercialisation. He concluded by stating that NEP recruiting faculty, creating transparent and requires us to stay connected with language and culture effective governance mechanism and the most and stay more rooted in education, thereby taking a important part of the restoration of trust, will require a gradual shift from the colonial system of education. strong political will, academic excellence and a culture Bihar has a rich history in the area of education shift in the way things work in Bihar. and has a record of producing luminaries across all The migrant crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic walks of life. In our conversations, we take names of induced lockdown has put again on focus the whole luminaries Bihar has produced and draw both issue of generating local employment in Bihar. This inspirations as well as comfort. However, we often cannot be done without a robust skill development tend to fall back on history for comfort when we tend ecosystem which drives people higher in the skill to lose out on the present and the future. Time has spectrum and back towards their roots. NEP talking come to redeem ourselves and script a glorious future about integrating vocational education right from with education as a driving force and improving the class 6th is a welcome step in this direction. However, lives of people as the key targeted outcome. It’s an the long term and short-term skilling space need up- imperative, not a choice if we want to have the gradation; inclusion and greater market connect to slightest chance at giving our future generations the make students job-ready. best shot to quality education and empowered life. Addressing these issues, Bihar Young Thinkers What is interesting is that NEP is aiming to tackle Forum, an organisation by youths of Bihar conducted mediocrity at its roots, whether it pertains to students a webinar on NEP 2020 & Bihar: The Way Ahead on or teachers. Quality education and holistic the eve of Teacher’s Day. The panel consisted of Dr development can only be achieved if all the players Manisha Priyam, Associate Professor National in the field of education be it, students, teachers, University of Education, Planning, and Administration, institutions, or bureaucracy collectively and actively Dr Makarand Pranjape, Director, Indian Institute of strive for excellence. Bihar is crying for re-establishing Advanced Study, Shimla, and Prafulla Ketkar, Editor of itself as the hotspot of education it used to be in times Organiser. The speakers discussed various issues of Nalanda and Takshashila. Are we listening? about NEP and its implementation in Bihar. Dr (Kritika Ramya is Assistant Professor at Symbiosis Law School, Paranjape stated that “The NEP, if not revolutionary, is Noida and Pratyush Prabhakar is Founder, Communeeti, a certainly visionary”. He further emphasised on the role policy research organisation, alumnus IIM-Calcutta)

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KHILAFAT MOVEMENT- PART V

n DR SHREERANG GODBOLE WWI & the Indian Muslim response The response of Indian Muslim leaders vis-à-vis the British kept on changing as Turko-British

relations evolved during the War Ottoman Army during World War I

he pan-Islamist Turkish fixation of Indian Muslims States. The Central Powers comprised of Germany, took an anti-British turn due to certain events that Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Turkish took place in World War I. In addition, certain events Empire (or Sublime Porte after the High Gate that led in India and around the Muslim world caused Indian to the palace of the Sultan). By the time the War was T Muslims to graduate from amity (1911-1922) through over, the Allied Powers had claimed victory. An esti- armed truce (1911-1922) to open warfare with the mated 16 million people, both civilians and soldiers British (1922 onwards). It is incumbent to briefly out- perished in the War. Different countries were drawn line events in World War I that caused this about-turn into the War at different stages. in Indian Muslim attitude to the British. While outlining Founded in 1299, the Ottoman Empire at its zenith these events, it is instructive to see the responses of (1520-1566) ruled large areas of the Middle East Indian Muslim leaders to these global events. Though (parts of Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, the Khilafat Movement was triggered by the dismem- and Egypt), Eastern Europe (Turkey, Greece, berment of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, and Romania) and War I, its portents started getting visible with the North Africa (coastal strip). Its decline began in the declining fortunes of the Turkish Khalifa in World War 1600s with the dawn of Renaissance and Industrial I. It is convenient to consider the end of World War I Revolution in Christian Europe. Over the next 100 (November 1918) as the midpoint of the sequence of years, the Ottoman Empire lost large parts of its ter- events from 1911-24. ritories: Greece (1830), Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria (1870), Tripolitania Vilayet (province) that Ottoman Turkey in World War I included Tripoli (1911-12, to Kingdom of Italy), most World War I lasted from July 28, 1914 to November of remaining territory in south-eastern Europe (1912- 11, 1918. The two alliances that fought the War were 13, Balkan Wars against Serbia, Bulgaria, the Allied or Entente Powers and the Central Powers. Montenegro and Greece with the blessings of The Allied Powers comprised of Great Britain, Russia). France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the United On the eve of World War I, the Ottoman Empire

