contents in 2017 gujrat assembly election on the basis of politics of development & hard work of...

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Fortnightly Magazine

CONTENTS

Editor

Prabhat Jha, MP

Executive Editor

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Ram Prasad TripathyVikash Anand

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3 Kamal Sandesh September 1-15, 2016

Organisational ActivitiesBhoomi Pujan of new BJP headquarters in Delhi................... 7BJP Tiranga Yatra.......................................................................... 9

Government's AchievementsMonsoon Session of Parliament concluded successfully..... 10Smart Ganga City Scheme launched in Ten Cities.................. 12

VaicharikiA young India should arise!

By Atal Bihari Vajpayee..................................................... 13

ShradhanjaliSenior BJP leader Shri Charti Lal Goel no more....................... 15

BJP President's PravasPanaji (Goa), Gandhinagar (Gujarat).......................................... 25

ArticleLiberating a new India through skill development

By Rajiv Pratap Rudy........................................................... 26Articulating the past history

By Anirban Ganguly............................................................ 28

OthersDiscussion on GST Bill in Lok Sabha....................................... 16PM on the 70th Independence Day.......................................... 18

Courtesy : The H

indu


;s es erfena fuR;euqfr"BfUr ekuo%AJºkoUrks∑ulw;Urks eqP;Urs rs∑fi deZfHk%AA 31AA

Those human beings who always execute regularly these injunctions of Minewith full faith, without envy; all of them become free from the bondage of

reactions from actions.—(Bhagavadgita : Ch.-III, 31)

TWEETS

"Uniqueness of BJP is that it is atruly democratic party, which isdriven by the hardwork, dedication& sacrifice of countlessKaryakartas."

-Narendra Modi

"BJP will get victory with two-thirdmajority in 2017 Gujrat Assemblyelection on the basis of Politics ofDevelopment & hard work of BJPworkers"

-Amit Shah

~~~☯

☯☯

~~~

Ganesha Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is thebirthday of bighnavinashak Lord Ganesha, the son ofLord Shiva and Goddesses Parvati. It is a major Hindufestival. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god ofwisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionallyinvoked at the beginning of any new venture or at thestart of travel.

The Ganesha Chaturthi is observed in the Hinducalendar month of Bhaadra, starting on the shukla chaturthi(fourth day of the waxing moon period). The festivallasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi. OnAnant Chaturdashi, devotees immerse idol of Lord Ganeshin water.

Hindu Shastras tell that Lord Ganesha is son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Parvati createdGanesha out of sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She thenset Ganesha to stand guard at her door while she bathed. Lord Shiva, who had gone out, returnedand as Ganesha didn't know him, didn't allow him to enter. Lord Shiva became enraged by this andasked his follower Ganas to teach the child some manners. Ganesha who was very powerful, beingborn of Parvati, the embodiment of Shakti, defeated Shiva's followers and declared that nobody wasallowed to enter while his mother was bathing. Angry Shiva severed the head of the child. Parvatiseeing this became enraged. Seeing Parvati in anger Shiva promised that her son will be alive again.The Devas searched for the head of a dead person, but they found only the head of a dead elephantfacing North. They brought the head of the elephant and Shiva fixed it on the child's body and broughthim back to life. Lord Shiva also declared that from this day the boy would be called Ganesha (GanaIsha: Lord of Ganas).

This festival is celebrated all over India. However, it is most popular in Maharashtra, Gujarat,Tamil Nadu, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. OutsideIndia, it is celebrated widely in Nepal and celebrated by the Hindus in the United States, Canada,Mauritius, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, andGuyana etc.

Ganesh Chaturthi : September 05th, 2015

Kamal Sandesh September 1-15, 2016 5

Edito

rial..

.‘Stride forward for building of one society,

one dream, one resolution,one direction and one destination’

On the 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi whileaddressing from the rampart of the Red Fort infused a new confidencein the nation. In his inspiring address he called upon the people to

‘stride forward for building of one society, one dream, one resolution, onedirection and one destination’. He called upon the people to dedicatethemselves for the nation and come together to build a country of everyone’sdream.

India has come a long way under the dynamic leadership of PrimeMinister Narendra Modi. He has given a new direction and resolve to theentire system by his untiring efforts. In his address he enumerated a long listof achievements and the manner in which he was able to make thingspossible which were unimaginable till sometime back. The basic mantra ofthis sterling performance has been the speed with which the works weredone. The concept of ‘Speed, Scale and Skill’ is very much evident in theperformance of Modi government which has seen manifold increase in theprogress of every project. The entire nation is going through transformingexperience where performance and reforms are intertwined and the nationis registering progress on every front and getting acknowledgements fromnational to international agencies. While highlighting the achievements invarious sectors, from infrastructure to agriculture, from Jan Dhan to Aadhar,from railways to highways, from social sectors to Dalit, ST, women andyouth empowerment, he said that his government believed in the integratedapproach and not on piecemeal approach. It is due to this holistic vision thatthe nation is now seen with respect all over the world and India’s reputationis increasing day by day.

One of the major issues which the Prime Minister has raised has been ofterrorism. PM has been raising this issue on every global forum and alwaysemphasized the need for isolating those supporting or harbouring terrorismwhile calling for united fight against the terrorist elements both at physicaland ideological levels. In his Independence Day address he has rightly saidthat no one in India supports terrorism and a terror strike in Pakistan givespain to every Indian. But he lamented the fact that there are attempts toglorify terrorism. He further said pointing to those harbouring and supportingterrorism, “where innocent people are killed in terrorist attack, and theycelebrate, what type of terrorism inspired life it is, what type of thesecreations of the terrorism inspired governments are?”. Expecting that theworld will understand this difference he overwhelmingly thanked the peopleof Baluchistan, Gilgit and Pakistan occupied Kashmir for their goodwilltowards India and the honour they gave to the people of India. It is to benoted that there are reports that these regions are experiencing atrocities at


Jitu Vaghani appointed as Gujarat BJP PresidentBJP National President Shri Amit Shah appointed Shri Jitu Vaghani

as Gujarat BJP President on 10 August, 2016.Shri Vaghani, an MLA from Bhavnagar West constituency is

appointed as state president in place of Shri Vijay Rupani who becamethe Chief Minister recently.

Shri Vaghani, 46, a relatively young face of BJP and was earlier stateunit’s youth wing president. He has also worked as secretary of theparty state unit in the past. He won the election as an MLA for the firsttime in 2012.

Pasighat advancedLanding Ground gets

OperationalThe upgraded Advanced Landing Ground

(ALG) at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradeshwas inaugurated by Hon’ble Sh. Kiren RijijuMoS for Home Affairs in the presence of AirMarshal C Hari Kumar AVSM VM VSM, AirOfficer Commanding-in-chief (AOC-in-C),Eastern Air Command on 19 august. A flypastby a formation of three Sukhoi-30 MKI AirDominance Fighter aircraft, that took off fromone of the forward EAC airbases was ahighlight of the event. This was followed by aSu-30MKI also landing at the ALG. Thetouchdown by a frontline fighter jet of the IAFat the ALG is a ‘historic first’ in thepredominantly hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh,which has several ALGs at varying altitudes.

Urjit R Patelappointed as the New

Governor of RBI

Dr. Urjit R Patel has been appointed as theNew Governor of Reserve Bank of India

(RBI) for a period of three years with effectfrom 4th September, 2016. He will replace thepresent RBI Governor Dr. Raghuram Rajan.Dr Patel is presently the Deputy Governor ofRBI and is holding this assignment since 2013.

the hands of Pakistan and the voice of these people are continuously suppressed by thePakistan military forces.

It was third Independence Day address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi andwithin this short time the nation has taken a huge leap forward. Whether at the globallevel or national or local level – everywhere the imprint of the vision of Narendra Modican be seen and experienced. From diplomacy to strategy and from development todiaspora, everywhere Narendra Modi has instilled a new dimension and approach.India, it appears has risen from its slumber and getting ready to don the mantle of itsdeserved place in the comity of the nations. Maa Bharti has to take her rightful placeas Vishwa Guru and for that everyone has to dedicate himself for that grand vision.


Prime Minister ShriNarendra Modi alongwith BJP National

President Shri Amit Shah, BJPsenior leader Shri LK Advaniand others laid the foundationstone of the new BharatiyaJanata Party headquartersbuilding on 18 August, 2016at the Deendayal UpadhyayMarg in New Delhi. This newoffice is just 5 km away fromthe present office on 11Ashoka Road.

Addressing the gatheringafter laying the foundationstone, Prime Minister ShriNarendra Modi said BJP hasfaced more adversities inindependent India ascompared to what Congresswould have during the Britishrule and said that it faceddifficulties at every turn andits every effort was seen inbad light.

Organisational Activity : Bhoomi Pujan of new BJP headquarters in Delhi

Sacrifice of generations of Karyakartasinspire us to work : Narendra Modi

Underlining BJP’scommitment to takeeverybody along with themotto of ‘sabka saath, sabkavikaas’, he asked partyKaryakartas to present to thecountry and the democraticworld an example of how aparty ‘devoted to ideals anddevoid of dynasty’ functionsas the world knows our party‘not the way it is, but basedon rumors’.

He said BJP will be theonly party which has facedadversities since its birth. ThePM further said even duringthe British times, the Congressparty would not have facedso much adversity that wehave faced, our dedicatedworkers have gone throughin 50-60 years.

He said during the recentWest Bengal assembly polls,it was difficult for the BJP

candidates to even hire anoffice in Kolkata as anybodywilling to give them spacewould face trouble. “No partyhas perhaps made moresacrifices than BJP afterfreedom,” he said.

