Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 1 A NUWAY MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION If I don’t charge my wife, how will I put rocks on her fingers: Akshay Kumar STORY

ON page 29 Published Weekly from New York Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 Vol. 14 Issue 29 Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 $1 www.thesouthasian.info Trump calls Modi Lawsuit filed against To congratulate him on Indian American Motel Uttar Pradesh poll victory Manager Yagna Patel The White House said Trump called Prime Minister Modi and congratulated him on his recent electoral success. (Agencies) US President Donald (BJP) formed the government in four of 15 years during which regional parties Trump recently called Prime Minister states: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, such as the Samajwadi Party and the Narendra Modi and congratulated him Goa and Manipur. It, however, lost Bahujan Samaj Party held sway. on his recent electoral success, the Punjab to main rival Congress after the Goa and Manipur had hung White House said. Press Secretary results were announced on March 11. assemblies after the polls, but the BJP Sean Spicer told reporters that Trump Anchored mainly by Modi and his managed to form the government with congratulated Modi on his success in aide Amit Shah, the BJP juggernaut the support of other parties. the assembly polls. Following the rolled on in UP and in the neighbouring The elections in the five states had (Agencies) A teenage elections held in five states that begun state of Uttarakhand, bagging three- turned into a virtual referendum on girl was forced to have sex Teenage on February 4 and ended on March 9 fourth majority. Modi’s popularity following his decision with more than 1,000 men after polling was rescheduled on some The BJP returned to power in the to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 over two years at a motel girl ‘was seats, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party politically-crucial state of UP after a gap currency notes. in Philadelphia, a lawsuit claims. forced to India asks the US for The girl was forced into have sex At sanctuary cities gathering, policymakers ‘sex slavery’ with men up details of the 271 ‘illegal’ to four times her age at with 1,000 the Roosevelt Inn in the immigrants vow to become Trump’s ‘worst nightmare’ north-east of the city, her men lawyer has claimed. “We have said that it is only after we verify (Agencies) New York City Council The teenager, who was just 14 when the Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and alleged abuse began, is suing the motel, its the details, can we issue an emergency dozens of legislators from around manager and the company that owns it. certificate for their deportation.” the country are dismissing the The now 17-year-old girl claims she was Trump administration’s threat to cut paid $50 to have sex with several hundred men (Agencies) New Delhi : The millions of dollars in federal funding at the motel after being forced into prostitution Indian government has asked the from sanctuary cities as an illegal in 2013, CBS Philadelphia reported. US to provide details of the 271 maneuver to bully cities into illegal immigrants it wants New enforcing immigration law, even as The lawsuit - filed against the Roosevelt Delhi to take back. “This is an Attorney General Jeff Sessions would be put at stake to just meet Inn, its parent company UFVS Management ongoing matter. The US aired that threat Monday from the a campaign promise to a dwindling Company and the motel manager Yagna Patel authorities had conveyed to us sometime back White House. base,” Mark-Viverito told reporters - claims the alleged ordeal continued into that out of certain statistics provided to us “This is nothing new in terms of the gathered at Borough of Manhattan 2014. earlier, 271 cases remained to be addressed. threats that the federal Community College for a The motel is alleged to have provided rooms However, no details of these cases were administration has been making, but conference on sanctuary city policy for human traffickers, but Patel, 72, denied provided. We have asked for the same,” it really is sad that the security of hosted by ThinkProgress. any knowledge of this. (Contd on page 19) External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal our city, the security of our country, (Contd on page 18) Baglay said. (Contd on page 18) Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 WORLD DIASPORA 2 Replacement of US workers not the intent of H-1B visas: Trump’s labour department nominee Americans have been to train their foreign get jobs they spend money. Committee, I repeatedly asked to train their foreign replacements. That is not “Then those individuals that heard that in your states replacements,” Alexander the intent of the H-1B,” spend money go to the jobs are there, but Acosta, the labour Acosta said. restaurants. And you have the skills too often are secretary nominee, told “So one question that I this multiplier effect not. In one of your Senators during his would have is, how often is throughout the economy states, for example, a confirmation hearing. that happening? Is that that I think is incredibly community college was “And some Americans see something that we should valuable,” he added. teaching welding that jobs are available, but be looking at with greater According to him today techniques that these available jobs require degree of care? I think we many Americans are employers no longer skills that they do not also need to work with, facing the same used,” he said. “Not have,” he said on public-private partnerships. struggles his parents surprisingly, the students Wednesday. I know that there is a lot of endured, only worse. “My could not get a job when they Responding to questions discussion about an parents had jobs; but not graduate. We can and must from Senators, Acosta said infrastructure programme. all Americans have jobs,” work to reduce the skills gap. that it’s important to look An infrastructure he said, adding that We need to make better (Agencies) Washington : shortage of skilled workers at the issue that he programme will certainly helping Americans find efforts to align job Asserting that replacement in the US. highlighted about foreign bring back a lot of jobs,” he good jobs, safe jobs, training with the skills of American workers is not “Some Americans have workers taking American said. Acosta said for all of should not be a partisan the market demands of the intent of H-1B work seen jobs go overseas. jobs+ . these, it’s not just the jobs issue.In his testimony, its workers, especially visa+ , the Trump Some Americans have “Particularly, when, in as part of an infrastructure Acosta expressed as advancing technology administration nominee for seen jobs filled by foreign those circumstances that programme or jobs that concern over skill changes the types of jobs labour secretary has workers. Indeed, I’ve read I highlighted where are developed for a small gap.”As I visited with available in our economy,” acknowledged the reports that some Americans are being asked business but as individuals Members of this he added. Holi re Holi – IALI Celebrates HOLI DHAMAKA In Style

Sabapathy for IALI toy drive. Entertainment was in her speech re- Honor included Town provided by Tara emphasized about working Clerk, Nasrin Ahmad, Chaudhary student of together with the Town of Hempstead and Shilpa Mithaiwala from Community to achieve Nassau County Rhythm Dance Academy, goals and bringing the Comptroller Honorable Bollywood Medley by Arya (By a staff reporter) leaders, IALI Members, traditional greeting of gulal, Community together. She George Maragos. Hon. Academy students, New York- Color, Noise Past Presidents, tikka and application of requested for everyone’s Town Clerk greeted choreographed by Shilpa and Revelry and Volunteers, Families and festive Holi colors. support in the upcoming everyone with Happy Holi Jhurani. Entertainment Excitement, these were Friends. The event was The program Vaisakhi cruise on April remarks. Citations were also included “ Dola Re the verbs used to describe made more festive with started at 12 with 30thand the Annual presented on behalf of the Dola” a solo by Sandhya what was the Holi event the children running appetizers and meet and Fundraising Gala Dinner at Town of Hempstead to Prasad from Nataraj celebrated by IALI on around with colors greet. MC for the event the Melville Hilton on June IALI. Hon. George Center for Performing Arts March 19, 2017. The smeared on their faces was Dr. Sukhwinder Ranu, 4th. Maragos attended with his and RajLuxmi who Festival of Colors “HOLI” and participation of the Past President of IALI. The Emcee continued wife along with Senior entertained everyone with was celebrated at Antun's little kids in the program started with the the program with the Adviser to Comptroller, Mr. her melodious voice. The by Minar with a huge entertainment. Invocation of the Shlokas Introduction of the IALI Dilip Chauhan. Hon. event concluded with a vote crowd of over 300 Attendees were by Narinder Kapoor. Executive Board and George Maragos of thanks by Secretary Lalit attendees included greeted by IALI Executive President Bina Sabapathy Council, and Past presented big bundle of Aery and dancing to the dignitaries, community Council Members with a welcomed everybody and Presidents. Guest of toys to President tunes of DJ Tony. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 WORLD DIASPORA 3 Community Interaction with Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay and Send off to Manoj Mohapotra In The Mood For A Desi Robin Hood (Agencies) Modi’s demonetisation gambit has paid off and opened the door to bolder reforms By noon on March 11, a few days before the spring equinox, the tidings were clear: the BJP had •reconquered Uttar Pradesh after a decade and a half. It was a win of never-before, tsunamic proportions, and the numbers rolling off media Narendra Modi, however, Sukma, Chhattisgarh, in screens sparked frenzied after a punishing schedule which 12 CRPF personnel discussions among of 24 rallies across the had been killed. He sought A Warm reception was given to Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay Secretary (CPV pundits and laypeople state, it was a day at work an update from home and OIA) Event also served as send off for Manoj Mohapotra Deputy Consul alike. India’s future political as usual. The PM sat in his minister Rajnath Singh and General. Seen in Picture: Prem Bhandhari , Ravi Batra, Ranju Batra, Raj Bhayani, course seemed to have South Block office, busy asked him to rush to the Manoj Mohapotra, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Jagdish Sewhani shifted decisively to a well- enquiring about the Maoist spot and take stock of the defined groove. For PM ambush that morning in situation. (Contd on page 19) Pakistan allows anti-India terrorists to use its territory: US lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard and the region, which has concerning. In the 115th legislative action, to curb been the focus of her Congress, we will continue H-1B visas, a temporary attention in recent months, our work to increase work programme for high- but if passed it would awareness and skill workers that critics outlaw US funding for understanding across our have said is being abused countries that back communities, and urge the to lay off American terrorism, such as department of justice to workers. Pakistan. investigate these horrific The first Hindu ever It has bipartisan acts and address the rise elected to US Congress, support, as is reflected in of hate crimes across the Gabbard has forged a its co-sponsors — six country.” unique bond with Indian Republicans and three Gabbard also Americans who have Democrats — and it was called for a reasonable US adopted her as one of their introduced in the senate in stand on the H-1B visa own brushing aside March by members of the programme, saying, “We whatever sets her apart — upper chamber who are cannot make cuts or white, un-hyphenated backing it. Leading them is limitations on immigration American, born in the (By a staff reporter) Caucus of the House of Hawaii, a third-term Rand Paul, a fiercely that do not take into USAnd she has been a Pakistan continues to allow Representatives. member of the House of libertarian Republican who account the broader willing and active its territories to be used by “In Congress, I’ve Representatives, said in an has called Pakistan a economic and social accomplice — Gabbard is terrorists operating in India, worked to cut back US interview to Hindustan “Frenemy”. impact for our country and often more culturally Hindu Afghanistan and other assistance for Pakistan, Times. On hate crimes for our friends around the than her Indian American nations and they have the particularly any military Gabbard, 35, against Indians, Gabbard world.”The Trump colleagues in Congress “tacit and overt support” of assistance, and increase moved a legislation, Stop said, “The recent rise of administration is and American politics officials in the host pressure on Pakistan to Arming Terrorists Act, in violence against Indians, understood to be generally. She greets government, says Tulsi stop these dangerous the House in January that‘s Hindus, Sikhs, and other considering a set of Indian Americans, for one, Gabbard, the newly elected actions and break these aimed at ending US funding religious and ethnic measures, through one with “namaskar” and not co-chair of the India ties,” the Democrat from of terrorist groups in Syria minorities is deeply executive order or more or the standard local fare. Kuchipudi-Odissi jugalbandi by Bengaluru dancers April and 22 May. coast where they perform national television network. this is their first time dancer to be chosen to Titled SAMAAGATI – a at Los Angeles and San Together they set out to presenting a creative present her original work at Sanskrit word for ‘taking Francisco amongst other juxtapose these ancient collaboration together, the 27th Annual steps together’, is a cities. and celebrated styles that individually, these dancers Choreographer’s synergy between the two Kuchipudi is the state share between them a are not new to the US. Showcase in College Park, dancers as they share dance style of Andhra similarity in lightness of the Both of them have at some Maryland, and at the stage and energy and Pradesh. Marked by technique, while remaining point been residents of the Norristown Dance Festival synergy in presenting the dramatized expression and discrete on how this US and have umpteen solo in Philadelphia, very graceful and lyrical intricate footwork, this technique is exercised performances in the past. Pennsylvania. Shubha and classical Indian dance ancient dance-drama within the plane of While Shubha began her Srividya wear their passion on forms of Odissi and tradition came into being movement. SamAgati journey with Odissi while their sleeve, holding their Kuchipudi in the US. around the 15th century brings to fore the immense staying in Bay Area, under technique and their love for the The spring of 2017 will see AD. Odissi, the lyrical and scope of expression that the tutorship of Guru Niharika art, close to their heart. But this duo present this unique sensuous dance form from Kuchipudi and Odissi have, Mohanty, Srividya has combine this with an element concept in their maiden Odisha, in the eastern part and when presented together, completed her Diploma in of risk-taking, and the (By a staff reporter) tour of the US. In the six of India is characterized by gives the audience a clear Kuchipudi under the guidance resulting brew has endowed Bengaluru-based dancers weeks that is the span of fluidity of upper torso, view of how close and yet how of her guru Vijayavalli Priya. these two dancing mothers Shubha Nagarajan and their tour, they are graceful gestures while distinct the two styles are. The Moving to the US after with the determination and Srividya Angara will be scheduled to perform at six displaying strength in concept showcases traditional marriage, Srividya evolved fortitude to step out and take performing a rare venues covering major footwork. Both Ms. and original choreographies in as a choreographer and on the world in a way only jugalbandi of Kuchipudi- towns along the East coast Nagarajan and Ms. Angara both styles, with the dancers soloist; and has the they can. For details contact Odissi classical dance including New York City are graded artists with the coming together to share distinct honour of being the shubha.nagarajan across the US between 22 before heading to the West Doordarshan – India’s stage for the finale. While very first classical Indian @gmail.com Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 OP-ED 4 BJP's success in Assembly Elections Does return of one-party dominant system bode well for democracy? in India’ (1970), explained the 1989 election. Since 282 seats. The BJP could the Indian phenomenon as then, it has managed to get have formed a government a one-party dominant hold of power a few times, on its own, a feat that the system. He argued that but as the leader of an Congress had achieved India was a true alliance of several parties, three decades ago, in democracy based on not entirely on its own. 1984. universal adult franchise The emergence of the In the 2014 General and because several Narendra Modi elections, the BJP clearly political parties, both right- phenomenon in Indian established its one-party wing and left-wing, politics has pushed the dominant status and participated in the political Congress party to the acquired the halo of a process in free and fair margins and catapulted hegemonic position by its elections. It was the the BJP to the centre victory in most of the overwhelming popularity of stage. Though it is true that subsequent state the Congress in the length LK Advani was Assembly elections, and breadth of the country, instrumental in culminating in the landslide having been the spearhead transforming the BJP as a in Uttar Pradesh earlier this of the Indian freedom truly national party and month. struggle, and the sewing up the National The BJP today is in NR Mohanty elections, the first after the Some Western charismatic leadership of Democratic Alliance (NDA) power, either on its own or It is now an accepted promulgation of the Indian scholars back then had Jawaharlal Nehru, the then that could propel it to power in alliance with other fact that the spectacle of Constitution, Congress expressed serious doubts prime minister, that in 1999. That was a parties, in 17 states. If it one-party-dominant won a whopping 364 out of about the nature and ensured the unassailable spectacular feat given the wins over the few system has returned to 489 seats, the second character of Indian politics position of the Congress. fact the BJP had won just Congress-held states – Indian politics. It was a biggest party being the – if it was truly democratic. Things have turned a full two seats in the Lok Sabha Karnataka, Himachal spectacle we were witness Communist Party of India Formally, it was not a one- circle in the last four elections in 1984. But Pradesh, Mizoram and to in the first three decades (CPI) with a meagre 16 party dictatorship but it decades, starting in 1977, Narendra Modi has helped Meghalaya – in the next of our Independence. That seats. In the 1957 certainly did not present when the Congress the BJP to consolidate its couple of years, which it is was the period when the elections, the numbers the possibility of an hegemony over national position as a hegemonic most likely to do, then the Indian polity revolved round somewhat changed (the alternate party coming to politics came to an end with party. stranglehold of the BJP the axis of the Congress Congress won 371 out of power. The Indian scenario its humiliating defeat in the Under his leadership, over the Indian polity will Party. The difference today 494 seats and the CPI did not fit into the two-party General elections. Though the NDA returned to power be further reinforced. is that the Bharatiya increased its strength to 27 or multi-party system the party bounced back to in 2014, a repeat of the That would effectively Janata Party (BJP) has seats) but the overall prevalent in Western power in 1980 and won an 1999 scenario. But there establish the BJP replaced Congress as the picture remained the democracies. unprecedented victory in was a difference; in system as the fulcrum of party that enjoys unipolar same. The same scenario, Eminent Indian political 1984, in the wake of the October 1999, the BJP had the Indian polity, replacing hegemony over Indian more or less, prevailed in scientist, Rajni Kothari, in assassination of Prime won just 182 Seats, 90 the Congress system of politics. the three subsequent his internationally Minister Indira Gandhi, it short of a majority, but in the yesteryears. In the 1952 General elections. acclaimed book, ‘Politics lost its hegemonic power in 2014, the party notched up (Contd on page 19) India needs a full-time defence minister as ministry cannot be run on ad hoc basis 2015, the Prime Minister, openly before PMO officials, said that India was fortunate to have such a defence minister.While the Raisina Hill buzz is that Jaitley will remain in South Block for some more time, the government must spell out clearly whether Jaitley will continue to have double It must be a measure of has been a political barrel portfolios for some Prime Minister Narendra graveyard in the past for time to come or appoint Modi’s implicit trust in the Congress with someone else in his place. Union finance minister allegations of corruption in Considering the sensitivity Arun Jaitley that he has hardware acquisition of the portfolio, the defence been again asked to periodically flying thick and ministry cannot be run on handle hefty defence fast. Jaitley, with his legal an ad hoc basis with portfolio after Manohar and political acumen, is the security concerns Parrikar was happily best bet for Modi after mounting on the northern packed off to Goa to Parrikar, who could also and western fronts. become chief minister for understand technological Apart from the security the unprecedented fourth as well as financial ramifications of time. demands of the defence developments in China and The decision to put ministry. in the Af-Pak region, the Jaitley in charge of South The fact is that after ministry and the three Block is quite Parrikar made a highly- service headquarters are in understandable as Modi classified air power dire need of disruptive knows that this ministry presentation before Modi in reforms (Contd on page 19) Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 EDITORIAL 5 Diplomacy for New India Turn searchlight inward In the late 1970s, right after an Emergency that lasted only for 19 months, many Indians (including this writer) hoped that Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and PM Modi will need to change how different parts of Jagjivan Ram, victorious opponents of the Emergency, would stay together and strengthen the institutions of a secular democracy. The hope was belied. A government relate to each other and the world decade thereafter, in 1989, many (including this writer) hoped that V.P. Singh, Never one to rest on his laurels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set himself a Devi Lal and Chandra Shekhar would stay together and build on the democratic new target — showcasing a “New India” by 2022, the 75th anniversary of the nation’s alliance that had defeated a damaged Congress led by Rajiv Gandhi. The hope independence. In a significant address to the workers of the BJP on the Sunday was belied. following the party’s massive victory in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Modi Twenty-five years later, in 2015, quite a few (including this never-refusing-to- said a New India is “on the horizon”. While the details of what he means by “New hope writer) thought that Arvind Kejriwal, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan India” will have to wait, the PM has identified a near-term aspiration for the political would stay together to honour the incredible trust the people of Delhi had re- mobilisation of the nation. What is important though is the fact that the PM is raising posed in the Aam Aadmi Party. The hope was quickly belied. Early in March hopes for a more rapid economic development, whose benefits will accrue to the 2017, until clear indications to the contrary were available a few days before poor and middle classes. counting day, many (including this incorrigible writer) thought that the Akhilesh Strong leaders do tend to lay out uplifting goals as a way of consolidating political Yadav-Rahul Gandhi alliance could overcome the BJP machine in UP. Despite support and establishing hegemony over national discourse. Two Chinese names the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah aandhi that blew away the Samajwadi-Congress come readily to mind — Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping. In 1980, just after he rescued tent, I have not lost my faith about UP and India in the long term, though I know China from the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, Deng Xiaoping proclaimed that the that “long” is not a greatly assuring phrase. May I offer an earnest word to the People’s Republic’s gross domestic product will be quadrupled by the end of the very large number of Indians who are troubled today, as I am, by the mounting century. That goal was achieved a few years earlier than 2000. assault on their cherished image of an India which values all its residents? For Deng, it was not just about numbers, but also politics. He was constructing This is a testing time that demands calm reflection, and also genuine appre- an overarching framework that would drive the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and ciation for the many who gallantly fought a battle that was lost. It is certainly the government to pursue an uninhibited and comprehensive modernisation of the not a time for hurling blame. Turn the searchlight inwards, as the Gandhi of old nation. More recently, Deng’s successor, President Xi Jinping, outlined two great — the ever-fresh Gandhi — used to say. For all those who want the Indian state goals — to make China a “moderately well-off country” by 2021, when the CCP will to remain secular and Indian society to remain pluralist and mutually respect- celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding. ful, the need is to conserve strength, correct mistakes and construct networks. And by 2049, when the PRC will complete a century, the CCP wants China to Let spotlights be on Modi, Shah and the Mahant, let searchlights illumine our become a “strong, democratic, civilised, harmonious and modern socialist country”. own consciences. Right now, no one, whether in the SP, the Congress, the Whether Xi might be as successful as Deng is not the question. For Xi, the slogan of “Two Centenaries” is a way of focusing national energies to achieve specific out- BSP or the left, or in the ranks of their countless sympathisers across India, comes under his watch. should look for who to blame. That’s a no-no. Let each person focus on exam- Those who pick nits might say Modi will find it much harder in India. That’s beside ining his or her own record. the point. If the development agenda has worked well for him in transcending some of We should also, of course, keep a steady eye on what the Hindutva ma- the traditional divides in the heartland, the political vision of an India that makes solid chine (a complex contraption) is saying and doing. When the triumphal results economic progress and lifts all boats at home could well be his song for the elec- came in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent what sounded like statesman-like tions in 2019 and beyond. Goal-setting is not entirely new to India. Its bureaucracies tweets: “A new India is emerging, which is being powered by the strength and had routinely set developmental targets over the decades. But it’s been a long time skills of 125 crore Indians. This India stands for development,” he said. Then he since political leaders have articulated ambitious objectives for the nation. added: “When we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022, we should have made an Modi’s recent predecessors, who were running minority or coalition governments, India that will make Gandhi ji, Sardar Patel and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar proud.” had little energy or inclination to construct a political device to promote the case for Soon thereafter, the machine nonchalantly nominated Mahant Adityanath — a change. The focus was on generating incremental change by stealth rather than well-known and no doubt very popular voice of Hindu militancy — as the UP making an explicit case for reform. In talking of a New India and change, Modi is chief minister. Whom would the choice delight or make proud? Not Gandhi or under no obligation to tick off on the laundry list of reforms that are usually bandied Patel or Ambedkar. They would be aghast. about. It is the broader political goals that he has set for himself that might define the PM’s reform priorities and direction. The two themes Modi identified on that particu- lar Sunday — empowering the poor with opportunities rather than handouts and lifting the burden on the middle class — could allow him to transcend the traditional discourse on reforms being pro-poor or anti-poor. ISSN No. 1554 06X Although the PM did not mention foreign policy in his Sunday address to his party workers, diplomacy will be a crucial element in his quest for constructing a Chairman: Karam Singh Thind (Honorary) new India. With more than 40 per cent of India’s GDP linked to imports and exports, Editor in Chief: Sharanjit Singh Thind India’s interdependence with the world has never been as deep as it is today. How we deal with the world is inextricably intertwined with our internal prosperity. Editor (Political Affairs-India) : Aruna Singh While the idea of leveraging diplomacy for development has been an integral part President : Bhupinder K. Thind Special Correspondent : of his worldview since he took charge of Delhi nearly three years ago, Modi will now have to deal with a world that is in great flux. Many political assumptions that seemed Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah Gagandeep Singh (INDIA) rock-solid just three years ago, when he became India’s prime minister, now look Editorial Intern: Amann Thind Web Coordinator : Jatinder Kumar quite shaky. All the political strength at home will not be enough for Modi to cope with the A Publication of NuWay Media Group LLC unfolding backlash against economic globalisation in the West, the technological revolution that promises to change the very basis of modern economies, the growing REGD & MAILING OFFICE : opposition in the United States and Europe towards immigration, shifting great power relations, and the changing regional order in different parts of Eurasia and the Indo- P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 Pacific amidst the assertion of Russian and Chinese power. Adapting to external change in the pursuit of a New India is not about finding fresh TelFax : 516 342 1076 Cell : 917 612 3158 foreign policy ideas. Modi has already shed much of India’s past self-doubt and [email protected], [email protected] ideological ambivalence that hobbled its post-Cold War foreign policy, injected greater www.thesouthasianinsider.com energy into the conduct of international relations, and addressed long-pending prob- Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in lems. His big problem has been the unresponsiveness of India’s domestic gover- community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various writers, authors and forum participants in The South Asian Insider do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints nance to the opportunities and challenges that the world presents India. of the Editor. All advertisers advertising in The South Asian Insider assume responsibility for accuracy of their advertisements. The South Asian Insider and/or people associated with it are not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers and don't endorse any product or services advertised in The South Asian Insider. We strongly urge consulting your lawyer before buying/contracting /hiring through the ads published in the newspaper. We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 OPINION 6 Adityanath’s ‘anti-Romeo’ squads will not make UP any safer for women

