The StriX-3 satellites, named after owls, were launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket….reports Asian Lite News
American aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider Rocket Lab on Tuesday carried a commercial radar-imaging satellite by Japanese company Synspective into the low Earth orbit.
The ‘Owl Night Long’ mission carrying Synspective’s StriX-3 satellite lifted off at 11.03 EDT (8.33 p.m. IST) from the Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, the company said.
“Lift-off for ‘Owl Night Long’, our 45th Electron mission!” Rocket Lab wrote in a post on X.
Tokyo-based Synspective is a satellite data solutions provider. The StriX-3 satellites, named after owls, were launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket.
It is part of Synspective’s constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites that come with a foldable antenna, increased power, and advanced thermal control.
Even with reduced size, the SAR satellites could achieve imaging capabilities that are comparable to large SAR satellites.
The ‘Owl Night Long’ mission is Rocket Lab’s fourth launch for the constellation operator following launches in 2020 and 2022, the company said.
N Chandrababu Naidu announced that his party has ‘forged a formidable seat-sharing formula’ among its alliance partners….reports Asian Lite News
In the run-up to the elections for the state assembly and Lok Sabha, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Jana Sena Party (JSP) sealed a seat-sharing pact in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.
TDP chief and former Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that his party has ‘forged a formidable seat-sharing formula’ among its alliance partners.
“In Amaravati today, the BJP, TDP and JSP forged a formidable seat-sharing formula. With this significant step, the people of Andhra Pradesh now stand on the threshold of reclaiming our state and paving the way for a brighter future. I humbly call upon my people of Andhra Pradesh to shower their blessings upon this alliance, and grant us a historic mandate to serve them,” Naidu said in a post on X.
“Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) have decided to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh together,” a joint statement of the parties said.
According to the statement, the BJP will contest from six seats, the TDP from 17 seats and the JSP from two seats for the parliamentary elections.
In the assembly elections, the BJP will contest from 10 seats, the TDP from 144 seats and the JSP from 21 seats, as per the statement.
The seat-sharing was finalised at a meeting held at Amaravati today following the meeting between the three parties in Delhi, where an alliance was formalised.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat, BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda, TDP National President N Chandrababu Naidu and JSP President Pawan Kalyan participated in the meeting, the statement said.
The statement further said that the names of the seats will be announced subsequently by the respective parties.
The TDP, which was part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance until 2018, expressed interest in reviving the alliance after suffering a crushing defeat in the 2019 elections. The state has 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats.
Elections for Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May.
Several injured as workers clash
Several people sustained injuries in clashes between workers of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in Narasaraopet town in Andhra Pradesh, police said
The incident unfolded on Tuesday evening when TDP candidate Chadalavada Aravinda Babu and party members visited the wards, according to a police official
TDP and YSRCP workers hurled stones and bottles at each other, which resulted in serious injuries.
The injured members were promptly admitted to a private hospital for treatment. Narasaraopet MLA candidate Chadalawada Aravinda Babu sustained minor injuries.
An official said a case will be registered soon, and further details will be announced.
Meanwhile, in the run-up to the elections for the state assembly and Lok Sabha, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Jana Sena Party (JSP) sealed a seat-sharing pact in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.
TDP chief and former Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that his party has “forged a formidable seat-sharing formula” among its alliance partners.
According to the statement, the BJP will contest from six seats, the TDP from 17 seats and the JSP from two seats for the parliamentary elections.
In the assembly elections, the BJP will contest from 10 seats, the TDP from 144 seats and the JSP from 21 seats, as per the statement.
After the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) announced to contest the Lok Sabha Polls in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that he is ready to fight against the alliance and said that Chandra Babu Naidu’s cycle is rusted and therefore fetching support from other political parties.
“Elections are ahead. We are ready to fight against the alliance. YSRCP will stand with weaker sections,” he said.
The TDP, which was part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance until 2018, expressed interest in reviving the alliance after suffering a crushing defeat in the 2019 elections. The state has 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats.
Elections for Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May. (ANI)
‘BJP, BRS Conspiring to Oust Cong Govt’
Telangana Chief Minister and TPCC President A Revanth Reddy hit out at the opposition parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and accused them of conspiring to dethrone the Congress Government.
Addressing a public meeting in Manuguru on Monday, the Chief Minister said that the implementation of ‘Abhaya Hastam’ programmes has sent ‘shivers’ to the opposition parties.
“BJP leader Laxman is repeatedly saying that this government will not exist after the Lok Sabha elections. How will the BJP topple the government with just eight MLAs in the assembly? It means the BJP and BRS are conspiring to topple the Congress government,” the Chief Minister said.
“As part of the strategy, BRS did not announce candidates in 9 seats where BJP candidate names were already declared and the BJP candidates were not announced in four seats where BRS candidates were already announced,” he claimed.
