Arnab Goswami, S Jaishankar among 4 new members in NMML; M J Akbar stays
New Delhi, Nov 3 : The Centre has appointed journalist Arnab Goswami, former Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and IGNCA chairman Ram Bahadur Rai as members of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society, replacing four members who had opposed the move to build a museum for all prime ministers at the Teen Murti Estate.
Former Union Minister MJ Akbar, who resigned from the Cabinet on October 17 in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment levelled by several women journalists, however, continues to be the vice chairman of the NMML executive council.
According to a notification on October 29, the culture ministry replaced economist Nitin Desai, professor Udayan Mishra and former bureaucrat BP Singh. Another member Pratap Bhanu Mehta had resigned in 2016 over the appointment of Shakti Sinha as NMML director.
The newly appointed members will serve until April 25, 2020, the order said.
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, BP Singh and Udayan Mishra, who have been replaced, had openly spoken against the decision to set up the museum for PMs at the complex, sources said.
"Their tenures have not ended. They have been replaced," NMML director Shakti Sinha told PTI on the development.
Asked about the reason behind the appointments, Sinha said they will help meet the goal to develop NMML into a centre of research as envisioned by the present government
"This is part of a bigger plan to make NMML a centre of research. Ram Bahadur Rai has been commenting on the Indian political scene for the last 50 years. He personally knew some of the PMs," Sinha said
"Jaishankar will bring us an insight into how decisions are made at the top and Goswami, as a senior journalist and a scholar in his earlier days, will also contribute immensely to our plans of creating a database of research and information on Indian political history," said Sinha.
Sahasrabuddhe, who is president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, took to Twitter to thank the prime minister and hit out at those opposing the proposed museum for all prime ministers.
"It's an honour to be on the board of Nehru Memorial Museum n Library!Many thanks PM @narendramodi ji, @dr_maheshsharma ji!Expectedly,those talking about Inclusive Democracy are opposing conversion of NMML into all-PM Museum with Pt Nehru Memorial intact!", tweeted Sahasrabuddhe.
Ram Bahadur Rai is the chairman of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
The 'bhoomi poojan' (foundation stone laying ceremony) for the museum was conducted by Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on October 15 this year.
The NMML is also embroiled in a controversy over an eviction notice sent in September by the Directorate of Estates of the Union Ministry of Urban Development to the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund.
Established in 1964, the Fund has been located at Teen Murti, once the residence of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, since 1967.
On November 1, however, the Delhi High Court stayed the eviction notice.
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Mamata betrayed Bengal's women by conspiring with parties like Cong: BJP chief
Balurghat (WB) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition parties such as the Congress for the setback to the implementation of women's reservation in legislatures.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate Bidyut Roy in Balurghat, Nabin said removing the TMC from power had become essential to drive out infiltrators from Bengal, prevent demographic change and safeguard national security.
"Despite being a woman, Mamata Banerjee betrayed the women of Bengal by conspiring with parties like the Congress so that the women's reservation bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha," he alleged.
Urging women voters in the state to "teach her a lesson", he claimed that the TMC government had failed to ensure the safety and security of women, citing incidents such as those at RG Kar hospital and the medical college in Durgapur.
A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday.
Nabin also accused the chief minister of protecting infiltrators and said the BJP, if voted to power, would ensure good governance.
"Infiltrators will be driven out, and every bona fide citizen will be able to live peacefully in a secure environment if the BJP comes to power," he said.
Nabin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had delivered on promises and prioritised national security, citing the abrogation of Article 370 and surgical strikes against Pakistan-backed terrorists.
"We need a government in Bengal which will ensure the state's well-being and security in every aspect," he said.
Appealing to voters to back the BJP, Nabin said, "If not now, then never."
"Let it be a historic victory. A new dawn will come, and after May 4, a government that will look after the aspirations of mothers, sisters, youth, the elderly and farmers will be installed in Bengal," he said.
At another election rally at Ratua in Malda district, Nabin claimed that time has come for the chief minister to “bid goodbye”.
Alleging deterioration in law and order, he said women were unsafe “from Park Street to Kamduni, and from R G Kar to Durgapur Medical College”, while there were many “unreported cases”.
He also alleged the involvement of ruling party leaders in various illegal activities.
“Wait for a few days. Members of the ‘bhaipo (nephew) syndicate’ of the TMC will be on the run, and caught one by one with legal action taken against them,” Nabin asserted.
He was referring to allegations by state BJP leaders about extortion syndicates “patronised by top TMC leaders” running into crores of rupees.
“At least one minister had been jailed, while many officials are behind the bars. Those involved in corruption would face strict action after May 4,” the BJP chief said.
Promising employment and welfare measures, Nabin said a BJP government would create job opportunities for the youth and ensure support for farmers.
He also assured the people of transparent recruitment based on merit, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, and direct transfer of benefits to bank accounts without “cut money” (commission).
Referring to the ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ slogan of the Narendra Modi government, Nabin said “there will be inclusive growth involving all sections of society under the double engine government.”
“There will be no appeasement for one particular community, which caused change in the demography in several border districts of Bengal,” he said.
Nabin also took part in a programme of the ‘Balmiki Samaj’ – an outfit of backward Hindu castes – where he stressed on the need for inclusive growth.
Earlier, the BJP president led a colourful roadshow covering around 2 km in Balurghat town and adjoining areas of Dakshin Dinajpur district.
