Disinformation Media Misinformation Uncategorized World

Truth behind lies!

NYT breaks bread with terror supporters, spreads mischievous, malicious & fictitious propaganda on press freedom in Kashmir Zero tolerance to violence, subversion or terrorism has been the steadfast policy of Indian Government across her provinces including Union Territory of Kashmir which is non-negotiable. Past governments to an extent and the Narendra Modi-led regime in particular have implemented this policy in letter and spirit. Ignoring the sovereign right of a lawfully elected Government’s right to frame its policies towards terror, its handlers and supporters, The New York Times has provided its space to Anuradha Bhasin, executive editor of The Kashmir Times that worked in geometrically opposite ways. “Modi’s final assault on press freedom has begun” published as guest essay in opinion pages of The New York Times edition of March 8, 2023 is proof of this new found sweet heart ties between terror supporters and the American media establishment against India and her government. Bhasin, notorious for having peddled misinformation in the Kashmir valley lending support to subversives that were part of Pakistan’s K2 – Khalistan & Kashmir project – has the gumption to question Narendra Modi government and India’s commitment to press freedom. The New York Times seems to have fallen into the trap of anti-India forces campaigning globally to derail its famed growth and development story that’s beyond blemish. The Kashmir Times founder editor Ved Bhasin’s proclivity with terrorists supported, abetted and financed by Pakistan’s dirty tricks department, Security Establishment and ISI are known beyond doubt. Having supported terrorism and anti-India forces, today Anuradha Bhasin seems to be crying wolf on suppression of press freedom. If that was true, her write up that’s a figment of fertile imagination would not have been read, seen or viewed in India or elsewhere. Hence, her arguments are either flawed, erroneous or driving a pre-set agenda based narrative in the international media networks. The New York Times seems to have become a willing partner in this ‘fake-narrative’ push. In later part of her write up, Anuradha Bhasin admits to proliferation of media outlets in Kashmir. If repression were to be true, how do media flourish or expand in any part of the globe? Citing tax surveys on BBC to derive support to her argument again is laughable. Neither BBC’s operations have been restricted nor their reporting teams restricted. All that India stated was asking the British Broadcaster set up through an act of British Parliament to adhere to Indian rules and regulations. If press freedom was a threat, then how’s it that more than 300 active foreign and Indian scribes work for global media organizations? India has well established judicial system, policing and independent media apart from the executive as well as the democratic institutions that have defined the country’s governance structure in a federal format. First fallacy peddled by Anuradha Bhasin – who in person, family and her media empire benefited from the previous governments’ largesse – that Article 370 was abruptly withdrawn. Modi’s party, BJP election manifesto clearly outlined its policy of zero tolerance towards foreign funded terror groups of all hues and shades, their handlers and supporters. The elected government in 2014 went about to implement its agenda as people’s mandate that include abrogation of article 370. Intermittent internet shut downs is a common grouse of a few people in the Kashmir valley so much so the terror groups, their handlers and financing hands. Most of stone pelting, violence incidents have happened via the messaging apps generously used by Pakistani establishment. None can dispute the fact that internet connectivity improved and grassroots democratic process has begun to take shape ignoring violence, bids to subvert Kashmir and disintegrate the Kashmiri society. Making charges that Indian government forced judiciary to bend backwards or supressed press freedom has any basis or true.

