Deve Gowda lauds PM Modi's 'multi-alignment' policy amid US tariff war
Bengaluru (PTI): Lauding the Prime Minister's efforts in actively seeking alternatives after the United States initiated an "unreasonable and unjust tariff war", JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda on Wednesday said Narendra Modi's policy of "multi-alignment" is bound to offer rich dividends in the near future.
The former PM said the US may eventually have to reconsider its stance because "dharma" is on India's side, and the nation offers a blend of economic, demographic and democratic advantages like no other in the world.
"I closely followed the news of your visit to Japan and China. I am relieved like millions of Indians that you have been actively pursuing alternatives after the United States started an unreasonable and unjust tariff war. I trust you had a very successful visit and India will reap the benefits of your negotiations and new initiatives," Gowda said in a letter to Modi.
"The photographs and videos of yourself with President Putin (of Russia) and President Xi Jinping(of China) that have flooded the media across the globe communicated something beyond routine bonhomie and friendship between heads of state," he said and suggested they symbolised a "new awakening" and perhaps the beginning of a new world order with India at its center.
Praising Modi for speaking to President Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, Gowda said, " You have been consistent on this issue, and I am sure India's words are taken far more seriously in this regard for the sincerity it is filled with and the values it has represented historically."
"The policy of 'multi-alignment" that you followed is bound to offer rich dividends in the near future. The world has only begun to understand its importance and pragmatism," said the JDS leader and called it a "very constructive and positive formulation" compared to our earlier policy of non-alignment.
"Times have changed and we need a new language to pursue our fair dreams. We should interact with the world as per our needs, on our terms, but with also enormous civilizational grace that we possess. That will make India stand out," he added.
Noting that Modi is determined to convert the challenge that exists before India currently into an opportunity, without sacrificing any of its core values, the former PM said, "To navigate the curve that our nation is in, currently, needs enormous patience and confidence. Am glad God has given you both in good measure. May he bless you with greater energy and good health."
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Illegal sand mining has created environmental crisis in National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary: SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday said rampant illegal riverbed sand mining has created an "environmental crisis" and wreaked "havoc" in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, causing a grave risk to the gharial (long-snouted crocodile) preservation project.
Slamming the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for their utter failure in dealing with the issue, the apex court directed them to install high-resolution Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV cameras along all routes frequently used for illegal sand mining in the area.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed that live feed of such surveillance cameras shall be placed under the direct control, supervision and operational oversight of the superintendent of police or the senior superintendent of police of the concerned district and the divisional forest officer.
It said these officers shall ensure continuous and effective monitoring of the CCTV feeds by designating appropriate officers.
"It can't be gainsaid that the issues involved are of great concern in as much as the rampant illegal mining activities in the river bed have created an environmental crisis and havoc in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary causing a grave risk to the very project of gharial preservation of which the state governments themselves were proponents and were under an obligation to foster and promote," Justice Mehta said while pronouncing the order.
The bench directed the authorities in these three states to initiate prompt and necessary action under law if any instance of illegal mining or allied activities comes to light.
It said the authorities shall ensure seizure of vehicles or machinery found involved in illegal sand mining and also initiate prosecution of persons involved in it.
The bench, which passed several other directions, posted the matter for hearing on May 11.
The top court passed the order in a suo motu case titled 'In Re: Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and threat to endangered aquatic wildlife'.
The National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400-sq km tri-state protected area.
Besides the endangered gharial, it is home to the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges river Dolphin.
Located on the Chambal river near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the sanctuary was first declared a protected area in Madhya Pradesh in 1978 and now constitutes a long and narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states.
On March 13, the top court took suo motu cognisance of news reports about rampant illegal sand mining on the banks of the Chambal river.
