Devotees take a holy dip at Sangam, on the occasion of ‘Magh Purnima. (Pic Credits: Pallav Paliwal)
Also Watch-PICS: Kejriwal’s road show ahead of by polls
Watch More-PICS: Inauguration of 13th edition AERO INDIA 2021
Category: India News
Abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir has proved to be a blessing for youth in the Valley. Since, August 5, 2019 initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower and engage youth in constructive activities are paying dividends.
Kashmiri youth have turned towards entrepreneurship, sports, cultural activities and other constructive programs. They are busy in building their lives and careers.
Khelo India-II winter games at Gulmarg
Prime Minster Narendra Modi who inaugurated Khelo India-II winter games at Gulmarg in north Kashmir on Friday in his virtual address said that holding this event is a step towards making India’s presence felt in the international winter games arena and also make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports. “These games in Gulmarg show that Jammu and Kashmir is eager to reach new heights of peace and development. These games will strengthen the resolve for ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat,” PM Modi said.
“The two Khelo India centre of excellence in Jammu and Srinagar and Khelo India centres in 20 districts are great facilities for the young players.
Such centres are being opened all over the world,” the PM stated.
Since the day Narendra Modi has taken over the reins of the country he has always said that J&K holds a special place in his heart.
PM Modi has proved it beyond doubt that he means what he says.
The decision to revoke J&K’s special status and merge it into Union of India completely started paying dividends just within months.
The biggest change that Kashmir witnessed was number of youth becoming a part of stone pelting mobs declined manifold. The first step which the Centre took after August 5, 2019 was that it opened new avenues for Kashmiri youth. The government departments were asked to ensure that benefits of the centrally sponsored schemes trickle down to youth so that they don’t indulge in acts that are detrimental for the state.
Abrogation of Article 370 more effective?
Many youth were imparted training under Himmayat scheme and later they were even provided jobs in the companies across the country. During the past one and half year hundreds of youth have been placed and they are living decent lives.
Recruiting agencies that had almost become defunct in J&K advertised posts for the unemployed educated youth and process to employ them was expedited.
Talent shows were organized across Jammu and Kashmir to handpick the youth who were talented and interested in cultural activities.
Many of them have been absorbed by different units in the country.
The boom in sports activities allowed youth to come forward and showcase their abilities and skills.
Youth oriented initiatives taken by PM Modi led Central Government has infused new life and enthusiasm in Kashmiri youth, who during the past three decades were used as cannon fodder by Pakistan to fight its proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir.
Scholarship scheme for J&K students
The Prime Minister’s special scholarship scheme for J&K students has helped many youth from poor family backgrounds to get admissions in professional colleges across the country.
In fact many of them have completed their degrees and have even taken up jobs in big corporate houses within the country and abroad.
Prime Minister Modi has remained firm on his decisions and has ensured that J&K is pulled from the quagmire of uncertainty. What the political regimes led by the local politicians couldn’t achieve in three decades the government led by PM Modi has done it in just one and a half year and there is still lot more to come.
When Prime Minister Modi addressed an election rally in Jammu before 2014 parliamentary elections, he had made it explicitly clear that Article 370 is debatable and if his party comes into power it would definitely do something about it.
Also Read-OIC in a fix over Kashmir
Read More-OCT 22 BLACK DAY: Hoardings Across Kashmir Condemn Pakistan
At that point of time National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah, who was the Chief Minister of erstwhile J&K State had dared PM Modi to come forward and hold a debate with him. After being elected as country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has proven it beyond doubt that there was no need to hold a debate as revocation of Article 370 has led to the new dawn breaking in J&K. PM Modi has shown the world that he is a strong leader and is capable of changing nation’s destiny.
J&K into new heights
Initiatives and the programs launched by PM Modi led government are aimed at taking J&K to new heights and the youth are leading from the front. All these steps have become more effective after abrogation of J&K’s special status as the uncertainty and chaos are over.
Youth from Jammu and Kashmir have responded positively and have shown their desire to become a part of progress and prosperity of New India. Even the local militants who gave up arms after August 5, 2019, were rehabilitated and have become a part of national mainstream.
Prime Minister Modi has proved most of the local leaders of Kashmir wrong. These leaders used to claim that “if J&K’s special status is revoked no one will be left in Kashmir to hold the tricolor.” These leaders should visit Gulmarg and see for themselves how many Kashmiri youth have draped themselves in tricolor and are holding it close to their heart.