BJP workers do not workfor crowd but fororganisation, as anybody cancollect a crowd by talkingabout populist issues but whatis more important is to stickto ideology, he said. In alighter vain, he said inelections candidates of noother party would haveforfeited more deposits thanthose of BJP as they keptfighting for their ideologyirrespective of the results.

Noting the globalresearch bodies beganstudying Jana Sangh, the BJP’sforerunner, when it came topower in Madhya Pradesh in


1969, Shri Narendra Modisaid, “The world wassurprised again over howmuch we had grown whenthe government of Vajpayeeji was formed. They tried toknow about us from others,so they could neverunderstand us correctly. Theworld’s curiosity has arisenagain now.”

Ruing the lack of recordedmaterials like photographsabout important eventsassociated with party leadersthrough its history, he said itis the need of the time torecord everything related tothe organization’s activities.

Stressing on party leaders’commitment to ideology, thePrime Minister said rivalparties would certainly havethought that they will beserved well if likes of Shri LK Advani, Shri Atal BihariVajpayee or Dr. MurliManohar Joshi joined them,but these leaders decided tolive for ideals.

“BJP has not grown dueto some leader, primeminister or chief minister butdue to its lakhs of dedicatedKaryakartas,” he said.

Shri Modi alsocongratulated Sakshi Malikfor bringing glory to thecountry by winning a bronzemedal in the Rio Olympics.

Addressing the gatheringduring the ‘bhoomi pujan’ ofthe party’s new headquartersat Deendayal UpadhyayMarg in the national capital,BJP national president ShriAmit Shah said Modigovernment has retained the

same popularity what it wasduring 2014. ModiGovernment remains aspopular as it was on the dayit took oath, BJP presidentShri Amit Shah said.

The new office spreadacross two acres at DeenDayal Upadhyaya Marg willbear the stamp of the party’scultural and nationalistagenda in its design, he said,adding it will be equippedwith latest communicationmedium and conferencefacilities, allowing itsleadership to connect withdistrict and block-levelworkers. It is vastu-compliantand can hold a meeting oftwo to three thousandworkers, will have severalconference rooms and a bigscreen outside to live streamany big party event. Theproposed structure of sixfloors will be illuminatedwith ample sun light he said.The building will be spreadacross two acres with 70percent of lush greenery andit will have 70-rooms on it.

He hailed the sacrifices ofparty workers during itsjourney from a 10-memberorganisation to 11-croremembership. He said BJP hasover 1000 MLAs, more than300 MPs and is in power in 15states either on its own orwith its allies.

Noting that the Modigovernment formed in 2014was the first majoritydispensation at the Centre inthe last 30 years, he said, “Itremains as popular as it waswhen it took oath. It is our

responsibility to lendpermanence to the support theparty has received.”

The party is probably atits peak right now, he said,exhorting workers not toremain satisfied and ensurethat it grows beyond itscurrent strength. The partywants to open an office eachin 580 districts of the countryand has bought land in 250places so far, he said.

While its commitment toits ideology has fuelled itsgrowth, the way it is run willhave to change with time, hesaid as he spoke about histhrust on the use of officesequipped with moderncommunication facilities tocoordinate in real time itsprogrammes from TamilNadu to Arunachal Pradesh.The party is also working todocument its history andefforts are on to put togetheraudio and videos of its leadershe informed.

During the ‘bhoomi pujan’of the new office, senior BJPleaders like Shri LK Advani,Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi,Union Minister for HomeAffairs Shri Rajnath Singh,Union Finance Minister ShriArun Jaitley, Union Ministerfor Road Transport andShipping Shri Nitin Gadkari,Union Minister of UrbanDevelopment, Housing andUrban Poverty AlleviationShri M Venkaiah Naidu,Union Minister of Science andTechnology and EarthSciences Dr Harshvardhanwere also present on theoccassion.


Bharatiya Janata Party NationalPresident Shri Amit Shah paidtributes to the revolutionaries —

Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqullah Khan,Ram Prasad Bismil — at Kakori on theoutskirts of the state capital Lucknow on13 August, 2016.

Addressing a gathering on theoccassion, Shri Amit Shah said that thesacrifices of the great freedom fighterscannot be paid back. After paying floraltributes to the three revolutionaries whorobbed a train carrying money for theBritish treasury in Kakori in 1925, ShriShah said that he will talk to Prime Minister ShriNarendra Modi to develop this place as a big touristattraction.

Shri Shah’s visit is part of a nationwide outreachprogramme by the Bharatiya Janata Party, “Azadi70 - Yaad Karo Kurbani”, followed by “TirangaYatra” in which several union ministers, partyleaders, MP’s participating from August 16. Hesaid BJP leaders and workers, as part of the TirangaYatra, will visit every tehsil and district across thecountry with the Tricolor to offer tributes to freedomfighters for their sacrifice.

Urging the young generation to be informedabout the freedom struggle and the supremesacrifices of the freedom fighters, Shri Shah saidUttar Pradesh has given a patriotic government atthe Centre by its blessings, and that the BJP wasyet again looking to them to form a “doer”government in the state.

Shri Shah slammed the Congress for thebackwardness in many parts of the Uttar Pradesheven after 70 years of independence as the partywas at the helm for almost 60 years. He lashed outat the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for working forjust one community, and the ruling Samajwadi Party(SP) for working for the development of just onefamily. BJP president said the SP, if it returns topower, “will work for only a particular caste” andthe BSP “will work for only its own development

Organisational Activity : BJP Tiranga Yatra

and not of any caste”.Urging Uttar Pradesh to complete its unfinished

work by voting for the BJP as it did to ensureabsolute majority for the Modi government andabsolute majority for a BJP government at theCentre, he also attacked the Congress saying therehas been no development in the country becauseonly one family held power for 60 of the 70 yearssince Independence.

He said, “Can Uttar Pradesh develop under therule of SP or BSP? Can it get 24-hour powersupply? Can it stop incidents like Bulandshahr andMathura? Can there be employment for youth? Canthere be an ambulance in every village? Can bigindustries come here? Can water reach every field?Can farmers be compensated in times of crisis?Can corruption go? Can goondaraj come to anend?”

He said that the SP government was creatinghurdles in implementation of central schemes likeUjjwala Yojana, farmers crop insurance scheme,development of houses for poor. He said the UPgovernment did not provide land for AIIMS, so theCentre decided to develop the project on its ownland. He said it is only the BJP which works withthe idea of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas”.

Shri Shah later visited the Malihabad, home ofShri Kaushal Kishore, BJP MP from Mohanlalganjand one of its Dalit faces in UP, who had organiseda lunch to which Dalits had been invited.

BJP works with the idea of Sabka Saath,Sabka Vikas : Amit Shah


The Monsoon Session of Parliament startedon 18th July and concluded on August 12,2016. The session had 20 sittings, during

which various Bills were passed, including aConstitutional Amendment Bill enabling the levy ofa Goods and Services Tax (GST). The productivityof Lok Sabha was 110.84% and that of RajyaSabha was 99.54%.

The Constitution (One Hundred andTwenty Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, ahistoric legislation providing for enablingprovision in the Constitution for levying goodsand services tax on every transaction of supplyof goods and services, was passed byParliament. The Goods and Services tax shallreplace a number of indirect taxes being leviedby the Union and the State Governments andis intended to remove cascading effect oftaxes and provide for a common nationalmarket for goods and services.

During the Session, Supplementary Demandsfor Grants (General) for 2016 – 17 and the relatedAppropriation Bill, was discussed and passed bythe Lok Sabha.

Two Bill replacing the Ordinances, namely, theIndian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance,2016 and The Dentists (Amendment) Ordinance,2016 which were promulgated by the President,were considered and passed by both the Houses ofParliament during the Session.

In the Lok Sabha, 4 Short Duration Discussionsunder Rule 193 were held on (i) Situation arisingout of recent violence in Kashmir Valley resulting inthreat to peace and security of people of the State;(ii) Price Rise; (iii) Sustainable Development Goals(part discussed); and (iv) Atrocities against Dalitsin the country.

In the Rajya Sabha, six Short DurationDiscussions under Rule 176 were held on (i) Recentincidents of violence and turmoil in Kashmir Valleyresulting in huge loss of lives and property; (ii)Recent incidents of atrocities on Dalits in variousparts of the country; and (iii) Situation arising out

Monsoon Session of Parliamentconcluded successfully

of price rise in the country; (iv) Status ofimplementation of the Andhra PradeshReorganization Act, 2014 with regard to the Stateof Andhra Pradesh; (v) Developments in the Statesof Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh leading tochange in the Governments there and the role of

Governors in the respective States; and (vi) draftNational Education Policy – 2016. A discussionwas also held on prevailing situation in KashmirValley. Besides, 2 Calling Attentions in Lok Sabhaand 5 Calling Attentions in Rajya Sabha werediscussed.

The drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill,2013 was withdrawn in Rajya Sabha.During theSession, 15 Bills (14 in the Lok Sabha and 1 in theRajya Sabha) were introduced. The Lok Sabhapassed 15 Bills and the Rajya Sabha passed 14 Billsduring the session. 15* Bills were passed by boththe Houses of Parliament. A list containing the titlesof the Bills introduced, considered and passed duringthe Session is annexed.