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100 YRS OF MOPLAH RIOTS

was in shambles, having lost territories and beset by Hussein (1853-1931), the Sherif of Mecca and his sons internal dissensions and a tottering economy. Far from dreamt of a vast Arab confederacy under the suzerainty getting demoralized, the press and political classes sym- of his family. Hussein was the 37th descendant of pathetic to the ruling Committee for Union and Progress Prophet Muhammad. Soon after his arrival in Mecca, the (CUP) and the figurehead Sultan Mehmet V unanimous- violently anti-Arab Turkish Governor Vahib Bey ordered ly called for a hareketi-i intibahiye (lit. national awaken- the Sherif to hand over a hundred of the old rifles in pos- ing). This was impossible to achieve if Turkey remained session of the Sherif’s guard. This insult provoked a riot. neutral in the War. Sherif Hussein was encouraged by the British who The Ottoman Government under wartime minister always wanted an independent Arab state in Arabia and Enver Pasha turned to both Germany and Britain Syria. They also wanted the Arab Sherif to be on respectively, to reorganize the Ottoman army and navy. Britain’s side should Turkey proclaim a jihad. However, Turkey was initially open to an alliance with either of the though Hussein counted much as a descendant of the two countries. A long-standing alliance with Britain Prophet, it was doubtful that he had the temporal weight seemed improbable. Germany had never displayed any to lay claim to the Khilafat. In January 1915, when territorial aspirations of the Ottoman Empire. In view of pressed by the Turks to proclaim jihad, Sherif Hussein this as well as previous military ties with Germany, the refused to do so after being egged on by the British and Ottoman Empire sought alliance with Germany. On in consultation with Ibn Saud, the founder of the dynasty September 30, 1914, Turkey asked Germany to lend it that rules Arabia to this day (Liddell Hart, ibid, pp 61-64). five million Turkish pounds in gold from German banks. In early 1916, the Turkish army swooped into Syria to Germany pointed out that such a loan could be arranged crush the Arab movement within their own ranks and ter- if Turkey actively intervened on the German side. The Ottoman Empire entered the war after its fleet bombard- Leading pan-Islamic journals in India including ed Russian ports on October 29, 1914. Muhammad Ali’s Comrade and Maulana Azad’s By mid-1915, the Ottoman Empire, denied access to international capital markets to float loans, faced a fiscal al-Hilal suggested that Britain should declare that crisis. Despite the Ottoman victories over Britain at even if the Allies succeeded in vanquishing Turkey, Gallipoli (1915) and Kut (1916), the Turkish army was her integrity would be maintained after the War nearing exhaustion by 1916. The Russian winter offen- sive (1916) and British offensives in Syria, Palestine and Jerusalem (1916-17) crippled the Ottoman Turkish army ritories. Suspected rebels were put to death wholesale. A (Turkey’s Entry into World War I: An Assessment of special Turkish force under Khairi Bey was formed to Responsibilities, Ulrich Trumpener, The Journal of march onto Mecca along with a small German column Modern History, Vol. 34, No. 4, 1962, p. 374; see also and overawe the rebels. Finally on June 5, 1916, the Arab The Ottoman Empire, Kenneth W. Harl, The Great revolt started. It was led by the Sherif himself and had fifty Courses, 2017, pp.228-250). thousand Arab soldiers but only ten thousand rifles In 1900, Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid had started con- between them. The revolt resulted in the seizure of struction of a far-reaching railway line connecting his Mecca, Jeddah and Taif. Sherif Hussein proclaimed him- Arabian provinces to Damascus. This Hedjaz railway self King of Hedjaz from 1919-24. Two days after the was a ‘pious fraud’, constructed by German engineers Turkish Khilafat was abolished on March 3, 1924, he with money subscribed by Muslims throughout the declared himself Khalifa, but was ultimately driven out of world. Ironically, the first trains started running only in Arabia by the rival Saudi clan (Liddell Hart, ibid, p. 65-73). September 1918, just in time to receive the final victori- The spectacle of a descendant of Prophet ous onrush of the British (‘T.E. Lawrence’ in Arabia and Muhammad revolting against the so-called Khalifa of the After, Liddell Hart, Jonathan Cape, 1934, pp.51-53). Islamic world as he fancied himself was stinging proof, if such was required about the bogus nature of pan- Bogus nature of pan-Islamic Khilafat Islamism and the Khilafat! Just before War began, there arose subterranean stir- rings among the Arab subjects of the Turkish Empire. All the King’s toadies With the past glory of the Abbasid Khilafat in their eyes, In 1911, Muhammad Ali opened a relief fund for Turkish

