#manmohan singh death date and time

[gujaratinews]

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's last rites will be performed at 10-11 am tomorrow, Saturday, near Shakti Sthal in Delhi. His daughter will reach Delhi from America late tonight. Dr. Manmohan Singh's mortal remains have been kept at his residence on Motilal Nehru Marg in Delhi.

[detainedengineers]

9 Surprising Mysterious Deaths in Bollywood which is still Unsolved

Bollywood Death mysteries:

There are numerous Bollywood famous people who stunned the whole Nation with their Deaths. Everything, regardless of whether it is fortunate or unfortunate, is examined profoundly them. In this article, there is a rundown of Top 9 famous people that are considered to go through the baffling passing of Bollywood. The things are as yet unanswered in some cases that were a Bollywood entertainer’s homicide or veritable self-destruction. Here are nine Bollywood superstars who passed on in a strange situation.

So here are some of the mysterious deaths in Bollywood:

Sushant Singh Rajput

Sushant Singh Rajput was an Indian entertainer who was notable for his economically fruitful Bollywood movies like M.S. Dhoni: the untold story, Kedarnath, Chhichore, and so on. He was brought into the world on 21, January 1986, Patna. He appeared on Forbes India’s celebrity 100 lists twice since 2017. He was also considered as an inspiration for the youth.

He was discovered dead on the 14th of June, 2020, in his residence in Bandra, Mumbai, hanging from the ceiling fan. He died at the youthful age of 34. It is being said that he was experiencing major mental issues and was in sorrow. The world is still in shock about the news. There were a few imprints on his body that showed that he had not been dead ordinary.

He also had some marks on his neck, indicating that he had been coerced and had a rope dragged around his neck. Still, the police declared it a suicide and now the case is still going on but public thinks that it is the mysterious deaths in Bollywood. This is an extremely stunning strange demise in Bollywood. You can also read suicide or murder – star was lost

Sridevi

Sridevi, the recipient of the Filmfare Award, is known for her several hit films like Judaai, Mom, English Vinglish, and plenty of more. She was a great actress born on 13 August 1963, who was known for her acting skills. She was one of the best and most influential actresses within the history of Indian cinema additionally as “First Female Superstar”. Her mysterious death left everyone shocked.

On February 24, 2018, she passed away at the age of 54. The reason for her death was said to be a cardiac arrest. The incident happened in Dubai during a hotel where she slid along with her family to attend her nephew Mohit Marwah’s wedding. Sridevi died due to the “accidental drowning” in her hotel bathtub after losing consciousness, according to Dubai police. Her death was considered as to be one of the foremost mysterious deaths in Bollywood.

Jiah Khan

Jiah Khan was a British American 25- years old actress who was well known for her films like Nishabd with Amitabh Bachchan which was her debut film. She also appeared in films like Ghajini and Housefull. She ended her life on June 3, 2013, in Mumbai. She hung herself in her apartment roof fan.

On June 7, 2013, a six-page suicide note was found by her sister where she directly accused actor Suraj Pancholi, son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, whom she was dating at that point. On August 1, 2016, the CBI declared the cause of her death as ‘suicide by hanging’.

Her mother alleged that it was a murder and not suicide, but no victims were found or disclosed. The case was closed and buried under the name of murder and still, it’s a question if that was a suicide or not and her death is still considered as one of the most unsolved deaths in Bollywood.

Divya Bharti

Divya Bharti was one of the gorgeous actresses who made her Bollywood debut with the action thriller Vishwathma. She is best known for her films in Shola Aur Shabnam and Deewana. She got married to Sajid Nadiadwala at the early age of 18.

She died in April 1993, after she fell from the fifth floor of the balcony of her Tulsi apartment in Mumbai. There were rumors that she was intoxicated at a party after which she went to her balcony and lost her grip and fell. There were also reports that a fair amount of alcohol was found in her blood. It was believed that the cause of her death was heavy internal bleeding at the back of her head.

There were also rumors that the actress was intoxicated at the party which resulted in her death. There were many speculations that pointed her death towards a murder but the case was closed in 1998 and the final reason was stated as an accidental death but her death is one of the most mysterious deaths in Bollywood.

Parveen Babi

Parveen Babi was considered the most popular actress of Bollywood during the period of 70s and 80s. She was considered a glamorous fashion icon throughout her career. She starred in Blockbusters such as Deewar, Namak Halaal, Amar Akbar Anthony, and so on. She was the first actress to grace the cover of a magazine named Time Magazine in 1976.

She was being rumored to have diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was found hanging at her house in Mumbai in January 2005. Her body was found after three days of death and post-mortem reports suggested she died due to organ failures and diabetes. But people thought that it was the mysterious deaths in Bollywood.

Guru Dutt

Vasanth Kumar Shivshankar Padukone also known as Guru Dutt was a famous Indian actor, producer, and also director who was known for his classic films such as Saheb Biwi Aur Gulam, Pyaasa, Kagaz Ke Phool, and numerous others. There is No talk on Indian cinema, which is complete without the mention of Guru Dutt.

On 10, October 1964, this unbelievable entertainer was discovered dead in his leased apartment at Pedder Road in Mumbai. He passed on at the early age of 39. There were rumors that he had a very turbulent married life due to which he was taking alcohol and sleeping pills together after being separated from his wife. Many speculations were made, whether it was a suicide attempt or an accidental overdose. But his death is still a mysterious deaths in Bollywood.