Also Read-‘Kashmir issue to be resolved in a dignified manner’
The captivating 3-hour virtual program attended by diplomats saw novice writers, eminent literary figures, renowned singers, and community members reciting self-written poetic pieces, reports Asian Lite News
International Mother Language Day was enthusiastically marked with poetry, song, and monologue presentations recently. Organised by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence and conceived by Ragasudha Vinjamuri, the online event named Kaavyaanjali had highlighted 27 languages. The captivating 3-hour virtual program attended by diplomats saw novice writers, eminent literary figures, renowned singers, and community members reciting self-written poetic pieces.
Roshan Kanal, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal, Hassan Shifau, former Deputy Ambassador at the High Commission of Maldives in London, Tim Brookes, Founder of Atlas of Endangered Scripts who joined from the USA, have spoken eloquently on the occasion. Mr Hamdun- former Minister of Planning, and a Member of Parliament, and currently President of Lexical Comity of the Academy of Dhivehi language was also in attendance.
Presenters included Bhaswati Gagan Dey (Assamese), Dils Lakshmindra Sinha (Bishnupriya Manipuri), Arindam Dhar (Bengali), Ishtar Zikr (Dhivehi), Indu Barot (Dingal), Lalit Sharma (Dogri), Mayura Patel (Gujarati), Gyan Sharma (Hindi), Dr. Vipin Nadda (Himachali), Radhika Joshi (Kannada), Dr Harsha Jani (Kathiawadi), Mario Fernandes (Konkani), Rinchen Wacher (Laddakhi), Karma Barfungpa (Lokeh), Sharad Jha (Maithili), Deepa Nair (Malayalam), Maithili More (Marathi), Leina Moirangthem (Meitei), Acharya Durga Prasad Pokhrel (Nepali), Bhagyashree Singh (Odia), Amrinder Bobby (Punjabi), Kamalini Somalinga (Saurashtra), Dr. Nari Mansukhani (Sindhi), Sushil Rapatwar (Sanskrit), Sugath Senevirathne (Sinhalese), Dr. Laksmi Vyas (Tamil) and Ragasudha Vinjamuri (Telugu).
Rinchen Wacher is a renowned lyricist and composer from Ladakh, Amrinder Bobby is a leading singer from Punjab, and Lakshmindra Sinha is an acclaimed writer of Bishnupriya Manipuri language. All three have joined from India. Ishtar Zikr, a noted poetess, has joined from Maldives, Indu Barot is an award-winning poetess and Gyan Sharma is a ghazal singer, both based in the UK. 85-year-old Dr. Nari Mansukhani is a retired medical professional who has been active in Sindhi congregations for decades.
Roshan Khanal- DCM, Embassy of Nepal giving opening words 
Tim Brookes speaking on the occasion 
Indu Barot presenting Dingal poem 
Bhaswati Gagan Dey presenting Assamese poem 
Dils Lakshmindra Kumar presenting Bishnupriya Manipuri 
Arindam Dhar presenting Bengali 
Bhagyashree preesnting Odia poem 
Renowned singer Amrinder Bobby presenting Punjabi song 
Lalit Sharma presenting Dogri poem 
Ishtar Zikr from Maldives presenting Dhivehi poem 
Mayura Patel presenting Gujarati poem 
Dr Nari Mansukhani presenting Sindhi kalaam 
Dr Vipin Nadda presenting Himachali song 
Gyan Sharma presenting Hindi poem 
Richen Wacher from Ladakh presenting Ladakhi poem 
Dr Harsha Jani presenting Kathiawadi poem 
Maithili More presenting Marathi poem 
Jesus Mario Fernandes presenting Konkani 
Karma Barfungpa presenting Lokeh 
Sharad Jha presenting Maithili language 
Durga Prasad Pokhrel presenting Nepali poem 
Kamalini Somalinga presenting Saurashtra poem 
Leina Moirangthem presenting Meitei song 
Radhika Joshi presenting Kannada 
Deepa Nair presenting Malayalam poem 
Sushil Rapatwar presenting Sanskrit poem 
Dr Lakshmi Vyas presenting Tamil 
Ragasudha Vinjamuri hosting the International Mother Language Day 
Categories
Ceasefire along LoC
A positive step towards greater peace and stability
India and Pakistan agree for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24, reports Asian Lite News
India and Pakistan reviewed the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, and agreed for strict observance of all agreements, and understandings, Indian Army said.