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KHILAFAT MOVEMENT- PART V

victims of the war over Tripoli and later for Turkish vic- side of Serbia and Russia, Muslim sympathies, in spite tims of the Balkan wars. A medical mission headed by of their pro-German leanings for her supposed pro- Dr. M.A. Ansari left India in December 1912 and came Turkey tendencies, paradoxically veered to the side of back in July 1913 (The Khilafat Movement in India 1919- Britain. Indian Muslim leaders wanted Turkey to remain 1924, A.C. Niemeijer, Martinus Nijhoff, 1972, p. 56). It is neutral or side with Britain. The reason for this unexpect- noteworthy that from 1898-1918, more than 10 million ed pro-British outburst seems to have been the result people died of plague all over India. In 1911 itself, 3997 primarily of the declaration of neutrality by Turkey people died of plague in Bombay with mortality rate of (Qureshi, ibid, pp.30, 31). 408.1 per 100,000 while 1736 people died in Calcutta Maulana Abdul Bari (of Firangi Mahal) in his telegram with a mortality rate of 166.2 per 100,000 (The Indian to the Turkish Sultan begged him either to remain neu- Medical Gazette, March 1948, p. 138). There is no men- tral or side with Britain. At the same time, he pleaded tion of any relief work organized by Red Crescent with the Viceroy, Lord Hardinge (I858-I927), that Britain Mission or voluntary medical work by the good Dr. Ansari should adopt such attitude towards Turkey as might help to help plague victims in India. Their hearts were bleed- maintain such a neutrality (Qureshi, ibid, pp.32, 33). By ing for war-torn Turkey! 1914, Maulana Abdul Bari, the Ali brothers, Zafar Ali At every step, Muhammad Ali with respect to his fund Khan, Hasrat Mohani and Azad, the leading participants and mission sought official and personal co-operation in the Khilafat Movement, were all full blooded pan- from the British, going as far as enlisting the Viceroy as Islamists – but not yet anti-British. Mohamed Ali’s coun- a Patron of the Delhi Red Crescent Society and organiz- sel to the Turkish authorities to stay neutral in the war, if ing his relief work through British consular officers. they could not join the Allies, besides his correspon- dence with Uttar Pradesh’s Lt. Governor Meston, and The Indian leaders started with pronouncements of with the Viceroy during his internment, attests to the fact loyalty to the British, then entreated Britain to that he did not launch an anti-British path till late in the day... so long as the British were not directly involved, remain neutral with regards Turkey and finally pan-Islamism in India did not take on an explicitly anti- adopted a strident anti-British stand once the British orientation. British appeared to be scuttling the Ottoman Only when the British were perceived to be bent on scuttling Turkish power and territory and enfeebling the Empire and the Khalifa Khalifa’s power and prestige in the post-war period, did Indian pan-Islamists set out on a pronouncedly anti- When World War I broke out, the field hospital financed British course in that period. Later in March 1922, when out of his Comrade Turkish Relief Fund was presented Montagu, Secretary of State for India, permitted the pub- to the Medical Service in India (Niemeijer, p. 56). lication of a Government of India memorandum favour- In July 1914, when war broke out between Serbia and ing revision of the Treaty of Sevres that abolished the Austria, Indian Muslim sympathies went with the latter, Ottoman Empire, Maulana Bari and Hasrat Mohani pro- because Serbia had been one of the confederates in the posed dropping Non-cooperation with the British. This Balkan hostilities with Turkey. Subsequently, when indicates that pan-Islamic goals, namely the future of Germany and Russia also became embroiled, Indian Turkey and of the Khilafat, were at the centre of the Muslims championed Germany’s cause on account of Khilafat Movement (Review: The Khilafat Movement: the memories of the Russo-Turkish War. Generally Religious Symbolism and Political Mobilization in India Indian Muslims were jubilant at the sight of Christian by Gail Minault; Review by Sharif al-Mujahid; Pakistan Powers fighting among themselves and believed it to be Horizon, Vol. 39, No.2, 1986, p.87, 88). a punishment from Allah for their ill-treatment of Turkey. Many thought that the War would lead to the downfall of The great U-turn Christendom and revival of Islamic power in Europe After the Russian Revolution of 1917 and a separate (The Khilafat Movement in India, 1919-1924, peace with Germany, the secret Allied treaties aiming at Muhammad Naeem Qureshi, dissertation submitted to Ottoman dismemberment started to get exposed. University of London, 1973, pp.29, 30). Leading pan-Islamic journals in India including However, when in August 1914, Britain joined on the Muhammad Ali’s Comrade and Maulana Azad’s al-Hilal

