Not Pure Merit But 7 Stage Profiling for Government Jobs
June26, 2018 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
It will be Tough or Impossible for Smart-Intelligent-Active Indians to get government jobs with 7 Stages Screening Process. Only the mediocre, docile and the most obedient servants of the masters shall qualify for Government jobs.
Instead of secrecy GoI should adopt Transparent American procedure of ‘US Senate Confirmation Process’ which is merit based.
Group Discussions is also QUICK & RELIABLE Selection Process. PM may invite 25 Contestants and Discover ‘The BEST’ in 60m who is FITTEST to Lead the Department.
This is not good for Future of India. China offered ‘800 Jobs to Foreign Experts With State Honors’ to help China overcome Tech-Development lag.
At EXPO’85 World Exhibition Vice President of Bulgaria and Chairman of the Organizing Committee invited me for 40m meeting and Gave Me The Certificate with a Shot of Alcohol as Honor – Which VP Gulped in a second, I took half of it and consumed it slowly. I was told VP spent maximum time with me and I should have finished it quickly.
3 Times I wrote to Rajiv Gandhi that India should Participate in‘EXPO’85 World Exhibition of Young Inventors – Plovdiv, Bulgaria’. In 1977 reported to PM about ‘Cheating-Corruption in NRDC when Honorable President Kovind was his secretary.’
Over thousand letters about 20,000 E-Mails I couldn’t meet serving PM or President – to explain major BUNGLINGS.
I was hyperactive even as a child – at construction site I told my grandfather ‘Workers are low – 5-6 Workers came together to move a 100 kg rock in 15m when using lever a single person can do it in 1m.’ I would complain to Head Master or Principal when I noticed my Teacher was not correct and not competent.
In 2003 just after Present Kalam left Vigyan Bhavan after delivering Lecture on RIVER LINKING – observed ‘The Stupid Idea of Ganga-Cauvery Link is on for 40 years, Why Don’t We Export 30 million tons of Food-grains to South Produced in Fertile Ganga Plains than Conveying 50 billion tons of Water in 3000 km Canal and most of it to be lost on way?’
After more than 50 year PM inaugurated Mohanpura Storage Dambuilt in 3-4 years signaling a Switch from Linking to Storage Dams also announced water of this dam will be Conveyed in Pipes and Efficiently used investing in Micro Irrigation. But Thousands of Critical Dams – Renuka, Lakhwar-Vyasi and Kishau Dams on Yamuna are yet to be taken up. I researched and invented water technologies in 1978.
India need to REVIEW Appointment of SERVING Ministers, Top Public Servants.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 8826415770, 9871056471, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation,
Smart Cities, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects
PM security beefed up on threat reports
Union Home Ministry and the National Security Council have said that the threat to PM Narendra Modi is at “all-time high”
PM security is most concerning to people across the nation when the PM Modi has been voted to power by the people and for the people .His galvanized energy and infra works with wind pace are his stellar performance. Indian spy – security forces when send out a warning to states about an “all-time high” threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the home ministry has put out rules in which no one can come too close to PM Modi, not even ministers and officers, if not cleared by his special security, reports NDTV. The home ministry has written to all state police chiefs about an “unknown threat” to the PM.
PM Modi “is the most valuable target in the run-up to the 2019 general elections,” the National Security Council has told various agencies tasked with the Prime Minister’s safety.
“The threat always has been there but after this Naxal threat we have made each agency aware of the new threats to the PM,” a senior officer told NDTV, referring to the Pune police claim that a plot to assassinate PM Modi in a “Rajiv Gandhi-type incident” during one of his roadshows had been revealed in a letter seized from a suspected Maoist.
Sources say PM Modi, who is the main campaigner for the ruling BJP in the lead-up to state elections and the 2019 polls, has been advised to cut down on road shows as planned routes present a bigger threat.
Rahul Gandhi: PM, Crimes against women rise
@RahulGandhi:While our PM tiptoes around his garden making Yoga videos, India leads Afghanistan, Syria & Saudi Arabia in rape & violence against women. What a shame for our country!
Rahul Gandhi was referring to a poll which said that India is the world’s most dangerous country for women due to the high risk of sexual violence and being forced into slave labor.