There is a piece of good news. squads of policemen fanned out down crimes against women. Uttar Pradesh, a state that across the state. The campaign, Their proper implementation usually is at the bottom of the which was a BJP pre-poll coupled with sensitive policing heap when it comes to health, promise, was, as expected, would be enough to assure education, infrastructure, has marked by harassment of women and force men to think finally broken out of the BIMARU innocent youths. twice before harassing them; mould. This means the state While we are all for women’s third, such squads legitimise from interacting freely will not which had the Yogi’s support. The administrators may just have safety (regular readers of this moral policing, and already a bring down crime rates.In fact, BJP’s national co-convenor Sunil some time to spare. Not paper would know), we are few cases of such extra- allowing better interaction is a Bharala, in the run up to the anymore for the political leaders against such dubious squads, vigilance have been reported. healthier approach to develop election campaign, was have hit upon a novel idea of using even if they comprise police Who gives anyone the right to gender sensitivity. Even the quoted as saying: “In love their time much more fruitfully: officers. Here’s why: In India, stop a man from talking to a central government’s gender jihad, innocent girls are Chase ‘Romeos’. So the new there are very few public spaces woman, or go for a movie? sensitivity programmes are targeted and lured. To ensure BJP state administration under for women/couples. With such an Why should a young man increasingly accepting that their safety, anti-Romeo Yogi Adityanath has started ‘anti- offensive, they will now have to answer a police officer on his men must be involved for them squads will be formed”. Last but Romeo’ squads to check “eve- let go of these spaces too; personal life as long as he is not to succeed. Fifth, we fear that not the least, the BJP tried this teasing”, which is a gentler term second, there are enough pro- breaking the law? Fourth, Yogi this programme will finally lead programme in Gujarat but it did for sexual harassment. A day women laws, which, if Adityanath may think otherwise towards revitalising the not have any major success. So after his taking over, ‘anti-Romeo’ implemented properly, can bring but stopping men and women dangerous love-jihad programme, why do a re-run in UP? A weak Left has lost space to leaders Stop targeting whistleblower Justice Karnan Senior advocate Ram The concept of contempt of like Modi, Trump, Netanyahu and May Jethmalani recently wrote a court is a cathartic jurisprudence, Was there ever a time when offer reassurance and national this when Modi framed scathing letter to the Calcutta which has its origin in the Canon the political leadership on the Left confidence at a time many feel demonetisation as a strike High Court’s Justice CS Karnan, Law and, in particular, the Canon was so weak and hopeless? The uncertain about the world. They against the corrupt rich and also advising him to take back every Law of the Dark Ages, a recent state elections have gone make voters feel good about their when Trump said he would word he has said about two jurisprudence of a time when the against the Congress and Rahul country, and themselves, even if protect the benefits for America’s Madras High Court judges and offence of heresy, nay, contempt Gandhi, and the uncomfortable that involves personal hardship. poorest. pray for pardon. Jethmalani has of the Church, where the truth is that he has plenty of Right-wing populists are So how do we change this termed Justice Karnan’s actions contemnor is burnt alive at a company across the world. The successful because they are dynamic? For a start, the Left as lunatic. Neither me nor the stake. The in terrorem (a legal same scenario is playing out in better at building an emotional has to take leadership seriously National Lawyers Campaign for threat, usually one given in hope countries from Britain and France connection with voters. They do and pick candidates who are able Judicial Transparency and of compelling someone to act to Israel, Turkey, Russia, the this by wrapping themselves up to communicate and connect Reforms (NLC), of which I am the without resorting to a lawsuit or Philippines, Japan, Australia and in their flag and employing with people. Without those basic president, supports Justice criminal prosecution) of course the United States. nationalism as a weapon against building blocks any candidate is Karnan nor justifies his jurisprudence of contempt of Court Right-wing politics dominates their opponents. In this way going nowhere. “tantrums”. However, the NLC militates against all canons of the world today with a confidence criticism can be dismissed as Furthermore, we have to take supports Justice Karnan because justice and fair play; it flourished perhaps unparalleled in modern anti-national if needed. But more seriously the language of corruption has spread its in the Middle Ages when history. In Britain, since Jeremy than that, they also build an patriotism with progressive tentacles in the justice delivery Inquisition was the mode of Corbyn became leader of the UK emotional connection with ideals. People don’t want to hear system. justice administration, where Labour, the party is near its worst people by promising them a list of policies from politicians, Justice Karnan’s anger might contemnor was tortured to extract showing ever. In France, the military security and protection they want to know how much we be out of feelings of guilt. The foundation of The socialist president is so from terrorism. want to make the country better. discrimination, isolation and, or, Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 on unpopular even the candidate Many of us on the Left see They want to know if we love the humiliation. His attack on his the jurisprudence of the Dark hoping to succeed him didn’t their claims as ridiculous of country as much they do. Only brother Judges of the Madras HC, Ages is classically exemplified in want his blessings. For eight course. We point out that if they believe that will they be sitting and retired, is perhaps Sub-Section (5) of Section 17 of years only former US President criticism is vital to any persuaded to change their mind vindictive. He accuses them of the Act. Our constitutional and Barack Obama was a bright spot democracy and that their actions on other issues. having indulged in corruption, criminal laws are founded on the on the horizon. Now he has been make us more unsafe. But this This isn’t to say that there is nepotism and malpractice. principle that the guilt against a replaced by Donald Trump. is a waste of time. Building an only bad news out there. Across Though many accused of person accused of an offence I don’t wish to depress my emotional connection with Europe at least, Trump-clones corruption and malpractices by ought not to be wrung out of him, Left-leaning readers but this is a people is not a matter of making are going out of fashion, as I said him could be innocent or could but has to be proved against him problem we need to address. It rational arguments. It’s about in my column last month. They have indulged in venial and not by other men and means. Sub- isn’t just demoralising, it is a making people believe you have still remember that the last time venal act of corruption or Section (5) of Section 17, supra, betrayal of the millions of people their basic interests at heart and Europe flirted with Right-wing malpractice, the allegation places the burden to prove his who need representation. will get the job done. The Left populism in the 1930s, it led to against at least a few of them innocence upon the contemnor; Important ideals that our makes nuanced arguments, the World War II. In national elections may not be unfounded. But the it requires him to file an affidavit forefathers fought for — like Right shows clarity of purpose last week, the Dutch held back question to be answered is in support of his defence and secularism, minority rights, and a determination to succeed. the populist tide and instead whether alleging corruption empowers the Court to determine equality and anti-poverty — are Of course they’re going to win. support for Left parties against sitting or retired the matter on the affidavit of the being undermined and stripped Instead, the Left is embroiled increased. In France, the Judges of the high court or the contemnor. Section 17(5) of the away everywhere. in arguing about policy positions charismatic liberal-Left Supreme Court amounts to Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, So, why is the Left failing so and whether someone is radical candidate Emmanuel Macron contempt of court as defined in therefore, is in violation of Article badly all over the world? It would enough or not. But voters rarely has surged ahead of others Section 2(1)(c) of the Contempt 20(3) of the Constitution, which be wrong to generalise but there pay attention to such and has the best chance of of Courts Act, 1971 or will it states that no person accused of are a few unmistakeable trends. distinctions. Right-wing populists beating the far-Right. If he wins, attract the inherent jurisdiction of any offence shall be compelled to The likes of Narendra Modi, have thrown away the traditional the Right-wing populist wave is the Supreme Court under Art.138, be a witness against himself; so Donald Trump, Benjamin Left-Right distinctions and freely essentially over.But a sprinkling r/w. Arts. 140 and 142 of the too Arts. 21, 14 and 19 thereof, Netanyahu, Theresa May and spread themselves across the of good news does not solve our Constitution to punish a person which are required to be read others are popular because they ideological spectrum. We saw wider problem. for contempt of court. together. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 OPINION 7 After assembly election victories, how long can Hindutva hold the fort for BJP Prime Minister Narendra the-wool Hindutva advocates The yearning for change — Modi’s username in Uttar — is more about the to be a part of an alternative Pradesh was ‘development’ but burgeoning influence of the narrative built around people’s his password was ‘Hindutva’, RSS in the BJP’s decision- aspirations — was claim his political adversaries making process than any unmistakable. BJP’s projection who are yet to come to terms attempt to reflect the BJP’s of its rivals as representatives with the BJP’s unprecedented expanding social base. of sectarian interests only party’s chief spokesman us in the daytime.”After the electoral success in the There is no denying the fact whetted their longings. Randeep Surjewala was Lok Sabha elections, senior country’s most populous state. that Modi and his party For now, the real or guarded, saying that it was the leader AK Antony had said that For the opposition, it could colleagues blended Hindutva in imagined Hindu consolidation ruling party’s prerogative to the perception about the be a convenient excuse to hide their development narrative in has got the opposition in a choose the CM and the Congress being pro-Muslim their ineptitude. But the BJP their campaign. bind. The confusion in the Congress would continue to act had hurt the party’s interests. might have, willingly or There is, however, an opposition camp was evident as a watchdog of people’s Post-UP verdict, many of his unwittingly, promoted the element of chicanery in the from reactions of Congress interests. Explaining how so- colleagues are coming around same line of arguments by opposition parties’ arguments leaders to Yogi’s appointment. called secular parties have to this prognosis. appointing Adityanath Yogi the that the UP results mirrored Party spokesperson Manish gone on the defensive, a The BJP has reasons to chief minister. Appointment of polarisation along religious Tewari saw in it as an Muslim leader rued, “They want gloat over the principal a Brahmin and an OBC leader lines; they simply failed to read extension of the “politics of to meet us in the darkness of opposition party’s plight, but as deputy CMs—both dyed-in- the pulse of the people. shamshan-kabristan”, but the night but refuse to recognise the latest round of assembly elections has lessons for the ruling party, too. Since 2014, Ganga and Yamuna are ‘living entities’ order puts onus for clean-up on Centre all the states the BJP won In a country where nature is to its third largest river, project of Prime Minister whole, including construction while riding the ‘Modi often treated as a ‘second- Whanganui, in one of the Narendra Modi launched to of dams, takes away from its wave’—Maharashtra, class’ citizen, the Uttarakhand longest running court cases clean and revive the river, will essential and basic character. Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu High Court’s recent decision to that country has seen. The extend it to states though Such a move by court would & Kashmir, and Assam, recognise the Ganga and country passed a bill declaring which the rivers flow. involve a re-look into among others — were those Yamuna as living entities is a the river as a living entity and Now with the BJP construction activities across where the Congress faced positive one. This is the first appointed two guardians to government both in the river such as sand mining strong anti-incumbency. The time that a court has protect its interests.While Uttarakhand and Uttar and construction of dams,” first time the BJP faced anti- recognised a non-human as a the order is a positive one, Pradesh, it remains to be environmental lawyer Ritwik incumbency was in the last living entity in India. The order whether it will have any seen how the Centre Dutta told MINT. Punjab and Goa elections. grants these rivers a new-found impact at all on the ground implements this order and Unfortunately, the state and Even Modi’s popularity could legal identity and all rights laid remains to be seen. This is whether it has any impact on Centre are also vested parties not help the BJP retain its out in the Constitution. They because the order is given the upcoming and planned in the dam construction support base among Hindus can also be parties to disputes. by a state high court which hydropower projects in the activities. What the judicial in Punjab and the party The rights, experts say, can be means that its jurisdiction hill state.“[The legal status] order has essentially done is almost lost in Goa. used to protect the interests of will be within the state. It is an extension of the put the ball in state and the It’s obvious that while the the rivers. now remains to be seen philosophy of allowing a river Centre’s court. The latter PM’s popularity gives BJP The HC’s decision comes whether the authorities to flow freely—as was attaches religious significance an edge, much also depends just days after New Zealand heading the Namami Gange intended in its nature. Any to thee rivers. Now it must on the performance of its according a living entity status (Clean Ganga) Mission, a pet interference with the river as a walk the talk. governments in states. The BJP seems to be coming close to realising its Adityanath Selection Exposes Limits Of Modi's Power goal of a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’ with three more Prime Minister Narendra conspiracy to evangelise believe it? Did we want to believe with brilliant mathematical Congress-ruled states — Modi has made his first India"; "there is no difference the man who promised us so formulae that took into account mistake by helping appoint in the language between Shah much in 2014 that we cut across the intricate faultlines of caste as Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya Yogi Adityanath as Chief Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed"; caste and creed and gender - and well as religion, we admired and Karnataka — going to polls Minister of Uttar Pradesh. By and most recently, on the eve even religion - to give him a Modi's hunger in redrawing the in the next 14 months. installing a man as polarizing of this assembly election, he mandate India hasn't seen since state in his image. Across UP, Assuming that the Modi and malignant as the five-time told a rally in Bulandshahar 1984? Did we bite our tongue and there was one man whose wave might still help the BJP MP and head of the that voters must remember grit our teeth when the perils of name the people chanted: buck anti-incumbency in Gorakhnath Peeth, Modi has "the rapes and riots" (of 2013 demonetization destroyed our Modi, Modi, Modi.The glue Gujarat later this year, the big told us that the gloves are off. Muzaffarnagar) when they go lives, in the hope and belief that that affixed caste and class challenge for the BJP would be That, just like Adityanath out to vote. our Prime Minister would really and gender together in this UP to retain its governments when himself promised, the This article is about Prime empty out the black money jars election and gave the BJP the wheel turns full circle and installation of a Hindu Rashtra Minister Modi himself - what the hidden in caves deeper than such an incredible mandate other BJP-ruled states start has begun. appointment of the new UP Aladdin's and make India a much was the Prime Minister. Modi's going to polls from November This article isn't about Chief Minister says about him. more egalitarian country? reputation has soared away Adityanath. Commentaries and All those promises about Yes, we did. and beyond Gujarat in the last 2018 onwards. Punjab and Goa rancorous quotes from Ajay development, that talk about In 2014, we looked at the tired two and a half years. He has results have posed a few Singh Bisht, which is bridging the chasm between and decapitated Congress party dealt with world leaders on an teasers to the BJP about its Adityanath's real name, have Hindus and Muslims, all that saying the same old-same old equal footing and promised to governance models . filled the virtual and real world affirmation about gender rights, stuff about secularism and reinvent India. He has sent It might face more probing since he was elevated to the including those of Muslim povertarianism and decided to tough messages to both questions in the future if it top job in UP yesterday. "If one women reeling under the weight give Modi a chance to make a China and Pakistan. Again and continues to interpret poll Hindu girl is converted, we will of the absurd triple talaq - new India. Then, in 2017, when again, we have applauded his results, especially in UP, as a convert 100 Muslim girls"; clearly, it was all adulterated, Amit Shah and his cohorts energy, his determination, his triumph of its Hindutva politics. "Mother Teresa was a part of a fictitious and synthetic.Did we stitched together Uttar Pradesh drive. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 8 Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 9 Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 WORLD 10 Yogi Adityanath Is Amit Shah's Choice. Here's Why (Agencies) There have and interacted with Yogi Shah stated that by-poll re- gan "UP ko yeh Saat (7) been reports in a section Adityanath. Close associ- sults across the country in pasand hain". of media that the RSS ates of Shah recall an inci- which BJP suffered major played a key role in the dent when the BJP chief, defeats were reflective of In the meanwhile, all in- surprise appointment of who that time had no secu- the voter's tendency to go ternal surveys done by the hardcore Hindutva leader rity and used to travel in the with the ruling party, espe- BJP pointed out that Yogi Yogi Adityanath as the interiors of Uttar Pradesh, cially when the state gov- Adityanath was only sec- Chief Minister of Uttar had taken a road blocked ernment was not close to ond in terms of popularity Pradesh while ignoring by some agitating villagers completing its term. after PM Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra and was stuck there. Shah Shah made amends in He was ahead of his Thakur Modi and BJP President made a few calls and many UP and changed the state rival and Home Minister Amit Shah's preference for volunteers of Yogi president. He replaced Rajnath Singh, and someone with an adminis- Adityanath's organization, Brahmin Laxmi Kant emerged as a strong ship with the BJP. His men- ship because the PM trative experience and with- the Hindu Yuva Vahini, ar- Vajpayee with Keshav choice for the post of Chief tors belonged to the Hindu wanted the BJP govern- out a distinct caste iden- rived on motorcycles within Prasad Maurya, Other Minister among people Mahasabha, which was a ment in UP to deliver on the tity. However, BJP sources minutes and cleared the Backward Caste leader. He supporting the party. He rival of the Jan Sangh, the promises of good gover- have denied any such in- way for him. started making a rainbow was included in the list of erstwhile avatar of BJP. His nance and development tervention, and to make it With his hard-core coalition by bringing in the star campaigners of the predecessor, Mahant and he favored Sinha be- clear that Yogi Adityanath Hindutva image and mass leaders of different castes party and campaigned ex- Avaidhyanath, was an MP cause of his good image has been Shah's choice following, Yogi Adityanath from other parties. He tensively in the entire state, of BJP, and he took on the as an able administrator. since the beginning and was an ideal choice for mainly poached from the including Ghaziabad, leadership of the However, some key RSS that ultimately, he prevailed Shah's game plan to revive BSP. His target area was which borders Delhi. He Gorakhpur mutt from him. leaders including Krishna upon the Prime Minister to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Non-Yadav OBCs and Non- raised polarizing issues Just like Keshav Prasad Gopal, who looks after co- go with his choice. In the After a massive win in the Jatav Scheduled Caste like the alleged exodus of Maurya, he is a product of ordination between the BJP meanwhile, the RSS, Lok Sabha, whose credit leaders. The BJP decided Hindus from Kairana, and the Ram Janmbhoomi and the RSS, were op- whose highest body for goes to Shah, he decided not to project any Chief the need to shut down Love movement, and this move- posed to him. Sinha, ac- policy formation, Akhil to test the waters by mak- Ministerial face and instead Jihad and abattoirs. ment brought him closer to cording to them, had a tur- Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, ing Yogi Adityanath in- decided to use photos of the BJP. But he always bulent relationship with is meeting in Coimbatore, charge of the assembly by- Rajnath Singh (a Thakur), He didn't throw his wanted his own way on Krishna Gopal and some has officially denied media elections which were ne- Kalraj Mishra ( a Brahmin), weight around or raise a deciding BJP candidates kshetra pracharaks of the reports that RSS chief cessitated September 2014 Uma Bharati and Keshav dissenting voice as he had in the Gorakhpur area and Kashi area. Some of them Mohan Bhagwat called up because many BJP MLAs Prasad Maurya (both done previous elections. In revolted silently when party vehemently opposed the PM Modi and urged him to had been elected to Lok OBCs), apart from PM fact, when some of his sup- didn't listen to him in the last choice of Sinha and appoint Yogi Adityanath as Sabha. The Yogi cam- Modi and Amit Shah. How- porters filed nomination pa- assembly election. Keshav Prasad Maurya, Chief Minister instead of paigned extensively outside ever, Yogi Aditynath's sup- pers under the banner of Contrary to perception, who also wanted to be con- Junior Telecom Minister the Gorakhpur belt; he was porters were upset that his Hindu Yuva Vahini to run Yogi has never had warm sidered for Chief Minister, Manoj Sinha, who was seen making provocative pictures didn't find any against BJP candidates, relations with the RSS, started opposing Sinha's considered PM Modi's speeches in communally- place on the official BJP claiming that they had his which has always been name. He met party Vice choice. sensitive Western Uttar posters; nor was he made blessings, he immediately doubtful of his independent President and Uttar BJP insiders recall how Pradesh which was recov- chairman of the campaign issued statements disown- nature and temperament. Pradesh-in-charge Om Shah was impressed with ering from the committee. That's why ing them and even called BJP leaders say that the Mathur and registered his Yogi Adityanath's organiz- Muzaffarnagar riots of when rival SP-Congress them criminal elements only leader of the Sangh protest. Om Mathur and ing skills and mass base 2013. Of the 11 seats won floated the slogan "UP ko who were thrown out of the Parivar who was close to Sunil Bansal (RSS point when he was appointed by the BJP, in the 2012 as- yeh saath pasand hai" with Hindu Yuva Vahini some- him was the late Ashok person for the BJP in UP) General Secretary in- sembly elections, eight pictures of Akhilesh Yadav time ago. He took out a Singhal of the VHP, who then met Shah and in- charge of Uttar Pradesh were won by the Samajwadi and Rahul Gandhi, they massive road show along regularly coaxed Yogi back formed him about the back in 2013 and started Party in the by-elections. started their own counter- with Shah in Gorakhpur whenever he started drift- reservations of Maurya intensive tours of the state This was a big setback to campaign by adding Yogi's and ensured that all the ing from the BJP. and other state leaders in order to revive the de- Amit Shah's Yogi experi- pictures in the BJP's offi- rebels were defeated by a BJP leaders say that about Sinha. At this funct party organization at ment which aimed at cash- cial posters, thus taking the huge margin. Telecom Minister Manoj point, Yogi's name was the micro level. Shah vis- ing in on Yogi's image in count of pictures on the In the past, Yogi has not Sinha was the initial proposed and accepted ited Gorakhpur many times Western UP. However, poster to seven with the slo- had a comfortable relation- choice of the party leader- by the leadership. US ban on carry-on e-gadgets will hit Indian travellers hard (Agencies) Mumbai : One out larger than a cell phone or smart have to check in the laptop at countries would generally tran- demand and high passenger of every two passengers who fly phone'' from the carry on bags Mumbai itself. The new security sit through any of the 10 listed load factors there won't be any from India to the US transit (bags carried on board by the measures don't apply to passen- airports to reach the US. But significant movement. "It's through airports in the Middle flyer) of passengers who board gers booked on Air India. But that's not the case with India, poorly executed and communi- East like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, direct flights to the US from the those booked on Jet Airways will which stands at the 11th posi- cated but we expect it to be a Doha and from Saturday they will airports in Amman (Jordan), need to check if their flights will tion on the list. According to the short term measure,'' Kaul need to check in all electronic Cairo (Egypt), Istanbul (Tur- transit through any of the above Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation added.Anil Punjabi, president of devices sized larger than a smart key), Jeddah and Riyadh listed airports. Apart from pas- (CAPA), in the fiscal year 2016, Travel Agents' Federation of In- phone like laptops, tablets, e- (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait, Doha sengers from the countries that of the 2.69 million passengers dia, said: "The restriction, first readers, cameras, electronic (Qatar), Dubai and Abu Dhabi. are on the list, it will be those who flew from India to the US, by the US and then by the UK, games, DVD players, etc. Apart Airlines were notified by the US from India who would be the 1.3 million flew on airlines like has scared travellers. They feel from not having their personal government at 3am EDT most hit as Dubai, Abu Dhabi Emirates, Etihad, Qatar that that if intelligence agencies be- device for work or entertainment (12.30pm IST, Friday) about the and Doha are popular transit transit through airports like lieve that terror outfits may ex- at airport lounges and on board ban and have been given 96 halts for passengers from India Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. plode a bomb on a plane that ultra-long haul flights, air travel- hours within which to comply. flying to the US.The US National Kapil Kaul of CAPA said that he originates from the Gulf, they lers will have to worry about the As for the passengers who tran- Travel and Tourism office data sees the new security measures should avoid it altogether. Even possibility of their e-gadgets get- sit from any of these airports, on international travellers to the as a "serious passenger incon- elderly people travelling to their ting lost, misplaced or stolen they will have to pack their elec- US and the countries they come venience and nothing more''. He children living abroad want to from their checked-in bags. tronic goods into their check-in from has Canada, Mexico, Bra- added that it might result in avoid the flights. Though most On Friday, the US department bag at their airport of origin. zil, Japan, China and European some business class traffic of them don't carry the restricted of homeland security banned "all So a passenger booked on a nations in the top ten list. Pas- moving to carriers that are not items, there is fear of delay at personal electronic devices Mumbai-Dubai-Dallas flight will sengers from none of these affected but given the very high airports in the Gulf." Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 INDIA NEWS ANALYSIS 11 Dilli Darshan at Rs 2500: Pawan God save our country, says Air India Hans to start chopper rides staffer after slipper assault by Sena MP was angry allegedly because Air In- for forcibly holding up the flight. The dia changed his seat from business same aircraft had to go to Goa and to economy class. Air India said that 115 passengers had to wait for 40 the MP had an open ticket of busi- minutes as the MP refused to ness class, which means he could deboard. According to the have travelled in any Air India police, they have received one com- flight.Despite being informed that plaint so far and are examining it. (Agencies) Shiv Sena MP Ravindra AI 852 did not have a business “They have said that they will file an- (Agencies) New Delhi : You licopter ride/Delhi Darshan Gaikwad, who assaulted an Air In- class, the MP chose to travel in other complaint but we are yet to can now get an aerial view is planned for (this week- dia staff on board a Pune-Delhi flight, the same flight. Upon landing at receive it. The complainant has been of north Delhi up to end). Further, regular heli- may not be able to fly with the na- Delhi airport, he refused to sent for medical examination. An FIR Akshardham Temple like copter ride/Delhi Darshan tional carrier again. In response to deboard asking for the CMD to ar- will be filed after medical examina- never before. Pawan Hans is commencing from April the unruly treatment against a 60- rive and apologise, said an Air In- tion,” said a senior Delhi Police offi- will start regular "Delhi 1, 2017 onwards," the year-old duty manager, the airline dia official. When Sukumar tried cial. Meanwhile, Gaikwad has writ- Darshan" chopper flights state-run chopper PSU is planning to draw up a no-fly list to talk to him, he got furious and ten to LS speaker Sumitra Mahajan from its Rohini Heliport from said in a statement on of unruly passengers and put hit him “25 times”.Sukumar has and Civil Aviation Minister Ashok G April 1. A 20-minute ride, Thursday, adding that tick- Gaikwad on it. “The complaint by filed a complaint of assault while Raju listing out problems plaguing Air costing Rs 4,999, will fly ets for these can be R Sukumar and report by Deputy Air India is filing another complaint India. over Pitampura Tower, booked online at General Manager confirms that Majnu Ka Tila, Red Fort, www.pawanhans.co.in The MP assaulted him and even tried How UP minister Mohsin Raza reacted Rajghat, Akshardham public ride choppers won't to push him off the plane. He tore Temple and nearby areas. be able to go much beyond away the button of his cardigan, There will be a shorter 10- Akshardham as beyond broke his specs and humiliated to Mulayam Singh's photo in his office minute ride also for Rs that the approach path of him in front of other crew mem- (Agencies) New Delhi : When newly- 2,499 but Pawan Hans did Delhi Airport's three bers,” said an Air India official. In appointed Uttar Pradesh minister not specify what areas will runways begin. So his complaint, Sukumar said the MP Mohsin Raza entered his office for this cover."Pawan Hans is they will have to return abused him. “God save our country the first time, little did he know that commencing helicopter from the riverbed if this is the culture and behaviour of he was in for a rude shock. ride and helicopter Delhi temple. A small heliport our MPs,” he wrote.On Thursday The BJP leader, who is the only darshan from state-of-the- near this temple on the morning, Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Muslim minister in chief minister Yogi art integrated Rohini Heli- riverbed has been planned Ravindra Gaikwad hit the 60-year-old Adityanath's cabinet, was taken port, Delhi. Initially the he- for years. airline staffer with slippers. The MP aback to find a photograph of