The Chief Minister also asked why KCR’s daughter Kavitha is not named as BRS candidate from Nizamabad, where she had contested and lost in the past.
“Why is the BRS delaying the release of the candidate list? Modi and KD are conspiring against the Congress government by entering into a political deal and colluding in the fear that the Telangana people will slap them again,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister suggested that KTR should ask his father, K Chandrasekhar Rao whether the promises made by BRS were implemented in the last ten years. CM Reddy said that his government gave 30,000 jobs in 90 days.
“In the previous government, the unemployed youth committed suicide for not issuing job notifications and KCR, Harish Rao and KTR did not console the victim families. BRS means “Billa Ranga Samiti,” and Harish Rao and KTR are co-thieves who looted the state. The CM alleged that KCR is “Charles Sobharaj.” Kaleshwaram collapsed due to the sins committed by KCR. Medagadda Annaram and Sundilla are damaged,” he said.
CM Reddy said that Sonia Gandhi is the tallest leader in the country and stands by her word. Sonia Gandhi fulfilled the promise of a separate Telangana state, which she made at a public meeting in Karimnagar in 2004.
The CM emphasised that Sonia Gandhi made the promise of six guarantees, signed by her at the Tukkuguda public meeting on September 17 last year and they were implemented soon after the Congress government was formed in the state.
“24 crore women have already travelled free on the RTC buses. Women are visiting Bhadrachalam Sri Ramachandra Swamy, Yadagirigutta Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temples and Mulugu Sammakka Saralamma Darshanam on buses without paying fares. The Arogyasri limit has been increased from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. The gas cylinder price was only Rs 400 during the Congress regime. Today, the Congress government is delivering gas at Rs 500 and supplying 200 units of free power,” he said.
CM Revnath Reddy recalled the 1969 Telangana movement, which was started for jobs at Palvancha in the old Khammam district.
“Today, I’m speaking as the CM because of the struggle for a separate state launched 60 years ago from Khammam. KCR as CM cheated people by not giving three acres of land to Dalits, double bedroom houses, podu land pattas to tribals, 12 per cent reservation for tribals and minorities, and one job in every house,” the CM said.
He further said that he came to the old Khammam district for the first time in 2007 and the people of the district stood by him. CM Reddy also praised Congress workers for their strong support, undeterred by the difficulties faced in the political battle. (ANI)
The manner in which the PLA-GHQ Rawalpindi alliance sabotaged the US-led war against terror in Afghanistan has never been documented, at least in public, writes Prof. Madhav Das Nalapat
On 12 December 2000, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) handed the Presidency to George W. Bush, ignoring the numerous flaws in the vote counting process in Florida, a state where the Republican nominee’s brother Jeb was the Governor.
The 43rd President of the United States (POTUS) created history by emerging as the only US President elected not by the people but selected by the Supreme Court of the United States. Vice-President Dick Cheney by his side, George W. Bush initiated a necessary war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, winning it together with the Northern Alliance.
After that triumph, error after error was made by US policymakers in that unfortunate country, which culminated in the US surrender to the Taliban in 2021. This was through President Biden operationalizing the surrender document approved by President Trump in 2020. What has thus far gone unmentioned by multiple accounts of the 2001-21 Afghanistan war is the role played by elements who were citizens of the PRC, as well aspects of the role played by GHQ Rawalpindi.
It is a matter of worry for countries that have de facto or de jure security alliances with the US that its numerous intelligence agencies seem to have several blind spots about the CCP. In Afghanistan, among the “active methods” used against US forces in particular was for nationals of the PRC, to not just infiltrate women and young men into brothels and bars, but also to financially control several such establishments.
Many of the ladies and youths who gave Coalition troops hours of happy escape from the war reported their interactions with such soldiers to conveyors of intelligence to agencies in the PRC. As a consequence of drunken stupors and drug-induced loquacity, several bits of actionable intelligence were gleaned by the faraway controllers of the bars, brothels and bedrooms frequented even by senior officers and officials from the US and from other coalition partners.
Useful intel was transmitted to the Taliban, usually through contacts linked to the Pakistan military, to ensure that the extremist militia kept a step ahead of the Coalition. A consequence of such actions was that by 2006, drug addiction had become ubiquitous among US servicemen in particular, leading several to mow down innocent civilians in the belief that they were “hostiles”.
More generally, elements who in actuality opposed the Taliban were labelled as Taliban sympathisers by GHQ Rawalpindi with the consequence that the Taliban secured the advantage of having their most capable Afghan opponents in the field of battle eliminated by Coalition forces acting on the basis of tainted intel supplied to them. An army that had sworn to support the war against the Taliban in actuality went about doing the opposite.