The poll of global experts released on Tuesday said that war-torn Afghanistan and Syria ranked second and third in the Thomson Reuters Foundation survey of about 550 experts on women’s issues, followed by Somalia and Saudi Arabia.
The only Western nation in the top 10 was the United States, which ranked joint third when respondents were asked where women were most at risk of sexual violence, harassment and being coerced into sex.The poll was a repeat of a survey in 2011 that found experts saw Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, India, and Somalia as the most dangerous countries for women.
Rahul’s reference to the PM tiptoeing making yoga videos is a reference to the fitness challenge that the PM shared this month.
The Prime Minister accepting Virat Kohli’s fitness challenge uploaded a video saying, “Here are moments from my morning exercises. Apart from Yoga, I walk on a track inspired by the Panchtatvas or 5 elements of nature – Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, Aakash. This is extremely refreshing and rejuvenating. I also practice breathing exercises. #HumFitTohIndiaFit. I appeal to every Indian to devote some part of the day towards fitness. Practice any set of exercises you are comfortable with and you will see the positive difference it will make in your life! #FitnessChallenge #HumFitTohIndiaFit.”
Opposition, Politics & Economy in 1975 vs OPE in 2018
June26, 2018 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
Times have changed completely. Of the 90% of the opposition which pulled down Indira Gandhi in 1975-77 is behind Congress today – supported Manmohan Singh through 2004-2014 two terms. But it is unfortunate Rahul Gandhi, Congress President who aspires to be Prime Minister of India go in hiding for days when Congress comes under attack and blamed for all the mess in India. My focus is mainly on economic policies of 1975.
Nehru-Indira era many times more Tractors were made in 1975 than cars. Around Delhi there were Escorts, Ford, Eicher, HMT, and in South International, Ferguson Tractor Factories, many more had License like David Brown but no resources.
In 1975 an IAS Officer was paid Rs.700/- basic pay but Textile or Organized workers were paid Rs.7,000 per month. Except Reputed Companies and Multinationals workers are paid about Rs.5,000 per month, IAS get 20 times more plus Housing & Cars and perks.
1975 Economic Policy was of Self Reliance, Importing Food for People under PL 480 was considered morally wrong – Opposition would oppose all imports.
2018 Indian IMPORTS EXCEED $500b – including FOODS – Pulses & Oils.
L&T was building Power Equipment, BHEL Boilers and Power Plants, ABB Turbines and Hydro Power, Railway Coaches, Philips Electronics, Lighting, IBM Computers, India was building own Nuclear Reactors, Kirloskar was making Diesel Engines, 1000s of Large & Small dams, Canals had already been built. Indian Railways was backbone of Goods and Passenger Transport – IR was Switching from Steam to Diesel and to Electric Locos all built in India. Steel Tubes, Wires, B&W Television Sets were made. High Yield seeds were introduced in 1966 and Green Revolution was underway, IITs existed for over two decades. Healthcare, Education was 95% in Government control. Coal, Steel, Cement, Sugar and Metals were Large Scale industries. Tata was building Trucks, Operating Hotels, making Steel and so many Industrial goods and Chemicals. India had NESTLE, LEVERS, COCA COLA & IBM & 1000 more Foreign Companies–210 MW Unit Size Thermal Power Plants were introduced – 500 MW Unit size was being developed by BHEL.
Banks were nationalized and served PRIORITY sector Farmers, Industry and Government Projects. There was Planned Investment in all regions – Refineries and Fertilizer factories were build across India as an example. When Bhakra Dam was built in 1965, Hirakud in Orissa, Ukai in Gujarat, Koyna in Maharashtra, Idduki in Kerala, Rihand in UP, thousands were also built all over India. LPG supply was already introduced before 1974.
Nasbandi in India was Opposed in 1975 – China introduced SINGLE Child policy. Indian population could have been limited to 60 crores may exceed 180 crore in 2050.
After 1975 India Lost Development Focus – Didn’t Support Core Industries.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 8826415770, 9871056471, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation,
Smart Cities, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects
Panasonic in sojourn lodging business
Airbnb was forced to purge 62Ks of its Japan listings, people in new task of sojourn leasing has inks arrangement to apartments and homes for short-term rental thus adds new wave of business in hospitality sector with lending periodically.