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on his office wall. Lucknow’s Tunday Kababi open, In the presence of government offi- cials and mediapersons, Raza can be seen pointing to the image and demanding to know what it was do- but loses USP: Buffalo meat ing in his office. "Aap ko pata hai ab sarkar kiski hai? (Agencies) Tunday Kababi, one of Ye tasveer kyun lagi hui hain? (Do Lucknow’s most iconic eateries, has you know whose government is in stopped selling kebabs made of buffalo power now? Why is this photograph meat and is now offering chicken kebabs here?)" Raza asks iratelyWhen a instead at its outlets in the old city and staff member tries to explain that Nazirabad, days after chief minister Yogi they had been waiting for instruc- Adityanath ordered a crackdown on ille- tions to remove the photo, Raza asks gal slaughterhouses across Uttar the person whether or not he's aware Pradesh. Mohammad Usman, whose that the BJP, and not the SP, is the grandfather established Tunday Kababi in party leading the government now. 1905 and who is now the owner, also con- "Why wait for order to remove (the firmed their outlet in the old city was photo)? You should know who has closed for a day on Wednesday because formed the government. This is your of a shortage of buffalo meat. “There is a responsibility," said Raza in a re- problem in procuring buffalo meat at the buke to the staffer.Mohsin Raza is moment and hence we had no option but a cricketer-turned politician who to stop selling the kebabs that used to be and mechanised slaughterhouses has like Rahim’s Kulcha Nahari shop as well. contested the assembly polls on a our USP,” Usman told Hindustan Times. been among the pre-poll commitments of “Our adversaries would like to raise the BJP ticket. He has been made the A visit to Lucknow is incomplete without Adityanath’s BJP, which was voted to pitch against us but let’s be very clear we Minister of State for Science and tasting the melt-in-the-mouth galouti power in the state recently with a mas- are not against authorised and licensed Technology, Electronics, IT, Muslim kababs at Tunday Kababi and hundreds sive majority. slaughterhouses. But anything illegal can- Waqf and Haj in the Yogi Adityanath of people jostle through the crowds on the The saffron party seems to be acting not be justified and would certainly invite led government. The BJP had se- cramped streets of the Old City to savour on its promise, with a number of abat- action,” UP minister Siddharth Nath Singh cured an emphatic win in the Uttar them. “These kebabs used to be among toirs across Uttar Pradesh being sub- said. Lucknow is among the several dis- Pradesh assembly election, ousting the most-sold mainly because of their taste jected to raids and shutdowns. tricts in the state where a comprehensive the ruling SP by capturing 312 seats and affordability,” Usman said adding that Buffalo meat preparations are sold the verification drive is underway to ascer- in the 403 member House. The his- about 60kg of buffalo meat was consumed most not just in Tundey Kababi’s outlets tain the number of legal slaughter houses toric victory also ended the BJP's each day in the outlets.Closure of illegal but across various other popular eateries and meat shops. 14-year exile in the state. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 INDIA NEWS ANALYSIS 12 Rahul’s hit-and-run politics won’t work, says SM Krishna after joining BJP party. But for the past You were a close confi- Did you or other senior the state from 1999 to three years leaders like dante of Indira Gandhi leaders raise these is- 2004. In 1999, Congress me were made to feel and Rajiv Gandhi in the sues with Rahul Gandhi? had no chance whatsoever unwanted. Dynastic poli- party which has had dy- “Where is the opportunity to form a government in the tics without giving any nastic succession for for that? So I stayed away state.” importance to competence years. from making suggestions You said he were drawn is the bane of Congress “That’s what I am saying, for long. But look at the to the BJP after Modi’s party,” Krishna told dynastic succession with- way Prime Minister commitment to the na- Hindustan Times in a free- out competence cannot Narendra Modi is working tion and his ‘zero toler- wheeling interview. last. I was among the many and the BJP president is ance’ towards corrup- Here are the excerpts: Congress leaders who re- working. They are very fo- tion policy. But does the (Agencies) Veteran Con- The 84-year-old leader What is wrong with quested Rajiv Gandhi to cussed and hard working.” choice of Yogi Adityanath gress leader SM Krishna was associated with the Congress vice-presi- take charge of the party Many senior Congress make you flinch about resigned from the Congress Congress for 46 years dent Rahul Gandhi’s after the assassination of leaders blame you for the way your new party in January taking potshots and served as the chief min- style of functioning? Indira Gandhi. Rajiv was leaving the party after works? at the party for being in a ister of Karnataka, governor “Politics is a serious competent. He was an elo- getting many positions. “Not at all. I have been “state of confusion” and of Maharashtra and exter- business. It is not a hit- quent speaker, connected “That is not the way to look reading about him of late joined the BJP on nal affairs minister. “As long and-run job nor is it a so well with people. It was at it. I have also contrib- and I am quite impressed Wednesday, almost a as Sonia Gandhi was in the part-time job,” said only later in his tenure as uted to the growth of Con- with his ideas about envi- year before the assembly saddle, I was very comfort- Krishna without taking the Prime Minister, he gress party in the state. I ronment protection, animal election in Karnataka. able in the Congress Rahul’s name . couldn’t handle things.” was the chief minister of welfare and so on.” RSS to counter Left ideology, push for positive, national narrative campuses over the past the relevance of goddess the Left parties over biases that have crept in in- few years are fallout of Durga,” said a functionary organising beef festivals terpreting history and cul- communist ideology foisted on condition of anonymity. while the Sangh pushes for tural studies”. “There is a on students. a complete ban on its sale need to change the way The Sangh blames aca- Alarmed by the commu- and slaughter. The cultural studies are under- deme for “cultivating” com- nists “capturing the mind Mahishasur Diwas, which taken at universities. We munist ideology and pav- space of the youth”, and was organized in JNU cannot have the concept of ing the way for Indian tra- to “unfetter campuses from campus ostensibly to cel- nation dismissed as op- ditions and cultural studies such ideology,” the RSS ebrate the mythological fig- pressive and authoritative. being “questioned and will set things rolling at the ure as an icon of the back- Like countries such as denigrated”.Support for two-day meeting. ward classes had sparked Switzerland and Austra- (Agencies) Rashtriya events such as beef eating such campaigns came The RSS and its off a confrontation between lia that realized the dan- Swayam sevak Sangh festivals, Mahishasur from the theories evolved students’ wing, the ABVP, the students and the gov- gers of western interpre- (RSS) chief Mohan Shahadat Diwas and Kiss by neo-left academicians have been at loggerheads ernment. According to the tation of cultural studies, Bhagwat will meet vice of Love campaigns that who have made Ravana with students unions, par- functionary the programme there is a need to chancellors and academi- erupted across university into a hero and question ticularly those aligned with is intended to “correct the indigenize these,” he said. cians over the weekend to discuss how social science research in the country PM Modi, Amit Shah tell BJP MPs from should be guided and how to create a “positive na- UP not to seek transfers of govt officials tional narrative in academ- ics”. (Agencies) Prime Minister new state government. dations getting unheard.Sources tory in India’s most-populous Narendra Modi and BJP chief Sources said when Amroha MP reported Modi and Shah as say- state earlier this month, consoli- Nearly 500 invitees will Amit Shah instructed party MPs Kanwar Singh Tanwar raised the ing that it was the duty of every dating the prime minister’s sway attend the closed-door from Uttar Pradesh on Thursday over national politics. With the meeting ‘Gyan Sangam’ in to refrain from seeking favours or party ruling at the Centre and in the Capital where apart pressuring officials in a state cru- the state, the BJP leadership has from Bhagwat, senior cial to the party’s ambitions of re- repeatedly cautioned its lawmak- Sangh functionaries will taining power in 2019. ers against laxity that could cost take stock of how the cur- At a breakfast meeting with the it in the next election. Winning riculum needs to be revis- party’s 71 Lok Sabha MPs from UP again in the 2019 general ited, with emphasis on his- the state, the two leaders asked election is crucial for the BJP if tory and social sciences. the lawmakers to help the new it has to return to power at the Suggestions will also be UP government with development- Centre. The BJP had built a cam- made on textbook drafting related work. paign against nepotism and un- “Let the officers work. If some- derdevelopment of UP under the and areas of research that one is doing any wrong, the state previous Akhilesh Yadav govern- universities can undertake government will look into it,” Modi ment. With chief minister Aditya in areas such as foreign and Shah told BJP MPs at the Nath distributing portfolios to his policy and constitutional first such meeting with parliamen- issue of BJP supporters being ar- party worker to ensure no com- minister on Wednesday evening, matters. tarians from UP, according to rested, Modi and Shah asserted promise on the issue of corrup- the BJP is trying to get a syn- According to sources in sources.The two leaders told law- that the law would take its own tion and law and order . “Good ergy between the Centre, states, the Sangh, the meeting will makers to not seek transfers and course and no favour would be governance should speak for it- elected representatives and the also review how to prevent postings of government officials extended to any culprit, merely self,” the PM said, advising party party to maintain the momentum campuses from being bas- or put undue pressure or police because they were associated leaders against talking to media that recent electoral victories tions of the Left ideology. and administration, sources said. with the ruling party. Ballia MP out of turn. Riding on Modi’s have given it. The prime minister Speaking to Hindustan They also stressed on good gov- Bharat Singh, too, raised the is- popularity and Shah’s poll man- himself represents Varanasi in the Times, one functionary said ernance being the mantra of the sue of party workers’ recommen- agement, the BJP swept to vic- Lok Sabha. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 13 Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 INDIA CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 It takes two to tango in the new Punjab cabinet: Ministers’ spouses centrestage (Agencies) There are many “better Sidhu who was chairing the meeting. anyway seen as a proxy of her husband halves” in the cabinet of Punjab chief On Wednesday, it was minister of state Mohammad Mustafa, an officer of the minister Captain Amarinder Singh. And Aruna Chaudhary who made headlines rank of director general of police (DGP) they are working in tandem within the as a TV grab of her husband, Ashok known for his proximity to Amarinder. government, for better or for worse. Chaudhary, a former government officer Though Mustafa has not been seen in On Monday, it was Navjot Singh Sidhu’s and now Congress leader from Razia’s public works department, accord- wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, a former MLA Gurdaspur, perusing official files sitting ing to Congress sources he had lobbied who opted out of her Amritsar East seat next to the minister went viral. The only hard for getting the department for his for him, who courted a controversy by distinction in hierarchy was that the back wife. Mustafa was barred by the Elec- attending an official meeting of the local of the minister’s chair was taller! Ashok tion Commission from entering Sultana’s Urban for the husband but managed his bodies department. She defended it say- Chaudhary later described it as ‘good constituency, Malerkotla, during the elec- entire campaign as he, as the Congress ing that as a former legislator she knows couples do things together’. tions. unit chief, campaigned across the state, civic problems and was just sitting and Razia Sultana, also a minister of state As for the CM himself, Amarinder’s wife is happy issuing specifications for the listening to officials while it was husband with independent charge like Aruna, is Preneet Kaur, who opted out of Patiala CM’s new official residence. Over 100 cops, identified as ‘black Supreme Court to go paperless in six sheep’, suspended in Uttar Pradesh to seven months, says CJI Khehar