Nafisa Joseph

Nafisa Joseph was an Indian model and video jockey, beauty queen turned into Bollywood actress. She was the victor of Femina Miss India Universe 1997 and furthermore a finalist in the Miss Universe 1997 pageant in Miami Beach. She hanged herself to death in her Versova apartment on 29th July 2004. She died at the age of 26. It is accepted that she was experiencing sadness furthermore, she took her life not long before her marriage.

She was supposed to get married to automobile businessman Gautam Khanduja but her marriage was called off. Nafisa apparently suffered from depression because of the marriage that made her end her life. Nafisa Deaths is the mysterious deaths in Bollywood. Notwithstanding, her passing stayed at the center of attention whether it was a homicide or self-destruction.

Asif Basra

Asif Basra was an Indian entertainer, most popular to Western crowds for his job in Outsourced. Asif has also appeared in many Bollywood films including Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Jab We Met, and Kai Po Che.

He has starred in many plays in India and abroad, performing in English, Hindi, and Urdu theatre productions. On 12 November 2020, he was found dead. The entertainer supposedly passed on by self-destruction at a private visitor house in McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh. His mysterious deaths in Bollywood left the whole Bollywood industry in shock.

Manmohan Desai

Manmohan Desai was an Indian movie maker and chief who was notable for his family-focused, activity routine movies which took into account the inclinations of the Indian masses and through which he made incredible progress. He was born on February 26, 1937, in Mumbai. His blockbusters movie includes Parvarish, Amar Akbar Anthony, Chacha Bhatija, and Dharam Veer.

The master of family entertainer met his tragic end on March 1st, 1994. The man behind the megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s calling in Bollywood tumbled from the gallery of his home and met his death. It still remains unclear if it was an accident or a suicide. There were assumptions that he took his life as he was not able to cope up with failing health and a declining career. His death also remains in the category of the unsolved deaths in Bollywood.

You Can Read full detail about the Shushant Singh Rajput case: Read More….

[brajeshupadhyay]

Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Five more COVID-19 deaths take Pune's toll to 77; Modi likely to discuss graded lockdown exit with CMs

08:18 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi Hindu Rao hospital to resume services of emergency wards

The Delhi Hindu Rao Hospital will resume services of casualty and emergency wards including the Flu Clinic and the 3 OPDs (Gynae, Pediatrics, Medicine) with restricted entry of patients and attendants from Monday, said NDMC Commissioner Varsha Joshi. 

07:58 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

In Photos: Hawkers in Okhla organise vegetable carts

Delhi: People at Okhla vegetable market to buy essentials, amid #CoronaLockdown. The nationwide lockdown imposed to combat #COVID19 will last till 3rd May 2020. pic.twitter.com/PCamdUgolg

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020

07:51 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

293 fresh COVID-19 cases, zero deaths in past 24 hrs in Delhi 

With 293 new COVID-19 cases and no deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the total coronavirus cases in the National Capital reached 2,918 on Sunday while the toll remained at 54.

As many as eight people have recovered from the infection since Sunday, according to the Delhi Health Report. A total of 877 patients in Delhi have recovered from coronavirus so far. "As on date, 1,987 cases are active," the report said.

07:46 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Five more COVID-19 deaths in past 24 hrs in Pune take toll to 77

With 80 fresh COVID-19 cases in Pune, the total number of confirmed cases in the district climbed to 1,264, an official said on Sunday. The toll also saw an increase to 77 after five more COVID-19 patients succumbed to the infectious disease in the past 24 hours. 

"As far as the areas under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, the tally of COVID-19 cases went up to 1,119," a health department official said.

07:34 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Some states willing to extend lockdown beyond 3 May 

Sources in the government indicated that besides discussing the way forward in dealing with the pandemic, the discussion between Narendra Modi and the chief ministers could also focus on a "graded" exit from the lockdown which is in place till 3 May.

The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual relaxation in various fields and sectors to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to people. But some states are willing to extend the lockdown beyond 3 May to ensure that coronavirus cases remain under control.

India fights COVID-19: PM Modi to interact with CMs today Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/eg6G2sgIzC pic.twitter.com/D7IJSr3oCJ

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 27, 2020

07:29 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Modi to interact with CMs today, likely to discuss on graded exit from lockdown 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers via video conference on Monday morning on the way ahead in the fight against the novel coronavirus, amid indications that the discussions could also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown.

This will be the third video conference of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers after the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers via video conference on Monday morning on the way ahead in the fight against the novel coronavirus, amid indications that the discussions could also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown.

This will be the third video conference of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers after the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

As India recorded its highest one-day rise of 1,975 coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country's fight against COVID-19 is "people-driven" and this is the only way to overcome the pandemic.

In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' broadcast, Modi said the country is in the middle of a 'yudh' (war) and asserted people have to continue being careful and take precautions.

The countrywide death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 826 with 47 more fatalities being reported and the number of cases climbed to 26,917 on Sunday, according to the Union Health Ministry. A total of 5,914 people(21.96 percent) have recovered from the infection, it said.

State-wise figures

The total number of cases on Sunday went up by 1,975 since the ministry last updated its data on Saturday evening. The previous highest single-day jump of 1,752 was recorded on April 24.

According to the ministry, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country is from Maharashtra at 7,628. Other states where the cases have crossed one thousand are are Gujarat (3,071), Delhi (2,625), Rajasthan (2,083), Madhya Pradesh (2,096), Uttar Pradesh (1,843), Tamil Nadu(1,821) and Andhra Pradesh(1,097).

Of the 47 deaths reported since Saturday evening, 22 are from Maharashtra, eight in Rajasthan, seven from Madhya Pradesh, six Gujarat and one each from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu.