Panasonic decides to move into the home sharing business to bring more financial strength to its capital and turnover. Panasonic has has earlier sold its real state associated business. The sojourn lodging business is with the advent of online and digital, smart phones are to cater low price lodges, apartment houses located in two tier cities and two stars or lower ranks hotels have decimated. With executive move across multiple cities look for better or best accommodation for their comfort in business.
Panasonic will enter the lodging business, undertaking everything from design to construction and operation of guest apartments as it seeks to ride the home-share wave in Japan.
The Japanese conglomerate best know for home appliances sees demand for affordable lodging growing in the wake of a home-sharing law that took effect on June 15. Subsidiary Panasonic Homes will start by erecting about 10 buildings in the initial year in Tokyo and Osaka, expecting to generate 5 billion yen ($45.66 million) in sales.
The accommodations will feature Panasonic appliances, including their popular women’s beauty products, allowing the rooms to act as showrooms for foreign visitors.
Though the building will be located in city centers, rooms will be priced at around 5,000 yen per person per night, which is cheaper than hotels. Each room will be about 40 sq. meters in size, capable of fitting four to five people.
Panasonic, through a group company, will borrow the buildings from landowners on 30-year leases. Panasonic will recoup construction costs from the property owners and get a roughly 10% cut of the lodging fees.
Panasonic will contract home-share websites Hyakusenrenma and Squeeze to operate the properties. The business will be conducted under a law that governs simple lodgings.
Panasonic has already has experience managing roughly 100 facilities such as nursing homes and now plans to bring that expertise to Japan’s nascent home-sharing sector. Depending on demand, the units will be converted into conventional rental properties after a decade of use.
The Japanese government estimates the country will draw 60 million travelers in 2030, or more than double the number for 2017. If a portion of that multitude enjoys the Panasonic appliances during their stay in Japan, that could lead to improved sales internationally.
With non-real-estate companies like Panasonic and travel agency JTB entering the lodging business, the number of registered locations is projected to spike in the medium to long term.
Buddhist proselytism in the Hellenistic world
National Museum, New Delhi added an event.
‘EGYPTIAN BUDDHISM’: Tracing the route of the Buddhist Proselytism in Ptolemaic Egypt and the indo-Egyptian contacts before and after the Ashokan proselytism Movement.
This presentation will showcase Buddhist proselytism in the Hellenistic world,
particularly Ptolemaic Egypt under the rule of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (283-246) BCE, mainly
through the Buddhist emissaries Ashoka, the Indian-Mauryan emperor sent to the Hellenistic
kings. A detailed comparative study of the various Egyptian and non-Egyptian archaeological
and literary sources will be focused upon. This study will then allow for an understanding of the
politico-diplomatic as well as the cultural connections between the Ancient Egyptian and Indian
people, which was hitherto vague.
particularly Ptolemaic Egypt under the rule of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (283-246) BCE, mainly
through the Buddhist emissaries Ashoka, the Indian-Mauryan emperor sent to the Hellenistic
kings. A detailed comparative study of the various Egyptian and non-Egyptian archaeological
and literary sources will be focused upon. This study will then allow for an understanding of the
politico-diplomatic as well as the cultural connections between the Ancient Egyptian and Indian
people, which was hitherto vague.
Meeting on 26th June 2018 of Delhi Theosophical Federation
Meeting on 26th June 2018 of Federation in Shankar Lodge in East Patel Nagar, New Delhi
Dear Brothers,
An emergent meeting is being convened tomorrow 26th of June 2018 at 5 PM at East Patel Nagar premises of Federation to discuss the modalities of Study Class to be held on 6-7 & 8th of July.
You are requested to attend the meeting to give your valuable feedback.
Predicting 2019: How many census towns will there be?
June 26
Conference Hall, Centre for Policy Research
CPR and CSH are pleased to invite you to a workshop on
Predicting 2019: How many census towns will there be?
Shamindra Nath Roy, Kanhu Charan Pradhan
Predicting 2019: How many census towns will there be?
Shamindra Nath Roy, Kanhu Charan Pradhan
Tuesday, 26 June 2018, 3:45 p.m.