As for the PRC nationals who were in the “Happy Hours” trade in Afghanistan, information about combat operations and deployments gleaned by sex workers in such establishments was passed on via Pakistan army contacts to Taliban elements, so much so that by 2009, the tide of battle had changed in favour of the Taliban in more than two-thirds of Afghanistan. This was despite the fact that the majority of the Afghan population, not just Tajiks and Hazara but many Pashtuns as well, were opposed to a return of the Taliban.
The manner in which the PLA-GHQ Rawalpindi alliance sabotaged the US-led war against terror in Afghanistan has never been documented, at least in public. Such a conclusion would have gone against the triumphalist narrative that characterised the George W. Bush years. Routing the Taliban during 2001-3 was laudable, but what happened afterwards was criminal.
Such a folly was capped by the manner and scope of President Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, an act that is certain to make the country once again a breeding ground for extremism and terror. Few countries would now trust the US as a security partner after such a withdrawal, at least as long as Joe Biden is President.
Despite some erroneous past decisions, the US Supreme Court redeemed itself on March 4 by unanimously striking down efforts by the Department of Justice to influence the forthcoming Presidential poll. This is being sought to be accomplished by ensnaring Donald Trump in a medley of cases, and seeking to send him to prison well before November 5, the date of the election.
Were the Department of Justice to succeed in sending Trump to prison months or even weeks before the US Presidential polls, the 46th POTUS would be elected the 47th POTUS in a landslide. US voters respect fair play, and the present administration’s Operation Imprison Trump resembles events that have just played out in Pakistan, where Imran Khan, the actual winner of the popular vote, is in jail and an individual known for his deference to GHQ Rawalpindi has been anointed as the Prime Minister.
These columns have more than once pointed to Biden’s feverish prosecution of the Ukraine war as the single biggest factor behind his unpopularity, given the worldwide economic hardship the US-UK-EU war effort against Russia and its sanctions have had.
The Ukraine war that intensified in 2022 may mark the end of the Atlantic Alliance as the primary force in global geopolitics, and the emergence of India, Brazil and Indonesia as the troika to watch. Those Democratic Party functionaries in charge of some states in the US such as Colorado sought to block Trump from the Presidential ballot on the fictitious charge of having led an insurrection on January 6, 2021.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that it ought to be the US Congress rather than individual states that ought to have the final say on eligibility, and given that the Presidency is a national and not a state position, such a ruling makes complete sense. In these columns, almost at the start of his term in the White House, it had been suggested that Joe Biden declare that he would only serve a single term. Had he done so, the historical record for the Biden years would be very different from what it is shaping up to be.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan feared that the former Prime Minister’s life is in danger…reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been barred from holding meetings inside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for two weeks, as per a media report.
According to a notification issued by Pakistan Punjab’s Home Department, all kinds of visits, meetings, and interviews have been restricted in Adiala Jail due to security alerts, Geo News reported.
The notification instructed the authorities to install barbed wires outside the jail premises. A fresh security audit of the officials of the special branch of the police, Intelligence Bureau, and the jail staff be done within a single day, it added.
Expressing severe concerns over the abrupt ban on Khan’s meetings in the prison, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan feared that the former Prime Minister’s life is in danger, The News reported.
Addressing a press conference outside the jail, Gohar claimed that they were barred from meeting the incarcerated PTI founder.
He said that the authorities did not inform anybody about the two-week ban on Khan’s meetings.
The authorities gave “terrorism” as a reason for the move, he added.
Gohar also demanded an immediate meeting with the incarcerated PTI founder, as he sought details about Khan’s health, The News reported.
Khan, who’s serving a total of 31 years’ sentence in multiple cases, had been holding meetings with his lawyers, family members, and party leaders since being moved to the Rawalpindi facility in September 2023, on two days — Mondays and Thursdays — allocated for such engagements.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, emphasised the value, power, and potential of the Commonwealth family in her Commonwealth Day address…reports Asian Lite News
Today, 56 of the world’s largest countries and smallest islands, across six oceans, continue to stand united and celebrate the shared values for Commonwealth Day.
Commonwealth Day is traditionally celebrated on the second Monday in March. The theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day and the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’.
More than 56 nations will celebrate the occasion throughout this week, with representatives attending an event at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London.
This year’s staging is especially significant as the modern Commonwealth will celebrate its 75th anniversary in April.
At a Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ meeting in London on April 26, 1949, the London Declaration said that republics and other independent countries could be equal members of the Commonwealth. Thus, the modern Commonwealth of Nations was born.
King Charles III said in his Commonwealth Day video message: “The Commonwealth family is strongest when we are connected through friendship. As I have said before, the Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house, and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires.
“Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time.”
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, emphasised the value, power, and potential of the Commonwealth family in her Commonwealth Day address.