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100 YRS OF MOPLAH RIOTS

suggested that Britain should declare that even if the serious blunder and ought to be remedied (Qureshi, ibid, Allies succeeded in vanquishing Turkey, her integrity p. 43). would be maintained after the War. For their part, the On January 5, 1918, British Prime Minister Lloyd British got a fatwa issued by some ulama including George unequivocally declared in his famous war-aims Ahmad Raza Khan of Bareilly (who started the Barelvi speech that they were not fighting ‘to deprive Turkey of movement) that the war with Turkey was political and not its capital, or of the rich and renowned lands of Asia religious and that the jihad against the British was reli- Minor and Thrace, which were predominantly Turkish in giously unlawful (Qureshi, ibid, pp.30, 31). race’. Indian Muslims took this as an unalterable pledge The entry of Russia on Britain’s side tilted Indian and tenaciously clung to it (Qureshi, ibid, p. 46). Muslim opinion further against Britain. Russia was viewed as a hereditary foe of Turkey. Maulana Abdul Conclusion of the War Bari at Lucknow, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at Calcutta, The Armistice between the Allies and Turkey was signed Mahmud-ul-Hasan at Deoband, and Hakim Ajmal Khan, at Mudros (currently a town in Greece) on October 30, Dr. Ansari and the Ali brothers at Delhi started isolated 1918. The unconditional surrender of Turkey followed on activities to help the Khilafat. The Khilafat Movement November 11 by German capitulation brought World War may actually be dated to November 1914 when Turkey I to a close. Secret treaties and other war-time arrange- entered the War against Britain (Niemeijer, ibid, p. 63). ments had committed the Allies to a policy of “the setting Some Deobandi ulama such as Mahmud al-Hassan free of the populations subject to the bloody tyranny of and Obaidullah Sindhi attempted to overthrow British the Turks and the turning out of Europe of the Ottoman rule in India in league with the Frontier tribesmen and Empire as decidedly foreign to Western civilisation” with the assistance of Turkey and Afghanistan in a plot (Qureshi, ibid, p. 49). called Silk Letters Conspiracy. This plot had spread to According to these treaties, the Allies contemplated to Central Asia, the Hedjaz, and Mesopotamia through strip Turkey not only of her entire European posses- emissaries and cypher letters. In the Hedjaz, Mahmud sions, including Constantinople, but also to deprive her al-Hassan established contacts with the Turks and of her eastern territories of Mesopotamia, Palestine, obtained from Ghalib Pasha, Ottoman Governor of Arabia and Syria. Turkey was to be left with practically Hedjaz, a declaration of jihad against the British for cir- nothing, not even an important access to the sea. What culation in India. The document, known as the ‘Ghalib was more important was that Turkey was also to lose her Nama’, was smuggled into India by a trusted follower of sovereignty. From the ruins of the Ottoman Empire Mahmud al-Hassan, photographed and distributed. The arose the secular Turkish Republic in 1923. Mustafa jihadist propaganda also penetrated the Indian army and Kemal Ataturk who led the Turkish Republic sent the caused mutinous incidents in Bombay, Rawalpindi, Khalifa packing and thus dealt a mortal blow to the fic- France and Singapore (Qureshi, ibid, pp.39-41). tion of pan-Islamism. Mahmud al-Hassan was arrested by the British and The response of Indian Muslim leaders vis-à-vis the interned at Malta. Maulana Azad was externed by the British kept on changing as Turko-British relations U.P. and Punjab Governments and Maulana Hasrat evolved during the War. The Indian leaders started with Mohani was interned by the U.P. Government and later pronouncements of loyalty to the British, then entreated imprisoned (Qureshi, ibid, pp. 41, 42). Britain to remain neutral with regards Turkey and finally The Arab revolt in the Ottoman Empire in 1916 came adopted a strident anti-British stand once the British as a shock to Indian Muslim leaders as it punctured pan- appeared to be scuttling the Ottoman Empire and the Islamism. Past masters at self-delusion, they ignored Khalifa. They were more than willing to betray the anti- genuine Arab aspirations and termed it as a British plot. British freedom movement in India if the British threw On June 26, 1916, the Council of the All-India Muslim crumbs at them. Not once was their stand guided by League met at Lucknow and passed a resolution con- purely Indian interests. The anti-British stand they demning the ‘outrageous conduct’ of Hussein which it adopted in later years was incidental and dictated solely thought had jeopardised the safety of the Holy Places. by threat to Turkish interests. The Indian Muslim leaders Abdul Bari dubbed Hussein and his sympathisers as the were Indian only by accident of birth, their heart and soul ‘enemies of Islam’ and Ajmal Khan frankly told the was in Turkey. Viceroy that the British policy of aiding Hussein was a (To be continued…)

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EFENCE CAN D BY S AIR MSHL PK ROY (RETD)

DRDO SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES LASER GUIDED ATGM AND ABHYAS—HIGH-SPEED EXPENDABLE AERIAL TARGET

ON September 22, 2020, DRDO successfully test-fired the Laser Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun Tank at KK Ranges at the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar. The target located at a distance of three km was successfully engaged by the ATGM with the help of laser designation. The missile has been developed with multiple- platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from gun of MBT Arjun. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for this successfully test-firing. DRDO also successfully conducted two flight tests of ABHYAS—High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT)– this week. ABHYAS can be used as a target for evaluation of various missile systems. It has been designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment, DRDO. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for conducting successful flight test of ABHYAS.