India’s rural landscape is dotted with numerous villages where people do not work on the farm. The 2011 census highlighted the enormous growth of such areas, with new census towns (CTs) accounting for more than one third of the urban population growth during 2001-2011. The process of urban transformation in India is therefore not much about movement of people from rural to urban areas, rather it is about ‘morphing of places’ from rural to urban. Since the rural-urban identification process in India is ex-ante, using the past census data, this talk seeks to estimate the number of CTs that will be identified in 2019 for the 2021 census. It does so to ask whether the large increase in the number of CTs from 2001 to 2011 census was a one-off phenomenon or part of a longer process of rural-urban transformation. Since such prognosis requires a detailed review of the census methodology of determining CTs, it will also clarify certain challenges that arise during such identification. Along with this methodological review, this talk will present the regional distribution of CTs on the basis of last two censuses and the upcoming predictions; and offer insight on their spatial characteristics in relation to the larger cities and attempts to throw light on their economic characteristics in the broader context of rural-urban transformation. A better appreciation of this transformation is necessary to contextualise how well the policy framework is placed to manage and govern these areas, not only in the present but also in the future.
Shamindra Nath Roy and Kanhu Charan Pradhan are Senior Researchers at the Centre for Policy Research. Their current research includes patterns of rural-urban transformation, migration, labour force participation, and issues related to spatial segregation, urban informality and governance. Shamindra has an MA and MPhil and is a doctoral student in Geography at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Kanhu has an MA from Jawaharlal Nehru University and is currently a doctoral student in economics at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
This workshop is free and there is no registration required. Find all the available videos of our previous workshops, here.
|
IFAD and GEF: Working together to boost the development dividend
IFAD and GEF: Working together to boost the development dividend
Da Nang, Viet Nam, 25 June 2018 – By balancing higher yields and incomes with healthy ecosystems, a new report shows how the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a UN specialized agency dedicated to smallholder agriculture development, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), are benefiting millions of rural people in developing countries.
The report, The IFAD-GEF Advantage II: partnering for a sustainable world, is being released today at the Sixth GEF Assembly.
According to the report’s findings, IFAD currently facilitates access for governments to GEF funding in 24 countries, amounting to 32 GEF-funded projects with climate change as the dominant focal area, and utilising a budget of approximately US$161 million.
“This report shows that there is a clear IFAD-GEF Advantage. When we work together with rural communities, natural resources and ecosystems are protected, and people’s lives improve,” said Margarita Astralaga, Director of IFAD’s Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division.
An example of the synergies referenced in the report is found in Viet Nam, where an IFAD-GEF-Government partnership encouraged local communities to collaborate in devising payments for ecosystems services that offer them clear benefits and also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Another example in Peru illustrates how IFAD is using GEF funds to work with local communities in the High Andes on better water management, biodiversity conservation and more sustainable agricultural practices on over 20,000 hectares. While in Niger, IFAD and GEF are working in partnership through their Integrated Approach Programme in Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa on sustainable family farming and better access to markets.
The report found that IFAD often amplified global environmental benefits flowing from GEF grants by adding its own financing, which increased impact and sustainability. For example, in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam, an IFAD grant designed to discourage local farmers from burning vegetation after harvesting or clearing land is building on an initial GEF project to protect peatlands.
“Since 2001, the partnership between IFAD and GEF has benefited millions of people who have improved their livelihoods and preserved valuable natural resources,” said Astralaga. “At the same time, they have adapted to the growing impact of climate change. In the years ahead, we will capitalize further on our complementary areas of expertise to reach millions more.”
For a copy of the report please go here:
Contact:
Brian Thomson
mobile +39 3666121101
email b.thomson@ifad.org
“Global conclave on Environment Ecology & Wildlife”.
Dear Mr. Sagar,
We are much honored to have you as a privileged guest at the “Global conclave on Environment Ecology & Wildlife”. We are pleased to confirm your participation.