Of the total 824 COVID-19 deaths, Maharashtra accounts for the highest number of 323 fatalities, followed by Gujarat (133), Madhya Pradesh (99), Delhi (54), Andhra Pradesh (31) and Rajasthan (33).

The death toll reached 27 in Uttar Pradesh, 26 in Telangana, 23 in Tamil Nadu, while Karnataka and West Bengal have reported 18 deaths each, the ministry said.

Punjab has registered 17 fatalities so far, Jammu and Kashmir six, Kerala four, while Jharkhand and Haryana have recorded three COVID-19 deaths each.

Bihar has reported two coronavirus deaths, while Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Assam have reported one fatality each, according to the ministry data.

Modi asks people to shun complacency

Amid indications that Modi's third round of video interaction with the chief ministers on Monday since the COVID-19 outbreak could also focus on a graded exit from the 40-day lockdown, the prime minister asked people to shun any complacency that they will not be infected by coronavirus. The nationwide lockdown is due to end on 3 May.

He reiterated his advice to people to maintain a distance of two yards from each other to keep healthy.

“Do gaz doori, bahut hai zaroori (Maintain a distance of two yards and keep yourself healthy)," he said.

"I urge you not to get overconfident. You should in your over-enthusiasm not think that if the coronavirus has not yet reached your city, village, street or office, it is not going to reach now. Never make such a mistake. The experience of the world tells us a lot in this regard," he said in his 30-minute address.

Modi referred to a popular Hindi idiom 'Sawdhani hati, durghatna ghati' (accident happens when caution is lowered) to make his point.

Hailing states, emergency workers and civil society groups for their contribution in combating the pandemic, he said the resolve shown by the people of the country has led to the beginning of a transformation with businesses, offices, educational institutions, medical sector rapidly undergoing new changes. With the country under a lockdown since 24 March midnight, he said India's people-driven battle against the pandemic will be discussed when the world discusses the crisis later.

"India's fight against the coronavirus is people-driven in the truest sense of the term. Along with people, government and administration are fighting it as well... This is the only way we can win over the virus," he said.

The prime minister said wearing masks will now become a part of a civilised society and also exhorted people to stop spitting in public places, saying it was high time to get rid of this "bad habit" once and for all.

This will not only boost our basic hygiene standards but also help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus infection, he added.

Modi also greeted people on Akshaya-Tritiya and noted that the holy month of Ramzan had also begun.

"We should pray more than ever before so that prior to the celebration of Eid the world is rid of the coronavirus and we celebrate Eid with enthusiasm and gaiety like earlier times," Modi said, urging people to adhere to guidelines of local administration.

The prime minister hoped there may be some good news in the fight against the coronavirus during his next 'Mann ki Baat' episode, usually the last Sunday of every month. The last Sunday next month falls on 31 May and Eid is likely to fall on 25 May.

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the prime minister has asked people to remain steadfast in following the coronavirus guidelines and expressed confidence that the nation will follow the path shown by him.

'Graded' exit from lockdown may be discussed tomorrow

Sources in the union government indicated to PTI that besides discussing the way forward in dealing with the pandemic, the prime minister's discussion with chief ministers could also focus on a "graded" exit from the lockdown.

The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual relaxation in various fields and sectors to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to the people.

But some states like Maharashtra are mulling extending the lockdown beyond 3 May in cities like Mumbai and Pune to ensure that coronavirus cases remain under control.

The Congress said it hopes the prime minister puts out a comprehensive and holistic plan as regards the exit strategy during his discussions with the chief ministers.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said till the time there is no national plan to deal with disasters or pandemics, states cannot formulate plans to deal with issues post-lockdown.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said that without aggressive testing facilities, India cannot conquer challenges posed by COVID-19.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Modi to clear "bottlenecks" and ramp up testing.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said the situation in India is improving as hotspot districts (HSD) are moving towards being non-hotspot districts (NHSD).

Vardhan gave this assessment after he visited the Trauma Centre of AIIMS in Delhi to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19 and visited various wards in the isolation facility for the infected patients, a statement from the ministry said.

On 15 April, the Centre had identified a total of 170 districts across the country as COVID-19 hotspots. The districts that have reported either a high number of coronavirus cases or where the rate of doubling time is low are termed as hotspots.

As many as 207 districts were also classified as non-hotspots whereas the remaining of the total 726 districts fall under the 'green zones' category, i.e., they haven't reported any coronavirus case for the last 28 days before April 15. Non-hotspot areas have also reported positive cases but the number remains limited.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba also had a detailed video conference with all the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of the States/UTs to review the preparedness for COVID-19 response.

With inputs from PTI

via Blogger https://ift.tt/3bL8yo8

[usnewsaggregator-blog]

How Hindu Nationalists Politicized the Taj Mahal

New Post has been published on https://usnewsaggregator.com/how-hindu-nationalists-politicized-the-taj-mahal/

How Hindu Nationalists Politicized the Taj Mahal

Perhaps no single building is more associated with India and Indian history than the Taj Mahal. The story behind the building is almost as famous as its architecture, a paragon of the Indo-Islamic style. In the mid-17th century, the grieving Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, using 20,000 laborers over 20 years, constructed the enormous mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after she died during childbirth.

In time, the Taj Mahal, with its milky white, meticulously carved and decorated marble walls, became an eternal symbol of love and Mughal extravagance; Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore once described it as “a teardrop on the cheek of time.” Designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, it receives over 7 million visitors each year.

