Let’s not lose the country over election gimmicks
The noose of Rafale is tightening around the neck of Prime Minister Modi. The deal now needs to be seriously investigated. In such case, either the deal would be cancelled or Modi will have to face the investigation himself. Modi govt has been reiterating that Rafale is a deal between two governments. But the deal does not have the assurance of French government.
Now if two private organisations arrived at an agreement, how can this be termed a government deal? One does not know how Modi signed this agreement in a hurry. Not just Rafale, our country’s economy has also gone into doldrums with this. Inflation has gone beyond control. The fight between Reserve Bank and Finance ministry is out in the open. RSS has made an entry into the whole deal to save the government by creating communal unrest like those 1992 days.
This organization has laid down a condition before the Supreme Court to ensure the emotions of Hindus should be respected and the court should rule in favour of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Sangh Parivar is in direct clash with the judiciary and has almost challenged the pillar of democracy to issue an order to build the Mandir at the earliest. But the issue in discussion is not merely that of constructing a Mandir.
Sangh Parivar razed a masjid that existed since 400 years and wants to build a mandir in the very place. How can this issue of land dispute be decided at the behest of such pressure? Amidst this, Yogi Adityanath’s government has decided to ban sale of liquor and meat around Ayodhya and Mathura. The government changed the names of cities Faizabad and Allahabad, and now this ban proposal are indications that they want to instigate people.
RSS has made intricate plans to create a strong base for BJP in south India. In the Sangh Parivar baitak that was held in Mangalore recently, the party has decided to extend its operations to four states including Kerala. Just as Ayodhya helped the party gain stronghold, Sabarimala issue of SC allowing women may serve as a stepping stone for the party. The party is instigating people against the SC order. BJP has decided to organize Guruswamis against the SC order, just the way they did in Ayodhya case.
Amit Shah had participated in the secret meeting held in Mangalore. Ayyappa devotees are spread in Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana and TN too. Hence the decision has been taken to organize them. Hence Cong and BJP staged a walk out from the all party meeting called by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Plans are afoot to use Ayodhya and Sabarimala during 2019 Lok Sabha elections and ensure hindu vote bank comes into existence.
This is BJP’s strategy. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has said though the government has failed in financial and economical front, the party will soon return to power through the route of religion by provoking people.
Modi government came to power negating the achievements of Cong rule for seven decades. Now they are back at criticizing Nehru to seek votes. All the fruits that the country is enjoying today is not something left behind by the British, but by the foresightedness of our leaders. Bhakra Nangal dam, Prominent universities in the country, Science institutes, Food products, Strong economy, Solid armed forces all this were not left behind by the British. There is a world of difference between the early independent India and now. Since most of the time Congress ruled the country, the whole credit goes to that party.
Land reforms act, Nationalization of banks and other pro-people steps were initiated by Indira Gandhi’s time. Green revolution and increase in food production too happened during the time of Indira Gandhi. Farmers and commoners got access to banks during the time of Congress rule. Cong government won two wars against Pakistan and divided Bangladesh. Whatever Modi is boasting of, as their achievement, happened during the Cong rule.
What good did Modi do to India in the last four years? He tries to project Demonetisation as his achievement. What did it accomplish? He is unable to explain that. Common people lost their support systems through demonetization. Corporates looted the country. Bofors was investigated during Congress rule. But why is Rafale not even being taken up for investigation? In the last four years, the country has been lagging behind in issues relating to economy. Does Modi expect people to contribute for Patel and Shivaji statues? Name changing is his achievement? What is Modi’s contribution in reaching health, education and food to common people?
RTI bill was passed when Cong was in power enabling the common people to hold government accountable. The very law unearthed Cong corruption. Why is the Modi govt hell bent upon weakening this act? His party wants to win another election in the name of religion, provoking people to vote for Ram Mandir. Development and violence cannot go hand in hand. This would force the country back by more than a decade. Country’s economy and future may well be lost if this happens. In this context, the upcoming elections is of crucial importance.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Junior Hockey World Cup: IndiGo crisis disrupts travel plans of players' families, fans
Chennai (PTI): For Kate, the dream was simple -- to watch her son Fahy Noah play for the Australian team in the Junior Hockey World Cup here and visit the Taj Mahal.