“Together, we have built a Commonwealth which is fit for the times we live in — stronger, more connected and more influential than ever; capable of rising to the world’s challenges, innovating to seize new opportunities, and working together to shape a more peaceful, resilient and prosperous common future.”
Throughout the world, civic events, educational activities, and cultural gatherings will take place to celebrate Commonwealth Day.
The Commonwealth nations will come together later this year in October for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, which will be the first small island developing state from the Pacific to host the CHOGM.
Secretary General hails India’s vital role
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland on Monday termed digitalisation innovation in India as “extraordinary”, and highlighted how the commonwealth countries are benefiting from the technology and expertise by India.
Sharing her thoughts on globalization and digitalization, Secretary General Scotland spoke ahead of the 2024 Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting that is scheduled to take place in Zanzibar, Tanzania from Monday.
Underlining India’s vital role in digiltalisation, Scotland stressed that India has brought extraordinary innovations for digitalization and is making an “incredible contribution to the Commonwealth family”.
“India represents almost a half of the Commonwealth because India is now almost 1.4 billion and the innovations that India has brought in for digitalization, has been extraordinary. And many of our countries have really taken advantage of this opportunity. The innovation coming out of India has been really not just advantageous to India itself, but because of India’s willingness to share her technology to share her expertise,” she said.
Scotland added, “This has really benefited all of our Commonwealth. So, India is making an incredible contribution to our Commonwealth family, and we are really grateful that she is sharing everything she has.”
The 2024 Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting, hosted by the Republic of Tanzania, will focus on the theme ‘Technology and Innovation: How digitalisation paves the way for the development of people-centred access to justice’.
During the meeting, law ministers and attorneys-general from across the Commonwealth will discuss recent legal developments in their jurisdictions and explore responses to emerging justice issues affecting Commonwealth citizens.
The meeting agenda will cover a wide range of issues, including digital assets, electronic resources for efficient legal systems, the protection of women and girls, strengthened access to justice for people with disabilities and developments in climate policy and legislation.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General also lauded India’s move of including the African Union as a member of G20.
“Some of our least developed countries have been extraordinarily innovative. If you think about the contribution that has been made by so many in our region, in the Commonwealth, in the Commonwealth Caribbean, I think we have one of the highest per capita Nobel laureates. So, … every one of us is giving, what we have to, and India’s contribution has been extraordinary. Ofcourse, India’s G20. Which meant that India joined Africa to the G20 and made it G21. A very important contribution from your beautiful country,” Scotland stated.
King Charles lauds work
King Charles hailed the work of the Commonwealth in its 75th anniversary year on Monday, although the British monarch was absent from annual celebrations for the organisation he leads as he recuperates from cancer treatment.
The Commonwealth Day events are the most significant annual royal occasion that Charles, 75, has missed since he was forced to postpone public appearances while he undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.
His wife Queen Camilla instead led senior royals at a service at London’s Westminster Abbey, which was to be followed by a reception at the Commonwealth’s international headquarters.
Usually a highlight of the royal calendar, Monday’s event was also overshadowed by a furore over a picture released on Sunday by Kate, 42, wife of heir to the throne Prince William.
She apologised on Monday for issuing an edited photograph of herself with the couple’s three children after several leading news organisations including Reuters withdrew it, saying it did not meet their editorial standards.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif speaks in an interaction with foreign media in Islamabad, Pakistan, Aug. 30, 2022. (Photo by Ahmad Kamal/Xinhua/IANS)
The government officials, responsible for supplying adequate wheat flour to the people, failed on several counts, forcing people to come out into the streets, blocking highways, for weeks before the government capitulated. Many of the officials were involved in hoarding and smuggling wheat flour and did not bother about the people … writes Dr Sakariya Kareem
Pakistan officials, tasked to look after the welfare of the far-flung region of Gilgit-Baltistan, are playing with the lives of hard-pressed people with their callous attitude and behaviour. The region lacks power and water, good roads and essential services. Thanks to the bureaucracy, the region has become one of the poorer regions of Pakistan, another Balochistan in the mountains!
Bureaucrats, mostly on deputation from mainland Pakistan, care nothing about the well-being of the people who have been battling against all odds for basic living standards for a long. For several months, they have been seeking government help to provide adequate wheat flour. The government, on the other hand, had withdrawn the subsidy on wheat prices which was like a lifeline for thousands of poor and needy residents of Gilgit Baltistan.
The government officials, responsible for supplying adequate wheat flour to the people, failed on several counts, forcing people to come out into the streets, and blocking highways, for weeks before the government capitulated. Many of the officials were involved in hoarding and smuggling wheat flour and did not bother about the people.