BILS INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA1. The India Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 20162. The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 20163. The National Institutes of Technology, Science

Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 20164. The Institutes of Technology (Amendment)

Bill, 20165. The High Courts (Alteration of names) Bill, 2016

Government's Achievements


6. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 20167. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill,

20168. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights)

Bill, 20169. The Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 201610. The Central Agricultural University

(Amendment) Bill, 201611. The Employee's Compensation (Amendment)

Bill, 201612. The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 201613. The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 201614. The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016

BILLS PASSED BY LOK SABHA1. The India Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 20162. The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 20163. *The Indian Trust (Amendment) Bill, 20164. The National Institutes of Technology, Science


Bill, 20166. The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation)

Amendment Bill, 20167. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill, 20168. The Benami Transactions (Prohibition)

Amendment Bill, 20169. The Enforcement of Security Interest and

Recovery of Debt Laws and MiscellaneousProvisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016

10. The Constitution (One Hundred and TwentySecond Amendment) Bill, 2016

11. The Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 201612. The Central Agricultural University

(Amendment) Bill, 201613. The Employee's Compensation (Amendment)

Bill, 201614. The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 201615. The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016

*Amendments(s) agreed to

BILLS INTROUDUCED IN RAJYA SABHA1. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016

BILLS PASSED BY RAJYA SABHA1. The Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 20162. The Child Labour (Prohibition& Regulation)

Amendment Bill, 20163. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 20164. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill,

20165. The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill,

20166. The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 20167. The National Institutes of Technology, Science


Bill, 20169. The Benami Transactions (Prohibition)

Amendment Bill, 201610. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty

Second Amendment) Bill, 201611. The Mental Health Care Bill, 201312. The Enforcement of Security interest and


13. The Central Agricultural University((Amendment) Bill, 2016

14. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016

BILLS PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES1. The Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 20162. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 20153. The Indian Medial Council (Amendment) Bill,

20164. The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 20165. The Indian Trust (Amendment) Bill, 20166. The National Institutes of Technology, Science


Bill, 20168. The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation)

Amendment Bill, 20169. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill, 201610. The Benami Transactions (Prohibition)

Amendment Bill, 201611. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty

Second Amendment) Bill, 201612. The Enforcement of Security interest and


13. The Central Agricultural University(Amendment) Bill, 2016

14. #The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 201615. #The Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2016



Union Minister forWater Resources,River Development

and Ganga RejuvenationSushri Uma Bharti and UnionUrban Development MinisterShri M Venkaiah Naidulaunched Smart Ganga CityScheme on August 13 in tenimportant cities throughvideo conference. These citiesare – Haridwar, Rishikesh,M a t h u r a - V r i n d a v a n ,Varanasi, Kanpur, Allahabad,Lucknow, Patna, Sahibgunjand Barrackpore. NationalMission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) has chosen thesecities in the first phase forinfrastructure developmentfor sewage treatment. Thiswill be on hybrid annuitymode based on PPP model.

Addressing the functionfrom Ujjain the Union Ministerfor Water Resources, RiverDevelopment and Ganga

Rejuvenation Sushri UmaBharti said that cooperationof Union Urban DevelopmentMinistry is key to the successof Namami Gangeprogramme. She said learningfrom the past experience ofGanga action plan herMinistry this time has gonefor hybrid annuity mode basedon PPP model. The Ministersaid district level mentoringcommittees will be constitutedto monitor the speedyimplementation of NamamiGange programme. TheMinister said that though inthe first phase only ten citieshave been taken up butgradually more and more citieswill be taken up. She said theinvolvement of districtadministration and municipalbody is key to success of thisprogram.

In his address fromHyderabad Union Urban

Smart Ganga City Schemelaunched in Ten Cities

Development Minister MVenkaiah Naidu said hisMinistry is an integral part ofthis programme.

He expressed the hopethat Namami Gangeprogramme having adoptedhybrid annuity mode basedon PPP model will be a greatsuccess. The DistrictMagistrates/Mayors of theten chosen cities participatingin the video conferenceappreciated the NamamiGange programme andpromised the full support ofstate administration and localbodies for its success

Earlier, Shri RajatBhargav, Mission DirectorNMCG made a presentationon hybrid annuity modebased on PPP model to beadopted by NMCG forspeedy implementation ofNamami Gange programme.

(FOC)



A young India should arise!By Atal Bihari Vajpayee

I want to especially invokethe youth – Come! Let usbuild a new India. Let us

build a new Assam. AnAssam, an India, in whichthere will be no fear; everyman’s life, property anddignity will be protected; inwhich every youth will havethe opportunity of a job; inwhich there will be apossibility for our women toget ahead and along with themen. Last time in theP a r l i a m e n tW o m e n ’ sR e s e r v a t i o nBill, whichwould givew o m e nreservations inthe Lok Sabhaand the VidhanSabhas, couldnot be passed.We supportedit, othersopposed it.People rejectedthe others; theysupported us.Our sisters hada big part toplay in that. Wewant to assureyou that, in thenext session ofthe Parliamentwe will passW o m e n ’ sR e s e r v a t i o nBill, will make

it a law.- On the occasion of the

inauguration of theNarNarayan Bridge in Assam,

15 April, 1998.The time has come for the

youth to devote themselvesselflessly for building astrong, prosperous and self-dependent India. To build anation in which every child ishappy; everyone is so capableand aware that he is able tofight off, poverty, illiteracy

and illness; they are able toprotect the culture,civilization and environmentof their country; they are ableto understand the problemsand find their solutions; theyare willing to take the entiresociety on the path ofdevelopment along with theirown progress. It is for thisreason that the youth of thenation have to give one yearof their lives in order to workas volunteer, in order to work

s e l f l e s s l y .Contribute in thebuilding of India ofyour dreams.

- Invoking thePower of the Youth,

15 August, 1998.Youth power is

the power of thenation; it is thefuture of thenation.

- IndependenceDay, 15 August,

1998If we assure

our soldiers of abright future thennobody can stopIndia frombecoming a superpower. Along withthe passingcentury, socialismhas met its demiseand those whothought that theywere meant to rule

VAICHARIKI


by God because of their fairerskin have conceded to thepower of the democracy. Thisis the age of democracy andits foundation is equality.

- Addressing the Youth inLucknow, 1st August, 1999The speciality of India is

that in the times of crisis,everyone is united. When thedanger is over, the differencesresurface. Now the time hascome when everyone has tocome and work together inorder to solve some basicproblems. Education andculture go hand-in-hand. Ifeducation is just aboutcollecting degrees then it isuseless. We have to make itcomplete.

The Government hasmade many initiatives inorder to spread education, but

much still needs to be done.We still have not been able toprovide primary education toeveryone, but we will haveto complete it soon.

- Addressing the Youth inLucknow, 1st August, 1999The power of the State

cannot bring changes until thePeople’s Power is awakened.And in this change the youthshould play a great role.Everyone should have thepassion for bringing changesand it is the responsibility ofthe youth to awaken thispassion.

- Speech in a Gathering inLucknow, 30 July, 1999

A Young India shouldArise!

We are all very excitedabout the century in whichwe have just stepped in.

The time has come for the youth to devotethemselves selflessly for building a strong,prosperous and self-dependent India. To build anation in which every child is happy; everyone isso capable and aware that he is able to fight off,poverty, illiteracy and illness; they are able toprotect the culture, civilization and environment oftheir country; they are able to understand theproblems and find their solutions; they are willingto take the entire society on the path ofdevelopment along with their own progress. It isfor this reason that the youth of the nation have togive one year of their lives in order to work asvolunteer, in order to work selflessly.

Nevertheless, there are manyserious problems that arefacing us. Increasingpopulation is a problem. Wehave just declared our nationalpopulation policy, in whichwe have put forward thisissue. But even this challengecan be changed into anopportunity, in which a‘Young India’ should arise, inwhich we can see the imageof a new, energetic and idealIndia.

Even after this, by theyear 2015 more than half ofour population will be lessthan 20 years of age. This partof our population is eitherborn by now is going to besoon.

I mean to say that a bigopportunity is staring us inthe face; we shouldconcentrate our attentiontowards this youth so thatthey become capable ofbuilding the destiny of a greatnation in the 21st century.

This ‘Youth Power’ canbecome the source of energywhich can help makingstrategy in the country, andhelp bring food andenvironment security. It canalso help bring a knowledgerevolution.

We will have to makesure that we shall not bedeprived of taking completebenefit of this knowledgerevolution; just like whathappened in the IndustrialRevolution.

(Excerpts of speeches madeby Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in

different occassions on theyouth)


Senior BJP leaderShri Charti Lal Goel no more

Senior Delhi BJP Leader& Former Speaker ofDelhi Assembly Shri

Charti Lal Goel passed awayin early hours of Tuesday 16August. His cremation wasperformed by his son &central minister Shri VijayGoel in presence ofthousands of citizens ofDelhi and party leaders &workers atNigambodh Ghataround noon.Office of Delhi BJPwas kept closedduring the first halfof the day as a markof respect towardthe departed soul.

The Hon’bleVice President ShriMohd. HamidAnsari and PrimeMinister ShriNarendra Modicondoled the deathof Charti Lal Goel.While condoling Shri Goel’sdeath, Shri Modi tweeted,“Spoke to @VijayGoelBJP &condoled the demise of hisfather Shri Charti Lal Goel,whose rich contribution topublic life will beremembered.”

BJP National PresidentShri Amit Shah, UnionMinisters Shri Arun Jaitley &Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu,Senior Leaders Shri Ram Lal,Shri Arun Singh, Dr. Anil Jain,

Shri Bhupendra Yadav, ShriShahnawaz Hussain, Sardar RP Singh were present at thecremation of Shri Charti LalGoel.

Lt. Governor of Delhi ShriNajeeb Jung and DelhiAssembly Speaker ShriRamniwas Goel paid tributesto Shri Charti Lal Goel onbehalf of Delhi

Administration and theAssembly. Dy. CM ShriManish Sisodia visited hisresidence and expressed hiscondolences. Mayor of NorthD.M.C. Dr. Sanjeev Nayyarpaid tributes on behalf ofcitizens of Delhi.

