How Gandhigiri won Mangalore International Airport its name back from Adanis
The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) stormed into power with an absolute majority in 2014, ousting the ruling UPA government in the Parliamentary polls. One of the agendas that the NDA rode on, to acquire power at the Centre was the vilifying the previous government’s privatization and liberalization policies stating that they were harmful to the people of the country.
But the NDA changed its stance on the privatization of public assets and inclined more in its favor in the later years of its first tenure that ended in 2019. The move came as a shock to many of its own supporters and voters as it appeared to be a continuation of the previous UPA government, to an extent that the political pundits joked about NDA by calling it UPA III.
As NDA came into power yet again in 2019 with another majority, India buckled up for what was a series of privatization of public assets of the country. This also resulted in several protests and demonstrations against the government. Although the privatization of PSUs and banks did not garner the attention it deserved, thanks to media apathy, the privatization of railways and airports has not gone down well with the sentiments of the people.
In 2019, the center privatized airports at Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram. The Adani group won the bidding process and has received operational rights for the next 50 years. In July this year, the Adani Group also took control over Mumbai airport from the GVK group. Today Adani Group is the largest infrastructure company in India.
The overzealous Adani Group also changed the signage of the acquired airports with their brand name irking the general public against both, the government and the Adanis.
The members of the union Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, an affiliation of Shiv Sena, resorted to vandalism on 2nd August and wrecked the Adani signboard erected before the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The removal of the name of the Maratha warrior was the reason for the chaos caused in the city.
While in the Maharashtra case, the cadre of the Shiv Sena opted for a radical way of protesting; in Assam, Cheif Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma himself had to convince the media and people regarding the changing the name of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport.
"The name of LGBI Airport will not be changed till I serve as the chief minister and till Narendra Modi serve as the Prime Minister," the CM said while addressing the media.
In all this conundrum, Mangalore and its civil society appeared to have set an example by following a civilized way of protest to get their demands fulfilled.
The Adani Group replaced the AAI signage at the Mangalore airport with its brand name soon after receiving operational rights in 2020. Social activist Dilraj Alva took the responsibility to restore the AAI signage and alleged that changing the name was not part of the procedure. Activist Alva secured a copy of the agreement signed between the Adani Group and the Airports Authority of India.
While addressing a press conference in Mangalore he said, “The change of boards and on Google Maps was in contravention of Article 5.15 of agreement that bars concessionaire from branding itself or its shareholders in any manner, including through advertisement, and display boards.”
Dilraj Alva later sent a legal notice to AAI Mangalore and AAI Delhi, seeking restoration of the AAI signage at the Mangalore Airport. The activist's effort soon bore fruit after the AAI signage was restored on 10th September this year.
In conclusion, there are protests, and there are dissenting voices in every democracy. Mahatma Gandhi led a protest, so did Anna Hazare, so did Rakesh Tikait. In all the protests, there has been a different socio-cultural approach and different background while many of them got good national attention, activist Alva's protest was both unique and commendable and needs a mention. It often happens that activists that take a pragmatic approach and rely more on the executive and judiciary to get their demands met remain unsung; even Mahatma Gandhi’s approach of non-violence would not have garnered public attention if it was not for the South-African media to bring forth his movements. These unsung heroes need to be lauded and commended for their works for these sorts of protests and activism to be kept alive.
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US, Iran may meet again in Islamabad for second round of talks by next week: Report
Islamabad (PTI): Pakistan is engaged in high-level contacts to bring Iran and the US back to the negotiating table and the two sides may meet again in Islamabad for a second round of talks by next week, according to a media report on Tuesday.
The contacts are ongoing for the revival of stalled negotiations between the US and Iran, and talks may be held again before the end of the two-week ceasefire on April 21, The Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing highly placed sources.
They said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir are making hectic efforts to ensure the second round of talks, which may end the Gulf war.
In some high-level meetings held in Islamabad, indications have been given to prepare for the next round of talks between the top leadership of the two warring sides, who held the first direct negotiations in 47 years over the weekend.
According to certain sources, the next round of negotiations could take place in Islamabad on Thursday.
However, on the same date, Prime Minister Shehbaz is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The prime minister will undertake short visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
After almost six weeks of the West Asia conflict and with less than two hours before US President Donald Trump's deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, PM Shehbaz announced on April 8 that both sides had agreed to a two-week ceasefire.
On April 11, a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian delegation led by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf held a marathon session in Islamabad to find a peaceful resolution of a conflict that started on February 28.
The US and Iran failed to reach an agreement.
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to playing a key role in promoting lasting peace in the region, while expressing hope that the recent direct talks between the US and Iran would yield positive results.
Chairing an emergency meeting of the cabinet, the prime minister voiced satisfaction over progress in the negotiations and said Pakistan remained optimistic about a constructive outcome.
The prime minister said the Islamabad talks helped dispel the clouds of war hovering over the region and created prospects for peace amid global economic uncertainty.
He added that throughout history, agreements such as the Oslo Accords, Geneva Accords and Good Friday Agreement had taken years to materialise, but Pakistan's efforts facilitated a breakthrough dialogue between two adversaries.
The federal cabinet on Monday also unanimously passed a resolution to pay tribute to the country's leadership for bringing the two sides together and ending nearly half a century of deadlock, and expressed hope that these sincere efforts would lead to lasting peace worldwide.