Disinformation Economy Hindus Media Misinformation Policy

523

‘Holier than thou’ approach may not work

Attributing purported growth slowdown in one quarter to ‘Hindus’ is crass, intellectually debasing one’s self, Dr Raghuram Rajan! K.A.Badarinath Social media handles went on a rampage with Nehruvian socialist misnomer of ‘Hindu rate of growth’ was picked up from dustbin and hurled by RBI’s former governor Raghuram Rajan. Why attribute it to ‘Hindus’ or Sanatan Dharmic followers when the economic expansion in India or elsewhere slowed down to 3 – 3.5 per cent? On both counts, lower growth rate attribution to ‘Hindus’ and Rajan’s growth estimates have gone off the mark with no plausible or logical explanation. S.Gurumurthy succinctly put the coinage of term ‘Hindu Rate of Growth’ during 1950s and 1980s to Raj Krishna, a self-styled thinker in socialist – Nehruvian moulds. And, slow growth attribution to ‘Hindus’ was not only an affront to practicing dharmic people but purely an illusion and economic figment of imagination that found favour with former World Bank chief Robert McNamara. For long this term vanished like the now jinxed socialist order or Nehruvian development model that collapsed like it never existed before. Derailing the genuine economic growth story of which Raghuram Rajan and his boss Rahul Gandhi may have been the objective. But, intellectually, it’s rather crass to make such attributions to ‘Hindus’. Rajan’s narcissist traits may have forced him to debunk the genuine ‘Hindu’ and ‘India’ growth story that’s been feted globally at a time when there’s talk of economic recession in Europe and even China’ National People’s Congress under President Xi Jingping lowered the dragon’s growth estimate to 5 per cent. Is Raghuram Rajan making desperate attempts to hog headlines when most international fraternity has been in India by attributing growth moderation in fourth quarter of this fiscal ending March 2023 to ‘Hindus’. Or has Prof Rajan gone full throttle into ‘hindu-phobic’ or ‘Hindu-hatred camps, is the question? Why is Dr Rajan not convinced of possible seven per cent plus growth in 2022-23 that would be highest in a large economy globally? Or, has he lost it out on economic fundamentals and macro-economic indicators that serious economists use as tools to extrapolate growth estimates? Or, has his increasing tilt towards Congress and its ‘pappu’ that undertook ‘jodo, todo’ yatra triggered this derogatory ‘Hindu rate of growth’ pronouncement? If Narendra Modi as Prime Minister always bracketed with Hindus and RSS in most analyses, why not dub the government’s clean track record of nine years on economic front to be ‘Hindu led’? It’s only logical to deduce that such below the belt comments from a former RBI governor belittles the great institution he governed beginning September 2013 and continued till 2016 even after Prime Minister Modi took reins at centre. Or, was Raghuram Rajan’s comments designed to scare away the investment community from committing huge foreign funds in India to capitalize on her growth story? Of all, should Rajan come up with this off the cuff remarks on a day when National Statistical Office announced doubling of per capita income during Narendra Modi regime to Rs 172,000 in 2022-23 from Rs 86, 647 in 2014-15, the year he took charge as Prime Minister? Worst phase of banking sector besieged with ‘sweet heart deals’ and fuelled by phone calls from crony leaders was reported during Raghuram Rajan’s tenure as RBI’s governor and then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. As admitted by Dr Rajan in an interview, ‘cleaning operation’ in banks began after Modi government took charge in 2014. (Author is Director & Chief Executive at New Delhi based think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)

Business Economy Media

617

Ajay Banga, right man for the moment