Yet in October 2017, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in India, chose not to include the Taj Mahal in the state’s tourism brochure. This was no oversight: The move reflects the BJP’s long-standing effort to promote Hindutva, an ideology that seeks to place Hindu faith, culture, and history, at the core of Indian identity. It views the presence of foreigners throughout history as corrupting Indian civilization—especially Muslims who ruled large swathes of the subcontinent for centuries after descending from the Central Asian steppes. Narendra Modi, India’s BJP prime minister, has referred to this period of history, along with British colonialism, as a period of slavery.

Much of the BJP’s vitriol for the history of Muslim rule is projected onto the Indian Muslims of today, comprising 15 percent of the population. Hindu nationalists often question Muslims’ loyalty and right to their homeland, a view exacerbated by the communal tensions engendered by Partition in 1947. The BJP leadership has been criticized for inciting violence against Muslims with its inflammatory rhetoric, including the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat which killed over 1,000 people (Modi was the state’s chief minister at the time). In 2014, Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu priest perpetually cloaked in his saffron robes and appointed the BJP chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, stated at a political rally, “If [Muslims] kill one Hindu man, then we will kill 100 Muslim men.”

In many ways, Adityanath’s meteoric rise in Indian politics exemplifies both the BJP’s ever-tightening embrace of extreme Hindu-nationalist positions and increasing political power. A controversial figure since his election to parliament in 1998, Adityanath founded the militant Hindu group Hindu Yuva Vahini, which has been accused of inciting communal tensions and is linked to recent attacks on Muslims. He has long been a hardline promoter of Hindutva, stating in 2005, “I will not stop until I turn [Uttar Pradesh] and India into a Hindu rashtra [nation].” He promised to cleanse India of other religions, calling this “the century of Hindutva.” After Adityanath became chief minister, he pushed for a number of policies that aligned with his ideological position, including increasing legal protections of the cow, considered sacred in Hinduism. These measures have been criticized for stoking violence against Muslims suspected of eating beef or of raising cattle for slaughter, in attacks known as “beef lynchings.”

The same year that Adityanath made his century-of-Hindutva declaration, then-prime minister Manmohan Singh convened a commission to study the social, political, and economic conditions of India’s Muslims. The study found that they often felt viewed with suspicion “not only by certain sections of society but also by public institutions and governance structures.” Tabrez Ahmad, an Urdu teacher in Lucknow, told me Indian Muslims even feel pressured to prove their loyalty when India plays Pakistan, its Muslim-majority neighbor, in cricket.

On a visit to Lucknow’s Jama Masjid, one of the main mosques in Uttar Pradesh’s capital city, I spoke to the muezzin about how his community perceived the newly elected BJP state government. Besides its rhetoric stoking violence, he complained that new policies have favored Hindus and economically crippled Muslims, especially as cow-protection laws shuttered many smaller slaughterhouses that largely employed Muslims. He repeatedly described the BJP government as “mussulman ka dushman”—the Muslim’s enemy.

The challenge to the Indian-ness of the Taj Mahal is a challenge to the Indian-ness of Muslims—a consistent theme in BJP rhetoric. In June, Adityanath remarked, “Foreign dignitaries visiting the country used to be gifted replicas of the Taj Mahal and other minarets which did not reflect Indian culture.” He praised Modi for instead gifting copies of the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana, sacred Hindu religious texts. Sangreet Som, a BJP politician, called the Taj Mahal a “blot” on India built by “traitors,” adding, “Taj Mahal should have no place in Indian history” as Shah Jahan “wanted to wipe out Hindus.” He even warned that, “If these people are part of our history, then it is very sad and we will change this history.” Hindutva proponents have even argued the Taj Mahal was originally a 12th-century Hindu temple built by the Maharajah of Jaipur, with its name a distortion of the original Sanskrit, Tejo Mahalaya, meaning “The Great Abode of Tej” (a name for the Hindu God Shiva).

While the BJP government has acknowledged the architectural wonder’s value as a tourist destination, its potential future hangs in the balance, given Hindu nationalism’s growing popularity and political power. Shamsul Islam, a professor at Delhi University has said that the Taj Mahal’s very existence is now in danger. While the specter of Hindu mobs destroying it is an unlikely one, Islam recognized that the Taj Mahal could be permanently damaged through deliberate neglect as air and water pollution take their toll on the ancient structure.

Yet this fear is no mere hyperbole. Hindu nationalists have long targeted Islamic buildings and other historic sites. For example, a survey found that 230 Islamic historic sites were vandalized or destroyed, many reduced to mere rubble, during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Perhaps the most famous example of this is the 1992 razing of the Babri Masjid mosque in Ayodhya, which resulted in communal rioting around the country that led to nearly 2,000 deaths. Hindu nationalists have argued that the mosque, constructed in the 16th century by the Mughal Emperor Babur, was built over a destroyed Hindu temple, a claim contested by scholars, near the site traditionally considered to be Lord Rama’s birthplace. On December 6, 1992, leaders of the BJP, alongside fellow Hindu nationalist groups Vishva Hindu Prashad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, gathered outside the mosque to offer prayers, followed by a mob of their followers breaking through the security barrier and, piece by piece, pounding the ancient structure to the ground with sledgehammers. The site has been a source of controversy in recent years—in 2005, Islamic militants attacked the makeshift Hindu temple that had been built on the mosque’s ruins with an explosives-laden jeep.

In the wake of this attack, the Allahabad High Court upheld the argument that a temple structure pre-dated the mosque and ruled in 2010 that the site should be divided into thirds between the Muslim community, the Hindu community, and the Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu sect. However, in the following year, the Supreme Court suspended their decision, maintaining the site’s status quo. The Supreme Court is set to hear appeals to the High Court 2010 decision beginning in December 2017.