Delhi BJP President ShriSatish Upadhyay paying hiscondolence said Shri ChartiLal Goel was pious soul andinstitution by himself whohad a deep knowledge of

party constitution & affairs.He worked at several levelsin the party & governmentcontributing immensely toDelhi’s cultural & tradegrowth alongwithcontributing in developmentof dedicated party cadre.

A Taxation Advocate byprofession Shri Charti LalGoel was an active leader

of Delhi sinceJansangh era. Heworked as VicePresident ofDelhi BJP sinceparty’s formationfor over 2decades.

As a publicrepresentative ShriCharti Lal Goelwon severalelections. He waselected as memberof Delhi MunicipalC o r p o r a t i o n ,D e l h i

Metropolitan Council andDelhi Assembly.

His tenures as DeputyMayor of Delhi and Speakerof the Delhi Assembly spokevolumes on his statesmanshipquality. He was very close toformer Prime Minister Sh. AtalBehari Vajpayee and formerDeputy PM Sh. L.K. Advani.Senior Delhi BJP leaders withhundreds of party workersjoined the cremation atNigambodh Ghat.

SHRADHANJALI


Seventy five years ago MahatmaGandhi had given clarion call andlaunched the Quit India movement

for the independence of the country on8th August historically known as AugustKranti. Today i.e. 8th August in thesame way our Parliament is going totake an important step to liberate thepeople from tax terrorism. I stand hereto thank all the political parties forhaving a comprehensive discussion anddeliberation on this issue.

This is not a victory of any party orany government, rather it is a victoryof high democratic traditions of the country.GST means -Great Step by Team India, GSTmeans Great Step towards Transformationand GST means Great Step towardsTransparency. All of us have a dream of OneBharat - Srestha Bharat. When we look at ourRailways, All India Civil Services, IPCCRPC,Bharat Net, Digital India and Sagar Mala, allthese things give us a feeling of united Indiaand strengthens this unity.

When I was Chief Minister, I had a lot ofapprehensions regarding this issue. Idiscussed this issue with Shri PranabMukherjee. After having closely consideredthis issue as a Chief Minister, it has beeneasy for me to address these issues afterbecoming Prime Minister now. That is why,we have been able to remove lots ofshortcomings in this regard.

This Bill is a result of deliberations by all.It is true that this Bill could be in crisis due toarithmetic of majority of Rajya Sabha. It isalso true that there was an atmosphere ofdistrust shown by the States towards CentralGovernment. Therefore, it was necessary that

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi speaking on GST Bill in Lok Sabha on August 82016 highlighting how GST would liberate people from tax terrorism.

The synopsis of the speech is as follow:

GST means Great Steptowards Transformation : Modi

such an important issue is not decided solelyon the basis of majority alone. After allconsensus matters in a democracy. Today,Shri Moily ji felt very bad with the remark ofcalling Lok Sabha a junior house. But I wouldlike to make it clear that I had called bothrespected Sonia ji and respected ManmohanSingh ji from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabharespectively to discuss this issue with them. Igave equal weightage to both of them whilediscussing this issue.

Therefore, our efforts have always beento accommodate suggestions from all quarters.No doubt we are all associated with differentpolitical ideologies. But none of us haveallowed this House to be used as a politicalplatform for GST.

We have always kept national interestsabove everything. This is one of the finestaspects of Indian democracy. Nationalinterests are above politics and all of us haveproved this.

I see lot of possibilities of ease of doingbusiness under GST system. I can see that thissystem would bring a uniformity in tax rates

Discussion on GST Bill in Lok Sabha


under tax regime. This is going to give amessage that ultimately consumer is a king. Ibelieve that this GST system will put an endto 7-11 different tax regimes with which everysmall entrepreneur and trader have to faceevery day. I believe that we will have toconcentrate on 5 Ms - Man, Machine, Material,Money and Minute to properly run oureconomy. Due to our octroi system we find along queue of vehicles on the roads. Anindependent agency in its survey has revealedthat due to stoppage of those vehicles on theroad for a long time, India has to sufferwastage of Rs. 1,40,000 crore.

The GST system will clear all these hurdlesand it will not only immensely benefitenvironment but also reduce demand of petrolwhich we have to import from other countries.This will also increase income of States whichare considered backward in our country. Forthe development of the country it is necessarythat eastern part of the country should alsobe treated at par.

Imbalanced development can causehurdles in the speedy development of thecountry. It is true that manufacturing statesare going to get more benefit than theconsumer States but Government of India hasmade a provision of compensating these States.This will usher in transparency in collectionof taxes from both Centre and States and thesharing of the fund will be on the basis ofrules prescribed in this regard. This system isgoing to strengthen the federal system of thecountry.

There has been an effort to strike balancebetween revenue and deficit through FRBMlaw due to which there has been change inthe economic health of the states. It is for thefirst time that the government and RBI haveagreed that inflation should be stabilizedupto 4 percent. This system will continueupto 2021 and going to make all the financialinstitutions responsible with regard tocontaining inflation.

We have been fighting against povertysince independence. All of us want to eradicatepoverty whether we are from treasury or

opposition benches. Our efforts have been toensure economic and educationalempowerment of the poor. All of us knowthat small entrepreneurs face so many hassleswhen they approach banks for loan. But underGST system the certified details of businessof every person will also be available. In thissituation the banks will have no power ofdiscriminating against anyone. Technology isthe strength of GST as real time data will beavailable.

This will increase the possibilities ofcompetition in manufacturing sector whichwill further lead to money flow andemployment opportunities in the country.There has always been a question mark withtax to GDP ratio in terms of increasinginvestment in the country. Under the newsystem there will be no question mark at all.GST system will stop tax evasion. In ourcountry, we have kachcha bill and pucca bill.With the introduction of GST the businessmenwill be encouraged to have proper receipts.This system is going to put an end tocorruption and black money together. As thissystem is technology based system, it is goingto reduce cost of collection. There will bedata integration which means everything willbe registered right from raw material to endproduct. We are going to develop a system inwhich there will be almost zero humaninterface between tax payers and taxcollectors.

This system being online will bringtransparency in business. We must accept thefact that even the major democracies of theworld find it difficult to pass such a legislationas this one. This is entirely the maturity ofpolitical parties of the country that despitehaving different ideological and political pointof views all of us are unitedly making effortsto bring this great system.

This government has passed more than100 weeks in office and more than 100legislations have been passed which reallyshows the power of this House. All of us haveplayed a positive role in this regard and alldeserve kudos for this.


My beloved countrymen, on this auspiciousoccasion of our festival of freedom; I extendlots of greetings to the one hundred and

twenty five crores fellow nationals and also to entireIndian diaspora spread all over the world, from thisrampart of the Red Fort. This festival of our freedom,

this 70 years of our Independence, is the festival forour resolution to take the nation to new heights witha new resolve and a new fervour and new energy. Weare able to breathe in a free air as the result of thesacrifices, renunciation and penance of our millions ofgreat forefathers. We are also reminded of the youthswho kissed the gallows. We also remember MahatmaGandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehru and countless greatpersons, who fought ceaselessly for the freedom ofour nation. It is the result of their struggles that we arenow fortunate enough to breathe as a free citizen. Indiais a very ancient nation. We have a history of thousandsof years and our cultural heritage is also millennia old.Right from the Vedas to Vivekananda, from theUpanishads to the satellites, the Sudarshan ChakradhariMohan to Charkhadhari Mohan, from the Bhim of

India is not 70 years old but thisjourney is 70 years long : PM

Mahabharat to the Bhimrao; we have a long historicaljourney and heritage. Our land has seen many historicalups and downs and our generations have waged manystruggles and observed penance to bequeath greatvalues to the humanity. India’s age is not just seventyyears. But having won freedom after a period of

subjugation; we have made effortsto take the nation forward in thisjourney of seventy years. SardarVallabh Bhai Patel united thenation. Now, it is the responsibilityof all of us to make this nationbetter. We all have to workceaselessly for the realization ofthe dream of ‘ One India, greatIndia’. (Ek Bharat, ShreshthaBharat).

Brothers and Sisters, We havenot attained freedom for free ofcost. Innumerable were theatrocities, but undeterred were ourresolves also. Every Indian was asoldier in the battle for freedom.Each one of them dreamt of anindependent India. May be everyone of them was not fortunate

enough to sacrifice, may be each of them was notfortunate enough to go to prison; but every Indian hada resolve and the leadership of Mahatma ji and also theinspiration of countless revolutionaries who hadsacrificed every thing. All these movementscontributed to our attainment of Independence. But,now we have to convert this freedom into ‘the realfreedom’. Now, this is the resolve of the one hundredand twenty five crores of Indians. So, just as we didnot attain our freedom without sacrifices; we wouldnot be able to attain ‘ the real freedom’ withoutrenunciation, without human endeavour (Purusharth),without bravery, without dedication and discipline.So, in order to take ahead this resolution of one hundredand twenty five crore Indians; all of us will have tomove ahead with our specific responsibilities in a most

Excerpt of PM Shri Narendra Modi’s address to the Nation from the ramparts of theRed Fort on the 70th Independence Day:

On the 70th Independence Day


committed manner. Be it a Panchayat or the Parliament,be it a village headman or the Prime Minister; everyone of us as well as every democratic institution willhave to shoulder their responsibilities completely andperfectly. Only then we will be able to realize the dreamof our the real freedom as soon as possible.This iscorrect to say that our nation is beset with manyproblems now- a- days. But, we should never forgetthat if we have the problems, then we also have all thecapacities to solve them. So, if we move ahead with allour capabilities, we will find the ways and mean tosolve all these problems. So, brothers and Sisters, if wehave lakhs of problems, then we also have one hundredand twenty five crore brains also which are all capableto solve these problems.