RAKSHA MANTRI TO INAUGURATE 43 PERMANENT FLIGHT LIEUTENANT SHIVANGI SINGH TO BE THE FIRST MAJOR BRIDGES WOMEN PILOT TO FLY RAFALE

ON September 24, 2020, Raksha Mantri will be inaugurating 43 permanent major bridges, constructed by BRO across Seven States/UTs via video conference. REPORTS indicate that Flt Lt Shivangi Singh will be the first Of these 43 bridges, 10 are in J&K, two in Himachal, women pilot of the IAF to fly the Rafale aircraft. Native of eight in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, and four in Varanasi, she was commissioned into the IAF in 2017 and is Sikkim. He will also lay the foundation stone for Nechiphu currently undergoing conversion training on the MiG-21 Bison Tunnel on a road in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. aircraft.

SIXTH ROUND OF INDIA-CHINA CORPS COMMANDER-LEVEL TALKS ON September 22, 2020, after 14-hour talks between India and China at the Corps Commander level, the two sides, in a joint statement, said that they have decided to stop sending more troops to eastern Ladakh. “On September 21, the Indian and Chinese Senior

Commanders held the 6th round. They agreed to earnestly implement the important Photo Representative consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen communication on the ground, avoid misunderstandings and misjudgements, stop sending more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground, and avoid taking any actions that may complicate the situation.” They also agreed to hold the 7th round of Corps Commander– level meeting as soon as possible. The Indian delegation for the first time had a representative from MEA as part of the military talks. Lt Gen PGK Menon, who is tipped to be the next Commander of 14 Corps also participated in the talks.

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TWO WOMEN OFFICERS OF INDIAN NAVY TO BE DEPLOYED ON WARSHIPS TWO women officers of the Indian Navy, Sub Lieutenant Kumudini Tyagi and Sub Lieutenant Riti Singhhave have been selected to join as “Observers” on helicopters. They would thus become the first set of women officers to operate from warships. Earlier, entry of women was restricted to fixed wing aircraft that took off and landed ashore. This landmark decision would ultimately pave the way for the deployment of women in the frontline warships in the Indian Navy.

MOD LIKELY TO APPROVE PROCUREMENT OF 30 MQ-9B INVESTMENT IN DEFENCE THROUGH GUARDIANS DRONES FROM USA FDI ROUTE

MEDIA reports IN May 2001, the indicate that Defence industry MoD is likely sector, which to approve was hitherto procurement reserved for the of 30 MQ-9B public sector, Guardians was opened up Photo Representative drones from to 100% for Indian private sector USA at participation, with Foreign Direct Investment Representative Photo Representative approximately (FDI) up to 26% both subject to licensing. cost of US$ 3 bn (Rs 22,000 crore). Case for the same is likely to be Further, Department for Promotion of Industry put up before the Defence Acquisition Council soon. Reports also and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce indicate that this case is likely be fast-tracked as a government-to- and Industry has allowed FDI under government deal. The Indian Navy has been made the lead service automatic route up to 49% and above 49% for this acquisition. In combination with P8-I long range maritime patrol through government route wherever it is likely aircraft and the contracted MH-60R multi-role helicopters, MQ-9B to result in access to modern technology or would enhance the tracking of ships and submarines in the Indian for other reasons to be recorded. Further, Ocean region. FDI in defence industry sector is subject to industrial license under Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 and manufacturing of small arms and ammunition under the Arms Act, 1959. As per the data furnished by 37 companies in Defence and Aerospace sector, so far (i.e. till June 2020), FDI inflows of over Rs 2883 crores have RAFALE FLIES OVER LADAKH been reported in Defence and Aerospace sectors through automatic route. Further, FDI IN an important development in the ongoing military confrontation with inflows of over Rs.1849 crores have been China in Ladakh, Rafale aircraft of IAF have commenced flying in the reported in Defence and Aerospace sectors region in order to familiarize themselves and be ready for any after 2014 through automatic route. eventuality. Induction of Rafale aircraft in to the IAF and these sorties This information was given by Raksha in Ladakh region sends a strong message to China. Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Dr. Sasmit Patra in Rajya Sabha. n