Climate finance, funding private entrepreneurship, rebuilding war-torn Ukraine apart from democratizing World Bank should be priority K.A.Badarinath Ajaypal Singh Banga, nominee of US President Joe Biden to head the multi-lateral World Bank, has his task cut out. Banga may not turn out to be a traditional banker in the sense like many of his predecessors. Nor does he have experience of the US treasury like the present incumbent David Robert Malpass who would complete his term by June end. But Ajay Banga, 63 and son of a former Indian Army officer has all the credentials to flaunt and take charge of the World Bank at a very crucial juncture on geo-political front and the world of finance, banking and markets. God willing and other stakeholders support, Banga will head the bank beginning July 1 this year. Banga does not mince words to say that he’s ‘made in India’ referring to his modest Indian origins. He’s for long been poster boy of the Wall Street and a brilliant mind who as a naturalized US citizen is considered ‘compassionate banker par excellence’ by the democratic White House. His eventful innings at Master Card, Citibank, KFC, Pizza Hut and Nestle provider the requisite experience to lead the World Bank that’s considered ‘a big boys club’ which is either inaccessible or provides limited linkages to the least developed or developing small economies. Democratizing leviathan World Bank may be a daunting task for even Banga who admits to making ‘easy friends’ all over. Biggest challenge may come from the most powerful industrial countries that are unwilling to let go of their strangle hold on this Bretton Woods institution of 1944 vintage which came into being as post-world war workhorse. Turning the World Bank relevant and expanding its footprint in today’s world of development finance sans apprehensions by humanity is a challenge which Banga may have to face once he occupies the corner room. Providing ‘humane development face’ to the institution largely regarded rudderless and seen as one that pushes the countries it engages into unsustainable indebtedness is yet another challenge. Reforms at World Bank that progressed at sluggish pace or rather not taken off must be hastened. These reforms and World Bank’s governance must get aligned to current realities where large developing countries like India emerged with formidable economic strength and on way to achieve $5 trillion size. Both voting rights and actual shareholding in World Bank institutions like IBRD, IDA, MIGA and IFC must reflect the change agent that the organization aspires to achieve lifting itself over narrow powerful coteries. India may not be the only country that would look for better foothold and say in World Bank’s governance. Countries like South Africa and Brazil have periodically aired their grievances. Toughest nut to crack for Banga would be to deny US the veto vote on World Bank board thereby delinking shareholding from vote share. Reformed World Bank should kick off restructuring in the other multilateral organization, International Monetary Fund (IMF). Yet another vintage institution that’s incorrigible and invokes more of fear and scare for countries seeking restructuring support rather than turning a helping hand without hassles. Litmus test for Ajay Banga will be when the war torn Ukraine seeks the support of World Bank and IMF to rebuild itself after having engaged in a conflict with Russia. Non-NATO forces are bound to resist World Bank support to Ukraine that may try and pick up pieces to build a new country. In case Russian side continues to veto proposals for ending the conflict, then rebuilding Ukraine may turn that much difficult as well. Committing World Bank to climate finance for countries that seek to go full throttle in energy transition and address climate change issues is something that Ajay Banga can take lead in. Financing technology development, transfers and providing cost-effective funds to facilitate this transition is something Banga can push big time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the issue with finance ministers and central bank governors from G-20 group that met in Bengaluru recently. Countries like India will alone need a whopping $2.5 trillion in green finance to achieve national development goals and another $ 10 trillion by 2070 to achieve net zero emissions. Climate finance is huge business that cannot be foregone by World Bank under Ajay Banga. And, he has to gear up to meet the opportunity and challenges to finance greening of economies. Given his inroads into corporate world and private equity markets, evolving IFC as the largest financing avenue for both private sector debt and equity can be enlisted as a priority. (author is Director & Chief Executive at New Delhi based non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)