Dear Brothers & Sisters, there was a time when

Government used to be surrounded by aspersions. Butnow time has changed. At present, no aspersions arebeing leveled on the Government. Rather, people havegreat expectations from it. When the Government isengulfed in expectations then it signifies hope andtrust, which in turn generates those expectations.Expectations give pace towards good governance,invigorates and so the pledges are implemented adcontinuum. My Brothers & Sisters, today when I amaddressing you from the rampart of the Red Fort, it is,therefore, but natural that we should discuss the journeyof good governance, the work done by the Governmentand work being done and should be done for thecountry. I can present before you a very detailedaccount of work done and also multiple issues regardingthe performance of the Government. During the tenureof two years, the Government has taken innumerableinitiatives and multiple tasks have been done. If I startgiving details about them, I am afraid I will have to talkabout it for a week from this very rampart of the RedFort. So instead of that temptation, I would like to draw

your attention towards the work culture of theGovernment. Sometimes, it is easier to present theaccount of work done. But, it is not easy for a commonman to comprehend, understand and identify the workculture without dwelling deep into the work culture.My Brothers & Sisters, My Countrymen, I would nottalk solely about the policy, but also the intention anddecisions of the Government.

Dear Brothers & Sisters, it is just not an issue ofdirection and outline, rather it is about holistic approachand a resolve for transformation. It is confluence oftrinity of expectation of people, democracy and supportof people. It is both wisdom and consent. It is alsopace and realisation of progress. Therefore, MyCountrymen, when I talk about the Good Governance,it does implies bringing in transformation in the life of

common man of my country.Good governance means thatthe government should besensitive, responsive anddedicated to the common man.Then only good governancegets the emphasis.Responsibility andaccountability should be at theroot of it and it should draw itsvital energy from there only forthe government to be sensitive,dear Brothers and Sisters. We

remember the days when there used to be a very longwait to go to any big hospital. People used to come toAIIMS, spend two three days and then only it wouldbe decided what diagnostic tests were to be done. Nowwe have been able to change this system. Registrationis done online and the doctor’s appointment is alsogiven online. The processes start on arrival of thepatient at the appointed hour itself. Not only this butall his medical records are also available online. Andwe wish to develop it as a countywide culture in thefield of medical treatment. Today this system has beenput in place in 40 big hospitals of the country. Its basicpremise is that the government has to be sensitive.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, the government shouldbe accountable. If it be not so then the problems of thecommon man are kept pending for solutions. How doesthe change come? Now technology is there, but therewas a time when the railway ticket in the railways,concerning the common man and the poor was availableonly two thousand tickets per minute. Those who mighthave seen it, would know how the buffering used to be

We remember the days when there used to be a very long waitto go to any big hospital. People used to come to AIIMS,spend two three days and then only it would be decided whatdiagnostic tests were to be done. Now we have been able tochange this system. Registration is done online and thedoctor’s appointment is also given online. The processes starton arrival of the patient at the appointed hour itself. Not onlythis but all his medical records are also available online. Andwe wish to develop it as a countywide culture.


there, nobody knew when the website would beoperational again, but today I have to say withsatisfaction that now it is possible to have fifteenthousand tickets per minute.The government shouldbe accountable, it should take steps according to thenecessities and expectations of the people. There is aclass across the country, particularly the middle class,higher middle class whom you see troubled more at thehands of the income tax officials rather than the policeat times. I have to change the situation and I am tryingand I will certainly change it.

There was a time when a common and honestcitizen used to give two rupees extra as a measure ofcaution at the time of paying his income tax. He usedto think that he might not be harassed, but once themoney was deposited to the government exchequer,he had to run from pillar to post andseek recommendations for getting therefund. It took months together beforethe rightful money of the citizen wasreturned to him from the governmentexchequer. Today, we have made asystem of issuing online refund.Today, refunds are given in one, twosay or three weeks. Those who arehearing me today on TV, they wouldalso be realising that they had notgiven any application, yet they hadgot refund directly into their account.So, this responsibility and accountability are the resultsof these efforts.

It is equally important to lay emphasis on thetransparency for good governance. You know that aglobal relationship has already started to become acommon thing in the society today. A middle class manwants to have his passport- there was a time whenabout 40 lakh, 50lakh applications were received forgetting passport. Today, approximately 2 crore peopleapply for the passport. Brothers and Sisters, earlier 4-6 months were taken for scrutiny of applications if onedid not have recommendations. We changed thatsituation and today, I can say with pride that passportsare issued to the citizens with all genuine details, inabout one or two weeks and there is transparency norecommendation is required and there is no dilly-dallying. Today, I can say, we have issued 1.75 crorespassports (in 2015-16 itself.)

In Surajya there must be efficiency in governanceand therefore, earlier, if a company had to set up afactory or desiring to do business in our country,

applications were submitted. There was a task ofregistration only, one wanted to do something for thecountry, but almost 6 months passed in normal course.Brothers and Sisters, if efficiency is brought, then thesame government, same rules, same officials have gotgeared up to perform the same task of companyregistration within 24 hours and they are virtually doingit. In the last July itself, they performed the task of morethan 900 such registrations.

Brothers and Sisters, good governance is alsonecessary for Surajya and the steps we have takentowards this good governance are that, as I had saidlast year from the Red Fort that we would exempt group‘C’ and group ‘D’ posts from interviews, they mightget job on the basis of merit. We have detected almost9,000 posts for which thousands and lakhs of people

need to be recruited. Now, there would not be anyinterview process for these 9,000 posts, my young menwould not need to spend any money for interviews.Recommendations would not be needed, roads forcorruption and agents will be shut and this work hasbeen implemented.

Brothers and Sisters, there was a time when acommon man got satisfied if the government announcedany plan or merely announced that this would be done,he used to think that something concrete would happennow. Then, a time came when people asked for the planunless the drawing of the plan came. Then, there wasa time when people asked for the budget. Today, themood of the country has changed in 70 years. It doesnot get satisfied with the announcement, it is notsatisfied by seeing the plan, if a budget provision ismade, it is not ready to accept this. It is accepted whenthings get implemented on ground and we cannot bringthings on ground with the old pace. We have to speedup our work, increase the pace further and then we cansay that we have done something.

I had said last year from the Red Fort that we would exemptgroup ‘C’ and group ‘D’ posts from interviews, they might

get job on the basis of merit. We have detected almost9,000 posts for which thousands and lakhs of people need

to be recruited. Now, there would not be any interviewprocess for these 9,000 posts, my young men would not

need to spend any money for interviews. Recommendationswould not be needed, roads for corruption and agents will

be shut and this work has been implemented.


Rural roads are a perpetual issue in our country.Each rural citizen craves for pakka roads. Its a hugetask. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji took this task specifically.Even succeding governments continued this and thework continued. We have made efforts to fast track it.Earlier 70-75 Km of rural roads were completed in a day.Now we have increased that pace up to 100KM a day.This pace will fulfil the aspirations of common man inthe days to come.

We have aid emphasis on energy, specificallyrenewable energy in our country. That was a time,when after so many years of independence, we startedworking on wind energy. Within a period of last oneyear we have increased it up to 40%. So this is the scaleof up acceleration. Whole world is focussing on Solarenergy. We have increased it approximately 116%-118%. This is not only a substantial incremental change,it’s a huge leap forward. We intend to enhance the

things in quantum way.In our country, even before forming of our

government, we had the power production. But toreach the power, you need transmission lines and thegood transmission infrastructure. Two years precedingthe formation of our government, 30-35 thousandkilometres of transmission lines were being laidannually. Today I wish to submit this with satisfactionthat we have raised this to 50,000 Kilometres. So wehave increased the pace here. If we take thecommissioning of railway lines in previous 10 years,where commissioning means capacity to ply the trainsand to finish all the trials, so earlier it was at the rateof 1500 kilometre in 10 years . But we have made it upto 3500 kilometre in last 2 years. We are to increase thispace even further.

Brothers and Sisters, Now we are connectinggovernment schemes to Aadhaar Card, focussing on

stopping the leakages through direct benefit transfer.Previous government had connected four crore peopleto government schemes via Aadhaar Card. Today I cansay this with satisfaction that in place of that work offour crore, we have completed the task of connecting70 crore people to government schemes via Aadhaarcard. The remaining will also be taken into the fold.

Today, for middle class or for common people theownership of a car is a matter of pride. There was a timewhen gas stove at home was deemed as a standard andas a symbol of social status. During the last 60 yearsof independence, 14 crore LPG gas connections weregiven. Brothers and Sisters, it is a great satisfaction tome that on one side, 14 crore gas connections weregiven in 60 years, while on the other side, we havegiven 4 crore gas connections in just 60 weeks. Pleasecompare the two figures - 14 crore in 60 years and 4crore in 60 weeks. This is the speed, by which a change

has become possible in the quality oflife of common men. We have alsostarted the task of eradicatingobsolete laws. The burden ofunnecessary laws has been creatinghindrance in the functioning of thegovernment, the judiciary and thepublic. We have identified 1700 suchlaws, out of which 1175 laws havealready been repealed by theParliament and several other suchlaws are in the process of repealing.

Brothers and Sisters, it hadbecome a tendency among the people

to say that certain work can be done and certain otherwork cannot be done, certain work cannot be donenow and certain work cannot be done ever. A kind ofnegativity was prevalent in the minds of people. Now,a clear break through is visible in the mindset, a newsynergy is seen in the functioning of the government.When an accomplishment is achieved, it stimulatesdynamism, which sharpens our determination and then,the end result is not far away.