Please find below the event details:
Date : 25th June, 2018
Venue : Taj Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi
Delegate Registration: 9.00am onwards (followed by Networking Lunch)
Do connect for further queries at the coordinates mentioned below. Ms. Heena| 9650716790 heena@c2cm.com
Regards,
Heena
|
Af-Pak Digest by Ambassador TCA Raghavan
Ambassador TCA RaghavanAdviser, Ananta Centre
Former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan
Former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan
Pakistan: The month saw Pakistan’s political class firmly in election mode with the usual cut and thrust associated with the weeks before polling. Caretaker governments were sworn in at the centre and the provinces. A former chief Justice Nasirul Mulk took oath on 1st June as caretaker prime minister along with a skeleton cabinet. A wider context is that this is the third continuous national assembly in Pakistan’s history that has completed its regular term. On the other hand, its tenure was frequently rocked by civil military turbulence and like its two predecessor assemblies continuity in the tenure of the prime minister could not be ensured.
After a long period of a frozen situation in India Pakistan relations with frequent clashes on the LOC, a telecon between the respective Director General of Military Operations with a reiteration of the need to uphold the 2003 ceasefire suggested a thaw. That this had largely coincided with the government decision of suspension of operations during Ramadan in J and K also suggested that a wider policy change may be afoot. Post Ramazan developments in J and K have however now suggest otherwise. The UN Human Rights Commissioner report on J and K coincides with this period and gets therefore greater amplification.
Afghanistan: Terrorist attacks and clashes with the Taliban in different parts of Afghanistan continued the trend of the past months of a deteriorating internal security situation and the failure of all political efforts to address this. Change however came on the 7th June with the government of Afghanistan announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban until June 20- broadly coinciding with the second half of Ramadan and Eid. What was unusual was that the Taliban reciprocated and also announced a three-day halt in hostilities against the country’s security forces -its first ceasefire in Afghanistan since 2001. There were attacks that disrupted the ceasefire yet the development itself was novel enough to hold attention. Post Eid the Government extended the ceasefire for a further period without any reciprocal decision emerging from the Taliban.
The ceasefire howsoever temporary and the fraternization that accompanied it is a significant development in itself. The overall context is also important since at around this time a major TTP leader was killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan. These steps together suggest a overall improvement in regional atmospherics especially when compared to the past few months.
| …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. |
| II Developments in Pakistan |
External:
Financial Action Task Force: According to press reports the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by the caretaker Prime Minister in a meeting on 8th June has approved an action plan to be submitted to the FATF as part of the process for Pakistan to be placed on the organization’s ‘grey list’. The FATF meeting is scheduled to take place in the last week of June. According to reports Pakistan has so far had difficulties in persuading the FATF to accept earlier drafts of its action plan on the grounds that significant loopholes remained in its financial regulatory system w r t terror financing. Failure to have an agreed “Action Plan’ carries the risk of Pakistan being placed on a ‘black list’ that would increase transaction costs for a range of financial activities even more than being on the ‘grey list’. There is however considerable opacity on the exact sticking points. According to some reports in mid-May Pakistan had submitted some additional measures w r t terror financing by domestic groups but these were found to be insufficient requiring further approvals by the NSC.
India: Line of Control Ceasefire: Following a telecon on 29th May the DGMOs of the respective militaries agreed that the 2003 ceasefire would be maintained by both sides. The telecon was described as having been initiated from the Pakistani side. That the telecon was followed by near identical statements by both sides suggests some behind the scenes efforts to secure this outcome. The statement said: “Both DGs MO agreed to fully implement the ceasefire understanding of 2003 in letter and spirit forthwith and to ensure that henceforth the ceasefire will not be violated by both sides,” and “in case of any issue, restraint will be exercised and the matter will be resolved through utilisation of existing mechanisms of hotline contacts and border flag meetings at local commander’s level”. Although there have been breakdowns of the ceasefire within days of the agreement being reached nevertheless the ceasefire has held better in the past 3 weeks than any other time over the past few months. It is to be noted, although the two developments may not be directly related, that the understanding has as background the announcement of of the GOI announcement of ceasing of offensive operations during the month of Ramazan.