Today at the site, numerous souvenir stalls play videos of the mosque’s destruction, with DVDs of the footage available for purchase alongside Hindu religious trinkets. The atmosphere of the site is oppressive, thanks to a pervasive security presence. To enter the site, one must pass through four separate security checkpoints amid rows and rows of fencing, punctuated by guard towers manned by soldiers carrying machine guns. It has the feel of a POW camp rather than a religious-pilgrimage destination, though one treated with great reverence by the devotees that I accompanied through the twisting labyrinth of chain link and barbed wire. There is no visible reminder of the Babri Masjid’s existence.

India is a mosaic with many overlapping cultures and religions. Yet Hindu nationalists wish to define it in one narrow way. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a professor at Ashoka University, told me that, “In India, there is diversity down to the village level. It’s a necessary part of the land.” But, he warned, “It’s dangerous when one identity overshadows others.” Purifying a land is never a peaceful process, he reminded me.

History is a framework through which a society understands itself, and monuments are a physical manifestation of the past, for good or ill. The rejection and destruction of these monuments is not only about rejecting the nation’s past and de-coupling people from their history, but disconnecting those associated with that history from any claim to a part of the nation’s identity. Gazing at the architectural beauty of the Taj Mahal, amid a controversy over the monument’s fate under a BJP government, one can’t help but wonder what else is at stake in the battle over history and identity in India.

Original Article:

Click here

[wionews]

Forgetting 1962, can India and China be friends?

Momentous 1962

It was a year of many firsts – American John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in February, 1962, Beatles recorded their single “Love me Do”, America’s sweetheart Marilyn Monroe sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy which was also her last public appearance before her death a few months later.

Spider-man of Marvel made his maiden appearance in a comic.

Brazil beat Czechoslovakia 3-1 to win the 1962 World Cup and Pele became a household name the world over.

The United States created the Navy Seals and the first Walmart store opened in the same year. Oscar-winning movie Lawrence of Arabia opened for public in December.

And amid all this between October 20th to November 20th, when the Indian subcontinent trembled as India and China went to war, the Cuban missile crisis was at its height with America & Russia close to World War III.

Why are countries attacked on weekends?

That date - October 20th, and as it happens had to be a Friday – ever wondered why an invasion is always executed on a Friday through to Sunday?

History has been witness to many wars breaking out on a weekend – the attack on Pearl Harbour by Japanese bombers on December, 7th 1941, also known as the ‘day of infamy’ on a Sunday.

Operation Barbarossa: Hitler's Germany attacked Russia on Friday, 20th June 1941.

Nearly 150 years earlier Napolean’s Grand Army began its assault on ‘Fortress Russia’ on a Saturday, 24th June 1815.

The logic is simple: An attack on a weekend is the ultimate 'surprise element' as most offices are closed, bureaucrats are busy planning their holidays and the general public has its guard down, it is the best time as any to strike!

India & China: Locked eye-to-eye

This time, India's Ministry of Defense officials and PM Jawaharlal Nehru knew beforehand war clouds had gathered over the Indo-Sino border because Indian and Chinese soldiers were locked in an eye-to-eye conformation at the LAC, reminiscent of the recent Doklam crisis. 

Also, to make matters worse a few years earlier the Dalai Lama had escaped to India, walking all the way from his homeland in Tibet to take refuge in Nehru’s India.

It had of course been less than 15 years since both China and India had gained their independence – India became free of British Raj on 15th August 1947 and China under Mao founded the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, naturally the two big powers were keen to assert themselves on the world stage.

As things stand, 55 years later both countries now see each other as “frenemies”, not in the Hindi-Chini bhai, bhai sense, but more or less as “equal partners” on the world stage in a post-cold war as the centre of the universe shifts towards BRICS and ASEAN.

After another 50 years, when India and China recall that dull, dreary day at the border on October 20, 1962, experts won’t be thinking about what happened that day but perhaps how two men perhaps unwittingly may have brought the Tiger and Dragon together – Deng Xiaoping, who literally 'opened up' China to the world in 1978 and India's then finance minister Manmohan Singh who spearheaded economic reforms in 1991.

The Net effect of Deng and Manmohan Singh would be seen as a turning point when historians get down to write about India-China and the relevance of October, 20th, 1962 in the lives of the two countries.

Economies win-or-lose wars

It is often said Armies do not win wars, economies make-or-break wars. Wars are won by nations who can constantly keep the tap open for the supply of food, raw material and other resources. 

A closer look at the GDP of the two Asian giants reveals the real story.

China's GDP in 1962 was at $47.21 billion, slightly ahead of India's GDP at $41.6 billion. China had only one bank -  People’s Bank of China(PBC)  -  till 1978. However, after Deng's groundbreaking market reforms PBC turned into a monetary authority.

In the 80s, China began to be recognised as the "Dragon in the making" as Deng's reforms began to show results. India, however, was still a sleeping giant at that time, Indians had to wait for more than a decade until finance minister Manmohan Singh unveiled his reform agenda.

China, Japan and India currently dominate Asia's GDP rate.

In the post-1962 world, India and China find themselves on opposite poles - India as a rising power is now aligned with the US and China the dominant Asian giant, poised to overtake the US economy in the next decade is still trying to define its philosophy through a raft of policies, declarations and deals across the world. 

China’s supreme leader Xi Jinping, 64, would have very scant memories of that day as a nine-year-old. India has changed too, PM Modi, 67, who recently met Xi at the BRICS summit would also have to strain himself to remember the India-China conflict. As the clock turns and a new generation takes control on either side of LAC, an opportunity knocks.