Brothers and Sisters, when we had launched “PrimeMinister Jan-Dhan Yojana”, it was almost an impossibletask. There were banks and the governments,nationalisation had already taken place, but the commonman of the country was not able to be a part of themainstream of national economy.

Brothers and Sisters, we have attained thisimpossible task through inclusion of 21 crore personsunder “Jan-Dhan Yojana”. This is not a matter of taking

There was a time when gas stove at home was deemed as astandard and as a symbol of social status. During the last60 years of independence, 14 crore LPG gas connectionswere given. Brothers and Sisters, it is a great satisfaction tome that on one side, 14 crore gas connections were givenin 60 years, while on the other side, we have given 4 croregas connections in just 60 weeks. Please compare the twofigures - 14 crore in 60 years and 4 crore in 60 weeks. Thisis the speed, by which a change has become possible inthe quality of life of common men.


credit by the Government, it is really an achievementof 125 crore countrymen of the country, for which Isalute them. The campaign for women pride in villagesof the country is an important issue of today. Thepractice of open defecation should be stopped; toiletsshould be built in villages. When I had got the firstopportunity to address from the ramparts of the RedFort, I had expressed my feelings about it. Now, I canclaim that more than 2 crore toilets have already beenbuilt in villages of the country within such a shortperiod. More than 70 thousand villages are now freefrom the practice of open defecation. We are workingtowards bringing change in the lives of common man.

I had earlier announced from the ramparts of theRed Fort that we would electrify those 18 thousandvillages, which are still without electricity.We are goingto complete 70 years of independence, but they hadnot seen electricity. They wereforced to live in the 18thcentury. We undertook thistask of making possible theimpossible and today I am gladto say that, though we havenot been able to completeeven half the task within athousand days, we are stillaway from the half-mark, outof the 18 thousand, electricityhas reached ten thousandvillages. I have been told thatthere are many among those villages who are watchingIndependence Day celebrations for the first time todayon television in their homes. Today, from here I extendspecial greetings to those villages.

Brothers and Sisters, you will be surprised to knowthat at merely three hours journey from Delhi, there isa village called Nagla Fatela in Hathras region. It takesonly three hours to reach this Nagla Fatela. But it took70 years for electricity to reach there. 70 years, mybrothers and Sisters! And therefore, I am introducingyou to the work culture that we are following.

Brothers and Sisters, the LED bulbs weredeveloped by the science and the researchers forwelfare of every citizen. But in India it used to cost 350Rupees. Who would buy it? And even the governmentwould think, “It’s alright. The work is done. Someonemust be using it.” But this should not be the attitude.If LED bulbs can bring about a change in the life of acommon man, if it can ameliorate the environment, if itcan improve India’s economy, then the government

must make efforts in this direction. It is the nature ofthe government that it intervenes where it is notrequired and shies away from intervening where it isneeded. We tried to change this situation, this workculture. And therefore, the bulb which used to be soldat 350 Rupees, it is now being sold at 50 Rupees becauseof governmental intervention. See the difference! 350Rupees on one hand and 50 Rupees on the other. I donot want to ask where all this money used to go,however, thirteen crore bulbs have been distributed tilldate.

The politics of our country has become populist;the economic policies have become populist. If threehundred Rupees subsidy for each bulb had been givenfrom public exchequer, the Prime Minister would havebeen applauded for doling out five hundred crore tothe people. But we have ensured that they save

thousands of crores by providing bulbs at only fiftyRupees. We have already distributed thirteen crorebulbs and we have resolved to distribute 77 crores andI would like to appeal to my countrymen to use LEDbulbs in their homes and save 200, 300, 500 Rupees ina year and save energy and save our environment. Theday we achieve the target of 77 crore bulbs, we wouldbe saving 20 thousand Mega Watt of electricity. Whenwe save 20000 Megawatt electricity, it means we savearound 125000 crores rupees. Brothers and Sisters,you can save 125000 crore rupees of the country byusing a LED bulb at your home. We can fight againstglobal warming by saving 20000 Megawatt electricityand contribute a lot towards the efforts aimed at theprotection of environment and a common man can alsocontribute to it. So, brothers and Sisters, we haveworked in that direction-making the impossiblepossible.

You know that we depend on other countries ofthe world for energy and petroleum products and for

We have already distributed thirteen crore bulbs and we haveresolved to distribute 77 crores and I would like to appeal to mycountrymen to use LED bulbs in their homes and save 200, 300,

500 Rupees in a year and save energy and save ourenvironment. The day we achieve the target of 77 crore bulbs, we

would be saving 20 thousand Mega Watt of electricity. When wesave 20000 Megawatt electricity, it means we save around 125000

crores rupees. Brothers and Sisters, you can save 125000 crorerupees of the country by using a LED bulb at your home.


that we have signed long term agreements with themso that we could get these products at fixed prices fora long period. We have entered into an agreement withQatar for buying gas till 2024 but the prices are so highthat it is costly for our economy. It was a result of ourforeign policy relationship that we were able torenegotiate with Qatar, and the agreement which wasthe right of Qatar, and we were bound to buy gas fromit till 2024, we negotiated with them and today, I cansay with satisfaction that we made an impossible taskpossible, they renegotiated their prices and it will save2000 crore rupees of the exchequer of India. They wereentitled to get these 20000 crore rupees but the natureof relationship that we have with them and our policieshave made it possible. The negotiations have beengoing on during the tenure of all the Governments andefforts were also made for Chabahar Port, which is animportant link for connecting us with Central Asia, buttoday I feel satisfied to see an impossible task becomingpossible. When Iran, Afghanistan and Indiacollectively march ahead in a planned way for theconstruction of Chabahar Port, an impossible taskbecomes possible.

My brothers and Sisters, one thing, I want to talkabout and which concerns the common man is inflation.It is true that the inflation rate had crossed 10% markduring the tenure of previous government. Due to oursustained efforts we were able to keep it below 6 percent.Not only this, we have, recently, made an agreementwith the Reserve Bank of India that the RBI shouldtake steps to control the inflation at the level of 4percent with allowance of plus minus 2. We shouldleave behind the talks of balance between inflation andgrowth and work for moving ahead. But the countrywitnessed drought during last two years and the effectof drought are readily seen on the prices of vegetablesand the outcomes of sluggishness of market haveresulted in some problems.

The decline in the production of pulses due todrought during last two years was also a cause ofconcern. But, Brothers and Sisters, if the inflation wouldhave increased at the same pace as it had previouslyincreased, I don’t know how the poor of my countrywould have survived? We have tried our best to keepit under check, but still people have lot of expectationsfrom this government and dear countrymen yourexpectations are natural and I will not leave no stoneunturned in achieving them. Whatever best I can do,I shall do that and keep the price of poor man’s mealunder check.

My dear Brothers and Sisters, country isgoing to celebrate the 350th anniversary ofGuru Gobind Singhji. How can the countryforget the saga of sacrifice which has beenthe tradition of Sikh Gurus? Today, whenwe are celebrating the 350th anniversary ofGuru Gobind Singhji, I recall one bestthought expressed by Guruji. Guru GobindSinghji use to say, how can I considerthose hands pure which have not done anyservice, hands which have not strengthenedby labour and have not developed anyblisters by toiling hard? Guru GobindSinghji use to say this. Today, when we arecelebrating the 350th anniversary of GuruGobind Singhji I remember our farmers.Whose hands are more pure than theirs?Whose hearts are more pious than their?Whose intentions can be more pure thantheirs? I thanks our farmers that despitetwo years of drought, they consistentlyendeavored to fill our granaries, I greetthem for this. Drought situation haschanged and this time we are witnessinggood monsoon.

Heavy rains have also created problems at someplaces. Government of India stood with those statesand citizen who suffered due to heavy rains. Today, Ispecially want to thank our farmers, because, when weare facing shortage of pulses and our farmers haveshifted to other crops, and rise in demand of pulses bycommon man, I have to say this with content that thistime our farmers have increased the sowing by one andhalf times.

I want to thank our farmers because they havecome forward to solve the problem of the crisis ofpulses and find its solution. We have decided the MSPfor pulses and declared a bonus on it. We havestreamlined the process of purchase of pulses andpromoting the farmers for cultivation of pulses. Thiswill benefit us in a big way.

Brothers and Sisters, when I was talking aboutwork culture, one thing was clear that I do not look atthe issues in isolation but as a whole. Let us see it asintegrated and just take agriculture under integrated


things, we have developed such work culture with lotof hard work, the complete chain of which can producea great result.

First of all we focussed upon- the wellness of thissoil, wellness of this land, soil health card, macro-nutrition, concern for micro-nutrition and made thefarmers understand that this is lacuna in your soil, theseare the good qualities, your soil is good for this crop,this is not suitable for this crop and gradually the farmersstarted their planning according to this soil health card.The people, who have planned, tell me, sir ourexpenditure has been reduced up to 25 percent and 30percent increase is being visible our production. Thisnumber is less at present, but in future as soon as thismay pass on, this concept will gain momentum. Thefarmers have land and if they get water, then the farmerof my country has the power to produce gold out of thesoil.

The farmer of my country has this power and thatis why we have emphasized upon water-management,emphasized upon water-irrigation, emphasized uponwater-conservation. We are emphasizing upon howevery drop of water may be utilised by the farmer, howto increase the importance of water, and get per dropmore crop, micro irrigation. More than 90 percentirrigation projects were lying incomplete and stalled. Wehave taken up the responsibility to complete thoseprojects first of all and will work in the direction that lakhof hectares of land may get the benefit of irrigation. Wehave taken a big leap towards solar pump so that theinput cost of the farmers may be lessened becausenowadays the farmers require electricity also, they requirewater, they need electricity, and electricity costs dearer.On account of it, the input cost of the farmer is goingto be less, the recurring expenditure is going to be lessand due to owning solar pump at home will result inowning electricity, owning the sun, owning the field,owing the barn and thus our farmer would be happy. Wehave succeeded in distributing 77 thousands solar pumpstill now.