(Agencies) Seeking to send a strong message that laxity in en- (Agencies) Chief Justice of India JS Khehar said posal of her plea by a larger bench. “Within six to forcing law and order will not be tolerated, Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday the Supreme Court will go “paperless” seven months you will not file any paper. We will has suspended over 100 policemen since the new government within six to seven electronically pick up trial led by Yogi Adityanath assumed office. Most of these suspen- months, a move that will court and high court sions were in Ghaziabad, Meerut and Noida. In Lucknow, seven usher in a digital judica- records and there will be inspectors have been sus- ture. He said soon there no need of case records pended. The crackdown fol- will be no need of filing being filed afresh in SC,” lowed directives issued by hard copies of voluminous said the bench, also com- DGP Javeed Ahmed a few documents as it is in the prising Justice DY days back to identify the process of digitising the Chandrachud and Justice “black sheep” among the entire court records SK Kaul. The court also set policemen.Rahul Srivastava, across the country. This will enable the apex court up a three-judge bench to hear petitions seeking public relation officer of UP Police, said, “More than 100 police- to collect all records electronically from the lower framing of uniform guidelines for designating law- men, mostly constables, have been suspended as per the direc- courts as well as the high courts, the judge said. yers as senior by the apex court and the high tives of the DGP to identify the black sheep and take exemplary The CJI’s statement came during the courts across the country. Jaising has sought action against them.” The directive was issued to all the superin- hearing of a petition filed in public interest seek- transparency in the system of designating tendents of police through video conferencing by the state po- ing uniform guidelines on designating lawyers as lawyers as senior advocates. She has sought lice chief and principal secretary (home) Debashish Panda hours senior.Senior advocate Indira Jaising, who has direction of the Supreme Court to frame uni- after Adityanath assumed office. filed the petition, was seeking expeditious dis- form guidelines on the issue. Liquor becomes a bond Punjab govt flays Badal over his beacon remarks among devotees and saint (Agencies) Chandigarh:The Punjab terest of the people of the state and ture of which the red beacon was one (Agencies) Gurdaspur : An unusual bon- government today termed former not indulge in expressing opposition of the most visible insignias in the homie is witnessed at a two-day fair as nu- Chief Minister Parkash Singh for the sake of it, the spokesperson state. merous devotees throng samadhi of Baba Badal’s reported statement on red said. All public servants, including poli- Rodhe Shahat Bhooma village and seek beacons as “mere tokenism” and The spokesperson urged Badal ticians, need to remain always con- blessings. The interesting part is that the asked him to take up meaningful is- to graciously accept that times had nected to the people if they are to first day of the fair is reserved for male devo- sues instead of indulging in frivolous changed and there was no place for serve them better, and the VIP cul- tees while the day two is reserved for women opposition. VIP culture in the modern world. ture has turned out to be a huge as both genders offer liquor at Samadhi. Dubbing Badal’s remarks as The red beacon, though sym- barrier in this regard, he added. The offered liquor is further disturbed among “symptomatic of the anti-people cul- bolic, had become a tool for politi- Besides, the VIP culture had devotees as parshad ture in the party (SAD)”, an official cians to throw their weight around proved to be a major drain on the The history behind the worship of spokesperson said that if he was and assert their authority over the state’s economy, which was strug- the saint states that a farmer approached finding it difficult to connect the common masses, the official said. gling to cope with a massive debt the baba who even after being married for elimination of VIP culture with pub- “Not only do these kind of sym- the biggest legacy of the Badal gov- couple of years was childless. After seek- lic welfare then it clearly showed the bols alienate the people but send ernment, the spokesperson pointed ing the blessings, the couple gave a birth extent to which the Akalis were alien- out the wrong message that the poli- out. to child and offered Rs 500 to the saint ated from the people of Punjab, ticians are not ordinary men and He said the state had set a which the later refused. The saint asked which had translated into the party’s women but hold a lofty status that healthy example with its decision to the couple to donate a bottle of liquor ev- poor show in the recent Assembly requires others to bow before them,” crack down on VIP culture, which ery day and distribute it as parshad. Many polls. he said. other states are already beginning cops on duty and devotees can be found Yesterday a section of media People have died because they to emulate. lying on roadside in semi conscious state. quoted Badal as saying that there could not reach the hospital in time The government had already sought The village is also known for being the an- would be no impact on removing red as a result of VIP movement, and the support of all political leaders and cestral village of Shah Mohammad ,the re- beacons from vehicles of the VIPs students have missed out on their others hitherto entitled to VIP frills, and nowned Urdu poet during the time of Ma- on commoners in Punjab. exams for the same reason, the hoped that Badal would also cooperate haraja Ranjit Singh. Many famous person- As the state’s former chief min- spokesperson claimed. willingly and not oppose the move alities including Mohammad Rafi and Shah ister, Badal should constructively He said the state government is merely because he was now a part of Mohammad used to visit the shrine on work with the government in the in- committed to abolishing the VIP cul- the opposition. regular intervals. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 SPECIAL REPORT 15 Will Uber's crisis shake Silicon Valley's confidence? (Agencies) The British comedians parted, most recently its president of ride- which controls £175m of spending for cli- mind that lots of people need David Mitchell and Robert Webb captured sharing, Jeff Jones, as allegations of an ents. Again, you can imagine the aston- laundromats. They're stick-in-the-muds perfectly the moment when realization ingrained culture of sexism allied with an ishment in the Google offices: we're giv- who'll soon discover how wonderful it is dawns. aggressive attitude that rides roughshod ing money to extremists? Are we the to spend a quarter of their weekly wage Their comic skit opens with Webb, over regulators and safety has become baddies? Google's European chief Matt on cleaning. And tax? As the fictional Val- as a German commander, striding around too loud to ignore. Uber's CEO Travis Brittin has said that the company is sorry ley company executive in Armando an artillery encampment: "Now we'll see Kalanick has taken the allegations seri- and "looking again at how we improve Iannucci's satirical TV series Veep told how these Russians deal with a crack ously enough to order an internal investi- what we're doing on enforcement," but the vice-president, "we like to think we're SS division," he says firmly. Mitchell gation. Jones told Recode: "The beliefs didn't outline any solid policy changes post-tax." But surely if you're changing comes over, looking concerned. "Hans," and approach to leadership that have when he spoke at the Advertising Week the world, that can't be bad -- can it? he says. "I've just noticed something. guided my career are inconsistent with Europe conference in London. Tech Look at Facebook, connecting everyone Have you looked at our caps recently? what I saw and experienced at Uber." In companies are often encouraged to have and making the world a better place. Oh, The badges on our caps. They've got other words: are we the baddies? an exaggerated view of themselves and no, don't tell me it's also host to fake news, skulls on them. Actually got little pictures Meanwhile Google is being hauled the world. Steve Jobs urged Apple to illicit gun sales and child abuse imagery. of skulls on them." He pauses. "Hans," before the UK government's Cabinet Of- make a "dent in the universe." Google How about Twitter, whose mission state- he says, a growing horror in his voice. fice to explain how adverts for the latter has "moonshots." Mark Zuckerberg ex- ment is "To give everyone the power to "Are we the baddies?"One can imagine ended up on extremist videos on YouTube horted Facebook's programmers to create and share ideas and information a scene a little like this playing out in the -- where the video makers get a cut of "move fast and break things."The Silicon instantly, without barriers." That wasn't officer of Uber, the taxi-but-don't-call-it- the advertising money. The revelation Valley ideal is "disruption" -- tearing ev- meant to include attacks coordinated by huffy a-taxi business. Uber likes to say it's not prompted the withdrawal of millions of erything apart, throwing all the cards in video game players on women or sexist rac- just a cheap cab service -- it's "redefin- pounds of advertising by other brands in- the air. Why, you're not just collecting ists attack the actress Leslie Jones, even ing the city". But in the past two months, cluding The Guardian, Marks & Spencer and delivering washing door-to-door -- though it has been warned about an incipient a growing number of executives have de- and the media buying agency Havas, you're disrupting laundromats. Never abuse problem for years. FBI bosses are grilled by Congress on secret face recognition program which has swept up tens of millions of Americans can citizens.' FBI has and have collected in our data- Members also mentioned research base are criminal mugshot photos.' which suggested that face recognition 'We do not have any other photos in systems have a higher rate of false posi- our repository,' she concluded. tives for African-Americans. Chaffetz refuted her claims, replying: They grilled the FBI for 'choosing to 'That's not true.' ignore' the evidence over the accuracy 16 states have granted the FBI free of face-matching systems. access to driver's license photos for its 'According to these reports, if you're Next Generation Identification and Facial black, you're more likely to be subjected Analysis, Comparison, and Evaluation to this technology, and the technology is (FACE) photo-searching systems. more likely to be wrong,' said the Two additional states - Arizona and committee's ranking Democrat, Elijah Maryland - have been added to that list, Cummings of Maryland. 'That's a hell of bringing the total to 18 states, according a combination. to a report by researchers at Georgetown 'Rather than conducting testing that Law. would show whether or not concerns have Even if the FBI doesn't control some merit, the FBI chooses to ignore grow- of the photo databases directly, it can ing evidence that the technology has a still easily access them, the hearing con- disproportionate impact on African Ameri- curred. (Agencies) FBI bosses have been Committee on Oversight and Government cans.' Attorney Jennifer Lynch added that grilled over a secret facial recognition pro- Regulation. Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz FBI databases do in fact include the gram that allows agents to access pho- 'This is really Nazi Germany here, asked whether the FBI was storing pho- faces of innocent people. tos of tens of millions of Americans. what we're talking about. And I see little tos of innocent people from other FBI documents reveal that roughly 16 The agency came under fire for its difference in the way people are being sources, like social media.FBI spokes- per cent of its NGI database is made up unrestricted access to ID photos in 18 tracked under this, just getting one wide man Kimberly Del Greco denied that they non-criminals, she claimed, referring to states to help identify potential suspects net and getting information on all Ameri- were, stating: 'The only information the the Georgetown research. - including innocent people who have never been charged with a crime. Privacy advocates suggested the Belgian police arrest man trying to mow down pedestrians in Antwerp technology fosters racial bias and com- (Agencies) Brussels: Belgian police ar- tried to drive at high speed into the tinue to be vigilant. Our security ser- pared the system to 'Nazi Germany', at a congressional hearing yesterday.The rested a man on Thursday after he tried Meir (shopping street). A man in vices did an excellent job in system allows agents to access and to drive into a crowd at high-speed in camouflage was taken away," Antwerp, thanks," he tweeted. Meir algorithmically match the photos of tens a shopping area in the port city of Muyters told a news conference. is the main shopping street in of millions of Americans. Antwerp, a police chief said.The man "The pedestrians had to jump aside," Antwerp's historic centre and is More than 400million pictures of was of north African origin and used he said. "My gratitude on behalf of mostly pedestrianised. It is one of the Americans' faces are kept in local, state and federal law enforcement facial rec- a car with French registration plates, all Antwerp to the soldiers who have most important shopping areas in the ognition systems, the Government Ac- Antwerp police chief Serge Muyters intervened, the police services and country. countability Office reported last year. said. The incident came a day after the special intervention force," With soldiers deployed at key sites, Experts estimated that about half of an attack on the British parliament Antwerp mayor Bart de Wever Belgium has been on high alert since all American's faces are archived in those killed three people plus the attacker, tweeted. 22 March last year when suicide photos. I have zero confidence in the FBI and as well as after the first anniversary Prime Minister Charles Michel said bombers attacked Zaventem airport the [Justice Department], frankly, to keep of the Brussels attacks in which 32 the government was "following this and Maalbeek metro station that left this in check,' said Democratic con- people died. situation as it develops" in the Flem- 32 people dead and more than 320 gressman Stephen Lynch of the House "A vehicle with French plates has ish-speaking northern city. "We con- wounded. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 16 Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 CONTD. 18 At sanctuary cities gathering, policymakers India Asks The US For Details Of The vow to become Trump’s ‘worst nightmare’ 271 ‘Illegal’ Immigrants It Has Listed “It is illegal for the federal law passed in 1996, which constitutional authority to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had on Thursday government to withdraw funds in includes a section providing that broadly cut off funding to states said in Parliament, “We have not accepted this list and have a punitive fashion from cities that no state or local entity can in any and cities just because they sought more details. We have said that it is only after we they say are refusing to comply way restrict its law enforcement have lawfully acted to protect verify the details, can we issue an emergency certificate for with ill guided policies and laws officials from communicating with immigrant families,” their deportation.” that they are enacting,” she federal immigration authorities Schneiderman said. “Public The Donald Trump administration has given a list of 271 added. about a person’s immigration safety depends on trust people, claiming they were illegal migrants from India. Asked At Monday’s policy gathering, status. Sessions said DOJ will between law enforcement and about the killing of an Indian woman and her seven-year-old city officials from around the now require jurisdictions those they bravely serve; yet, son in the US last night, Baglay said India is in touch with country weighed their options seeking or applying for any again and again, President the US authorities who are trying to ascertain details of the over how to appropriately defy DOJ grants to certify Trump’s draconian policies “very unfortunate incident”. He also said the Indian consulate Trump’s immigration orders. compliance with the law as a only serve to undercut that was ready to extend all possible help to the family. Some of the lawmakers, condition of receiving those trust.” including representatives from awards. blue cities in red states, “[This policy] made clear described fears of putting targets that failure to remedy on their backs by not complying violations could result in with federal law. withholding of grants, But Mark-Viverito insisted to termination of grants and reporters that leaders of disbarment or ineligibility for sanctuary cities had a chance to future grants,” Sessions said. show strength to Washington by It is not yet entirely clear how coming together. much money the city could be “Not only is there power in our at risk of losing, but Mark- numbers and in union in our Viverito said the city is within cities, but as municipalities we its legal rights to protect its have the power to secure a undocumented residents number of tools to expand the without fear of losing federal protection we offer to our funding. She also said her immigrant communities, and that office was reviewing Sessions’ is why we are here today,” she order in order to come up with said. “We are hoping that we are a proper response, which may going to become this include legal action. administration’s worst “It is our right as a city to nightmare.” decide how our city But as the conference was employees share information underway, Sessions took to the with the federal government. If podium in the White House there is no judicial warrant, we briefing room to warn that the will not honor a detainer,” she Department of Justice is ready said. Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a to hold back nearly $4 billion in press statement later Monday, funds from going to any said much the same as the sanctuary municipality. Council speaker in response to Sanctuary municipalities are Sessions’ comments. “President cities that do not willfully Trump’s latest threat changes cooperate with or help to enforce nothing. We will remain a city federal immigration laws. In New welcoming of immigrants who York City, for example, the New have helped make our city the York Police Department for years safest big city in the nation,” he has declined to use its resources said. “Any attempt to cut NYPD in assisting Immigration and funding for the nation’s top terror Customs Enforcement officers target will be aggressively fought from enforcing immigration law, in court. We won’t back down picking up undocumented people from protecting New Yorkers or holding them for ICE to arrest. from terror – or from an The city Department of Correction overzealous administration only honors detainer requests for fixated on xenophobia and undocumented immigrants who needless division.” have been charged with a violent New York State Attorney crime or are considered a threat General Eric Schneiderman to national security. also issued a defiant statement Sessions on Monday urged shortly after Sessions’ cities to reconsider these types comments, insisting that state of policies, saying they have and local governments have damaged national security and broad authority under the public safety. constitution to not participate in “Unfortunately some states any immigration law and cities have adopted policies enforcement. Schneiderman designed to frustrate the had issued a set of legal enforcement of immigration guidelines earlier this year for laws,” Session said. “Including sanctuary jurisdictions in New refusing to detain non-felons on York, outlining a set of policies federal detainer requests.” which cities can abide by to Sessions cited the Illegal continue to guard immigrant Immigration Reform and communities. Immigrant Responsibility Act, a “President Trump lacks the Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 CONTD. 19 BJP's success in Assembly Elections But does this portend a good omen dictatorship as leaders in most post- Indira believed in plebiscitary democracy, in India, reaching every nook and corner for India? That inevitably raises the colonial societies did in the 1950s and bypassing democratic institutions like of the country. Indira’s authoritarian trait question: Did the Congress system do 60s but he did not fall for it) democratic Parliament. There was a clear propelled her to impose Emergency when good to the Indian democracy? It must postulates were institutionalised in India. authoritarian streak in her. Modi, in that she was challenged politically in be said that the political stability that the We owe our democracy largely to the sense, is carrying forward the legacy of Parliament and on the streets. Will Modi Congress-dominant system brought Congress system. Indira by directly addressing the people do the same when he faces similar about helped the leaders to focus on There is a lurking fear that Modi is more on the major policy issues rather than challenges? That question will arise only administration in Independent India. With akin to Indira than Nehru. Nehru went out taking the route of the legislature. Modi if the Indian political firmament will have a leader like Nehru, with his deep of the way to uphold the sanctity of is better placed than Indira, in this regard, a leader of the moral stature of democratic convictions, (Nehru had the Parliament as the forum for larger policy as he is prime minister in an age when Jayaprakash Narayan, as the opportunity to usher in personal debates and policy pronouncements. But television has become a mass medium conscience-keeper of the nation. India needs a full-time defence minister as ministry cannot be run on ad hoc basis as each still continues to function in While Parrikar had made the service Parrikar, the report was still in process battlefield more transparent across vertical silos behind the so-called façade headquarters and ministry mandarins and on the table of defence minister before the borders. The border infrastructure of synergy. The “Make in India” plan in more accountable during his 27-month he was packed off to Goa. under the Modi government has been the defence sector is still a work in tenure, the restructuring of the higher Given the all-weather military definitely upgraded along the 720- progress with Parrikar leaving the defence command is still hanging fire in relationship between China and Pakistan, kilometre Line of Control with “strategic partners” proposal to his spite of it being proposed by the K with the former empowering the latter with Pakistan, as well as the 3,488 successor for approval. Subrahmanyam Kargil Committee report beef to box much above it weight kilometre Line of Actual Control with Under this scheme proposed by the and its successors. The decision of category, India cannot afford a status quo the Tibetan Autonomous Region of ministry mandarins, select Indian private appointing a chief of defence staff, a single in the defence sector with decision- China. defence sector players will be allowed point military advisor to the government, making delayed in acquisition of air India needs a permanent defence to tie-up with original equipment is still to be taken, as well as reorienting platforms, particularly to maintain its minister to expedite day-to-day manufacturers from abroad to make top the service headquarters from its imperial cutting edge in South Asia and decision-making, as well as keeping end hardware in India for both domestic past to a US style of theatre commands beyond. the continuous turf war between consumption as well as exports. It for faster military response, synergy and It is not that the Indian strategic mandarins and military under control. seems that the new defence minister will inter-service coordination.Even though Lt capability is in the decline. On the The unsavoury sacking of Admiral again have to go back to the drawing Gen DB Shekatkar committee on military contrary, New Delhi has taken big Vishnu Bhagwat in the previous NDA board to convince himself of the proposal restructuring and downsizing had steps in enhancing its strategic reach regime showed that this ministry is not or come up with amendments to it. submitted its report last December to as well as its capacity to make the an elephant that anyone can ride. Lawsuit filed against Indian American In The Mood For A Desi Robin Hood He then spoke to National Security the sidelines mentioned the vision of unbeknownst to critics, would be Motel Manager Yagna Patel Advisor Ajit Doval and Chhattisgarh Vivekananda, Aurobindo and Gandhi. expanded. Aadhaar, he says, has chief minister Raman Singh, On the stage, Modi spoke of economic emerged as the master key in stopping The lawsuit claims the defendants questioning their claim that Naxals were realities, the aspirations of the poor, leakages in the system. “The •total ‘knew or had constructive knowledge’ that down and out following demonetisation. the burden on the middle class. He laid savings because of this in the past two the girl was ‘being sexually exploited’. Only then did he turn to the epochal out the roadmap for his government in and half years have been more than Rs Traffickers are alleged to have advertised business at hand. He called up party the remaining two years and beyond 49,000 crore. And this is only from the sex with the girl online, before president Amit Shah, his trusted until 2022, when India marks 75 years few welfare schemes where Aadhaar encouraging men to come to the motel strategist and micro-manager par of freedom. Outlook spoke to several has been implemented,” the official after agreeing a price over the phone, excellence, and congratulated him for BJP leaders, officials in the PMO and says. With 112 crore people covered Philly.com reported. When they arrived, successfully navigating UP’s tricky the government to find out how this under Aadhaar, it’s being showcased as a hotel clerk would show them to the girl’s political waters. The conversation was mid-term victory will help Modi and how an important tool of transformation, room, according to the lawsuit, which brief, say sources, and Modi urged Shah he sees the reforms agenda in front of good governance and empowerment. names a staff member, ‘Abdul’, who was to keep the celebrations muted. It was him. BJP Rajya Sabha member The idea now is to expand its footprint supposedly aware of the abuse. The only the next day that the triumphal Bhupender Yadav, who coordina•ted the until each and every person is covered lawsuit claims that motel workers should march happened. It was just 200 metres party’s campaign in UP, says the and benefits under all schemes, have noticed tell-tale signs of abuse, such to the BJP headquarters, and Modi reforms would be in keeping with the including the Integrated Child as the room allegedly regularly containing strode, his light beige achkan-and- trend established in the past three Dev•elopment Scheme (ICDS), accrues used condoms. It also claims that the jacket making for a stark visual contrast years. “Let’s call it J-A-M. The ‘J’ is through Direct Benefit Transfer, like it room ‘frequently smelled of marijuana’ and against the grey and black of security for Jan Dhan Yojana, which symbolises happens in LPG subsidy, scholarships, that men and minors were allegedly seen personnel, very much the colossus. the use of the country’s financial •NREGA and pensions. With ICDS, leaving it. As ecstatic party workers showered institutions to empower the poor. ‘A’ sceptics have been pointing to the risk The girl was allegedly treated rose petals while he arr•ived at 11, is for Aadhaar, with its focus on of mid-day meal schemes being turned ‘aggressively’ and would have seemed Ashoka Road, it was clear that Brand del•ivery of services and stopping into a monetary benefit delivered to scared, court documents claim, adding Modi was •uns•cathed even after three leakages to ensure benefits are going parents, but the government is bullish that she often ‘dressed in a sexually years• and may, in fact, have gained to the right people. ‘M’ is for about the idea of maximising efficiency explicit manner’. some extra lustre. Strikingly, albeit Mobile…we plan to encourage the use through better targeting, as it says has ‘This child was forced into sex slavery, counter-•intuitively for many, his risky of mobile and digital technology for happened with the PDS. The Class in paid to do things with men double, triple, demonetisation gambit•—wrapped in a more transparency and easy the Middle The PMO official, who spoke quadruple her age,’ her attorney Nadeem her•oic narrative—had paid dividends. accessibility of government services. on the condition of anonym•ity, Bezar said. As some placards put it, “Desh mein It also goes with the government’s underlines the thematic focus. The way Fellow lawyer Tom Kline added: ‘You have hai BJP ka mood, Modi hai hamaare pledge to move towards a cashless forward, he says, was clearly to be blind deaf and dumb not to know Robin Hood.” Self-explanatory, even society,” Yadav explains. Across delineated in the last two budgets: the that over 100 men are showing up over a without a translation. policies, the thrust would be on thrust was firmly on schemes for the period of a couple days. Now with his ascendancy established, outcomes and delivery of services, poor, farmers and the •middle class. ‘You have a cleaning crew that comes into Modi was free to elaborate on his idea confirms a PMO official. Schemes According to him, Modi was extremely the room and often times finds boxes or of a New India. The word ‘gareeb’ (poor) such as Ujala, Ujjwala, Mudra and Jan focused on “unburdening” the middle waste cans full of used condoms. This is was one of the first uttered by Shah as Aushadhi Yojana, which would have class that has been bearing a lot of about as open and obvious as it gets. he opened the event. A party leader on played a positive role on the ground financial pressures. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 WORLD AFFAIRS 20 Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE 21 Bhagat Singh Not The First Or Last Revolutionary Killed By British. But Why Is He Remembered Even Today? Bhagat Singh has al- Hindu communal views is close to Bhagat Singh evant. Bhagat Singh seeks ways been through the only a part of his world view. when he say, through to vest responsibility of all prism of his supreme sac- He came from a back- Bhuvan, a character of his his actions in himself. This rifice. We need to go be- ground and tradition of the novel Nadi ke Dweep that abiding sense of one’s re- yond that. What makes him Ghadar Party but moved with Japan at the door step sponsibility towards oneself stand out was his ability to further by not imprisoning of India, his role was de- and not locate it outside, to think through his actions. himself within the ideals of cided. Japan, Germany make oneself accountable The tradition of revolution- nationalism. This is ex- and Italy must not win or for one’s thoughts and de- aries in India is strewn with traordinary for his readings the possibility of humanity cisions has often been violent actions and could not have matched the would vanish. called Gandhian. Gandhi scarifices but it was only breadth of what icons like The clarity of never evaded arrest, never Bhagat Singh who looked Subhash Bose had thought which led Agyeya ever sought clemency from at the philosophy and use achieved. And yet he, to see the danger of fas- his opponents. So was the of violence critically. He barely twenty, advised the cism can be seen in an case with Bhagat Singh. It He was not the first or sublime about Bhagat was the first among them youth of Punjab to distance even younger Bhagat can be compared with the last revolutionary to be Singh and his friends. Was to realise and say it openly themselves from the ‘emo- Singh who warned the act of Savarkar who has killed by the British but it only the act of violence? that violence has a very tional’ and ‘narrow’ ‘nation- people to be alert to impli- been venerated as brave none could capture the For violence has also been limited role to play. Ulti- alism’ of Subhash Babu cation of the politics of but who kept writing con- imagination of the people seen as a sublimating mately it has to be mass- and align with the ‘scien- Bose. It was natural for the ciliatory letters to the of India the way he did force. mobilisation that would tific’ and ‘ internationalist’ revolutionaries to be reli- British requesting them “Why is everyone Bhagat Singh turned bring about a Jawaharlal Nehru. Bose gious. Bhagat Singh came to ease restrictions on him thinking of Bhagat Singh into an enigma after his transformatory change in was years away from col- from a militant Sikh tradi- and in return promising today? Even children in vil- execution by the British. society. laborating with Japan and tion. But his readings and loyalty to them. lages know about him. He was not the first or last He was all of 23 when Germany with an aim to thinking led him away from Bhagat Singh then de- Many before him have revolutionary to be killed by he died. So, in a way, he defeat the British. But the the religious outlook. He mand rigour of intellect made sacrifices and many the British but none could never ages in the imagina- foresight of the young not only turned an atheist from the youth. It is not more are still doing so. But capture the imagination of tion of succeeding genera- revolutionary could sense but wrote a long essay to action which defines him, why is the name of Bhagat the people of India the way tions of Indians. Despite this danger. Later, Agyeya, tell his friends and the it is his ability for thinking Singh on every tongue? he did. his youth and revolutionary the Hindi writer, who was a people at large why he be- deep. It is this which liber- Why is his picture adorn- But it was not only his methods, which were then close associate of Bhagat came an atheist. The re- ates him from the confines ing the walls and why are death that moved the called terrorist, he never Singh and was part of their cent killing of Farooque by of nationalism and places buttons studded with people. Even before it, he comes across as a reck- core group, joined the Brit- ‘religious’ people in him along a giant like it?There must be some ,through his actions was to less firebrand man. He rep- ish army after coming out Coimbatore and the attack Tagore who saw himself as reason for it.” force the then President of resents a thinking young of prison. He was clear , on Balendu Swami in a man of the world. It is this Jawaharlal Nehru, who the Congress Party to mind. as if taking sue from his Vrindavan , again by reli- internationalist sensibility of had visited them in the jail, compare him with a person His argument with per- friend Bhagat Singh that it giously inclined mobs sup- Bhagat Singh which need was to ask this after the none less than Gandhi. The sons like Lala Lajpat Rai was not a compromise with ported by the police makes to infuse in all our deci- hanging of Bhagat Singh , action of throwing of and his criticism of their his principles. He is very the essay all the more rel- sions and actions. Sukhdev and Rajguru. bombs at the assembly by Kama Maclean talks about Bhagat Singh and his com- Broomstick Broke, AAP Got A Poke it in his beautiful book rades had been con- Revolutionary history of demned By Gandhi. But The Aam Aadmi Party’s debacle in moderate Sikhs and Hindus. This a consolation prize—20 victories the interwar India . He tells Motilal Nehru struck a dif- the Punjab ass•embly elections has damaging narrative, created from 117 seats in the state, and us that the meeting be- ferent note and refused to undoubtedly jeopardised the party’s effectively by the Shiro•mani Akali none in Goa. These, it knows, do tween the young revolu- condemn the act . He said, national ambitions. It has also Dal (SAD) and the Congress, not help it pitch itself as a giant tionaries in their Lahore jail “Let the people and the plunged the party’s leadership and included the charge of AAP slayer elsewhere.That AAP cells and Nehru left a deep government see things in volunteers into a deep gloom, for it consorting with extr•eme right and garnered merely 6.3 per cent of impression on him. Fast their true perspective. The means they confront the impending left outfits. votes in Goa des•pite high anti- was not the preserve of choice lies between Gandhi Delhi municipal elections on a “We count as our achievement incumbency—even the chief Gandhi.The young revolu- and Balraj. weaker wicket and will not have a having contested without distributing minister did not scrape through—is tionaries were fasting in the Balraj was the signature strident victory narrative to take to alcohol, cash or drugs. We talk only a sign that its campaign, leadership jail to demand dignified on the leaflets thrown in the Gujarat’s assembly polls. about clean politics and we are and strategy had not matured. Most treatment to them. Hailing assembly after the bombs AAP’s Punjab experience has also going to start working—just like AAP leaders lost their deposits too. their ‘magnificant suffer- by Bhagat Singh and raised questions over whe•ther the before, if not more energetically,” The central leadership knew of its ing’, Nehru said that they Batukeshwar Dutt. The party went wrong in estimating its says Himmat Singh Shergill, AAP’s weaknesses in Goa, but drummed had created a “new con- viceroy was livid with the own popularity and the surge in con•testant from Majitha. In the on enthusiastically. This perhaps sciousness of political life senior Nehru for so glori- favour of party chief Arvind Kejriwal. same vein, the party has picked H.S. indicates AAP’s inbuilt, and ( that) once more made us fying the young revolution- What the leadership is also Phoolka as leader of opposition. necessary, strategy—generating a all yearn for the liberty of aries but the younger “introspecting” about is their ability Phoolka has for decades picked up buzz around potentially winning a our country....what a con- Nehru added to what his to bargain with, and man••age 1984 riot cases and is generally state election.Goa’s verdict was trast this is , compared with father has said : “ While exp•ectations of, regio•nal regarded a fighter. nevertheless surprising—not the unfortunate wrangles many of may grieve over leaders.The electoral debacle has For now, the greenhorn party, which because AAP lost but because among congressmen and the incident, for reasons also bared the party’s mis-steps, had expected to sweep the Malwa voters plumped for the Congress the fighting for securing that the viceroy may not though such clarity is brought about belt, has been forced to try and which, by all accounts, had been positions in the congress appreciate , it is absurd to by hindsight alone. The most stark come up with a fresh strategy for floundering there. This became and the reception commit- talk of unqualified condem- instance of AAP’s miscalculations Delhi and Gujarat, to help recoup apparent post-elections, as it could tee!” nation of the young people is how it und•erestimated the impact from Punjab’s bloodied battlefield. not evolve a consensus over who There was something who did it.” of riv•als’ propaganda on the state’s AAP has bagged what it considers would claim the CM’s post. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE 22 How can we save India’s ecosystems? By paying for it!