The big question is: Is there a dreamer in our midst in India who can bring back the True spirit of Hindi, Chini bhai bhai and make the subcontinent the Centre of World Existence?

The search is on as the world awaits with baited breath…

]]>

[moonchronicles-blog]

Why Modi’s Israel Visit Is a Blunder

On July 4, 2017, Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Israel since 1947. Although this should’ve been considered an achievement, I still consider it a blunder, without including other foreign policy blunders committed by the Modi government. This post is dedicated to finding out why.

Modi doing what he does best. Serious personal space issues, as Iyad El-Baghdadi says.

Back to the topic. Since 2014, the BJP has committed blunder after blunder in its foreign policy, and this in itself has relieved China and also given leverage to Pakistan which it never had over India since 1947. 

Jammu & Kashmir: India had the upper hand in Kashmir over Pakistan till 2014 and also maintained it as a bilateral issue despite Pakistan vainly attempting to internationalize the issue. Elements like Hurriyat were sidelined under the MMS years. Militancy broke out in 2010, but quickly calmed down and was returning to peace after a very long time. The number of deaths and those joining militancy in the valley was coming down quite drastically. Today, Kashmir is more or less a lost cause. Modi not just converted Kashmir into a trilateral issue with China butting in, but also made it international to the extent that Turkey, Iran and USA talked about Kashmir like it’s occupied by India. All for merely gaining Hindu votes in UP, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and other cow belt states. Even at the extent of India’s integrity.

Pakistan: Before 2014, India had the upper hand over Pakistan and managed to get several groups and individuals backed by Pakistan designated as terrorists by the United States. Modi in his PR pursuit committed so many blunders that not only expanded Pakistan’s global outreach to Iran, Russia, China, USA and other countries, but also crippled India’s. Intrusions and attacks from Pakistan have increased in the past 3 years to the extent that even our own army men aren’t safe any longer.

China: The first major blunder was his veiled attack on China in 2014 during his Japan visit. This in itself soured the already uneasy relationship India had with China during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s years. China responded by mobilizing its military in late 2014. China didn’t escalate the matter further, till Modi wreaked the control of the Ministry of External Affairs for his own aggrandizing. Modi and NSA Ajit Doval are the actual ones in charge of the foreign ministry and not Sushma Swaraj. Back to China. Inviting the then US President Barack Obama to Republic Day 2015 irked both China and Russia. By opposing China and supporting the Philippines and Viet Nam over the South China Sea dispute in 2015-16, Modi made matters worse. China used this to extract revenge and block India’s NSG bid. Turkey, New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa and Switzerland also opposed India’s NSG bid. China said if India was to be included, Pakistan must also be included. While Pakistan rejoiced over this, the govt of India responded by saying they were okay with Pakistan’s bid. China also blocked India’s attempt to designate Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Permitting Uighur dissident Dolkun Isa followed by massive PR from his minions on social media, then canceling it again in order not to irk China, is another instance which show what a colossal failure Modi has been on this front. In 2017, China invaded and renamed several villages in Arunachal Pradesh with silence as the only response by the MEA and Modi. In 1966, Indira Gandhi vowed to protect Bhutan, but now, China is not only invading Bhutan, but also cutting at India’s chicken neck that links the mainland to the North East. China is threatening war. Once again, silence is the only response from India.

Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin was visibly not impressed by Modi’s PR shows, and since 2014, started to directly export weapons to Pakistan. Modi’s PR gave Pakistan enough time to warm up to Russia. Signing the LEMOA by Manohar Parrikar was too much to take. It’s worthy to note that India before Modi had the Irkut license to manufacture Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets in India. In 2016, Russia conducted its first joint military exercise with Pakistan. Russia - China - Pakistan relations have been silently growing for the past one year thanks to Modi’s failed and haphazard policies.

Iran: Dr. MMS supported Iran despite US sanctions and threats from US & EU over Iran. He also stopped Iran and Saudi Arabia from a potential war and called for cooperation. Despite being pro US, Dr. MMS put India’s interests first. Modi’s first blunder here was not giving Iranian President Hassan Rouhani any meeting time during his first US visit, and instead, meeting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. This irked Iran, who retaliated by blocking India’s wheat. Consistent steps like this forced the Supreme Leader of Iran to open up the Chabahar port, which was confirmed by India during the MMS years, additionally to Turkey and China. Later in 2015 and early 2016, Iran proposed linking the Chabahar port with Pakistan’s Gwadar port (built by China). Till 2014, MMS despite being US friendly had Iran very close to India despite warning from the US and the EU. Modi turned this upside down. In Eid 2017, Iran’s Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed that peace should return to Kashmir. Something Iran never talked about has now received sharp focus.

Syria: In 2013, the then Indian PM Dr. MMS opposed US’ bid to militarily enter the war. Modi maintains a stoic silence as Syria is shred into pieces.

Gulf: Part 1: While crude prices were as high as $140, Dr. MMS maintained gasoline/diesel prices at around 70-75 Rupees/liter. Even as crude prices are as low as $50, Modi maintains the price at 67-70 Rupees/liter and doesn’t even have the basic courtesy or an iota of shame to say what he’s doing with all the collected money. The Gulf embarks on a nationalization drive and sends back Indians. What has Modi done to solve the job crisis that will only get worse in the near future? Till date, nothing. Even the shameless PR seems to fall apart now. Part 2: Qatar has been sanctioned by its Gulf Arab neighbors since June 2017 for “sponsoring terrorism”. Turkey has stepped in to help Qatar. Modi maintains deafening silence, even as India has an army base in Qatar.