The same inertia is being shown in other fields of public work. In the case of water and power, even the Chief Minister experienced bureaucratic ineptitude recently. The Chief Minister, Haji Gulbar Khan, had summoned a meeting of water and power officials recently but the Chief Engineer, Water and Power, Baltistan Region, chose to remain absent. This angered the CM and he asked his Minister of Planning and Development Raja Nasir Ali Khan to sanction the guilty officer. The Chief Minister said the absence of the Chief Engineer would only add to the woes of the people of the region.
This is only one of the several instances of officials from mainland Pakistan employed in Gilgit Baltistan behaving like `kings`, proving time and again their nonchalant attitude towards public welfare. The local people believe that this attitude has increased over the years as the government does not recruit the youth from the local area for the region’s requirements. Most of the officials are deputed from Punjab and other regions in Pakistan. These officers are so arrogant that they do not bother to consult or talk to the local communities about public welfare projects.
There was some relief when the federal government issued the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009, paving the way for the decentralisation of power to the local assembly and municipal bodies. Nothing happened thereafter. Only the bureaucracy became more powerful and authoritative. Secretaries became virtual rulers of the region and officers working under them assumed the role and power of municipal departments. There have often been clashes between officials and the local population. In one recent incident, an Assistant Commissioner of Gojal sealed a restaurant. His rude behaviour and threatening tone went viral on social media forcing his boss to cancel the sealing order.
The bureaucratic apathy, promoted by successive federal governments, has pushed the region into deeper poverty, inadequate access to basic services such as healthcare, education and clean water besides a higher rate of unemployment among the youth. The region suffers from poor infrastructure and roads, persistent power shortages and bad internet connectivity, making Gilgit Baltistan one of the poorest regions in Pakistan.
New Delhi, Sept 20 (ANI): Members of Parliament while voting on clauses of the Women's Reservation Bill on demand of an Opposition MP in Lok Sabha during the Special Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo/Sansad TV)
India has a long and proud history of being a vibrant and successful electoral democracy. This identity predates its achievements in other areas like economics, nuclear power, or IT. The foundation for this system was laid by the Indian Constitution and nurtured by various institutions like the parliament, judiciary, political parties, media, and most importantly, the people of India. The Election Commission of India played a crucial role in safeguarding this process … writes Maheep
In a momentous year, India celebrates 75 years as a flourishing democratic republic, building on a successful G20 presidency that underscores its rising global influence. Imminent is the world’s largest general elections, with rumours of a March 12 announcement officially dismissed. Nonetheless, some political parties have already announced the names of the first set of candidates. The official announcement of the schedule is around the corner.
India has a long and proud history of being a vibrant and successful electoral democracy. This identity predates its achievements in other areas like economics, nuclear power, or IT. The foundation for this system was laid by the Indian Constitution and nurtured by various institutions like the parliament, judiciary, political parties, media, and most importantly, the people of India. The Election Commission of India played a crucial role in safeguarding this process.
Despite initial scepticism, the founders of modern India adopted universal adult suffrage, trusting the common people to choose their representatives. This democratic choice was considered a bold and daring step, especially considering the widespread illiteracy, poverty, and social inequalities prevalent at the time. This move proved that democracies are not simply created fit for the people, but rather become fit through the practice of democracy itself.
The independent Election Commission has successfully conducted numerous national and state elections over the past 73 years, ensuring peaceful and democratic transitions of power. This system has facilitated the rise of leaders from marginalized communities, including farmers, women, and minorities, to prominent positions in government. Additionally, the increasing diversity of parties and the formation of coalition governments reflect the broad spectrum of aspirations and voices present in Indian society.
There are several ways in which the election in India is a most unique phenomenon. In 2019, when the last general election for the federal government was held, the number of registered voters was about 900 million. India has seen a nearly six-fold rise in the total number of voters since 1951 to over 945 million in 2023.That is larger than the combined population of all European countries.
India’s enormous population makes organizing elections a massive challenge, costing billions of dollars. With over 1.4 billion people, India is now the world’s most populous country, surpassing China in April 2023. The country’s economy is also on the rise, expected to be the world’s third largest by 2027 overtaking Japan and Germany. This upcoming election is therefore crucial, as it will determine the leader of this demographic and economic giant.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent body established by the Constitution which is responsible for running India’s elections. This massive undertaking involves a dedicated team of over 300 officials based in New Delhi, who collaborate with local administrations in each state. To ensure smooth elections, the ECI assigns electoral duties to a network of around five million government officials across the country.