Brothers and Sisters, I would like to congratulatethe scientists of our country. Good quality seeds arealso required along with soil, water and solar pumps.The scientists of our country have developed morethan 131 new farmable seeds compatible to the climateand nature of India, which have the capacity toenhance our per hectare production. The values theyretain are also being increased. I heartily congratulatethese scientists also. The farmers require urea as wellas fertilisers. There was time when black marketing

was in practice to get the fertilisers, there was timewhen the police had to lathi-charge for fertilisers.There was time when the farmer used to watch hiscrop being damaged in the absence of fertilisers beforehis very eyes. Brothers and Sisters, the lack offertilisers has become a matter of past, it has becomehistory now. Today, we have succeeded in utmostproduction of fertiliser by overcoming the shortageof the fertiliser.

Brothers and Sisters, because of thisproduction, the fertilizers are now availableto the farmers in time as per their needs.Similarly, We conceptualized “PradhanMantri Fasal Bima Yojana”. It’s insurancecover includes maximum protection tofarmer’s land and his agro-produce at acomparatively much lower premium, andthat too with a guaranteed cover. We haveconstructed new warehouses to preserve 15lakhs tons of food grains. Our country’sfarmers will benefit only when we movetowards value addition, and for this Wehave laid special emphasis on foodprocessing for the first time. We haveencouraged cent percent Foreign DirectInvestment which would augment agro-based industries, and Consequentially, mybrothers and Sisters, I believe it would helpme and our farmers realize our dream ofdoubling latter’s income by 2022. Theseefforts would make it possible and forrealizing the same, We have taken stepsone after another.

Brothers and Sisters, Our country has a fancy fora trend. And the Governments, with an aim to leave animpression, have done a lot, and to fill the bill in thiscountry, People go for some populist things and emptythe exchequer. Governments have a trend ofestablishing an identity. Brothers and Sisters, I havetried my best to stay away from this allurement, andWhile doing so, I have tried to do several things inevery range with the mantra of Total transformation,Transformation with transparency, Reform, Perform andTransform.

To be continued....


Panaji, Goa

The string of state assembly elections in2017 are critical for the BJP’s plans of

winning the 2019 general elections, BJPNational President Shri Amit Shah said on 20August, 2016. “Winning the 2017 assemblyelections in Goa, Uttar Pradesh, HimachalPradesh, Manipur, and Punjab is criticalbecause it will lay the foundation for the 2019general elections which the BJP has to win toensure that India becomes the top nation inthe world,” Shri Shah said while speaking ata party workers convention at the ShyamaPrasada Mookerjee indoor stadium near Panajiin Goa.

We have to ensure that we win theassembly elections in Goa and other states in2017 so that no one can stop Modi ji fromcoming to power in 2019, Shri Shah said whileformally launching the party’s poll campaignfor the forthcoming state legislative assemblyelections likely in 2017.

He later held a meeting with the party’sstate office bearers, ministers in the Goagovernment as well as legislators over dinnerat a restaurant in the state capital, where theparty’s poll strategy for the coastal state wasalso discussed.

Senior BJP leaders including Union DefenceMinister Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief MinisterShri Laxmikant Parsekar, state cabinet ministers,state BJP President Shri Vinay Tendulkaramong other functionaries were present at theevent.

BJP President's Pravas :

Winning 2017 state polls will layfoundation for 2019 win : Amit Shah

Addressing hundreds of party workersand leaders at a function in Gandhinagar inGujarat on 19 September, 2016 BJP NationalPresident Shri Amit Shah set the tone for the2017 Gujarat Assembly elections and claimedthat the BJP would win two-thirds majority.The win in the 2017 Assembly elections wouldlay the foundation for the party’s victory atthe Centre in 2019, he added.

The function was organised to felicitatenewly appointed state BJP president Shri JituVaghani, Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani andDeputy CM Shri Nitin Patel. Hitting out atthe Congress, Shri Shah said during Congressgovernments, curfew used to prevail for 150out of 300 days. Whereas the people of Gujarathave not seen curfew for the last 14 year.Communal riots used to happen, people usedto be victims of stabbings, police firing (duringCongress rule). Today, no one can dare totrigger riots here. Beginning by urgingworkers to chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, he said,“The people at the Congress office in Delhiare day-dreaming about coming to power inGujarat. Looking at the work done by theNDA government at the Centre, the BJP willcontinue batting even after five years.” Headded the Congress is losing everywhere.BJP will form the government in Gujarat in2017 with two-third majority, he said.

Gandhinagar, GujaratBJP will form the government in

Gujarat in 2017 with two-third majority


Over the last 70 yearsof India’sindependence, the

definition of freedom hasconstantly evolved for ourcountry. From makingourselves free from the“British Raj” to a moreeconomic liberated India, wehave continuously made aheadway in the journey ofprogress and growth. Thecountry has worked in theareas of privatisation, self-sustainability and globalisationthroughout these years. Andin the last two years ofgovernance, India’s role on aninternational level hasdramatically transformed intoa global economic power vyingfor a seat at its highest table.

This accelerated economicgrowth has increased thedemand for skilled workersthat has highlighted theshortage of skilled workforcein the country. With achallenge of this scale, alsowhat comes to us now, is theopportunity to create a newfree India where acquiringprofessional skills will giveyou the liberty and freedomto choose a life and respectthat one has always aspiredfor.

The time has come whereIndia has to now fight andbring about the silentrevolution through its focuson skill development. Whilethe demographic effect will

Liberating a new India through skill developmentBy Rajiv Pratap Rudy

increase or lower grossdomestic product (GDP) bybarely one percentage pointin 2035, GDP levels canincrease by about 3percentage points in 2035 ifIndia improves significantlyon skill training. Skilldevelopment is fundamentalfor improving productivity.And productivity leads toimproved living standardsand growth. When we talkabout improving livingstandards it reflects onmaximizing opportunities forpro-poor employmentgrowth, enablingenvironment for sustainableenterprise development, anopen social dialogue wherethere is respect for all andplanned investments in basiceducation, health and physicalinfrastructure.

Vocational education andtraining (VET) initiatives,both in the public and privatespace, have become morefocused and outcome-driven,aligned to the needs ofindustry and linked to jobsand employability. Capacitybuilding and qualitystandards have startedreceiving greater attention.Industry has also been givena bigger role in shaping theskills story through itsinvolvement not just withcurriculum development andsetting of standards but alsoin the assessment and

certification processes.Moreover, measures havebeen taken to increasefinancial accessibility to skill-training initiatives.

The current target of skilldevelopment program inIndia in itself is quite anambitious number. In 2015-16,we trained 1.04 crore youthin the country which was 37per cent more than what wasachieved in the previous year.The comprehensive reforms inthe Apprentice Act can be agame changer in itself and asit can be one most successfulskill development scheme.Also the overhaul in the ITIecosystem which was notcapitalised on till now, willextend opportunities for allin multiple trades wherehuman resource is requiredin the country. But the realanalysis or breakup of thisnumber lies in the exercisewhere we do a district-levelmapping — if you take adistrict, what are the kind ofskills required? You will findthere are so many jobs we areyet to include in our skillprogram. Similarly, take anewer areas such as waterenergy, waste managementetc. As the economy grow,you will see new kinds of jobsevolving. So there is enoughdemand and there are meansto meet the demand – the onlything we need is to ensurethe supply is aligned to the


demand. The problem is notas simple as it seems – it hasits own complexities anddynamics and it is imperativethat we make collective effortto address these incrementalhuman resource requirementsright at the local level.

On the other hand thereare variety of reasons for theyouth’s inability to fill jobsthat are made available tothem, ranging fromgeographical mobility to lowwages which may not helpthem meet their ends. Overall,it’s a huge task.

But we as citizens of anation which is building ahuge brand for itself in theglobal market with ourinitiatives like Make in Indiaand Digital India, we have tobe cognizant of the fact thatthere is no other way than toskill, re-skill and up-skillourselves and keep ourselvesabreast with the latest aroundthe globe. Weather is a skillset that increases productivityof a farmer with the help oftechnological means or byfollowing the latest inmechatronics and roboticsand being the hub forinnovation in the world.

A young mind has to notonly dream of success buthas to work for it. The youthof our country has to worktowards this intellectualfreedom and skills can be histool to success then. All thatwe have to think after thisis:

I can, I will. (The writer is MoS(I/C) for

Ministry of Skill Development)

The lost Saraswati river was brought back to life onAugust 6 when the Haryana government pumpedwater into its deemed route. As per reports, 100 cusecs

of water was pumped into a dug-up channel from tubewellsat Uncha Chandna village in Yamunanagar.

Officials are expecting the water to fill the channel uptilKurukshetra, some 40 kilometres away. The pumping ofwater into the dug-up channel was part of the Haryanagovernment’s plans to revive the lost river. The SaraswatiHeritage Development Board (SHDB) had conducted a trialrun on July 30.

The Indian Express quoted Anil Kumar Gupta, Engineer-in-Chief, Haryana Irrigation Department, as saying, “We havereleased water into the river at Uncha Chandna on Thursday.Initially, 100 cusecs of water has been released. It is likely togo up to Kurukshetra. It is yet to be seen how much furtherthe water goes. Once we see that there are no obstructions inthe flow of water then another 100 cusecs will be released.This could be done in another fortnight.”