USA: Despite visiting USA as frequently as the restroom, USA continues selling arms to Pakistan and also increasing its aid. Donald Trump modified H-1B visas that made it harder for Indian techies to work in US companies. Modi’s response? Silence. Even his much trumpeted visit to USA under President Donald Trump yielded little results with Modi being silent over the matter.

Singapore: Singapore in April 2017 revoked its visa program thus preventing Indian techies from getting jobs there. Modi’s response? Silence.

Australia: Adani’s coal mine caused a lot of damage in Abbot Point at Australia’s Queensland province. Australia revoked its 457 visa program thus blocking Indian techies. Modi’s response? Silence.

New Zealand: The next day after Australia revoked its skilled workers visa program, New Zealand followed suit. Modi’s response? Silence.

Sri Lanka: I can say, this is the only nation where Modi topped MMS. This he achieved by toppling Mahinda Rajapaksa’s SL Freedom Party early in 2015 and ensuring Mathripala Sirisena became SL President. However Modi has remained silent since. For once, let’s give credit to the shameless joker and clumsy buffoon.

Nepal: Nepal has gone firmly into Chinese hands, and earlier this year, stone pelting was reported from the Nepalese border. This wasn’t the case during the MMS years.

Israel: There was a reason why Indian PMs before Modi never visited Israel. India is dependent on the OPEC nations for oil, all of whom have banned Israeli citizens from entering their nations for not following the 1967 Israel-Palestine resolution and also for the sudden formation of Israel over Palestine in 1948. Even as Indian PMs maintained clandestine relations with Israel, they never directly went there because they needed the Islamic nations to supply crude oil and employment, direct and indirect. With Modi openly trumpeting his anti Muslim hate back home in India and supporting India outside, he has antagonized the Islamic world with whom India built careful relations till 2014.

Further notes: It’s becoming an increasingly known fact that China tramples its Muslim minority with impunity, with Islamic nations and people maintaining helpless silence. Modi could’ve scaled back on his Israel love, mishandling of Kashmir and hatred of Muslims, and instead increased relations with OPEC nations. He could’ve highlighted this matter too. Indeed, China’s economic instability and market crash in 2015-16 was an indicator that something was wrong. Instead of openly promoting Chinese brands like Jio (Made in China) and PayTM and giving them more breathing space, Modi could’ve done something better. He could’ve cornered China on its abuse of Muslims. He could’ve used that as a board to attack Pakistan for its silence over this matter. He had the biggest advantage in 2014 when Chinese citizens were boycotting everything Malaysian over the disappearance of MH370. He could’ve also attacked Pakistan and then finally given the Baluchistan issue a big international boost. All of them wasted in shameless pursuit of PR.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are more blunders committed by the Modi regime which would require me to write a novel!

Thank you all for reading. Have a good day.

[brajeshupadhyay]