The number of polling booths set up across the country for the 2019 Lok Sabha election was 1,035,918. The Election Commission issued guidelines that no voter should be more than two kilometres away from a polling station. Due to the massive scale of this election, it requires a huge effort to ensure it runs smoothly and safely. In addition to the five million government officials who manage the voting process, tens of thousands of security forces are deployed to prevent any violence. These security personnel travel by a variety of means depending on the location, using everything from cars and trains to helicopters, boats, and even elephants in some cases.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (ANI): Proceedings of the Lok Sabha are underway during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo/Sansad TV)
Voting in India is conducted by electronic voting machines (EVM) which was first introduced in 1982. The ECI used more than 23 lakhs EVMs in the 2019 elections as compared with 18 lakhs in 2014. Vehicles carrying the EVMs were fitted with GPS devices to monitor their movements, to check for foul play. The electoral body also used digital cameras, videotaping of speeches and wireless networks during the elections. Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were used along with EVMs at all polling stations after opposition parties disputed the accuracy of EVMs. VVPAT lets the voter cross-check the votes.
In today’s technologically advanced world, there is no reason why people who move within their own country (domestic migrants) shouldn’t be able to vote. Many people who move for work, marriage, or education miss out on voting because they haven’t registered in their new location. To address this and improve voter participation, India’s Election Commission is exploring a new system which would allow domestic migrants to vote at special polling stations outside their home constituency, using a modified version of the existing voting machines.
The polling booths are often set up in remote areas. More than eighty thousand polling booths did not have mobile connectivity in 2019, and roughly 20,000 polling stations were set up in forest or semi-forest areas. The ECI had arranged for a polling station in the Gir forest of western Gujarat state in the 2009 general election for just one voter.
India’s election management has undergone a significant transformation, moving from separate ballot boxes to EVMs. While EVMs have streamlined the process, ensuring a level playing field remains a major challenge. Though lacking legal enforcement, the Model Code of Conduct plays a crucial role in promoting fair elections. To address the concerns of rising money power and declining voter turnout, the ECI has implemented various initiatives.
The Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program utilizes community outreach and media campaigns to encourage citizen participation, especially among youth. Additionally, the National Voters Day (NVD) has significantly increased voter registration, particularly among newly eligible voters. Recognizing the global interest in its expertise, the ECI established the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIDEM), which offers training and resources to both domestic and international participants. Looking ahead, the ECI is pushing for further reforms, including criminalizing politics, regulating campaign finance, and promoting internal democracy within political parties. These measures aim to strengthen the electoral process and pave the way for good governance.
India’s future seemed very uncertain in 1947, just after gaining independence. General Claude Auchinleck, the last British commander of the Indian army, believed the country was too divided to function as a nation. He compared India’s diversity to Europe, highlighting the vast differences between regions. In his view, the British had only managed a temporary unity, and India was more like a continent with many different nations than a single country. He thought this would lead to separatist movements, with the Sikhs being the first to break away.
Many experts doubted India’s future after independence, with Western observers predicting its fragmentation and failure as a democracy. They scoffed at the idea of holding elections for millions of illiterate people. Yet, in the face of skepticism and dire predictions, India’s journey from independence to a thriving democracy stands as a testament to its resilience. While acknowledging that India’s democracy may not be flawless, it represents a remarkable achievement considering the peaceful path it took to nationhood compared to other countries. Furthermore, India’s massive scale magnifies the magnificence of its democratic practices. Conducting general elections, the world’s largest exercise in free will, and numerous provincial elections across vast states is a profoundly remarkable feat. As India stands on the cusp of yet another monumental election, it serves as a reminder that the democratic spirit, which has propelled the nation through decades, continues to evolve and inspire. The ongoing narrative of India’s democracy is a story of extraordinary achievement against the odds and a promising beacon for the future.
(Dr Maheep is a leading scholar of Political Science and International Relations with an avid interest in Psephology and analysis)
India needs to transition towards a developed economy and a global leadership role, EAM Jaishankar says
India needs to move across a broad front of domains that all contribute to comprehensive national power, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said while presenting a compelling vision for India’s role in tackling the pressing geoeconomic challenges of our time.
Addressing a distinguished audience of policymakers, experts, and students at the prestigious 8th Asia Economic Dialogue held in Pune in February, EAM Jaishankar said India needs to build deep national strengths that will drive the transition towards a developed economy and a leading power.
The Global Challenges Triad
EAM Jaishankar summed up the critical junctures at which the global economy finds itself today, driven by the complexities of supply chains, technological advancements, and the shadows of market dominance.
He outlined three predominant challenges that encapsulate the current geo-economic landscape.
The first challenge revolves around the global supply chain’s vulnerability, that arises from a particular economic hardwiring created by the globalization era. “Whether it is finished products, intermediates or components, the world is dangerously dependent on a limited number of suppliers,” he noted.
“How to introduce greater resilience and reliability is today central to de-risking the global economy,” he remarked.