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Book Review Mahabharata of a multi-polar world and India Way The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World is a book not just for practitioners or peers but for a more comprehensive discussion with people DR SWADESH SINGH on issues of foreign policy. It also introduces the Indian take on global affairs to a foreign audience

t’s not every day that you get the chance to pick a blown arrival of China, and the US retrenchment. The brain as seasoned as External Affairs Minister S implications of this for India, as for the rest of the world, Jaishankar; his latest book offers this window. “The are huge. India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World” is not “The era of benign globalization that facilitated the I a memoir; it is the next best thing—a practitioner’s dramatic rise of China has come to an end... India’s rise perspective to foreign policy and diplomacy. has been slower and will now have to navigate difficult Jaishankar is a serving Foreign Minister who was waters. We have entered a turbulent phase where a also a career diplomat, and Ambassador to the United new kind of politics is being fashioned.” (pg 15) States and China. These two countries are central to That China cannot be ignored in any foreign policy the present global scenario. He also has a family legacy calculation is a given now; that, hereon, we are headed in strategic thinking and diplomacy. In his own words, to a complex dynamics of mind-games and hardball, is he is someone who has witnessed “change beyond something we have to come to terms with. The imagination in the course of a long career”. immutable rise of China is not something that unnerves The ‘India Way’ in the title of the book indicates an Jaishankar, and it is something he wants you to get attempt to trace contours of foreign policy with a distinct comfortable with. Indian outlook. From the dilemmas of Mahabharata to The new world dynamics, he tells us, demand principles of Arthashastra, Nehru’s Panchsheel to Gujral awareness of multiple and contradictory pluralities, Doctrine or Vajpayee’s Neighbours First—an India Way choices that involve costs, and transition from has always existed. Jaishankar contemporises and civilisational society to a nation-state. The India Way in invigorates it. this sense is how India defines itself for the world. The book is divided into eight chapters. Change Locating the US in a flatter world, Jaishankar dwells within and outside is the dominant backdrop against on parallel disruption in world affairs. “The events of which the India Way is explored. The preface opens with 2016 were more than exceptional in their nature. That the rumination—does change means that what went the most powerful nation of our times should change before was wrong? The sentiment resonates acutely course so sharply has a significance that is hard to with readers who are often grappling to reach an overstate.” (Pg. 29) The Sino-US competition, as he understanding of change. foresees it, is going to be long and drawn out and The first chapter evokes the 1977 Satyajit Ray film without any clear outcomes. It will essentially make ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’. The lesson Jaishankar wants us room for more players but at the same time create a to remember is that strategic complacency is not an sense of chaos with no clear picture of a new global option anymore, we cannot be oblivious to change. power. Among the most central changes that he repeatedly The India Way in this light becomes one of clear- alludes to through the course of the book is the full- sighted pragmatism comprising handling of US and

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China and exploiting new The book also has nuggets opportunities. Jaishankar cautions that that are a veritable treat for the this will be a world of multi-polarities academically inclined. For with lesser multilateralism, a world example, Jaishankar outlines where nations will pursue self-interest lessons from 70 years of foreign with little pretence. He prepares us to policy. He puts these in five look at the world without the alliance baskets of need for greater construct, a multi-polar world with realism in policy and security weaker rulers and transactional ethos outlook, economic aspects, - a loud bazaar. engaging multiple players, risk- This is a book not just for taking, reading the global tea practitioners or peers but for a more leaves right. He also discusses six comprehensive discussion with phases of the evolution of Indian people on issues of foreign policy. foreign policy since Independence The third chapter of the book is till the point where India chose to particularly notable in this regard as turn to more energetic diplomacy. it dwells on the question of what kind The world Jaishankar wants to of power India wants to become. The The India Way: Strategies for prepare his readers for is a answer, as Jaishankar points out, lies an Uncertain World, profoundly different place. The India in its history and tradition. What S Jaishankar, Way in this jigsaw, as outlined by differentiates the Indian tradition of Harper Collins Publisher India, Jaishankar, now lies in making statecraft is its belief in the right choices and not just debating them. choices and fairness over the winner- pp 240, ₹ 699 This is the way where terms like takes-all or ends-justifies-the-means Indo-Pacific and SAGAR gain approach. Jaishankar picks currency, becoming signifiers for anecdotes from the Mahabharata to draw stunning India-centric concepts; where contradictory approaches parallels with the emerging multi-polar world and its like Russia-India-China (RIC) and Japan-USA-India dilemmas. (JAI) do not seem baffling; where India searches for “The best known of the dilemmas in the Mahabharata equilibrium with China while standing ground where relates to a determination to implement key policies tested. without being discouraged by the collateral Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is consequences of the action.” (Pg51) emerging as an important player on the world stage. It is Jaishankar looks at Arjuna’s predicament as the time to refine and contemporise the India Way. predicament of the Indian state where the fear is not of Conversely, as India gains more and more important in inability but self-justification. Timidity cannot be a global affairs, we are expected to show our unique strategy; he asserts that indecision cannot be wisdom. perspective. Jaishankar emerges as the perfect Another interesting parallel is drawn with the famous candidate to nurture and voice the ‘India Way’. As India episode where Arjuna and Duryodhana seek to enlist rises in the world order, it should not only visualise its Krishna’s support. In Arjuna’s choosing Krishna over his interests with great clarity but also communicate them army, Jaishankar sees a moral for enhancing effectively, as he writes in the book. His engagement with competitiveness and understanding what lies outside Mahabharata gives the idiom that the Indian mind is the box. He also looks at Mahabharata for a long history familiar with. It also introduces the Indian take on global in not playing by the rules. While that may be a foregone affairs to a foreign audience. This book is a landmark step argument, Jaishankar pushes it a little further. He goes towards defining the India Way and giving the Indian behind the argument to explore how far can you not play tradition of statecraft an intellectual codification. by the rules, and then, why play by the rules at all? (The writer teaches Political Science in Delhi University)