A joint statement issued in New Delhi and Islamabad. It states that the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact.
“The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere,” the statement said.
It further points out that in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence.
Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24 and February 25, 2021.
“Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding,” the statement says.
Pakistan-promoted terror still a threat
Indian Army Chief General MM. Naravane, while speaking at a webinar organised by the Vivekananda International Foundation, says that there is definitely a great improvement in the internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, states that Pakistan-promoted terror still remains a threat.
Indian Army Chief notes that Pakistan is committed to the strategy of supporting terrorism in all its forms as terrorist launch pads continue to be operated and terrorists continue to be there on the other side of the LoC looking for an opportunity to cross over.
General Naravane expressed confidence that with continued engagement with Pakistan, there could be some sort of an understanding because unsettled borders and violence on the borders help no one.
Also Read- Pakistan offers $15mn LoC to Sri Lanka
“We always want peace and tranquility in our border areas, whether it be the western front or the northern front and the Line of Actual Control. Or whether it is on the Indo-Myanmar border, we are always looking for peace and tranquility and our role is to ensure that so as the rest of the nation can develop,” he said.
No thinning of troops along LoC
There is no proposal of thinning of troops along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan has not stopped terrorism, Indian Army said. The Army also denotes that the situation along the northern borders has no bearing on Line of Control/Western Front.
“Our endeavor is to achieve peace and stability which is beneficial for the region and specially for the population residing along the LoC, this is an attempt to bring the violence levels down,” the Indian Army added.
It also states that DGMO of India and Pakistan Army interact regularly over the established mechanism of hotline.
There is trust deficit with Pakistan, said the force stating: “We have a history of bitter experiences with Pakistan. The peace processes in the past have been derailed either because of acts of terror or Pakistan Army’s belligerence. We are alive to this reality and we all remain prepared to meet any eventuality. However we remain cautiously optimistic. Peace along LoC is mutually beneficial.”
Also Read-Pakistan irked over India’s Rafale acquisition
Read More-‘Act on perpetrators of Mumbai, Pathankot’: India, US tell Pakistan
Categories
Motera stadium renamed after Modi
It is also the second largest stadium in the world overall, behind Rungrado 1st of May stadium in Pyonyang, North Korea which has an estimated capacity of nearly 1,15,000…reports Asian Lite News.
Modi initiated another controversy by renaming the notable Cricket stadium in Ahemadabad. Soon after President Ram Nath Kovind launched the stadium in the Prime minister Modi’s name, social media flooded with criticisms and government now clarifies that only the Motera stadium has been renamed and the whole complex remains in Sardar Patel’s name.
The Sardar Patel (Gujarat) Stadium in Motera near Ahmedabad was on Wednesday renamed as the Narendra Modi Stadium. The stadium, popularly known as the Motera Stadium was recently re-opened after extensive renovation which increased seating capacity to a record 1,10,000.
It hosts its first international cricket match on Wednesday with India taking on England in a day-night Test match.
The stadium’s new name was announced during an inauguration ceremony that was attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, Home Minister Amit Shah, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah among others.
The stadium is located within the larger Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave which will have facilities for Olympic sports. Among the facilities that are set to be included in the enclave in addition to the cricket stadium is a multi-purpose stadium for athletics and football, a hockey stadium and outdoor practice fields. The enclave is also slated to include a host of indoor facilities including a swimming pool and velodrome along with facilities for beach volleyball and a boating centre.
The Narendra Modi Stadium surpasses the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia as the world’s largest cricket stadium. The MCG has a maximum seating capacity of 1,00,024. It is also the second largest stadium in the world overall, behind Rungrado 1st of May stadium in Pyonyang, North Korea which has an estimated capacity of nearly 1,15,000.
President of India Ram Nath Kovind interacting with cricketers
Also Read-Brampton To build cricket stadium
Read More-PICS: PM Modi’s rally in Hooghly
The AAP had strategically started its preparations for the municipal bypolls from the beginning of 2021 by organising ‘mohalla’ meetings across the municipal wards in the city.
With just three days left for the by polls to five municipal wards of Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) scheduled on February 28, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supreme and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit the campaign trail on Wednesday to seek support for AAP candidates.
Kejriwal on Wednesday participated in a roadshow in Shalimar Bhagh (under North MCD). During the roadshow, he slammed the BJP, which runs the MCD, for the financial crunch faced by the civic authorities in the past 15 years and asked people to vote for the AAP candidates in the bypolls.