There are plans to build three dams on the river route tokeep it flowing perennially. The state government claimed tohave found the lost river when water was detected duringdigging of the dry river bed at Yamunanagar.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was quotedas saying recently, “We have never claimed that Saraswati isflowing over the ground. Saraswati’s undercurrents arepresent till date. But where are the currents and how deepthis cannot be calculated today. As per the revenue records,around 150 km stretch of land is such where Saraswati usedto flow.”

Lost Saraswati riverbrought back to life


A third category ofpeople who have inthe last fortnight

barked at Syama PrasadMookerjee’s legacy andspread a Goebbelesianpropaganda against him arethe communist apologists forthe Muslim League, admirersof Jinnah, supporters ofseparatism and those ‘anti-nationals’ who are nowpassing themselves off as‘secular nationalists’ but are inessence pseudo-nationalistswhose only obsession is to seeIndia fragment. Describing thethen Communist Party’s role,Mookerjee had once noted inhis diary, “The CommunistParty which all along hadplayed a shameless role inattacking the foundation ofIndian nationalism”, onewonders whether the situationhas altered today.

In fact, as early as 1944,Veer Savarkar had referred to‘pseudo-nationalism’ and hadpointed out how some, bygiving lip service tonationalism and passingthemselves off as nationalists,are in fact, assiduouslyworking to wreck apart thenational fabric. The ‘pseudo-nationalists’ abound today andare vocal through theirpseudo-espousals. One hearsthem shout loudest for

Articulating the past historyBy Anirban Ganguly

A third category of people who have spread a Goebbelesian propaganda againstMookerjee’s legacy are the communist apologists. For them, his legacy is troublesome. Theyhave, therefore, tried to marginalise any genuine nationalist who has challenged their world

tolerance, for equal treatment,for the right of every part tosecede from India, for the rightof self-determination ofnationalities within the Indian‘subcontinent’, for the right toreject the Constitution and tofan the flames of separatism,for the right of terrorists tosurvive and carry on theirtrade and all these in the nameof democracy, freedom ofexpression and human rights.

These pseudo-nationalisthave new tune today whichargues that they alone are theinheritors of the ‘anti-colonialist nationalist’ legacy.

A laughable assertion, if onewas to take into account theircollaborationist past.

For the apologists ofseparatism and ‘Bharat kebarbadi’, Mookerjee’s legacyis troublesome, it remindsthem of the strength andresilience of genuinenationalism and nationalists,it reminds them of thedetermination that suchnationalism gives rise to inone who is driven andinspired by it. The genuinenationalists’ have faith in theintegrity of India, the genuinenationalists’ belief in thefundamental oneness withinIndia’s many diversities is anunsettling belief for thepseudo-nationalists who havealways believed in the theoryof many nationalities withinIndia and espoused theeventual separation of theseleading to India becoming acongeries of nations. Theseelements have, therefore,ceaselessly tried to minimiseand marginalise anypersonality or genuinenationalist who haschallenged their world eitherin the past or in the present.

Their favourite, false andnow much clichéd accusationagainst Mookerjee is that hecollaborated with the British.Again a study of the plethora

Describing the thenCommunist Party’s role,

Mookerjee had once noted inhis diary, “The CommunistParty which all along had

played a shameless role inattacking the foundation of

Indian nationalism”, onewonders whether the situationhas altered today. In fact, asearly as 1944, Veer Savarkar

had referred to ‘pseudo-nationalism’ and had pointedout how some, by giving lipservice to nationalism andpassing themselves off as

nationalists, are in fact,assiduously working to wreck

apart the national fabric.


of papers, booklets, statementand correspondences thatexist at the Nehru MemorialMuseum & Library in Delhirepeatedly puncture a holeand deflate such propaganda.

In fact it is again amusingto hear this from those veryscholars whose ideologicalprogenitors themselvescollaborated with the Britishto sabotage the saboteurs ofBritish rule during the QuitIndia movement. Stacks, if notmounds of files, still exist thattell the entire story of howthe communists ‘sabotaged’the ‘anti-saboteurs’ of the QuitIndia movement and soughtaccolades and protection fromtheir white masters.

The other churlishaccusation against Mookerjeeis that he did precious littleduring the great Bengalfamine. Again the documentsbelie such a claim, Mookerjee’sown diaries, debates in theAssembly of that period,records of famine relief workreveal the herculean effort hehad made to mitigate theepochal disaster. There hasbeen little reference to orstudy of his interventionsduring this period, thoughMadhushree Mukherjee in heropus, Churchill’s Secret War,has for example, brieflytouched upon his role andChatterjee in his politicalbiography of Mookerjee hasaddressed his role in greatacademic detail. But the reasonwhy Mookerjee’s role ofproviding relief during thegreat famine is suppressed ormisinterpreted is perhaps

because it militates against astereotype — how could aHindu Mahasabha leader beone of the principal mover forfamine relief during a faminewhich saw the Muslimpeasantry being severelyaffected. Mookerjee’s roleduring the Bengal famine didnot fit into the stereotype thatsome would like us to believeand absorb.

Not only active relief,defying DI rules thatprevented publicising thefamine and disseminating theplight of the people of Bengalacross the country, Mookerjeewrote a series of articles onthe famine situation exposingthe callousness andindifference of the LeagueMinistry and the colonialadministration. “We have noconfidence”, he stated in theAssembly, “in the ability,integrity and honesty of thisMinistry. It is not nature’shand alone that is dealingBengal a death blow. Politicalmaladministration lies at theroot of the presentcatastrophe.” It was mainlybecause of Mookerjee that“the whole country learnt ofthe horrors of the ghastlytragedy of the Bengal famine”and it was again because ofhim that the “Governmentwas forced to appoint anenquiry committee to go intothe causes of the famine andtake other remedial steps.”

Mookerjee’s appeal for thefamine relief funds saw an‘unimaginable’ country-wideresponse and large number oforganisations joined the Relief

Coordination Committee thatMookerjee formed. Thecommunists of course keptthemselves away from theRelief CoordinationCommittee, preferring todownplay the disaster and yetprovide a semblance of theirparticipation in relief work.While the communists stayedaloof, the Muslim League andits Khaksar organisationcontinued with their nefariousdesigns by exploiting thesituation and sending affectedHindus, especially womenand children, to some of thesham relief centres they hadput up outside Bengal “witha view to ultimately convertthem to Islam” and exploittheir helpless plight. Evenhere, Mookerjee intervened,directly met the Khaksarleaders, asked them to desistfrom such trafficking and tohand over Hindus to reliefcamps run by the Mahasabha,the Bharat Sevashram Sanghaand the Ramakrishna Mission.

He upped the pressure onthe Government on this frontand during the crisis, hesucceeded in generatingsufficient pressure to stop thistrade. These inhumandimensions of the famine willnever be discussed as itexposes and proves hollowthe specious arguments putforward by the apologists ofthe Muslim Leagues.

(This article is the third in afour part series on SP

Mookerjee. The author isDirector of the Dr Syama

Prasad Mookerjee ResearchFoundation, New Delhi)


BSNL subscribers will be able to make free unlimitedcalls on any mobile or landline number in the country

on Sundays from August 21.“Unlimited free calling from BSNL landline to any

network’s mobile and landline on all Sundays on panIndia basis w.e.f. 15th August, 2016,” telecom ministerShri Manoj Sinha said in his tweet on August 13.

According to official sources, details of the unlimitedfree calling plan will be released on August 15.

BSNL commands around 57% market share with 14.35million customers.

At present, it offers unlimited night calling on anynetwork in the country between 9 pm to 7 am as complimentary service for all its customers.

BSNL landline connection plan starts at a monthly rental of Rs 120 per month whichincludes 120 free minutes of call within BSNL network during a month.

Private operator Airtel offers free unlimited calling from landline to any network in thecountry throughout the day at extra monthly fee of about Rs 100 per month.(PTI)

Forex reserve atrecord high of $365.82 billion

Country's forex exchange reserves surgedby $73.2 million to touch a life-time high of

$365.82 billion in the week to August 12, 2016helped by increase in foreign currency assets, theReserve Bank said on 19 August, 2016. In theprevious week, the reserves had increased by$253.6 million to touch $365.75 billion.

Foreign currency assets (FCAs), a majorcomponent of the overall reserves increased by$81.6 million to $340.36 billion.

FCAs, expressed in dollar terms, include theeffect of appreciation/depreciation of non-UScurrencies such as euro, pound and yen held in thereserves. Gold reserves remain unchanged at$21.58 billion. The country's special drawing rightswith International Monetary Fund declined by$3.2 million to $1.49 billion, while the reserveposition was down by $5.2 million to $2.39 billion,RBI said.

Now, unlimited free calls from BSNLlandline on Sundays from August 21

GST Bill passedunanimously in Lok SabhaThe amendments to the Goods and

Services Tax bill were cleared by theLok Sabha unanimously on August 8. Theearlier bill which was passed in 2015 inLok Sabha was finally passed in Rajya Sabhain the first week of August months afterOpposition parties led by Congressdemanded certain changes in the bill.

Ahead of the current Monsoonsession, BJP approached the Oppositionparties to ask for their cooperation inpassing the bill in the Upper House. Itwas then passed with a full majority. Intotal, nine changes were made to the billand it was passed in Rajya Sabha, on August4. After clearance of Lok Sabha Two SatesAssam and Bihar have also passed in theirlegislative assembly. GST needs clearanceof 50%(i.e 15 States) of States.

contents in 2017 gujrat assembly election on the basis of politics of development & hard work of...

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