In 2015, just be- the name of “development” decent employment, and nomic growth with the en- tives to an upstream village regulation, natural haz- fore the last inter-govern- happens because nature’s reducing persistent pov- vironmental consequences for conserving a forest ard regulation, etc), mental climate jamboree economic worth is invisible. erty. of that growth factored into area from where one of its habitat services (to began in Paris, I was in But consider this. A 50- The good news, as I a country’s conventional water sources originates. maintain the viability of Ramanathapuram, a year-old tree provides ser- found out in Chandigarh, GDP. According to a pre- This ensures that villagers gene-pools) and cultural sleepy coastal town in Tamil vices like oxygen, water is that two Himalayan states vious study, the value of use the forest in a sustain- services (spiritual en- Nadu. I was following a recycling, soil conservation – Uttarakhand and ecosystem services we get able manner. richment, intellectual de- story of declining fish and pollution control worth Himachal Pradesh --- are from the Indian Himalayan The valuation of eco- velopment, recreation catch in the area thanks to Rs 23 lakh (this estimate looking at this issue of find- region is Rs 943 billion per system services is not and aesthetic values). over-fishing and destruc- has been done by green ing the economic value of year while Uttarakhand for- easy. The services are But the science is tion of coral reefs (the economists). Cutting and ecosystems with keen in- ests provides services divided into several sub- evolving. breeding ground of fish) by selling it fetches only Rs terest. “The state has com- worth Rs 104 billion year. categories. Moreover Now governments and trawlers. 50,000 (one time). Yet due missioned a study to evalu- But this does not show up ecosystems are dy- people must realise that “Declining fish to the absence of data ate its ecosystem services in the national accounting namic, they evolve with there’s no such thing as catch will have a disastrous about its ecological ser- and its Gross Environment process.In Himachal time. There are provi- a free lunch, and put impact on our lives,” a fish- vices, felling a tree seems Product,” Jai Raj, PCCF, Pradesh, which is also sioning services (prod- their weight behind the erman told me, as he more profitable. Moreover, Uttarakhand, told the par- looking actively into GEP, ucts obtained from eco- economists and scien- rowed his boat towards the a tree also adds to the ticipants. The Gross Envi- an interesting experiment is systems such as food, tists working to fine-tune stunning Pamban Bridge, Gross Domestic Product ronment Product (green happening: The town of fresh water etc), regulat- standards for evaluation which straddles the Indian (GDP), the primary indica- GDP) is an index of eco- Palampur is giving incen- ing services (climate of ecosystem services. Ocean like a colossus. tor of an economy’s health. “How will I continue to send But the positive impact of my girl to college?” planting a tree, however, Yogi Adityanath as UP CM: How BJP played the “Over-fishing will never gets reflected in the also strain India’s relations economic growth. with its neighbours,” an But today many econo- biggest gamble picking the Hindutva leader activist, the fisherman’s mists are trying to point out The Bhartiya Janata Party last person who visits him. This fol- but his stature is often considered neighbour, added. I re- that a nation’s progress (BJP) has played the biggest lows a visit to the areas in his par- bigger than the late leader from membered that conversa- should include its natural gamble by picking Yogi Adityanath liamentary constituency followed by Maharashtra. So does his corona- tion recently when I read capital base. “Economists as chief minister of the most popu- paying obeisance to cows. After tion as CM mean that BJP is show- that the Sri Lankan Navy and planners prefer using lous state. For the fire brand another meeting with the temple ing how significant Hindu saints are has killed a fisherman and the GDP gauge but it does Hindutva leader like Yogi, politics management, he spends the next for the party? This, despite 19.6 % injured three because they not measure wealth – it just is a means to further the mission two hours in prayers. He takes din- of UP’s 20 crore population com- moved into Lankan territo- measures production… of serving for a cause. He comes ner at 9: 30 pm followed by another prises of Muslims. Will the move win rial waters in search of bet- Climate change is going to from the league of saints who treat self-studying session. He doesn’t the trust of Muslims for the ter catch.Though ecosys- force the nations of the politics and religion as two faces sleep for more than four hours. No party?We cannot dismiss the fact tems and biodiversity are world to reinvent econom- of the same coin. wonder then that he is popularly that half of the districts in Uttar critical to our daily exist- ics and why we should an- His daily routine is also like that known as Yogi Maharaj in Pradesh are communally sensitive ence, most seem oblivious ticipate and plan ahead, of any religious leader. In no way Poorvanchal region of eastern Uttar and Ram Janmabhoomi is also part to it and so destroy it with- rather than be caught nap- does the condition of the room in Pradesh. of the state. One cannot ignore that out any fear of reprisal. ping,” Pavan Sukhdev, a which he lives indicate that he has Many times his speeches, laced ‘Kashmir’ in West UP and ‘terror Why does this happen? banker by day and an en- been five-time member of Parlia- with hardliner Hindutva messages factory’ of Azamgarh, as referred At a recent confer- vironmentalist by night, told ment. After waking up at 3: 30 am, have sparked controversies. In by Yogi, are also parts of Uttar ence organised by the Dia- Sanctuary Asia in an inter- Yogi remains busy with special 2007, after the death of Rajkumar Pradesh. A nation without Ram is logue Highway, a view recently.In 2011, prayers till 5 am daily. He spends Agrahar, Yogi broke curfew and incomplete for Yogi and construct- Chandigarh-based Trust, Sukhdev anchored the the next hour taking a stroll around staged a protest leaving the admin- ing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya is and the department of en- United Nation Environment the temple premises followed by a istration in a tizzy. He was later ar- first on his wish list. vironment studies, Panjab Programme’s Green self-study session till 8:30 am. Af- rested which was followed by ar- The pro-Hindutva image apart, Yogi University on Himalayan Economy Initiative, which ter spending an hour in dealing with son and vandalism by his support- believes in taking up causes of the poor. ecology the brain trust of demonstrated that the temple management issues, he ers across the city proving the clout He has been heard saying that no one the meeting --- academics, greening of economies is takes a light breakfast at 9: 30 that he enjoyed. who doesn’t care about poor will re- ecologists, foresters and not a burden on growth but am.He begins meeting public at 10 Given his stubborn image, Yogi main happy in life. His supporters would activists --- answered my rather a new engine for am and doesn’t leave the spot un- is at times compared to Bal hope that he lives true to this pro-poor query: The destruction in growing wealth, increasing less he addressed the issues of the Thackeray, the Shiv Sena founder, image as well. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE 23 How Yogi Adityanath's Arrest Changed Him Yogi Adityanath and over a ease off on his policy of ap- at the hands of the state gov- peared to be in dozen other leaders of the peasement towards ernment, alleging that it was shambles and Hindu Yuva Vahini were ar- Adityanath - at least for a out to 'malign and torment me'. Adityanath re- rested while they were march- short while in January 2007 - A third-time member from frained from ing towards Gorakhpur's remains a matter of debate. Gorakhpur, he broke into sobs leading the mob troubled areas on 28 January Perhaps he did so because after Speaker Somnath and participating 2007, a day after he made an Adityanath was instigating a Chatterjee allowed him to raise in attacks on inflammatory speech aimed at major communal war just be- the issue during zero hour Muslims as he turning a small commotion into fore the state assembly elec- and promised to look into the was earlier wont a full-blown communal war. tions due in April-May that matter. 'Will we get protection to. Later, even as The arrest was timed such that year. Locals argue that a or will our condition be the the HYV revived the HYV could not carry out battle along such lines would same as that of Sunil Mahato?' its organizational its threat of burning and de- have weakened Mulayam even he asked the Speaker. activities, his re- stroying the tazia on 29 Janu- further in the polls by forcing Mahato, a Jharkhand Mukti activation was re- ary. The tazia is a replica of Muslims to cast their votes in Morcha member from stricted to making Imam Husain's mausoleum at favour of his rival, Mayawati Jharkhand, was assassinated inflammatory Iraq and it is the custom of of the Bahujan Samaj Party. near Jamshedpur last week. speeches and Indian Muslims to bury the Whatever be the reason, the The sight of Adityanath shed- participating in tazia on Muharram. Despite arrest and the state ding tears shocked his Thakur token actions. the arrests, sporadic riots government's decision to with- supporters. It was seen as a In his speeches broke out at various places in draw the security guards who sign of weakness unbecoming he still followed Gorakhpur and the had been assigned to protect of a male belonging to a mar- the same old ex- neighbouring districts. In all, Adityanath seemed to have tial caste. Soon, however, his tremist politics. But in action, 2013 at Tanda in Ambedkar Adityanath had to remain in unnerved him so much that his subordinates in the HYV he appeared to have become Nagar district, Adityanath in- the lock-up for eleven days; eyes welled up and tears rolled started rebuilding his image, cautious even if he claimed to tervened, but from a distance his bail was approved on 7 down his face as he explained arguing that he was a sensi- be the same old Yogi. In es- and with a vague threat. At a February. to Lok Sabha Speaker tive man full of emotions even sence, Adityanath and the public meeting organized by This was the first and only oc- Somnath Chatterjee about as many locals called him a HYV were now striving to keep the HYV on 16 December at casion when the local admin- what he called the 'political coward capable only of the communal cauldron boil- Akbarpur, the district headquar- istration acted swiftly against conspiracy' against him. A re- spreading mob violence. ing - a strategy that became ters of Ambedkar Nagar, he put Adityanath and his henchmen. port in the Hindu said: Nevertheless, as Adityanath's apparent during the run-up to the blame on the Samajwadi The reason why the then chief The MP, who attended the image of a firebrand leader the Lok Sabha elections in Party's local MLA, Azim Ul-Haq, minister of Uttar Pradesh, House after spending 11 days took a serious hit, so did his April-May 2014. Nearly two and threatened to lead a march Mulayam Singh Yadav of the in the Gorakhpur jail, wept outfit's activities in eastern UP. weeks after the murder of a to Tanda if the arrest was not Samajwadi Party, chose to while narrating his experience For some time the HYV ap- Hindu trader on 4 December made within fifteen days Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE 24 Mahout Who Lost The Elephant The decline and fall of Mayawati is also the end of a Dalit dream. Does she have it in her to rebuild the movement and the party?