08:18 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates Delhi Hindu Rao hospital to resume services of emergency wards The Delhi Hindu Rao Hospital will resume services of casualty and emergency wards including the Flu Clinic and the 3 OPDs (Gynae, Pediatrics, Medicine) with restricted entry of patients and attendants from Monday, said NDMC Commissioner Varsha Joshi.  07:58 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates In Photos: Hawkers in Okhla organise vegetable carts Delhi: People at Okhla vegetable market to buy essentials, amid #CoronaLockdown. The nationwide lockdown imposed to combat #COVID19 will last till 3rd May 2020. pic.twitter.com/PCamdUgolg — ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020 07:51 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates 293 fresh COVID-19 cases, zero deaths in past 24 hrs in Delhi  With 293 new COVID-19 cases and no deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the total coronavirus cases in the National Capital reached 2,918 on Sunday while the toll remained at 54. As many as eight people have recovered from the infection since Sunday, according to the Delhi Health Report. A total of 877 patients in Delhi have recovered from coronavirus so far. "As on date, 1,987 cases are active," the report said. 07:46 (IST) Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates Five more COVID-19 deaths in past 24 hrs in Pune take toll to 77 With 80 fresh COVID-19 cases in Pune, the total number of confirmed cases in the district climbed to 1,264, an official said on Sunday. The toll also saw an increase to 77 after five more COVID-19 patients succumbed to the infectious disease in the past 24 hours.  "As far as the areas under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, the tally of COVID-19 cases went up to 1,119," a health department official said. 07:34 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Updates Some states willing to extend lockdown beyond 3 May  Sources in the government indicated that besides discussing the way forward in dealing with the pandemic, the discussion between Narendra Modi and the chief ministers could also focus on a "graded" exit from the lockdown which is in place till 3 May. The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual relaxation in various fields and sectors to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to people. But some states are willing to extend the lockdown beyond 3 May to ensure that coronavirus cases remain under control. India fights COVID-19: PM Modi to interact with CMs today Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/eg6G2sgIzC pic.twitter.com/D7IJSr3oCJ — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 27, 2020 07:29 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Updates Modi to interact with CMs today, likely to discuss on graded exit from lockdown  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers via video conference on Monday morning on the way ahead in the fight against the novel coronavirus, amid indications that the discussions could also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown. This will be the third video conference of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers after the spread of the COVID-19 in the country. Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers via video conference on Monday morning on the way ahead in the fight against the novel coronavirus, amid indications that the discussions could also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown. This will be the third video conference of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers after the spread of the COVID-19 in the country. As India recorded its highest one-day rise of 1,975 coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country's fight against COVID-19 is "people-driven" and this is the only way to overcome the pandemic. In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' broadcast, Modi said the country is in the middle of a 'yudh' (war) and asserted people have to continue being careful and take precautions. The countrywide death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 826 with 47 more fatalities being reported and the number of cases climbed to 26,917 on Sunday, according to the Union Health Ministry. A total of 5,914 people(21.96 percent) have recovered from the infection, it said. State-wise figures The total number of cases on Sunday went up by 1,975 since the ministry last updated its data on Saturday evening. The previous highest single-day jump of 1,752 was recorded on April 24. According to the ministry, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country is from Maharashtra at 7,628. Other states where the cases have crossed one thousand are are Gujarat (3,071), Delhi (2,625), Rajasthan (2,083), Madhya Pradesh (2,096), Uttar Pradesh (1,843), Tamil Nadu(1,821) and Andhra Pradesh(1,097). Of the 47 deaths reported since Saturday evening, 22 are from Maharashtra, eight in Rajasthan, seven from Madhya Pradesh, six Gujarat and one each from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu. Of the total 824 COVID-19 deaths, Maharashtra accounts for the highest number of 323 fatalities, followed by Gujarat (133), Madhya Pradesh (99), Delhi (54), Andhra Pradesh (31) and Rajasthan (33). The death toll reached 27 in Uttar Pradesh, 26 in Telangana, 23 in Tamil Nadu, while Karnataka and West Bengal have reported 18 deaths each, the ministry said. Punjab has registered 17 fatalities so far, Jammu and Kashmir six, Kerala four, while Jharkhand and Haryana have recorded three COVID-19 deaths each. Bihar has reported two coronavirus deaths, while Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Assam have reported one fatality each, according to the ministry data. Modi asks people to shun complacency Amid indications that Modi's third round of video interaction with the chief ministers on Monday since the COVID-19 outbreak could also focus on a graded exit from the 40-day lockdown, the prime minister asked people to shun any complacency that they will not be infected by coronavirus. The nationwide lockdown is due to end on 3 May. He reiterated his advice to people to maintain a distance of two yards from each other to keep healthy. “Do gaz doori, bahut hai zaroori (Maintain a distance of two yards and keep yourself healthy)," he said. "I urge you not to get overconfident. You should in your over-enthusiasm not think that if the coronavirus has not yet reached your city, village, street or office, it is not going to reach now. Never make such a mistake. The experience of the world tells us a lot in this regard," he said in his 30-minute address. Modi referred to a popular Hindi idiom 'Sawdhani hati, durghatna ghati' (accident happens when caution is lowered) to make his point. Hailing states, emergency workers and civil society groups for their contribution in combating the pandemic, he said the resolve shown by the people of the country has led to the beginning of a transformation with businesses, offices, educational institutions, medical sector rapidly undergoing new changes. With the country under a lockdown since 24 March midnight, he said India's people-driven battle against the pandemic will be discussed when the world discusses the crisis later. "India's fight against the coronavirus is people-driven in the truest sense of the term. Along with people, government and administration are fighting it as well... This is the only way we can win over the virus," he said. The prime minister said wearing masks will now become a part of a civilised society and also exhorted people to stop spitting in public places, saying it was high time to get rid of this "bad habit" once and for all. This will not only boost our basic hygiene standards but also help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus infection, he added. Modi also greeted people on Akshaya-Tritiya and noted that the holy month of Ramzan had also begun. "We should pray more than ever before so that prior to the celebration of Eid the world is rid of the coronavirus and we celebrate Eid with enthusiasm and gaiety like earlier times," Modi said, urging people to adhere to guidelines of local administration. The prime minister hoped there may be some good news in the fight against the coronavirus during his next 'Mann ki Baat' episode, usually the last Sunday of every month. The last Sunday next month falls on 31 May and Eid is likely to fall on 25 May. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the prime minister has asked people to remain steadfast in following the coronavirus guidelines and expressed confidence that the nation will follow the path shown by him. 'Graded' exit from lockdown may be discussed tomorrow Sources in the union government indicated to PTI that besides discussing the way forward in dealing with the pandemic, the prime minister's discussion with chief ministers could also focus on a "graded" exit from the lockdown. The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual relaxation in various fields and sectors to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to the people. But some states like Maharashtra are mulling extending the lockdown beyond 3 May in cities like Mumbai and Pune to ensure that coronavirus cases remain under control. The Congress said it hopes the prime minister puts out a comprehensive and holistic plan as regards the exit strategy during his discussions with the chief ministers. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said till the time there is no national plan to deal with disasters or pandemics, states cannot formulate plans to deal with issues post-lockdown. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said that without aggressive testing facilities, India cannot conquer challenges posed by COVID-19. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Modi to clear "bottlenecks" and ramp up testing. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said the situation in India is improving as hotspot districts (HSD) are moving towards being non-hotspot districts (NHSD). Vardhan gave this assessment after he visited the Trauma Centre of AIIMS in Delhi to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19 and visited various wards in the isolation facility for the infected patients, a statement from the ministry said. On 15 April, the Centre had identified a total of 170 districts across the country as COVID-19 hotspots. The districts that have reported either a high number of coronavirus cases or where the rate of doubling time is low are termed as hotspots. As many as 207 districts were also classified as non-hotspots whereas the remaining of the total 726 districts fall under the 'green zones' category, i.e., they haven't reported any coronavirus case for the last 28 days before April 15. Non-hotspot areas have also reported positive cases but the number remains limited. Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba also had a detailed video conference with all the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of the States/UTs to review the preparedness for COVID-19 response. With inputs from PTI

http://sansaartimes.blogspot.com/2020/04/coronavirus-outbreak-live-updates-five_27.html