The technology challenge stands as the second pillar, with the digital revolution transforming every facet of our lives, EAM Jaishankar stated. “The digital era has given it an altogether different connotation because it is so intrusive. It is not just our interests that are at stake but often the most personal of our decisions and choices. Such an era demands more trust and transparency,” he explained.
Lastly, he spoke about the challenge of market over-concentration and dominance, often heightened by unpredictability and opaqueness. “We discovered this most sharply during the Covid period. But from time to time, we are also reminded when market dominance is weaponized,” EAM Jaishankar pointed out.
He went on to say that this is particularly serious for the Global South, given the extent of dependence. The pandemic served as a stark reminder of these vulnerabilities, particularly affecting nations in the Global South with their significant reliance on global supply chains. This aspect underlines the urgency for a more equitable global market structure, EAM Jaishankar said.
Greater International Cooperation Needed
“There are no easy answers, nor indeed a limited number of them. To create a more safe, secure and cooperative world, we clearly need greater international cooperation,” EAM Jaishankar emphasized.
For India, this means moving across a broad front of domains that all contribute to comprehensive national power, he pointed out. “It requires a massive upgrade of our skills base. It suggests an environment that promotes skills and talent. It will benefit from easier to do business and a modern infrastructure. But most of all, it demands robust manufacturing that alone can provide the foundation for technology development,” he stated.
As the country positions itself to become the third-largest economy by the decade’s end, EAM Jaishankar emphasized that India’s goals and ambitions cannot be determined by the goodwill of others. “We must build deep national strengths during the Amrit Kaal that will drive the transition towards a developed economy and a leading power,” he asserted.
He reiterated the Modi government’s vision of leveraging the current era, termed as ‘Amrit Kaal,’ to transition towards a developed economy and a global leadership role.
The speech resonated particularly well in Pune, a city with a rich industrial legacy, where the audience was well-placed to appreciate the government’s ambitious initiatives and programs designed to catalyse India’s economic and technological ascent.
EAM Jaishankar’s address at the Asia Economic Dialogue 2024 not only highlighted the intricate web of geoeconomic challenges but also charted a course for India’s proactive engagement in shaping a resilient, secure, and cooperative global economic order. The journey ahead is fraught with complexities, but with strategic vision and international collaboration, a path to a more equitable and prosperous global economy is within reach.
Growth of Indo-Pacific strategy
Cooperation with South Korea in the Indo-Pacific region was one of the main highlights of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar’s March 5-6 visit to the East Asian nation where he called for the country’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Acting on a gamut of challenges in the maritime domain, the initiative looks at a range of oceanic issues from ecology and environment to transport and science technology, widening the scope of the region’s narrative beyond traditional security and geopolitics.
It has been understood that EAM Jaishankar was referring to the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) which has established 67 linkages in 25 countries to promote collaboration for maritime safety and security.
And as EAM Jaishankar heads to Tokyo for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue, he is expected to exchange views on cooperation for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific with his counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa.
India and Japan also happen to be members of the Quad grouping along with Australia and the US which bats for a prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific. Making its way as a leading power in this region, India reached out to Mauritius in the Indo-Pacific region and recently inaugurated an airstrip, jetty, and six other development projects.
With France, India continues to implement the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership and the two nations are supporting a mangrove conservation initiative aimed at the Pacific States in particular.
The two sides have also agreed to work on finalising the India-France ‘Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation Fund’ to help people in the small island states.
In addition, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) launched at the G-20 summit last year, has been described as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
As per a Politico report, it has been hoped in the West that IMEC has the potential to limit Beijing’s rising geopolitical influence in the region.
Emerging as a result of global geopolitical shifts, the Indo-Pacific has been under increased focus for the past few years, and due to the swift-evolving dynamics, the region, as pointed out by EAM Jaishankar, requires “like-minded countries” to establish a stable regional security architecture.
Geopolitical experts feel that due to its sheer size, geographic location, and its ability to emerge as a strong global player post-pandemic, India’s role in the region cannot be overlooked.
“As the Indo-Pacific gains ascendancy, major regional players articulate their strategies for the region, it has become apparent that they are keen to engage with India and support the latter vision of a ‘free, open and inclusive’ Indo-Pacific,” according to an Indian Council of World Affairs report.
As a growing power in the region, India has said that instead of asserting itself in the Indian Ocean, it wants to play the role of a “Vishwa Mitra” (friend of the world) and create an environment of peace and prosperity in the region by ‘democratising’ it.
During his keynote address at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue in Delhi in 2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India stands for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific as it is important for the economic development of not only the region but also the wider global community.
Also, the minister recently stated that the country will stand in support of its friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific region, thus ensuring that there is no kind of hegemony in the Indian Ocean.