Back in 2007, it came with all and Gandhi clashed in London lition Bill. On the •issue of the the accumulated joy of an old on the •issue. Ambedkar won Industrial Disputes Act, he joined dream being realised. Mayawati electoral representation by forces with the Communists, en- was taking oath for the fourth time means of res•erved constituen- suring a big strike in Bombay’s as CM of India’s most populous cies with separate electorate in industrial mills in 1938. He fought and political state of Uttar 1932, only to be thwarted by for the abolition of Mahar Watan, Pradesh—this time with a major- Gandhi by a fast unto death in a traditional village servitude of ity unprecedented for any Dalit Poona’s Yerwada Jail. Dalits. used it as an organisational bar- Sabha polls in the first three de- party. It seemed like Dr B.R. Gandhi succeeded in tweak- By 1942, Ambedkar realised gaining platform with the Con- cades after independence. But Ambedkar’s dream of a self-sus- ing the formula for representa- Dalits had become politically gress, which came to power, to Dalits were still largely with the taining Dalit politics, which he tion, changing it from a separate conscious and created a new gain rights for the oppressed. He Congress. By the late 1970s, the initiated in 1936 by founding the electorate to a common elector- party, the All India Scheduled even joined the Nehru govern- RPI had suffered an amoeba-like Independent Labour Party (ILP), ate of all Hindus voting to elect a Caste Federation (AISCF), ment to work towards ensuring fragmentation into several par- was finally bearing fruit. Dalit representative to the legis- solely focused on taking up the the rights of Dalits, backwards ties, when Kanshi Ram entered Mayawati’s rise was ascribed to lature. This arrangement was cause of untouchables further in and, more so, women. Pune and created BAMCEF (All the Bahujan Samaj Party’s ide- formalised by the Poona Pact, the run-up to independence. The Ambedkar’s AISCF could not India Backward and Min•ority ology and its founder Kanshi signed on September 24, 1932. ‘Elephant’, later claimed by the achieve the peaks that Kanshi Communities Employees’ Fed- Ram’s vision. Thus, every Dalit legislator in a BSP, was originally the AISCF’s Ram and Mayawati attained five eration) in 1978, quietly learn- Mayawati’s victory seemed reserved constituency is elected electoral symbol. Ambedkar decades later through the BSP. ing his lessons from the RPI’s like a decisive inflection-point in by the votes of the entire elec- never went in electoral alliance Nevertheless, Ambedkar had cre- failure and its limitations.The Indian politics—it filled Dalits torate there. Looking at the im- with the Communists and the ated the very space for RPI’s fragmentation had created across the country with great pending elections of 1937, Peasants and Workers Party. He organised Dalit politics. Not only a political vacuum in India. It was pride and elation, and created a Ambedkar created the ILP and did join hands with the Social- that, he largely succeeded in at this juncture that BAMCEF ar- great reverence for Mayaw•ati won 15 of the 17 seats it con- ists—which Kanshi Ram too did, capturing the imagination of rived to fill this void. BAMCEF got among them. Outside estimations tested in the Bombay Province. by tying up with its ideological Dalits, spurring them on to involved in creating a Phule- reinforced the Iron Lady halo. The first elected Dalit legislator legatee, the Samajwadi Party, for achieve political power by Ambedkarite consciousness She was even seen as a poten- appeared thus in 1937, solely a the 1993 elections in UP. organising themselves into a aimed at bringing a radical so- tial prime ministerial candidate by creation of Ambedkar’s unrelent- Ambedkar was highly critical of party. After 1950, by virtue of cial transformation. Kanshi Ram observers and other parties ing efforts. the RSS and the Hindu universal adult franchise in a was an organiser and sought to alike. In 2007, she was on Time Ambedkar’s politics of 1937 Mahasabha, the ideological democracy, they became a rea•lise, in practical ways, the magazine’s list of 15 most influ- took up the cause of both proge•nitors of today’s BJP. He num•erical force to reckon with. aims of an ideological movement ential persons of India and indu•strial and agricultural labour, called them retrograde Before his death, Ambedkar con- encompassing the whole Dalit- among Newsweek’s top woman akin to the Dalit-Bahujan politics organisations. The AISCF con- ceived of the Republican Party Bahujan canvas. He saw this achievers. In 2008, she joined Kanshi Ram crafted decades tested the 1946 elections and in- of India (RPI), which came into umbrella definition as covering 85 the likes of Angela Merkel and later. Ambedkar eng•aged in con- dependent India’s first in 1951 being in 1957. The RPI tended per cent of India’s population, Sonia Gandhi in the Forbes list tinuous agitational politics. In and was a failure. It could not to the task of org•anising Dalits including Dalits, backwards and of the world’s 100 powerful 1937, he mobilised 20,000 even garner enough seats in and was active in Maharashtra, minorities, against the 15 per women. The Independent, Lon- agr•icultural peasants in Konkan 1946 to send Ambedkar to the UP and Andhra and returned cent elite castes who ruled over don, called her “unstoppable.” in favour of the Zami•ndari Abo- Constituent Assembly. But he some seats in assembly and Lok them. In ten years, the narrative has inverted almost entirely. Her party drew a blank in the 2014 PM Narendra Modi's Breakfast Meet Had Strict Dos And Don'ts - And UP Delicacies Lok Sabha elections. And now, Over breakfast at his home this morn- lators to ensure important reforms and the communally-sensitive state. Mr Shah the BSP has plummeted to a ing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tabled schemes are implemented efficiently and was explicit: "Na apna, na paraya. Kanoon mere 19 seats in the 403-seat a few health warnings for his party's MPs quickly in their constituencies which he ka raj chalega." ( Do not think of it as UP assembly. Juxtapose that from Uttar Pradesh: that they should not said would help fend off anti-incumbency. who voted for us or against us; only the number with the 206 seats she seek favours from newly-installed Chief It was BJP chief Amit Shah who spelled rule of law will prevail). won in 2007 to see how steep Minister Yogi Adityanath and that while the out that Yogi Adityanath, the 44-year-old After the meeting, Vinay Katiyar, a the fall has been. Whether she BJP's record win in the state is an im- Chief Minister, must not be urged for member of the Rajya Sabha, said, would make a perfect tragic fig- pressive feat, there's no time to sit back favours including but not limited to sug- "There is going to be no let up. At any ure, whose misfortune is brought and relax.After the what not to do, PM Modi gestions for appointments of government time, some part of the country is head- about by an innate flaw, is an also delivered a to-do list at the meeting officers. The Yogi needs to be allowed ing towards elections. And that's why open question. But her fall which was attended by nearly all the BJP's space to implement a pro-development the party has to remain in constant presages a wider tragedy for 71 members of parliament from Uttar governance, he said, and the government election mode." Dalit politics, which must be un- Pradesh The parliamentarians are to get must not be flooded with requests for the In a show of respect and solidarity, derstood and fought. busy planning the BJP's agenda for the transfers and postings of relatives or the party's most senior leader from Independent Dalit politics, to general election that is now just two years acquaintances.Mr Shah also stressed that Uttar Pradesh, Rajnath Singh, was which Mayawati claims a legacy, away. For this, the PM sought sugges- MPs must not provide any kind of patron- seated on stage with the PM and Mr started with Ambedkar’s idea of tions for pro-poor policies, a large com- age or backing to individuals or groups Shah. It wasn't all blunt talk, however. electoral representation for un- ponent of the recent UP victory. While with a tainted past or those who have tar- Attendees said that the PM seemed touchables, based on the popu- some MPs stressed the need to upgrade geted specific sections of society, an im- jubilant about his party's big Uttar lation percentage, as early as the primary health care system, others portant message at a time when the BJP Pradesh win. That reflected in the 1919. For the next 17 years, proposed improvement in rail services in is being accused of flaunting a Hindutva spread too -in addition to standard Ambedkar worked on making rural areas. agenda by choosing the Yogi, a saffron- Gujarati fare, the menu included typi- untouchables a pol•itical force, Mr Modi also asked MPs to coordinate robed monk, to lead India's most-popu- cal UP delicacies like stuffed parathas, in the face of Mah•atma Gandhi’s closely with the newly-elected state legis- lous state after a polarizing campaign in poori-vegetables, pakoras and jalebis. opposition. In 1931, Ambedkar Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 BUSINESS & FINANCE 25 How Sears changed America Sears did more than change the way America shopped. It changed America.