J & K: Developments w r t J and K merit mention. The release of a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in J&K (and on POK) was welcomed by the Government of Pakistan and a statement issued by the Foreign Office said that it “welcomes the proposal by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish a Commission of Inquiry for international investigation into human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IoK).This proposal is consistent with Pakistan’s several calls to this effect since 2016, even as India has continued to ignore legitimate demands for probe into gross and systematic violations, including pellet guns, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest and detentions as well as continued sexual violence as part of overall impunity enjoyed by Indian security forces.” W r t the references to the situation in Gilgit Baltistan and ‘Azad Kashmir’ the Pakistan government statement was to say “references to human rights concerns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan should in no way be construed to create a false sense of equivalence with the gross and systematic human rights violations in IoK.” Many in Pakistan see the timing of the report coinciding with developments in J and K- the assassination of a senior journalist, ending of the Ramazan suspension of operations, reaffirmation of LOC ceasefire and fall of the state government and President’s rule in the state- as an opportunity to bring the J and K issue back on the international radar. The fact that there is a caretaker government in Pakistan at this time is not necessarily a drawback for this point of view. The opportunity is enhanced as currently India is not a member of the Human Rights Council while Pakistan is. The Human Rights Council is to meet in Geneva in the second week of July.
Kishan Ganga Hydro Electric Project: The inauguration of the project by PM Modi on 19th May led to expected comment and criticism in Pakistan – both against India for ‘violation’ of the Indus Waters Treaty and against its own government for being unable to stop the construction in time. Pakistan officials have been stating that the matter will be taken up with the World Bank but clearly its approach has not worked.
Internal:
Elections: Pre-election atmospherics have included speculation of possible postponements and numerous issues around the two principal parties- the PML(N) and the PTI- and their leaders. Imran Khan faced turbulence on account of revelations over his personal life as it became clear that his second wife had written a no holds barred memoir of their 9 month long marriage in 2015. Selections from the book have been circulating widely in the social media. To add to this former chief justice Iftikar Chaudhury has made a statement that he has proof of Imran Khan having an illegitimate child and therefore, by implication, is in violation of constitutional provisions that require elected representatives be sadeeq and ameen – righteous and truthful. Supposed infringement of these is what had led to Nawaz Sharif’s judicial ouster as Prime Minister. Whether all this translates into more than mild embarrassment for Imran Khan is however difficult to say. The real battle lies ahead in the villages and towns of Punjab against Nawaz Sharif. The latter has had his own set problems with accountability courts seeking to fast track his prosecution. Nawaz Sharif has hitherto successfully used this to project himself as the victim of the machinations of the military and the judiciary.
Long Awaited Constitutional changes: The outgoing PML (N) government was able to effect, virtually in its last days, two significant constitutional changes w r t the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Gilgit Baltistan.
FATA: The constitution amendment bill for the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formally known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas Reforms Bill, was passed in the national Assembly and the Senate and thereafter by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly. In effect it provides for the end of the British-era Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with the territory getting merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. With the passage of the bill, the KP government’s administrative authority will now extend to the 27,220-square-kilometre tribal areas. The final step in the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was completed on 31st May with Presidential assent.
FATA reform or merger has been on the agenda in Pakistan since at least the 1970s and the inability to address its anachronistic status was part of larger strategic issues concerning Pakistan Afghanistan relations. While the merger will be a sequenced process nevertheless its formal approval implies that the process of the Pakistan military establishing itself strongly along the Durand line with Afghanistan has reached fruition. That there is however no early closure to Afghanistan related issues in the tribal areas was underscored by a statement from the Afghan president after the passage of the bill. The statement inter alia said that Pakistan’s decision is “against the 1921 agreement between the British India and Afghanistan”. The statement, posted online, also said that the decision was taken by Pakistan’s Parliament at a time when the “military was governing” the areas. It went on to say that “Every decision about the tribal regions should be made in normal situation and in accordance with the consensus of the tribal people,”; “The Afghan government believes that one-sided decision under the pretext to end the British-era laws and inhuman system is not solution to the problems,”, and; “We have always shared our concerns through diplomatic channels with Pakistan and international community about Pakistan’s military intervention across the Durand Line, especially in the tribal regions,”.
The Pakistan Foreign Office had tweeted in response that “Our parliament’s decision reflects the will of the people of Pakistan,” and “The principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the conduct of bilateral relations need be scrupulously adhered to by Afghanistan,”.
Gilgit Baltistan: Equally significant has been the outgoing government’s effort to address anachronisms pertaining to the status of Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan. Here the choices are fewer as merging the territory with Azad Kashmir is not a realistic option given the local resistance likely to be aroused by such a move. Similarly, any move to declare the territory as a fifth province of Pakistan comes up against the assessment that such a move is not desirable as this would open a Pandoras box w r t Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously however there have been pressures w r t ‘mainstreaming Gilgit Baltistan’ and expanding the powers of locally elected representatives.