“We have elections on Sunday, and you all must go and vote for AAP. We have worked to improve Delhi in the last six years in several sectors like in schools, hospitals, availability of electricity and water etc. But the BJP has put the MCD in shambles. It is your responsibility to make AAP victorious in the coming bypolls in Delhi,” Kejriwal said.
In fact, the AAP had strategically started its preparations for the municipal bypolls from the beginning of 2021 by organising ‘mohalla’ meetings across the municipal wards in the city. Within a period of two weeks, the party had organised around 2,500 meetings in all the municipal wards in Delhi even before the dates for the bypolls were announced.
Out of these five poll-bound municipal wards, four have been vacant since last year after the councillors had been elected to the Delhi Assembly. AAP had won in all the four municipal wards — Rohini C, Trilokpuri, Kalyanpuri and Chauhan Bangar. The Shalimar Bagh ward has been vacant since the death of Renu Jaju, who had won the seat on a BJP ticket.
The five AAP candidates for the bypolls are — Bunty Gautam from Kalyanpuri, Vijay Kumar from Trilokpuri (both under East Delhi Municipal Corporation), Mohammad Isharaq Khan from Chauhan Bangar, Ram Chandra from Rohini C and Sunita Mishra from Shalimar Bagh (under North MCD).
The results of the MCD bypolls are scheduled to be announced on March 3.
Also Read-KEJRIWAL: I Have A Dream
The meeting was informed that several advisories need to be issued in view of slippery road conditions and avalanche warnings including…reports Asian Lite News.
After shutting down for several days authorities decided to resume traffic in Srinagar-Leh highway. Highway will be reopened from from February 28.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P.K. Pole on Wednesday convened a meeting of officers to review status of the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road scheduled to be thrown open for civilian traffic from February 28. The Lt Governor of Ladakh UT is slated to flag off traffic movement then.
On the occasion, BRO’s CE briefed Pole about the status of road clearance on National Highway-1, and though the road stands cleared for one way traffic, but, in view of weather advisory, it be opened for civilian traffic from February 28.
The meeting was informed that several advisories need to be issued in view of slippery road conditions and avalanche warnings including allowing plying of vehicles with chains and one way traffic at Zojilla pass to avoid accidents.
The Divisional Commissioner said that to prevent any exigency, both of these advisories shall be put in place while there shall be proper timing to allow movement of vehicles from Sonmarg and Minamarg. The cut off time for vehicles from Sonmarg side shall be 10 a.m. and from Minamarg, the cut off time for vehicles has been proposed as 11 a.m., he added.
To ensure mobile connectivity for travelers along the highway in case of any emergency, he directed the BRO to provide logistic support to BSNL and Jio networks to resume cellular connectivity.
Also Read-Political process gathers pace in Jammu & Kashmir
Read More-PM Modi Visits Leh, Meets Soldiers
Faith organisations of the Indian diaspora issued a joint statement and expressed concerns over the move to communalise the farmers protest, reports Asian Lite News
Prominent Indian forums in the United Kingdom condemned the move by Khalistani miscreants with the support of some parliamentarians to divide the community by spreading fake news about the farm protest in India.
Faith organisations of the Indian diaspora issued a joint statement and expressed concerns over the move to communalise the farmers protest.
“We note with concern the continuing attempts being made to communalise the Indian Farmers Protest against the three farming laws as being a faith-based issue,” they said in the statement. “The fact is that the Indian Farmers practice different faiths and that this is an issue of their common interest. As is always the case there are people on both sides of the argument.
“We fully respect the right to peaceful protest, humanitarian support and freedom of speech in a responsible manner as part of democratic traditions. We condemn attempts to communalise the Farmers protest and urge everyone to remain vigil. The community cohesion in Britain needs safeguarding and nurturing whilst this campaign is underway in India. On this issue we stand in solidarity.”
Mr Umesh Sharma, Chairman, Hindu Council UK; Mr Hamid Malik, Founder/ President, Federation of Indian Muslim Organisations, Midlands – UK; Mr Arun Thakur, President, National Council of Hindu Temples UK; Mr Gurmel Singh, Secretary General, Supreme Sikh Council UK were among the signatories.
In another development, the largest organisation of the Malayalee community in Britain joined the condemnation. UUKMA (Union of UK Malayalee Associations ), an umbrella forum of 114 associations representing 100,000 plus Keralites, condemned the move.