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MUMBA DEVI MUMBA DEVI: Guardian Deity of Mumbai Whether Mumbai residents are aware of Mumbadevi or not, whether they visit her shrine or not, it is strongly believed that She protects anyone who comes to Her land. When the unwant- ed debate about Mumbai based on false-presump- tions related to pride, it is important to under- stand the concept of the Guardian Deity

n CHOODIE SHIVARAM

umbadevi is now in the news, reminding those who were ignorant of her that she’s the goddess who reigns over Mumbai. Neither during Covid outbreak nor during the three Navarathri’s that have gone by Mwas Mumbadevi’s name brought into media atten- tion, but her name is now being used over a political controversy that’s dominating national headlines. Once the fishermen’s protector, today Mumbadevi reigns over India’s financial hubMumbai: a city synonymous with Bollywood, deprived of realizing their dreams. She not only ful- industrialists, Gateway of India, the Bombay Stock fils dreams but is the protector of this city,” says Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India. The 12th HemantJadhav, manager of Mumbadevi temple. wealthiest city in the world, it accounts for 87% of “No one who comes to Mumbai seeking a better the Maharashtra state economy. Though best known life remains unsuccessful. Whether they stay on the as India’s financial capital, Mumbai is also one of footpath or in mansions, the Goddess gives them India’s major migrant magnets, the ultimate big-city their bread and butter, she is a wish-fulfilling dream for small-town Indians wanting to prosper. Goddess”, says UmeshBajpai, a local businessman. Mumbai is home to countless success stories from He had met with a terrible accident some years ago across the generations, with innumerable celebrities and attributes his completemiraculous recovery to who came here penniless and hit the jackpot. Mumbadevi, to whom his family had prayed. And yet, very few know of Goddess Mumbadevi, Devotees vouch for the powers of the deity and from whom the city derives its name, thecity’s narrate innumerable instances of Grace where their guardianwho protects and watches over her people. prayers have been answered. “Our presiding Deity of Mumbai ensures that anyone Jadhav relates, “A lot of people, even those living who comes to Her abode seeking success is not here for generations, are not aware of this ancient

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MUMBA DEVI

Mumbadevi temple. I have met so many people who are registered. The nine-member trust board is presently in their sixties and seventies who are coming here for comprised of solicitors, chartered accountants, doctors the first time despite being in Mumbai from birth.” and an industrialist. About 15,000 people visit daily, with the number going to over 25,000 on festival days. The Temple’s Story Despite the cramped location and huge crowds, the Locals narrate a legend where the Goddess killed a temple is well maintained, clean and organized. As soon demon, Mumbarak and to honor his last wish she agreed as one enters, it is impossible not to connect with the to join his name with Hers; and hence the name Goddess. Mumbadevi sits majestically on Her lion, infus- Mumbadevi. Her temple was originally built 500 years ing power and confidence in Her devotees as they sur- ago by the Koli fisherman community, when Mumbai was render to Her. Adjoining the sanctum sanctorum of a collection of seven islands with just 10,000 residents. Mumbadevi is the imposing shrine of Jagadamba with She was their presiding Deity. The present murti is made Annapooraneshwari (both forms of the Goddess), show- of sand and is believed to be over 400 years old. ering benevolence on worshipers. The ornate walls with Around 1737, when the Bombay Government began exquisite paintings of Gods and Goddesses blend into enlarging the fortifications of the old town, the original the divinely charged ambiance. temple was demolished. That first location is unknown, Mumbadevi temple is one of the richest in the city. Its but in the 1800s Mumbadevi temple was in BoriBunder income is used to administer the temple and conduct where the ChatrapathiShivaji Terminus railway station festivities. “We are handling public money. We engage in stands today. In 1845 a large reclamation project consol- charity and run an old age home in Ahmedabad. We pro- idated the seven islands into a single landmass. vide scholarships to deserving students and medical aid Thereafter the population grew rapidly. to the poor. We also help other institutions engaged in In 1853 the British built a railway station at social service,” confirms Jadhav. BoriBunder, which also served as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The temple contin- From the Ambanis to Bollywood stars and singers, ued to exist on the railway platform. In 1888 the magnificent architectural structure innumerable people who came to this city seeking Victoria Terminus (now ChatrapathiShivaji) railway sta- greener pastures, many of them with humble begin- tion was built to replace the BoriBunder station. nings staying on pavements and railway platforms, Mumbadevi temple was shifted to nearby PhansiTalao in the Esplanade. Subsequently the Esplanade was have become rich and famous acquired by the British for parades and the temple moved to Dhobi Talao. At last, in the late 1800s, it made A few years back the temple ran into a controversy one final move to its current location. It now stands two with reports of a government takeover. An investigation miles north of the Gateway of India in the midst of Zaveri into the temple’s finances and administration by the Bazar, Asia’s biggest jewellery market, which receives Charity Commission found nothing amiss, and the issue the majority of the country’s gold and rough diamond was dropped. Following the infamous bomb blasts in imports. The temple is also surrounded by the lucrative 1993, three of which were in the vicinity of the temple, cloth, steel and iron markets. Mumbai police have greatly increased security in the The construction and management of the new ornate area. temple was entrusted to Pandushet Sonar, a merchant Whether Mumbai residents are aware of Mumbadevi of considerable influence with the then government in or not, whether they visit her shrine or not, it is strongly Bombay. He took care of the temple, and his family believed that She protects anyone who comes to Her inherited its management. Through the decades, man- land. From the Ambanis to Bollywood stars and singers, agement of the temple changed hands several times. As innumerable people who came to this city seeking Mumbai expanded and its population grew, shops and greener pastures, many of them with humble beginnings houses mushroomed in the modest lanes around the staying on pavements and railway platforms, have temple. become rich and famous. Mumbadevi has remained true In 1952 the Charity Commissioner took over the tem- to Her legend as the wish-fulfilling Goddess who pro- ple’s affairs, and by court order a management trust was tects Her people. n