Disinformation Fact Sheet Hindus Human Rights Leadership Media Misinformation

564

NYT, BBC fall into the pattern

Anti-Hindu, India propaganda unleashed with intent, based on agenda. Their journalistic pursuits come under scrutiny It is not India’s proud tradition of a free press that is at stake. It’s anti-India and anti-Hindu propaganda unleashed with impunity by certain media houses that has taken centre stage. First, it was the BBC that went whole hog against Hindus and India. Now, The New York Times has joined the bandwagon of some international media outlets that have been on campaign mode against India, Hindus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their whipping boy. If the NYT editorial board claims of ‘shrill Hindu nationalism’ being the culprit for anything purportedly to have happened to press freedom in India, it’s grossly wrong. The New York Times editorial board comment in its edition of February 12, 2023 on the issue of press freedom in India is completely flawed seeking to set a particular narrative. Sweeping remarks on purported ‘Intimidation, Censorship, Silence or Punishing independent news media in India’ is not factually correct, untrue and a figment of Imagination. India toeing an independent alternative line on issues different from left leaning self-proclaimed liberalists cannot be dubbed as anti-press freedom. Hindus worldwide and in India believe, profess and push for an open, transparent and clean diverse society governed sans corruption, nepotism and exclusivity. India celebrates oneness in its diverse amalgamation of cultures, religious faiths under the Sanatan Dharmic umbrella. Thousands of years of classical civilizational heritage is testimony to Hindus ‘all embracing’ nature and spirit. Not understanding Hindus from their perspective leads to a false notion of ‘shrill nationalism’ kind of narratives that are superficial and erroneous. Neither France based Reporters without Borders (RSF) has the means, bandwidth, methodology or credible data to prove that press freedom was at stake in India. NYT justifying its editorial comment on the questionable World Press Freedom Index report of this organization seems to be fuelled by anti-India and anti-Hindu agenda nursed carefully to meet its objective. If hitting at the famed growth story is the objective, then The New York Times should definitely know that India is invincible and the fake narratives may not work. Leave alone the downgrading India on Press Freedom Index, even the Indian map has been displayed wrongly by the Reporters Without Borders. NYT’s editorial comment is based on reports that depict Kashmir without acknowledging the illegal occupation by Pakistan and China’s occupation of Aksai Chin areas of the North Eastern Indian region. The New York Times editorial backed a BBC documentary that was aggressively anti-Hindu and anti-India in nature. This was called out by British Member of Parliament Bob Blackman who described the BBC documentary as ‘poor journalism, badly researched’. Leave alone The New York Times, even the BBC cannot deny its left wing bias and accept an alternative, independent philosophy of Hindus based on ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, world as one big family. BBC’s left wing bias is known to Britishers. In Margaret Thatcher’s government of ‘80s, several members of the British Parliament brought home this point. Conservative MP Tebbit had aptly described the BBC as ‘stateless person’s broadcasting corporation’. Another conservative MP Peter Bruinvels termed the BBC as ‘Bolshevik Broadcasting Corporation’ pointing to Leftists control over the news coverage. To say that press freedom came under attack after 2014 following Narendra Modi’s ascent to be Prime Minister and Hindu nationalist shrillness is again grossly misguided and propagandist owing to a colonial mind-set of extreme nature. Late Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi had banned BBC from India coverage on two occasions owing to its ‘biases’ in its earlier documentaries also. Perhaps, NYT may not have a plausible explanation for such a ban in late ‘70s. The BBC was in trouble in India in the early 1970s. Even at that time, the Indian diaspora was outraged by BBC documentaries named Calcutta and Phantom India. Louis Malle directed French documentary mini-series Phantom India painted a biased picture of India by emphasising the underdeveloped regions as opposed to the developing ones. If Press freedom was under attack as propagated by BBC and NYT, how’s it that the editorial in The New York Times was not taken down? Thousands of stories filed by a strong network of foreign media professionals based in India that are critical of the government have hit the wires, newspapers and TV outlets freely each day. So, the charge that India, Hindus and by extension Narendra Modi have suppressed ‘free media’ is only agenda peddling by some media houses.