The Telangana CM said PM Modi was trying to build a false narrative that the NDA was winning more than 400 seats in the ensuing polls….reports Asian Lite News
Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ” Aab Ki Baar 400 Paar ” claim, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday asked why the BJP is patching up with old partners and bringing new ones into its fold if it is so confident of the NDA winning over 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, CM Reddy said, “Modi is going around the country claiming that they (BJP-led NDA) are on course to getting over 400 seats (in the Lok Sabha polls). If they are getting over 400 seats then what is the need for allying with Chandrababu Naidu (in Andhra Pradesh) and Naveen Patnaik (in Odisha)?”
While the BJP clinched a seat-sharing deal with the TDP and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and ensuing Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, talks are believed to be ongoing over a similar arrangement in Odisha.
The Telangana CM said PM Modi was trying to build a false narrative that the NDA was winning more than 400 seats in the ensuing polls.
“In Maharashtra, they (BJP) engineered splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP. In Karnataka, they joined hands with HD Dewe Gowda while in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, they patched up with Chandrababu Naidu. In Bihar, they got Nitish Kumar and the JDU back on their side while also ensuring an alliance with Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel in Uttar Pradesh. They are also in talks with Naveen Patnaik for an alliance in Odisha. If the BJP is confident of winning 400 seats, why are they approaching Opposition leaders and parties for alliances?” Reddy questioned.
Also taking a swipe at the BJP over rising fuel and LPG prices, the Telangana CM pointed out that despite LPG being brought within the ambit of GST, prices of cooking gas have skyrocketed from Rs. 400 to Rs 1,200 over the last eight years.
“Today, the price of domestic LPG cylinders, which earlier cost Rs 400 per cylinder, has risen to Rs 1,200. The price of petrol has gone up from Rs 50 per litre to Rs 110 per litre while diesel is also priced at Rs 100 per litre, up from Rs 40 per litre. And, I need not go into the soaring rates of kitchen essentials such as salt, pulses, oil and tamarind. With prices going through the roof, would you still vote (for the BJP)?” he asked.
Earlier, on Saturday, the BJP announced an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party and the Jana Sena ahead of the general elections.
BJP national president JP Nadda said a broad consensus was reached that the TDP, Jana Sena and the BJP will contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections together in Andhra Pradesh.
The TDP, which was part of the National Democratic Alliance until 2018, expressed an interest in reviving the tie-up after suffering a crushing defeat in the 2019 elections.
The state has 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats. Elections to the Lok Sabha are expected to be held sometime between April and May.
The ruling party is eyeing a third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has set a target of winning 370 seats on its own and 400 with its allies. (ANI)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu sealed a seat-sharing pact on Saturday with the Congress…reports Asian Lite News
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin said that the victory alliance, which triumphed in the previous elections, is set to continue its momentum into the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
“Our Victory alliance continues for the 2024 General Election also. Cadres should do groundwork thinking ‘MK Stalin’ is the candidate in all 40 constituencies,” MK Stalin said.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu sealed a seat-sharing pact on Saturday with the Congress (both allies of the INDIA bloc) which will contest on nine seats, setting aside 21 seats for the ruling DMK.
DMK has so far finalised seat-sharing deals with allies CPI (M), CPI, IUML and KMDK, besides MDMK and VCK. MDMK, IUML and KMDK (DMK Symbol) each to get one seat while VCK, CPM, CPI get two seats each in the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress will contest the lone seat in Puducherry.
Earlier in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the DMK-led alliance secured a landslide victory by bagging 38 out of 39 seats. The Congress, which was also a part of the alliance, bagged 8 seats out of the nine contested.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, won only one seat.
Stalin emphasized the broader INDI alliance’s commitment to defeating the BJP in the upcoming elections.
“INDI alliance partners have set up a political agenda in people’s hearts to defeat the BJP. Alliance leaders are having alliance talks in various states as BJP against votes shouldn’t get shattered. Seat-sharing discussions have been concluded in several states, with ongoing talks in others, which will also get done very soon,” MK Stalin said.
Stalin stressed the urgency of winning all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu to effectively influence Union Politics.
“In Tamil Nadu, DMK-headed INDI alliance finalised the seat sharing yesterday. MNM also has joined hands with our alliance. Friend Kamala Hassan has announced he will campaign for our alliance. These leaders have one goal which is to defeat fascist BJP. All should work thinking ‘MK Stalin’ is the candidate in 40 constituencies. We have to win 40 out of 40 seats then only we can bring change in Union Politics. If we need to form a Union Government which respects the states then we should win all 40 seats,” MK Stalin said.
Drawing attention to the perceived failures of the BJP over the past decade MK Stalin stated, “People have realised how the BJP has spoiled the country in the last 10 years. Canvass the 3 years of successful Dravidian Government to the people.” (ANI)