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NEWS ROUND-UP

Souvenir on Vasantrao released

A souvenir, showcasing the life and work of senior Sangh pracharak and founder of Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram Swargeeya Shri Vasantrao Bhatt, was released in Kolkata on September 17. Due to Covid restrictions, the event was held with limited audience at Kalyan Bhavan. The souvenir brought out in Bangla was Souvenir on Vasantraoji released at Kalyan Bhavan, Kolkata on September 17, 2020 released by National Organising Secretary of the Kalyan Ashram Shri Atul Jog. RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah Shri Bhagaiah addressed the also present during the event. Shri Vapat extolled the gathering through online. Speaking about Vasantraoji, contribution of Vasantrao ji. Jagdamba Malla gave a he said, “I have observed him very closely during our detailed description of Vasantrao ji in his book. stay in Keshav Bhawan. The circumstances in which he According to him, the terrorists threatened to kill him took up the Kalyan Ashram work in Nagaland and how several times. But more than his life, he was concerned he took care of our workers is thought-worthy.” about the security of workers. General Secretary of Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram Shri Santara proposed the vote of thanks. Thousands of Amit Santara, Sanghchalak of Eastern Region Shri Ajay RSS and Kalyan Ashram workers joined the event Nandi, and senior pracharak Shri Gajanan Vapat were through Ritam app. n

VHP to start more self- employment initiatives – Milind Parande

he said, “I have observed him very closely during our stay in Keshav Bhawan. The circumstances in which he took up the Kalyan Ashram work in Nagaland and how he took care of our workers is thought-worthy.” Milind Parande VHP General Secretary addressing the media at Bhopal General Secretary of Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram Shri Amit Santara, Sanghchalak of Eastern Region Shri Ajay A souvenir, showcasing the life and work of senior Nandi, and senior pracharak Shri Gajanan Vapat were Sangh pracharak and founder of Purvanchal Kalyan also present during the event. Shri Vapat extolled the Ashram Swargeeya Shri Vasantrao Bhatt, was released contribution of Vasantrao ji. Jagdamba Malla gave a in Kolkata on September 17. Due to Covid restrictions, detailed description of Vasantrao ji in his book. the event was held with limited audience at Kalyan According to him, the terrorists threatened to kill him Bhavan. The souvenir brought out in Bangla was several times. But more than his life, he was concerned released by National Organising Secretary of the Kalyan about the security of workers. Ashram Shri Atul Jog. Santara proposed the vote of thanks. Thousands of RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah Shri Bhagaiah addressed the RSS and Kalyan Ashram workers joined the event gathering through online. Speaking about Vasantraoji, through Ritam app. n

Organiser 50 October 4, 2020

RNI Registered 795/57 Delhi Postal Licence No. DL (C)-01/1100/2018-20 September 28-October 4, 2020 ORGANISER Licence No. U(C)-86/2018-20 Licensed to post without prepayment in PSO, NEW DELHI-1, 26/28-9-2020 (Publishing Date 26-9-2020, Pages-52)