Business Leadership Policy

592

Make the best with change in mind-set

Cooperatives can deliver $ one trillion economic expansion; provide work opportunities to millions and fuel boom in grassroots firms K.A.Badarinath Fourth pillar of Indian economy is on the resurrection mode. From state-owned public undertakings, private and foreign companies, cooperative enterprises considered as fourth engine of economic growth are in for a big makeover. Taking cooperatives seriously as grassroots enterprises to spur rural economy, create jobs and add rural wealth to India’s growth heft was something long overdue. And, this government seems to have got its heart and soul at the right place to revive the cooperative enterprises and help achieving double digit growth and take Indian rural people global. A year-long drive to rejuvenate these enterprises with huge potential across a dozen sectors in the spirit of ‘antyodaya’ as envisaged by Maharshi Arbindo and Vinoba bhave of ‘Godan’ fame is timely. Narendra Modi government’s two decisions in cooperatives sector last one year stand out especially the the rural enterprises that are mostly agricultural primary credit societies. As per government’s own data, over 36,000 such societies have turned dysfunctional with many of these enterprises unviable. Its decision to shut down cooperatives that are untenable is a good beginning to reform the sector that can boast of only half a dozen large multi-state enterprises that are really successful. But, 13-crore members’ network across 99,000 primary credit societies has every chance to add economic muscle to the Indian growth and bring about fundamental change in rural hamlets across the country. Revival of the primary credit societies also will have cumulative effect with balance sheets of 352 district central cooperative banks improving and 34 state cooperative banks getting healthier. These banks have had refinanced or recapitalized thousands of primary credit societies with Nabard’s funding support. Many of these banks were also in doldrums owing to losses or unrealized funds lent to the societies. Integration of these credit societies with focus on core agricultural lending with dairy cooperatives with 1.5 crore membership in two lakh cooperative enterprises would help diversify the risk and open up new business opportunities. Bringing in over 25,000 fisheries cooperatives with 38 lakh members would culminate into the grass roots enterprises taking up multi-modal business activities. This week’s decision to set up two lakh such multi-modal primary credit societies in agriculture, fisheries and dairy sectors over next five years would be an ice-breaker given that they can be carved out into sustainable companies and help reach out to last man standing. These new enterprises would help spread the cooperatives to 1.6 lakh panchayats without primary agriculture credit societies and two lakh villages or clusters without dairy linkages. Multi-ministerial coordination, phasing out overlap of infrastructure and judicious utilization of meagre resources making the new age cooperatives as enterprises for different products and services marks shift in economic pendulum. Harvard bred economists like Dr Manmohan Singh, Montek Singh Ahluwalia or Palaniappan Chidambaram had never believed that cooperatives and rural economic activity could be a game changer. These market and corporate protagonists may actually be irked by the policy shift relating to cooperatives. But, there’s no point in making them believe that cooperatives can deliver big time at grassroots. In fact these ‘highly respected western educated minds’ made fun of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ‘Antyodaya’ anna yojana to feed the perpetually hungry poor people in India’s hinterlands. Their tribe had scoffed at the very thought of taking economic activity to villages in the spirit of anthyodaya as propagated by philosophers – thinkers, Dattopanth Thengdi and Deendayal Upadhyaya. Most significant in the entire strategy to revitalize cooperatives was to rope in successful companies like National Dairy Development Board and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in bringing about sustainable change in the way cooperatives operate on ground zero. Their experience, expertise and reach would only help evolving sustainable grassroots enterprises in cooperatives in the new age. The new policy envisages bringing over 25 business activities under the roof of new age cooperatives. From cooking gas to petroleum products, food grains, fertilizers to seeds, fair price shops to community irrigation have been enlisted as business activities of these cooperatives hitherto segregated under either dairy development or spread of credit. While the new cooperatives policy is yet to take complete shape, setting up a dedicated multi-state enterprise to push grass roots products and services into export markets is yet another milestone in the policy shift heralded by the government. Several countries in Europe like France, Germany; Australia, Canada and Japan have sustainable cooperative models especially catering these countries exports basket. From banking, finance, insurance, pension funds, dairy to agricultural products and services, cooperatives have been the vehicles in these countries exports and domestic consumption. As per World Cooperatives Monitor of 2020, just the top 300 enterprises in this sector account for a whopping US $ 2.146 trillion economic activity. Cooperatives globally provide work opportunities to about 10 per cent of total employed personnel. If one were to go by figures of International Cooperatives Alliance, three million enterprises have over 12 per cent humanity as their stakeholders. A billion members of these cooperatives is what translates to large chunk of economic activity and trade is many countries. In the transformative shift that cooperatives are expected to undergo, a few riders are what matter the most. Hand holding and facilitation by creating conducive environment is what government’s role should be limited to. Allowing them to make most of the opportunities in rural India is what the bureaucracy will have to do. Strangling these new age enterprises with politicians or bureaucrats may not work. Past experiences cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Let’s not ignore what happened to IFFCO. There were several attempts by different governments to effectively make it a state-run enterprise by default. Resistance put up by then Fertilizers minister Ram Vilas Paswan to cut IFFCO’s umbilical cord with the government when the cooperative enterprise made desperate attempt to return the government’s paid up capital cannot be set aside. While IFFCO managed to retain its core cooperative