In view of these conflicting pressures the government has sought to devolve an additional tranche of powers to Gilgit Baltistan by means of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Reforms Order 2018, replacing the old GB Self Governance Order 2009. Under the new order, all powers earlier exercised by the GB council, including passing legislation regarding mineral, hydropower and tourism sectors, have been shifted to the GB Assembly.
Opposition parties in Gilgit Baltistan have protested against the order on the grounds that the federal government’s role and power have in fact expanded under the new order rather than substantive devolution being carried through.
The Ministry of External Affairs of the GOI expectedly protested regarded the passage of the GB Reforms Order 2018 saying “that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir which also includes the so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’ areas is an integral part of India” and “Any action to alter the status of any part of the territory under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan has no legal basis whatsoever, and is completely unacceptable”.
| …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. |
| III Developments in Afghanistan
Ceasefire: Afghanistan announced on 7th June that it would maintain ceasefire with the Taliban for Eid, though operations against other groups including the Islamic State would continue. The week-long ceasefire, backed by the US, was to extend “from the 27th of Ramazan until the fifth day of Eid ul Fitr”, according to a tweet from President Ashraf Ghani – the period indicated implying June 12-19. Ceasefire announcements from the Government are not in themselves new. It would be recalled that on February 28, President Ghani had made a renewed call for the Taliban to join peace talks without eliciting any response. This time around however, and for the first time, the Taliban also announced a three-day ceasefire with the Afghan government over the Eid holiday period. This was widely welcomed and during the ceasefire period scenes of fraternization have been reported between the Taliban and Government representatives leading to speculation, which may also be premature, that the brief ceasefire suggests that the dynamics of the conflict in Afghanistan may finally be changing. While that may be so it is also a fact that the past month had seen also many terrorist attacks and Taliban assaults of undiminished intensity. Some in Afghanistan had also voiced their objection to the Government’s unilateral ceasefire saying that this would allow Taliban insurgents to position themselves for future attacks.
Afghanistan reaction to FATA merger: See Pakistan section above. It does appear that Afghanistan’s protest on this was low key and that possibly can be explained by the general improvement in Pakistan Afghanistan atmospherics on account of the ceasefire and other developments listed below.
Pakistan COAS Visit: The Pakistan Chief of the Army Staff made a day long visit to Kabul on 12th June accompanied by the Pakistan Foreign Secretary, the ISI chief and the Director General Military Operations. Coincidentally, Gen Bajwa visited Kabul on the day the unilateral ceasefire by the Afghan government went into effect. Gen Bajwa, according to a ISPR statement, welcomed the ceasefire and “wished that these steps gain permanence ultimately leading towards an enduring peace”. The visit further strengthened the speculation that Pakistan had facilitated the ceasefire in Afghanistan by using the leverage it has with the Taliban and that it is continuing with efforts for more confidence-building measures by both sides. To an extent at least these moves are also made with a view to reassuring the US that it is not coming in the way of political moves being made by the Afghan Government to begin some kind of engagement process with the Taliban. According to Pakistan press reports the army chief during his talks also sought to dispel Afghan concerns about border fencing, which has been the cause of considerable friction in the relationship in recent months.
TTP Leader Mulla Fazlullah killed in US drone strike in Afghanistan: A spokesperson for the Pakistan army announced on 15th June that the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had called the Pakistan COAS to convey the news of the killing of the commander of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Mullah Fazalullah in a US drone strike. A similar call is believed to have been made to the caretaker PM of Pakistan.
Mullah Fazlullah, also known as Radio Mullah had come to prominence in Swat particularly from 2007 onwards and following a military operation and cleanup in May 2009 is believed to have moved to Afghanistan. A number of major terrorist attacks by the TTP within Pakistan are traced back to him including the attempted assassination of the noble laureate Malala Yusufzai, the massacre at the Army Public School in December 2015 etc.