(Agencies) In its heyday, it products into American homes America.” was more than just the larg- — homes where people often The store made consumer est U.S. employer or the made their own clothes or fur- credit widely available, which country’s retailer. It actually niture themselves or did with- was a first for many of its reshaped the nation, trans- out. customers. That allowed fami- were shipped by rail to the dition of doing things that were forming the average citizen’s At a time when the majority lies to buy labor-saving ap- buyer to be constructed with highly innovative,” said lifestyle. Of course, the com- of Americans lived on farms or pliances and electronics like minimal labor. Sears says Nicholson. pany is struggling now. Sears in small towns, “it was life washing machines, stereos 75,000 of the homes were Sears also became huge. Holdings (SHLD), the company changing for many rural and TVs that otherwise would sold between 1908 to 1940. By the 1990’s, the company that owns both Sears and Americans,” said Amanda have been out of reach. At As Sears reached to every said that one out of seven Kmart, warned investors late Nicholson, professor of retail one point, Sears claimed that corner of the country, it also Americans either worked for Tuesday that it can no longer practice at Syracuse Univer- 50% of American homes had branched out into new busi- Sears, or had once worked promise it will remain in busi- sity. And once Americans an appliance made by nesses that reflected the there. And these weren’t the ness. It is not in bankruptcy, started to move to the boom- Kenmore, the Sears brand. changing American economy. low wage jobs with few ben- but it has posted losses of ing suburbs following World “It was the place that It started Allstate Insurance efits associated with many re- $10.4 billion since 2010, and War II, Sears stores anchored people went to furnish their (ALL) in 1931, and purchased tailers today. “These were jobs debt has soared while the the malls that helped those home,” Nicholson said. both the Dean Witter broker- with health care and benefits value of its stock has suburbs to grow. Sometimes Americans age firm and Coldwell Banker and pension plans,” said tumbled.But if its future is in “You could argue that for a even bought their actual real estate in 1981. It teamed James O’Rourke, a professor doubt, its past was very im- suburb to grow, first comes the homes directly from Sears. up with IBM (IBM, Tech30) to of management at Notre pressive. water and sewer lines, then Sears’s iconic Craftsman form Prodigy, one of the very Dame. “People looked to More than a century before came the retailers,” said Greg houses came with a floor plan first internet services, in 1984 spend their entire career at shopping online emerged, the Portell, lead partner in the re- and all the materials required and created the Discover Sears Roebuck. People Sears catalog brought a tail practice with A.T. Kearney. to build one. Precut lumber, (DFS) credit card in 1985. thought there was no limit to nearly limitless assortment of “Sears democratized retail in wallboard and other materials “They had a phenomenal tra- the innovation at Sears.” There is a retail bubble $4 Billion Dividend: Record Return By An Indian Company and it's bursting India's biggest zinc producer approved Wednesday a divi- (Agencies) America has way too many stores -- at a time when consumers are increasingly shopping online dend of Rs. 27.5 a share, amounting to Rs. 13,990 crore. instead of at the mall. One retail CEO even compared the state of retail today to the housing bubble back in (Agencies) Billionaire Anil metals for a 55 percent gain over 2.5 percent to the highest since the mid-2000s. Urban Outfitters, Staples, Dick's (DKS) Agarwal's Hindustan Zinc Ltd., the past year, boosted by mine Feb. 3. and Men's Wearhouse/Jos. A Bank owner Tailored profiting from a surge in metals shutdowns and a steadying of With free cash flow of $1 bil- Brands (TLRD) all reported disappointing quarterly re- prices, announced a special the economy in China, the top lion-plus and a net cash posi- sults this week. Women's apparel retailer J. Jill (JILL) dividend that takes its payments consumer. The metal is used to tion, Hindustan Zinc could pay went public on Thursday and found few interested shop- to shareholders this year above galvanize steel. a dividend above Rs. 20 a share pers. The stock fell -- after pricing its offering below its $4 billion, in what it said next year as well, expected range. Handbag retailer Vera Bradley (VRA) is a record return by an In- Citigroup Inc. said in a underwhelmed Wall Street too.RadioShack just went bankrupt. Again. And Sears (SHLD) continues to hem- dian company. note Thursday. orrhage red ink. The story is the same for these and The immediate benefi- "Vedanta continues other struggling chains like Macy's (M), JCPenney ciaries are parent to be in a very good (JCP), Barnes & Noble (BKS), Victoria's Secret owner Vedanta Ltd., which owns space given all its ver- L Brands (LB) and Target (TGT). 65 percent of the Udaipur, ticals are doing well Shoppers are more inclined to click and order Rajasthan-based com- and if they can reduce than visit bricks and mortar. Amazon (AMZN, pany, and the Indian gov- debt that would be a Tech30), of course, is the biggest beneficiary of ernment, which holds a 30 better ploy and would this trend. Its stock is up almost 15% this year percent stake. Both increase the returns and is trading near an all-time high. The company Vedanta and Hindustan Zinc ral- The government agreed to sell for shareholders," Sanjiv is worth nearly $410 billion -- almost double the lied as investors eyed the im- out of Hindustan Zinc in 2014 Bhasin, executive vice presi- market value of Walmart (WMT). So, to quote King pact on Vedanta's debt pile, but that effort has foundered. dent at India Infoline Ltd., George III in Hamilton: What comes next? Many retailers may be forced to shut even more stores which includes $2.2 billion due Vedanta's Chief Executive Of- said by phone. "Metals, as a and bulk up on their online commerce sites and for refinancing this month and ficer Tom Albanese in Febru- proxy to global growth and mobile apps. The head of Urban Outfitters (URBN) $3.4 billion over the following ary said that India has ben- given the stimulus announced had a blunt, and scary, assessment of the retail two years. efited from the stake after the in the U.S., have been the situation earlier this week. During a conference India's biggest zinc producer gains in prices and that there best asset class in the past call with analysts on Tuesday, CEO Richard Hayne approved Wednesday a divi- are no plans for it to reduce one year, and it will continue compared the state of retail to the housing glut dend of Rs. 27.5 a share, its position. The comments to outperform." last decade that helped bring about the Great Re- amounting to Rs. 13,990 crore were echoed by India's mines Agarwal is also maneuvering cession. "Retail square feet per capita in the ($2.1 billion). That brings the secretary. around Anglo American Plc, with United States is more than six times that of Eu- total dividend paid for the year Vedanta Ltd. rose 1.8 per- a plan to buy as much as $2.5 rope or Japan. And this doesn't count digital com- ending March 31 to Rs. 27,160 cent to Rs. 265.70 in Mumbai, billion of shares in the mining merce," Hayne said. "Our industry, not unlike the crore. The payout comes as the highest in more than two giant after a merger proposal housing industry, saw too much square footage capacity added in the 1990s and early 2000s." zinc prices outperformed other weeks, while its zinc unit rallied failed last year. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 LIFE STYLE 26

Will they ever grow up? Millennials don't consider themselves adults until they are 30

moved out of their parents' home, has a job, and pays their own bills.' Previous generations would have settled down and had a few children by 30, they found. However, this is happening later and later these days and the age range for millennials leave?'The study was part of that is older than people think is now 22 to 40. three years of research car- - TV companies who target High housing costs have ried out the CBS Campaign millennials are looking to cap- reduced the stigma of living Performance Audit ture the 18-34 age range. 'All (Agencies) Many millennials One expert suggests that at home and the recession programme on what makes ef- previous generations would don't consider themselves as millennials stay children for so made finding work harder, fective TV advertising. have probably said 22 or 23,' adults until 30 years old, and long because they have been which meant that people take Mr Poltrack carried out the said Mr Poltrack. As some don't believe they are coddled by their parents and longer to feel like adults, ac- survey in order to provide ad- millennials delay major events, one until 40, according to a new have had things 'too good'.The cording to Mr Poltrack. vertisers with information on such as buying a home, get- study. research was carried out by 'More controversial is the the effectiveness of advertis- ting a job and paying bills, so As more millennials delay David Poltrack, chief research whole idea that their baby ing. too they delay watching tele- moving out of their parents' officer at CBS, and Nielsen boomer parents have really He looked at what type of vision and buying appliances. home, getting a job and are Catalina Solutions, a New coddled them,' Poltrack told programmes different age When people start getting paying their own bills, the age York-based media company, TheWrap. groups were watching. married and having children of adulthood has been pushed Mr Poltrack says an adult is 'They've made it too good Researchers found that they really start to feel like back. defined as 'someone who has for them. Why would you millennials are a demographic adults, Mr Poltrack explained. How Peanut Butter is the only 'There are ground rules…but we have lots of fun' cleaning and DIY tool you’ll ever need People in open relationships share exactly how (Agencies) Peanut butter is traditionally eaten on toast, they make their very complicated love lives work or in a sandwich - not used as a cleaning product. But this store cupboard staple is surprisingly one of the most versatile tools you can have in your home, ac- cording to kitchen experts. From cleaning leather to using it as a shaving cream, these are the very surpris- ing ways you can use pea- nut butter around the house that could earn the spread (Agencies) For many people, an really work...with posts by the title of most useful open relationship sounds like those who are in, or have been household product ever - if the ideal; an ongoing in, them. you're not allergic to nuts, partnership that allows you to One user who claimed he’d that is. date other people. dated women who’d been in It's best to use a natural However, the reality is open relationships said that and smooth peanut butter to often more complicated, with more often than not, it was try out these tricks, rather jealously rearing its head. A men who initiated the less than the crunchy kind or a new thread on social media than conventional set-up but spread with lots of added in- site Reddit sheds some light women who actually ended up gredients. on to how open relationships having more fun. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 TRAVEL 27 rot -- despite the perpetually wet mossy piles of leaves underfoot, weather. The most famous is a clumps of mushroom sprouting ExploringExploring double-decker bridge in Nongriat from fallen tree trunks and hand- village, just over seven miles fuls of rudraksh (seeds used as away from Cherrapunji, called prayer beads by Hindus). The Jingkieng Nongriat. Getting there forest showcases dozens of va- Meghalaya,Meghalaya, requires an arduous trek up rieties of orchids, butterflies, 2,500 undulating steps through medicinal plants and towering lush jungle. An easier, equally trees. Mawphlang has remained picturesque option can be found untouched for centuries, thanks India'sIndia's abodeabode in Riwai village, next door to to a local Khasi legend. A deity Mawlynnong. It's best to arrive known as Labasa is said to pro- ofof thethe cloudsclouds early in the morning for a chance tect the area by putting a hex on

When it comes to aptly named Another worthwhile natural attrac- ized that we can make this a destinations, the northeast Indian tion less than seven miles away model for tourism." Home to a state of Meghalaya is up there from the falls, the Mawsmai population of 600 people, the vil- with the best. Meaning "abode of Caves are dripping with stunning lage is known for its meticulously the clouds," it's home to the top limestone stalactites and stalag- manicured gardens. Nearly ev- two wettest places on earth, ac- mites. ery home has a private plot, with cording to Guinness World Some gnarled, some smooth, neat flower beds and carefully Records. But across this cool, they're the result of thousands pruned blooms all year round. green state travelers will also find of years of water erosion. Along the bamboo-lined streets, India's cleanest village, the India's cleanest corner Khasi women -- a matrilineal, eth- country's highest waterfall and a About 50 miles -- or a 2.5-hour nic community in Meghalaya -- to enjoy the stream and bridge anyone who takes even a single man who just might be the drive -- from Cherrapunji is sell locally produced honey and in solitude. leaf out of the forest. "Everybody country's biggest Bob Dylan fan. Mawlynnong, which has been spices. To see the sprawling Groves both sacred and here believes in this story with- For those ready to give this up- called "Asia's cleanest village" by plains of Bangladesh across the out question -- but you can also and-coming Indian destination a think of it as our elders' way of try we've put together a short itin- conservation," says local village erary centered on the Khasi guide Andrew Lyngdoh. Hills, a central Meghalaya region. Exploring India's rock capital A walk in the clouds to India's Apart from consistently produc- highest waterfall ing some of the best music bands To experience a walk in the in the country, including clouds, we suggest starting in the Soulmate, this small hill town is town of Cherrapunji (also known also home to a dedicated Bob as Sohra), which is about an Dylan cafe -- aptly named hour and a half drive from Dylan's Cafe. Here travelers will Shillong, Meghalaya's capital. find 69-year-old Lou Majaw -- a With an average annual rainfall local rock enthusiast known for of 463 inches, Cherrapunji is the his renditions of Dylan's hits. second wettest destination on the (Something tells us " A Hard planet. It's topped only by the Rain's A-Gonna Fall" is particu- neighboring village of larly popular among locals.) Mawsynram, which gets 467 There's more to do in Shillong inches of rain per year. Com- than rock out. The Don Bosco pare this with the average annual various publications -- a title its border nearby, Mawlynnong vil- cursed Centre for Indigenous Cultures rainfall of India, which is 11-25 residents take seriously. lagers built an 80-foot-high tree On your way back to Shillong, is a great place to learn about inches (300-650 millimeters). The narrow lanes are spotless platform (known locally as a we recommend stopping at the India's largely unexplored north- Fortunately, most of the state's and locals can be seen clean- machan) called Sky View. To sacred groves of Mawphlang -- east region. A culture tour around rain falls during monsoon sea- ing and sweeping the streets reach this tourist attraction, trav- a small Khasi village about 16 Shillong continues with an early son, between June and Septem- throughout the day. "All this [fo- elers have to climb a series of miles before the city. With its morning visit to the Bara Bazaar. ber, making it a great place to cus on cleanliness] started with rickety but firm wooden steps. 800-year-old moss-covered, tow- Filled with fresh chicken, pork, explore outside these months. a literacy and sanitation drive a Rooted in tradition ering trees and carnivorous and vegetables -- including doz- One of the most photogenic spots couple of decades ago," John One of Meghalaya's biggest at- pitcher plants, Mawphlang is ens of varieties of chillies -- the in the area is Nohkalikai Falls -- Khongthohrem, owner of a small tractions, "living root bridges" reminiscent of Middle Earth from market offers a peek into the ev- the highest waterfall in the coun- guesthouse in Mawlynnong, tells have been a part of the local the "Lord of the Rings." This is a eryday lives of Meghalaya resi- try at 1,115 feet (335 meters). CNN. "And soon villagers real- landscapes for more than a biodiversity hotspot -- picture dents. century. Unlike modern bridges, made of steel and wires, these structures are grown around betel tree trunks using the strong roots of rub- ber trees. Stretched across rivers, they're supported by stones and boulders. The liv- ing root bridges typically take 15 years to mature but after that can carry up to 50 people at a time. Growing stronger with age, these natural wonders do not Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 BOX OFFICE 28 A Censor Board Member’s View On ‘Padmavati’

(Agencies) Violence or imagined history. Will the fringe (which itself is crying for reform), vandalism cannot recreate groups enforce the discourse of the various appellate authorities, history. In fact, it cannot create how we view history? If we were and a judicial system of appeal, anything. It only destroys - to start writing or interpreting these people are seemingly destroys peace, democratic history in our individual ways, super-censors and an extra- discourse, creativity and free then what is the role of judicial authority. If they don’t speech. Unfortunately, this historians and the historical agree with a narrative, they will happened twice recently on the evidence? use violence to silence creative sets of the film Padmavati. The Even in Padmavat, Jayasi writes works. film is based on an epic poem about Queen Padmini If someone disagrees with a film Padmavat written by Malik committing Johar to avoid being which is duly certified through Muhammad Jayasi in Avadhi captured and save her honour established systems of language. Jayasi himself from lustful Alauddin, and if the certification, then one can react we will continue to help creative so they get the eye balls which acknowledges it be a fictional film is recapturing the epic saga, by not watching it. A film like people create contemporary they otherwise wouldn’t receive. work and in fact assigns then the question arises: what “Udta Punjab”which was not narratives around history or But we need to make a allegorical interpretations to are the these people protesting passed by CBFC did get a mythical works (whether orally distinction, looking at a person’s the characters - Allaudin about ? favorable court verdict for transmitted or written) or not. body of work and sincerity of his represents lust, Padmini All this is happening when these screening. This is the beauty of Paradoxically, while on one hand or her craft. When one of the stands for wisdom, etc. protestors have no knowledge of our democratic system. It we are trying to facilitate film most opulent and sensitive The vandals are thrashing one either the script or the narrative provides the means to balance shooting and production with filmmakers of the country goes of the finest and accomplished of the film. The poor creators of the right of expression with the global alliances, on the other through such abhorable act of filmmakers of the country and the film have already been right of getting offended. In a hand, we are becoming symbols violence, it should not only be burning down expensive film forced to clarify that nothing democratic country like ours (for of regression when our own film- condemned, but strict legal sets based on rumored “objectionable” has been that matter any setup), one maker gets attacked in this action needs to be taken against romance scenes between the represented in the film. Now, the cannot resort to blatant violence manner. the perpetrators of such two ! When facts meet fiction “protestors” are apparently to supress any expression one On the other side, in this era of violence. A clear message and the lines start blurring demanding that they see the doesn’t find resonance with. That marketing gimmicks, when you needs to be sent out that our between the real and the script and approve it. Really? too when one isn’t even clear are as good as your last film democracy is about creative unreal, some fringe groups Who are these people? In a about what the expression is! release, it has become freedom, it’s about the right to resort to violence to seek country which has a film I think these are the times when fashionable for some filmmakers expression and it’s about civility credibility for their version of certification body called CBFC we need to ask ourselves whether to provoke and create disruption even in disagreement. My family and friends keep Would like to adapt TV show “Brothers & me grounded: Salman Khan Sisters”: Ekta Kapoor (Agencies) Salman Khan says his family and friends keep him (Agencies) Producer Ekta grounded as they do not get affected by his a superstar status. Kapoor says if she hadto The 51-year-old actor, who is one of the most popular stars of the adapt any American television Indian film industry, says people around him always make sure to drama for the Indian audience, counter him if he does anything “wrong”. it would be hit series “I don’t keep myself grounded. I at times find myself “Brothers & Sisters”. “I watch flying high. But my family and friends keep me grounded.”When lot of American drama shows a person reaches at high position, people around them just agree as for me TV is my work and to whatever they say. But my family and friends always tell me if it is not a mode of relaxation. they find something wrong in me,” Salman says in reply to a I think India will have its own fan’s question on his app. stories. But if I ever had to The actor says he is still afraid adapt a show it would be of his parents and makes sure that ‘Brothers & Sisters’,” Ekta his behaviour did not affect his told media. “Brothers & family and friends. Sisters” is an award winning “Till now I have this drama series that centres fear of my parents. I still around the Walker family and have the fear that what their lives in Los Angeles and I am doing may hurt Pasadena, California. Ekta, my mom and dad or 41, says her mother watches upset my siblings.” a lot of singing reality shows Salman will next and her actor brother be seen in Kabir Tusshar Kapoor follows “Bigg Khan’s Boss”. “For television we want “Tubelight”. The to make stories that people actor is can watch with the family. But currently at the same time every shooting for Ali member has different taste Abbas Zafar’s and preference. We try to “Tiger Zinda Hai” cater to all.” “There is lot of which stars money on television and Katrina Kaif as because of television I can the female lead. make films,” she adds. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 BOX OFFICE 29 If I don’t charge my wife, how will I put rocks on her fingers: Akshay Kumar