Disinformation Fact Sheet Hindus Human Rights Media Misinformation Policy World

575

Explainer: BBC, a repeat offender

India: The Modi Question is the most recent attempt by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to taint the image of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a worldwide scale. The documentary tries to revive the Indian Supreme Court decided issue of the 2002 Godhara violence that ensued after the burning of the Sabarmati Express, which killed 59 Hindu Pilgrims on February 27, 2002, and attempts to portrays Modi as a key instigator of the violent Hindu-Muslim clashes and a major source of hatred against Muslims in the country. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs correctly labels this documentary a “propaganda piece” and made with a “colonial mindset” as it misleads viewers, especially a western audience in numerous ways to shape negative “public opinion” about Narendra Modi and the Modi-lead Indian government ground breaking work for the people of India and humanitarian works world-wide.

Business Leadership Policy

588

A responsible budget sans fiscal profligacy!

All inclusive growth strategy is the foundation to an independent developed economy and ready Bharat to play a larger global role K.A.Badarinath Bharat’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a responsible budget on behalf of the BJP-led government on Wednesday. It is on expected lines. Conservative in content and spirit, but the budget for 2023 – 24 has grand vision for taking Bharat to big boys club globally. It lays the foundation for Bharat’s centennial run in 2047 by the time it seeks to evolve as an independent, inclusive and developed economy that is sustainable. The Rs 45 lakh crore budget swan song is to best utilize the ‘amrit kaal’, intervening 25-years to get there and get big. It’s in continuation of the Bharat@100 line given in both the Presidential speech and pre-budget economic survey on Tuesday. Women’s empowerment, skilling our vast human resource, expansion of our tourism industry and achieving green growth as areas that have been identified in the grand vision presented for 2047. Seven priorities laid-out by Narendra Modi government in the budget point to reshaping Bharat’s economic and development paradigm. She gave the budget civilizational connect by christening these priorities as ‘saptarishis’ that guided this country for millennia. Nirmala Sitharaman who has now turned a veteran with her fifth budget presentation, tenth for the Narendra Modi government did not lose on basics. She pushed peddle hard staying the course on fiscal consolidation and not going for the easy option of ‘reckless spending’ or profligacy, hall mark of a government that faces polls in a year or so. On most parameters like fiscal deficit pruning it to 6.4 per cent in next financial year and 4.5 per cent by 2025-26 has been projected. Keeping the jobs-led green growth on track at 6.5 per cent in 2023-24 and achieve double digit expansion in medium term is what the government aspires to achieve. Even for current fiscal, the government managed to keep the deficit at 6.4 per cent on strength of tax revenues and expanded the spending to Rs 41.9 lakh crore. Grand standing on global vision and fiscal prudence did not mean that Prime Minister Modi or his protégé Sitharaman lost out on facing Lok Sabha elections in 2024 preceded by assembly elections in seven states this year. Jobs and environmentally sustainable growth was articulated by Sitharaman in the backdrop of ‘rozgar melas’ that Modi has been holding last six months giving out appointment letters to thousands of first time work seekers. Vocal middle-class voters that have been main stray of this government also got their due especially the honest taxpayers with across the board tax concessions, remissions and exemptions with limits rejigged. In the process, Nirmala Sitharaman had to forego Rs 35,000 crore revenue that the government could afford, given the buoyancy in tax mop up. From economic management side, this would spur further demand for goods and services having multiplier effect on growth impulses. But, opposition political formations are bound to criticize the last full budget of this government in present term as ‘election oriented’. Opening line of the budget speech itself was strong on political messaging as it enlisted youth, women, farmers, backward classes, scheduled castes, tribes and economically weaker sections to be targeted in making Bharat’s economy ‘inclusive’, open and prosperous. Budget is the third instance when the government chose to present its report card of nine years in governance. Nirmala Sitharaman’s numbers were impressive at 11.7 crore households getting toilets, 9.6 crore cooking gas connections, 220 crore Covid vaccinations for 102 crore persons, 47.8 crore jan dhan yojana bank accounts, 44.6 crore getting insurance cover and 11.4 crore farmers getting cash support of Rs 2.2 lakh crore. Not just addressing the voters’ class, Nirmala Sitharaman managed to keep the industry and markets trigger positive. Two big decisions that have had positivity include 33 per cent increase in infrastructure investment at a whopping Rs 10 lakh crore in 2023-24, way above Rs 7.3 lakh crore in current fiscal. This is three times what was possible in 2019-20. If one were to take the grants given to support capital assets in states, capital expenditure moves up to Rs 13.7 lakh crore translating to 4.5 per cent of GDP. Capital outlay of Rs 2.4 lakh crores to railways, Rs 75,000 crore to developing critical transport infrastructure and logistics is an addition. Second trigger was that most consumers across tax brackets got relief thereby allowing extra money for investment or purchases. Thirdly, the government managed to keep its public finances in order without making any major demand on industry through corporate taxes. Modi government’s budget also makes sincere attempt at building confidence in populace at large and swell with pride in their Bharat’s citizenship especially while making out a case for momentous G-20 Presidency and economic surge as fastest growing global economy. Formalization and digitization are factors that would be pushed by the government thereby weeding out corruption in government schemes and shrinking the informal economy. For instance, digital payments led to 7400 crore transactions valued at Rs 126 lakh crore in 2022 alone. Jobs in formal sector have also grown and this reflects in EPFO membership that swelled to 27 crore. Agriculture as a big priority is no surprise and shift to millets based natural farming is a big idea that government has sold through the budget. ‘Shri Anna’, an indic name for millets like Jowar, Ragi, Bajra, Kuttu, Ramdana, Kangni, Kutki, Kodo, Cheena and Sama, resonates as an initiative to make Bharat a global hub for these wholesome nutritious grains. Another significant shift is taking economic growth on green pathway. Apart from the dedicated hydrogen mission, Rs 35,000 crore was set aside to enable energy transition from carbon fuels, green credits, 500 waste to wealth projects with Rs 10,000 crore investment and renewable energy evacuation from Ladakh supported through budget resources of Rs 8300 crore. Skills development got a new heft in its 4.0 version with 47 lakh youth getting trained for taking up jobs