The ‘bases’ of the TTP within Afghanistan has been a major Pakistani grouse vis a vis Afghanistan and talking point with the United States. Fazullulah’s elimination would be a major setback to the TTP and may well be the beginning of yet another concerted effort to harmonize the US Pakistan and Pakistan Afghanistan relationships.
|
“Need Assessment of Voluntary Organizations and Building Capacity”
We are appreciating the efforts taken by Ms.Panchali Sharma, Mr.Arjun Phillips and Mr.Harsh Jaitli for conducting a study on “Need Assessment of Voluntary Organizations and Building Capacity”. This is an excellent study and eye opener and the documentation of results are good.
We are happy that 100 responses received from respondents listed in Annexure -7. The reactions in the workshop also listed in Annexure-8 to 11.
The study has listed out the important areas and need for capacity building like
- Advocacy
- Governance
- Resource Mobilization and
- Compliance.
There are few areas which are identified for developing the governance like Leadership and Stewardship, Empowerment and Accountability and others which are listed in page 18.
There are gaps which are identified in resource mobilization which are listed page 19 includes lack of knowledge on CSR Rules and especially activities covered under Schedule VII. The voluntary organisations are witnessing the shrinking of their space due to entry of new stakeholders.
The analysis of data in Chapter-5 is revealing and it is good that study has recommended certain initiative which needs to be undertaken listed in page-34.
The study clearly brings out the need for strengthening the technical, financial and managerial capacity to meet new developmental challenges. In a new dynamic and changing environment we have to adopt different managerial outlook and decisions forming an exchange of ideas, recourses and responsibility to meet the challenges with new players entering in. This governance creates the need for new capacity building efforts. Some of the skills needs for developing the attitudes, knowledge and skills of both individuals and groups have been dealt elaborately in pages 12, 13 and 14.
At the time of contemplating VANI South Hub, one of the role expectation was to act as a facilitator to build the capacity and we have been sharing information identified to fill this gap in the above said areas and hope leaders and groups take seriously and workout strategies for sustainable change which will give us sufficient strength and support to enhance our capacity and capability.
We request your reactions and requirements to ensure our cooperation for more effective articulation to reach the goals and needs.
We are indicating below a link, which will be of useful to you.
Thanking You
Yours Sincerely
K.Shivakumar
VK Foundation
Gandhigram
—
Yours Sincerely
- SHIVAKUMAR
Chartered Accountant
V.K.Foundation,VK Illam,
Gandhigram Rural University Campus
Gandhigram – 624 302
Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu.
Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu.
ET Buying False IPR Data – Resi-Patent IN 1115, CH 302,136
June22, 2018 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
ET fumbles in matters of IPR & Patents in comparing India and China. It is important to understand Patent Grants Matters not number of filings and Non Resident Indians filing abroad. Commercialization matters most – India is yet to develop Patented Technology for the world in 71 years of liberation from British Rule.
India granted 1115 Patents to Resident Indians but China granted 302,136 Patents to residents Chinese and in addition Utility Patent Filings which are automatically granted were 1,468,295.
It is Pure Mischief – earlier we used to say China produces low tech products, ET termed it ‘Quantity Driven.’ Fact is even in matters of Trade in Advanced Technology ProductsChina has Exports to USA surged 14.1% to $52,757m in Jan-Apr2018 from $46,076m a year ago.
China IMPORTS from USA increased by 9.7% to $10,160m from $9,666m in same period.
US Trade Deficit with China in Advanced Technology Products widened by 15.8% to$42,147m from $36,411m a year ago.
Against China ATP Exports to USA of $52,757m – India Exports of ATP to USA was only$679m for same period– This too mainly Generic Off Patent Drugs.
Except R&D Data rest of ET story is perfect.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 8826415770, 9871056471, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation,
Global Conclave on Environment
iTV Network is organizing the Global Conclave on Environment, Ecology and Wildlife.
The theme for the International Conclave is ‘An Integrated Vision for Sustainability-Agenda 2030’ and it will focus on the collective action of all stakeholders in the area of conservation of environment, our ecosystem and wildlife.
Mike Pandey, renowned international environmentalist has consented to be a partner in this unique event. Chief Guest at the event will be Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
Date: 25th June, 2018
Venue: Taj Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi
Delegate Registration: 9.00am onwards (followed by Networking Lunch)
No comments:
Post a Comment