“We condemn in unequivocal terms about the irresponsible efforts by certain communal groups and media in the UK to sensationalise the ongoing farmers protest and to create communal tension in the UK, the organisation said in a statement. “The farmers protest in India is NOT a communal issue but part of its democracy. Indians cutting across religious or regional identities are supporting or are opposing the agriculture reform laws enacted by the Indian parliament.
“Indians settled in the UK have been enjoying strong traditional inter-community relationship and enjoys their right to exercise their democratic rights independently and respectfully as well. We urge media and all community organisations in the UK to refrain from inflammatory statements and activities that can damage inter-community harmony in the UK.”
The statement was signed by Manojkumar Pillai, National President of the UUKMA and Alex Varghese, National General Secretary.
Also Read – Asian Media & Professional Talents Honoured in London
Categories
PICS: PM Modi’s rally in Hooghly
Picture Credits- Pallav Paliwal/Asianlite
Also Read-How Indian Americans feel about India and Modi
Read More-Diaspora pins hope on Modi for help
Both Central and State governments have to do much more than give hollow promises to help Indian diaspora, who have taken a severe hit due to the pandemic, writes Oommen George
Speeches made during elections are sugar coated promises which are rarely taken seriously. However, when election speeches are made by the Prime Minister, the words are to be taken in its true value and given due significance.
During Narendra Modi’s speech at an event in Kochi on February 15, he acknowledged the contributions of Indian diaspora in the Gulf – of which a majority hail from Kerala – the statement is both praiseworthy and commendable. The Prime Minister’s claims of support to the Indian diaspora are true and well appreciated.
Also Read – How Indian Americans feel about India and Modi?
Referring to the plight of Indians who were languishing in jails in the Gulf countries, the Prime Minister had said governments of many Gulf nations have over the last few years released several such Indians after the intervention of his government. But these are the duties and responsibilities performed by any government.
However it’s sad to say that the Prime Minister’s speech did not specifically reveal any measures or schemes, the government plans or intends to initiate and implement. It has to be noted that the government not done much to lift the gloom that has gripped the Indian diaspora.
It doesn’t need repeated explanation that the pandemic has disrupted the lives of a large number of Indian diaspora in the Gulf.
While many have worked hard to become affluent, a large number among the low and mid-income workers with no savings, jobs have borne the brunt due to the pandemic. The disruption that came in the early quarter of last year has aggravated their miseries.
It is unfortunate that the Indian diaspora, have not seen any worthwhile initiatives from both the Central and State governments to alleviate their miseries. They have also failed to instill any hope even after eleven months, since Indians began returning home. All they have got is hollow declarations and promises.
It needed an election for political parties to notice or remember the plight of Indian migrants in the Gulf.
Employees have been retrenched without getting their dues from companies run by foreigners and NRIs. Many managed to return home due to the help provided by Indian Embassies, social activists and Indian Associations in those countries.
Many who had come to India for an emergency treatment or family issues are stranded due to cancellation of flights to Gulf countries in the wake of increased spread of the virus. This had led to many grappling with expired residence visas and job loss. Many who returned are living a life of poverty, despair and hopelessness.
Great tragedy awaits these stranded countrymen if no outreach happens from the central government. The state government with its limited resources cannot do much for such large number of people.
The central government’s one-man commission under IAS officer C V Ananda Bose has made several recommendations to alleviate the situation.
I respectfully appeal to the Prime Minister to consider implementing the recommendations and also consider welfare schemes, measures and projects to rehabilitate diaspora who have returned. They need to be rehabilitated in government offices, public sector undertakings. They need help to start businesses without bureaucratic hurdles, individually or as group. They need to be given government-owned land on long term lease to do farming or set up Industries. This would help them get some regular income and help the diaspora remain afloat.
The government must also intervene with authorities in Gulf countries to provide an amnesty program so as to help stranded Indian migrants. Those without a job, expired residence permit, domestic helps and others jailed due to unfortunate circumstances, employees who have been terminated without salaries and benefits, people with expired visas must be helped to come back to India under an amnesty scheme, which will not attract any punishment.
The Indian diaspora have high hopes on the assurance offered by the Prime Minister and trust his words. They will be grateful to him and the Government of India for any worthwhile steps it initiates to improve their situation.
(The writer was the former President and currently a patron of the Pathanamthitta District Association)