But her plans, like those of many others, have been upended by the operational crisis that has hit IndiGo, India's largest domestic airline.
"I am here for the first time and India is so kind and welcoming. We were hoping to see the Taj Mahal, but with the IndiGo problems, we are a bit scared now," Kate, who has come from Brisbane, told PTI outside the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium here.
"One family went on a rest day and got stuck overnight. I think we will have to cancel all our travel plans now, though seeing the Taj Mahal was on my bucket list for long," she said.
ALSO READ: IndiGo fight disruptions: Opposition demands statement from government
This is the first time that 24 teams are participating in the Junior Hockey World Cup, being held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. For most players and their families, it is their maiden trip to India. Many NRIs have also flown in to support the Indian team.
However, the widespread flight delays and cancellations have thrown schedules into chaos. IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights last week, citing regulatory changes in the pilots' flight duty and regulations norms. This resulted in lakhs of passengers getting stuck at airports across the country.
Laura, who has come from Belgium with her entire family to support her son, said they are now travelling by road.
"We are happy to be here in this beautiful country. We went to Munnar and Madurai, and now we are planning to go to Puducherry and Mahabalipuram by road," she said.
"We had taken IndiGo flights earlier, but some other families who travelled on different days got stuck and somehow managed to come back by train. So we are not flying anywhere in India now. Road travel only and then back to Brussels next week," she said.
For 87-year-old Kenyan hockey legend Avtar Singh Sohal, a four-time Olympian and a lifelong supporter of Indian hockey, the crisis was particularly distressing. He spent 12 gruelling hours at the Chandigarh airport on December 4 before finally reaching Chennai just in time for the quarterfinals.
"Our IndiGo flight was delayed by 12 hours. We were at the airport from 7 am to 7 pm. They kept giving excuses -- the aircraft has not arrived, the pilot is not available. We had no idea what was actually happening," he said.
Accompanying Sohal was 85-year-old Tarlok Singh Mandair, a former treasurer of the English Hockey Association, who had flown in from London.
"It was a horrible experience. They kept changing the timings from 12 noon to 4 pm and we finally took off at 7:20 pm. They gave us sandwiches which were not even good," Mandair recalled.
"Our return flight is also on IndiGo, but now we are exploring other options," he said.
Jujhar Singh Plaha, 86, from London, who was on the same flight, said his excitement has turned into anxiety.
"We were so excited about this trip; hockey is our first love. But this (IndiGo crisis) spoiled our mood. Now we are worried about returning because at our age, we cannot travel long distances by train or road," he said.
Jason, the father of Australian player Roger Lachlan, has had an eventful trip to India so far -- beginning with the rain in Chennai triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.
"We are from Hobart -- home of Ricky Ponting and David Boon. We arrived after a cyclone, which caused heavy rain. Now the sun is out and we are enjoying ourselves," he said with a smile.
Jason, too, has shelved all further travel plans.
"No sightseeing now. We will just eat, swim and head back. I am loving masala dosa, masala tea and curries," he said.
Some fans from Bengaluru, who had booked their flight tickets months in advance, decided not to take a risk. They opted for refunds and drove down to Chennai on Sunday to catch the semifinal.
"With flight uncertainty and trains full, we drove down. We did not want to miss India in the semis," said Vinod Chinnappa, who drove for six hours to come here.
Even officials have not been spared by the flight disruptions.
Digvijay Singh, an official of the Hockey India League franchise, waited eight hours at the Patna airport to catch a flight to Chennai.
"I did not want to miss the India-Belgium quarterfinal, so I waited. I finished all episodes of (web series) Family Man at the lounge," he said.
"I had gone to Patna from Delhi for a meeting earlier in the day and then needed to connect to Chennai," Singh said.
With the World Cup set to wrap up in two days, uncertainty about people's plans to return home looms large.
With prices of alternative flights rising and train seats nearly impossible to find, fans, officials, families and journalists are monitoring travel apps as closely as match updates.
If the situation does not improve soon, returning home could be as challenging as winning matches on the field.