Hindus

702

Sanatan Dharma is the essence of Hindu Rashtra

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of Hindu centric Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) based in India speaks frequently and eloquently on issues like religious harmony, faith, Hinduness, Rashtra (nation or nationhood), Sanatan Dharma and essence of Hindu way of living. At the recent Dharma Bhaskar Awards programme at Nagpur, a western Indian city that also houses RSS headquarters, Bhagawat said that Dharma was centrifugal to Indian ethos and equated Sanatan Dharma to Hindu Rashtra that looked intimidating for some. The phrase Hindu Rashtra may need clarity given huge misconception on what it means or whom it relates to. Most misgivings are due to carefully carved anti-Hindu campaigns run by interested groups. So, Hindu and Rashtra may have to be seen as two different words that mean differently. As per reports, RSS consistently said that Hindus had a distinct vision for life that’s beyond particular mode of worship or faith. Supreme Court of India recently upheld the view that Hindutva was not a religion but way of life. A person living in India and that believes in any religion is regarded as a Hindu. Changing faith by personal preference for any reason does not alter one’s life vision. That is why they all have a life vision of India, i.e., Hindu.[1] This is what RSS believes in. The concept of Rashtra has flummoxed several critical commentators on Hindus and RSS. Rashtra is loosely described as a nation that embodies ancient Indian civilization and diametrically opposite to European view. European nationalism has roots in Benito Mussolini, a fascist dictator’s view. When it came to guarding their interests, European nationalism was opportunistic and oppressive. In contrast, Indian nationalism as propagated by Hindutva forces is based on unity in diversity and reformative to purge its society of evil. The term Rashtra or nationhood has its place inVedic literature to describe the national ethos of Bharatavarsha, a contiguous land mass between the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Himalayas in the north and the deep ocean in the south. Rashtra also encompasses the land of seven rivers i.e. Sapta Sindhu. The civilisation that flourished over millennia in this land nation is imbued with spirituality, divinity, purity and motherhood. A Rashtra is not closed, selfish and individualistic bound by boundaries. It respects pluralism and all-inclusiveness with the vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means the whole world is one big family. In Indian civilizational discourse, the nation is often equated with one’s mother. In the Atharva veda, the Sanskrit verse says, “mata bhumiputroham prithvayah” meaning, this earth is my mother and I am her son. So those who believe in this broad spectrum of Rashtra or nationhood are Hindus. And, the concept of Hindu Rashtra has its moorings in this thinking. On Dharma, Mohan Bhagawat said that it denotes Satva or basic nature of this country. Sanatan Dharma drives the concept of Hindu Rashtra. Bhagawat was quoted as saying that when the Hindu Rashtra progresses, it also translates to progress of Dharma. RSS firmly believes that rise of Hindustan or India was certain and God willing, Sanatan Dharma would take centre stage internationally. RSS’s further amplification was that Dharma is not a cult, sect or a form of worship. Dharmic values include truth, compassion, purity and penance that are equally important. Hindus and RSS, the largest global Hindu organisation, strongly believe that Sanatan Dharma was at the core for India’s global economic dominance for over 1600 years of recorded human history. “India was at the number one economic position for 1600 years and later it ranked in the first five countries. But in 1860, an invader (Imperialist British) understood the importance of “Satva” and introduced a new education system to destroy that “Satva”. Despite many invasions, India remained one of the richest countries in the world as the “Sattva of Dharma” was maintained by its people,” said Mohan Bhagwat. In September 2022, Mohan Bhagwat had met Muslim intellectuals to discuss, strengthen religious harmony and inclusivity in the country. This was one of several such interactions at different levels the Hindu leaders have had with their muslim counterparts to ensure peace, tranquility and holistic development of Indian society. Notwithstanding these efforts, several international outfits and motivated individuals reportedly have had attempted to foment unrest in Indian Muslims and Christians by asserting that RSS was against minorities and caused attacks on them. However, the RSS chief stated that “scare-mongering by some is being done that there is a danger to minorities because of us. This is neither the nature of RSS nor of Hindus. Sangh resolves to stand on the side of brotherhood, amity and peace.”[2] In an interview to Organiser news weekly earlier this week, Mohan Bhagwat said, “foreign invaders are no longer there, but foreign influencers and conspiracies have continued. Since this is a war, people are likely to get overzealous. Although this is not desirable, provocative statements will be uttered.” On way forward during RSS centenary year in 2025, he said, “by the time we reach a hundred, we will have to take Sangh everywhere and forge links with all the segments of the society so that people have better examples to follow. They do not give importance to Bollywood, media and politics. Realising their duties, society should stand with the noble forces. The noble power should work in a harmonious, complementary relationship in the national interest. And whatever strength, expanse and workforce is needed for it, we will have to organise it by 2025. And, based on how much of this we accomplish, we will move ahead.”[3] [1] https://www.rss.org//Encyc/2017/6/3/basic-faq-on-rss-eng.html [2] https://bit.ly/3ZstKsh [3] https://organiser.org/2023/01/09/103852/eweekly/organiser-e-copy-15-january-2023/

Economy Leadership Policy

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Pakistan flounders, Sri Lanka enlist allies