(Agencies) It has been over 25 years since more. But I must clarify that I am [the actors] time and they will learn. It’s he made his Bollywood debut with absolutely not hinting that I’m okay with surprising how many people enter this Saugandh (1991). Interestingly though, failure (laughs). We all strive to be industry with a chip on their shoulders, Akshay Kumar admits that now he “can successful but now, I’m in a much happier, but I am never afraid, because life will have a flop and not worry about where my less earnest space at this stage of my teach them very quickly. If they want work, next meal is coming from”. HT catches career. they better be a producer’s actor. up with the superstar about his life, If I don’t charge my wife, how will I put Regardless of how great career, and working with wife, Twinkle rocks on her fingers, and give her anyone’s last film may Khanna.Success is a very bittersweet holidays to write about (laughs). I’m have been, the symphony. It comes with five minutes of actually in my element right now. We just second relief followed by months of anxiety of started shooting, with my wife at my side, anyone maintaining one’s success in the hope my kids on her lap and with temples all becomes a that one can improve personally as well around. It is a script so worthy that I truly pain in the as professionally; and rise rather than fall believe every man and woman should a**, the by the next big Friday [release] (laughs). watch this film. It will bring awareness and But I will admit that now, the outcome of truly make so many women’s lives easier, my movies have a different effect on me better and, most importantly, healthier. Maybe, about a decade ago, my family Again my wife has proved her magic in as well as my welfare was dependent on bringing to light what India needs to hear. every movie. Now, I don’t have that kind All we can do now is pray that they want of pressure. My family will survive even if to listen to that. We are proud to make I stopped making movies tomorrow. Now, PadMan.Each and every partnership with it’s about making films from a different Salman, over the years, has been epic perspective, and to grow in the industry in every way. This film will be no different. rather than proving my worth every time We have the utmost respect for each my face is seen. other’s time and talent. Plus, the subject Today, I can have a flop and not worry of this film has all of us excited, about where my next meal is coming from, something I’m truly waiting to which is why I can enjoy my work a lot start.Like all things in life, give them Navjot Sidhu should not cite me as example to continue TV work: Kirron Kher (Agencies) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and only 21 days for it. It Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher on Thursday advised does not interrupt my Congressman Navjot Singh Sidhu not to cite her duties as MP as the example to justify his appearance on The Kapil shoot begins in Sharma Show, a comedy series, saying that her October when the attendance in Parliament is much more than that of Parliament is not in other parliamentarians. session,” she “I am not a minister and also that I did not added. work in any movies for last three years. My Earlier in the day, the Shiromani attendance in Parliament is much more than other Akali Dal (SAD) took on Punjab chief parliamentarians. I actively participate in all political minister Captain Amarinder Singh for not debates,” Kher told ANI, responding to reports that being able to take concrete action against former BJP MP?Sidhu’s defence rested on other Sidhu, who has refused to quit his leaders also working while holding office. television career. SAD leader Prem “I stay in Chandigarh and travel to Mumbai Singh Chandumajra said that Sidhu by for only the Colors TV?show named ‘India’s Got continuing his television career is Talent’. It is a three months’ show and I work for doing injustice with his post. Amarinder on Wednesday had said that his government is taking legal advice in this regard, adding they may have to change the cricketer- turned-politician’s portfolio if it is not permissible. However, Sidhu on Wednesday said his presence in the TV show will not affect his cabinet responsibilities. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 BOX OFFICE 30 mega stars and producer-direc- year,” Sharif says. tors to renew the affair. Giving For Bollywood, shooting in Shot In Dubai them company are film crews Dubai isn’t a new phenomenon. from Hollywood and many Eu- Feroz Khan had explored the The Emirate’s policies make it an ideal place for ropean and Asian nations. desert 25 years ago for his In recent times, numerous act•ion-thriller Yalgaar, with a Bollywood, Hollywood and others to shoot films big-budget ventures have been prolonged gunbattle bet•ween shot in the Emirates—count Khan and Sanjay Dutt under the Welcome, Welcome Back, scorching desert sun at the cli- Dabangg, Dabangg 2, Jai Ho, max. But the subsequent Hamaari Adhuri Kahani, Ki and Bombay blasts of 1993, master- Ka, Happy New Year, Raees, minded by Dawood, prompted a Airlift, Baby, Boom Boom long abstinence. Only at the turn (Hindi), Lingaa (Tamil), Thala 55 of the millennium did it start re- (Telugu), Lai Bhari (Marathi) appearing, with Mujhse Shaadi and Son of Alexander Karogi, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, (Malayalam). The last named of Deewane Huye Paagal et al. (Agencies) The Swiss Alps carpet rolled out for them by the in the Emirate in the past three course has a longer, deeper link: And now, the swarm of A-list- have lost their silvery sheen, the local government, which appar- years. This year, 10 more will the Gulf is a salient presence in ers is back. Welcome was shot charm of Interlaken has worn thin ently looks up to Bollywood mov- be added to the list. the horizon of Mal•ayali experi- extensively at Grand Hyatt Hotel and the tulips of Keukenhof, well, ies to burnish its image as a glo- “Dubai is fast gaining a com- ence, and has naturally left its over the edge of Dubai’s creek. leave nobody in thrall now. bal hub. petitive edge over popular des- mark on cinema, as a place spo- Its sequel, Welcome Back, be- Bollywood’s compass needle There’s also the Dubai look— tinations like London, New York ken of at first, and frequently as came the first Indian film to have now points elsewhere, thou- every•thing you might want in a and Interlaken as one of an actual locale of late. been shot at Burj Khalifa, the sands of miles further east in ‘phoren’ loc•ale, the look of a Bollywood’s most preferred des- But Dubai as a ‘place’ is a same location used for jaw-drop- fact, to a new location right in world-class city, top-notch infra- tinations,” confirms Jamal Al different thing from its useful- ping stunt scenes in Mission: the middle of the desert. It’s structure, swanky high-rises, Sharif, chairman of the commis- ness as a cinema hub. Many big Impossible Ghost Protocol. The nearer home, and perhaps shopping malls, plus the distinc- sion, who has climax of Saif Ali matches lived reality for the tive landmarks of Burj Khalifa taken the initia- Khan-starrer Race globalised Indian a bit more, and Palm Jumeirah, a visual field tive to make was also shot in while still being exotic and chic. with which some millions of In- Dubai a major Dubai; so were sev- Welcome to Dubai, Bollywood’s dians have first-hand centre for inter- eral scenes of favourite foreign jaunt in the de- fam•iliarity. The critical differ- national film Salman Khan’s cade they’re calling the Tenties. ence: the Alps remain the stuff shoots in gen- Dabangg and its hit Once upon a long ago, Yash of cloud-cuckoo fant•asy, even eral and sequel. Director Chopra had made a serenade if the well-travelled Indian has Bollywood in Farah Khan’s Happy or two amid alpine meadows an been there; Dubai is more real, particular. “The New Year was, in inseparable part of Indian cin- more credible. A more proximate Emirate has un- fact, written with ematic fantasy—the man in place on the world map, tied up derlined its Dubai as the setting. striped turtlenecks, the lady in more intimately in economic prominence as Zakir Hussain, di- pink chiffons (it showed off best ways, this shift also points to a a premium glo- rector at Icon Art against the snow), the tempera- maturing of the cinematic imagi- bal production hub, able to suc- Hollywood ventures like The Productionswhich provides in- tures a mix of sub-zero and siz- nation. cessfully support the production Bourne Legacy, Star Trek frastructure for all film shoots in zling, that was the sine qua non. There are more mundane needs of films of all sizes.” Bey•ond, Kung Fu Yoga and, the Emirates, says the trend now But now Bollywood has stumbled reasons too, of course. Film- After a flicker of rom•ance above all, Tom Cruise’s Mission is to shoot the entire movie in onto locales that are as differ- makers from Mumbai who were in the Eighties, Bollywood had Impossible: Ghost Protocol also Dubai bec•ause of all the facili- ent from good, old Switzerland lured by Dubai discovered, kept a safe distance from the availed of fresh, picture-perfect ties. “I’ve been associated with as snow is from the sand. much to their delight, that shoot- Gulf •owing to the reported pres- locations in the city. “Dubai’s over 32 feature films, besides Derided for long as the ha- ing in the desert was cheaper ence of fugitive ganglords such connectivity, world-class infra- scores of music videos and ven of und•erworld dons and than many outstation locations as Dawood Ibrahim and others structure and diverse locations other productions,” he says. gold smugglers on and off the back home, due to special con- of his ilk who ope•rated their al- have set it apart as a leading There’s no red-tape, he says, screen, it’s with some concerted cessions provided by the local leged extortion racket from filming destination,” Sharif tells and approvals come promptly efforts, combined with hardsell, government and other agencies there, and, more often than not, Outlook. “Production companies bec•ause of a proactive DFTC, that •Dubai has lately evolved providing logistic support. No targeted Mumbai-based movie have unique and iconic locations which coordinates with all other into the most-favoured destina- wonder, by •Dubai Film and TV moghuls with imp•unity. But, the that suit all storylines.” government agencies. tion for the dream merchants of Commission (DFTC) figures, scenario has changed now. The To gauge Dubai’s new-found The presence of a huge In- all hues, from big-time directors over 20 Bollywood movies, in- dons have since relocated or popularity for location hunters, dian population adds a dual to lesser-known short film mak- cluding Salman Khan and faded out, making it possible for look at the number of applica- charm: it caters to home-like ers. What awaits the Dubai- Shahrukh Khan starrers, have tions seeking permission re- needs during production and, bound production crew is a red been shot on different locations ceived by the commission: the later, turns into a significant box- figure rose from 741 in 2015 to office market itself. Its potential 911 in 2016. This, naturally, was first realised in 2014 gives a booster dose to its when Shahrukh Khan’s economy—as an emirate with- Happy New Year did fabulous out too much oil (Dubai has only business there. Bollywood is four billion barrels reserve, immensely popular across against Abu Dhabi’s 92 billion), the Arab world. But beyond it has found other ways to vi- that, says film analyst R. ability. Films are high value in Mohan, expats numbering in this respect. “The production millions have made it “a big budgets of projects being shot business territory for the In- in Dubai have gone up from dian film industry…. 1,68,868,718 dirhams (approx Bollywood and south Indian $45.90 million) to 2,17,557,134 movies fetch handsome re- dirhams ($59.23 million) last turns for producers.” Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 BOX OFFICE 31 Baahubali 2 has been pre-sold at a profit a month before release; here's the breakdown

& created each part”Speaking exclusively to take a humongous opening when it re- is being done by Karan Johar’s Dharma to Firstpost, from his Banjara Hills office leases on April 28.The trade buzz is that Productions and Anil Thadani’s AA Films. in Hyderabad, Baahubali 2 producer Baahubali 1 grossed Rs 600 crore world- The association with Karan Johar is one Shobu Yarlagadda of Arka Mediaworks wide, with the producers share around of the main reasons why Baahubali be- says, “The trailer became a runaway suc- Rs 250 Crore. The distributors of the film came a major brand in the Hindi heart- cess due to its grand scale, emotional made more profits than the producers. land. SS Rajamouli and the Baahubali and action scenes. After 17 cuts we got For example Baahubali 1 distributor in team of Prabhas and Rana Dagubatti it perfect as the 2 minute trailer encom- North America purchased it for $4 mil- also gifted Katappa's sword to Karan passes the vision and emotion in lion and the film got him a share of $ 9 Johar. In the rest of India except Kerala, Rajamouli’s story telling. No other Indian million. Now, the North America rights for the makers have opted for different dis- film trailer has performed so well. I think Baahubali 2 rights have been snapped tributors who have paid them record the previous best was Dangal.” by a different distributor, Great India amounts. Kerala distributor Global United (Agencies) SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali 2: Yarlaggada says 65 million of the trailer Films, for a whopping $ 7 million and as Media is reported to have paid double The Conclusion has become the most views were from You Tube, out of which per his expectation the film has poten- the amount they paid for part one. Prem viewed trailer in India. It has 87.5 million 32 million was Telugu, 27 million in Hindi, tial to do $15 million and break all Menon, of Global United Media said : views (from Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, 5 million in Tamil and 1 million from records.The previous highest record col- “We have immense faith in the Baahubali Malayalam trailers) in six days since it Malayalam. 27 million views in Hindi for lection for an Indian film in USA is Aamir franchise and have a good relationship went live on March 16. A day after the a dubbed film is phenomenal by any Khan’s Dangal at $ 12.3 million. Arka with the team who will deliver. Yes, we trailer launch SS Rajamouli tweeted – “ yardstick. Mediaworks’ Shobu Yarlagadda and have paid a record amount, but we are One of the reasons Baahubali franchise The sequel to the 2015 blockbuster Prasad Devineni have arranged for a very confident that Baahubali 2 will work got the attention of the viewers is, the Baahubali: The Beginning is now the hot- new set of distributors in all territories, big time at the box-office, just like part scale & grandeur with which we designed test film at the box-office as it is expected barring Hindi version. The Hindi version one and will be profitable for us.” Navjot Singh Sidhu to mediate Kapil Sharma threw a shoe at Sunil between Kapil Sharma-Sunil Grover Grover because the team ate before him

(Agencies) Comedian Kapil maine khaana shuru nahi kiya toh “Tum logon ko maine banaya hai. (Agencies) Cricketer-turn-politi- Sony. Sidhu is associated with Sharma’s ugly spat with co-star tum logo ne kaise le liya khaana?” Sabka career khatam kar dunga. cian Navjot Singh Sidhu, who show right from the start, and Sunil Grover happened after he shouted, well within the ear Tum TV waale kya samajhte ho? plays a celebrity judge in a popu- enjoys a great rapport with en- Kapil abused his crew for starting shot of co-passengers. The eye- Sabko nikaal dunga main,” says lar television comedy show, is tire crew, including Kapil and to eat in the flight while he was witness reveals that Kapil’s co- the source. To Sunil Grover, he willing to broker peace between Sunil. still drinking. stars looked so startled that they kept repeating, “Gaya tha na tu bickering programme host Kapil Besides the Kapil-Sunil Much has been written about the started returning their half-finished toh. Aaya na waapas mere hi Sharma and fellow comedian feud, the 53-year-old Sidhu’s Kapil Sharma-Sunil Grover fight food trays to the crew. At this paas” (in reference to Sunil Sunil Grover. participation in the show has on an Air India Melbourne-Delhi- point, Sunil Grover tried to calm quitting Kapil’s show, Comedy Kapil and Sunil had a also come under a cloud as gov- Mumbai flight on Friday. Amid Kapil down, who then started Nights with Kapil, earlier to start fight when they were flying back ernment ministers are not sup- speculation about what yelling at him. “Kapil got up, took his own on a rival channel, and with their team to New Delhi af- posed to promote private happened, HT finally brings you off his shoe, and hit Sunil,” says later returning to the show after ter a show in Melbourne. Appar- programmes. the blow-by-blow account of why the source, adding, “He also pulled failing to get enough TRPs) .By ently, Kapil got drunk on the Air Though the comedians the spat broke out, as told by an Sunil’s collar, and repeatedly this time, most passengers were India flight last Friday, belittled and the crew were initially quiet eye-witness. slapped him.” rattled and several of them Sunil and also physically as- about the spat, Sunil took to Wishing to stay anonymous, the In the scuffle that broke out in the enquired from the crew if any saulted him. Kapil apologised to Twitter to express his feelings source who was on-board the 12- aisle, a female crew member of emergency measure could be him on Twitter, but the two have and all hell broke loose after that. hour flight told us that Kapil had Kapil’s also got hit. “Grover tried taken to diffuse the situation. yet to patch up. A source, who was onboard the consumed an entire bottle of to keep his calm and was trying “While yelling, Kapil also kept “Kapil and Sunil are 12-hour flight, said the fight broke Glenfiddich whisky, and was to tell Kapil to not create a scene. loudly abusing in Punjabi. At brothers. Being a senior mem- out after Kapil took umbrage as visibly drunk. When the food was By this time, Kapil’s abuses were some point, the cabin crew told ber of the show, it is my duty to his crew started having their meal being served by the cabin crew, so loud that he could be heard Kapil that they would have to call bring them together again,” said before he finished his drink. He his team (the crew and cast of also where the economy class security on landing, if he didn’t Sidhu, a cabinet minister in the apparently drank an entire Kapil’s TV show, The Kapil passengers were sitting. When stop. He, however, kept new Congress government in bottle of Glenfiddich whisky. Sharma Show, who had gone to the cabin crew asked Kapil’s team repeating, “Arrey yeh log Punjab.“It is a show that is much Sunil tried to calm down Kapil, Australia for a show) started to to calm him down, they refused samajhte kya hai. In sab ka loved by the people,” he said, but was yelled at. “Kapil got eat. This angered Kapil, who and said they were scared. Kapil career meri wajah se hai,” says referring to the hugely success- up, took off his shoe, and hit was still finishing his drink.“Jab shouted at his team and said, the source. ful The Kapil Sharma Show on Sunil,” the source said. Wednesday 29 March to4 April , 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 32