Virtual isolation of Pakistan makes its economic revival difficult while growing support may quickly get Sri Lanka on path to normalcy K.A.Badarinath It’s the tale of two South Asian economies that continue to provide jitters to analysts and policymakers alike. Pakistan and Sri Lankan economies facing tumult are pictures in contrast. The two Indian neighbours are on the verge of collapse on economic front. The two have also been struggling and desperate to get back on revival mode with very little headway thus far. The course taken by both these countries seems diametrically opposite to deliver what they set out to achieve as uniquely placed Indian Ocean small countries. Sri Lanka with an economic size of $ 84.52 billion has piled up a debt of $ 40 billion from bilateral and multi-lateral sources over last one decade that’s unsustainable. In contrast, Pakistan with a medium sized economy of $ 376.49 billion that had previously grown in double digits is in doldrums with virtually no savior in sight. It’s heading for virtual bankruptcy given that the Islamist country that believes in terrorism as a state instrument has piled up $ 274 billion debt that’s roughly over three fourths of its gross domestic product in January this year. Both the South Asian economies have landed in a big mess and it is their own making. While Sri Lanka’s misdirected reforms pushed the island’s fragile economy into chaos, its political churn and protests over last one year have added to the people’s woes. On the other hand, Pakistan’s unsustainable energy import bill, unserviceable expensive foreign debt stock, lack of investments and revenues coupled with huge spending on its untenable security establishment are clear culprits. Unwritten word is that huge unaccounted spending in exporting terror in particular to Bharat is a big expenditure head with no or rather negative returns. Highest common denomination factor in both cases is China where it pushed both countries into a huge debt trap by design especially the funding of infrastructure projects, belt and roads initiative. As per publicly available data, more than two dozen countries including Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been pushed into unsustainable debt contracts via the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), a pet initiative of President Xi Jingping and Chinese Communist Party. Apart from economic and strategic expansionism of China run by its oligarchy, global headwinds are not in favour of Pakistan and Sri Lanka given the looming recession in Europe and United States in aftermath of protracted conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Metamorphosis of this conflict into a big war cannot be ruled out given that the US and Germany apart from other NATO allies were sending in tanks and major military equipment to support the battered Ukraine. Over 60 per cent consumer price inflation in Sri Lanka has rendered millions of people jobless, without food and shelter. Moving away from traditional agricultural practices to purported organic farming without safety latches or back up plan has boomeranged on this beautiful island nation. The political uncertainty has also destroyed its famed tourism and hospitality industry that’s known globally for being very ‘inviting’. On the other hand, Pakistan that reported over 40 per cent retail inflation in January 2023 has made basic food items like wheat flour, oil, sugar, out of the reach for a large section of its population. Owing to massive corruption in both Pakistani army establishment and political leadership, most food items are either unavailable or retail prices unreasonably doubled or tripled. Hoarders and business cartels have had a field day in both Sri Lanka and Pakistan cashing in on weak political structures and greasing corrupt hands all the way. In this adverse situation loans or cash advances have been hard to come by for both countries. Both countries have burnt the midnight oil to keep their heads afloat. Sri Lanka has some advantage over Pakistan that has no friends in the region barring China. India has taken the lead to provide financing assurances to Sri Lanka if one were to go by external affairs minister Subramanyam Jaishankar to the island nation. In effect, outstanding debt can be paid by Sri Lanka on deferred basis. Also, Colombo can access fresh lines of credit in sync with debt restructuring proposal made by International Monetary Fund in which Bharat is actively involved as representative of South Asia. As an ally, Japan is also bound to follow suit. If these developments go as anticipated, Sri Lanka will be able to access $ 2.9 billion relief package from IMF. But, this will happen only when China as the largest contributor to most expensive debt Sri Lanka has availed agrees. As of now, indications are that China may extract its pound of flesh in terms of lucrative contracts and Colombo agreeing to approve its expansionist tantrums. While Sri Lanka has enlisted support of trusted allies like Bharat, Pakistan has not made any headway so far. Barring Saudi Arabia’s agreement to defer payments on oil imports, Pakistan has not made much progress thus far. Deferred payments proposal for Russian oil has not fructified till now. As per State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country’s reserves have plummeted to $ 5.576 billion as of January 1, 2023. This means there’s every possibility of Pakistan defaulting on its repayments if immediate support is not enlisted. Even after businessman turned Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif buckled and agreed to tough conditions proposed by IMF for $ 6.6 billion bailout package, the multi-lateral lender is yet unconvinced on Pakistan economy’s unsustainability. As on date, IMF has not sent its team for negotiation though Pakistan requested for early conclusion of negotiations. Most significant is that it’s all weather friend and military equipment supplier China has not acceded to Pakistan’s request for deferment of its $ 6.3 billion loans. Only Saudi Arabia has hinted at deferring $ 3 billion repayments for Pakistan that matured in December 2022. Possible collapse of Sri Lankan and Pakistan economies collapse will have larger impact in South and

Guest Column Policy

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Make a fundamental shift in Bharat’s economy!

Open Letter to Finance Minister Set ball rolling for playing role of Vishwa Guru, revisit globalization. Refrain from ‘Revdi’ culture, protect the vulnerable communities Madam Finance Minister, Magh Ekadashi Greetings! As you get ready to present tenth budget of BJP-led government under stewardship of Prime Minister on February 1, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies has following suggestions to make. Ignore the naysayers. Relegate to irrelevance, peddlers of Bharat’s doom. Let’s get the best of our spending in 2023-24, that’s expected to be about Rs 45,00,000 crore assuming 10 per cent increase in what was budgeted in the current fiscal. With best wishes & regards(K.A.Badarinath)Director & Chief Executive

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